Less Teens are 16 & Pregnant.

Everyone loves to watch 16 and pregnant, I'm even guilty of indulging in the show for on Hulu or MTV.com every now and then. I'm not a huge fan of reality television because I feel like once it hits the public or these accounts are recorded, reality goes out the door. When you’re asked to pose for a picture isn't it natural to smile and want to look good? The same type of mindset, if not more, goes for film. Reality television, as 'real' as it is, is staged to some degree or predetermined goals for each episode spill out of the cast.

It goes against my better judgment to give praise to any reality TV show, especially one that deals with glorifying teen pregnancy. Yet, crazy enough, I must report that the show's efforts have led to more than entertainment, but lower teen pregnancies. Various data reports that teen pregnancy dropped dramatically in 2009, after the airing of 16 and Pregnant. The gritty, heart wrenching, and pain fully responsible realities of the girls featured on the show must be enough to make teens think more about having safe sex.

I am the result of a teen pregnancy, and have grown up watching just how much responsibility and how much of a struggle it is to take care of a child so young. Therefore, it’s pretty exciting to see that something is getting through these invincible teens.

The British (shows) are coming!

MTV has stopped playing music videos in favor of shows for quite some time now. Their scripted and unscripted programs have become popular in whole country, andeven internationally. In January, MTV aired a “new” show called Skins depicting teenagers engaging in drinking, drugs, and sex. The show was caught under a lot of controversy, beginning with protests- most notably by the Parents Television Council. The network was even under investigation for child pornography due to their use of underage actors in racy scenes. So much scandal surrounded the show, that a number of their advertisers- such as General Motors, Foot Locker, and Kraft- pulled their advertising from the show.

Despite all the controversy, the show was able to air for its entire first season of episodes, with the season finale airing in March. There is still no word if the second season of the show will air on MTV. Many are on opposite ends on whether or not they should air a second season, and some even think that MTV should buy the rights of the original British version; which is now in their fifth season, with a third generation of characters.

What is known is

that there is another British show that MTV plans to remake; The Inbetweeners. This show is not one to be caught in controversies such as the ones Skins was in; as its content is milder.

I personally think that they should stop portraying Skins as what “real teens in America” are doing, seeing as how this show is a complete carbon copy of its British predecessor. I don’t think buying the rights for the original version is a better idea after the adaptation was aired; despite how much better the original is. If MTV does decide to buy the rights to another teen show from “across the pond” I would definitely suggest Misfits. -E.G.