Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll are not only garnering a flurry of controversy for MTV’s new series “Skins,” but they may also be a potential violation of federal law.
The Americanized adaptation of the British series of the same name is attracting criticism for its racy portrayal of the lives of its teenaged characters.
Viewers and organizations like the Parents Television Council have blasted MTV for aiming a show depicting minors having sex, using drugs and drinking at underage audiences.
But some believe the controversy surrounding “Skins” is undeserved and the show portrays real-life teenage activity.
“‘Skins’ is a show that was first broadcast in the U.K. and was far more graphic than the U.S. version and met with much less criticism,” said Steve Giannino, mass communication doctoral student. “America has a long-standing history of debating sexuality in ways that make it seem dirty, wrong and amoral.”
Caroline Plumlee, English literature sophomore, said the grittiness of the British version of “Skins” was what first sparked her interest in the show.
“It was so unapologetic, graphic and real,” Plumlee said. “To pretend that teenagers don’t act like that, America is really taking a show and making it edited and censored.”
Yet it is younger viewers’ attachment to these characters that may be the cause of concern for some parents and viewers, according to Meghan Sanders, assistant mass communication professor and director of the University Media Effects Lab.
“People will ‘friend’ and ‘follow’ the exploits of media characters in social media and can sometimes experience real emotional distress when a favorite character dies or a show ends,” Sanders said. “The fact that these behaviors occur thus increases the possibility of learning from these ‘individuals.'”
Sanders said viewers at impressionable ages might look to characters as teachers and take part in similar behavior if no negative consequences are presented or parents or mentors do not discuss the behaviors with them.
Plumlee said she thought the show was geared toward an older audience that would not be susceptible to the show’s influence.
Giannino said people who suggest shows like “Skins” encourage delinquency and cause stable teens to become sex and drug fiends is “irresponsible.”
“This country must stop hiding sexuality in the closets and basements and allow not only young people, but all people to express it in open and responsible ways,” Giannino said.
Plumlee said by toning down and “Americanizing” the show, “Skins” will become just another high school series.
“Part of what attracted me to ‘Skins’ was the exposure to a different culture but the same age group,” Plumlee said. “Everyone is fascinated by different cultures, so setting it here makes it not interesting anymore.”
Speculation has also arisen that the show may violate federal child-pornography statutes. The PTC requested the show undergo an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice on Jan. 20, according to a PTC news release.
Federal law defines child pornography as “the visual depiction of a person under the age of 18 engaged in sexually explicit conduct,” according to the Department of Justice’s Website.
The show’s reception amid controversy is unclear. More than 3 million viewers watched the premiere episode Jan. 17. Of the 3.3 million viewers, 1.2 million were under the age of 18, according to Nielsen Co. ratings.
The show’s second episode gathered 1.6 million viewers, according to Nielsen Co. ratings.
Giannino said negative media attention sometimes helps a show gain popularity.
“When you look at a show like the ‘Jersey Shore,’ which met major criticism for its portrayal of young Italian Americans, and how it has now become the most popular reality television show […] you can see how negative media attention can help a show,” Giannino said.
Sanders said other factors, like the storyline from episode to episode, may also affect viewer numbers.
However, ratings, not controversy, will ultimately decide the fate of a show, Giannino said.
“These debates are not going to do much in terms of the show remaining on the air,” Giannino said. “If people watch, it will be on.”
Watch full episodes of the show at MTV.com
—-
Contact Grace Montgomery at [email protected]