As MTV's scripted slate continues to grow, the teen-friendly network introduces a fresh take on the beloved UK comedy The Inbetweeners.
Playing the four sex-obsessed teenagers in the remake are Bubba Lewis as Simon, Joey Pollari as Will, Zack Pearlman as Jay and Mark L. Young as Neil. The boys stopped by The Hollywood Reporter's cover lounge to discuss their new series, which many have likened to a male version of MTV's Awkward.
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"Guys can relate and girls can get to see what's said when they're not around," says Lewis. "It appeals to all sorts of groups."
As THR's chief TV critic Tim Goodman notes, the series can't quite live up to the boundary-pushing, super-crass humor of the British original, but for viewers who have not seen the original, "this Inbetweeners certainly could work."
"Of course, many said the same about The Office, an even more hallowed British comedy that was able to shake off the copycat comparisons and carve out a completely different world for itself," he adds. "And that very well might happen with Inbetweeners. More important, there might be very little crossover for fans of the original and MTV’s core audience."
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THR asked the actors to describe various similarities and differences between their show and the original. While the general humor has been Americanized, the show does borrow several concepts from its predecessor, including the romance between Simon (Lewis) and Carly (Alex Frnka).
Asked what viewers will see in the series' debut season, the answer was unanimous: Nudity.
Well, as much nudity as MTV can show, anyway.
VIDEO: Fifty Shades of 'Inbetweeners': MTV Cast Gives a Dramatic Reading of the Erotic Novel
The Inbetweeners is executive produced by the original creators Iain Morris and Damon Beesley, with Brad Copeland (Arrested Development, Grounded for Life) signed on as showrunner. The show premieres Monday, Aug. 20, at 10:30 p.m. between Rob Dyrdek's Ridiculousness and fellow freshman series The Wakebrothers.
For a sneak peek of the show and more from the actors, watch the video above. Below, the boys let their hormones do the talking for a dramatic reading of E.L. James' erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey.
Email: Sophie.Schillaci@thr.com; Twitter: @SophieSchillaci