The casting couch, casting couch syndrome or casting couch mentality is a term which involves the trading of sexual favors by an aspirant, apprentice employee, or subordinate to a superior, in return for entry into an occupation, or for other career advancement within an organization. The term "casting couch" originated in the motion picture industry, with specific reference to couches in the offices of casting agents that could be used for sexual activity between the agents and aspiring actresses. This is not to be confused with the adult entertainment industry where such actions may be a prerequisite, although many pornographic websites play on the casting couch theme, and alludes to similarities one may find in casting couch scenarios in the motion picture industry.
Male actors may also face sexual propositions. The term is now often used in reference to other industries besides entertainment. Careers which are highly desirable and traditionally difficult to break into, such as the movie, television and music industries have been the subject of casting couch stories in popular culture. Such trading of favors is an abuse of power, and can become a wider sex scandal if deemed newsworthy.
Read more about Casting Couch: Allegations From "casting Couch" Candidates
Famous quotes containing the words casting and/or couch:
“This I do know and can say to you: Our country is in more danger now than at any time since the Declaration of Independence. We don’t dare follow the Lindberghs, Wheelers and Nyes, casting suspicion, sowing discord around the leadership of Franklin D. Roosevelt. We don’t want revolution among ourselves.”
—Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908–1973)
“My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint.”
—Bible: Hebrew Job, in Job 7:13.