I did not sit and watch every episode Prison Break, or Lost, or The Sopranos, or Friends, or Scrubs in fact any now that I mention friends, American sitcoms are TERRIBLE.
American comedy used to be great, Steve Martin, Woody Allen, really insightful intellectual programs and films. Now it's all bland and simply isn't funny.
Curb Your Enthusiasm is the only great thing America's done for comedy in the last ten years, possibly Frasier to an extent.
2007-11-14 04:32:46 · 11 answers · asked by Paul M 4 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Television ➔ Comedy
Watch The Office or It's always sunny in philadelphia
You will change your mind!
2007-11-14 04:35:46 · answer #1 · answered by Offending Party 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well, first off, you aren't getting all the shows, just the ones that the reps for the TV channels buy. Woody Allen and Steve Martin didn't do sitcoms, ever. There is plenty of comedy in the US that is great, your TV channel reps just are buying what they think will sell to the UK market. South Park is consistently smart satirical and funny, as was Arrested Development . Have you ever watched any of Gary Shandling's shows? Always Sunny in PA, and 30 Rock are funny too. Maybe you need to watch different things.
All TV is commercialised, it's a business after all.
2007-11-15 14:54:34 · answer #2 · answered by slipstreamer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree. Scrubs has its moments, but other than that show, I never really watch network TV (even when I do watch Scrubs, it's on Comedy Central). It seems that when there is a truly hilarious show (e.g. Arrested Development) it gets cancelled, while crap like Two and a Half Men or Everybody Loves Raymond stay on the air for nearly a decade. Rather than make me laugh, those shows just make me depressed. Have we, as a country, really become so formulaic and lame? Must we always aim for the lowest common denominator? The answer, I fear, is yes. (Insert laugh track here)
2007-11-14 12:42:53 · answer #3 · answered by modoodoo76 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I agree with bandit, its about the whole politically correct thing.
Things offend so many people, parents thing certain things might "damage" their children and so on and so forth. To an extent they are right but the truth is it all comes from modern American Culture.
Both parents these days have to work from at least 9-5 leaving them with less time to monitor and teach their kids. So instead of parenting they vote for politicians and make active groups that would regulate what media.
If you don't like what you are seeing on TV change the channel, if you don't like what you are listening to change the station. People just like to have less responsiblity and what the media and government to "protect" them for the things they don't like.
As for the commercialization, thats how most TV companies make their money. Commercial spots during prime time shows cost a ton of money, so they put as many as they can to make more money.
2007-11-14 12:50:22 · answer #4 · answered by Adrian G 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
the last good comedy i enjoyed was "mad about you". american tv is geared for a 7-9 year old mentality. most tv shows that require the gray cell to sweat a little get canceled fast. today's comedy tv is nothing but one line put down that aren't funny ( and parents wonder why their kids are so foul mouthed), the so called "real life dramas" suck big donkeys and the games shows are a waste if electricity, not to mention tv sports. i watch PBS alot
2007-11-14 12:52:05 · answer #5 · answered by oldguy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
American tv has become to PC (politically correct) with all of their tv shows. They try hard not to offend anyone since we live here in the United States of the Offended.
As for the commercials. The reason their are so many is because all of the actors on these shows demand so much money that the stations need to sell advertisements just to pay these people.
2007-11-14 12:39:23 · answer #6 · answered by Bandit_ 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Aside from the current writer strike blame it on two things. A moraly constipated government namely FCC (Janets milkjug dring a ballgame) and those buying the advertising to sponsor the "shows". There is also pressure from big advertisers who object to certain entertainment and threaten to withdraw their support for controversy. (Don Imus was fired for racist remarks because of that, and yes he should have been, I use him just as an example) Check out Weeds and Californication on Showtime if you get that channel or go to SHO.com
2007-11-14 12:43:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The United States is macerated for Christians and their narrow values.
2007-11-14 12:36:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
American comedy is Prison Break, Lost etc etc etc. Blame it on yourselves I think Amecian TV sucks bigtime
2007-11-14 12:37:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
What's wrong with friends and scrubs?
2007-11-14 12:35:43 · answer #10 · answered by Nansy 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋