American TV ? (Full Version)

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Aneirin -> American TV ? (3/20/2010 10:06:49 AM)

We here in Britain have been fed a steady diet of US tv most of our lives, so with that most Brits who watch tv have an idea of Americans are like, your attitudes, politics, way of life and traditions, some of which have come to influence our own, we also know much of your landscape and climate. But my question is is what we know a fairly accurate representation, and similarly, what do you know of us, how would Americans describe what Britain and it's people are like? I understand you do get British tv,  in the US but what do you get and are they true to type about us ?

I ask this question because of reading on other threads, I have become aware some people still believe we live in a system controlled wholy by the monarchy, and other instances where if there is a British inspired thread running it is largely run by the British on these forums with little contribution from Americans, is it you don't know, or is it you don't care ? The reverse is different when an American inspired, domestic America thread is running, Britons will comment, will get involved, will contribute, why is there a difference ?

What do you understand of us over here in Blighty ?




Aylee -> RE: American TV ? (3/20/2010 10:10:44 AM)

I believe that Britian is run just like it was in Black Adder and  The Thin Blue Line.  Yep, I believe everything that I see on TV.  [8|]




Jeffff -> RE: American TV ? (3/20/2010 10:11:17 AM)

 I learned all I know about England from Monty Python and Shakespeare.


Jeff




myotherself -> RE: American TV ? (3/20/2010 10:17:59 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Jeffff

 I learned all I know about England from Monty Python and Shakespeare.


Jeff


me too...I'm jst prayin' for the day I can see The Life of Brian performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company at The Globe theatre [:)]




Jeffff -> RE: American TV ? (3/20/2010 10:19:40 AM)

Oh... also the Who and the Kinks!

I read Churchills biography too




DarlingSavage -> RE: American TV ? (3/20/2010 10:20:42 AM)

quote:

controlled wholy by the monarchy,


Well, I can't imagine who would think this. For myself, I love British sit-coms. However, I'm not real clear on British politics. So, I could never get into Yes, Minister or Yes, Prime Minister. I just couldn't figure out what was going on. I also lived in London for a few months in 1984. I think Europe is just fantastic!

I just saw a movie last night though, about Charlie Bronson, the UK's most famous prisoner. Solitary confinement for 30 yrs. I'm curious if there was ever any political response to this. Did people protest on this guy's behalf? Did anyone know? I don't know, maybe it wasn't true, but it said it was, so... It was very artistic.




hlen5 -> RE: American TV ? (3/20/2010 10:32:37 AM)

  In the US we pretend there is no class system. In Britain, they're more up front about it (there is a theory that it's easier to move up over here than over there). In Britain, you have  a monarchy, but my perception is it's more ceremonial than strict monarchy. Your school system after High School (completed 12 years of formal education) is different. We ALL know you have centralized medicine. Do the House of Lords have to get voted in now (If so, how tacky, begging for votes, poor Lords!!)? 
  As far as knowing versus caring, it's sort of like ignoring your parents. Give us a hundred years and we'll come to see how much more knowledgeable you've become! 




barelynangel -> RE: American TV ? (3/20/2010 10:40:34 AM)

You mean to tell me the Brits aren't like Benny Hill?




LadyAngelika -> RE: American TV ? (3/20/2010 10:53:02 AM)

American TV has shown me diversity from the idealistic point of view mostly in prime time family sitcoms and dramas on the mainstream networks - ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX, and the highly provocative and critical reflections such as what you'll see on HBO, Showtime.

As for Brits, I see a variety as well. Brit series that I watched in part or in full are:
- Monty Python's Flying Circus
- Fawlty Towers
- Red Dwarf
- Absolutely Fabulous
- Bad Girls
- Hotel Babylon
- Life on Mars
- Little Britain
- The Office

As for films, the list is too long. I tend to prefer Brit films to American ones in general.

My counter question is can anyone name a Canadian show ;-)

- LA




DomImus -> RE: American TV ? (3/20/2010 12:44:03 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Aneirin
What do you understand of us over here in Blighty ?


Only what I have gleaned from "The Young Ones" and "Absolutely Fabulous".






DomImus -> RE: American TV ? (3/20/2010 12:50:01 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyAngelika
My counter question is can anyone name a Canadian show ;-)


"Canadian Idol, eh."  ?

I was crushed when Bob and Doug McKenzie were cancelled.







kiwisub12 -> RE: American TV ? (3/20/2010 12:54:14 PM)

I grew up watching Coronation Street five days a week - plus other English tv, and as a bonus we also got a bit of American tv. As a result I understand English humour AND American humour., plus I don't need subtitles to understand either countries version of the English language. I guess you could say i'm bilingual! [:D]

Proof-in-point , several years ago, I saw a movie about an English woman whose husband had died and left no money, so she started growing pot in her conservatory as a way to stay solvent. I watched it in America and laughed way more than the Americans - they didn't get a lot of the humour, or just didn't understand the actors. It really was a terribly funny movie, and I wish I could remember the name.


And i'm sure its very old, but i loved the Vicar of Dibbley.

One thing I can safely say, is that you can get the sense of a culture from its tv - the things they find funny, notible or worthy of comment. I'm not sure what this sense can be used for, but i truly think it is there.




Lucylastic -> RE: American TV ? (3/20/2010 1:04:16 PM)

Being a Brit in Canada Im not gonna comment. LOL
Drama series in US can be real good
but the canned laughter and show hosts suck donkey balls
your mileage may vary[:D]




LadyAngelika -> RE: American TV ? (3/20/2010 1:05:41 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: DomImus

quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyAngelika
My counter question is can anyone name a Canadian show ;-)


"Canadian Idol, eh."  ?

I was crushed when Bob and Doug McKenzie were cancelled.

I actually never watched Canadian Idol. The only reason why I watched the American version was because Simon is such a clever prick.

Bob and Doug were worth a few laughs. They have the animated series now. But so much more has come out since then. Enough that I just started a thread on Canadian TV, Film, Music and other cultural exports as to not high jack this one.

- LA




Wolf2Bear -> RE: American TV ? (3/20/2010 1:11:33 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyAngelika


My counter question is can anyone name a Canadian show ;-)

- LA



removed cause I was told this post didn't count........hahahahahahaha




LadyAngelika -> RE: American TV ? (3/20/2010 1:14:16 PM)

Doesn't count Bear. You are Canadian. And psssttt. ;-)

- LA




Wolf2Bear -> RE: American TV ? (3/20/2010 1:15:07 PM)

*grinz* saw that after I posted here!




Aneirin -> RE: American TV ? (3/20/2010 1:18:21 PM)

Ity is good to see Red Dwarf is getting seen elsewhere !




LadyAngelika -> RE: American TV ? (3/20/2010 1:27:01 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Aneirin

Ity is good to see Red Dwarf is getting seen elsewhere !


Indeed. I haven't seen them all but a friend of mine has the series in a box set. But self-discipline requires no box sets while school is in session for me though.

I love Cat, my favourite character.

- LA




subfever -> RE: American TV ? (3/20/2010 1:28:29 PM)

I'm curious... does British TV also have 20 minutes of commericals for every 40 minutes of programs? I can't imagine the British putting up with such nonsense.





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