Porn saves ‘The Arrangement’ — and it’s the most realistic part of the show yet

Kyle West (Josh Henderson) and contract girlfriend Megan Morrison (Christine Evangelista) on E! Network’s “The Arrangement” haven’t been together that long, but they’re already been through more ups and down than most longtime married couples. Between their romantic whirlwind beginning, subsequent tabloid fodder, jealous friends, and overprotective business managers, Kyle and Megan’s courtship is progressing at a rapid pace due to all the outside pressure. And while they may appear to be a picture perfect couple in interviews and in the magazines, nothing could be further from the truth.

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After being nixed for a bigger name in Kyle’s next blockbuster film, Megan leaves Kyle’s house in defeat and protest. Contractually, she can only go three days without seeing her superstar boyfriend, but she wants to make her anger known… And the public takes notice. Terrence’s (Michael Vartan) decision to nix Megan from the movie is suspiciously weird to Kyle’s fans: How could he fire his girlfriend? Rumors start to fly their relationship is a sham and it’s not putting anyone in a good light.

Megan’s so insecure with her own career that when she bumps into Daisy (Brit Morgan), the indie director she met at the Venice film festival, she dives into becoming a co-producer with her on a kind of porno. Not an actual pornographic movie, but a scripted, female-empowered drama featuring women who are proud to be adult actresses.

While watching porn “for research,” Megan finally answers Kyle’s call. While she’s not entirely over getting jilted from her big break, it’s clear they miss each other. Kyle hears the porn film playing in the background, and their late night conversation quickly becomes sexually charged. While the sultry scene is intended to make viewers all hot and bothered — E! doing everything they can in their 10 p.m. network slot — this moment is unintentionally hilarious, especially for anyone who’s ever lived in Los Angeles.

Kyle’s mansion is on the West Side, Megan’s at her apartment on the East Side. They toy with the idea of going to each other’s place — but driving crosstown at such an hour, knowing Kyle has to be up so early in the morning, they end up having phone sex. And happily so. Neither of them want to leave the comfort of their couch to haul through the city’s relentless traffic, even though it’s at max 45 minutes away.

There’s nothing natural or normal about “Kygan’s” private jet-setting, yacht-sailing, red-carpet lifestyle. For most viewers, their courtship is a fantastical escape… But neither of them wanting to make a drive crosstown, even for sex, is such a hilariously quintessential Los Angeles moment that it’s the most relateable these two have ever been.

RELATED: Taking a page from J-Law’s handbook in dealing with leaked nudes on ‘The Arrangement’

This series thrives when it showcases the darker sides of the Hollywood life,  but it’s also fun when it highlights the obvious, yet easily forgotten fact that celebrities are merely human. They maybe have more money, and the porn films they choose to watch may be based on their own high-profile relationship, but there are problems neither wealth nor fame can fix. But perhaps the greatest aim of this strange little show is its reminders that celebrities being “just like us” doesn’t need — perhaps shouldn’t — make us feel better about ourselves. Just more realistic about them. And this kind of comedy is a great start.

“The Arrangement” airs on Sunday nights at 10 p.m. ET/PT on E! Network.

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