“MTV's 'Skins' is 'most dangerous' show ever for kids: Parents Television Council - New York Daily News” plus 1 more

MTV's 'Skins' is 'most dangerous' show ever for kids: Parents Television Council - New York Daily News

Posted: 13 Jan 2011 12:11 PM PST

MTV

MTV's 'Skins' has been slammed by the Parents Television Council for possibly being the 'most dangerous television show for children' ever.

"Skins" has not even aired yet, but the Parents Television Council is already slamming that the MTV series for being "the most dangerous television show for children that we have ever seen."

The PTC took issue with MTV marketing the show to teen audiences, including video clips on Teen.com in which the characters promote sex and drug use. The network's official website for the show also asks viewers to post stories about their own "trouble."

"The marketing campaign itself makes light of lying to parents and participating in all manner of harmful, irresponsible, illegal and adult-themed behavior," PTC's president Tim Winter said.

He added that "Skins" was treading "dangerous" territory by making "sexual objects" of every one of its young characters.

"Our latest research shows that teen girls are increasingly sexualized in the media and MTV seems determined to exploit them further for ratings," Winter said.

Originally a British teen drama that aired in 2007, "Skins" follows a group of adolescents in their last years of high school and focuses on issues such as substance abuse, sexual orientation and mental illness.

The show is notorious in Britain for reportedly giving rise to the term "skins party," which signifies bacchanalian nights of heavy drinking and drug use among teens.

"Skins" debuts Monday at 10 p.m. on MTV.

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Berwyn’s B-Kids living the dream after landing on ‘Live to Dance’ - Chicago Sun-Times

Posted: 11 Jan 2011 10:21 PM PST

Berwyn's B-Kids living the dream after landing on 'Live to Dance'

By Mary Houlihan mhoulihan@suntimes.com Jan 12, 2011 05:44PM

Chicago sibling group Chi-Town Finest Breakers earned only one gold star (out of a possible three), so viewer votes are their only hope into the finals.

Break-dancing may be an old-school art form, but for six talented children from Berwyn, it's happening right now.

The five Borjas siblings, known as the Chi-Town Finest Breakers, have mastered the crazy moves usually performed by adults, including some pretty amazing head spinning. Late last year, they caught the attention of producers for Paula Abdul's new show "Live to Dance."

One thing led to another, and the youngsters now are among the show's 18 semifinalists. They'll perform in the first elimination round at 7 tonight on WBBM-Channel 2. Six dance acts will compete, and two — one chosen by the experts and one chosen by viewers — will advance to the final round.

"My kids are chasing the dream, said their father, Henry Borjas. "They've worked hard for it and have already accomplished and achieved so many goals."

The children go by their dance names: B-Boy Ozone, 13; B-Girl Spinderella, 11; B-Boy Turbo, 10; B-Boy Crazy Legs, 9, and B-Girl Precious Moments, 6. Another potential dancer, B-Girl Professional, 4, is waiting in the wings.

"This has been a really great experience for us," Spinderella said. "It's really fun and exciting to live your dream."

The Chi-Town Finest Breakers have been performing for nearly two years and have opened for Common and other top musical acts. They performed at Bulls games and at Oprah Winfrey's Michigan Avenue show, where they made fans ranging from the Black Eyed Peas to Mayor Daley. On their website is a video showing the kids with an enthusiastic Common who states: "This is hip-hop. This is the future of the B-Boys and B-Girls."

The Borjas family, including mom Jessica, lives in Berwyn, where Mayor Robert Lovero also is a big fan. "This is a good example of a family doing something together and succeeding," Lovero said. "They are talented children, but they are also good students and very respectful of others."

It all began after the children saw old videos of their father during his days as a break dancer and DJ. They were instantly intrigued, and he began teaching them some moves.

"I began with the basics and didn't think it would go much further than that," said Borjas, 32. "But they wanted to increase their moves, so I started teaching them choreography. Now they all want to be entertainers for the rest of their lives."

And by the looks of it, they are on their way. At dance competitions, they often best much older competitors. And they've spent time teaching their moves to other young fans at a Berwyn Park District center.

Spinderella pretty much steals the show when she performs her hands-free, extended head spins. She's been known to dial a cell phone and talk while spinning. Her goal is to set a world's record.

"She doesn't get dizzy, but I do just watching her," said her father, laughing.

The Borjas family has lived through some hard times in recent years. After Henry lost his job, the Borjases were homeless for a time until Catholic Charities found them an apartment in Berwyn.

They have little in their home, using the space mostly as a practice studio. So when the offer came to try out in New York for Abdul's show, funds had to be raised.

They found a benefactor in Kevin O'Donnell, owner of the Wicker Park restaurant Pint, who saw them open for a Fat Joe/Bruno Mars concert at the House of Blues. He was instantly beguiled by the children, and a friendship developed.

O'Donnell helped fund the family's trip to New York. He's now considered a member of the family.

"The kids have gone through a tremendous amount of hardship but have remained so respectful and loving," said O'Donnell, 44. "This is just an awesome adventure for them."

In videos, the children have mastered the attitude and posturing that accompanies the B-Boy/B-Girl demeanor. But in the next minute they break down into the smiles and laughter that prevail at that age.

While in Los Angeles, the well-spoken siblings are tutored six hours a day before heading to practice sessions with their father, who is choreographing their moves.

"Our education is very important to us," Ozone said. "Dad has told us if we get bad grades we can't be in the crew. So we work hard at everything. We want the Chi-Town Breakers to go big."

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Friday, January 14, 2011