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Gram PonanteAmerica's beloved porn journalistGram Ponante is a giant among men, especially porn star men, and he’s that much more of a giant among porn women. I met him in Vegas at the annual fuck films confab and he made an indelible impression on me. Heh. His charm is exceeded only by his wit and the poetic way he makes porn sound positively mainstream. Here he shares with ErosZine about what constitutes sexy smut, the sweetest thing he ever saw on a porn set and who he thinks are the smartest stars working in the biz today.ErosZine: You're America's beloved porn journalist, eh? Do tell! Gram Ponante: Americans from all walks of life, even some who are paralyzed but still irrefutably sexy, are compelled to love me and the truth which only I provide. EZ: You write for Fleshbot, XBiz, Gamelink, and your own site, Porn Valley Observed. Any conflict of interests there? GP: I am a freelancer, so I will write for any company that I like and that doesn't bounce checks. This is a progression of which I'm proud, because I used to not have the choice of liking a company or not, and before that I would write for free. So I really like Gamelink and Fleshbot, and I can tolerate myself as a boss, and XBiz is an interesting outfit, so writing about porn has become a part of my job that I enjoy. EZ: And do you write about the same stuff for all three sites? GP: While I'm sure there is crossover readership between those URLs, I try to keep my coverage of similar things different on all of them. Stories about the Kim Kardashian video, for example, are of interest to readers of all of those sites, but I try to differentiate the angles, like writing different resumes for different jobs. EZ: What was it like working for AVN? Was it like being in the belly of the beast, or what? GP: I worked inside that building for three months and three days and met a lot of people who are still my friends (one of whom I'm married to). I currently have a much better relationship with AVN than when I worked there, which is great because the company is still the dominant, though embattled, trade magazine for the adult business. Until it became clear that I was about to be fired, I had a great time there. I either pissed off one of the advertisers or one of the older editors - I've never been told. There is a thriving community of former AVN (and Hustler) employees still working in the porn world, and though I feel that the ex-employee dissident community is actually holding back in its criticisms, I find success on one's own, however I might define it, is much more satisfying than denying AVN's right to exist. EZ: Does the porn industry need a gossip columnist? Or is the gossip more for the porn consumer? GP: I don't know if they need one, but they want one. Only a small portion of my traffic, when I bother to check it, appears to come from Los Angeles County, so I think that what I'm writing (if you're calling me a gossip columnist, and if so I'm going to knock over your coffee) has appeal to the outside world of people who are curious about the way this smaller entertainment industry runs. EZ: Whose names come up most often in porn gossip? GP: Jesus Christ and Jenna Jameson in that order. One obsession leads to the other. EZ: You and I recently spent some time on a porn shoot together [link to LA Story] so this question isn't for me, but what's it like watching people make porn? GP: 99 percent of the time it is merely enjoyable, like a job you're familiar with but are still curious about. The remaining percentage point is very exciting. The three times I went to one of Cousin Stevie's "Pussy Party" shoots were great fun because they are all-day affairs, everyone has dug in for the day, and by the end of the shoot everyone is really feeling it. EZ: And what did it feel like BECOMING the porn gossip after your fracas with Kurt Lockwood? GP: I might be wrong, but I don't think anyone got to know me because of that incident. Since most of what bloggers write isn't objective, we are subject to "public figure" status (if anyone bothers to pay attention). So I've read some awful things about me before, as well as some very nice things, and I'm used to it as part of the job. I think it's to be expected as soon as one uses the first person singular to write. But I'd be lying if I didn't say I was relieved that most of what I read about the affair focused on how forgiving a criminal act on set was a dumbass move. No one can lay claim to the lofty titles of porn producer or porn director who allows that sort of thing; they will have a hard time doing so in the future. EZ: Is it ever sexy watching people fuck while being filmed? If yes, can you cite any particular examples? GP: Definitely the "Pussy Party"s. I have a feeling that the energy in the room translates on screen, too. I tend to enjoy things that don't appear staged, and that appear to have motivation in addition to the paycheck. EZ: What type of porn -- if any -- do you enjoy watching? GP: If I were a director, I would create a line called "Not Slutty on Purpose". It would feature women with a glint in their eye wearing sneakers, sweatshirts, and ponytails. Maybe they would be gutting fish, welding, or driving to Mexico. Either way, there would be no self-slapping of the ass, no biting one's own finger, and no high heels. Sample dialogue might be: "You happen to want a blow job? I happen to be excellent at them." EZ: So tell me about your Ivy League background. GP: My college resume is scattered. I would run out of money and scholarships weren't sufficient to ease the burden. I had 9-to-5 jobs at the schools I attended, so that was my degree strategy (and I recommend it). I have only recently started getting requests for cash from the Alumni office, so I think my profession isn't that odious after all this time. EZ: And what's it like being the intelligent, articulate member of the adult entertainment universe? GP: And I think there are plenty of intelligent and articulate people in this business. Most of them, unfortunately, aren't the ones writing about it. That is why I really like the few good, witty, edgy writers who aren't afraid to say they would like to romp Page Morgan or Kami Andrews. I don't think people should write about porn in a sexless way. I don't think the genre deserves it. But you can be smart without being sexless. Some people write drunk; I like to write (about porn, anyway) while thinking about how best I might continue my bloodline. EZ: And how the hell did such an erudite young man as yourself wind up in this business anyway? GP: See, that's a classic example of not giving this admittedly flawed industry the credit it deserves. Why shouldn't a smart person work here? There's plenty to write about and it's all interesting. Even the ridiculous stuff is interesting. And the legal, social, business, and technological aspects of this business are analagous (and you can't have analogous without anal) to their counterparts in every industry, just with more douching. EZ: Who are the smartest porn stars working today? In your opinion... GP: I love the way Lorelei Lee writes but I've yet to see her have sex. We keep meaning to reconnoiter over one of her movies. It's the same with Tina Tyler - I just missed her performing career but she sure knows how to talk. Brian Surewood's a smart guy - I bet he has some manifestos tucked away. Nina Hartley and Mika Tan are both brilliant. Aiden Starr is very smart but I fear someday she might use her talents for evil. Kylie Ireland is a no-nonsense thinker. And Tommy Pistol seems to have a great sense of humor so I'm tempted to call him a genius though I don't know him. EZ: Do you ever get any action when you're on set? GP: I never sought it out. And I think the people who aren't performers who go looking for it should leave the business and leave now. But I would be rude, and perhaps an idiot, to turn down an offer if it came my way that I would accept under other circumstances (like at church). With that said, my wife and I have a rule that nothing happens unless I can take it home. EZ: Does anyone? GP: Yes. There were two people recently let go from a well-known trade magazine who were notorious for soliciting it. EZ: What the hell happened to fluffers? Or are they on OTHER porn sets? I didn't see any... GP: There are fluffers! They are usually the female friends accompanying the women doing the scene who aren't averse to helping out the male talent. A different woman on set can sometimes help the male performer not to focus too much on his wood problem. Porn stars have difficult jobs sometimes. EZ: That's for sure! Now, tell us something truly scandalous! GP: I don't think I could tell your readers anything that would scandalize them, but I will tell you something sweet. The first set I attended was "Whoriental Sex Academy 4" (2002). I was very worried that my body might betray me, but soon I saw that the mechanics of a porn set didn't really lend itself to inspiring boners in the peanut gallery. Mika Tan and Sledge Hammer had just completed scenes (I'm not sure if they worked with each other) and both decided to take a nap together on one of the beds on the set. I've since been to some less friendly sets, but most have had more in common with the relaxed and amicable nature of that Bud Lee movie than not. I've only been to one set where I've felt the production didn't have its shit together and wasn't able to deal with a performer who had lost his, and you were lucky enough to be there with me for it. EZ: If you could be a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be? GP: Man Chowder. EZ: Okay, I'm getting silly now. I wish I knew a bit more about you, so I could ask more embarrassing questions! GP: My leather pants were stolen by a drag queen. While I was out $400, I was flattered that a drag queen liked my clothes. EZ: That seems as good a place as any to end this interview! Thanks, Gram! [Written March 2007] |
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