A little shout-out to American readers now. Why not give BBC America's Skins a try before the TV schedules are flooded in September? Skins is a BAFTA-winning British drama that deals with obligatory teen issues (drugs, girls, sex, school, parents), but it's a great deal more hip, edgy and relatable than US equivalent Gossip Girl.
The show revolves around a group of 17-year-olds from Bristol: handsome, egomaniac Tony; his sexually-frustrated best-friend Sid; his sexy, witty girlfriend Michelle; Chris, the class clown who fancies a teacher; Jal, a talented, intelligent musician; Maxxie, a gay man-magnet; Anwar, a Muslim with an amoral lifestyle; Cassie, a big-hearted oddball with anorexia; and Tony's quiet sister Effy.
The fact it's "foreign" shouldn't be a barrier to enjoyment these days. British shows may be less glamorous, with different jargon to wrap your head around -- but kids are kids. And isn't it fun to learn what "stroppy", "bangers", "bollocks" and "spliff" mean? Most importantly, Skins was written by young people for young people -- and that comes through in the characterizations, their activities and the storylines. No Californian rich kids driving to school in sports cars here!
I did hear Skins is been occasionally subtitled (!), but hopefully BBC America haven't censored episodes (which often got a bit risqué). I'm sure a lot of Americans would enjoy the show if they gave it a chance. Just don't follow the lead of Australian fans and start having "Skins Parties".
Philadelphia Daily News:
"I nearly wrote off Skins after the first episode. But as it continued… I found some of the characters, including a dreamy anorexic named Cassie (Hannah Murray), starting to get under my own skin."
Skins - BBC America YouTube
BBC America
Sundays, 10 pm (last week's episode repeated at 9pm)
