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.

Why do shows even have laugh tracks? It's not like anyone wants them. People don't ever say "Was that a joke? Am I supposed to laugh?"

Sometimes... when a show is really, really awful they use laugh tracks into tricking a dim-witted viewer into chortling along.

Everything I really hate in a sitcom is embodied in the form of Family Guy. What a god awful show. On the other hand, American Dad is great... fucking weird.

I've recently watched Black Books (I know it's been mentioned) for, like, the bajillioninth time I really can't stress how good that show was. All sitcoms should only ever run for three seasons, gives us something to value. Either that or just make the main character Irish, always a recipe for success.

EDIT: I'd also like to mention that I finished watching all the Trailer Park Boys. It's better than most of the shows you all listed. And it's Canadian. Suck on that.

So basically everyone should go and watch Black Books.

this and this. TPB is fucking great, such a manic show. never fails to get a laugh and the characters are rich in personality. i prefer Canadian and Aussie films/comedies over most British shows in all honesty.

and you're right. Black Books and Father Ted were amazing but the Irish accent adds a golden, whiskey-soaked cherry to the top.

@Ridg3 Family Guy is pretty much any possible jokes and nothing else. It's one of those shows where you can't watch two episodes in a row without hating it.

I watched an entire season of Family Guy on a flight from Hong Kong to London in 2011 because I was tired and needed to do something that I didn't require thinking.

I wouldn't be able to do that if I wasn't uncomfortable and sleep deprived, but it certainly killed 4 hours.

Family Guy isn't that bad, it's not exactly hilarious but there are points when I'm laughing aloud.

That's how I feel about South Park. I really struggle to watch the new ones because they are dire.

Saying that, the new series of Family guy wasn't great either.

Precisely.

Both amazing shows, so is Mrs Brown's Boys. And I know it's not a sitcom but Podge and Rodge are fucking great, well, they were whenever they had Lucy Kennedy. She was hot.

i like Mrs Brown's Boys, i love the sarcasm and fuck ups.

The unscripted parts of Mrs Brown's Boys make the show worth watching. Otherwise it's pretty subpar.

I do love it when Brendan O'Carroll throws in a line and everyone is staring at him with the 'I don't know what the fuck to do' face. And when people laugh in that show you can tell it's genuine laughter. That's what makes it.

nothing more infectious than genuine laughter.

Except the plague.

My rents love Ms. Brown's Boys. I don't get to see much of it though, usually doing other things. Shame because from what I've seen it is good.

Count Arthur Strong is amazing by the way, everyone needs to go see that.

i listened to some of Count Arthur Strong when it was on the radio. haven't seen it yet though.

I was just about to make that very post. It took me by surprise when I saw it advertised on the television.

People actually like Mrs Brown's Boys?

You know, saying that after two people have discussed the appeal of it just makes you look stupid.

-er.

Nepsotic's standing has been diminishing lately. I recommend a make over. Get rid of the pony shit, so we can try to take you seriously.

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/4049/wwd0.png

Everyone does it.