What's Hot?

The USA tries to steal all our TV shows?

Skins USA

Now I've only watched one episode of this so far, but despite the fact that the last time I watched Skins UK Series One was a long time ago, I could still recognise the script. Word. For. Word. The only thing about this series that is better than the UK version is that the actress who plays Michelle (Rachel Thevenard) is slightly prettier than April Pearson. The US series clearly isn't as appealing to the teenagers in the USA as it is to those over here in the UK as MTV have received several complains with some people even comparing it to 'child pornography'.

Skins USA vs. Skins UK?
Winner: Skins UK

Being Human USA

Outnumbered USA

No, no, no, no! Everything about the family in the above photo is just WRONG. The kids just aren't as cute, the dad doesn't look funny and the mum looks far too much like a model. Not to mention the fact that there seem to be two random editions to the family who look quite isolated in this series poster.

Even the IT Crowd; however, this was cancelled after it's pilot in 2008. FAIL.

Of course there are just some examples of dramas, the number of reality TV shows that the USA has stolen is much larger. I really don't understand why US television production companies feel the need to 'steal' show ideas from the UK when personally most of the US dramas are better than the UK ones anyway. The types of shows broadcast in the two countries are vastly different. Popular teen dramas in the UK include: Waterloo Road, Skins, Misfits etc. and what is the common theme in all those dramas? SEX.DRUGS.ALCOHOL (usually of a graphic nature). Popular dramas in the USA include: Gossip Girl, 90210, One Tree Hill, Glee etc. common theme? ROMANCE.FAMILY LIFE.PEER PRESSURE. (yes there is also lots of sex/drugs/alcohol but it's presented in a completely different way and usually only when the characters are having a really, really bad day).

Whats Hot? Beauty.

M.A.C.'s New Collection.

How cool is M.A.C.'s new Wonder Woman collection?! Ok, so maybe the it's the concept of Wonder Woman make-up that is cool because frankly this packaging is looking a little childish. I think that this range of new products will mostly appeal to the teenage demographic, such as myself, rather than the more sophisticated women that can actually afford M.A.C. make-up. Now I'm certain that the make-up itself is great, I mean, it is M.A.C., but to which market are they pitching these products? I'll admit to being slightly frivolous with money, so I'll probably be lured into buying some of this range later on, but I doubt that it'll tempt those fashionistas who usually ooze that air of 'Look at my flawless skin'. Would they really be seen holding 'Wonder Woman' make-up? Now that I think about it, M.A.C. has had some rather interesting collections. There was a Disney venom themed range, a Hello Kitty range, and a Barbie range. I, personally, think that they're great. Ok, so maybe Helly Kitty was a bit weird, but the juxtaposition of 'Disney' and 'venom' was awesome, but will others think the same? I'll be recommending these products to my friends, but for those of you who are looking for a little more, class, should i say (?) then look below:

Look at how chic and beautifully simple this range is. When I think of M.A.C. these are the products that spring to mind, not iconic superhero Wonder Woman, but we'll see how they sell.

Whats Hot? TV.

Waterloo Road.

Waterloo Road is back! After a three month break, the second part of Waterloo Road's sixth series has returned to our screens. This series follows a group of teenagers who attend a comprehensive state school. If you don't already watch this series then I highly recommend it to you. It may sound like your typical English drama, but it does bring to life the shocking reality of the worst state schools out there and many teens can relate to the problems the characters go through.

There are a couple of new faces: ex-Corrie star, Tina O'Brien, and Britain's Got Talent's George Sampson. The first episode of 2011 has just aired and it is looking good! What's Bex hiding? How will the new regime of educating boys and girls separately turn out? Will Josh get a boyfriend? And what's Kyle got up his sleeve? It looks like there's some exciting new episodes coming up! Make sure you tune in every Wednesday, BBC 1, 8 p.m.

Whats Hot? TV.

The Promise.

This is a new four-part drama coming to Channel 4 on Sunday 6th February 2011. Really this series only caught my eye because Christian Cooke (ITV's Demons and Trinity) stars in it and since he's good looking and a decent actor maybe it's worth a look at. Here Channel Four's desciption of the short series:

Just as 18-year-old Londoner Erin sets off to spend summer in Israel with her best friend, Eliza, she unearths an old diary belonging to her seriously ill grandfather, Len. Intrigued by the life of this old man she barely knows, she takes the diary with her, and is stunned to learn of his part in the post-WWII British peace-keeping force in what was then Palestine.
Left to her own devices when Eliza begins National Service in the Israeli army, Erin witnesses the complexities of life - for both Jews and Arabs - in this troubled land. And as Len's story comes to life from the pages of the diary, Erin discovers the disturbing truths about his time in Palestine and the atrocities he witnessed in the 1940s.
Retracing Len's steps in modern-day Israel, Erin sets out on a heart-breaking journey in an effort to understand and fulfil a promise made by her grandfather over 60 years ago.

Sounds like an interesting drama with strong links to history and conflicts, but probably not for everyone. I'll be sure to check it out and then give my verdict on this. If you don't have time to watch this on TV, catch up on 4OD.

Whats Hot? Movies.

How Do You Know?

I saw this movie a while back when I was in New York and I have to say I was not impressed. I believe it was Reese Witherspoon's first film where she played a serious role and to be honest I think she should stick to playing the 'stupid blonde girls', it's much more her style. By that, I do not mean that she is a stupid blonde girl, but I think those roles are more suited to her because she's just so good at playing them. Even though it was quite late at night when I saw this movie, I don't think it was the lack of sleep or the supreme comfiness of the seat that was making me drowsy. I did not see the point of this movie, there was a lot of moving backwards and forwards but I didn't feel like the story was actually progressing or going anywhere. I was quite suprised because with four notable actors I expected a really good film. Essentially the story is about a young woman who is dropped from her soft-ball team and is facing a mid-life crisis whilst in the middle of a love-triangle. This movie does have it's ups though, Owen Wilson's character's ignorance is probably the most amusing thing about this movie and there are some cute, typical rom-com scenes between Witherspoon and Rudd. If you've nothing better to do on a rainy day then sure, go ahead and watch this, but if I'm perfectly honest, I wouldn't waste your money.

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