NEWSMTV 'Skins': Sensational or Realistic?
Jan. 21 2011, Published 9:40 a.m. ET
MTV's new show Skins is already under lots of criticism for its depiction of teen sex, drug use and "child pornography" claims. Do you think the show goes too far?
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"We are confident that the episodes of Skins will not only comply with all applicable legal requirements, but also with our responsibilities to our viewers," MTV said in a written statement (via ABC News). "We also have taken numerous steps to alert viewers to the strong subject matter so that they can choose for themselves whether it is appropriate."
Even though MTV is standing by their show, experts believe they may be changing their tune once more sponsors pull out.
"There have been reports that MTV is going to tone the show down," TV Guide business editor Stephen Battaglio said. "If there's any pressure that MTV is going to bow to, it would be to advertisers."
Taco Bell is one advertiser that has already pulled commercials from future Skins shows.
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And now, The Parents Television Council has called for an open investigation from the chairmen of the U.S. Senate and House Judiciary committees and the Department of Justice into what they allege is child pornography of actors as young as 15.
And the PTC also has major concerns for the alcohol and drug references in the show.
"I think that it is terribly important that we let our kids know that this is in fact not the norm," Terry Real, a family therapist told ABC News.
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"The concern for the boys is that the idea here is very clearly that even the young boys 14, 15, 16 are up for sex anywhere, anytime with anyone," Real said. "I think that's a lot of pressure for our sons to have to deal with."
"The girls concern me even more because if you look at the kind of sexuality that's portrayed its often in fact not mutual, it's about girls feeling they need to service boys in order to keep them," he added. "I think this a direct, in some ways, backlash to the empowerment of girls. I think we need to stand up to it and have our daughters stand up to it and do what they feel comfortable with."
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But ABC asked some teens what they thought of Skins and they said they feel it's true-to-life.
"That's just really how life is except not to their extremes," one teen said.
Watch the special report on MTV's new controversial show, Skins, below!
