How the fuck do people get nationalistic about fucking TV comedies? Grow up, kiddies.

I like good British and American comedies/TV shows/whatever.

Yup. That's the idea. Nationalism is stupid to begin with, but it's always hilarious watching people who think that there is some kind of fundamental difference in the art that's made by their country, that makes it superior to the rest of the world's. Especially America. Because we all know that we're better than you.

you're our cousins.

it's a jealousy thing.

Come on, fuckers. Let's do the Civil War again, right now.

You can take my life, but you can never take my tax-subsidised healthcare.

No, that's Cameron's job.

yeah, we're good at the civil war thing. lost count how many times we've fought amongst ourselves through boredom, gotta get the practice in somehow.

The culture and wealth of the country heavily affect the quality of the shows made there. This is why there are no polish sitcoms that I can even compare to the high-rated shows from USA/UK. They basically all suck in that comparision. The vast majority of modern polish movies/tv shows/art is thrashy, just extremely uninnovative, made exclusively for money with no deeper thought whatsoever. Also, I don't think I'll find... let's say... good tv shows in the North Korea.

My point is... though not very appropriate in "British vs American comedies" situation, nationalist thinking about the culture might not be that bad idea in general.

Catherine Tate was supposed to be funny, she just annoyed me. i wouldn't say no though.

But I promise you that great artists exist in all these places, waiting for the opportunity to present their creations. It's a matter of corporate or political culture that keeps them from doing it.

So long as she didn't speak, amirite?

Ummmmm. I would say no.

Yes. They will all emigrate to a more promising country before they present anything.

I just don't like the idea that a certain region of the planet produces more capable, or interesting people than anywhere else. As if people don't all want, and need the same things, or are only capable of brilliance based on their country of origin. I think that is very short sighted.

Maybe it's just a coincidence that most of the popular American sitcoms are horrible then.

True, but the surroundings in which a person grows up will dictate how they live their lives as they age. Look at Africa, for instance. People are all capable to some form of brilliance, but if society imposes restrictions upon that brilliance, how can they achieve it?

Shut up, Nepsotic.

I think that it's a different kind of brilliance, and also just because we, as westerners, aren't aware of it, doesn't mean that Africans don't know about it. Maybe it's our failure for not looking closely at their culture.

Hey, Nep. Maybe the stupid British only like the crappy American sitcoms, and that's why those are the popular ones where you are.


And I've seen the popular British sitcoms. They're terrible. There are gems hidden among the shit, but most of them are shit. Hell, most of the ones you mentioned as your favorites are absolute shit. You have bad taste, and probably shouldn't be jumping to conclusions about anything art related, pony boy.

Perhaps. I've not got a qualm or anything, I'm just speculating. You're probably right.

I highly doubt it.

Das Racist!

I'm not overly fond of sitcoms, I find they end up tired as they often drag on for too long. I like Black Books a lot though.

That band that publishes its works in America?

That's one thing UK television definitely has over the US. Our seasons last for a fraction as long.

Also we're not as held hostage to writer strikes.

she can speak, just not laugh.
never thought i'd have to say that again.

have you seen her knockers? plus the whole redhead thing. DOES IT FOR ME

i love Black Books, all three of them crack me up especially Dylan Moran. the third series was a bit pants though i thought. it kinda lost it.

When it comes to comedy, I love the old British sitcoms. Red Dwarf, Black Adder, Only fools, Porridge, Faulty Towers, Open all Hours, Young Ones, Bottom are ones off the top of my head.

Oh and also Monty Python. I just love slapstick humour I guess.

And as for America shows, I mostly like their animations. Say what you will about Family Guy, Futurama and American Dad!, I find them hilarious. Not too keen on their sitcoms. I find them a bit too cringe worthy. Though saying that, I do find Modern Family funny at times. I also really liked Scrubs.

I do wonder how much comes down to executive meddling. How many of these terrible shows actually have great talent but some humourless exec somewhere is tweaking it to play to (in his opinion) a wider audience.

I find I tend to go off American sitcoms pretty quickly, but I think that's down to me picking terrible shows to begin with. Don't even get me started on Two and a Half Men...

I enjoy King of the Hill, American Dad and Futurama the most and I think they're the only ones I've stuck with.

See Extras - Season 2.

Most American tv has split the difference. The average length of a season in the U.S. used to be 27 episodes. There are reasons for this. It helps get the shows into syndication, which is a large revenue source, and allows for bigger budgets. However, a lot of networks here have dropped that in favor of seasons that last between 10 and 13 episodes. I agree that this allows for much more cohesive story telling, and cuts a lot of fat.

I prefer the 10 to 13 episode structure to the typical 6 of British television. I feel like that format just ends too soon. But that's my preference.

I watched way to many American sitcoms while I was unemployed. King of Queens and Rules of Engagement are two of my favourites. Basically anything that isn't Everybody Loves Raymond because all the fun characters in that are off-balanced by the shit spewing machinations of Ray's wife. God I hate sitcoms where the woman is a whiny bitch.

If I wanted to see that, I'd turn off the TV. EHUEHUEUHE.

I used to like Grounded For Life quite a bit. It was surprisingly unformulaic. I may have just made that word up.

That being said, I really don't like sitcoms. Especially if they have a laugh track. Laugh tracks drive me crazy. I find them to be very distracting, and typically will not watch a show if it has a laugh track.