MTV Skins?

[WeLoveLilo05]

Has anyone watched this show? The other night I was sitting on the couch scrolling through my iPod listening to potential first dance songs for our wedding and I left MTV on (I guess it was the last channel I was watching?) and I was so disgusted by what I saw. Mind you, I am not a total prude here, but this show had a naked woman in the window and a teen staring at her, then the teens were constantly making out, rubbing up on each other, doing drugs, talking about um sex toys. I had to change it, it was all about sex and drugs, I don't think there was a plot/story line at all. Gosh, my mom didn't want me watching 90210 in the 90s, at least it had an awesome story line.
If anyone has seen it, what do you think? Do you think it should be taken off the air?

 

[N&B'smom]

I have not seen it but just read a story about it, apparently a lot of people are having a problem with it. It definitely sounds like a very inappropriate show.

Ironically, I read the story about this show creating waves right before I read a story about 2nd graders performing sex acts in their class while the teacher was present.

What is this world coming to!?!??!?!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I haven't seen the show. I have read about a big time investigation because of the age of the actors.

It'll be interesting to see what becomes of the investigation.

 

[disneydreamersx4]

We never watch MTV but I did see a news clip about this show. It's horrible the way they have teens being filmed! Even though we don't let DD-13 watch that channel, I know some of her friends do she'll probably hear everything about it

 

[npmommie]

I posted about this a few months ago when I first saw the promos and was shocked.
a lot of people posted and said it was based on a show from the UK and it really wasn't all about sex and drugs.
so apparently the US version is not the same, is what I am thinking.
I was shocked by the promos for the show. and I am not a prude at all.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I posted about this a few months ago when I first saw the promos and was shocked.
a lot of people posted and said it was based on a show from the UK and it really wasn't all about sex and drugs.
so apparently the US version is not the same, is what I am thinking.
I was shocked by the promos for the show. and I am not a prude at all.

Likewise.

Seems like MTV's legal department really dropped the ball.

 

[bicker]

I haven't seen the show. I have read about a big time investigation because of the age of the actors. It'll be interesting to see what becomes of the investigation.

I agree. I wouldn't believe anything I read, not in the news nor online, until either I see it for myself (which I'm not inclined to do) or until the investigation is concluded and authorities I respect put out a determination. This sounds like just the kind of thing that some people love to exploit, exaggerate, blow out of proportion, etc. It could be the worst evil in the world, but I'll wait for the authorities to say so, thankyouverymuch.

 

[KitKat_Tink]

I posted about this a few months ago when I first saw the promos and was shocked.
a lot of people posted and said it was based on a show from the UK and it really wasn't all about sex and drugs.
so apparently the US version is not the same, is what I am thinking.
I was shocked by the promos for the show. and I am not a prude at all.

Its not all about sex and drugs.

But it is a big part of the characters lives.

I watched the original skins and the MTV skins. The first episodes were both identical. The only difference was some slang was switched to fit with MTV crowd. The show is rated MA and is on at 10pm. It has a warning that it has strong sexual situations and drug use. They aren't saying its for kids to watch. IMO I think it is a good show. Its not realistic at all saying kids can do drugs and party all the time and still be smart but i find the show entertaining.

 

[N&B'smom]

I watched the episode online at MYV.com to see what it was all about. The entire episode was indeed about sex and drugs. The whole premise was that the main character wanted to help his friend lose his virginity saying that it's embarrassing to be 16 years old and be a virgin. (what a lovely message to send to the kids watching)

The idea was to get one specific girl who already has issues with drugs, all drugged up so she would easily give in and have sex with the friend. She took pills and passed out so they never ended up sleeping together. That's pretty much the entire episode.

And yes, there's a scene with an older woman standing in her window naked knowing that the younger, main character is watching her.

So.........not sure what the other episodes will be about and I certainly won't be watching to find out but this one, was ALL sex, drugs and sneaking in and out of the house without the parents knowing...etc.

I actually found it painful to watch.

 

[Jennasis]

Reminds me of the movie KIDS. Very controversial at the time.

 

[Ning Ning]

I decided to check this out today because I have a 14 yo niece and a 12 yo nephew. The thing I found odd is that I had to provide my date of birth to watch it online, but anyone of any age can watch it on TV!!! And to those that say it comes on at 10:00 - that means 9:00 central time and a lot of kids aren't in bed yet! I'm definitely no prude and it pretty much disgusted me. I don't think this kind of show is necessary - it sure isn't amusing.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I watched partial a few months ago but ,never watched a whole episode because that show gives me the creeps.

I can't decide if this sort of stuff is about twisted adults trying to push immature kids into stuff for their own weirdo jollies or if they are just playing on kids curiosity. Maybe it's a little of both but whatever it is disgusts me. I am fully aware that this may be part of kids' lives but there is a monumental difference between kids behaving like kids with other kids and adults interfering to promote it.

I'm all for adults doing whatever they want to do but when they aim it at my kids the claws come out, I'm cheering from the sidelines for decency laws in this particular set of circumstances. Hands off the kids I banned MTV from my kids TVs a few months ago.

 

[LilyWDW]

Its not all about sex and drugs.

But it is a big part of the characters lives.

I watched the original skins and the MTV skins. The first episodes were both identical. The only difference was some slang was switched to fit with MTV crowd. The show is rated MA and is on at 10pm. It has a warning that it has strong sexual situations and drug use. They aren't saying its for kids to watch. IMO I think it is a good show. Its not realistic at all saying kids can do drugs and party all the time and still be smart but i find the show entertaining.

This.

It is rated MA and tells you exactly what the show is about. It is on at a time that it is allowed to be shown. If you, as a parent, don't want your kid to watch it, then don't. However, I don't see any reason this show (or any show) shouldn't be allowed on television. Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it shouldn't exist.

Now, if there are legal issues then that is a different game.

 

[TaraPA]

I'm seriously considering having MTV blocked off my TV (but ok, I'll admit - I'm addicted to watching "16 and Pregnant" and "Teen Mom"!) It's bad enough that pre-teens & teens today look up to Snookie & The Situation as role models - now this cast from Skins will be the best thing since sliced bread. I was disgusted watching it the other night - I might have missed a deeper plot but all I saw was rampant sex & drugs amongst teens - underage as well. Yes I know I can turn it off & choose not to watch it - and that WILL be my choice - but I'm sure a lot of teens out there will see all the things they do on there as glamorous & be sucked right in.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I stopped watching MTV when they stopped showing videos.

 

[TaraPA]

I stopped watching MTV when they stopped showing videos.

 

[luvmy3]

This.

It is rated MA and tells you exactly what the show is about. It is on at a time that it is allowed to be shown. If you, as a parent, don't want your kid to watch it, then don't. However, I don't see any reason this show (or any show) shouldn't be allowed on television. Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it shouldn't exist.

Now, if there are legal issues then that is a different game.

MTE. I have a 13 yr old who isn't allowed to watch MTV anyway but there is no reason a 13 year old should be watching things with a TV-MA rating. There are plenty of shows on TV that are inappropriate for certain age groups, this show is one of them, but that doesn't mean it should be banned entirely.

I did have an issue with a commercial for it that was on the Food Network the other night. I was shocked to see it advertised there, and it wasn't late but may have been after 10PM.

 

[Geoff_M]

Haven't seen the show, read the news stories in the NYT, read the synopsis of the episodes so far, etc. Won't watch the show, nor will others in my family. Haven't watched MTV since probably the 2nd season of Road Rules.

Regarding "Skins", the usual playbook will be run. People will criticize program for pushing the limits of taste, decency, and (in this case) legality... and they'll likely be right on two of those points. Others will jump to the show's defense and counter with things like heaping platitudes on the show like "edgy", "provocative", "thought provoking", "relevant to today's society", etc. They'll likely call the critics "childish prudes", say that this show "tells it like it is", and we'll be reminded that "Ozzie & Harriet don't exist anymore" and "everyone's doing it". Nothing will happen in the end, and then the next program comes along that takes it even farther.... rinse, repeat.

Goodnight Gracie!

 

[Disneyland Princess]

They made a US version of skins? On MTV??? What were they thinking?

I love the UK version of Skins but really its not a show for teens, Its a show about teens but the nudity, drug use, language, sex, and so much more is not for MTV (and MTV is not known for its wholesome entertainment )! The show is centered around its shock value for sure, its rated MA for a reason.
I they wanted to bring Skins to America I feel they need to put it on a movie channel or something. I might have to watch the American versions first episode out of curiosity now, probably not though because I feel it will just be a let down, there going to have to censer it to death to make it ok for American television. I feel this is a bad move, the UK's TV restrictions are not as harsh as Americas. The uproar is just going to get worse as the season continues if the script is the same as the UK version...

 

[maxiesmom]

This.

It is rated MA and tells you exactly what the show is about. It is on at a time that it is allowed to be shown. If you, as a parent, don't want your kid to watch it, then don't. However, I don't see any reason this show (or any show) shouldn't be allowed on television. Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it shouldn't exist.

Now, if there are legal issues then that is a different game.

I agree with both of you. If you find the show offensive, then don't watch it. If no one watches it, it will soon go away. If you don't want your kids to watch it, then don't let them. What is so hard about that?

I haven't seen the US version, but the UK version is quite good. But it is definately not a show for children or young teens. If the US version has all of these warnings and you know ahead of time it may offend you, then why on earth are you watching it?

I swear, as Americans we make the easiest things so hard some times. Don't like what you are watching on the tv? Turn the channel or shut if off. It isn't rocket science.