Julia Berdnik By all indications, this post is written by me not quite timely, but as the phrase goes "better late than never." So..I live in Ukraine and news about something worthy reaches us with long delay. I remember the time when I (in school age) lived in a small urban settlement, where I managed to catch only one radio station (still I was glad for having this possibility) and a few more or less good channels on TV, which mostly spoiled audience by Mexican soap operas and, at the best, serials such as Beverly Hills. In general, it was a sad situation and now I more than understand it.Of course, the 18-year-old actors of the show that will be discussed below have no idea what I'm talking about. I ask only to put up with my outpourings, I promise, everything will be clear soon.The matter is in a recent godsend. The fact, that it's hard to find something zestful in an endless stream of information, is not a great discovery. In addition, many things that are found in the retrieval route, simply offend my taste. I should say that I haven't any problems with my taste, I have other problems, but not with my taste. So, the value of the godsend increases automatically.Now I need you to listen to my words more attentively because I go up closer to the point. I was lucky enough to pay attention to the American TV series "Skins" a couple of weeks ago. I've heard about the British original, but there was no desire to become familiar with it. I can't give any specific reasons because everything is based on my intuitive level.Because of all the negativity that the creators and participants of the show have had to endure, I thought it necessary to express my own opinion.What attracted me in this TV series? First of all these are the leading characters. More importantly, remarkable characters, that aren't yet adults but are no longer children. They're still able to think not only about themselves. They are not fairy pseudo teenagers – they are real, as every of their story. They are that sort of people that they should be: sometimes lazy and sometimes restless, somewhere loyal and somewhere honest, ready to go at night to rescue a friend and keep all doubting, distrustful and stupid, distracted and infinitely kind.To go further, a musical accompaniment is a second thing that attached my attention. Especially, a big thank for a song "shout" in the last episode, it turned out very sensual! Next, I've made special mention of some very particular relationships between Stanley and Cadie. Also I like the way how it is shown that to be a villain is not as fun as it might seem at first blush and unpleasant consequences will be for sure. I enjoyed observing relations between a schoolboy and his teacher due to the fact that a boy may behave more courageously and honorably with respect to women than elder representative of the stronger sex. And of course humor, which is interwoven with the complex situations and worthy actions, which are interwoven with humor. Skins are living in difficult conditions, but they still look with eyes wide opened at the world, which only begins to amaze them.There are things that people like me see in this project, because to make the right emphasis is as important as a comma in the right place in the sentence. Think about it! And the biggest disappointment for me was the news that the thing which is clearly worthy of attention, according to my opinion, hasn't a right to exist anymore. After all, this theme will always be urgent, because the awkward age – is a "crusade" of everyone: advice doesn't help and nobody can protect against mistakes – everyone makes his own choice and personal conclusions. In fact, no one knows what is true and what is false.I'm outraged at all the claims against the show. It's like when you are looking at a picture of a famous artist, some distant era, and see only a crack. It's just an example and I don't want to compare Skins with a great work of art and please do not throw slippers at me, I'm trying to say that behind their smiles and looks something more is hiding than most of you could see.It would be foolish to ignore the writers' work. The TV series is not without reasonable dialogues and it's easy to admit it only if less to compare. Basically, every episode deserves such separate post. But more often it's difficult to find the right words, you either understand it or not. I understand.For sure, there are many things more worthy the time I spent on this scribble, but my hands, flying over the keyboard, and restless thoughts are in the power of emotions that were awakened by Skins.Instead of conclusion. Beyond America not many people know about this show and if I had the foresight I would be able to consider that the number of fans of the show will be growing in the foreseeable future. And there is a probability that the point was put in this story too early.P.S. MTV definitely has a lot of reasons to be proud of the created project. I don't know the whole history of their struggle, but, gosh, they had to bite and fight for the existence of Skins, because this show has a heart and not one… P.P.S. I have no idea why the verdict was so categorical as well as I can't imagine how I could affect the decision. Most likely – in no way. So I say now, and I hope "loud" enough that I will always smile while remembering that or another episode of Skins.

raechel777 Having seen every episode of both versions, I can categorically say that Skins should not have been remade in America... If you've seen both versions, you'll most likely understand what I mean when I say that the show just doesn't work for the United States. It was originally an England based show, and it was written with the habits and mannerisms of English teenagers in mind. The way the script and everything was written, is specifically for England, and being molded to try and fit America, just makes the whole thing seem forced and fake. I think what writers should have done was make a different story line completely, but still keep the basic concept and ideals of the original Skins, instead of more or less remaking the script verbatim. A for effort, D- for finished product.

cineaste I loved the UK version, except that I couldn't stand Tony.In the US version Tony by far is the most interesting character, but for different reasons. This Tony seems less shallow (although he is still shallow enough). He has more depth and we're only three episodes in, so if we're going by the UK version, then the US Tony should only get better.This is worth a watch. I'm not a teenager anymore nor am I old enough or out of touch enough to think that this show should be not broadcast or shunned by advertisers. While I do think that parents should be cautious about what their kids watch, by the age of the Skins characters this should be irrelevant. Kids have always and will always find a way to do exactly what they want. I think an honest show depicting sex, drugs, and partying like Skins is much better than the vapid, overly dramatised shows out there now like Gossip Girl or 90210.So far, I'm more interested 3 episodes in than I was with the UK version's first three episodes. I hope MTV has the balls to keep this show on the air because there is value to the show without it being preachy, condescending, or patronising to its audience.

Sweet_Ophelia I hope the American creators of 'Skins' realise how much potential has been wasted on their remake.The British E4 'Skins', created by Jamie Brittain and Bryan Elsley is fantastic. And what makes the show so great is its versatility. Currently the UK version is in its fifth season with its third remodelled cast.The American version is a remake of its Pommie counterpart . . . sometimes word-for-word, or shot-for-shot. Heck, they've even recreated the promo photo shoots down to the 'pile-on' cast shot. Yawn. 'Skins' is a show about teenagers. Not your 'Gossip Girl', '90210' and 'O.C.' privileged darlings where fans watch to live vicariously and glimpse the high-life. 'Skins' is all about the relatable. Typical teenagers in typical towns doing typical (if hair-raising) things. The UK version is set in Bristol (the 'meat and potatoes' town of England) while the US version is set in Baltimore (and equally unimpressive slice of suburbia). The brilliance of the show lies in the fact that the teenage characters get up to wicked stunts and tangled loves regardless of their dull surroundings. Because, teenagers will be teenagers no matter where they live. It's no shock that teens living and loving in New York will have some wild adventures. What 'Skins' shows is that teens even in backwoods Noweheresville will get up to the same sorts of shenanigans . . . and often with more significant and profound experiences. And that's what makes Jamie Brittain and Bryan Elsley's 'Skins' framework so adaptable. You don't need the same characters to tell these stories. All you need is teenagers. Teenagers are the portal through which these tales are told. All the US makers had to do was choose a suitably unremarkable setting (Baltimore – check) and use typical teen stereotypes to base their show around. And Lord knows that the Americans have enough clichés thanks to John Hughes movies – the jock, the princess, the freak, the nerd. . . Unfortunately MTV wimped out. They took the easy route and, effectively, decided to copy off someone else's homework. For shame! They have replicated entire episodes. They have taken British characters and changed their names (Sid – Stanley) and tried to fit square pegs into round holes. For shame! And it's even worse because there is every evidence that if MTV had made 'Skins' their own – created their own characters and story lines and used the bare framework of 'teenagers' (hardly worth the copyright!) then this series could have succeeded. Case in point, Tea.The best thing about the US version is the one character that they made themselves; 'Tea' is played by Sofia Black-D'Elia and she's fabulous. She's a warped cliché – an American cheerleader, but with the twist of also being a lesbian. She is a replacement character from the UK version, 'Tea' as a stand in for the male homosexual character of Maxxie (Mitch Hewer). Tea's episode was the second one of the season and it was fantastic. Tea as a cheerleader lesbian who is 'out' at school, perhaps even the token homosexual amongst her friends. But at home she keeps her sexuality under-wraps from her Jewish family. Tea's episode had such American flavour – as Tea hangs out at a lesbian Rockabilly dance hall to pick up chicks – it was a flavourful mix of old Americana with a modern twist. The writers even added layers of complications to Tea's already hectic life by introducing an uneasy attraction between her and the show's playboy Lothario, Tony (James Newman). This 'romance' is doomed to be one-sided, though Tony looks to be in determined pursuit of the unattainable. Tea's second episode was exactly what I wanted from the American version of Skins. I wanted the Yanks to make this show their own. Alas, the third episode, 'Chris', was back to the unoriginal 'been-there-seen- that' of the UK version. The first season of Skins USA is a dismal failure. But the character of 'Tea' and her Americana-meets-L-Word episode is proof positive that the Yanks can do it! They just have to take a chance – think outside the (British) square, infuse some originality into their version and trust in their writers to come up with something as equally smashing as their Pommie counterparts.