Skins - New Movie Central Show

[corporatejay]

So, tonight marked the second episode of new series on Movie Central called Skins which airs after Shameless, Episodes and Californication (Showtime Dramas). It is being aired on MTV in the U.S. and I believe it is shot in Toronto, although it is an MTV production.

Anyway, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding, to no surprise. the PTC in the U.S. has said it is the most dangerous show to teens ever in the history of television.

While I think that's incredibly hyperbolic, the show does touch on some pretty mature subject matter. The first episode (I haven't seen the second yet) involves a tonne of drinking and drug use and references, but I think what really raises my eyebrows is how sexually charged the show is.

Now, in order for the show to have a realistic feel (which it does, much like the film kids from 1997) the producers cast unknowns and persons close to their real age. The cast members range from 15-19, so this isn't a case of adults, playing kids, acting in sexual manner, these are actual children. And unlike the sexualization of britney spears, Willa Holland (Kaitlin Cooper from the O.C.), Michelle Tratchenberg (Buffy's sister) and Taylor Momsen (Jenny Humphrey from Gossip Girl), there is a grittiness to this show that just makes it slightly more uncomfortable.

Anyway, just wondering what others thought of this, whether it's being watched and what people think of the PTC's outrage and subsequent sponsor backout.

Also, I should note, that ironically the show is rated 18a in Canada.

For more reading go here http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/412374...entertainment/

or just google "skins" on google news.

[ernie]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

So, tonight marked the second episode of new series on Movie Central called Skins which airs after Shameless, Episodes and Californication (Showtime Dramas). It is being aired on MTV in the U.S. and I believe it is shot in Toronto, although it is an MTV production.

Anyway, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding, to no surprise. the PTC in the U.S. has said it is the most dangerous show to teens ever in the history of television.

While I think that's incredibly hyperbolic, the show does touch on some pretty mature subject matter. The first episode (I haven't seen the second yet) involves a tonne of drinking and drug use and references, but I think what really raises my eyebrows is how sexually charged the show is.

Now, in order for the show to have a realistic feel (which it does, much like the film kids from 1997) the producers cast unknowns and persons close to their real age. The cast members range from 15-19, so this isn't a case of adults, playing kids, acting in sexual manner, these are actual children. And unlike the sexualization of britney spears, Willa Holland (Kaitlin Cooper from the O.C.), Michelle Tratchenberg (Buffy's sister) and Taylor Momsen (Jenny Humphrey from Gossip Girl), there is a grittiness to this show that just makes it slightly more uncomfortable.

Anyway, just wondering what others thought of this, whether it's being watched and what people think of the PTC's outrage and subsequent sponsor backout.

Also, I should note, that ironically the show is rated 18a in Canada.

For more reading go here http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/412374...entertainment/

or just google "skins" on google news.

Skins. The most dangerous show on television......that has already been on television for quite some time.

The British series has already been broadcast in the states on BBC America with less editing than what is seen on MTV. The US version is essentially shot for shot and word for word the same show. I guess that because it wasn't on MTV or made by an american company before no one cared. Funny.

[Deelow]

Originally Posted by ernie

Skins. The most dangerous show on television......that has already been on television for quite some time.

The British series has already been broadcast in the states on BBC America with less editing than what is seen on MTV. The US version is essentially shot for shot and word for word the same show. I guess that because it wasn't on MTV or made by an american company before no one cared. Funny.

I read a review today that said the UK version is much more "risque". I did watch the first 2 episodes of the American show. For parents I think the glorified drug use will be more concerning than the sex...although I've never seen that much near nudity on a kids show before.

[FlamingLonghorn]

Originally Posted by ernie

Skins. The most dangerous show on television......that has already been on television for quite some time.

The British series has already been broadcast in the states on BBC America with less editing than what is seen on MTV. The US version is essentially shot for shot and word for word the same show. I guess that because it wasn't on MTV or made by an american company before no one cared. Funny.

I don't see how that's hard to grasp. The only people I know who are watching BBC America are generally people with good educations that are either in college or past that stage of their lives. MTV draws way more teenagers than almost any other channel I bet.

[Oliwa]

I just watched it. I thought it was decent, alot better then most crap on MTV these days.

[ernie]

Originally Posted by Sowa

I don't see how that's hard to grasp. The only people I know who are watching BBC America are generally people with good educations that are either in college or past that stage of their lives. MTV draws way more teenagers than almost any other channel I bet.

The point was the show has already been on American TV in a likely more risque edit. That show should also have been harmful for the youth but no one cared. Yes MTV has more exposure to be sure but that doesn't mean the same show wasn't already available to the youth of America with no PTC complaint.

[Temporary_User]

I was bored, so I decided to see what all the hype was about.
I'm fairly young, so I wasn't bothered by any of the content. It seems just like high school with a bunch of bad acting to me.

Honestly at times I didn't know if it was bad acting, a bad script, or a combination or both.

[Coys1882]

Isn't this show just telling it how it is? Don't teenagers use drugs, drink booze and have sex? Why is this show dangerous? It's not exactly ground breaking - my teen years were in the late 80s-early 90s and it's all I thought about.

[Deelow]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

Isn't this show just telling it how it is? Don't teenagers use drugs, drink booze and have sex? Why is this show dangerous? It's not exactly ground breaking - my teen years were in the late 80s-early 90s and it's all I thought about.

So when you were 16 you were involved in orgies, overdoses, visiting the homes of drug dealers, stealing cars and steamy lesbian sex?

that's not how I remember my teens.

[Temporary_User]

Originally Posted by Deelow

So when you were 16 you were involved in orgies, overdoses, visiting the homes of drug dealers, stealing cars and steamy lesbian sex?

that's not how I remember my teens.

Sounds like you missed out.



Sadly when I was sixteen my life wasn't filled with steamy lesbian sex and orgies.
Visiting the homes of drug dealers was normal for many.
Not really at sixteen, but before 18-19, I knew a few that stole cars; I also sadly know way too many people than I wish I did who have OD'd from drugs.

It's all normal, and it all happens. Does the show glamorize it though?

[North East Goon]

Originally Posted by Deelow

So when you were 16 you were involved in orgies, overdoses, visiting the homes of drug dealers, stealing cars and steamy lesbian sex?

that's not how I remember my teens.

Nerd!

[Coys1882]

Originally Posted by Deelow

So when you were 16 you were involved in orgies, overdoses, visiting the homes of drug dealers, stealing cars and steamy lesbian sex?

that's not how I remember my teens.

I didn't do everything you've listed above but those things all happened to a group of people I knew growing up. I don't think that's a unique experience.

[mykalberta]

It has nothing to do with the premise and everything to do with apparently 1 of the American actors was under 18 when the episode was aired. MTV says no - that is the last I have heard of it.

[Deelow]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

I didn't do everything you've listed above but those things all happened to a group of people I knew growing up. I don't think that's a unique experience.

Right, but it's not typical teen behaviour. Sure sex and drugs are part of being 16 but generally not the extreme that they portray in this show. I understand that's how TV is but I think the warnings are fair. Parents should know their children have access to this kind of programming.

[GGG]

I think this show is much better than say gossip girl for teenagers to watch. The gritty edge to the show makes it uncomfortable which is important. In my opinion it doesn't glamorize sex or drugs it merely presents them.

Kind of like degrassi was back in the eighties which at the time was contriversial because of the castong of teens in teen roles as well.

My kids are still 2 and under but I would sooner let them in the future watch this than twilight based on the messasge it is sending to teenage girls.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by GGG

I think this show is much better than say gossip girl for teenagers to watch. The gritty edge to the show makes it uncomfortable which is important. In my opinion it doesn't glamorize sex or drugs it merely presents them.

Kind of like degrassi was back in the eighties which at the time was contriversial because of the castong of teens in teen roles as well.

My kids are still 2 and under but I would sooner let them in the future watch this than twilight based on the messasge it is sending to teenage girls.

There's a message? beyond its ok to let your daughter bang a vampire because somehow he'll knock her up and her baby will literally chew its way out of her?

Or some crap about sparkles and ponies or something.

The people that make Twilight should be tried in the UN world court for crimes against humanity.