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Published 14:26 10 Jul 2026 BST
Updated 14:26 10 Jul 2026 BST

Bang My Box: The Robin Byrd Story, the acclaimed new documentary from HBO, has just been made available to stream at home.
Accessible through the service NOW and produced by Sarah Jessica Parker, the film focuses on Robin, the adult actress, TV host, and activist.
Before the age of the internet and social media influencers, she created and hosted The Robin Byrd Show on New York public access TV from 1977 to 1998. The late-night call-in programme incorporated performances and interviews with adult entertainers and experimental artists.
"Each show ended with a bawdy song and dance, turning her unapologetic, eponymous show into a national platform for sex-positivity and free speech," the HBO Max plot synopsis states.
The documentary follows Robin as she approaches her 70th birthday and confronts her place in history, while facing the decision to hand over a lifetime of memorabilia to archivists.
Through archival and intimate interviews, the film reflects on Robin’s current life and her career. It also spotlights how the presenter became a "tenacious champion" for queer visibility, AIDS awareness, and safe sex, even as her platform of inclusivity and frank sexual expression drew criticism from conservative activists.
"She became the target of a national censorship battle that took her to the Supreme Court, and the ensuing landmark verdict cemented her legacy as a fierce First Amendment advocate," HBO Max adds.
The 76-minute-long documentary has been acclaimed by critics, who've praised its spotlighting of the spirited Robin and her incredible life story.
You can read some of these glowing reactions below:
The Age (Australia): "Filled with archival footage that still shocks in 2026, this charming, funny documentary sees Byrd – now in her late 60s – reflect on her legacy, controversies and enduring community."
New York Times: "As saucy, warm and uninhibited as its subject, [directors] Jyllian Gunther and Stephanie Schwam’s exuberant profile of Byrd, a female pioneer in bringing risqué programming to American television, has a ramshackle charm and a nostalgic heart."
Nonfics (Substack): "Byrd is one of the most enjoyable and lovable documentary participants of the year, and her husband is pretty adorable, too."
Variety: "At a compact 79 minutes, Bang My Box, directed by Jyllian Gunther and Stephanie Schwam, packs in everything you need to know about Robin Byrd."
Bang My Box: The Robin Byrd Story is available to stream in Ireland and the UK on the service NOW.

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