WARNING: MTV Now Airing Graphic Sex “Reality” Show (Video)
By Nathan A. Cherry, 01/24/2011
Martinsburg, WV – If you think TV has gone too far with some of the “reality” shows that are currently airing, this just might be the tipping point. A new show by MTV called “Skins” is now airing and pushes the limits of public decency, and perhaps child pornography laws as well.
A stir started just after the showed debuted last Monday on MTV when websites like “The Blaze” and even Bill O’Reilly started pointing out that the material in this program, being depicted by actors that are under 18, is not fit for anyone to watch. In fact, it almost seems to encourage all manner of illegal and immoral activity. Conservative news site TheBlaze.com commented on the shows first episode:
“The series premiere alone included sex, drug-dealing, alcohol, prescription drug abuse, sex, prostitution, smoking, homosexuality, violence, car theft, voyeurism and more sex. In fact, the entire premise of the first episode was how the group would get their 16-year-old friend to lose his uncool virginity before his 17th birthday. And after the kids’ friend wakes up from her drug overdose and their stolen car full of illegal drugs rolls and crashes into a lake, the kids laugh it off.”
So here we have a show that depicts underage kids engaging in illegal drug use, alcohol consumption, sex, prostitution, homosexual sex, and all manner of other illicit and illegal behavior. And this is somehow deemed as socially acceptable programming by MTV. Is this how MTV executives want their kids behaving? What about child pornography laws? One attorney specializing in computer-based sex offences told Fox news;
“It is not clear as to whether MTV is in violation of federal or state child pornography laws, but that does not mean that they won’t end up defending themselves somewhere in the United States.”
I am posting a preview of the show below. But I want to issue a stern warning that this is VERY graphic, contains nudity, obscenities, sex, and drug use. Please do not watch this in the presence of children.
MTV, being the concerned people they are released the following “defense” of the show.
“‘Skins’ is a show that addresses real-world issues confronting teens in a frank way. We review all of our shows and work with all of our producers on an ongoing basis to ensure our shows comply with laws and community standards. 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. 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.”
I am not sure what community MTV execs live in that make this kind of pornography OK, but it is certainly not acceptable in my community, or in my home. Evidently the show was too much for some advertisers as well. It seems Taco Bell has pulled all of their support from the show after the public outcry; score one for Taco Bell. Thankfully groups like the Parents Television Council have let MTV know that shows like this are not acceptable and need investigated. The PTC sent a letter to the chairmen of the U.S. Senate and House Judiciary Committees and the Department of Justice asking for immediate action. The PTC said:
“On January 17, the Viacom-owned cable network MTV aired a teenager-based drama, ‘Skins.’ The episode included all manner of foul language, illegal drug use, illegal activity as well as thoroughly pervasive sexual content. Moreover, future episodes promise much more of the same…The New York Times has reported this morning that Viacom executives met yesterday to discuss whether the show might violate federal law regarding the sexual depiction and presentation of minors and has compelled the producers of the show to make certain changes.”
The PTC then listed numerous child pornography laws that MTV may be in violation of and asked for an investigation to be conducted.
What I, and others can’t figure out, is that the show is rated TV-MA. This means it is not suitable for anyone under 17 and is intended primarily for adults. If this is the case, why does the show feature teenagers, some as young as 15? Is MTV advocating pedophilia? Are they encouraging adults to engage in these illegal activities with minors? What is the purpose?
Here is a chance for you to take action and let MTV and the FCC know that shows like “Skins” do not belong on the airwaves. Below is the contact information for both MTV and the Federal Communications Commission. I encourage you to take a moment and let your voice be heard.
To contact MTV, email:
viewerservices@mtvn.com
To contact the FCC:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Complaints
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554
Phone: 1-888-225-5322
Fax: 1-866-418-0232.
And for more perspective on this awful show take a look at Bill O’Reilly and his “Culture Warriors” as they discuss the first episode.
Related posts:
