http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainm ... page=1&c=y
So if you haven't heard about it, "Skins" is originally a British show that has been adapted for American audiences and is now on MTV. Skins has caused a significant amount of controversy because, as far as I can understand, it's kids ages 15-18 basically partying, hooking-up, and just being really sexual/scandalous (they also have like a lesbian character and stuff, so I guess the show is "progressive" in that sense). Basically, a ton of sponsors have pulled their advertising from the show because some see it as "child pornography" because it's a bunch of minors in hyper sexual situations.
I personally haven't seen the show, as I try to avoid MTV programming at all costs -- but I may check it out, just to see if it is as awful as I think it might be. Has anyone here seen it?
MY QUESTIONS:
Can watching a show like "Skins" negatively affect a child? I know if I had a kid...I wouldn't be too comfortable letting them watch people around their age hooking up and doing drugs etc. In one episode, one character tries to convince his girlfriend to have sex with this other character who is a virgin...is this simply "entertainment" or should we be concerned?
Is it the responsibility of MTV to provide better programming for this show's target audience (basically teens and pre-teens), or does it all fall on the parents?
Anyone remember when MTV used to show actual music videos?
Is there any hope for society, or will we continue to have shitty shows like "the jersey shore" and "keeping up with the kardasians" because people are retarded and will watch that shit? Why do people watch these shows when they are so clearly awful (and for the 'reality' buffs, they are clearly scripted)?
Ironically, all this drama over Skins will most likely ensure that it's going to be a hit. It has already performed quite well in ratings and MTV execs are standing behind it.
