Yes, me too, but I wonder if that's a class thing?

This is an interesting question. As noted, the political divide in the US describes quite a difference in basic values. I'm not so sure the value gap is as wide between Labor and Liberal (though I do feel it is between John Howard and, say, humanity); I think you're right, in Oz it would be more class-based. (Which is funny in a way, because I think Australia also perceives itself as more classless. 80% or so of the country describes itself as middle class.)

For a long time, of course, that divide was between Irish-Catholic-working class versus British-Anglican-middle class. To simplify greatly. That particular dichotomy isn't so important these days (except possibly to my in-laws), but it's possible a dual value strand continued.

However, of my own family, I would certainly be the most Brit-oriented (though also probably the most pro-American). Even my accent at least used to be mistaken for English on occasion back in Australia. (It's become broader since I've been over here, but of course I still get mistaken for English here since it still falls short of the Crocodile Hunter's.) So it's not just class.

One of the (many) fascinating things about the latest Aussie Big Brother is that it's brought the latent class issues in Australian society bubblng to the surface.

I think Australia is more like America than like Britain. But I could be talking out of my ass (but not my fanny!).

It all depends on what basis you use for comparison. (Obviously!) I mean, we have a welfare state, we have a queen, we have scones (proper ones), we have cricket, but we also have dollars and cents, surfing, tans, perceived (but entirely fictional) classlessness, overinvestment in sporting achievements, etc etc etc...

Interesting discussion. I have to say Kassto is completely on the money, in that middle-class Antipodeans are brought up to think that British culture is inevitably superior to American--the words "American trash" were almost a tautology in my household when I was growing up--so it can be quite hard to convince people that American commercial TV can be worthwhile at all, never mind which is ultimately "better"

Yep, this is true for me as well. My mother took a dim view of all television, but I think she found the American stuff I wanted to watch particularly offensive. Though I think that was partly a morality thing, considering she was fairly strict on religious grounds when I was growing up. She hated Xena with a passion, and I had to record and watch Buffy in secret for a while before she gave up attempting to regulate my viewing habits, which my Dad now regularly categorizes as 'American crap'.

It all depends on what basis you use for comparison. (Obviously!) I mean, we have a welfare state, we have a queen, we have scones (proper ones), we have cricket, but we also have dollars and cents, surfing, tans, perceived (but entirely fictional) classlessness, overinvestment in sporting achievements, etc etc etc...

True, but on the latter point, I'm not sure if that's so much a difference between us and Britain, or simply that we have sporting achievements. I mean, England still got pretty wound up about beating the German soccer team 5-1.

One of the (many) fascinating things about the latest Aussie Big Brother is that it's brought the latent class issues in Australian society bubblng to the surface.

One assumes you're being facetious about the 'fascinating' thing (I have reality television bigotry issues, I know, but I loathe Big Brother. Grettle whatsherface is the overly made-up undead.) But is this to do with the accent thing? I'd noticed they had, um, how to put this in a way that doesn't involve the word 'yobo'...a more varied selection of participants this year. Is there a lot of snobbery going on?

I am being utterly 100% unfacetious about the "fascinating" thing. And I love Gretel.

Yes, there's a certain amount of snobbery, perceived at least.

I am being utterly 100% unfacetious about the "fascinating" thing.

You're in intelligent company, at least. My brother also finds it intriguing, but I can't do it. Reality television makes me cringe, no matter the format (actually I have a weakness for the garden-makeovers, but don't tell anyone.)

I enjoy SFU a lot (though I haven't seen any of this season's episodes yet) for the same reason I like Sports Night-- it's a completely odd and utterly consistent world hatched in someone's head. I enjoy the hyper-reality.