MTV 'Skins', the American version of the British teenage drama drew in a respectable rating with nearly 3.3 million viewers on January 17, according to the stats provided by Nielson Co.

In a release MTV noted that Skins had a higher rating among its core audience of viewers ages 12 to 34 (3.4ratings). They got 2.7 million in this category or 83 per cent of their target audience.

'Skins' is an attempt by MTV to have a scripted series to connect with its target, the youth. They already have a reality TV version, 'Jersey Shore' which is doing well and attracts nearly 8 million viewers. The organsiers hope that 'Skins' will gather similar viewership as Jersey in time.

The show in its first run attracted a full slot of advertisers with 29 spots in all in its one hour airing.

The series has its critcs and detractors who are not conformable with its content of sex, drug-fuelled fantasies and foul mouths. Some say it does not compare well with its UK counterpart.

Earlier the PTC released what it called its most urgent alert, warning parents that Skins was “the most dangerous program for children that we have ever seen.”

Skins follows a group of nine friends navigating the often-tumultuous world of high school; sex, drugs and angst included is how a statement from MTV describes the series The cast includes newbies :James Newman as Tony, Rachel Thevenard as Michelle, Daniel Flaherty as Stanley, Ron Mustafaa as Abbud, Sofia Black D'Elia as Tea, Camille Cresencia-Mills as Daisy, Jesse Carere as Chris, Britne Oldford as Cadie and Eleanor Zich as Eura.

The cast in an interview to TV Squad has defended the show saying that it is a show showing the edgy reality of a teen's life. The show just suggests what can happen not that it does.

Camille Cresencia-Mills, who plays Daisy, told the website : The reason it's dangerous and scary for parents is it's the unknown, and people are scared of things they don't know. If you go into your daughter's room and read her diary you're going to find the exact same thing and it's just as scary, but sorry we're, like, showing it on TV. Hopefully the parents can see it and realise that teenagers, yeah they go and party and stuff, but they're also having issues and they also care about their families, and this might be a way to deal with it for some people.

United kingdom Skins