TV-MA

Skins on MTV: Too Racy

Risqué new series could violate child-pornography laws.

Is Skins showing too much already? MTV’s new highly sexual, substance-fueled series, a reboot of the British teen hit show of the same name, premiered Monday; but executives are allegedly worried about its content. The New York Times reports there is concern that some of the upcoming scenes could violate federal child-pornography laws and have ordered producers to tone it down. In one recent meeting, an anonymous source told the paper, execs discussed who could potentially face criminal prosecution and jail time if the episodes were broadcast without changes. One scene in question, slated to air Jan. 31, showed a backside view of 17-year-old actor running down the street in the buff. Though MTV has been known to push the envelope, Skins purposefully features genuine teens—actors between 15 and 19. MTV execs declined interview requests and a spokesperson for the cable channel would not confirm the reports. “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,” the rep explained. In the United States, child pornography includes “any visual depiction of a minor [under 18 years old] engaged in sexually explicit conduct.”