Usually after the Parents Television Council decries something as scandalous, the fervor dies down after a few days. That's not the case with MTV's controversial new series 'Skins,' about a group of hard-partying, drug-taking, sexually active teenagers -- this time, the outcry has caused network executives to take a second look at the in-your-face show.
According to the New York Times, MTV higher-ups have ordered producers to tame down future episodes of the show, which is based on a similarly boundary-pushing U.K. series of the same name, for fear of violating federal child pornography laws. A source told the paper that on Tuesday, "a flurry of meetings took place" during which executives discussed the possibility of facing criminal charges if especially racy episodes were shown without editing.
The episode execs are supposedly most concerned about is the third, scheduled to air Jan. 31. A storyline involves one teen character taking erectile dysfunction medication, and the 17-year-old actor is shown from behind running naked down the street.
The Times describes child pornography as "any visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In some cases, 'a picture of a naked child may constitute illegal child pornography if it is sufficiently sexually suggestive,' according to the Justice Department's legal guidance."
In this case the nudity is shown in a completely non-sexual manner. But other scenes show the young cast -- all but one are teenagers, and most are under 18 -- engaging in very sexual behavior.
So, can 'Skins' be considered child pornography? Even if the offending scenes are censored, can MTV get in trouble for shooting the footage in the first place? What about people who have already seen early edits of the episode in question?
New York University law professor Amy M. Adler told the Times that the concern wasn't completely out of left field. "There are times when I look at mainstream culture and think it is skirting up against the edge of child pornography law."
MTV's marketing campaign for 'Skins' has focused on the edginess of the show, making sure to emphasize how very Real it all is. It's the advertising the PTC objected to, calling 'Skins' "the most dangerous show for teens." This afternoon, Deadline Hollywood reported that the PTC called for a federal investigation into the show for child pornography.
Backlash has already begun -- according to The Hollywood Reporter, Taco Bell has pulled its ads from the program. "Upon further review, we've decided that the show is not a fit for our brand and have moved our advertising to other MTV programming," said spokesman Rob Poetsch.
When TV Squad spoke with the cast last week, star Danny Flaherty, a 17-year-old high schooler from New Jersey who plays slacker Stanley (not the subject of the aforementioned nudity), said the series could provide some real lessons for teens and parents alike. "It would even be a great conversation opener," Flaherty said.
http://www.tvsquad.com/20...-pornography/?icid=maing|main5|dl 1|sec1_lnk1|37901
havent watched yet but i guess its not going to match the UK version
the first time I realized they were cussing on cable TV.
