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Is 'Skins' child porn?: MTV is confident in their fight versus the PTC
We counted 11 things that would make the Parents Television Council (PTC) cringe, but apparently we weren't specific enough.
According to TMZ, the PTC found 42 references to drugs and alcohol alone and the TV watchdog group has stepped up its efforts to get "the most dangerous program that has ever been foisted on your children" off American TV sets.
According to the article, the PTC has sent a letter to the US Department of Justice, as well as the U.S. Senate and House Judiciary Committees.
"In addition to the sexual content on the show involving cast members as young as 15," the PTC says. "PTC counted 42 depictions and references to drugs and alcohol in the premiere episode."
It adds, "It is clear that Viacom has knowingly produced material that may well be in violation of [several anti-child pornography laws]."
This news comes after the New York Times reports that MTV executives were already concerned that the show may violate federal child pornography statutes. According to the article, executives have ordered that "Skins" producers tone down some of the explicit content. For example, the executives are reportedly concerned about a scene in Episode 3 where 17-year-old actor, Jesse Carere (who plays Chris), is shot naked from behind.
In response, MTV sent us the following statement of confidence:
Skins is a show that addresses real-world issues confronting teens in a frank way. We review all of our shows and work with all of our producers on an ongoing basis to ensure our shows comply with laws and community standards. We are confident that the episodes of Skins will not only comply with all applicable legal requirements, but also with our responsibilities to our viewers. We also have taken numerous steps to alert viewers to the strong subject matter so that they can choose for themselves whether it is appropriate.
Zappers, do you think "Skins" U.S.A. goes too far?
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Gawd. Apparently talking about drugs and alcohol on TV makes it 100% certain that children will use them. And apparently these so-called parents on the PTC have 0% influence over what their children watch and learn.
If you're stupid enough to let TV be the provider of your child's morals, you don't deserve to be a parent.
Otherwise, leave TV shows alone. No one is forcing you or your children to watch these shows. If you don't like it, don't watch it. Idiots.
No, it just sucks in general. UK 'Skins' was excellently cast and the actors handled the material brilliantly. This cast is really awful which ruins the whole show.
The MTV version of the show is TAME compared to the BBC original, and no one over there seems to care. Maybe it's time for the US to grow up a little. I remember a decade ago when MTV's Undressed was going to destroy the world. Today, you could probably show it on Nickelodeon.
I am very liberal and usually all for provocative television. But even I was totally and completely taken aback by MTV on this one. Can teenagers really get away with stuff they depict? (Like getting drugs on credit from a dealer, stealing a car and running into a river and walking away as if nothing happened). Seems like they're exaggerating the teen experience a little much. Also, I have a hard time believing many of the characters. I'm not sure if it's bad acting or bad writing or both.
They played Skins on BBC America..I didn't hear anyone complaining then. All they did was bleep out some curse words and pixalate some nude scenes.. other than that it was close to the British airings.. More PC crap...
You people are ridiculous. Skins is a down to the nitty-gritty, raw, real, substantial view of what some, maybe even most, teens go through in high school. Correct, there is lots of drug terms/usage, and profanity, and nakedness... but when you peel off the metaphorical layer that most people who aren't teens can't seem to see through... you get a show that is helpful, harmless, and just trying to convey and understanding into the unconventional mind and lifestyle of a teenager. Wether these cast members are 15 and older or not doesn't have anything to do with "child pornography". MTV isn't marketing a TV show full of sex. There is a meaning that lies deeper... and obviously half of this nation is too demented to look past the exterior of things and maybe, just maybe, try to see the broader, bigger aspect here. Skins = real life. Get over it. Stop bashing the show, and start REALLY watching, and REALLY paying attention. You might actually see something more than what meets the general eye.
**** THE Parents Television Council, they are just picking on this becuse there is nothing to pick so thet want make stuff up becuse they want attetion like a child, so that it will be canned. Does anyone knoow if there is Group against the Parents Television Council becuse I want to join that group, I mean what happen to freedom of speech and freedom to act I mean i dont want to see chid porn on TV either but most shows are so fake, all kids don't do drugs, have sex or drink well they in my world they do, Peolpe need to fight for the freedom to act on American TV. American TV is geting worst and Dull, and thats why peolpe are wacthing stuff on the internet, insted of on the TV. Becuse The internet is freedom no media is contrling us the internet yet. Parents Television Council are terrorist, and I mean no freedom of speech or freedom to act. Also maybe MTV should have hired actors and actress who where 18 years old and who played 15-19 years old. I hope some peolpe agree with me.
American t.v. dull? What freaking channels do you guys watch?
If you've ever seen the programming on FX, you'd shut your mouth. They're is almost nothing they will censor on that channel. Simulated sex, cursing(except for the F-word)... and haha, Louis C.K. analyzing ******** and gay anal sex. A graphic sex scene with Denis Leary on "Rescue Me." Now that's cutting edge.
MAYBE YOU MORONS SHOULD WATCH SOMETHING MORE THAN MTV, BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY CUTTING EDGE NETWORKS NOT BEING MENTIONED THAT AREN'T AFRAID TO PUSH THE ENVELOPE. And most Americans are not conservative, that's just a myth that these Brits push so they can say they are less uptight. The British are a snobbish lot.
This show is a waste of air time. Acting sucks,the script is horrible, the plot is generic and to top it off everyone is ugly as sh*t
With all due respect, this show is on MTV. I don't understand why people expect it to be good or realistic if even their "reality" shows can't contain a drop of reality.
If parents don't want their kids watching this stuff, they can full well set child controls or talk to their kids about the show. You know, do parent stuff? I don't get why Americans always assign parenting on everyone BESIDES the parents themselves.