[Master Ozzy]

I thought this would be a pretty interesting debate. What do you think is better - British or American tv?

Personally, I think that American tv shows are superior to what we have over here in the UK. Now, I know that America is much, much bigger than the UK, so obviously they'll have a lot more good shows than we have over here. However, America doesn't just have a lot more - it has absoloutely loads.

UK television is embarassing. The only thing I watch over here is Big Brother. Apart from that, I don't really watch any other UK shows. 99% of the shows I watch are U.S shows that I download.

In America, I get the feeling that the networks care about the viewers. Obviously they want to make as much money as possible, but at the same time I also believe that they are in touch with what types of programmes viewers want to watch. It couldn't be more different in the U.K. The five terrestrial channels that we have are absoloute crap really, with Channel 4 the only one that seems to be developing itself. UK tv channels don't care about what viewers want to watch. They all just copy each other, and Saturday nights are a perfect example of this.

[Eaglestriker]

Omg, not one of these again - these type of threads always turn into a playground for bitching and back-stabbing.

So I'm just posting to say that I will not be taking part in this thread.

[Master Ozzy]

Originally Posted by Eaglestriker

Omg, not one of these again - these type of threads always turn into a playground for bitching and back-stabbing.

So I'm just posting to say that I will not be taking part in this thread.

Okay lol! I've never even seen a thread debating this topic, which is what made me start one.

[goodkarma84]

at the moment its prob the us but they tend to shoot themselves in the foot, by good cancelling shows.
while over here our best shows are on a par with the us conterparts, but there are very few.
also itv (even five is ahead of them) is very poor and has not made a good tv show for god knows how many years, plus the reality shows clog up channels and use resources that sitcoms or dramas could use.

[Orion]

No disrespect Master Ozzy, but a very trollish, much banned poster started at least two threads in almost identical fashion to this one. Why not just watch your great US TV and leave embarrassing UK TV to people who want to watch it.

[ormistonjames]

We can never really compare because we don't have the money to throw around to produce the sheer mass of high-quality TV that they do over there.

Usually I'd say American TV is miles, miles better, but I'd currently give up all the US shows I watch before giving up Doctor Who.

[the_gaffer]

Seriously, apart from football and major events, I don't really watch UK TV.

My list of US TV is a lot longer...

Oh, I do watch Doctor Who though, but I don't follow it like US TV...

gaffer

[Mart F]

Wait..did Finch get banned? That guy was hilarious.

As i said in his last UK TV VS. USA TV thread, American tv absolutely slays British tv.

[MoreTears]

Originally Posted by Master Ozzy

In America, I get the feeling that the networks care about the viewers.

I'm not sure, but I think one might have to live in North America to appreciate how screamingly funny that line is.

Oh, I agree that American TV is bettter than British TV, but that has nothing to do with how much the US networks "care" about the viewers. The networks only care about the advertisers who give them money and beating each others in the ratings. To the extent that viewers play a role in either of those things, the networks deem the viewers to serve a somewhat useful purpose.

[Spot]

We only get to see the best of US TV here. Much of it is dire but never makes it across the Atlantic.

It's also worth remembering that the US programmes you enjoy watching here would probably be less enjoyable in the US due to the number of interruptions, sponsor mentions, on screen graphics, etc. So it's not just the quality of the programming that needs to be considered but also the way the finished programmes are presented to the viewer. In this respect, most people who've watched the same material in both countries would generally accept that we are still much better off here. We really are very lucky, and let's hope we can keep it that way.

[kyri]

I find some American comedy funny but that is about it. I also adore American Idol and the way it is so OTT and the live shows are huge! Other shows are too OTT for my liking and i think they would be fine just dubbed down alittle.

But the most vile shows are shows on the Disney channel. Those horrible crappy american kids comedy. Shows like "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody" reallly turn my stomach and are totally unwatchable!

[James Lamont]

The UK always beats the US in: documentaries, Mockumentary or docudramas. We cannot be beaten in these fields.

[Mart F]

Originally Posted by Spot

It's also worth remembering that the US programmes you enjoy watching here would probably be less enjoyable in the US due to the number of interruptions, sponsor mentions, on screen graphics, etc. So it's not just the quality of the programming that needs to be considered but also the way the finished programmes are presented to the viewer. In this respect, most people who've watched the same material in both countries would generally accept that we are still much better off here. We really are very lucky, and let's hope we can keep it that way.

They do have Tivo in America, you know.

[Spot]

Originally Posted by Mart F

They do have Tivo in America, you know.

Which is probably why there is a trend towards advertising during the actual action of the programme rather than in breaks. I've not been to the US for a long while, but I understand that this is now happening. I'm very much afraid it might ultimately happen here too, because if people are skipping through ad breaks the inevitable result will be that advertisers will not want to pay money for this form of exposure. It's a serious problem, and anyone who thinks they're being clever by skipping advertisements, and that their actions will have no consequences, clearly hasn't thought about this very deeply at all.

[Mart F]

Uh, it does happen here.

There's this little invention called Sky +. Maybe you've heard of it?

[MoreTears]

Originally Posted by Spot

We only get to see the best of US TV here. Much of it is dire but never makes it across the Atlantic.

That works both ways. In North America, I have heard many people from Britain say that North Americans over-estimate the quality of UK TV because the worst of British TV doesn't reach North America.

I would really like to know, what US TV doesn't reach the UK? Unfortunately, you folks wouldn't be able to answer that, because if it hasn't reached there, you likely don't know about it existing. What I know is that people on DS's forums talk about a lot of US shows airing in the UK that I consider quite poor, so obviously the poor stuff is making the journey across the Atlantic. And strangely enough, there seem to be British fans of these US shows that are not exactly a credit to America.

Is it really a useful exercise, in dealing with the issues presented by the topic of this thread, to talk about which nation produces more bad TV? America has so many channels involved in making original programming, produces SO MUCH TV, that they are bound to lead in making the most shows in BOTH the good and bad categories. Nobody has enough time to watch everything, so all that matters is how good is the stuff that is worth watching, and how much of it is there? I watch a lot of TV, but I really can't keep up with everything on American TV that I want to keep up with. There is just TOO MUCH quality out there between what the networks make and what the cable channels make. But if I lived in Britain and could only watch British programmes, would I have the same problem? I strongly doubt it.

[AubreyStevens]

All the ad breaks,the banners telling you what is on later on ABC or tomorrow or next week and all the trailers are what puts me off US Tv. Some of the progs I like.
I sometimes watch TVU Player for TVLand as I like the old stuff like Andy Griffin,Leave It To Beaver etc.

[Sloopy]

This thread brings back memories...what was the name of that ranting anti UK-poster??!!.....

I think the US programming is overhyped. It gets exported over here and we're all just expected to practically worship it, like with Lost or Desperate Housewives. I don't get it.

The UK still does better documentaries; some of the US stuff can be sensationalist and melodramatic.

[Banjo String]

Originally Posted by Sloopy

what was the name of that ranting anti UK-poster?

Dunno, who?


I think US TV is better over all, though it's always nice to have something local you can identify with. Problem is we could probably count on one hand the number of UK shows that genuinly rival top US shows. Charlie Brooker's US screen wipe highlighted this well. Deal or no Deal is a load of crap, but just look at the scale of the production in America. It's like a broadway musical on acid. It deserves to be a hit just for the performance factor. Then they compared US dramas with The Bill, and it was almost embarrassing to see the wobbly camera in a poorly lit road and a cast with greasy skin, flat hair and unironed clothes. I don't care if that is real life, I watch TV dramas to be entertained and Wildlife on One to learn about the real world.

[Sloopy]

If you want a bit of gloss, plastic women and escapism, then I agree that the US programmes cannot be beaten, but I don't think it's for everyone. America does everything twenty times bigger than the rest of the world!

[Orion]

Originally Posted by Sloopy

This thread brings back memories...what was the name of that ranting anti UK-poster??!!.....

Finch. And yes, he did get banned many times. Eventually for good?

[Tenacious G]

Originally Posted by Master Ozzy

I thought this would be a pretty interesting debate. What do you think is better - British or American tv?

We've been over this a million times. The answer is US TV. Look up the old threads for evidence why.

[goodkarma84]

Originally Posted by Banjo String

Dunno, who?


I think US TV is better over all, though it's always nice to have something local you can identify with. Problem is we could probably count on one hand the number of UK shows that genuinly rival top US shows. Charlie Brooker's US screen wipe highlighted this well. Deal or no Deal is a load of crap, but just look at the scale of the production in America. It's like a broadway musical on acid. It deserves to be a hit just for the performance factor. Then they compared US dramas with The Bill, and it was almost embarrassing to see the wobbly camera in a poorly lit road and a cast with greasy skin, flat hair and unironed clothes. I don't care if that is real life, I watch TV dramas to be entertained and Wildlife on One to learn about the real world.

that was classic and the reaction to countdown was brill.

we can do and have done alot better that the bill, ghost squad was a true classic and should still be on the air.

[LeftCoastal]

It's the advertising revenue that (in part) allows US shows to have superior production values. AND there are on average 22 episodes per show, per season. (13 or 14 for shows airing on HBO & Showtime) So, yes more adverts, but also -more show.

Even the crap reality shows help generate money so the networks can take chances on new shows.

[Orion]

Originally Posted by Tenacious G

We've been over this a million times. The answer is US TV. Look up the old threads for evidence why.

Again with your evidence - bwahahahaha!