BuzzSugar

American Version of Skins Coming to MTV

BuzzSugar — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:30:42 -0700

If you've ever seen the UK teen series Skins (with Dev Patel!), you know it puts the "scandalous lives" of the Gossip Girl kids to shame with its boundary-pushing scenes and language. Now, somehow MTV will adapt the series for American audiences. Here's more on the US version of the show:

MTV says it will continue the original show's production model using teenagers to help write the series and unknown age-appropriate actors to star. Co-creator Brian Elsley will be writing and executive producing the U.S. version. The producers intend to set the show in Baltimore, Maryland.

Liz Gateley, senior VP, MTV Series Development said, "Having personally pursued the U.K. project for almost two years, I am beyond thrilled to bring it to MTV in the U.S. 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."

Like so many British shows adapted for American screens, this version will surely be neutered (remember Coupling?) to avoid showing quite so much, well, skin, so it makes me wonder how this series will ultimately differ from other teen shows already on American TV. The idea of using young writers and unknown actors is encouraging, though. Are you a fan of the UK series? Could you see an American version working on MTV?

BuzzSugar's Must Haves For April

BuzzSugar — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:30:08 -0700

Yippee! April is here, and that makes me happy because the weather in my part of the country is lovely right now. But this month also contains some great entertainment stuff: one of my favorite annual celebrations, a really cool live radio event, and some buzzworthy new CD and DVD releases. Ready to dive into April (without any foolin')? Just hit "start."

View Slideshow ›

Link Time! 1/8

BuzzSugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:30:58 -0800

Hey, it's the new cast of Skins! - PopSugarUK
Check out videos and images from the Michael Cera/Fred Armisen/Charlyne Yi project Paper Hearts. - Cinematical
This post about the season premiere of Damages is full of love for Glenn Close, so of course I think it's great. - Popwatch
The classic series The Prisoner is online for free now before AMC remakes it. - Clique Clack TV
Some thoughts on the Writers Guild nominations. - FilmExperience
Ooh, I think I'll go stream the new Bon Iver EP. - Stereogum
Kiefer Sutherland talks about season seven of 24. - The TV Addict
Brittany Murphy is in a film titled The Ramen Girl. - YumSugar

Photos courtesy and copyright of Channel 4.

Buzz In: What Teen Show Best Captures Your Own Experience?

BuzzSugar — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:00:45 -0700

The New York Times recently ran a story comparing the portrayals of teenage life in Gossip Girl, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and the British show Skins. As I read through the reporter's description of each show, I wondered which teens, if any, see themselves represented in these three seriously different shows. Though they're fun to watch, none of these three shows quite captures my own teen years.

For example, the Times describes Secret Life as "steeped in moralizing" (my teen years weren't as pious), Gossip Girl as a place "where jetting to Aspen from Teterboro" is normal (yeah, not my experience either), and Skins as "nihilistic in its mood" (my hormones were raging, but I wouldn't say I was a nihilist).

So what teen drama did come closest to my own youth? Strange to admit it, but Saved by the Bell comes pretty close (sometimes I related to Jessie Spano. There, I said it. Except during this scene). Or maybe My So-Called Life (because of this scene, I did my fair share of bed dancing) - but even that still isn't quite right. What about you? What teen show - past or present - best sums up your own teenage years?

Source

Buzz News Roundup, 8/25

BuzzSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:30:47 -0700

Meet the new Dancing With the Stars contestants and pros - including So You Think You Can Dance's Lacey Schwimmer as the newest pro! - The Futon Critic
Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel in Disney's The Little Mermaid, will be voicing Barbie in Toy Story 3 with Michael Keaton voicing Ken. In related news, Kristen Bell will voice the female lead in Astro Boy. - ComingSoon
Fox will stream the Fringe and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles premieres for college students. - Zap2it
Makeup artists will compete on Lifetime's show Blush, a companion to Project Runway. - Variety
Sean Astin, Celia Weston, and Sara Foster are joining Michael Vartan and David Cross in the indie comedy Demoted. - Hollywood Reporter
Barenaked Ladies singer Ed Robertson survived a plane crash in Ontario. - E! Online
Michael Phelps already has a book deal; his memoir is due out around the holidays. - Variety
The creator of Skins wants to do a show about 10- to 15-year-olds next. - The Guardian

Source

This Weekend's TV: Skins

BuzzSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:38:56 -0700

Gossip Girl encountered its fair share of criticism about its sex, drugs, and other vaguely inappropriate content when it premiered last Fall. But frankly, the Upper East Siders have nothing on the cast of Skins, the British show that premieres Sunday on BBC America. This show takes the limits of American TV and stomps all over them - and that's even without the edited-out language and nudity.

Skins, which just wrapped up its second season in the UK, is the rare show about teenagers that's actually written by people who remember well enough what it was like to be one: The show's writing staff has an average age of 22. The main character is Tony (played by Nicholas Hoult, aka the little kid from About a Boy - just try to get your mind around that one), the hottest and most popular guy in town; he, of course, has a gorgeous girlfriend, Michelle, to go along with his status. And then there's Sid, Tony's nerdy friend, who enlists Tony's help in losing his virginity in the first episode and somehow ends up buying a large quantity of weed. Sid's maybe the most relatable character of the bunch, but the one I loved the most in the first episode was Cassie, a spacey, anorexic, drug-addled beauty who thinks everything in the world is beautiful - except, possibly, for herself.

My UK friends told me the show builds slowly but deserves all its buzz (and acclaim, including a prize at this year's Rose d'Or festival) by the end. The first episode left me wanting another, so it's a good thing that Sunday's BBC America premiere will have two episodes back to back starting at 9 p.m. EDT and PDT. To watch the US preview - and then the original UK preview, which looks oddly like an Abercrombie ad with more drugs and puking and is probably NSFW - just read more.

Photo courtesy of BBC America

What Did You Think of the V Premiere?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:30:23 -0800

ABC's V finally debuted, giving us a glimpse at the Visitors (and their creepy alien skins). The premiere brought in a huge audience, making it the second most-watched of the new season - but what did you think of the first episode?

While the opening with the descent of the spaceships is eerily suspenseful, I felt like the writers packed in a ton for just an hour-long show. We discover which cast members are secret Visitors living on earth, that Tyler is already head over heels for a V hottie, and that a counterattack is revving up. While the fast pace kept me entertained, I'm kind of worried about the show burning out too soon - although, maybe the split season will help slow it down.

But tell me your thoughts: Are you liking the new sci-fi series? Is V a worthy replacement for Lost after that show wraps up next year? Or are you writing it off already?

The Office, "The Promotion": Best Lines of the Night

BuzzSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:32:42 -0700

Once Jim is promoted to co-manager of the The Office, we all know some wacky banter with Michael isn't far behind. On this week's episode, the Dunder Mifflinites are adjusting to the new hierarchy while Jim and Michael have their first squabble about how to run things. Meanwhile, Pam is still planning for that big Niagara Falls wedding next week - check out a sneak peek of the JAM nuptials here.

As usual, I've put together some of my favorite jabs and one-liners of the night, but if you want to discuss The Office all week long, head on over to Jenna V's community group dedicated to the show. For my thoughts, just read more.

"You know what eats a large amount of the day are naps. You go to sleep, it's lights out, you wake up its dark. That's the whole day. Where did that day go? I have no idea." - Michael
"You mean on a weekend?" - Jim
"Yes." - Michael
Within about five minutes of having to make their first major decision again, Jim is already having problem staying professional with Michael. Nothing has changed between them and Jim still calls Michael out on his unprofessional antics, like unnecessary meetings.

"Can I also be a boss?" - Stanley
Stanley's observation about Jim and Michael's disorganization made me chuckle, because he hits the nail right on the head. The more Jim and Michael squabble, the more it seems like a couple of kids pretending to run an office. I also loved Oscar's followup where he describes the "necessity" of two monarchs, two ship captains, etc.

"I love rivalries. Michael or Jim? Paris or Nicole? Heidi or LC? It's so much fun. But, I guess if I'm really thinking about it and answering your question honestly, I'd have to go with LC. Heidi's a bad friend. And her skin is terrible." - Kelly
We can always count on Kelly to bring celebrities into everything. I also loved when she alluded to needing a raise to help fix Ryan's car.

"Why doesn't Crate and Barrel let you register for a toaster full of cash?" - Pam
While Jim and Michael are trying to figure out how to deal with the raise situation, Pam has her own money problems. She just wants cash for her wedding, but feels awkward asking for it, which means she can expect a romantic birdhouse from Phyllis once the big day arrives!

So what did you think of this week's episode? Does anyone else think there's not nearly enough Andy this week? And how sweet is Michael's gift to Jim?

Photos courtesy of NBC

Matt LeBlanc Returns to TV as Matt LeBlanc

BuzzSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:30:32 -0700

Matt LeBlanc's career hasn't exactly been blossoming since his days as Joey Tribbiani, but Friends fans will be happy to know that he's returning to the small screen on a new Showtime comedy called Episodes. The show focuses on a British couple who find their successful show in the UK adapted into a "dumbed-down" American sitcom starring LeBlanc, which means he'll be playing himself on the show.

With popular BBC shows like The Office and Skins adapted for American audiences, the premise for Episodes is timely and sounds like it has the potential to be pretty funny. Plus, LeBlanc poking fun at himself just might be gold - are you excited to welcome him back to TV?