Did anyone watch the U.S. premiere of this show on Monday? And is there anyone out there who watches/has watched the original UK version? I have never seen it and I've only heard of this show recently and tuned into the U.S version premiere on MTV. The promos that were airing on MTV every 5 seconds really got me interested so I watched. I thought the show was pretty good but after reading reviews I can sense that the U.S. adaptation is almost a complete, verbatim carbon copy of the UK's which is disappointing. I'll continue to watch but it'll always be in the back of my mind that this isn't completely based on original ideas. Anyone who watched or has watched this series, I'd like to read your input on it.

To be fair, that was pretty certain to happen, right? The first ep was so hyped, etc, etc--don't get me wrong I'm not defending what I've seen of the US one yet, but the numbers are still decent for MTV right? Or no? (I'm honestly asking, I'm not sure lol).

Gauging reactions on Facebook, it seems the general thing was that people tuned in because of the commercials and the fact that it was on after JS (you know, "Let's just make a night of it"), weren't very impressed, and made no effort to tune in again. I wonder how many people will be looking for it after JS on Thursday. MTV's foolish for not keeping the two together.

Hahah well those Talk of the Town columns in the New Yorker usually sound a bit smug (and that comes from me as a huge New Yorker fan), but I do get your point.

I think the reason they didn't wanna set it in New York is the same reason the original show is set in Bristol and not London or even Manchester--a smaller, less international city is meant to be a bit more relatable. But then to have the new version set in NO real place makes it seem kinda useless to me. Of course, I find it annoying when they pretend Canadian cities where they film, are American (I guess if the thought is that Americans won't watch British tv shows, and so need to have them set in the US, then setting them in Canada would be just as unappealing for Americans? While the writing was largely awful anyway, it annoyed me to no end that Queer as Folk used Toronto's gay village recognizably for its full run, filming in actual bars and even keeping the names, had more Canadian actors than American, etc, yet they didn't think there was any reason to say it was Canada...)

I remember they kept saying Skins US would be set in Baltimore, but I guess not.

I think that's one of the big things they really needed to take into consideration in making a US show, since the lexicon and "realism" (quotes because I've been calling BS on ANY version of Skins being terribly realistic since I started watching it) are soooo important to the show. The UK is so small, they can set it in one corner of the country and still be somewhat of a catch-all in the relatability department for most viewers. Here...not so much.

I really wish they had gone across the entire country talking to teens from all over instead of just working with NYC kids.

Uh all of those slangs used in that paragraph I've never even heard and I'm only 22 so i don't think I'm too far gone from teenage terms.

But aren't slangs regional or cultural? When I went to California in 2006, everyone was saying, "Hella," and I had no idea what they were talking about (I know now). LOL

Thank you! I told a friend, who was a fan of the UK one, that it would be set in Baltimore, and then felt foolish as I couldn't find where I read that.

I think that's a fair point about using only NYC kids (plus if the goal wasn't to set it in a huge city, then why use kids from there? I just don't quite get the logic...)

But aren't slangs regional or cultural? When I went to California in 2006, everyone was saying, "Hella," and I had no idea what they were talking about (I know now). LOL

They are, though with blog and facebook culture, particularly with "young 'uns" (God I feel old), I think they spread faster than ever.

Watched the 2nd episode and I thought it was a lot more interesting than the first. I like how it mostly centered on just one character and their S/L. This one was about Tea and I really liked it. I love her & I am so amazed at how different this Actress is on Skins than she was over on AMC. The writing really does make a difference, her character Bailey on AMC was such a bore. I didn't care when she left but now after seeing her on Skins I kind of think of it as a loss for the show now. I see why they hired her, they just didn't utilize her in the right way at ALL!!

I find the Tea lesbian storyline to be fresh and riveting. Loving it so far.

I think it is a mistake for the show not to follow after Jersey Shore anymore. They could've at least put it on Tuesday's after Teen Mom 2 (which is pretty popular, not as much as JS, but still. I think the show would have more of a chance of being watched by more people).

Edited January 26, 201114 yr by AllmyDaysatGH

I dunno that may be giving her too much credit--I think she was atrocious on AMC. Of course this is a year later--also I've found often that newbies who don't do well on soaps do much better in primetime or even movies--where they are given much more direction, much more time to learn lines, many more rehearsals, more takes for each scene, often have quicker scenes, etc.

If this follows the UK formula, and it sounds like it will (I've not seen ep 2 yet), each season they do kinda start off with an introductory episode for the major cast, and then whole everyone's little stories have little bit sof development each week, each week till the finale tends to focus on one or sometimes two characters, and then a new character the next week, etc.

Edited January 26, 201114 yr by EricMontreal22

LOL! I am even younger than that and I agree. I have NEVER heard any of those terms before. Seriously, who says "Calm your tits"? And I have seriously never heard anyone use "Gucci" in that context before. The one that made me LOL and roll my eyes the most was "Oh, good looks" wow...no. People usually say, "good lookin' out" or something like that.

Really? I hear and say it quite often.

They definitely need a Jersey Shore or Teen Mom lead in.

Boring

Okay, so...When this show started I was only about halfway through Season One of the British Version. So, I thought the US one was good.

Now, being that I am farther into the British version, I realize what a MISTAKE the US version was. They very well could have done an adaptation of the show, but making a carbon copy of the original was a huge mistake. It's not as edgy or fun as the original, and it just falls flat.

I still think it's an OK show, but they made a huge mistake copying episode per episode. Maybe if the show finds its feet they can drift into their own storylines. That's about the only thing I think could save the show.

I'm still watching and I find it quite enjoyable. I like the character of Chris & the actor playing him. So far there have been episodes about him & Tea and I like both. This shows dialogue centers way to much around sex though...like, almost every word out of someone's mouth is about it. I guess that's not to unrealistic though, considering that is kind of what most people this age talk & think about.

Really? I hear and say it quite often.

Wow! I have never heard that before..that's interesting, maybe I'm not as in touch with things as I thought...LOL

They definitely need a Jersey Shore or Teen Mom lead in.

I think they should move it to Tuesday's instead. Switch Teen Mom 2's slot to 9pm & then have it followed by Skins at 10pm.

Boring

I share this sentiment. Skins tries so damn hard to be edgy and the show falls flat with these lame one dimensional characters. I mean, I love the production of the show, but the most of casting is awful, the stories are uninspired, the plot is stereotypical. This makes Undressed look like award-winning material.

I share this sentiment. Skins tries so damn hard to be edgy and the show falls flat with these lame one dimensional characters. I mean, I love the production of the show, but the most of casting is awful, the stories are uninspired, the plot is stereotypical. This makes Undressed look like award-winning material.

I agree with you about that. The production values of this show are amazing...

I share this sentiment. Skins tries so damn hard to be edgy and the show falls flat with these lame one dimensional characters. I mean, I love the production of the show, but the most of casting is awful, the stories are uninspired, the plot is stereotypical. This makes Undressed look like award-winning material.

I loved that show as a kid haha

Watched the 2nd episode and I thought it was a lot more interesting than the first. I like how it mostly centered on just one character and their S/L. This one was about Tea and I really liked it. I love her & I am so amazed at how different this Actress is on Skins than she was over on AMC. The writing really does make a difference, her character Bailey on AMC was such a bore. I didn't care when she left but now after seeing her on Skins I kind of think of it as a loss for the show now. I see why they hired her, they just didn't utilize her in the right way at ALL!!

You know what, I read or saw an interview from Sofia where she said that AMC wanted her to make the move but she wanted to stay in NYC and finish high school. I'm only watching for Sofia/Tea and Rachel/Michelle since they're the main ones I like. I also like Stanley -- he amuses me. The rest is just so hard to get into.

Oh bellcurve don't make me cry for the awesomeness that was Undressed ( I really love that there's a website that has all S1 eps up -- relive The Fearsome Foursome!) and Spyder Games. I miss old school MTV.

Oh shiiit Spyder Games...I watched that show religiously before I ever got into Soaps..