Ryan Japs
Staff Reporter
Television is in constant conflict with censorship and where to draw the line. With the new show on MTV entitled, Skins, the envelope is being pushed once again with the racy drama that has America in an uproar.
From its start as a popular British teen drama back in 2007, the series has always been full of controversial topics such as drug use, family problems, mental disorders, sexual situations, and death. The series is meant to reflect the lives of certain teenagers living through dramatic events..
Most critics state that the depictions of the teenagers on Skins are stereotypical and inaccurate and that the show overplays what teens are like nowadays. “It might be heightened for entertainment but all of it is believable,” said Nicholas Hoult, one of the main actors on the British Skins “I can think of someone I know who is like every character.”
On Jan. 17 the show reached the American airwaves, premiering on MTV at 10:00 pm Eastern time. Along with its same racy teens, it has also brought the same type of controversy along with it. The creator of the show, Bryan Elsley who created the British adaptation with his son Jamie, have both been signed to create ten “Americanized” episodes of their series.
“Teenagers can be loyal, supportive, dedicated, and focused,” creator Bryan Elsley said, “They are capable of making informed value judgments about their lives.”
But the Parents Television Council has seen the series and have expressed their feelings about the shocking show. The first episode alone portrayed a young man and his buddy trying to lose their virginity to a woman, while drinking at a party and passing around various drugs and emotions. When the Parents Television Council watched that episode they released this statement, “The most dangerous television show for children that we have ever seen.”
That is why the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has given the show a M.A. for mature audiences. This got the attention of news media that spreads quickly and the negative reviews give the show a bad image. Sponsors have already begun to pull away from the show after the premiere of the first episode.
Schick, Taco Bell, L’Oreal and Subway have all stopped showing commercials to try and help their image after the negative responses came in. This will have a detrimental effect on the shows budget and will have even a tougher time to make it big in America.
With 72 percent of our American kids consuming alcohol in high school, 44 percent of American high schoolers trying cigarettes by twelfth grade, and 18.8 percent of high school students routinely smoking marijuana, can Skins really be to blame?
“Parents just need to lighten up and just accept that some teens do these things,” said OHS senior Mark Dugan. “We are mature enough to make our own choices and learn from our mistakes.”
Another episode is airing on Feb. 28 on MTV at 10:00 p.m. Eastern time. The first season is almost through with just three episodes left. With the sponsors pulling out at every turn, it is unknown if the series will have a season two in America. The results of this controversial, popular, show is still up in the air.
Photo/ Online
“The American cast of the Mtv show Skins”