Flashback: Scott Madsen

It was 1983, Every Breath You Take by The Police was number 1 on the Billboard charts, everyone was wearing NIKE cortez sneakers, the shorts were silky and skimpy, and the world was introduced to the first infomercial. A new exercise company called Soloflex was looking to break into the market with their new elastomer weightstrap technology. At $2000 US dollars the Soloflex gym wasn’t cheap by any means so they needed a hook, something that would grab your attention and make you want.
Enter Scott Madsen, an unknown waiter and gymnast, who would become the spokesman, face, and body for the company. I remember when the commercial first aired. I was sitting in the living room with my parents and boom there was Scott Madsen. Of the many things I could say about my first glimpse, one phrase truly stands out. Awkward Boner. There was something about Scott that sparked the imagination.

Earlier in the 80’s Brooke Shields became the iconic sexual object du jour.She had set the stage and the time was right for a man to emerge onto the scene. I can’t fully explain how iconic Scott’s face and body were. They sent a seismic shock across the sexual spectrum. Scott had a delicate, buff beauty. The hair, that ass, that iconic shot of him sitting on the bench with his balls barely covered. He haunted many many sexual fantasies.
To this day whenever I see a picture of him or watch the videos I get all gooey inside. To younger folks his particular brand of beauty and perfection may not resonate, but to me and guys (and gals) who were around back in the day….phew he’s it!
Things got a little rocky for Scott in his later years, he went to jail for embezzlement. And according to those that knew him he was most definitely not gay. Not even gay friendly. Odd to think that one man, who became the object of many a gay man’s attention was scornful of the gaze he so attracted. We, the gay community as well as others, bought into the Soloflex experience. And for the informercial? Well it has never been as sweet and sexy as this.