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'Skins': The racy Tea steps out amid advertiser controversy
As of Monday (Jan. 24) morning, MTV lost a few more advertisers on "Skins."
At least six sponsors have pulled their ads from the show - which, we're sure they all did at least in part from boycott threats and the Parents Television Council's (PTC) claims that the show violates child porn laws.
And amid all this rancor, MTV's lesbian character, Tea's episode airs next.
Sofia Black D'elia, who we spoke to about playing Tea, appeared on Popeater writer Rob Shuter's HDnet talk show, "Naughty But Nice with Rob," and commented on the controversy.
"It's not necessarily the big things you'd assume would upset people," D'elia says. "It's kind of because everyone in our cast is under 20. So, that immediately puts people on edge, because these are real teenagers doing these things."
She then adds, "It's what teens are doing. It's the way teenagers believe," she says. "I think, especially you know in certain situations when you come from home lives where your parents don't really support you or really listen to you. That's what most of these kids are going through."
Each episode of "Skins" (like the British version) is titled and focuses on one character from the crew. The first revolved around Tony.
Watch a preview of "Tea":
Could Tea's episode lead to more pulled ads?
"Skins" airs Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on MTV.
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Photo/Video credit: MTV
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not all teens are doing that.. maybe the nasty ones but no normal teen is... the normal ones have lives and are making something of themselves. maybe they should make a show about that!
Re:Donna. Unfortunately, there's plenty of evidence to suggest the opposite. My best friend is in education, and from what he's told me, the reality is actually closer to the harder-edge UK version of Skins (which would make the PTC spontaneously combust) than the watered-down US version.
Most teens are are doing those things or have close friends that are. The PTC and others not wanting to acknowledge that are in for a reality check. I went to a prestigious prep school where many went on to Ivy League universities and yet many engaged in this kind of behavior every weekend. They can both be trying to make something of themselves and still be having sex and using drugs.
Thankfully, there are some teens who don't act like these, but it's because they have parents who look out for them. Speaking of parents, only idiots would let their children watch this show.
I think it actually captures the life of teenagers well... it's true, not all teenagers are doing these things, but I actually know a lot of people that are.
Don't the PTC and these advertisers get it? They're not making viewers turn away, they're only making them continue to watch it and everyone else being more & more curious about it.
Sooner rather than later, they'll have to realize that controversy breeds success. "NYPD Blue", "Jersey Shore", every other reality show on TV. They just need to accept the cold, hard truth.
wat the **** happen to mtv wheres the music im telling u these shows nowadays r so efin gay. well yea alot of loser teens r doing this but to be proud of it & making a show dats beyond speechless only loser teens do this cuz they think its kool but its not they look childish & they need to grow up!!!!!!!!!
If this was network television, I'd say, tone it down...But this is a cable show adapting a Brit series. If they water it down, I'll just stop watching! I have the BBC DVDs anyway.
Americans are such prudes when it comes to entertainment!
As a gay man, I can't stand Tea. MTV couldn't stand having a gay guy so they put Tea in the show instead. Seems quite homophobic to me.
MTV seems very homophobic about gay men.
Yeah, why did MTV take the gay guy out of Skins? MTV = homophobic.