Now let's get one thing clear: Skins is award winning, we've even won high brow awards to boot. But as we know you're such avid fans of the class of 2008 we like to keep you updated on what's going on with the Skins crew.
So the following photo of Mitch Hewer naked is in no means gratuitous or unneccessary, it's for a very good cause. Mitch stripped off for Cosmopolitan magazine's annual 'Naked Centrefolds Special (on sale Monday 12th May, fact fans) to raise awareness of male cancer for the Everyman Campaign. And we are always keen to help a good cause.
You can also bid for a t shirt signed by Mitch on ebay from the 15th May by clicking here. And you can look at this pretty picture for as long as you like for free.
Skins
x
p.s. Thanks to the lovely people at Cosmopolitan for sending us the photo.
Skins has won yet another award. And this is one of the most prestigious so far! Skins won the Golden Rose d'Or in the Drama category which basically means we were awarded best Drama, in Rose d'Or terms.
The judges described Skins as "an offbeat comedy/drama series about a group of teenagers who push boundaries, both at home and abroad. The action is enhanced by an irreverent comedic approach, which in no way reduces its emotional impact".
Check out the Rose d'Or winners list here, or a more easy to read abbreviated version with a picture of April and Mike courtesy of MSN.
If you're heading to Thursday and Friday's (17th April, 18th April) London auditions, the makers of Skins have just informed us that the venue has had to be changed at the 11th hour.
The new venue is: Parliament Hill School Highgate Road London NW5 1RL
In January 2007 we were introduced to Tony Stonem and his crew. It seems like before then TV trailers were something as basic and run of the mill as a set of clips showing you what was coming up, how very old fashioned. Then Skins came along, and we took one look at that house party trailer and realised:
We needed to get out more
We wanted to get to know these misfits (and ask them where they got their clothes from)
That song by that band Gossip was really rather good
Then came the character trailers, and we're introduced to party boy Chris with his immortal mantra "choose life, choose sex, I don't know, choose what you want, don't choose falling out with your dealer though" and Cassie, whose combination of food issues (bulimia/anorexia) and tendency to jump into the sack with anyone, gave her the description by Michelle of being "great in the sack," as long as she isn’t hungry.
Yep we had pretty much been won over before the show had even started. Surely it could never live up to the hype? It did, because what stood Skins alone was the humour, the honesty (yes some young people do drink and take drugs and don't die) and the way the characters weren't defined by their character traits. Just because Anwar was a Muslim doesn’t mean we're going to be reminded every five minutes; Cassie's eating issues weren't fixed with a happy ending, and just because Maxxie was gay didn't mean he was the 'gay' one. He was just Maxxie, and everyone loved him.
And we could identify with the crew; after having social issues and unrealistic 'teen' dramas rammed down our throats, here was something that resonated. It was never a teen drama but a drama, and the main protagonists happened to be teenagers; but whether you're 14 or 40 you can watch without feeling preached to or alienated, the writing was too good for that.
We have our favourite episodes (Chris, series I and II, Cassie series I and II, Sid series II, Effy series I and II, Jal series II, and the final ep), that we'll re-watch over and over like we do with our favourite films. And then there's the music; rarely has a range of music been used so well, as opposed to the standard fare we're usually subjected to (whenever a show gets emotional out come Coldplay and Keane). Skins chose tracks that were unheard of or unexpected. Our favourites were the Crystal Castles track when Sid told Tony his dad had died (Sid episode, series II) and so many in the Cassie episode (series II): Iggy Pop playing as we catch up with her in New York, and LCD Soundsystem and Adele. Then the Britney Spears track for the final episode, you really can't get much better than that.
Now with the Skins cast as we know it having left the building, we're left wondering whether the Cassie shaped void could ever be filled (physically quite slight but mentally it's huge), and what are we going to do without the Sid/Tony dynamic? The new class will have a lot to live up to, but we have a sneaking suspicion the writers might just pull it off, and we'll still have series I and II to watch again. Over and over.
It's the end of an era as series II comes to a close. And what an episode.
We learnt that Jal had made her decision and had the abortion, most of the gang did as they expected in their exams, and the gang said goodbye to Chris and each other.
When Chris's dad decided Chris' friends were junkies and unwelcome at the funeral, Sid and Tony took matters into their own hands with the most surreal car chase we’ve ever seen. As always Skins takes the most sombre of situations and flips them on their head.
Tony stepped up when his friends needed him and Sid stopped resenting his former best mate; and when he left to get on the plane, and Tony told him "I always loved you the best Sid" it dawned on us that the fact that our beloved class of 2008 are no more. So did Michelle and Tony leave it there or will they attempt to make their long distance relationship work, and will Sid track Cassie down in New York? Stranger things have happened but we'll never find out.
So just when we thought Chris was in the all clear, the baddest of the bad things happens. And we don't even have time to catch our breath and let it all sink in, because then we're watching Cassie as she finally unravels before our very eyes, and she keeps on running and running. And then she's in New York! That girl never does things by halves. We're always nervous when Cassie's on our screen; we feel like she's on a timer set to self destruct and not even she knows when it's going to go off. We hope she manages to make it back to Bristol in one piece, but who can tell? Was episode 9 the last we'll ever see of her? Or will she rise from the flames yet again?
So now let's look at what happened half way through the episode: we really don't want to discuss it but yes, Chris is no more. And it was so shocking because we thought he was on the mend, and no-one dies in TV land when they come out of hospital, it's breaking a fundamental rule! But we don't even have time to come to terms with that because now we've got a whole heap of loose ends to deal with that we're willing away the rest of the week so we can watch the final episode. Firstly there's his funeral. Yes, we fear tears may be shed at that point. And then there's everybody else. We're desperate to find out what's in store as the Skins lot get their results and come to terms with the fact Chris is no longer around.
There's Jal and the life changing decision she needs to make, as well as coming to terms with the fact that one of her best mates and boyfriend is no longer around. And what about Tony and Michelle?
Does Sid have any idea Cassie is just about surviving in New York? Does Sketch have any plans to scupper Maxxie and James' plans, or will they be the two that live happily ever after? And what about Anwar now his best friend is loved up and he is single once more? But more than that, how are they all going to deal with the fact that life as they know it is no more?
We also want to know your favourite Chris moments, we're sure there's loads of 'em so leave us a comment. As you can probably tell, we're trying to ease our pain.
This competition is now closed. Good luck if you entered.
Our fit friends over at Skins Life are throwing a bunch of parties throughout April and May across the UK. The Skins Live tour will feature some of the country's hottest up-and-coming talent, with performances from the likes of The Teenagers, The Crystal Castles and Ladyhawke.
The action kicks off at Sankeys in Manchester on Thursday 10th April, and if you're feeling lucky, you may win some tickets.
It's damn easy - all you have to do is send an email with "Skins Party" in the subject box and also leave your: Name Address Contact Telephone Number Date of Birth
IT COULDN’T BE EASIER!
Legal print
The winner will be selected at random and notified by phone. They will then have 24 hours to respond before an alternative winner is selected.
Closing date for entries is midnight, Tuesday 8th April.
Only one entry per person, multiple entries will result in disqualification.
All entrants must be 18 or over and a UK resident.
Travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the winner.
Only one entry per person, multiple entries will result in disqualification.
All entrants must be 18 or over and a UK resident.
Travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the winner.
