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MTV 'Skins' premiere: 11 things that'll make the PTC cringe
MTV premieres its American remake, "Skins," Monday (Jan. 17) at 10 p.m. ET after a special airing of the network's other so-called contribution to the downfall of society, "Jersey Shore." And while fans of the British hit will find it watered down compared to the original, there is plenty left in the remake to offend our delicate American sensibilities.
In fact the Parents Television Council (PTC) released what they called "the most urgent alert" they've ever sent to parents last week on "Skins." If you're not familiar with the watchdog group: It "aims to provide parents with the tools they need to make informed television viewing decisions" in order to "help to protect your children from entertainment's negative effects."
"It is absolutely crucial," their release states. "That you be aware of the most dangerous program that has ever been foisted on your children!"
All that condemnation and the PTC hasn't even seen the actual series. Instead, they make their conclusions from MTV's sneak preview videos. The group watches TV shows and logs the perceived dangers to our children. So, we thought we'd do them a favor (since, we've actually watched the first episode). And they should be worried.
Here are 11 things in the "Skins" premiere episode that will make the PTC cringe:
Warning: Spoiler alert!
1.) General disrespect towards grownups and their rules - The pilot is packed with disobedience and disrespect to elders. Tony (played by James Newman) may be the biggest culprit in the premiere. He distracts his stepfather, so his sister (who obviously had a night of hard-partying) can sneak back into the house. He talks back to a teacher at the neighboring all-girls school and then leaves while the teacher tells him to stay put. And he lies to Stanley's (Daniel Flaherty) parents in order to get him out of the house.
2.) Strong language - The series is rated TV-MA partially for its language and there are lots of A-words, B-words and a P-word thrown in for good measure.
3.) Age-inappropriate flirting - In the first 10 minutes, a neighbor woman flaunts her nude goods through the window at Tony. Chris (Jesse Carere) openly flirts with his teacher, who isn't very effective at discouraging him. Cougar alert!
4.) Toilet humor, literally - There's talk of taking "a dump" and there's public urination. Well, when you have to go, you have to go. That's just nature.
5.) Raging sexuality: Um, obvs. That's basically the driving force for most teens in entertainment depictions. In the "Skins" pilot, getting Stanley laid is the No. 1 goal. There's lot of masturbation and/or references to masturbation. And clearly, these kids are all sexually active. Oh, and did we mention that Tea (Sofia D'elia-Black) is lesbian and very good at it we must say.6.) Degradation of women's private parts - Oh, there's all kind of creative and not so creative ways that the cast refers to women's body parts i.e. "nips," and "furry city," are just a couple of the euphemisms used.
7.) The ill affects of bad dental hygiene: A girl with an obvious need for braces finds acceptance in sexual promiscuity. Take care of your teeth, kids!
8.) Religious disobedience - We weren't sure we would include this, since it mostly occurs with Abbud (Ron Mustafaa), who is Muslim. And we know how Americans are supposed to feel about that religion. Eh, religion is religion to us, so it's on the list.
9.) Rampant, unabashed drug use - Drug use is all over the pilot, but more specifically Stanley purchases a kilo of marijuana to sell to other kids at a party. Oh, we forgot, he buys it at a whorehouse. Later, we'll see the effects of an overdose. No kids were hurt in the process, just a gas-guzzling, war-creating SUV.
10.) Glorification of the male private parts - Lots of tight shots of Tony's crotch and general erection activity among the male cast. In one scene, a drug dealer (see No. 9 above) grabs Stanley's package. In another scene, resident girl with issues, Cadie (Britne Oldford), gets creative with vegetables...
11.) The suburbs are not safe: Oh, we know private schools, cul de sacs, and big driveways for the two SUVS are heralded for their pristine living and family values. Of course, anyone who has met a kid from the suburbs knows they're just as or more debaucherous than kids who grow up in the city.
Of course, none of this stuff is that crazy to us. We were teens once.
Will you be tuning in to the PTC's most dangerous show on TV?
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Photo/Video credit: MTV
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The funny thing is I know however raunchy this show gets, it won't hold a candle to what the British original got away with (I didn't see a #12 - teen boy sharing bed with p*rn star he picked up in a pub; the UK version had a webisode all about it). Yet British audiences didn't seem to care any. They don't get uptight about sex like we colonials do.
Don't care what anyone says but if you watch this show and are over 18 you're a pedofile. Are these kids 18 or depicting 18 year olds? I guess my problem is that I don't get the entertainment value of watching someone have sex, especially teenagers. I know I'm in the minority, at least for those who come to this site, but I really truly believe those who watch this stuff should be in jail, including you Jethro. If you disagree then let your 14, 15 or 16 year old kid and their bf/gf go lay out in the front yard and have sex. And let people take pictures and put it on the internet. What's the difference? Bring on the excuses...
Well it was basically a scene-for-scene remake of the UK version. The very very minor changes: No f-words, no nudity and Max is now a lesbian cheerleader instead of a tap dancing gay boy. (And the Polish girl was nowhere to be found.)
PTC can suck it! Okay, this is whats going on in the world today! LETS BE REAL! I still dont like the idea MTV did the remake but it was pretty good. THEY TRIED! Watching this show makes me think of highschool all over again. I went to school in the nicest neighboorhood (suburbs) and we were some bad *** kids(: but this show is showing how real it is. just like degrassi. not all but some of the situations on the show are dead on! lets not sugar coat life. and lead younger kids thinking it all sunshine and rainbows cause its not. and i can soo relate to ABBUD.I live his life. I'm Christian and my family is super religous (i wont ruin the show ) but yeah. I love that you can relate to these kids. screw the PTC. CANT WAIT TIL NEXT MONDAY!!!!
No because I don't have MTV. I might if I did. I actually would prefer to watch the BBC series and may buy the DVDs at some point so I can do it.
I didn't watch it but that sounds like a by the book recreation of the actual first episode of the UK "Skins". They got rid of Maxi and made the character a lesbian? That is lame especially since the two greatest lesbian characters in television history came in the second season of UK "Skins".
no, i will not watch this trashy display. this is what's wrong with the world. this type of living is not normal. it wasn't but a few years ago that i was a teenager myself and yes a remember a few friends who did drugs and such. if you could see what they have become you would find nothing cool about it. this is presented to teens that this is what they should be doing and they when they do this stuff and get pregnant or become an addict then the media and other wonder what happened. well this is your answer. you can't blame it on the parents all the time. my friends had parents who cared and taught them right, they didn't listen. instead they copied what they saw on tv. this world is in a sad sad state.
1. I have never seen people as stupid as those posting comments on this article. Even on 4chan. Either that, or you're all trolls.
2. If the PTC cares about this, they'd probably have a heart attack if they watched the original Skins. Ignoring the fact that the American version sucks and should not exist, the original show was an amazing portrayal of teenage life, and here's a truth bomb ladies and gentlemen: kids curse. And have sex. And drink. In fact, the 'dubious' content in this show is extremely played down, and it should not be considered a big deal. My kid (17) swears and has sex (and probably drinks), but I did all those things when I was 17 too. Seriously, just get over it.
Oh, and apparently kids don't masturbate? Come on...
@trashtv :
when I was a teenager my life was a lot like a few of the scenes depicted on Skins. So dont come and tell us that this is not normal...this IS normal. YOUR life was not normal by being so good.
I'm definately not a prude here. And I'm definately for a censor free society. Put it out there, just take responsibility for what you're putting out there. For me, this may be boring but I drank in high school and did a few debaucherous sexual things but no drugs and I lead a pretty happy, drama free,drug free life. So I can make my own decisions based on what I see or don't see. I get the upset, people are scared. You should never censor though...If your teen grows up to be a drug addicted,sex addicted, etc. It's not from Skins....I can assure you that.