There are many things that make English television better than American television. Mostly, it is a lack of censorship; American TV loves violence but hates sex, drugs and profanity. English TV loves them all equally, and luckily for us, by the good graces of YouTube and Netflix, we can indulge in their programming. But now Skins is officially here, debuting on MTV this evening as a virtual copy of the U.K. original. Except this edition is more like a copy of a copy, feeling like a bland repeat of the salacious teen drama. The biggest problem? MTV removed the boobs.
Yes, the U.K. edition of Skins was softcore in nature, and that was part of the appeal. But a lot more is missing than just a dozen or so cheap boob shots per show. On the whole, the debut episode of American Skins is hollow. The main character, Tony, is as handsome as his English contemporary, but gone is the malice in his eyes. Gone is his flippant disregard for any human life other than his own. He even seems uncomfortable with his selfish behavior, and a lack of a believable balance of deviance and sexual chemistry between Tony and his girlfriend, Michelle, have us wondering why we should even love or hate them.
And though the characters of Tony and Michelle (and drug-head Chris) get to keep their names from the original version, the more English-sounding kids have become Americanized: Sid becomes Stanley, Cassie becomes Cadie, Jal becomes Daisy, Effy becomes Eura, Anwar becomes Abbud -- and the most devastating change is that Maxxie, the cutie gay club kid, becomes Tea, a girl cheerleader who wears a Bluetooth. Even the super-hot Katy Perry lookalike teacher- and student-banger Angie becomes the dowdy, sobbing Tina.
On a deeper level, the Americanized Skins' dialogue feels forced. Is this really the way American teenagers talk? Or is the real problem that there is no feasible way to translate a script that has "wanker," "tosser" and "spliff" interjected every fourth word? Maybe if the show wasn't a virtual scene-for-scene remake of the U.K. original, it could allow for some breathing room so the natural edginess of high-school behavior could flourish, American style.
Also, Skins is awkward when run back-to-back with Jersey Shore, a place where boring banter between real-life "characters" is only silenced when someone has a bottle of booze in his or her mouth. This American Skins doesn't seem to align with MTV's vanilla sort-of reality programming anyway; there isn't enough drinking and screaming and pregnancy and fighting happening on the show to fit the channel's trashy persona. Somehow, Skins U.K.'s trashiness was still sexy, and it is partly to do with that version's blatant drug use. American Skins just entails weed, and weed, for the most part, has got nothing on the sex appeal of pills.
If Skins was on MTV a decade ago, it would have done quite nicely up against the late-night cult classic Undressed -- one of the greatest softcore shows of all time (not to mention one of the greatest MTV shows ever). But since Undressed will never rise from the programming dead, can MTV at least relax a little and give Tony his naked people bedsheets back from the U.K. version? That way we can pretend there is still some nudity left.
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Fuck all of u guys.....US SKINS FOREVER BITCHES!!!!!
At first I liked the US version of skins but that was before i watched the UK one. The US version didn't really grasp the concept of skins well and to make it worst there aren't much episodes to watch and decide if its good or not. I personally like the UK version better although it took a while for me to get use to the accent.
man that whole monarchy jibe was shit, we haven't been ruled by king or queen since the civil war. and lets be honest TEXAS a country? learn your local geography before having a go at other countrys
I saw the American one first, and then heard about the UK one and started watching it and I'm so hooked where as I couldn't even watch the American one.
I honestly think that getting an American version on a channel like shotime or hbo would have made a big difference. It could've been what it is supposed to be
Dear god please do not think all Americans or Texans are this ignorant. I was born and raised in this southern STATE. We have a respect and hospitality about our ways. This person is obviously on the wrong side of the tracks. I love the Uk. I hope to visit one day and in no way think i am better then anyone. please take this as an apology for all the ignorant comments posted here -_- As for the debate on Skins i think the Skins Uk is better because for one it is the original. The USA copied it, and failed. Everyone needs to accept that.
So you think "Hella" is a usable word, but not "twat"? You're an idiot. Even other Americans are disagreeing. Over here, we did not like the US skins, but not because they're American, it has nothing to do with the country. When you start a post with "FUCK THE UK IT SUCKS ASS!!!" then you just look like an asshole. The fact is that the UK skins was just better cast, better written, more gritty and more believable.
Moron. You are why the world hates America
You're a fucking idiot, and I live in the US. The beginning of the UK skins, episode 1, is basically Tony's dad screaming fuck at him over and over. Not only do they use all of our "actual" cuss words, they use more. Probably ones you've never even heard. So shut the fuck up because they're both English and you can't even fucking spell in English.
FUCK THE UK IT SUCKS ASS!!! AT LEAST WE USE ACTUALL CUSSWORDS. WHEN I WATCHED THE FIRST EPISODE ALL I HEARD WAS TWAIT OR HOW EVER THE FUCK YOU SPELL THAT HELLA ANNOYING WORD. THE US ONE IS BETTER ALL THE WAY. I COULDNT EVEN WHATCH THE FIRST 3 MINUTES OF THE FIRST EPISODEWITHOUT REALIZING "WOW THIS SUCKS!!!" . ALSO THE AMERICAN CAST IS SOOOOO MUCH BETTER! SO ULTIMATLY THE ENGLISH ONE IS BETTER..
Skins UK was 100 times better than the US version and I'm an American, but I liked the second generation more than the first. Freddie is the sexiest pakistanian I've EVER seen. (:
i honestly think that if MTV would do an authentic american skins, with a completely unique plot line and characters based on performance then looks, and toned down the cencership, it could be really fucking fantastic and would get loads of views.
No that's not the way " we" talk. Besides the actors where stilted and confused looking the entire show length it sucked
The funniest thing about all of these comments. They're all opinions and don't mean shit.
UK skins was brilliant even at it's first minute, I don't know what you are talking about.
Every since character in the us version is ridiculously unattractive. Unlike the UK version in which I wanted to do dirty things to each and every one of them.
Wow for the likeee 10 millionth time; the US skins was created by the WRITERS OF THE UK SKINS; WTF else would they be so close cause had the US made thw school; it would have been some wannabe ghetto black people in it (and this is coming from a black person :/ )
I just started watching the UK skins on netflix since I just heard about it on G4TV. IT's the best show I ever seen . I hate that they had Chris die though. I'm a male an that almost had me drop a few tears, especially since Jal was still pregnant when he died. I hope they show Cid again and tell whether he found Cassie or not.
Back on the subject of what you guys were talking about UK Skins kills the American version. They say we Americans have freedom of speech but television shows cant even put any curse words on the damn tv shows. How free is that...
skins us is for beautiful people skins is for people ugly and racist and gay
Everyone is sayin the us skins suck and and,, but the uk skins did at first,, give it time it should get better !!
I like the U.K. version better and I'm one of those proud Americans that usually thinks that the U.S.A is flawless
so am i the only one that likes US skins and think the UK version is bad?
no offense towards english people.
i started watching the US version first and tried to switch.
i started watching the 1st episode of UK and i couldn't finish it cause it sucked.
IMO Tony en Tea from the US version, make the show more interesting.. and, I just hate the UK cast. However, the US version is, if you compare, more forced acting than the Uk's, I agree on that completely! But Tony and Tea (US) are so hot & mysterious, i would do them both, srsly. (and I'm a girl)
That's exactly what I said when I saw this version.
At the first time, I didn't know that it would be another version of skins, and so I was so excited to see a new season of it! (or that's what I thought what I'm gonna watch)
But then, I was so disappointed!
If it was skins but, you know .. not a total copy of u.k. skins, so MAY BE I was considering to give it a chance.. to see what happens. But hey, this is sucks really bad!!!
There is no chemistry between the characters at all !!!!!!! and the acting is totally bad!
Speechless. Ew.
just for u to know.. america is a continent not a country .,..
American version will burn in hell.. and I'm American. Hats off to the British series.. It was mind blowing. No comparing the two..
So.. watched the US version and I have a question.. are all the male teenagers of the US that gay looking?.. artistically the US version is lame, UK version had colors, photograms, music, excitement, things that skins US simply lacks...Worst of all the acting is horrible in the US one.. skins US looks like a cheaper version of the UK one! Dont agree with me? watch the UK one then speak your mind. Peace skins US looks like a cheaper version of the UK one! Dont agree with me? watch the UK one then speak your mind. Peace
They say it's child pornography. The parents.
Everything is bigger in Texas, right? Obviously... that means bigger idiots. And you qualify.
It's people like you that make me wish I could fly over and smack all of you.
Pssh... no. It's definetly the other way around my friend. Americans drool... and fail hard when it comes to making a television programme.
Ok if i'm completely honest here, Skins was created as a way of showing what English teenagers get up to! i would like to repeat 'ENGLISH TEENAGERS' and i'm pretty pissed that America have stolen yet another amazing show from us! Skins represents the UK not USA! it may be based on ur teens but that wasn't the point in the show! so it should be cancelled it's not the same without our awesomely low aged limit laws! :)
Your mom sucks my dick
Ok, I'm becoming tired of this. Can u stop plz?
Both shows are good and I think that season 1 of Skins US is better than Skins UK, but only that. I like both equally and the only thing that both have in common are some quotes and the beginning. US series is following a totally different path from UK series.
So, go f**k urselves with shit opinions, bunch of pussies.
PS: Sorry if I have some mistakes, I'm portuguese and stop with that.
Well I'm American and I've seen both skins, I like them both, but I would prefer the UK skins ANYDAY! What I love about it is that the characters look REAL and the acting is just...wow. I love it. I love the PROFANITY and VULGARITY! What sucks about America is that we just don't have shows like that. America will flip shit if we have a show that says fuck every other word and show too much boobies. But I have to say I like the American version a lot more than I thought I would, I hated the first episode, but the rest seems to be slightly going in a different direction which is interesting to me. I saw the UK version first and just instantly fell in love with the characters! When I heard about US skins I was pissed, but still curious and its not as good or better, but it is good.
I agree
U.S skins is so much better than the U.K
American skins...i have no words for it, i mean WHAT IS SKINS without maxie and most of the storyline is completely changed.if anything they should just change the name completely this show doesn't deserve to be called skins....
Bree Davies you PERV! Why do you want to see titties? That won't make it better, just trashier :)
HEY PERSON WHO'S NAME SOUNDS LIKE BOOB! Shut the Fuck Up :)
here is a lil tip that may help you: Remove head from ass THEN comment. Or else you end up writing a gigantic paragraph of BULLSHIT :) Nobody gives a fuck about your speculations of why they did what they did in the show. It's a show. If you don't like the US version THE WATCH THE UK VERSION DUMBASS. That's why its there; So you can stop bitching about the US Skins and watch ur own damn show.
TONY. IS. HOT.
lol i just had to say that :)
Damn People Calm the fuck down :/ I like the US Skins. APPARENTLY a lot of people like the UK version which is cool. But there's a reason they Changed it? The US Skins was made to appeal to Americans. I didn't know there was a UK Skins til today :) I like The US Skins cuz i like the characters and the way the show is.
US Skins. UK Skins. It doesn't matter. Stop trying to force your opinion on other people. Because nobody gives a damn :) And we'll bitch slap you with our opinion if you try to force yours down our throat :D
wow im from the US and everyone from there should learn to hold there tounge because it shows your only proving there point about how sterotypically we act. i have nothing against britan but you should learn that words against a country as a whole is wrong. we all should. shame on ya'll this is telivision show not politics.
agreed^^^
Parents are actually complaining about skins us as it is now, without the nudity. And you think nudity is going to make that better for them? People are threatening to sue. God. Just because you're a perv and like to see naked teens doesn't mean the show's going to do better. Skins us shows how teens feel on the inside not just outside saying "wanker" and whatever else. Get that through your head.
i've watch all of the US skins and only the first episode of the UK skins, i really love the american skins, i think it portrays greatly of how american highschoolers really are. from what they say to what they do. i think everyone should stop hating on the US skins, they are both different in their own ways. its from 2 different countries so of course its going to be different.
I don't like the actors in the american skins. I know that the American version is suppose to be a copy-by-copy of the UK Version, but to me, it's different in a lot of ways. It's so different, I hate the name change, I don't like how the characters act now, and I feel that the characters look a little plain.
I watched Season 1 and 2 of the UK version, and completely love it. However, now I feel very put off with the American version of Skins. The UK characters were by far more attractive, not that the show has to do with just that, but it did help when watching. :P I also noticed that the UK Version had more emotion to it. I really related and felt what they felt. I love the UK Skins. <3 Its great.
Mtv didn't fail because they didn't make the american skins.
I just watched the first episode of MTV's version after re-watching UK's version not too long ago. Ugh! MTV's version is laughably bad. The acting is horrendous and the story is missing heart. I knew it was a gonner once I saw Tony's bedspread covered with spiders instead of the 2 naked people. Maxxie is now a lesbian cheerleader? WTF?! I won't be tuning into anymore episodes.
Sure it does. Off the top of my head, I can think of Angie's breasts, Anwars butt, Tony's neighbor's breasts and butt, and Michelle's mother's breasts. And then of course, there's Tony's sheet.
you're a babe :')
you my friend are the reason Americans are known to be sterotypically dumb.
Your calling England a ''dumb ass country'' and claim that Texas is a better ''country''.
Love, sorry to break it to you but Texas is not a country! BAHAHAHAHHA YOU DUMB FUCK.
''oohh look at me, I live in the country of Texas and I'm a dumb fuck..OOOhhhHHHHHH''
I don't have anything against Americans, just this pig headed stupid, stupid prick above.
Oh yeh, and also, the American skins makes me want to be sick.
GOODDAY.
Fuck this new adaptation. I loved the English version, and refuse to watch this new shitty version -__-
Youre wrong. Chris is the funniest character in us skins! Uk skin never made me laugh...not once.
maybe, if you could get UK skins out of your head, and watch US skins as an entirely new show, you'd like it. I watched the uk version first and I thought it was horrendous. The actors are boring and annoying (especially Cassie and Maxxie). I think the US found a wonderful bunch of entertaining and lively actors for Skins and it's the best show on MTV right now, next to all the other reality crap they play.
what you're saying is, because the characters look different, that makes it not as good?
Shad up bitch go back to the kitchen
I'm an american an I love the uk skins haha I watched them all on netflicks its so much better than the American one it's just a cheap knockoff theirs no way it can compare the first two seasons of skins uk were the best and nothing has compared
Im american and I think the UK verison is a lot better. mtv fucked up.
as a 21 yr old american female. ima say UK skins > US skins. and by a long shot.
i don't agree with your "fuck Britain" but i do agree that the script was changed...and after all, the same person who made the UK skins wrote the US skins so lets all just get the fuck over it. both versions seem fine to me. one thing i like about the american skins is that the actors actually look the age they are supposed to portray. another thing is that in america (i don't know why) teenagers are more obsessed with weed and drinking and aderall than whatever the teenagers in the uk are doing. so its not completely the same. and did it ever occur to anyone complaining about the "americanized" names that perhaps it would be worse if all the characters in the american skins were named exactly as the english characters and the actors were picked for their physical similarities to the original skins characters? did it occur to any of you that perhaps, maybe, they were trying to make it a little more original?
Honestly, I just about cried when I saw mtv was doing skins. I was so upset! And when I tried to stomach the first couple episodes, I just couldnt do it it was so horrible in comparison. It's horrible period. It was so bad I almost felt insulted that the skins writer thought this was how americans acted haha. I watched the end of the first episode, when at the party chris and "abbud" and "tea" walked in and just started screaming and jumping around. I was like what the hell is this no talking just screaming nonsense. Then in Cadie's episode, everyone just seemed like an asshole. Why are we being portrayed like this is this Bryan Elsley's little private jab at americans? Anyway, nobody's watching it so all the people complaining about its effect on teens should stop worrying. Nobody would want to be like any of these shallow, fake "actors".
Wow, I really hope your post is a joke. Way to make all us americans look like ignorant violent jerkoffs. Ya, and writing in all caps really gets the point across to how intelligent you are. Again, really really starting to think it's a joke because you referenced texas as a country. Yeah. So good joke I guess if it is one...
as an american i'm gonna have to say that the u.s version of skins angers me. they should just play the original skins on mtv. D:
I can second this, and this is coming from an American. American Skins just plain sucks...
Oh, I forgot, another thing which made the UK Skins superior was the music. One would think that MTV being a "music" channel and all, would be able to solicit some great tracks for their shit program. MTV should just quit before they suck any further.
the interesting sht will come in to make the show more appealing as the jersey shore castmates are all going to die soon from HIV.
Ditto, MTV Skins is tremendously hollow and I don't quite get the Sid/Cassie, I mean Stan/Cadie make believe sex theme either, everyone knows Sid remains a virgin until Michelle's birthday. Another thing the MTV series lacks is the humor, I've yet to have a laugh watching this dreadful wannabe. Fortunately I have the first four series of the UK version which are all funny and have fouler language bigger tits and way more interesting characters. Plus they'll never find a kid funny enough to play James Fitch, assuming this disaster ever makes it to a season three. MTV Skins is horridly hopeless.
TEXAS IS THE GREATEST COUNTRY EVER!!!!!!!! BRITAIN QUIT BITCHING BECAUSE WE LEFT YOUR DUMB ASS MONARCH COUNTRY CENTURIES AGO. YOUR COUNTRY'S PEOPLE ARE TOO STUPID TOO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS THUS THE REASON FOR THE KING AND QUEEN SO SHUT UP BEFORE WE KICK YOUR ASS AGAIN OR ELSE THE SAYING "HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF" WILL BE LITERAL.
Bree Davies hasn't done her homework. The British version does not show bare female breasts (or butts).
I'm so happy the real skins season 5 is out :D!
Tony and Tea were the worst actors in my opinion. They all were bad, but those were just the worst.
Uhh the show's not even about womanizing. They've degraded guys just as equally (even more so in my opinion).
Even American's who have seen UK's skins first are agreeing the American version sucks.
Who's saying everything sucks? We're just saying American Skins sucks :)
You have no idea. You've ONLY seen the American Skins so you really have NO idea. If your favorite show was remade into an complete piece of shit (by MTV nevertheless), you'd be pissed too. And you obviously have no taste in TV shows if you could even call the blur of effortless shit those actors put into the show, "acting". A monkey with a half functioning brain could do a better job acting than the actors in US Skins.
shred of talent*
Skins Rant
UK Skins > US Skins. No doubt. MTV took the art that is Skins, chewed it up, spat it out shat on it, then put it on TV. The actors were definitely casted based solely off their looks. It's obvious since none of them have a shed of talent. At least they all fit the disgusting fake quality of every other terribly scripted MTV show. And it's so embarrassing at school to listen to people talk about US skins as if it's so great when really, it's total shit compared to the original. Even without comparison.. it's total shit. My biggest problem is, the original show IS IN ENGLISH. It's in their own language, they could have just put it on TV how it was! And they f**king copied like every scene in the first couple episodes. Down to the freaking close ups of Cassie and Sid holding hands on the trampoline. If you're going to remake a show, don't just copy everything. You might as well just air the original episode -.- It's a million times better anyway. If you read about the actual work the UK skins director put into the show, it's crazy. They even modified bus windows to make certain scenes brighter for metaphorical value. US Skins is too stupidly made to do anything of the sort. I bet they made Maxie a girl (Tea) so the whiny conservative American Christians wouldn't go haywire over the fact there's a gay in the show. Gay girls are okay cause they're seen as a sexy fetish, but gay boys are "wrroong". And did you notice all the problems people in America had over the show even being ON tv?? They were complaining about how horrible and immoral it is even AFTER all the censoring! This show doesn't belong in America at all. From every angle it's just not meant for the US. It's a mistake.
~An American.
whoa. everyone should calm down. ive only seen the American skins and i think its pretty good. one of my friends watched the British version and thought it was better. WHO GIVES A SHIT?!?! ITS A TV SHOW. this has nothing to do with americans "ripping off" shows from the uk. seriously, this is why there is hate in the world. its like a never ending circle. why cant everyone just agree to disagree. there is no need for name calling and saying rude and offensive things. we are all human beings and should treat each other with respect. if you think the american version sucks, thats great. if you think the uk version sucks, thats great too. so, just stop saying all this hateful shit.
ive seen both skins and i find they are both great in the how they depict American and Uk teenagers yeah they r the same but differant because of how differant americans are differant from the UK i love them both!!!!
i fucking hate American skins. but anyway, who's ready for skins movie 2011 :)00o0oo0
I heard about this show on the radio today.....It is a classic that parents debate if their teens or children should be able to watch tv.....but at this point its over. THEY DONT NEED TO UNDO THE EDITING THEY NEED TO STOP FREAKING PUSHING THE ENVELOPE. KIDS WATCH THIS STUFF. At this point, many people are complaining about this, and trust me....they dont want MORE they want it GONE AS IT IS.
Boobs? Let's try dicks. We don't need any more womanizing, studpid ass TV shows that show women off. Keep it equal, assholes.
well than that explains why it was shit. You don't get Uk person to write a US show, same way you don't get a US person to do a UK show, they'll get the colloquialisms wrong and fuck it all up. US skins blows.
"As usual America took a dry U.K. television concept and made it worth watching"
What are you smoking? More importantly, will you share????
As usual implies America has improved on a UK show before. Except for The Office, IMO, you are way off base.
Nicoledee..... visit the UK and you will change your mind.
In truth, Britain has a lot to be pissed about..... for every great, funny or groundbreaking show, America has to rip it off. The only successful re work has been The Office.
the dialogue is exactly the same. american skins is complete bullshit and i am american. the acting is horrible and i can't believe they made maxxie a lesbian cheerleader. fail, mtv. FAIL.
Honestly this is pathetic. (Both Skins) are perfectly fine i rather watch American version because the actors look like teenagers not like on the U.K. but lets Talk about how Britain is suffering right well wrong because (America) is practicaly made out of other Countries not just americans Becasue Tell me one Thing Thats Made In America? Well The Only Good Things America Has Made Is Star Wars, AOTS, And...... Idk but thats the only thing thats comes to mind Because everything else is made Someplace else So have fun with (Recession) and thats why (Most) of north and south america are the trash of Europe that some how became an Empire by blinding their People with lies and now the clock is just counting down to see which will be the new Empire. (No offense to the people who are trying to bring U.S back up but It will be a miracle paying a trillion $ Debt)
The worst thing has to be changing Maxxie to a lesbian. I think the UK Skins did a very good job of showing how a homosexual male and a Muslim could be friends. Not to say the same can't happen with a lesbian. But you get to see the male bond that existed between the two. Maxxie and Anwar were true mates and it proved that Islam could be reconciled with modern values.
I also think that lesbian youth might be a bit over-represented because lesbianism in general is the more appealing homosexuality in a heterocentric world. It's too "easy."
Not to mention that it skips out on the scene in Russia where Tony fellates Maxxie. I thought that really spoke volumes about the two characters and particularly Tony for his true devil-may-care attitude and how far he goes against the norm. "Playful lesbian" antics seem to pale in comparison.
Britain is still suffering from separation anxiety since America declared their independence. You Brits are like a bunch of bitter desperate housewives. Get over it already. America rules and Britain drools. LOL
As usual America took a dry U.K. television concept and made it worth watching. I'm watching the U.K. version now and I continue to repeat "the American version is wayyyy better." The American characters are more interesting and attractive.
shut up:P what the fuck do Americans know :P
i am sick of hearing this. They DID change the script. The first episode was the exact same as the uk one and they admitted that. But it is completly different from then on. And in the americian version they dont use "spliff", they use bud. So quit saying "its unatural for americans to say british slang". Well they dont dumbasses. Oh and Fuck Britainl
I am American and even I can admit the American version sucks. Comparing the two there has so many things wrong like...
1. Rachel Thevenard, as Michelle is a horrible actress
2. Tony is not nearly as cute
3. I have no idea how they are going to have an episode about Daisy if they are sticking to pretty much the same script since Jal is black and I have a feeling it just wouldnt make any sense
4. Stanley has changed, he isnt cute like Sid was but, unappealing and gross
And the list could go on forever.
If I had watched the American version first I would not carry on watching Skins. All in all, it's a fail.
i like both of them
calm down people and stop investing so much time in why everything sucks
and i think there is a lot of sexual tension between michelle and tony
I'd say the U.S. version actually does a decent job of portraying american teens, and yes, that is the way we talk. And as far as copying the script and storylines of the UK version...it was written by the same guy.
Hey UKers, hop off America's dick please.
The US Skins ripped everything from the UK version—cinematography, script, characters. All they had to do was cast a cute Tony and Effy and they couldn't even do that right. Lame.
I have watched the first 8 minutes of the US skins and it sucked.. the storyline is exactly the same as the UK one but less exciting and forced, can't wait until the 27th of january when the REAL skins comes out.. wooh season 5 :D