I was just being naughty.

Not you, Angus?! The nerve. In the Unamerican thread of all places. ;-)

Nilly, insent.

This could be interesting ...

What The World Thinks of America

BBC Political Editor Andrew Marr presents a unique broadcasting event confronting a critical question at the heart of the 21st century - what does the world think of America? A special 90-minute debate, brings together broadcasters and a range of diverse voices from around the globe to give a multi-national verdict on the United States.

Hosted from London, the program will boast a panel of quality thinkers, movers and shakers, including former Palestinian negotiator Dr Sa'eb Erekat, former cabinet minister Clare Short, US journalist Joe Klein and former Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto - a seldom convened brains trust of world views on America's pre-eminence.

Satellite links will create a sense of global conversation, with input from leading broadcasters around the world.

The debate will also reveal the results of a ground-breaking, international survey of attitudes that will capture popular prejudices and convictions about America.

There will be a separate poll in the United States testing the grasp of Americans on their public image abroad.

These findings will give a truly global perspective on American values, politics, leadership and popular culture.

The program goes to air Tues, 17th June in Britain, and Thursday 19th June in Australia.

From freerepublic.com

The special 90-minute program will be moderated by BBC political editor Andrew Marr and hosted from the British Cabinet war rooms in London.

According to the BBC, producers will assemble via satellite hookups 10 national broadcasters and "diverse voices" from around the world to "give a multi-national verdict on the United States."

Among the topics to be discussed in the BBC program is whether the export of American culture around the world is a "good thing" and France's "love-hate bond with the U.S.

France was among the vocal United Nations Security Council members who opposed military action in Iraq. It's promise to veto any resolution authorizing the use of force prompted the breakdown of pre-war diplomacy.

The BBC broadcast will also assess the status of U.S.-European Union relations.

The CBC is broadcasting that program on Tuesday too. I wonder if the Americans will get to see what the world thinks of them...

Well, I hope one of these eminences knows enough about American culture to own up that the Americans are making the best TV shows these days.

Well, I hope one of these eminences knows enough about American culture to own up that the Americans are making the best TV shows these days.

The four episodes of Coupling that ate up my night last night give lie to that statement. (I couldn't stop. It's a sickness.)

Seriously, though, most USian TV is complete crap, with a couple of standouts like BtVS, Angel, and other low-rated genre shows. Most of what we get is Suddenly Susan grade.

Is Free Republic still around?

Seriously, though, most USian TV is complete crap, with a couple of standouts like BtVS, Angel, and other low-rated genre shows. Most of what we get is Suddenly Susan grade.

Hmm. A year's worth of addictions, by country:

USA: BtVS, AtS, Firefly, Good Eats, the Daily Show.

US produced in Canada: Queer as Folk (adapted from a British show), Smallville.

UK: Manchild, Robot Wars.

Japan: Iron Chef, and various anime shows when I can catch them (Lane, Duel, maybe Betterman id I can catch it again and begin to make sense of it.)

Huh. I am a somewhat multicultural TV watcher.

I think 90 percent of all TV programmes from anywhere are crap. And that is a good thing, otherwise I wouldn't be able to drag myself away from the box. But we were brought up to always believe that British culture (including TV) was superior to American culture, which was mainly commercialised junk. In the '70s and '80s I think the Poms did lead the way in TV with topnotch period drama (eg Upstairs Downstairs), comedies (the sublime The Good Life) and cutting edge dramas (The Singing Detective, Edge of Darkness).

But the Americans seem more cutting edge to me in recent years -- Buffy, the Sopranos, the Simpsons, King of the Hill, Six Feet Under...

But the Americans seem more cutting edge to me in recent years -- Buffy, the Sopranos, the Simpsons, King of the Hill, Six Feet Under...

Of those, two are cable programs, and two are cartoons. We do do adult cartoons well, though the Simpsons lost its way about five years ago, never to find it again.

I'm one of the people who doesn't like SFU, having a great dislike for Alan Ball. It's very slick, and very much making too much of an effort for me. I tried to like it, damn it.

With the exception of Firefly, which is gone, I've not managed to get invested in a new series in about three years.

Edit: it's interesting to see the view from abroad on it, though. What all do you get in the way of US tv?

The majority of shows that I watch are American. I think, imo at least, that the American shows we get in the UK are either exceptionally good, like Buffy, The West Wing, the Sopranos, or exceptionally bad, like Dr. Phil and Fear Factor.

There have been precious few good British shows in recent years, but a couple of shows stand out--The League of Gentlemen and Spaced, for example. I don't think that either of those would travel particularly well though.

Also, I so very much agree about the Simpsons. It should have been put out of our misery a long time ago. Long live Futurama! What's that you say? Cancelled? Quelle surprise?!