While the show is not based on one singular story, it is inspired by real events of the 1970s.
HBO Max announced in December, 2022, that the show had been canceled and would end after season 1 even though it had been previously renewed for a second season. Ultimately, Starz picked up the show to air starting with season 2.
Unlike Euphoria (2019) which uses nudity to be provocative, this show uses it to defang the insidious shame associated with sexuality in all forms. In the world of this show, a penis is just a penis and a breast a mere breast. At one point, a flustered Joyce winds up summing the show's philosophy best: "Oh, for Pete's sake, they're just penises minding their own business. It's silly and it's fun."
One of Joyce's primary idiosyncrasies is to use French phrases that are generally well known in English vernacular, such as "joie de vivre" (joy of life). Arguably, her favorite of these phrases, stemming from her being an academic at heart, is "bons mots" (good words).
Features Chelsea Brea's first nude scene.