The first word that usually comes to mind when discussing \u201cSkins,\u201d E4\u2019s wildly popular teenage drama, is controversy. I knew that before even seeing the show because of MTV\u2019s failed attempt at adapting the series for American television. While the British version attempts to accomplish the goal of tackling real teenage issues, it does so haphazardly and in my mind, attempts to bite off more than it can chew. Sensationalism isn\u2019t the problem with the original version like it is with the MTV\u2019s\u2014rather, the show spreads itself thin.<\/p>\n
First and foremost, I think it is important that the British version has its heart in the right place. I felt the British version was simply trying to tackle too much rather than being too controversial. The emphasis here is the show\u2019s effort and failure in accomplishing its goals as a program, rather than the content itself. To me, what the show depicts\u2014homosexuality, drug use, sex, eating disorders, underage drinking, family problems, and religion\u2014certainly deserves a place on television. In fact, I think it is commendable \u201cSkins\u201d is trying<\/em> to do something with all of these very relevant topics. Rather than shy away from very real issues that would apply to its young viewers, \u201cSkins\u201d tackles them head on\u2014and for me, that is where the show fails.<\/p>\n In the very first episode, \u201cSkins\u201d already is biting off more than it can chew in my mind. It tackles all of these issues mentioned above without really devoting time to fully addressing one. Rather than going in-depth, it introduces them all like a pu-pu platter of teenage angst and expects the viewer to be shocked, intrigued, and drawn in to the show. Instead, I felt like I was watching television ADD and didn\u2019t really forge a connection with any of the characters or identify with their issues. I realize \u201cTony\u201d was the first episode of the first series, and we get a little more in-depth with Cassie\u2019s eating disorder in the next episode, but \u201cSkins\u201d is nevertheless relentless in its pursuit of covering all of these problems. By trying to address so many aspects of the teenage lifestyle, I feel like no one aspect of the teenage experience is fully explored and I was left wanting for more.<\/p>\n That being said, and having seen some episodes of the American series, I feel it is important to address some of the UK version\u2019s shortcomings in comparison to MTV\u2019s version. The US version seems to be more shallow and controversial for controversy\u2019s sake, rather than trying to tackle challenging issues\u2014for instance, by replacing Maxxie with an attractive girl who does not really address the same aspect of teenage life as in the UK version, MTV leans to sensationalism rather trying to depict the struggle of a teenager trying to understand their sexuality. While \u201cSkins\u201d in the UK is a good show that tries to do a little too much at times, it has a heart\u2014something that was lost in the American translation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The first word that usually comes to mind when discussing \u201cSkins,\u201d E4\u2019s wildly popular teenage drama, is controversy. I knew that before even seeing the show because of MTV\u2019s failed attempt at adapting the series for American television. While the … Continue reading