20 Comments
Aug 28Liked by Gianni Simone

With a headline and thumbnail like that, there was no way I could resist reading this post! As I am sure you will be asked by many, to what extent did you conduct "primary research" as background? Hopefully it was all hearsay! Just kidding. To each his own.

Expand full comment
author

Hahaha! Sorry to disappoint you, but like I wrote in the intro, I'm not particularly interesting in a "plastic fantastic lover" (just to quote an old Jefferson Airplane song). Likewise, when I interviewed the soapland lady I didn't try her first.

Expand full comment
Aug 28Liked by Gianni Simone

Well, now! This calls into question the authenticity of all your writing! Just kidding. I'm actually kind of relieved to hear that you were "just looking." Thanks for being able to take a joke.

Expand full comment
author

You are right, Mark. If you agree to financially back up my next investigation into naughty Japan, I promise I'll be more thorough in my research.

Expand full comment

A definite maybe.

Expand full comment

This is very sinful, Amigo. What would the saints in Vatican say to this?

Expand full comment
author

I'll better reply to your comment in private, lest I offend some of my readers.

Expand full comment

Hohohoho ... .Hahahahaha . . . .

Expand full comment

Wow: sexy/creepy. Or is that, creepy/sexy?

Expand full comment
author

Thanks for reading my posts, Aaron. I guess it depends on your tastes. I'm sure for some people is sexy/sexy and for others just plain creepy.

Expand full comment

Fair enough :-) No judgment here.

Expand full comment

One of the most striking articles I have read! Not that I am voyeuristic or this turned me on, but it felt good reading an article so aesthetically written by a man. Striking photographs clicked by you, sir!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks! I hope you will find more interesting stories in my newsletter.

Expand full comment

sure!! Will be reading the others. This was the first in the substack! :)

Expand full comment

Great article, Gianni. What an interesting industry?! Can I get a Michael Hutchence love doll?! I would love that!

Expand full comment
author

Now that I think about it, they have never made male dolls. I bet they would have sold well.

Expand full comment
Aug 27·edited Aug 27Liked by Gianni Simone

Heh! Heh! It's a reflection of a sexist society where only men's needs are met. I bet a Michael Hutchence doll would sell out in no time, worldwide. I'd like one from his Full Moon Dirty Hearts period (oh, my!) - we miss our Hutch!

Some years ago, there was a film starring Ryan Gosling about a guy who bought one of these love dolls and everyone around him had to go along with it, pretending that the doll was real and his 'girlfriend'. I'm sure psychologists find this world fascinating.

Expand full comment
author

I know that film but I haven't seen it. Is it good?

Expand full comment

Lars and the Real Girl (2007). It's a typical Hollywood film - light and fluffy. I think it's a comedy (or a rom com of sorts). Performances are good as I could happily watch Ryan Gosling brush his teeth, but not a lot of depth.

Expand full comment
author

Right, I think I'll pass on that one.

Expand full comment