In Defense of Skins: An Open Letter to the Parents Television Council (& Other Critics)

To Tim Winter, President of the Parents Television Council (PTC), and other critics:

On January 25, 2007, a brand-new show called Skins from the minds of father/son duo Brian Elsley and Jamie Brittain, debuted on E4 in the U.K., receiving positive reviews and high ratings. Right from that first episode, and continuing to today, this series has depicted the lives of a group of teenagers and all the outlandish, crazy situations that arise from their lives. The term 'Sex, Drugs & Rock N' Roll' times ten at first may seem like the perfect term to attach to this show. But attaching that phrase here shows that one has not actually watched the series (or rather, more than a few clips, trailers or promos). We need to dig deeper here, because the sex, drugs and rock n' roll is only the surface layer. Just take a moment and peel back the layers to look at the heart of the show. Skins is a much deeper show than the PTC and other critics have tried to make it out to be. The heart of this show is the characters themselves, because having strong and fully-developed characters are key to the success of a fictional story. We see their ups and downs, the emotions, the inner-truths, lies, deceit, hurt. Fans of the show, including myself, have become attached to Skins because of this. It truly is raw and revealing.

Five years later, Skins is still going strong in the U.K. And the creators now have developed and adapted the show for American audiences on MTV, which debuted on January 17, 2011. Immediately after that first episode aired, the Parents Television Council blasted the show as the most dangerous television show ever. "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," PTC President Tim Winter wrote. "It is clear that [MTV's parent company] Viacom has knowingly produced material that may well be in violation of [several child pornography laws]" (TV Guide). MTV is basic cable, which viewers have more access to than such pay cable networks as HBO or Showtime; if Skins had aired on any of the latter stations, would the PTC still have filed their complaints, for channels like HBO can get away with lot more than on a spot like MTV? Regardless, I can't honestly say if MTV is violating child pornography laws (though even that claim is a little ridiculous), but I can address the general criticisms of the show.

I would now like to briefly address the advertisers who pulled their sponsorship from the show, Taco Bell, GM, Subway and H&R Block, among others. I find it laughable that you would choose to pull your ads only after the PTC went after it. The original U.K. Skins was already known as a raunchy show. You decide to attach yourself as advertisers of the program, when that fact was completely and obviously well-known, and somehow feel taken aback once the show actually airs. That is just plain ridiculous. Wrigley says that "it was never our intent to endorse content that could offend consumers" (HR). Really? You're saying that after partnering with a network that is known to air controversial, crude, and inappropriate material (see: Jersey Shore), as well as other ridiculous and disturbing shows (like Teen Mom and 16 and Pregnant). You have to look at the network; you should not be taken aback that MTV is airing a show like Skins. Plus, Skins is a FICTIONAL show, unlike Jersey Shore (a REALITY show) where brainless airheads get together to drink, fight, have sex, and go on TV just for money and fame; now that's inappropriate! And don't get me started on The Hills. There's a difference between reality (or "reality," for those who believe not everything is impromptu) and fiction. Speaking of Jersey Shore, I don't even see that show listed on the PTC website; what's up with that?

The Parents Television Council, right at the top of their website claims that they are "A non-partisan education organization advocating responsible entertainment." TV Watch Online is not a political website at all, so I won't dwell on the politics too long here, but the PTC is anything but non-partisan. It is a very conservative group who just don't get it. And Skins obviously isn't the only program this organization has gone after.

One such show they have criticized is one that T.W.O. covers on the main site: Glee. Glee has been criticized not only by the PTC but by other voices as well for sexually explicit scenes, showing two teenage girls making out, among other examples. You even compared Glee's GQ photo shoot to pedophilia. How outrageous of a claim. Since we're on the topic of singing: Adam Lambert. After his performance at the 2009 American Music Awards in which he kissed another male on stage, simulated oral sex, and walked dancers across the stage with chains. You called it "vulgar." If he had kissed a woman, I doubt you would have had a problem with it. Female performers, for the most part, have gotten away with being more sexually explicit on stage, but it's not okay when a male singer does it? Lambert's performance aired at almost 11pm; children should not even be up at that time anyways.

But back to Skins. I want to make something very clear. I would never condone the things happening on this show--the underage sex, drug use, etc-- if this was real life. I'm in my early 20's and in college, and I would never think to imitate what these fictional characters are doing. If we saw all of this happening on a reality show, I would be strictly against it, no matter if they were teens or adults.

And by the way, our American version of the show is a whole lot tamer and toned down than the original, British version. When Skins UK started airing on BBC America, where were you, PTC? Even in an edited form, the UK show has a lot more nudity, sex and explicit language than ours. Even if you did respond to BBC America airing the show, it most definitely was not to the outrageous level that you are dishing out with the tamer U.S. show.

Before I finish, I would like to briefly talk to MTV and the people behind Skins. Two episodes have aired so far. And in each, I have noticed some swear words were bleeped. If you knew words like those wouldn't be allowed on TV, why did you even put then in the script in the first place? Unless you're going to release an uncensored version of the DVD (if one should come out), I want to either see no censorship at all or leaving it out in the first place.

After the premiere aired and the PTC came after you, you (MTV) were backed up against a wall and didn't defend your own network or show. If you truly believe in this show, you need to step up and put yourself back on the offense instead of playing defense. You knew this show would create controversy, so back up your decisions with reasoning. I think the PTC should read show creator Brian Elsley's statement he made after the premiere aired.

In this war between the PTC and MTV, the Parents Television Council is winning right now. And you wanna know why? Because they are being louder, whereas MTV is whimpering. Look at politics, especially the political climate of the past year or so. The winning party was victorious because they were louder. Being louder means you will be heard in the media. And if you have the attention of the media, those who agree with you will come out in full force to support you. And when you are louder, have everyone's attention, and gain some support resulting from that, it puts you on the offense. Being on offense equals power. And the PTC has the power right now.

It's very unfortunate that it ended up the way it did, because the PTC, in theory, is a very irrelevant organization. Tim Winter (PTC President) - let parents and their families make their own decisions and don't butt into people's lives, telling us what we should think or do.

Sincerely,

Jeff D.
Webmaster, TV Watch Online

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Related Links:
Creator Bryan Elsley's Statement
Actor Sofia Black D'Elia Responds to Controversy

Webmaster Note: TV Watch Online will continue its coverage of Skins and the controversy, posting article links in the TV/Movie/Entertainment News section on the home page.