The 5th season of the UK series Skins premiered on E4 last night, introducing a new cast of characters on the show. As you may know, MTV premiered the US version of Skins a couple of weeks ago which, IMHO, is just an embarrassingly bad copy of the far superior original series. I was able to watch last night’s premiere of Skins online and was immediately impressed with the episode in the first 2 minutes. The show is that good.
I have watched all 4 seasons of the UK version of Skins and am well aware of how excellent the writing is but I continue to be impressed by how fantastic the acting is. Without exaggeration, it is painful to watch the totally amateurish acting on the US version but it is an absolute delight to watch the British actors on the show. Episode 1 of season 5 was centered on the character Frankie who dealt with severe bullying at her previous school and hopes to avoid repeat treatment at her new school. Because she looks different, she is an immediate lightening rod for teasing. It’s not totally clear where the story this season will end up but I really do like the way things got started. If I can impart one piece of advice that I wish all of you would take to heart, it’s that you MUST watch the original version Skins (all 5 seasons) and try to avoid the US version at all costs. The UK version is just so good, I promise … it is one of the best TV shows on the air right now. The show is available on Netflix here in the US and the new season can be streamed online (if you know where to look). I am just so glad that Skins is back with new eps. I can’t wait to watch more.
Last night, David and I trekked down to Manhattan Beach with our friend Michael so that we could all meet Emma’s sister Chelsea who is visiting from San Francisco. She is a total doll and we all loved her immediately. We all had a great dinner at Pancho’s and then enjoyed a short walk along the beach before we came home. ‘Twas a fun night, indeed.
Not sure what the plan is for tonight … but it’s Friday so, I’m sure we’ll think of something fun. I hear talk of a trip to Disneyland tomorrow. Happy Weekend!!
The British versions and British tv shows in general are always better! Love UK TV series’ sooo much more than anything in the US.
Is the accent/humor hard to understand in the UK version?
@Jstar — Sometimes but not really, I never have any trouble knowing what is being said and done.
I don’t get to see the UK version, or know anything what parts of the UK the cast comes from. There is quite a diversity of accents from soft to hard – For example, in Scotland a person from Edinburgh can clearly be understood by anyone but if you meet up with someone from Glascow… you’d better have an interpreter (on TV: subtitles) if you want to understand everything being said. LOL
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And if you’re a multilingual there is NO WAY IN HECK to learn welsh & truly get the nuances of the language as with, say, French, Italian or even Russian – As the saying goes: “Only the Welsh speak welsh & understand it!”
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Finally, re: US version of Skins… From what I hear MTV isn’t gonna cancel it regardless of the fact that ALL sponsors have dropped out – Does that mean it airs WITHOUT commercials? I guess I can understand why there’s an apparent hypocrisy between Skins & similar shows where 20-somethings play teens as opposed to TEEN ACTORS playing themselves. If moral majority groups bitch about 1 show where are they for Hellcats, 90210, etc.?
The only character I ever really had any trouble with was Cook. Jack O’Connell was a little muddled at times, but I only had to go back and re-watch once or twice. It wasn’t anything that took away from the awesomeness of the show, or my love for the characters :)
Seriously I have NEVER had a problem understanding there accents. Even the thick scottish ones from the older actors. But it might be the british blood in me lol.
It is the best show on television, and i Love this generation. Shame it doesn’t get the recognition it deserves over here. PTC would shit if they only watched the BETTER version.
I LOVED the first episode. I’ll admit it, I’ve watched the awful, awful US Skins and it just painful to watch. I feel like the US Skins could have worked if they introduced original characters and an original storyline because that’s why it doesn’t work. They try so hard to be the original versions of their characters and the result is uninspired and forced. The only part of the show I can tolerate is Tea because, in a way, her UK counterpart doesn’t exist. Hopefully US Skins will get cancelled and Jamie Brittain and Bryan Elsley can move on and focus on their amazing UK version and soon-to-be released movie (sqee!!).
I agree with you 100% Trent. After seeing the trailers for the MTV series, I figured I wouldn’t waste my time. It’s almost insulting…. You introduced me to the UK series and I absolutely love it. Glad to hear it’s online now, I’ll have to check out the new season/series:)
Are any of the siblings from season 4 on the new one? Although, I don’t think there were many younger brothers or sisters…
Nope, there are no ties to the previous 2 generations (at least that we know of at this point). It’s a little sad to let them go completely, but the new cast is very good!
I loved last night’s episode! I actually ended up downloading it about 2 hours after it aired in the UK. You gotta love the internet :)
I had this theory that the news would be on in the background of last nights premiere and it would maybe bring some closure to the whole Dr. Foster/Freddie/Cook saga of last year’s finale. Of course it didn’t happen but maybe Doug will mention Freddie and Cook later in the season.
I didn’t know that season 5 started on thursday, I just watched the episode and I LOVED it so much. I think this was the strongest premiere the show has ever had.
Agree that the Brit actors are great but the show is just trash. It shows a bunch of heartless Brit teenagers– Oversexed & drugged up. There were parts that I enjoyed in volume 1 and that was Tony getting hit by the bus and Em’s story in volume 3. But I must admit it’s an entertaining show.
Was anyone else distracted by how much Liv looked like Jal? Seriously they could be sisters.
Yes! I forgot to mention that…I’m glad I wasn’t the only one.
i loved the first ep! grace is already my fav! and does anyone else think that the reason mini is so mean to Frankie is because she likes her?? ahhh im so excitied the real skins is back!! this generation reminds me so much of generation 1 where it was really focused on the friendships and not so much how cool they looked. :cough: effy :cough: lol
@ tren where can we find the new episodes I have absolutely no clue where to look???? I do not care for the US version too, IT SUX!! LOL