MTV bosses order new U.S. version of Skins to 'tone down' over child pornography fears

MTV bosses order new U.S. version of Skins to 'tone down' over child pornography fears - It is a show which pushes the envelope with its teen sex, drugs, drinking and wild partying.

But there are fears that the U.S. version of hit Channel Four series Skins features scenes which are too explicit, and may even violate federal child pornography statutes.

In the last few days, executives at MTV, which airs the programme, have ordered the show’s producers to make changes to tone down some of the most explicit content, according to the New York Times.

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Pushing boundaries? The cast of the new U.S.version of Skins which debuted in the U.S. earlier this week

TV hit: The show, which features drinking, sex and parties, was a hit with viewers

They are said to be particularly concerned about the third episode of the series, to be broadcast in the U.S. on January 31.

In it, a naked actor (Jesse Carere, who plays Chris) is shown from behind, running down the street in a storyline which features him taking erectile dysfunction pills.

The new U.S. version will initially be close to a direct copy of the first U.K. series which starred Dev Patel and Nicholas Hoult.

MTV has gradually reduce the number of music videos it plays in the last few years, replacing them with controversial reality shows such as Jersey Shore, The Real World and Teen Mom.

However, unlike these shows, Skins features younger actors, with an age range of 15-19.

Raunchy: Britne Oldfold as Cadie in a scene from the first episode of Skins

MTV’s president and other executives declined interview requests with the New York Times, but MTV spokesman Jeannie Kedas insisted that all forthcoming episodes were works in progress.

But she would not confirm that MTV executives were fearful of falling foul of child pornography laws.

‘Skins is a show that addresses real-world issues confronting teens in a frank way,’ she said in a statement.

‘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.’

Party girl: Eleanor Zichy's character Eura looks dishevelled in a revealing dress under her winter coat on the show

Adult themes: The first episode features Daniel Flaherty as Stanley getting in trouble over a drug deal

Child pornography is defined by the United States as any visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, with anyone younger than 18 considered to be a minor.

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.

Despite these fears, the show has so far been a hit, attracting 3.3 million viewers to the first episode which aired on January 17.

It also set a new first-episode record for MTV among viewers aged 12 to 34, with Nielsen ratings reporting that the episode drew 1.2 million viewers younger than 18.

This, despite MTV stating in news releases that the show is ‘specifically designed to be viewed by adults.'

Original show: The cast of the first Channel Four Skins series starring Nicholas Hoult and Dev Patel back in 2007

‘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,’ the channel said.

The cast, which features many teenagers with no previous acting experience, have defended the show, insisting it is true to life.

'Things like this certainly happen [in real life],’ James Newman, who plays Tony, told MTV.

‘I don't think they necessarily happen with the frequency that it happens on Skins, but it's TV and we want it to be entertaining and it helps from a standpoint on sex and drugs.'

‘I think as far as relationships the friends have with each other and the emotions, that stuff is dead-on, spot for spot what we went through in high school,' he added.

'Any time you see sex and drugs on Skins, it's about the story. It's never that for the sake of that.' ( dailymail.co.uk )

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