Alright bbs-- chill out! It could be okay... maybe.
Fair warning: you may not agree with a lot of this. Bitch at me as you will, just don't be surprised if I call you a cunt right back. It's just my opinion, but I don't presume or assume I'm winning any hearts or minds with this post. Just thought I'd say that upfront. Also, sorry about any spelling or grammar errors. this was typed in a flourish.
Ok, so I know a lot of my f-list is about damn near breaking down over the announcement that MTV has attained the right to US Skins, but seriously, was this unexpected? More importantly, is this really that tragic? I don't think it is. I mean honestly, I don't think it's going to play well, regardless of the network, but did anyone have higher expectations/hopes. If there's any network that might have a hope of retaining some of the original spirit of the show, I think it's going to be MTV. I mean, maybe HBO could have done it, but that would have never happened so MTV seems like a fair next best option. I think some of us are forgetting that MTV didn't always suck, and when it makes a genuine attempt at scripted-television or just decent television, it's got a decent track record. So this is my top 5 reasons why this whole deal could be okay. Breathe easy bbs; its not the end of the world... yet.
5. It could have been so much worse.
I'm fairly certain I heard a while back that both Fox and the CW were involved in the bidding war. Do I really have to explain why the networks that brought you The O.C. and 90210 would have butchered the whole thing to disgusting proportions? Beyond that, let's imagine other networks that regularly show teen fair, beyond MTV. You've basically got ABC Family and The N (South of Nowhere and Degrassi's network btw). The prospect of Skins on ABC Family is about as laughable as it gets, and do you really want Skins to look anything like SON? I think not!
4. It's going to be set in Baltimore.
I adore Skins in part because of it's setting. It's not London proper, which is what you get the most of in youth British tv. Not to mention the fact that Baltimore is... well Baltimore. It's not exactly a picturesque American city, and as someone who's got family there, I can tell you that it's not glamorous in the least. Now is the whole city really like they show on The Wire-- no-- but, it's definitely got a certain air about it that I think will adapt well to the show. It's a city where you've got to find ways to past the time, while constantly avoiding some of the grimier, more destructive qualities of what urban decay brought, and that's going to make for interesting television IMHO.
3. When MTV attempts to not put something out that's total shit, they're actually pretty okay.
So before the Laguna Beach revolution, where the whole network feel into the shitty, psuedo reality-tv business, MTV actually had a pretty decent record when they tried. Might I remind you of the Ben Stiller Show, Daria, and even one of the newer programs 16 & Pregnant. It's not all shit, and the network came to be known as the voice of a generation for a reason. The network is a little untested when it comes to plain scripted, dramatic series (no, The Hills does not count). But a lot of its legit documentary-style programs have been winsome, realistic, and moving (case in point Made), but I doubt any network is going to get give the show as much of a shot as MTV. In it's best and worst times, the network has proven its determination to push boundaries. A lot of time that ends ups downright exploitative, but some times, you have those gems of a program, that brings out something honest and true, which takes me to my next point.
2. True Life. It deserved a spot all unto itself. Shit get's real regularly. If anyone's worried about censors, consult this show.
The first time I caught this series was in 2003, about four/five years after its start. The special was I'm Hooked On OxyContin and I'll never forget the moment one of the guys began to heat up the pills in a spoon. First off, I had no clue people shot up OxyContin, but beyond that, I couldn't believe that they'd put something out there so... plainly. It wasn't sensational or sugar-coated; it just was, and it was both a painful and a powerful image to see. Throughout the years, they've covered many a topic, ranging from teenage addiction, eating disorders, chronic partying, and sex. And I can't think of a single one that hasn't surprised me in some way. But if there's one I think stuck out to me more than the first special I saw, it's Matthew's Murder, which was taped shortly after Matthew Shepard's murder. I've of course only been able to catch the re-airings and watched it within the context of a research paper, but it's a sublimely powerful piece of work, that covers a lot of the shock, uncertainty, and fear surrounding Matt's brutal murder. It's episodes like that that make me confident in at least the very potential of the network to produce a quality adaptation of the show.
1. Bryan Elsely is still along for the ride. Heck, he's captaining the ship! (Jamie Brittain's supposed to be there too!)
According to MTV's senior vice president of series development, Liz Gateley,"Skins is one of those rare shows that cuts through to its core audience with unusually authentic stories due to the unique writing and casting process that Bryan [Elsley] pioneered. Having personally pursued the UK project for almost two years, I am beyond thrilled to bring it to MTV in the US. We intend to preserve the authenticity of the British version and are excited to collaborate with the original team to develop stories that will speak to American youth."
Now originally, this is actually what terrified me the most. Because while I love and adore the both of them, the great thing about what they did was that they brought forth a previously under-heard voice, that of the Bristolian youth. Jamie in particular took very pained measures to make sure they weren't trying to imitate the posh culture of London youth, but instead try to bring forth stories he knew. This becomes a problem in dealing with American youth, particularly Baltimore youth, when you don't have any of those experiences. (To all the Brits out there, trust me, a large majority of our lives is not like the shitty tv shows/movies we've offered on the subject over the years.) So why did I put this as the number one reason that it'd all be okay? Well despite some of my reservations, I also get why you couldn't ask for a better captain. If they are going to truly strive to maintain any semblance of artistic integrity, they're probably going to have to fight a great deal with the network (with any network really). I don't think anyone would fight harder than the two original creators of the show. Do I think they'll get it perfectly? Probably not, but I have a lot of confidence that they'll get to the best possible place. And yes, somehow, I believe they've got to best go of it on MTV, which is proven in the past that they're willing to throw up many a program after 10pm that's not exactly PG. Now are all the character going to run around yelling "cunt" at the top of their lungs-- no. But will Elsley and Brittain fully take advantage of MTV's willingness to be rather salacious-- I think so, and I think they'll do it in a way that takes it past exploitative and makes it honest.
Final sidenote: Now this will probably just make itself into it's own post sooner or later, but I think it's about time we reassess some of our views on the show, because while I love and adore the series, people have this scary misconception that it's so real. Uh... what? If that's how yall are really living in the UK, than that's great, fantastic even, but I'm willing to bet that even Skins is a bit exaggerated for dramatic and comedic effort. The goal is not to get it exactly the same content-wise, cause frankly, not even Skins is perfect in that regard; the goal is to capture the spirit as best as possible. If it loses some of the drugs, sex, and cussing, so flippin what?! I know I didn't personally grow up fucking everything that moved, and hell, I didn't even think to try pot before college. People need to stop acting like it perfectly captures the youth experience, and somehow America's going to ruin that. Give it a chance at least!
Ok, so I know a lot of my f-list is about damn near breaking down over the announcement that MTV has attained the right to US Skins, but seriously, was this unexpected? More importantly, is this really that tragic? I don't think it is. I mean honestly, I don't think it's going to play well, regardless of the network, but did anyone have higher expectations/hopes. If there's any network that might have a hope of retaining some of the original spirit of the show, I think it's going to be MTV. I mean, maybe HBO could have done it, but that would have never happened so MTV seems like a fair next best option. I think some of us are forgetting that MTV didn't always suck, and when it makes a genuine attempt at scripted-television or just decent television, it's got a decent track record. So this is my top 5 reasons why this whole deal could be okay. Breathe easy bbs; its not the end of the world... yet.
5. It could have been so much worse.
I'm fairly certain I heard a while back that both Fox and the CW were involved in the bidding war. Do I really have to explain why the networks that brought you The O.C. and 90210 would have butchered the whole thing to disgusting proportions? Beyond that, let's imagine other networks that regularly show teen fair, beyond MTV. You've basically got ABC Family and The N (South of Nowhere and Degrassi's network btw). The prospect of Skins on ABC Family is about as laughable as it gets, and do you really want Skins to look anything like SON? I think not!
4. It's going to be set in Baltimore.
I adore Skins in part because of it's setting. It's not London proper, which is what you get the most of in youth British tv. Not to mention the fact that Baltimore is... well Baltimore. It's not exactly a picturesque American city, and as someone who's got family there, I can tell you that it's not glamorous in the least. Now is the whole city really like they show on The Wire-- no-- but, it's definitely got a certain air about it that I think will adapt well to the show. It's a city where you've got to find ways to past the time, while constantly avoiding some of the grimier, more destructive qualities of what urban decay brought, and that's going to make for interesting television IMHO.
3. When MTV attempts to not put something out that's total shit, they're actually pretty okay.
So before the Laguna Beach revolution, where the whole network feel into the shitty, psuedo reality-tv business, MTV actually had a pretty decent record when they tried. Might I remind you of the Ben Stiller Show, Daria, and even one of the newer programs 16 & Pregnant. It's not all shit, and the network came to be known as the voice of a generation for a reason. The network is a little untested when it comes to plain scripted, dramatic series (no, The Hills does not count). But a lot of its legit documentary-style programs have been winsome, realistic, and moving (case in point Made), but I doubt any network is going to get give the show as much of a shot as MTV. In it's best and worst times, the network has proven its determination to push boundaries. A lot of time that ends ups downright exploitative, but some times, you have those gems of a program, that brings out something honest and true, which takes me to my next point.
2. True Life. It deserved a spot all unto itself. Shit get's real regularly. If anyone's worried about censors, consult this show.
The first time I caught this series was in 2003, about four/five years after its start. The special was I'm Hooked On OxyContin and I'll never forget the moment one of the guys began to heat up the pills in a spoon. First off, I had no clue people shot up OxyContin, but beyond that, I couldn't believe that they'd put something out there so... plainly. It wasn't sensational or sugar-coated; it just was, and it was both a painful and a powerful image to see. Throughout the years, they've covered many a topic, ranging from teenage addiction, eating disorders, chronic partying, and sex. And I can't think of a single one that hasn't surprised me in some way. But if there's one I think stuck out to me more than the first special I saw, it's Matthew's Murder, which was taped shortly after Matthew Shepard's murder. I've of course only been able to catch the re-airings and watched it within the context of a research paper, but it's a sublimely powerful piece of work, that covers a lot of the shock, uncertainty, and fear surrounding Matt's brutal murder. It's episodes like that that make me confident in at least the very potential of the network to produce a quality adaptation of the show.
1. Bryan Elsely is still along for the ride. Heck, he's captaining the ship! (Jamie Brittain's supposed to be there too!)
According to MTV's senior vice president of series development, Liz Gateley,"Skins is one of those rare shows that cuts through to its core audience with unusually authentic stories due to the unique writing and casting process that Bryan [Elsley] pioneered. Having personally pursued the UK project for almost two years, I am beyond thrilled to bring it to MTV in the US. We intend to preserve the authenticity of the British version and are excited to collaborate with the original team to develop stories that will speak to American youth."
Now originally, this is actually what terrified me the most. Because while I love and adore the both of them, the great thing about what they did was that they brought forth a previously under-heard voice, that of the Bristolian youth. Jamie in particular took very pained measures to make sure they weren't trying to imitate the posh culture of London youth, but instead try to bring forth stories he knew. This becomes a problem in dealing with American youth, particularly Baltimore youth, when you don't have any of those experiences. (To all the Brits out there, trust me, a large majority of our lives is not like the shitty tv shows/movies we've offered on the subject over the years.) So why did I put this as the number one reason that it'd all be okay? Well despite some of my reservations, I also get why you couldn't ask for a better captain. If they are going to truly strive to maintain any semblance of artistic integrity, they're probably going to have to fight a great deal with the network (with any network really). I don't think anyone would fight harder than the two original creators of the show. Do I think they'll get it perfectly? Probably not, but I have a lot of confidence that they'll get to the best possible place. And yes, somehow, I believe they've got to best go of it on MTV, which is proven in the past that they're willing to throw up many a program after 10pm that's not exactly PG. Now are all the character going to run around yelling "cunt" at the top of their lungs-- no. But will Elsley and Brittain fully take advantage of MTV's willingness to be rather salacious-- I think so, and I think they'll do it in a way that takes it past exploitative and makes it honest.
Final sidenote: Now this will probably just make itself into it's own post sooner or later, but I think it's about time we reassess some of our views on the show, because while I love and adore the series, people have this scary misconception that it's so real. Uh... what? If that's how yall are really living in the UK, than that's great, fantastic even, but I'm willing to bet that even Skins is a bit exaggerated for dramatic and comedic effort. The goal is not to get it exactly the same content-wise, cause frankly, not even Skins is perfect in that regard; the goal is to capture the spirit as best as possible. If it loses some of the drugs, sex, and cussing, so flippin what?! I know I didn't personally grow up fucking everything that moved, and hell, I didn't even think to try pot before college. People need to stop acting like it perfectly captures the youth experience, and somehow America's going to ruin that. Give it a chance at least!