MTV’s U.S. adaptation of cult British television hit ‘Skins’ has been dying a slow and painful death ever since the first episode aired this past January. Thankfully, MTV networks have announced they will put ‘Skins’ U.S. out of its misery, not renewing for a second season.
Hoping to recreate the success of other U.K. television exports (‘The Office’ anyone…), MTV brought ‘Skins’ over to America in what promised to be one of the most talked series premieres of the year. Unfortunately, the essence of the show didn’t translate across the pond and ‘Skins’ U.S. was losing viewers faster than I am losing friends at MTV for writing this article. In the end, viewing figures for the final episode were less than half the impressive 3.3 Million viewers that tuned in for the series premiere.
In a statement, the network said, “Skins is a global television phenomenon that, unfortunately, didn’t connect with a U.S. audience as much as we had hoped”. It didn’t help that the show, which featured steamy lesbian love scenes, drug use, and nudity was blasted by the Parents Television Council, who suggested that it is “immoral” and may violate child pornography laws. While I don’t agree with the PTC, I’m glad that I’m not the only one happy about today’s announcement.
In other news, the original U.K. version of ‘Skins’ recently finished its fifth season and has been renewed for a sixth due to air in 2012. If you haven’t seen it already, check out the U.K. version of skins to see everything the U.S. version was not.
