By Steve Babcock

Sex, horizontal mambo, knockin’ da boots, boink, grindin’, nookie, quickie, pork and whoppee.

No matter what you call it, sex can be an uneasy topic of conversation.

While the university does offer a few programs to encourage safer sex, casual conversation about the topic is limited to a wall between the students and the staff. But, members of the WRBB staff have come up with a show to encourage conversation about sex among students.

“Northeastern’s Loveline,” mirrors the original nationally syndicated radio show that also aired on MTV. Pamela Harris, the health promotion and planning coordinator at the Lane Health Center, serves as the “sexpert,” while WRBB News Directors Kate Friedman and Nick Neofitidis, and the station’s Promotions Director Candace Shaw, steer the discussion.

While the calls and forum for students are the purpose of the show, the real character of the team is brought out during the potentially dead-air banter that, if handled wrong, could prove to ruin the show.

Each host has their own character, and seemingly their own role within the discussion. Neofitidis is comparable to the original Loveline’s Adam Corolla. He spouts myths about sex and makes light of what is talked about. Neofitidis keeps the show rolling.

As the show opens, Neofitidis slides in the topic of lubricants. As he and Friedman discuss which lubricant is better and what feels better, Harris provides guidance when the two hosts go wrong, or simply to reassure the two that they are in the right direction.

For instance, as Friedman is talking about which lubricant feels better, Neofitidis defers to Harris and asks if there are any medical implications involved with choosing a lubricant.

“All I have to say is to make sure to apply some spermicidal gel along with your lubricant,” Harris said.

For most of the discussion pieces, this format holds true. Friedman and Neofitidis stay true to their respective genders, with Neofitidis stating myths and, at times, things that offend Friedman. Harris, the calm expert, listens intently and chimes in to correct.

When the phone lights up with a call, however, the pattern changes somewhat. A caller poses a question about the beach’s saltwater cleansing her of disease, Harris jumps to answer the question, with the other two filling in with entertaining comments.

Harris said that her personality meshes well with Neofitidis’, almost too well, leading some to believe that their responses are scripted.

“You know, you would think so, but Nick and I just go with it,” Harris said. “He’s a good kid who just needs to be corrected at times, as many young men are.”

Marc Sullivan, a DJ at WRBB, enters the fray for the first time and brings knowledge after a question about piercings that not even Harris could answer.

“This is a learning experience for me too,” she said.

The fourth voice on the mic proves to make the airwaves a little crowded, but also better at responding to caller’s questions. At times, the discussion even provokes comments from listeners calling or instant messaging.

By the end of the show, the hosts find themselves deeply engaged in conversation about piercings, with several listeners joining the conversation.

Harris grounds the show, and allows it to stick to its educational roots.

“We really started the show from the event that is held during Safe Sex Week at afterHOURS under the same name as ours,” Shaw said. “People always have questions, so we want to give them a chance to get those answered.”

Harris agreed to be a part of the show to help people before they get in too deep.

“A lot of people are hurt figuratively and literally, [by not talking about sex,]” Harris said.

From 5-6 p.m. every Thursday on 104.9 WRBB, the Loveline team gets down and dirty talking about sex.