Venus Butterfly - L.A. Law Television Episode

L.A. Law Television Episode

In an episode of L.A. Law titled "The Venus Butterfly," which first aired on November 21, 1986, a client claims to have an effective sexual technique and reveals it to his lawyer, Stuart Markowitz (Michael Tucker). The technique itself is never described to the audience. In a hotel bedroom scene it is implied that Markowitz uses the technique on his girlfriend, Ann Kelsey (Jill Eikenberry), with great positive effect. According to Brooks & Marsh, the Venus Butterfly was pivotal in Kelsey & Markowitz becoming a couple.

The writer of that section of the episode, Terry Louise Fisher, stated that she had just made it up. The show received many letters and phone calls from viewers asking what it was, as well as two requests to license the term. Playboy magazine did a feature speculating on what the technique was and included suggestions from readers. Years later, actors on the show reported still being asked about it.