Quote :

"Skins is a British teen drama that follows a group of teenagers in Bristol, South West England, through the two years of sixth form. The controversial plot line explores issues such as dysfunctional families, mental illness (including eating disorders), sexual orientation identity, substance abuse and death. The show is known for its casting of amateur actors and young writers. The cast are entirely replaced every two series, when the characters leave sixth form. Skins has broadcast four seasons, and has been commissioned up to a sixth. A Skins film is also in production, as well as an American adaptation by MTV, set in Baltimore, Maryland. Fast-paced and full of angst-ridden fun, this British drama may be based on teenage characters and aimed at a teenage audience, but its content is strictly adult. Watch as eleven teens struggle with highly-charged issues of race, religion, sexuality, drugs, and food disorders."

Anyone planning to check out the American version that premieres on January 17 (MTv)? The UK version is excellent so I have mixed feelings about watching an American-ish retelling of the series. The first episode is supposed to mirror the first UK episode and then deviate from the UK plot somewhat after that.

If you haven't seen the UK series, I highly recommend downloading it off of a torrent. It's similar to Friday Night Lights in that explores social and human condition issues, except Skins has a lot of naked chicks, rampant drug use, and cuss words.

1/8/2011 10:08:45 PM

I enjoyed the UK series.

1/8/2011 10:28:45 PM

With the exception of the Office, have they ever made a remake of a British TV Show that wasn't inferior? And MTV? Pass on that one. Maybe if it was showtime or HBO. Still holding out for Showtimes US version of Shameless.

1/8/2011 10:29:25 PM

The two most well known remakes, other than The Office, are probably All in the Family and Sanford and Son.

1/9/2011 1:53:36 AM

STEPTOE & SON, SON

wilfred brambell and shit

who's that little old man

HE'S VERY CLEAN

etc.

1/9/2011 2:49:58 AM

they need to port over Survivors

1/9/2011 1:11:59 PM

I <3 Skins. I also <3 the opening title music (of the first season). I saw a preview for it and it indeed looks like the first episode is almost an exact replica of the English version. I'm wondering if the American version has the kids in high school or what? They were 16-17 yrs old in the English version.

1/9/2011 1:49:39 PM

Quote :

"they need to port over Survivors"

Yessir.

1/9/2011 3:19:17 PM

I liked the British version. I think the US Version will be more toned down. Only saw the 1st season and a few episodes of the second season of the British version.fa

[Edited on January 13, 2011 at 1:30 AM. Reason : assdfs]

1/13/2011 1:29:55 AM

^US version will definitely be toned down since it is on MTV. The only way it would appear on American TV without toning it down would be HBO or another premium channel.

1/13/2011 9:26:53 AM

Sepinwall didn't seem to think much of the US remake.

http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/whats-alan-watching/posts/review-syfys-being-human-mtvs-skins

So they took the Tony character that was already dangerously close to the completely unlikable line and made him less likable? Sounds like a great idea to me.

1/17/2011 10:28:10 AM

Downloaded the first ep out of morbid curiosity more than anything else. It was pretty rotten. I had read that the new Michelle was "distractingly attractive" and I'm not sure I agree (seems about equally attractive to the UK Michelle to me), but it's weird how they made Effy exponentially less hot, but she's not a major character yet, so it's not a huge deal for now (although I do wonder how they'd pull off a couple of the storylines from season 3-4 with this actress if they decide to stick with the original series). Cassie (or I guess Cadie in this version) is waaaaaaay less attractive, both physically and personality wise. Same deal with the teacher Chris is crushing on. I'm not sure they made Sid (Stanley, ugh) as likable in this version which is a shame, cause he ends up being one of the best characters in the original. I didn't really find Tony to be that much more unlikable than the original, at least not so far. I think Sepinwall has seen more than just the first episode. I'm not really sure what to make of the Maxxie/lesbian change. I'm leaning towards not liking it, if only that it totally screws up the Maxxie/Anwar dynamic which was pretty great.

Fucking HATE the bleeping out of the swear words.

Judging from the season previews it looks like they're going to stay pretty true to the original, which is probably a bad idea. If they can't do it better, they could at least try to do it differently. I'm sure they'll have to branch out sooner or later, but IMO the sooner this show can find it's own path, the better off it will be.

1/18/2011 12:17:06 AM

First four lokos... now the asshole 'parents club' are after skins. It's amazing what these gonads can do.

1/22/2011 2:11:05 PM

It's the "most dangerous show on TV," according to some family TV group. Makes me want to watch the British one.

1/22/2011 2:29:04 PM

^It's really good, you should watch it.

1/22/2011 3:18:50 PM

The first season was great. The 2nd was so-so, and the 3rd and 4th weren't worth watching IMO.

1/22/2011 7:26:33 PM

I thought MTV already tried this idea with Undressed except that was more like a soap opera.

1/22/2011 8:28:36 PM

I always enjoyed Undressed.

1/22/2011 9:22:52 PM