MTV can’t make a new television show without some type of controversy, and their latest show, Skins – a show about the lives of nine, pill popping, drug using, party going, sexually active kids in high school, is no exception to this rule. Premiering on January 17, 2011, just two weeks ago, the BBC spin-off has already began to push the boundaries in the American market, having the Parent Television Council declaring it too racy for MTV, and even going as far to say that the drama could be considered child pornography.
We all know that the BBC has no problem producing shows with a little more vulgarity, so it comes as a surprise that MTV would be brave enough to mimic the UK version. I have seen the first episode of the UK version of Skins myself, and the only difference between it and the MTV version is that the BBC has allowed more nudity and cursing in theirs. Other then that, it is exactly the same plot with very similar characters, with the exception of name changes and a replacement lesbian, instead of the gay dancer, Maxxie.
What I want to know is: What high school are these kids going to? I never remember the lives of my classmates ever being as fudgeed up as the kids’ that are portrayed on this show. Yes, you have the typical stoners, druggies, party-going sexually active teens at any school, but to go as far as to call it the secret lives of American teens is a little much. After the past two episode have aired, MTV has been asked to go back and re-edit the rest before broadcasting it again, because it may end up losing them two million dollars, per episode, since advertisers are pulling their support. Taco Bell was the first to pull out from advertising commercials, followed by sponsors like Wrigley, Subway, Foot Locker, L’Oreal and Schick. General Motors and H&R Block have also come out with statements that their ads were aired during the premiere as mistake.
MTV claims that the show is for mature viewers, but the show was never advertised that way through their commercials. However, the argument stands that kids can find out about much worse things simply by going onto the Internet. Something that I find interesting, however, is that you have to type in your birthday to watch Skins on MTV’s website: A measure to prove that you are old enough to view the show.
It will be interesting to see what MTV does tonight, when the show airs again. What sponsors will continue to show their commercials during the breaks? Last week’s show was filled with raunchy comments about eating girls out, drinking, and Tea throwing up in a park at three in the afternoon. Who knows where this show will go next? So what if it’s teaching kids to party and do drugs, they’re going to have to have to learn it from somewhere right?
Tune in tonight at 10 o’clock to watch the next episode of Skins.
