An adaptation of the British series of the same name, Skins became one of the most-talked about shows on television last January. The Parents Television Council called it “the most dangerous television show for children that we have ever seen” and asked authorities to open an investigation into possible child exploitation and pornography. This led advertisers like Taco Bell, GM, Wrigley, H&R Block, and Subway to drop out.
You might think that this controversy would attract viewers to the series but it didn’t happen. Skins debuted to a solid 3.3 million viewers but half of the audience didn’t come back for the second episode. The numbers kept falling week after week but rose a bit for the finale, reaching 1.2 million viewers.
While other MTV shows have been renewed with similar ratings, Skins posed a unique problem. The series was difficult to repeat because it carries a “Mature Audience” rating and so episodes couldn’t be rerun before 10pm.
The show’s creator, Bryan Elsley, knew the show was in trouble and tweeted last month, “I think if you would like to see more MTV Skins, maybe say so to MTV.” The cable channel has now made it official and cancelled the TV series.
In a statement, MTV said, “Skins is a global television phenomenon that, unfortunately, didn’t connect with a US audience as much as we had hoped. We admire the work that the series’ creator Bryan Elsley did in adapting the show for MTV, and appreciate the core audience that embraced it.”
Of the cancellation, Dan Isett, The Parents Television Council’s director of public policy, said, “I’m not sure if it comes as much of a surprise, but its a message for MTV and other cable networks that there are some lines that aren’t meant to be crossed… Life would be easier if MTV and other networks would take the concerns of parents and families seriously before even beginning production on something like this.”
What do you think? Are you sorry there won’t be a second season of Skins? Was the show worth watching?
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