The Show ‘Skins’ Is Uninteresting but America’s Reaction is Hilarious

It seems that everyone in the media world has been talking about Skins, MTV’s new show — nearly a carbon copy of the popular British series of the same name.

Anybody who was a fan or had seen any of the British series was angered at MTV’s complete lack of creativity.
I felt cheated; the show was almost a word-for-word rip-off of the original.

They had taken something genuine and honest in it’s depiction and just replaced the actors, some characters and the location.
I’m not saying the show itself is totally honest — it’s TV, let’s be real.

But I was confused by the changes they made in the storyline, especially since they had kept so much of the original story. Why change certain parts?
Why change Maxxie, one of the most well-shaped characters from the original, into a lesbian cheerleader, for instance?

Would a gay male teen who doesn’t fit the media’s homosexual stereotype be too much for America to handle?

I felt the whole show was an insult to this country’s capacity for acceptance, tolerance, understanding and its intelligence. Did they really think that this tamed version would also be honest enough for those who liked the original to keep tuning in? That it would shock America?

Apparently so, because the Parents’ Television Council (among other groups) have been having a kind of ridiculous and hilarious conniption.
They have called the show “child pornography.” I think I saw more skin walking around my old high school.

Why are they obsessed with nudity? I don’t believe for a second that they all have never seen another person naked or been flashed by someone.

The fact that advertisers are pulling their ads shocks me even more. I am stunned that advertisers are so worked up over this show that they are causing their feelings to get in the way of business. Taco Bell pulled their advertising from Skins.

Yes, Taco Bell. With the tacos made with grade D meat from a tube, that can now can contain Fritos if you’d like. A company that markets to stoned and/or drunk underage teens with the munchies.
Worldwide the media loves to portray teens drinking, at wild parties, smoking weed and having sex. So why is this show any different? 16 and Pregnant, anyone?

Dateline NBC seems to feature “the new drug” teens are doing (that I have never heard of) almost every week on their show.
I graduated high school in 2008, at age 18. I wonder how many of my peers had tried a beer, lost their virginity or had a toke by that point. I’m guessing probably everyone had.

All of this controversy makes me think of my own upbringing.
I never considered myself a wild child, but maybe I was since my activities weren’t so different than the way they are depicted on TV.

People forget that being a teen sucked and that weed and beer were commonplace.
My parents, who are probably reading this, wouldn’t find this show incredibly shocking.

My father, the advocate in the household for turning off the TV, would think these activists are idiots.
Turn off your TV and don’t let your sheltered children stay up till 11 p.m. watching a show you feel is inappropriate.

So here is my “Dear Eric” advice for everyone who was offended by the show: don’t watch.
Don’t let your kids watch it if you think it is offensive.

I do not want to have to write another article, defending a show I don’t actually like because of an organization (whose sole purpose is to be offended by things) is (surprise) offended.
Offended by somebody showing their butt, some side boob, maybe some simulated masturbation.

Maybe they need to take a page out of Skins’ script, let loose, get laid and get over it.

Have questions? Send Eric your anonymous love, sex and relationship questions to ezornUT@gmail.com. Make sure your subject box contains the phrase “UTampa.”
Make sure that you are always practicing safe sex. For more information about staying safer visit the Planned Parenthood website of FAQ’s about safer sex.