Love-Hewitt defends risque 'Client List'
KUSA - One of television's hottest shows is getting attention for its controversial subject matter. In the Lifetime's "The Client List," Jennifer Love-Hewitt stars as Riley Parks, a masseuse who begins to give more than just massages to her customers in order to pay the bills.
However, some professional massage therapists and masseuses are getting offended by the show's risqu material. In 2012, The American Massage Therapy Association spoke out against the show and released a public statement asking for professional respect from the media. (link: http://www.amtamassage.org/articles/2/PressRelease/detail/2122)
Hewitt says that the show, now in its second season, was never intended to denigrate the massage industry.
"We are in no way saying that every profession, every masseuse in the world does this sort of thing," Love-Hewitt said. "It's a fun, fantasy part of our show ... It was not meant to insult anyone in the real profession."
Even though the show faces controversy, Hewitt says she thinks the cast and crew has taken it all in stride.
"If there is anything I'm learning from Riley Parks, it's that people are going to talk about you no matter what, so you might as well give them something to talk about," Hewitt said. "I think we've done that well on the show and so when people talk about us in a controversial way ... We've done a good job, and we're OK with that."
Hew! itt says ! she thought the steamy premise of the show would attract an audience, but she is glad that the series has received enough support for the new season.
"I had a sneaking suspicion that this was going to be something people were going to respond to, but I'm pleasantly surprised that it was a hit and people are excited to come back to season two," Love-Hewitt said.
"The Client List" airs on Sundays on 9 p.m. on Lifetime.
Rose Heaphy contributed to this article.
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