U.S. vs. UK TV

[Soulmanure]

So I'm just finishing up Life on Mars (BBC version), have gotten hooked on the newer Dr. Who, love Torchwood, watched State of Play, have nothing bad to say about The Office and Extras, and so on, and so on. Oh yes, and then there are the documentaries, which tend to be fantastic (for instance, while Planet Earth was visually amazing, I find Attenborough's documentaries much more impressive all around).

Long story short, I find that I tend to prefer U.K. television over American shows, with a few notable exceptions (Sopranos, The Wire, Battlestar Galactica, the early seasons of Lost, etc.) While the production values are not equal, the writing just seems to be better.

Any comments on the difference and relative quality on the two?

[Lee Nub]

American for me, sopranos, battlestar, caprica, sons of anarchy, the shield , fringe etc etc. I also love watching american tv when over there, especially commercials, the disclaimers at the end of medication commercials are great, I remember one said " can cause death"

[Soulmanure]

American for me, sopranos, battlestar, caprica, sons of anarchy, the shield , fringe etc etc. I also love watching american tv when over there, especially commercials, the disclaimers at the end of medication commercials are great, I remember one said " can cause death"

Oh man--I was on the Chicago L once and saw the best drug ad ever: "Suffer from social anxiety disorder? Don't worry: You're not alone."

[Simon-JG-hr]

It's a hard one to call really.

I think that the top end of both is very good. It's clear that there are more shows with bigger budgets in the States, and the ones that have quality to back that up are naturally excellent. I'm waiting with baited breath for "The Pacific" to start showing in April. That said, some of the BBC's top stuff is simply outstanding, especially when you take into account smaller budgets.

I personally prefer the British documentaries, largely because it is impossible to beat Attenborough.

It's very sad to say, but we did give the world some of the most awful programmes since JLB gave us television... Big Brother, 'Insert Something Here' Idol, Someplace Hasn't Got Talent...

That said, we also gifted the world the modern version of Top Gear...

The indisputable fact is, however, that the vast majority of both American and British television is truly crap...

[Robusto]

I was surprised at what was on the BBC satellite channel when I was in the USA just now. I felt sorry that they showed you people a BBC series called Survivors (second series) because I had just wasted about six weekly hours on this here in my lounge and it was rubbish.

I'll address this properly some time but I was thrilled the US has gone digital. I always thought your TVs broadcast in orange whenever I was in the States.

My Name Is Earl. Sublime.

Rushing through...

[bigbarneyhotdog]

My Name is Earl is great! Randy for President! Loving Two & a Half Men also, and Everybody Loves Raymond Sons of Anarchy is pretty cool. I don't really understand British comedy, Gavin & Stacy and all that rubbish I just don't find it funny

[moppy]

For shows like Lost, Dexter, Wire, Californication etc, the US do a much better job for us.
For documentaries and comedies, the UK wins every time. Attenborough is truly amazing, Life, the old Life series such as Life on Earth, Life of Birds etc. And there really aren't many comedies that can compare to Peep Show, Inbetweeners, Black Books. The only American comedy I really like is The Office.

[Stevieboy]

I love US comedies (I seldom watch UK stuff)

I watch these all the time:

The Office
The Big Bang Theory
Two and a Half Men
Rules of Engagement
How I Met Your Mother
30 Rock
Better Off Ted

Sadly cancelled but sorely missed: Arrested Development....genius

[JoeyC]

Being in the US I have to say US because thats all I watch, but there are a few UK shows that I do like, The Young Ones being my all time favorite, and there are a few older shows like Are You Being Served ( I think thats the name) that I found hilarious.
I love The Office, My Name is Earl, Frisky Dingo, Archer, Rescue Me, Two and a Half Men, Arrested Development, Big Bang Theory, South Park, and anything on the History, Discovery, or Golf Channel.

[moppy]

Arrested Development is absolute genius, I can't wait til the rumoured movie becomes concrete.

[Soulmanure]

Some interesting points here. I think we do have some good comedies in the states--30 Rock, the U.S. Office, a new one called Modern Family, The Family Guy, as well as the old standbys--Simpsons, Seinfeld, etc. My opinion is that we've never produced anything coming even close to Monty Python.

I always forget that we got reality t.v. from you guys--I don't know if I can forgive you for that, especially since my wife watches The Bachelor, for which there ought to be a law.

And thanks JoeyC--I'd forgotten about The Young Ones. I loved that show growing up!

[Robusto]

Joey. Soul.

If you liked The Young Ones, you would probably like Bottom if you don't know it.

[Robusto]

Do you have a Chris Morris in the States making programmes about children smelling like hammers? If you do, please lob in a clip.

[G-man]

Even with a little help from my friends

Some interesting points here. I think we do have some good comedies in the states--30 Rock, the U.S. Office, a new one called Modern Family, The Family Guy, as well as the old standbys--Simpsons, Seinfeld, etc. My opinion is that we've never produced anything coming even close to Monty Python.

I always forget that we got reality t.v. from you guys--I don't know if I can forgive you for that, especially since my wife watches The Bachelor, for which there ought to be a law.

And thanks JoeyC--I'd forgotten about The Young Ones. I loved that show growing up!

LSD 25
I never found Monty Python funny.
Good yes great ah no
JMHO

[JoeyC]

Joey. Soul.

If you liked The Young Ones, you would probably like Bottom if you don't know it.
]

That seems funny I'll have to check that out, I recognized Rick is that Vivian as well?