Parents Television Council Blasts MTV's Skins
By Luke Kerr on January 13, 2011
MTV’s much anticipated British import Skins premieres Monday January 17, but it’s already stirring up controversy. The Parents Television Council has come out swinging against the upcoming teen soap. In a statement PTC president Tim Winter blasted the new series, saying:
"Despite the MA-rating for Skins, MTV appears to be deliberately targeting teens with its marketing campaign. Skins may well be the most dangerous show for children that we have ever seen. The marketing campaign itself makes light of lying to parents and participating in all manner of harmful, irresponsible, illegal and adult-themed behavior. The trailers we have seen thus far make sexual objects of almost every single one of its characters and asks not only for viewers to approve, but to actively participate by posting their own secret stories."
Maybe I’m just rebellious, but when someone tells me a TV show is the "most dangerous series ever" it just makes me want to tune in to see for myself. Talk about counterproductive. Watch the Skins trailer after the jump.
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Comments
11 January 2010
6 weeks 1 day
Here we go again. People don't have anything better to do, so they criticize something they haven't even seen. This group needs to review a short pier, during a long walk.
13 September 2010
37 weeks 4 days
Here's my take on this one:
As far as "harmful, irresponsible, and adult-themed behavior", it can't be any worse than Jersey Shore and you can't tell me teens aren't watching that.
And when will critics and councils realize that responsibility STARTS AT HOME. It is the PARENT'S responsbility to monitor and and regulate what their teenagers can or cannot watch on television. You can't say that a show shouldn't be aired because it has a theme you don't like for kids. Half the shows on air in this day and age have themes or material that is negative for teens to watch. That is why there is a ratings system, that is why there are parental controls on cable boxes. Don't blame television for exposing your children to negative messages when YOU are ALLOWING them to watch these shows!
And this show may be a bit racy and sexy, but exactly how is it any different than ABC Family's Secret Lives of American Teenager? Yes, that show teaches the consequences of teenage sex, but every girl on that show is sexually active and someone is always pregnant. How is it any worse than Gossip Girl? Or 90210 which portrays high schoolers as wiser and more sexually active and savvy than the grown ups? All of these shows portray teenagers as they are these days: sexually active, rebellious, and engaging in irresponsible behavior. Welcome to 2011. It is the PARENT'S responsiblity to monitor their child's behavior and take action when neccessary.
12 February 2010
5 weeks 6 days
I, for one, LOVE shows that dare to step outside of the box and offer something NEW and DIFFERENT, even when what they are offering could easily be considered to be scandalous and/or a bad influence to little children or young people.
I am of the school of thought that it is NOT the responsibility of television or the entertainment industry as a whole to EDUCATE or teach people morals or values. The #1 responsibility/job of television/film/music should be to ENTERTAIN the masses. And if that involves building stories around drugs, promiscuity or any of the other sins that our preachers warn us "not to align ourselves with," then so be it. If it's interesting and pulls me in, I will watch. And I am sure that MILLIONS of other viewers would agree with me!!
Parents, do your job and TEACH your kids the right morals and values, and stop expecting everyone else to do it for you!!!
Censorship in this country has gotten out of control. We are all so damned sensitive. If you don't like the show, don't watch it. And don't let your kids watch it. But don't try to tell everyone else that it shouldn't even EXIST as a form of entertainment for OTHER PEOPLE!!!! Just because I don't like "The Real Housesluts of (fill in the blank!), that doesn't mean that I am going to try to get it taken off the air!! And ditto for the other shows that don't appeal to me.
Live and let live and stop trying to deny other people of things that bring them pleasure just because you have a stick up your butt!!!
BTW: This rant is not directed toward anyone in particular. Just had to get that off my chest!!!
13 September 2010
37 weeks 4 days
I totally agree Alston
11 April 2009
6 weeks 1 day
I beg all of you to watch the British version of Skins that is available on Netflix (streaming!). The show is a raunchy, hilarious, tragic soap opera that blows away most teen soaps on ABC Family. The show is over the top and doesn't pull punches.
Undoubtedly, the American version will be watered down from the heights of debauchery and insanity of the British version.
12 February 2010
5 weeks 6 days
Beans4metoo~~
Cheers!!!
23 April 2008
6 weeks 1 day
Nah, this show just looks trashy. I agree with the parents on this one. The average viewer's age on MTV drops year after year. I couldn't think of a worse premise, for young, confused, impressionable kids to watch. Jersey Shore as well, but the drugs and stuff takes it to another level. Not into this.
17 March 2009
26 weeks 5 days
PTC has something to say on EVERY show.
I guess they didn't watch the Original UK Skins.
they would have a heart attack.
26 May 2010
12 weeks 4 days
terrific, another show about self-centered, self-gratification obsessed teens. woohoo....RE.
18 August 2008
3 weeks 3 hours
We need to remember the at "parent's counsel" consists of one guy in Florida, and it is almost bankrupt. How this group gets any press is beyond me. However, the worst offense is when news media reports that "parents" find a TV show offensive, when in reality it is one guy, who is not a parent and whose opinion should matter no more than yours or mine.
Go back a few months to the silly Glee/GQ controversy and you will see the lack of credibility that this group has.
Besides, remember when networks used to have warnings before shows? It always thrilled me as kid to watch those shows!
28 December 2010
4 days 21 hours
This show is going to be awful. It has lost in translation everything that made the original UK version great. Don't even watch this mess so MTV will cancel it sooner.
14 June 2009
9 weeks 5 days
I have seen some of this show. The part that I am sure they are finding offensive is the positive gay/bi role models. Being gay or bi in this group of teens is not any different than being straight. God and America forbid!
There is a bit of nudity that isn't as common on american tv. Otherwise it's just a little more realistic than BH90210.
14 January 2011
1 year 17 weeks
OMG, I am so incredibly lucky! I thank god every day that I apparently am one of the lucky few that got a complete package with my television cable service. Mine includes a remote control AND a power button! I actually have the power to decide on what I want to be viewed in my house. I would hate to think that the entire world would have to miss out on something that they may enjoy simply because I don't want to see it. You know what, I think a few more people should check and see if their entertainment providers offer power buttons with their package... It sure comes in handy! lmao
~S
7 July 2009
13 weeks 1 day
The only thing I will agree with the PTC on (and this makes my teeth hurt to have to admit) is that MTV is targeting its advertising at the 12-24 age market with the promos for this show and the bulk of that targeting group falls outside of the rating category that SKINS has received. So I can see how that has put a bug up their buts.
However, the show is scheduled to air at 10pm which is the accepted time slot for shows that feature mature content so MTV is covered as far as I am concerned.
Besides I have seen the first episode of this show already and it wasn't that good. I usually like to wait to criticize a show till I have seen a few episodes past the pilot but I was instantly hooked by the UK version of SKINS after watching just the first episode.