Skins

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

So, there's this new, supposedly very controversial show called "Skins" on Mtv. It apparently shows teens doing drugs and having sex. I guess the bid deal is that the actual actors in the show are teenagers.

I got it set up to record on the DVR, just to see what the bid deal is.

[Tallon]

It's an english show and has run for about 5 series here. I recommend the first two, it has some very good stand up comedians on the writing team (josie long for one) and you can tell, it's not perfect but i think it's a fairly well done representation of modern teenage life, a subject which is easy to get wrong.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Yeah, from reading the IMDB message boards, I've gathered that the US version is just a watered down version of the UK.

[OrphanPip]

I'm not so interested in the MTV version since the first season seems to be just rehashing the UK plots.

I'm a little bit more excited for the fifth season of the Brit one that's premiering next week. 3rd and 4th seasons weren't all that great though, it's decent trash TV if you're into that kind of thing.

Edit: The odd thing about the American version is that leaked internal documents discussed being worried about certain scenes violating child pornography laws. They should have gone with an all 18-20 year old cast, but they have actors as young as 15 in the main cast apparently.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Yeah, the young actors seems to be where all the controversy is stemming. Did the Brit version use teen actors?

[OrphanPip]

Yeah, the young actors seems to be where all the controversy is stemming. Did the Brit version use teen actors?

Ya, but I think the British version didn't have any actors as young as 15. They're playing 17-19 year olds, and I think that was the general age of the actors.

Edit: Actually, there might have been one, but she wasn't part of the main cast until 3rd season.

Edit2: I haven't seen the American version, but I'm guessing it's portraying high school juniors and seniors. Which would make the age group 1 year younger than the sixth forum students depicted in the UK version.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I think the US version may be portraying students even younger, maybe sophomores, to be more "edgy," I guess in compensation for what they can't show.

I just watched the first episode of the UK version online, and it had me laughing a lot. Especially the crazy girl Cassie, and all the stuff she'd say. I can easily see why they had to tone it down for here, as you can't have the nudity or cursing.

I'll post a comparison sometime Sunday when I see the US version.

[Tallon]

i didn"t even know there was a Us version. Interesting.

[OrphanPip]

i didn"t even know there was a Us version. Interesting.

It's new, just premiered this past week.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I watched the first episode from both countries. To me, the UK is superior in terms of acting, and especially in terms of comedy. The UK version had me laughing, while I chuckled at the USA version. Really, the sex and drugs seem about equal, minus the nudity that the UK version has. I actually thought the drug use was going to be way more elicit, but smoking some weed? BFD. Really, the only thing the USA version has going for it is better looking actresses (for a couple roles, namely Michelle) and a lesbian in place of the homosexual, a clear and unabashed grab for the adolescent teen-male market.

The UK is definitely better, but the USA version isn't awful, either. It will be interesting to see what different story lines the US version produces. Whether or not I'll still watch either of the show's version is another thing entirely.

[Patrick_Bateman]

The original English show 'Skins' is utter gash.

There is no reason to watch it unless you enjoy seeing some flesh on a teenager acting the part of a hedonistic nymphomaniac.

On second thoughts it's 'watchable'.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

The original English show 'Skins' is utter gash.

There is no reason to watch it unless you enjoy seeing some flesh on a teenager acting the part of a hedonistic nymphomaniac.

On seconds thoughts it's 'watchable'.
:smilielol5:

[weltanschauung]

sounds boring and desperate.
(like all tv shows)

[OrphanPip]

Season 5 premier was so-so, had some funny moments, was mostly predictable, but I don't really expect much more out of Skins.

[MarkBastable]

When the first season ran, my fourteen-year-old son and his friends were pretty much bang on the target audience. And it totally worked for them, which was precisely what it was intended to do.

I'm not saying that no-one over eighteen is entitled to an opinion, but I think you have to take into account the intentions of a piece of work, and judge it against those, to some extent. So - for instance - Hannah Montana is a completely brilliant show and more or less perfect in every important respect - ask my six-year-old daughter.


(Before we get into a spurious spat, I'm not suggesting that we shouldn't discuss the show here, or that any opinion expressed is not relevant and, yes, I do take the occasional pop at Harry Potter, despite not being in the target audience.

My post here is intended as a contribution to the debate, not an end to it.)

[OrphanPip]

At least it's better than Gossip Girl, the only redeeming feature of that show for me is Chace Crawford's hair, it's beautiful. (I don't object to Crawford's frequent shirtless scenes either)

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

When the first season ran, my fourteen-year-old son and his friends were pretty much bang on the target audience. And it totally worked for them, which was precisely what it was intended to do.

I'm not saying that no-one over eighteen is entitled to an opinion, but I think you have to take into account the intentions of a piece of work, and judge it against those, to some extent. So - for instance - Hannah Montana is a completely brilliant show and more or less perfect in every important respect - ask my six-year-old daughter.


(Before we get into a spurious spat, I'm not suggesting that we shouldn't discuss the show here, or that any opinion expressed is not relevant and, yes, I do take the occasional pop at Harry Potter, despite not being in the target audience.

My post here is intended as a contribution to the debate, not an end to it.)

You're completely correct. I'm definitely not the target audience for Skins, US or UK versions. But, I still got a chuckle out of the first few UK episodes, and I found the second US episode quite touching (really blew the first episode away in terms of quality).

That said, I haven't gone back to watch any more of the UK episodes, and I'm not sure if I will. Same with Mtv's. Maybe when I'm completely bored.