American TV vs European TV: What you think about each other?

[Dj Kave]

I think its all garbage personally.

[Quenepas]

As far as Kitchen Nightmares is concerned, I didn't like the european version anyway, but I have seen the US version which had been shown on a cable channel and downright hated it. The pace and musically supported drama made the show downright annoying for me. It also seemed even less credible and believable than these scripted reality shows are already.

I hardly watch US TV stations these days. Of course there are a lot of US shows over here in Germany, and especially in the entertainment department, I prefer them to their German counterparts. Gotta say that I'm starting to like british TV more and more though.

Generally, from what I can puzzle together from my TV nights at my last (pre-9/11) US visit and what I can watch of it in Germany today, I have the feeling that in the US, news, documentaries and other factual programmes seem to be tailored to be fast-paced, action-packed entertainment as well (maybe not on PBS), which, to me as someone who is used to the european way, makes them appear less credible somehow.

Especially as far as news is concerned, I also have the impression that it is a lot more common in the US to be biased and sensationalistic than european media that I know. Something like Fox News downright scares me and I keep asking myself if there actually are people out there who believe that crap, and if yes, how that can be possible. Sure, news over here can be biased as well, especially on the privately funded channels. But as far as German, UK and Dutch TV (all I have seen and sort of understood language-wise) is concerned, I have so far not experienced an actual political agenda as a base for a whole TV network, like Fox News has. Might be different in other european countries though.

Holy crap!:eek: Great insight and thanks for sharing!

Yes many people recon that Fox News has a biased and political agenda. Great to see ppl recognize that.

I see American TV more tailored to be eyes glued on the screen to pretty much make you not miss an instant of it by artificially adding all that musical and editing drama to make it what it is. I may be putting my tin foil hat here but I think it has to have some (goverment) parameters to keep people watching it and make them more docile and accepting anything the government decide to shove down their throats.

All that artificial drama and action pack feel added to, like you said, to news and documentaries is a style that aims to a particular population that sort of like *and expect* that and I bet it is not the elderly. I think it is aimed to American youth.

American education is one of the most expensive, allow of very little free post high school education, few goverment aids and people end up in most cases with a big debt that will be paying way after they find a suitable IF they manage to find a job at all or at lest one that can pay the old debt without issues. Compared to other 18-25 people, age to be in college, Americans are the least likely to form a strike or at least voice up to fight for any given ideal. I see protests in Brazil, Spain, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Argentina in education related issues but slim to none in the US. Definetly debt and the feeling of beign scared people might recognize them on other places like a potential job interview deter them. Understandable but not $30k a semester understandable.

If you can take that population and maim them to be docile then you will have created the perfect mechanism of production ever. One that wont fight, argue, claim any rights or anything whatsoever. Take their health insurance, take their work benefits and make them per contract and make the rich richer, in other words:

MSNBC - The middle class has been destroyed, dammit. Did I say the middle class has been destroyed, I say I say?

I think this will eventually propagate to other countries until zero opposition is achieved.

Oh we were talking about tv programming right?

Why Monthy Python is so great? I personally dont understant it or dont find it funny.

[JonathanBlake]

also i was just talking to my best mate yesterday. he´s writing his diploma about news coverage of cataclysms and backround music and how it´s affecting the human beeing how to handle such news. for excample: the was a 4min slideshow from the fukushima disaster and massive attacks "teardrop" was the background music. seeing those pictures/videos without music would just be left in your mind but with music you have automaticly a connection in your mind. may it be bad or good

Music entrenches the image ('Psycho', 'The Mission', 'Apocalypse Now', 'Pulp Fiction', 'Tomb Raider' etc)

[Jester]

dont watch tv. too much propaganda/brainwashing.

[jakeintox]

I've got to say I like how British sitcoms tend to end after a few seasons instead American shows that run on and on and on until the premise is lost and the whole thing is ruined to try and squeeze a out a few extra bucks.

[xtianw]

I've got to say I like how British sitcoms tend to end after a few seasons instead American shows that run on and on and on until the premise is lost and the whole thing is ruined to try and squeeze a out a few extra bucks.

i dunno man, i love that spooks ran as long as it has. last season i believe?

[JonathanBlake]

dont watch tv. too much propaganda/brainwashing.

You have been brainwashed with propaganda into thinking that .

[JonathanBlake]

I've got to say I like how British sitcoms tend to end after a few seasons instead American shows that run on and on and on until the premise is lost and the whole thing is ruined to try and squeeze a out a few extra bucks.

Not just their sitcoms - 'Lost', 'Survivor', 'Prison Break', 'ER' etc. Go away please.

[xtianw]

burn notice has been on for a while, but its never once dissappointed.

bruce campbell is the pinnacle of manliness

[HerbStrike]

US and EU tv is so damn different! Why?

Advertising plane and simple, american tv needs to use "cliffhangers" to keep the audience tuned in between the 7 to 10 mins of adverts where as in the uk advertising is limited to about 3 to 5 mins.