Skins

I will keep this simple.

The first few minutes hold the secret to the show's failure. Tony looks out the window and sees his neighbor, a naked older woman, about to get dressed. She has bigger and nicer breasts than her UK counterpart, but we do not see these breasts. I hope you understand that this is not about breasts but solely a metaphor for the whole show.

Even though, some minor details were brushed up, the rest plays out exactly the same as the UK version; only more rushed and soulless. Tony, the main protagonist of the first episode, is supposed to be manipulative but interesting. In this version, he's merely a douche.

This show lacks new ideas as well the vigor and the originality from its predecessor. A total failure.

I remember when this first came out. I hadn't seen the original skins yet and I remember thinking to myself that I bet people would be upset. When I heard it was a remake of a British show that was about teens and controversial I figured that it would be watered down but I will admit I planned to watch as soon as I saw the commercial. I was around 18 and just the age group they were hoping to attract. But I wanted to dive into the original first because I just knew an American version would be way tamer. And for once the hype was true the original was freaking awesome and very realistic. And there is tons of drugs and sex and nudity but i think that being exposed to stuff makes you more mature about it. Anyway soon after I settled in for the American premiere. The 1st episode is basically a shot for shot remake except for 1 thing. In the original there is a gay male character named Maxi. Honestly he was one of my favorites. In the US version he's replaced by a pretty cheerleader lesbian. I think if you asked one of the writers or anyone affiliated with the show why they changed the character they'd probably say something like "lesbians aren't shown on teen shows and girl power blah." But in my opinion I believe that they felt Americans are more comfortable seeing very feminine lesbians (cheerleaders no less) have sex than males doing the same. And honestly in most cases(especially considering this was 10 yrs ago) it's true. Especially when it comes to males and even more true for males around the age the show is aimed at.

I know that may seem like a small change but it changes the plot significantly from the original. Since this show was canceled 10yrs ago I don't consider this a spoiler: In the original version Tony who is basically the main character is NOT a good guy in the 1st season at all. He's selfish and impulsive and will try anything if it feels good. He has a loyal girlfriend who cheats on constantly and she takes it. Then he sleeps with maxi to "try it." I had a feeling that wouldn't be in the US version but to change the characters sex changes everything. In the US version when him and his lesbian friend have sex it takes away the whole point. I felt like it showed how hedonistic and manipulative and almost sociopathic he is that he would basically change his sexual orientation and hurt EVERYONE involved because he was "bored" and wanted to try it." When it's a girl nothing is different for him and it pushes the idea that a lesbian can change for the right guy. I actually kept watching to see how it differed I was curious how the changes would affect the show and I was constantly amused how OUTRAGED parents were about the show. It was so watered down compared to the original but I knew it would happen. It got canceled after like 7 or 8 episodes cause all the sponsors pulled out because parents threatened to boycott. They said how this awful show would influence their kids to do drugs and have sex but I think the problem is they don't wanna know that this is what their kids are really doing and the show forces them to see it.

I'm a big fan of the UK Skins. So when I heard there was going to be a US version I was a little apprehensive.

After watching the first episode, well, I was just disappointed. The entire episode, while exactly the same as the UK one, just didn't have the necessary spark to it.

The acting is very mediocre and needs to be improved on greatly. I get that this is the first acting gig that they've had, so I'll let that slid just a little. Some of the actors aren't necessarily as bad as the other, which gives the show some tolerability.

Having watched the second episode, which is completely new, I can say that some faith is restored. This episode is better than the first and gives a story line that I personally can't wait to see expanded on.

All I can say is that, I hope by season 2 (should it get that far!) the actors will have improved and will win over the viewers more.

With a little more work, this show could potentially catch up to the UK one.

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.

...and they succeeded in satisfying them. I'm a Brit implant, so I love to watch my BBC America shows and I loved the original Skins (I even think Season 3's episodes were less than the original cast, but way better than this American/Canadian version). I do remember hearing that maybe Nicholas Hoult (Tony) was the only person that had any real acting experience (from what i remember reading, i may be wrong). The second thing is, like everyone said, they were British teenagers: Skins plots were relevant to growing up over there--they were slightly over the top, but any English kid could relate.

The way the characters act are the way British kids act growing up: that delivery, the tones, the attitudes from Tony and Jai. ALL the characters stood out. In this USA version, it does come off as plodding and dull-i've traveled all over the US (Canada too) and like England, there is a distinctness about they way kids are...so like everyone said, they should take the overall theme and make it American.

The Office is probably the only recent offering that stands on its own as an English concept with American humor. They should talk to those writers.