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US Skins discussion...

posted 15 years ago by k_Human
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So I did a petition because I think HBO should make US Skins. Please read at least...

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/hboskins/

Ok, I know it's gonna sounds ridiculous, but I think that has fans, we've got to share our opinions. I'm not at all pleased with the fact that Mtv is going to do a remake of Skins... I mean, Skins being remaked is inevitable but, if they to do it, they have to do it right and I think it's only possible with HBO.
1 - Just looking the cast, we can say that they made HUGE mistakes. I don't know what the casting director was thinking. In Baltimore, there's A LOT African American and I don't see that in the cast. The pretending "Sid" is not right. I know it's gonna sound bad, but Sid is suppose to wear a beanie and glasses. I just cannot imagine him without those two important things. Plus, they don't appeal me. Even the cast from UK don't like them.
2 - They are shooting the show in Toronto when it's suppose to take place in Baltimore. I think it makes it less authentic. Less like the original show from the UK. HBO have more budget.
3 - If the show is in Mtv, there will be no sex, no drug and most important, no swearing. I could deal with a "Skins" who don't have sex and drugs, but without swearing, it will be like an American version of Degrassi. Also, Mtv don't usely make "trailer"(like the one for Skins series 2, with the song "Nude" from RadioHead) for their show. HBO do.
Ok, so their were my points. I really do think an American version of Skins could be interesting (in USA, they usually have more episode for a season, and the reaction of the American public could be surprising), but only if it's well done and it's only possible with HBO (maybe Showcase, or eventually NBC, but surely not with Mtv). Generation 1 of Skins was great, and it would a disaster to see a "soft" version of them. Let's raise our voices. If your in agreement with me, just sign this petition. It would take you less than 2 minutes.
P.S.: Also, I'm not going to watch the pilot episode at Mtv. I'm not going to encourage a sellout channel. I strongly encourage you to do the same thing (if you're too curious like me, you have internet at least).

I really do hope Jamie Brittain is going to read this and do something...

[–] email-787-959815 14 years ago

I read your post, but I did not sign the petition for several reasons.

MTV has ordered a 10 part remake of Skins, so the petition is not going to change this, even if HBO or Showcase wanted to make the US version, MTV are in contract so they cannot change this.

Your comments that the Sid character has to wear a beanie and glasses, just because he does in the UK version doesn't mean he has to in a remake, they are remaking, no-one wants a carbon copy clone with the same costumes, same lines, same characters just different location, as there is no point in this, you might as well just stick with the UK version and abandon the remake if this is what you expect.

The US version is being produced by Bryan Elsley who created Skins, who has also written the new pilot, so it could have a very similar look and feel to the UK version.

Your comment 'P.S.: Also, I'm not going to watch the pilot episode at Mtv. I'm not going to encourage a sellout channel. I strongly encourage you to do the same thing (if you're too curious like me, you have internet at least).'

It's actions like this that are juvenile and discourages creative freedom. As already said it shouldn't be a carbon copy of the UK version. The creative team of Liz and Bryan should be allowed to take Skins in a direction that they feel works for them and work for a US audience. What is a realistic representation of UK teen life may not be representational of US teen life.

Finally, your comments of the show being set in Baltimore and being filmed in Toronto is a mute point. Look at Doctor Who or Torchwood, they are set in London, parts of Scotland, New York and various strange new planets and worlds, yet are all filmed in Newport and Cardiff. Unless you know the areas incredibly well, you would not notice.

All I can say is give the show a chance, you don't know they may do an incredible job of it and produce something that is just as good as (or maybe even better than) the UK version.

Kicking up a fuss and boycotting the show just isn't a mature approach.