"Pretty Woman": The Sex Worker and the Savior (Rom-Com Vom)

Sex Ed with DB: smart, science-backed sex education

There’s plenty to love about the 1990s classic Pretty Woman… but just as much to cringe at. Savannah Hankinson, former assistant to rom-com royalty like Nancy Meyers and Rob Marshall, joins DB to unpack the good, the bad, and the downright creepy. From a disturbingly predatory George Costanza to the strange class politics bubbling under the surface, we break down whether this beloved rom-com classic still shines or if it’s better left on the streets!

05:58 First impressions of the film as kids 11:58 Power dynamics in Pretty Woman 17:55 The fairy tale trope 24:34 The shopping montage and class politics 30:01 How Hollywood portrayed sex work 35:39 Cringe Corner!

GUEST DEETS:

Savannah Hankinson is the Head of Development at Meet Cute. She previously worked as an assistant to Nancy Meyers (Something's Gotta Give), Rob Marshall (The Little Mermaid), and Justin Paul (La La Land).

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ABOUT THE SHOW Sex Ed with DB is your go-to podcast for smart, science-backed sex education—delivering trusted insights from top experts on sex, sexuality, and pleasure. Empowering, inclusive, and grounded in real science, it’s the sex ed you’ve always wanted.

SEASON 11 TEAM Creator, Host & Executive Producer: Danielle Bezalel (DB) Producer: Sadie Lidji Communications Lead: Cathren Cohen Marketing Coordinator: Alex Bateman Logo Design: Evie Plumb (@cliterallythebest)