Tuesday, May 22nd, 2001

Dianna Roth Tackles The New York Times

Dianna Roth writes the New York Times: Porn is like anything else, both good and bad. It is intensely creative; it is formula. Women are horribly mistreated; women are treated like goddesses. I spent 25 years in the business and, to paraphrase Dorothy Gale in MGM's "The Wizard of Oz," some of it was horrible, but most of it was wonderful.

Still, like any entertainment medium, porn is a fantasy, and the article addresses only the facade. Like an Italian spaghetti western, where the buildings are only frontispieces to an empty landscape, Frank Rich's article presents only the surface the industry would have the public view. Please join us on l-keford.com for the seamy underside. Luke may not always have his facts right, but at least he is honest and doesn't stick to party line puffery.

Selena Steele Profile

I just read an interesting porn star interview which I believe sheds light on primal issues in life. Enjoy.

Born around 1967, Selena Steel (she has an older brother and sister) grew up in a small town in Orange County, Southern California. She began nude modeling and stripping around 1990.

"I was an executive secretary and computer programmer," Steel told Richard Pacheco in an interview published in the May, 2001 issue of Batteries Not Included (BNI@aol.com). "Once, when I was reading the paper, I saw an ad for centerfolds. So, I called Mike Rick, who was an agent then, and went for an interview. He sent me out on my first job... I had to dress up in lacy panties and put pigtails in my hair and then they photographed me in kind of this nude layout on a trampoline for some kind of masturbation magazine.

"I was bored. I always dated very conservative men. I was about 23 and I felt that life was passing me by...

"My father is an alcoholic. He used to tell me how ugly I was, unattractive and stupid. I thought, 'Well, I'll show him.' I got in the magazines and it built back my confidence. It was like proving to myself that I could do it. I wasn't ugly like he told me I was.

"I went to therapy for three years and my relationship with him improved.

"I also dated a guy for six years who told me that he'd never marry someone who took their clothes off for a magazine. As soon as I broke up with him, I started doing it [nude modeling].

"I like a man who has power. The guy I dated for six years owned a very, very large insurance company nationwide and all through Europe. He was worth about $72 million.

"I always seek powerful men. I've dated over sixteen millionaires."

After getting a breast enlargement, Selena did a couple of photo layouts for Hustler which led to her entry into hardcore.

"When the Hustler layout came out, some people that I went to high school with sent me a Bible. They made these phone calls to me that forced me to have my number changed.

"I was at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. I went to the Cinderella party and I was approached. A long time ago, I told myself I would never do movies. I had to draw the line somewhere and that was my life. But I decided, 'Well, I'll do one and see what it's like.'

Steele debuted in a movie for John Leslie in a scene with Joey Silvera.

In her second scene, Selena did Marc Wallice. "I wasn't attracted to Marc. There isn't any chemistry. I didn't find him to be a warm person. Joey was warm.

"I didn't like it [her scene with Wallice]. I pretended he was Joey Silvera. Mark just was a total turn-off to me. We had bad chemistry."

Selena lost her lesbian virginity to a fellow nude model.

Flashpoint Conquests Models

Chris writes: I have also wanted to write to you about "Flashpoint". Jenna cannot act BUT "Flashpoint" is a shining example of network television production quality brought to porn. From the opening of the movie through the stunt scene (with fire!) to the funeral scene the acting of Mike Horner and others and the direction of Brad Armstrong sparkles. This level of quality is not maintained later but we need to notice and reward good work wherever it happens in porn. Professional stunt work, even in fight scenes, is practically nonexistent in porn. Another example of exceptionally high production value is "Conquest", also directed by Brad Armstrong. I have seen many mainstream pirate movies that did not have a ship, but Jenna does board a real ship and sail the sea. My third favorite example of unexpected quality in porn is the film "Models" directed by Kris Kramski. This is a genuine art film with miraculous performances by James Bonn and others produced under very difficult circumstances.

Internet Gossip

XXX Porn Insider says: At RJB's convention in Phoenix a couple of months ago, on one of the panels, somebody asked from the audience, 'What can we do about Luke F-rd?' And the presenter said Luke has journalistic license to do what he's doing, and there's not much we can do.

The retreat was a clusterf---. Segregated. Three different parties going on at the same time, everyone feeling like they are not at the right one. They couldn't find places big enough to hold certain people. It wasn't as much RJB Telcom's retreat as CCBill's and Cavecreek's.

Fred writes: "Few facts about the Phoenix webmaster show: It was a well run show. Very professionally run and interesting. Lots to do, good people attended. Much better that the two Levi shows I went to. It was thrown by CCBill not RJB. I saw RB and Bob there, but they did not run it. RB was on a panel with JB (CEN), Ron Cadwell (CCBill), an attorney for CEN, and Jim from Porn Megabucks. At one point, RB was asked "What do you think of Cybererotica lowering their webmaster payouts?" RB sarcastically replied, "Cyber WHO?" The place erupted with laughter."

Kevin Blatt's been blamed for a lot of stuff that I've given to you... Everyone thinks he talks to you every day.

Kaos Management is the company formed to manage Sex.com. It was formed by SEGuru (Darin Babbin), Otto, Greg Geelan and Bryan Jones.

The new Sex.com seems ok, though not spectacular. Some people in the industry have called the launch of the new Sex.com the non-event of the year.

There's been no sight of Stephen Michael Cohen for months. Sex.com is offering a $50,000 reward.

YYY Porn Insider says: Luke, you've become like Vivid, constantly repackaging content on your site.

What's going on with Epoch? They owe people hundreds of thousands of dollars. They reportedly owe over about two million to RJB Telcom. Many porners are concerned about their viability. One major player walked away, leaving behind one million dollars in reserves.

That's what keeps many people hanging on with Epoch and other credit card processors. They keep hoping they will get their reserves back one day. I don't know anyone who's gotten their reserves back.

Xpays.com scrapped the potential merger with Seth Warshavsky's IEG because some ex-IEG were unhappy with Seth and were ready to go after Xpays to get their money (if Xpays and IEG merge).

A lot of people are hurting. I predict that Gary Kremen will probably pull the plug on the current arrangement for Sex.com. Gary likes to party. I'm sure Yishai Habari and Ron Levi are having the last laugh about Sex.com.

Where are you going to take your radio show? Private Label Resources might take you. They hate Ron Levi.

Luke replies: I'm fine with taking a break from it. It is exhausting. I always come away from the show with a headache.

Fatboy writes: Here is Epoch's latest bulls--- announcement to any idiot who still relies on their poor service for their processing...

Tuesday May 22, 2001

Rand at EPOCH Dir. of Corporate Communications rand@epochsystems.com writes:

It was Mark Twain that said "The rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated". I find it appropriate to mention that quote after hearing many of the rumblings regarding our disbursement delays. Today's post serves as a means to inform each of you regarding the current status of Epoch Transaction Systems and to put a rest to any concerns you may have or rumors you might have heard.

First let me say that Epoch is not experiencing any devastating problems. We are not going out of business and we are not declaring bankruptcy. We are not holding any client money. It is paid out as we receive it. Our disbursement delays will not continue indefinitely and we will return to a normal disbursement schedule. No one will be happier to return to regular disbursements than us. The delays are more than an inconvenience for us all.

We are certainly not experiencing the types of problems that affected DMR (Web 800) about two years ago. DMR received the death penalty from VISA due to their unacceptable chargeback ratios. Not only do we have a great relationship with VISA, but our chargebacks are well within acceptable guidelines. In no way whatsoever are we experiencing the kinds of problems that caused DMR to close its doors.

That being said, Epoch is working very hard to insure that each of you receives your payments as quickly as possible. Settlements from our banks are somewhat delayed due to the same kinds of factors you would experience if you were processing to your own merchant account. We have an excellent relationship with VISA and other card associations. We have good relationships with our merchant banks. We have multiple banking solutions which give us advantages over other processors. However, due to many factors we have had delays in funds settling to us.

The structure of our banking relationships is quite different from every other processor and as mentioned we have some advantages. Clients who've been with Epoch for many years know that they are able to accept more transactions with Epoch than with any other processor and that although we have had problems with delayed disbursements that everyone always gets paid. Your account simply makes more money with Epoch than other processors.

In the recent past Epoch brought payments to within one to two weeks of being current. Situations arose which required us to take action and we have found ourselves in a disbursement delay once again. Specifically, one of the major banks we used to process transactions lost their ability to continue to accept VISA transactions for high risk merchants. Although we have other solutions in place, this did require some maneuvering so that we could maintain the enormous volume of transactions that we process each day. These problems have been resolved but not without causing Epoch to be affected by delays in settlement of funds. Again, as the settlements are made available to us, we in turn disburse the payments to our clients.

Pornography - Profit Or Problem?

From Internet.com:

On the ISP-Webhosting list in May, MW ignited a question: "I've heard people say not to host adult content due to stuff like too much bandwidth usage and an increased vulnerability to hackers, but I don't get that. Adult content makes more money than anything on the web. What's the difference what their traffic is, as long as they pay for it?"

A number of respondents said that pornography is morally wrong:

[CP explained] "I suppose it is a matter of one's personal ethics. Even though I'm nearly bankrupt, I would have to decline such service. As to the possibility of an increase in security risks, it would seem only logical, based on the type of clientele that content of this type would attract."

Others worried about technical and customer service issues:

[WW noted] "I've actually been asked by a customer whether or not we host adult content. They did not want to host on a server that hosted adult content—not for moral reasons, but because those sites tend to be resource hogs which can decrease the quality of service to other customers. If I were to take adult hosting customers at all (something I have no ethical issue with, provided it is all legal and legit), I would put them on their own servers, and the resource limits, fees, and overage charges would be on a totally different (higher) scale."

[MB added] "If you don't like porn, don't look at it. But it results in close to 80 percent of the business transacted on the Internet today. 'Nuff said."

Playboy Finds It's Not Easy To Be Hardcore

From Inside.com:

Playboy Enterprise's latest cable offerings may be too sexy for their own good. Cable operators are shunning Playboy's Spice Platinum, a new group of channels with graphic fare. And satellite providers are unlikely to pick up the channels, either, since they already provide racy adult content from Playboy's former subsidiaries, Hot Network and Hot Zone.

Playboy -- which once decided it would get out of the business of airing hard-core movies on cable -- announced last year that it would roll out Spice Platinum with porn movies depicting actual penetration rather than just soft-core sex scenes. Likely suppliers include such porn-industry stalwarts as VCA and Wicked Pictures, which already provide content for Playboy's video-on-demand offerings.

The move was crucial for the Chicago-based company, which has noticed that hard-core porn can generate strong revenues on pay-per-view. Revenues from adult pay-per-view movies rocketed to $465 million last year from $369 million in 1999, partly due to demand for more explicit fare, according to Kagan World Media, the media industry newsletter and data book publisher that, like Cable World and Inside.com, is a subsidiary of Media Central. Officials announced earlier this month that the channels would be delayed till the summer due to technical difficulties. But some observers wonder if the tepid response from operators may have influenced the delay.

Why Do Jewish Men Like Asian Women?

A big madam today said that whenever she gets Jewish men as clients, she suggests asian girls for them, because that's their usual preference.

Dianna "The Supreme Jew" Roth thinks it is because Jewish men have little dicks and are looking for tight little pussies to stick 'em in...

Stop The Vivid Bashing

Joe Bonez writes: Dear Luke, I was pleasantly surprised to discover your site mentioned in the New York Times magazine this Sunday but not so delighted by some of the stuff I found on it when I checked it out.

I'm a former editor at Vivid Video and your take on Steve Hirsch is unfortunately very limited in its perspective. Having worked on a substantial level in mainstream Hollywood before spending six years of my life at Vivid, I can testify that Steve was one of the smartest, coolest, and nicest people I've ever worked for.

It's true, there were problems at Vivid, but they were usually the result of ego clashes or the generally high pressure of meeting deadlines while maintaining a winning edge in an increasingly competitive arena. Steve's door was always open and he would always take the time to investigate and try to resolve any problems.

His business practices were no better or worse than those of any aggressive businessman trying to handle several dozen employees in a highly competitive business, but based on the contact I had over the years with Steve and his partners, I found them very decent individuals, and have to believe that good karma was part of the mix which fostered their incredible success.

Since leaving Vivid (and adult) a year ago I have reintegrated successfully back into the real world, and can only hope that the ethics of the Hollywood producers I deal with now are at least as honorable as Steve's. (Which has not been the case in the past, in my experience.)

Porn Girls Are Not Going To Brunei

XXX says: Girls have not gone to Brunei for quite some time. The girls were for Prince Jeffri, the Sultan's brother. PJ is living in London now, he is on a $50,000 a month allowance. He is not even allowed into Brunei. And $50,000 a month is hardly enough to cover what he was spending on girls. Sometimes it wss $50,000 a day! So if you heard that girls are getting ready to go back, it's bulls---.

Luke Gets Mail

Ian writes: Hi Luke, I see that you have reported, without comment, the stoning to death in an Iranian jail of a woman convicted of taking part in pornography. If you made the world's rules, who would be deserving of the most punishment, the stoner(s) or the stonee?

Luke says: The stoners.

Ian writes: Hi Luke, I was interested to see your correspondent Rich refer to the tedious quality of films like 'Flashpoint.' I had wanted to write about this particular film before (I saw it in a softcore version on UK cable a couple of months ago), but couldn't remember the title! The film was LUDICROUS in its pretentiousness, its absurd plot too obviously crafted to give Jenna Jameson every few minutes an opportunity, of which she markedly failed to take advantage, to take the limelight and ACT. She really let herself down - a clown trying to play Hamlet without the faintest idea of how to go about it. Miss Jameson's stature as a porn star is secure, but she really has no acting talent whatsoever, and should be content with those talents she does possess, and in spades.

Rob Black Blasts Steve Orenstein

Extreme Associates Rob Black blasts Wicked Pictures owner Steve Orenstein on the web site GeneRossExtreme.com:

I've just discovered that the brand new Wicked movie which is supposed to be the GREATEST movie that they've ever done, that is going to be the award-winner, the award winner meaning sucking Paul Fishbein's f---ing cock, that piece of s---. The award winner-- what is it? It's a box that is exactly our box. He f---ing ripped off our f---ing box. And it doesn't help the fact that we both have the exact, same box person that does our boxes. So this little piece of red haired s--- went to the box guy with our boxes and said, will you do our box like Extreme Associates' box? Will you make our box like their box? Please, please, please, FB, will you make our look be the exact same look that Extreme Associates has? That, my friend is bulls---. Why don't you get your own f---ing idea. Why don't you f---ing revolutionize the business in some other way, because you weren't doing this a year ago; you weren't doing this two years ago. No, you did it because we do it and our f---ing product and our pieces sell more than your f---ing piece of s--- Stephanie Swift f---ing Brad Armstrong hunk of s---.

So what do you do? You encase that movie in a beautiful package and try to f---in' copy us. Get a f---in' idea. Get a f---in' life. You suck. You can sit there in that motherf---in' office suckin' dick with Paul Fishbein and you can hope for the bust of Extreme Associates to take us down. But we won't go down. Because we'll have ten busts, we'll have twenty busts, we'll have thirty busts. Let me tell you this. I'll run this f---in' company from f---in' prison. And that's the bottom line and we'll still do our boxes. Because you know what? This can all be avoided if you f---in' say these words, 'Rob Black, I've seen how awesome your boxes are. And I needed to have that awesomeness for my box. So you are the inspiration. You are the light of my life. You have shown me the way to market and package a product in a great box. Is it alright if I go to FB and ask Frank, please will you do my box exactly like Rob Black's box'?

Fun Boy writes Luke: The Vhs was done in 1996 and the DVD was done in 1998. THE TRUE FIRST CHROMIUM BOX was done years ago. Rob Black did not invent this nor was he the first to use it in adult. You know who did it, your buddy Keith Again did. SO SUCK ON THAT ROB.

Dianna scoffs: A real journalist would scan in a copy of each box and let us decide for ourselves, but my darling boy is soooooo lazy....

Thank You Montana Gunn

Chimo32 writes on BigDoggie.net: Last Wednesday, I was fortunate enough to spend some time with the stunning Montana Gunn. Many thanks to Mike at ASF who was able to set it up with very short notice.

I met Montana in the bar of the hotel she was at. She was wearing a beautiful flower print dress and a fur shawl. We had a drink and adjourned upstairs to her room. I told Montana that this was my very first PSE [Porn Star Escort] and that seemed to excite her. She immediately put me at ease by starting with some tender kissing and making me feel comfortable. She let me know that I could relax and that my wish was her command.

Montana's french lesson without an interpreter was fantastic. after that, we experimented with some toys (which she said brought out the kinkiness in me) and delved into some Russian. Greek was offered but I was so overwhelmed, I missed it. Montana played cowgirl for a while and the we finished up on the bathroom sink.

She was the ultimate GFE [Girl Friend Escort]. I actually was the clock watcher because I knew she had to be somewhere after our appt. Montana was so relaxed and just dove right in. I wish that all first timers could have the experience that I did. I can die peacefully now. Thanks Montana!!

Luke asks: What does it mean to speak Russian?

Don Ho writes: What does it mean to "speak Russian," you ask? Well, it might mean to have sex with Vicca and Nikita. But, more generally speaking, "Russian" = tit f---.

Chaim Amalek writes: Thank you for expanding my vocabulary. you know, you ought to provide a glossary to l-keford.com so that those of us not "in the know" (e.g., the members of your bet din) can better follow along.

Nici Sterling Escorting Information

AdultStarFantasy.com writes: For everyone who has been asking. Nici Sterling is NOT retiring from escorting. She unfortunately had to cancel her DC tour with us because she received notice of an unexpected family visit that conflicted with the dates. Following that she's off to England for more than a month to take care of some personal matters. All of this unfortunately means no tours will be scheduled for about 3 months.

Currently she's available in LA and selectively for travel until she leaves for England. I hope that clears everything up. If anyone needs any specific information about the availability of travel dates, or wants to book an appointment in LA, just email us at: staff@adultstarfantasy.com

Sky's Day Off

MBalls writes: Luke, it was comforting to notice from Sky's e-mail that her cannabis use has not diminished her ability to write succinctly.

Pleas For Parental Help?

Helmann writes on RAME: Does anyone know of any films where a woman screams out for parental help during a sex scene which has nothing to do with the porn plot?

The only scene I can think of is when Anastasia Blue appears to cry out in pain for her mother to help her in "Little White Chicks... Big Black Monster Dicks 3." In hindsight I believe that Anastasia was just acting, though I seriously wasn't sure until I watched the scene a third time. This was the first time I had seen Anastasia Blue in a film and the scene is quite intense. She's gagging, drooling, and crying while her eyeshadow bleeds over her face, as Lex, Byron, and Jake toss her body around like a rag doll.

Decline Of Stewardesses

Pat Riley writes on RAME: Have you been on a plane recently (last 10 years)? Due to the rise of feminism, stews can no longer be selected for their model-like quality but the airlines have to employ frumpy old biddies that would only appeal to the Older And Anal crowd (or maybe the VCA watchers). Quite takes the fun out of flying. Anyway, I doubt that too many young guys see stews as anything but waitresses-of-the-air, and we don't see too many waitresses showing up as a lusted after occupation.

(Riley recalls with pleasure his flights in the seventies on PSA where they clad the stews in hot pants and every aisle seat was occupied by a lustful perve just waiting for the drink trolley to pass. When the girl had to reach in the lower shelf...ah heaven. And some of you say the culture hasn't deteriorated.)

Is Paul Fishbein Hurting Jenna Jameson?

FearZeus writes: Hey Lukey, the balls on this guy, huh?? Jenna Jameson shouldn't be hurt what Fishhead says. This f---ing clown is always putting his foot in his mouth!! What asshole makes a living on all these porn companies, actresses, actors, directors etc…..then turns around and calls them dysfunctional on a reputable mainstream article like the New York Times Magazine?? The same asshole who had a chance to give the people (that finances his company, his trips to the Super Bowl and skiing trips, and all the toys he has) that do porn for a living, a feeling of legitimacy and dignity. Even if it's not true, you f---ing leech, at least try to look like you are backing them up and show some support. There is enough Republicans out there.... the porn industry doesn't need one of their own trashing them!!! And as to the comment about stars getting pissed about not winning YOUR awards or getting a good review on YOUR magazine…..they only want a fair shot at the award…..not what company puts the most money in your pocket!!!! They don't make real movies....but I guess their hard work makes you REAL money!!!! What the industry needs is a real competitor to Fishhead's AVN company that has integrity and has some legitimacy!!! Or at least someone that doesn't make money off of you, then throws you under a bus the first chance they get to make himself look better!!!

Lukey, she must be one of the most phoniest people that I have ever met. You see, people think she is a "bitch". But that doesn't bother me. If you are going to be a "bitch" then be true about it and accept it as your personality. I can respect that!! But faking that you are nice....and then behind your back just pushing you off a cliff when you are not looking, then telling everybody else that it was the wind.....well that's just straight up PHONY!!!! And the irony in her name is...what do you call her without getting yourself sick?? Calling her "Joy" just ruins Webster's definition of the word....and calling her "Ms. King" just makes you wish that England's Royal Family never should have allowed the word "King" as a surname in the english language!!! That is my opinion and I'm sticking to it!!!

Wicked - Falling Apart At The Seams?

FearZeus writes 3/29: What is there left to say? First Jenna….now Alexa. Wicked is down to two contract stars with a third on it's way. But the third has been around for years. Not exactly "fresh" new material. What in the wide world of porn is going on in the "cozy" office on Canoga Park? Steve-O is a great guy….a sweetheart to anyone that knows him. Girls loved working for him. He was courteous, respectful, and a down to earth lovable guy. If you enter his office and you see him for the first time, you think that he is there to assist the President of Wicked pictures for materials, coffee, copies, etc. Then you find out he IS the president of Wicked pictures. He has not changed a bit since back in the days of working in a video shipping warehouse. So what happened? Has he changed? Has he gotten an inflated ego? The answer is no!! So what's the problem? Why the internal mess? Why the bickering and the eternal conflict within the girls and the staff at Wicked? The answer is a person who I will not name. But the person knows who he/she is.

This person comes with a smile. Tells you hello, and makes you feel liked. But there is no real sincere behind that smile. This person can tell you that you are great, and then curses you out in front of other people the second you walk out the door. This person is in charge…and constantly reminds you of it. If you have an idea and it works, he/she takes the credit. If it bombs, you are reminded that you failed and it's your fault. You are in a constant lose/lose situation. I'm glad Jenna left…it was long overdue. And Alexa? Well I would leave too if I was constantly told how fat I am and that I need to get into a weight program. And if you recently met Alexa, she has curves that would make Raquel Welch in her prime full of envy. Alexa is a size 1 or 2….. she needs a weight program??? You want to know what "this" person felt was a serious answer to Alexa's "weight problem"? Exact words out of his/her mouth, "She needs to get back on drugs…hell I will even buy it for her!!" Real nice huh?

So why this post? What is the purpose of writing this message? Steve-O deserves better than this. He deserves better professionalism from his "top" people. These people are an extension of him and his Wicked company. If they can't control their actions in the manner that Steve would himself….then they need to get off the ship before they put a hole at the bottom and sink the S.S. Wicked entirely. Steve, I hope you do read this post and take it seriously. I hope you realize that what I'm saying has truth in it. And although it might be painful for you to rectify this situation, you will do it in the best interest of Wicked pictures. And to the person that I am addressing as the "problem"….underhanded actions never prevails. Life has a way of coming around and giving it back to you 10 times worse…..trust me!!!

Luke says: It took me two months to figure out that FearZeus referred to Joy King, head of publicity at Wicked and Steve Orenstein's right hand woman. Steve's married to Joy's sister. I could've figured this out right away but I've only had good experiences with Joy King and she's always struck me as the height of congeniality and professionalism. So l-keford.com can not endorse the sentiments above.

FearZeus writes: Lukey, she must be one of the most phoniest people that I have ever met. You see, people think she is a "bitch". But that doesn't bother me. If you are going to be a "bitch" then be true about it and accept it as your personality. I can respect that!! But faking that you are nice....and then behind your back just pushing you off a cliff when you are not looking, then telling everybody else that it was the wind.....well that's just straight up PHONY!!!! And the irony in her name is...what do you call her without getting yourself sick?? Calling her "Joy" just ruins Webster's definition of the word....and calling her "Ms. King" just makes you wish that England's Royal Family never should have allowed the word "King" as a surname in the english language!!! That is my opinion and I'm sticking to it!!!

FearZeus writes 5/11/01: Lukey, it's been awhile since I contacted you. I felt bad when Joy King shunned you out and told her people not to talk to you because of me. The fact that people actually listen to her and take her seriously is mind boggling to me....I guess the truth hurts. Anyway, the reason for this post is because now I've seen and heard everything!! One thing is "Crazy" Bobby (Spallone) leaving New York to live in L.A.....another thing is Bobby getting invovled in the porn industry(God knows we have done worse things)....

Joe King writes on the New York Times Sunday magazine discussion board: "Having just returned from Europe where sexual expression is embraced, not forced under the blanket, I believe it all goes back to this countries religious beginnings. We're taught at a young age that sex is bad and that you shouldn't enjoy it. Especially as a women. We're taught that we should be ashamed of our body. It's been proven that in countries that enjoy open sexual expression, rape is nearly non-existent. I've worked in this business for 17 years and have enjoyed every minute of it. I can only hope that the religious right will not try to legislate morality."

Sin City director Michael Raven writes on the NYTimes.com discussion board: We live in an upside down society. Where for the most part violence is an accepted standard in our entertainment , but many aspects of consentual, adult sexuality are still taboo. Why is it more acceptable to portray any form of violence that the human mind can conceive, yet we hang our heads in shame when images of sexuality are presented in the same program? We tell our children that words such as "f---" are "bad", yet nary an eye is batted at words like "rape" and "murder" which are expressions of the two most heinous acts one can commit. I ask the readers of this forum, Why? Why are we so afraid of sexual expression? I have yet to understand this paradox.

Luke says: The New York Times did not have the balls to publish my email to the discussion where I ripped apart the baloney in Frank Rich's article.

Jeff Steward - Filthy Cheap Whore?

LegendsXXX writes: Have you ever been balls-deep in your cellmate's ass and wondered if you were getting the most from your anal experience? Well, that used to happen to me all the time. Does your cellmate suffer from porn star anus? Is it too loose? Relax. Ramming his head into the toilet will tighten him right up, giving you a tight hole to enjoy. Worried about those pesky and smelly accidents? Don't worry any longer. Rub his nose in it and say, "bad whore."

All this and more can be learned in Anal Jail Babe starring Jeff Steward. Jeff Steward is such a stupid slut!...he thinks he can wear that jumpsuit and just throw it all over County. Wait 'til he gets into the shower and tries to pick up the soap. When those big dicks are shoved up his ass and down his throat until he pukes, just tell him "Smile bitch!" Watch for this and more in Jeff Steward AKA Filthy Cheap Whore County Jail Gang Bang - it's more fun than Corcoran State! Coming soon, from Legend.

Heather Barron Asks What's Up With Jenna J, Zoe, Kristy

Heather Barron writes Luke: Requesting a status report on Zoe and her life on the east coast. Featuring? Web site back up?

Kristy Myst...What's she up to these days?

Jenna J...I'm curious what Jenna might see on her horizon after she decides to call it quits on feature dancing and being in adult film. Does she think she'll keep her web site up and expand into producing movies for new up and comers? Will she become a housewife? Mainstream acting? What does she see herself doing 5-10 years from now.

Meni from PornNewsDaily.com writes: I got the scoop months ago, 9/20/00:

PND: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Jenna: Driving with my husband (Justin) and three kids in our Rolls Royce Azure to our summer home in Vail.

Note from Meni: "Holy s---! In 10 years, I'll be driving with my life partner, Luke F-rd, and our three adopted kids in our Azure to our summer home in Vail!"

Mark Kernes - The New Messiah?

Gregory Bowman writes: How embarrassing, indeed, when someone misses the mark so publicly. Such is the case with Mark Kernes, editor for AVN, who has been proven so wrong with the verdict "not guilty" for Elyes Passion in which he so resoundly predicted a guilty finding.

Not only has he been proven a complete boob but he has abundantly made his point clear repeatedly in print over the last few weeks. I can just picture him slipping on the marble floors of his own ego in the drool that is his hyperbole; his puppet-like body flying through the air and landing with a convincing thump; the reality that he has fallen on his thumb deeply stuck up his ass for everyone in the porn business to see.

It is clear that he is the "voice" of the adult film industry and, in as much, "thumbs" his ass at us all and smiles for being the grand jackass of the year.

Elyse Metcalf may yet dawn the strap-on of independence and freedom of speech and anally rape him before his peers. Im sure the image of him doing his best rendition of Ned Beatty "squealing like a pig" would amuse everyone. She certainly has proven that Mr. Kernes is best suited typing with one hand, thinking of a different mitier.

May it be said the world stood still the day Mark Kernes fell on the ego that holds him so rigidly in a pose not unlike a cherub spurting water in a fountain, but with much more splashing about. Maybe Mr. Kernes will refrain in the future from his lengthy diatribes of how great he actually is before he, again, slips, falls, and requires a surgeon to remove his thumb from his ass.

Maybe they will find his 2001 Reuben Sturman award up his anus as well; I'm confident that is exactly where it is best displayed. Freedom isn't always free; but doesn't it sing best from your ass, Mark Kernes.

Mr. Kernes, My hat off to you as the man who who has dropped the proverbial soap, powdered at that. We can all hear the great sucking sound coming from your office............... ONLY IN AMERICA!!! Comments? Questions? Nathans_Parble@yahoo.com

Tod Hunter chose to not publish the above. He responds to Gregory: "This is just a bunch of name calling that can be summed up in a few words: "Kernes was wrong, and he's an ego-driven asshole." If you want to throw something substantive in the mix, please do. I have posted e-mails disagreeing with Kernes, and will do it again."

Gregory Bowman responds: TOD: I certainly would expect this reply of censorship given AVN pays your salary. However, this is not name-calling and I have never appeared on your site regarding this issue. Yet you waste lengthy bandwidth publishing diatribe from Mike South and Mr, Kernes for weeks.

Other sites like Luke F-rd and Gene Ross applauded and posted my commentary as being accurate. It is a sad point that your site is a mere Public Relations campaign for AVN and its issues. You don't report the news; you report what is good with AVN. Shame on you.

Mind you, Tod, I was the one who gave Elyse Metcalf your name and address to send letters for her campaign-You seem to have picked up her story and run with it. However, it has come back to bite you. Im confident she wholeheartedly agrees with my commentary and you are a fool to hide your head in the sand. It merely shows your fear.

Responsible journalism allows for both sides to air their views. It is apparent that you choose to suck the toes of those who feed you and keep you warm. Your loyalties are to be commended; your censorship should be a resounding siren that "something is rotten in Denmark" I would say to all that this, indeed, confirms my suspicions that the Free Speech Coalition and Mark Kernes seem incredulous and I would ask that this be a matter looked into. Free Speech??? I think not.

I am not one to mix words; "TEAR THIS WALL DOWN, FSC and stop skirting the issue that your PEOPLE want answers and are demanding an accounting. Mark Kernes actions included. It appears Mr. Kernes has been lobbying not for Free Speech, but for a Krispy Kreme location near his home. Thank you for proving my point once and for all that AVN makes "their" Porn Industry based on the wants and needs of the profiteers and advertizers, not viewers or industry workers and talent, and censors free speech. And for you, TOD HUNTER, the award for "toe sucking" is in the bag.

Im sure AVN has a spare award lying around that can be easily inserted in your ass for display. The great sucking sound can be now heard from your office, as with Kernes. LADIES AND GENTLEMAN OF PORN: I GIVE YOU TRUTH IN YOUR INDUSTRY...........DO YOU HAVE THE BALLS TO RESPOND?? SAFETY AND CONCERN VS PROFIT AND RISK; WHERE DO YOU STAND? comments and Questions? Nathans_parable@yahoo.com

Gregory Bowman writes Luke: Tod did reply to me and paraphrasing: Im not a pussy IM not a pussy Im not a pussy!! saying how big and tough and mean he is and how he doesn't drop the soap around Mark Kernes. But, in as much as he is so proud and confident he put at the top of his e mail: " Not for publication or distribution."

And i felt the need to reply with the following while respecting his request to not post his limp reply:

--- Gregory Bowman wrote:

Tod, Thank you for your reply. If you don't know by now, if you send me an email, its fair game. I can show it, post it, or wipe my ass with it. We have no confidentiality agreement. There is no attorney client privilege here. Consult with your legal counsel if you are unclear. If you can't stand up to public scrutiny you shouldn't put "pen to paper".

The bottom line is...... you are a cowering puppet. The FSC has been asked numerous times to provide information to its donating members and has failed to do so. As an NPO it has certain legal obligations to account for assets and distribution and keep those on record for viewing. Public viewing. Under NPO bylaws, an audit may be ordered at anytime.

Again, you may want to consult legal counsel on this matter. If an audit of the FSC is needed; so be it. Im sure everyone will be glad to see the information for themselves and put to rest any questions; truth shall set us all free. I certainly have the ability to contact the necessary entities to get this in motion. Certainly, as a court appointed Fiduciary, I have the power to make that issue a public one. Would you like me to continue?

And as for your statement so falsely leading.....I am not merely a spectator. nor do I ask that you be afraid of me. I never made that an issue. You should, however, do your homework a little better. One cannot properly act until the argument at hand is presented in its entirety. I certainly will decide in good time if action is needed in this case independent of you or anyone else's posturing. BTW, that award looks great sticking out of your pedantic ass.

Gregory writes Luke: OK luke Just for you I will be nice to Tod. But he is a pussy for not posting my commentary on that tubby bastard Mark Kernes. Hes a pompous load and Tod let him run rampant against Elyse Metcalf, who in the end prevailed but was hurt by tubbies proclamation that she would lose and she was an idiot.

She is one of the few good people out there who actually believe in promoting sexual health. Shes not in it for the buck or the self degradation......she is a literate kind woman who was bashed by Kernes and then not supported by the industry. If anyone deserves an award at AVN next year it should be her for taking a stand.

I have no grudge against Tod; mind you he ran with Elyses story and for that I am proud of him. But Mark Kernes and the FSC is another animal. I will put the gloves down, Luke, because you are like a son I never had..................hhahahahahaha.

Happy Birthday David Sturman, Greg Lasrado - Our Industry Turns Its Lonely Eyes To You

Tuesday is the birthday of regular l-keford.com readers David Sturman and Greg Lasrado.

Goddess writes Luke in her typically secular nagging whining pre-menstrual way: hey! whats with the "good old boy" mentality?! yesterday was MY birthday and i didn't see word ONE about it on your site. Hell, when people start refusing to do my interviews because I'm one of your "contributors," you just KNOW I have to be more dedicated than your "regular readers." (Just kidding, David) Don't *make* me dump Mike South and start stalking YOU.....

Btw, Brandy, i just watched a television show that pointed out that 60% of WORKING Americans DO NOT EARN A LIVING WAGE, and that's when they're WORKING [sometimes two or three jobs]. That doesn't take into account unforeseen problems that might arise causing them to miss work, such as illness, thus putting them in even MORE of a financial bind. So the next time you go off about not feeling sympathetic towards someone who had their car repo'ed because its "almost always completely preventable," you might want to think twice about that statement. You have no idea of the circumstances in that person's life that brought them to that place. "People shouldn't have things they cannot afford?" To most people, cars are NOT luxuries, they are necessities. Not everybody lives along the bus route. Besides, what's the alternative? Staying home and suckling the welfare teat? Geez, cut the lady some slack, will ya?

Dianna Roth scolds Brandy: The car was leased in 1997 before my husband died. One cannot sell a leased car. I kept up the payments on my own for two full years until I was hospitalized in March and lost both my jobs at once. Rather than whore on the streets to raise cash, I decided to look for legal employment and was unemployed nine weeks Having lived paycheck to paycheck for the last year, I didn't have a few extra grand in the bank to cover car payments. Never assume, Brandy -- it makes an ass out of you and me. In this case, it makes a really big ass of you, and your ass is big enough as it is. Judging people without knowing any of the facts is a very stupid, cruel thing to do, and what you spew forth will eventually come back to haunt you. And you know what? You find it easy to insult others, call names and so forth, but when anyone aims at you, you run and hide like a scared pussy.

Catholic Girls Have More Fun And Secrets

Albert Camus writes: Luke, I always enjoy your articles, even whether I agree with them or not. I find them somewhat amusing, at times disturbing, and other times outright hilarious. That people in the industry take themselves at all seriously makes me laugh.

You made a comment that Clinton is a Liberal Democrat. I'm not sure if your Aussie background is clouding your judgment, but he's not a Liberal. Mario Cuomo, the former governor of New York, is a Liberal. Ted Kennedy is a Liberal. Clinton is a Moderate, and far more conservative in his social policies then he appears. His signing of the Welfare Reform Act of 1996 solidified his place in the conservative pantheon.

And as for your odd belief that the current administration will shut porn down, you really should do some rethinking of that position. Blue movies have been with us since the advent of the moving picture. Porn has been with us since, well, man could draw. Images of sexual conduct will always be with us, whether society at large approves or not, or whether governments censor it or not. In fact, when censors get busy is when serious art is made. Think of porn's glory years. The cops were busy busting the people making it, but the movies were actually rather interesting to watch. When it became mainstreamed, the quality went down considerably.

On a final note, keep up the work. But as someone with considerable knowledge of journalistic methods both here and abroad, I would like to offer a suggestion if you don't mind. Find real stories rather than gossip. Spreading gossip can, and will, get you into a lot of trouble. Though there's a firewall protecting Internet journalists, as you call yourselves, it is quickly falling as more serious journalists come online, and the courts take more serious stances against saying whatever you want online. I think the industry needs someone who will write about the issues that matter to the performers, producers, and directors, a Variety of the porn industry. I know that's not your mission, but it might go a long way in establishing editorial credibility for you.

Just a couple of friendly tips from someone working in academia's Ivory Tower with a highly educated wife on her way into the industry simply because she loves the adult industry and the allure of an alternative lifestyle and because Catholic girls have more fun (and secrets).

Miracle Cure For Luke's Depression

Digdoug writes: Mr. Ford I have been a fan of your site for several months now and have decided to share with you a sure fire cure for your chronic depression (misdiagnosed by you as CFS). The book that rescued me from a decade of utter despair was "How to Good-Bye Depression : If You Constrict Anus 100 Times Everyday" by Niroyuki Nishigaki. The book outlines several anal exercises that can be performed at the computer at work, driving in the car, davening at shul, hosting an internet radio show, anywhere. These exercises release stress, defeat depression and free the mind. Don't just take my word for it. Check out the Amazon.com book reviews.

What If Her Family Finds Out About l-keford.com?

What if I date a woman whose family finds l-keford.com and freaks out?

Helpful writes: See already her family and your family have much in common. This is a good sign.

Rumdar writes: Too bad we can't get Mom and Dad in the chat room for a sound "going over." BTW Doesn't this Ron Levi guy have any civic responsibility? Cancel National Public radio if you must. Drop the funding for Pacifica Radio. But never, ever tinker with Radio Luke F-rd. As for the parents, what where they expecting, Reader's Digest.com.?

Chaim Amalek writes: Her family? Why? How? Who cares? This just means you are the "bad boy" in her life that she needs after years of hanging around pitiful dorks at university. You are both jewish (in a manner of speaking) AND genetically gentile, which means that you are what she really wants. Forget about pleasing her family; once the first grandchildren come along, they will get along with you just fine.

Yankel writes: Of course her family are upset. Maybe you don't realize it, but your site is repellent. You announce where and when women who are available for "escorting." Which makes you sort of a pimp, and BTW help spreads all sorts of new and novel STD's and AIDS.

Your site covers, in graphic detail, pornographic narratives that most normal people never imagine.

You quote gemara on your site which is absolutely forbidden -- and for me, this is probably the nuttiest thing that you do, melding pornography with Torah. Telling people on your site that you put on Tefillin and then drive off to a lesbian porno shoot. I'd love to hear you explain that to the rabbi.

"Well, you see Rabbi, I'm trying to be m'karev Desiree. She's actually a fine Jewish lesbian porno star with real potential... So right after she finished going down on this rather cute shicksah, I sat down with her and studied Pirkeh Avot. I think we made some headway because after that she would only do scenes with fine Jewish lesbians."

I know that you see yourself as some kind of brave muckraking journalist -- but it's an illusion. Sorry. I know that you take pride in the whole Mark Wallace, AIDS thing. But that was, what? Two, three years ago?

I know that you think that you are involved in exposing mob involvement in the porno industry. But get real. First of all, who cares? Everybody know (except for Frank Rich) that the X industry is entirely mobbed up. Second, if you truly revealed anything of consequence, you would be dead.

I know you don't want downers from me, but the longer you hold on to this porno lifestyle--and it's not just writing, it's visiting sets, hanging out with naked whores and then posting the pictures on your site--the less of a chance will you have to build a boring middle class life. Which is, perhaps, your goal? I don't know.

I do think that you relish the role of outsider. You may see that as romantic. I see it as merely sad.

You once said to me: "Do something long enough and you get used to it."

I said: "That's about the saddest thing I've ever heard."

You no longer realize how your site appears to "normal" eyes. Now that I think about it, that's pretty sad.

Fred writes: While driving to a client this morning, I had an epiphany. (We reform are allowed to have epiphanies, but you can't, Luke.) So anyway, I was on the road to San Jose (the road to Damascus was too far away) when I realized that Luke needs to have people criticizing him, calling him bad, etc., and Yankel needs to have people around to criticize so he can feel superior.

Luke says: I have a great need to do things so that people call me bad. I guess I was criticized a lot as a preacher's kid and raised with rigorous expectations.

Fred answers: Luke, in light of your last answer, you are very very bad. Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad.

Just out of curiosity, why do you think you need to be dumped on? Were you overly criticized as a child? Were you not criticized as a child? What's the scoop? BTW, that's probably not particularly healthy, and if you are caving in to a psychological craving for criticism, your relationships with XXX may not be particularly healthy.

Chaim writes: Fred, I recall reading that you are an attorney (patent lawyer?) living in SV. Just out of idle curiousity regarding how people in other parts of this great nation of ours live their lives, what fraction of the people with whom you exchange, say, a paragraph or more of conversation a day are Hispanic or Black? Luke, same question.

Luke says: Zero on average. In my personal life, almost all my friends are white Orthodox Jews.