The media world is abuzz over MTV's adaptation of the hit British show Skins, which tracks the sexy, druggy doings of a bunch of high schoolers. You may see the preview here.

The crux of the controversy: Instead of the standard showbiz trick of casting youthful adults as teens, Skins fills the roles of teenagers with actual teenagers, and the result might be kiddie porn. As the New York Times reports:

In recent days, executives at the cable channel became concerned that some scenes from the provocative new show “Skins” may violate federal child pornography statutes....They are particularly concerned about the third episode of the series, which is to be broadcast Jan. 31. In an early version, a naked 17-year-old actor is shown from behind as he runs down a street. The actor, Jesse Carere, plays Chris, a high school student whose erection — assisted by erectile dysfunction pills — is a punch line throughout the episode.

And oh yeah:

Child pornography is defined by the United States as any visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In some cases, “a picture of a naked child may constitute illegal child pornography if it is sufficiently sexually suggestive,” according to the Justice Department’s legal guidance. Anyone younger than 18 is considered to be a minor. The youngest cast member on “Skins” is 15.

Advertisers are reportedly pulling out, but I bet their spaces will be filled by others in no time, as this whole hubbub is essentially a ridiculously powerful advertisement for "the third episode of the series, which is to be broadcast Jan. 31," and which may or may not feature child pornography. The only thing that could pull better ratings is an execution.