Porn Goes Mainstream During the AVN in Vegas

While many fret about the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards race (oh, my God!, who is going to win?), the delicious Oscar ceremony of the porn industry has begun. The Supreme Sensual Sea of Sex and Silicone, as it has been called, the AVN Awards is, this year, bigger and better than before.

One plus for the luscious gala is that, in 2007, it also offered the fans the chance to go and take part in all the festivities and even be present at the actual awards, a thing that was never possible in the past, be it for the small size of the venue where it was held, be it for people's faintness of heart. All obstacles were finally overcome and the AVN settled nicely into the Mandalay Bay Events Center, a hall big enough to contain all the stars in the adult industry, the fans of such movies and all that silicone.

According to Paul Fishbein, the President of AVN, the location switch and the ability to allow regular people to take part in the event marks another important stage in the multi-billion branch of entertainment: the move from underground to mainstream, even if it's only for a brief period of time. 'The move is an important one as it signals the evolution of the adult entertainment industry into mainstream', Fishbein told the press on the red carpet.

The awards (where, believe it or not, terms as 'most respected' and 'most recognized' still stand) were hosted by winner Jessica Drake, of Wicked Pictures, and comedian Jim Norton. It gathered more than 2,500 porn stars and many other celebrities (including rocker Dave Navarro, former comedian Dustin Diamond aka Screech and rock legend Gene Simmons), all of which were happy to pose and talk to the media on the red carpet.

The most prominent figure out of the entire 'Cavalcade of Cleavage' was, naturally, porn 'veteran' and business entrepreneur Jenna Jameson, who got a well-deserved accolade for 'Crossover Star of the Year'. 'Best Actress Video' went to Hillary Scott while Jessica Drake took one statuette home for 'Best Actress Film'. If you're interested (and you have enough patience), the complete list of winners in all over 110 categories (including 'Best Blow Job' and 'Best Anal Sex Scene') is HERE.