I'll probably still watch off and on this year, but o/w I've pretty much moved over to the spn fandom.
I heard that European tv shows more skin than we usually see over here. is that true? based on that, I kinda assumed that European tv would be more relaxed about alternative lifestyles - is that not the case?
As far as American tv is concerned - despite white trash tv (good old jerry springer, wonder if he's still on the air?), we come from puritans. and many americans are still puritans at heart. which is evident in that out of the developed nations, we are one of the most religious (I would link to the poll if I could remember it - not sure if it was based on whether people identify with a certain religion or whether they actually attend church regularly.) in my econ classes, my professors often mention the 'puritan work ethic' - (idle hands are the devils tools) when discussing how work is perceived in our culture. overall, this puritan attitude leads to a more conservative opinions about sex and work and family than people outside of america expect us to have.
keep in mind, I'm discussing the majority of americans here. of course there is plenty of variation(hee! jerry springer! I miss that show!), but the majority of americans tend towards conservatism - at least when it comes to social issues.
so, since hollywood wants to sell their wares to as many americans as they can, they'll continue to produce stuff thats vanilla enough that it won't scare off the majority of the population.
btw, I've been reading an article about the EU. it's way way way long (been working on it the last couple of days - the cold medicine that I've been guzzling hasn't helped any), but very interesting. talks about the formation of the eu, the politics, etc, etc. if you get a chance, check it out. I'd love to hear your opinion on it.
after our last conversation, I decided I hadn't been paying enough attention to news over there lately (although I remember all the excitement when one country after another accepted the euro.) so I wanted to catch up on it.
oh and one more thing. why is tv so conservative? for logistical purposes - our networks are free - like nbc, abc, fox, cbs. well, supposedly anyway - I guess if I didn't want cable I could pick them up with an antenna somehow. since they're free, they're regulated by the FCC - which is more or less conservative, depending on what party is running the country at the time. so shows like csi have to make the FCC censors happy - they have to keep it somewhat clean.
the paid channels (like hbo, showtime, etc) aren't free, so they're not regulated by the fcc and can show whatever they want (within reason.) that's where you get shows like queer as folk or the L word. and sopranos.
yeah, so why is violence ok, but not sex?
demographics maybe? those 18-34 year old males are a pretty lucrative market from what I hear....
I'd think that the producers would understand that the money is in the hands of the 55+, there is a wide generational wedge when it comes to wealth. The 18-34 year old males might be easier conned thou. *g*
I laughed when I read the article - no way Europe is going anywhere with its model as long as it's trying to emulate the economics of the USA (which in my mind is built on psychology and nothing else.) There's no way we can keep an eternal growth up, instead we need to figure out a more democratic and just distribution of the wealth. Europe has failed big time on that project and EU will not sustain the inner tensions it creates. A model for others? Hell no! A warning example maybe - to not emulate but think for your friggen selves for once.
We should not go for eternal growth but for economical redistribution and less consumption over all. That is what the third stage will be all about - but I haven't seen it peaking its head up anywhere yet. I guess there has to be another major crisis before it does.
Yes, European TV-production is more relaxed, but also much minor than the US one. The cultural impact of European television does not even exist outside the nations in which the production originated. There's the language (although many French production have been adopted and americanized. Even British ones have - and that I just do not understand to reason for. Other than to culturally tone it down?
Yes, there are more out-spoken and different life-styles presented in European productions - but they do not reach a world-wide audience. I think only the American entertainment industry breaches those borders. Maybe that is why its kept on safe turf?
Bollywood has a larger production than Hollywood does - but is it seen on our screens? No, and I still don't get why not because some of the productions are hilarious.
I heard that European tv shows more skin than we usually see over here. is that true? based on that, I kinda assumed that European tv would be more relaxed about alternative lifestyles - is that not the case?
As far as American tv is concerned - despite white trash tv (good old jerry springer, wonder if he's still on the air?), we come from puritans. and many americans are still puritans at heart. which is evident in that out of the developed nations, we are one of the most religious (I would link to the poll if I could remember it - not sure if it was based on whether people identify with a certain religion or whether they actually attend church regularly.) in my econ classes, my professors often mention the 'puritan work ethic' - (idle hands are the devils tools) when discussing how work is perceived in our culture. overall, this puritan attitude leads to a more conservative opinions about sex and work and family than people outside of america expect us to have.
keep in mind, I'm discussing the majority of americans here. of course there is plenty of variation(hee! jerry springer! I miss that show!), but the majority of americans tend towards conservatism - at least when it comes to social issues.
so, since hollywood wants to sell their wares to as many americans as they can, they'll continue to produce stuff thats vanilla enough that it won't scare off the majority of the population.
Reply
after our last conversation, I decided I hadn't been paying enough attention to news over there lately (although I remember all the excitement when one country after another accepted the euro.) so I wanted to catch up on it.
here's the link: http://www.lrb.co.uk/v29/n18/ande01_.html
oh and one more thing. why is tv so conservative? for logistical purposes - our networks are free - like nbc, abc, fox, cbs. well, supposedly anyway - I guess if I didn't want cable I could pick them up with an antenna somehow. since they're free, they're regulated by the FCC - which is more or less conservative, depending on what party is running the country at the time. so shows like csi have to make the FCC censors happy - they have to keep it somewhat clean.
the paid channels (like hbo, showtime, etc) aren't free, so they're not regulated by the fcc and can show whatever they want (within reason.) that's where you get shows like queer as folk or the L word. and sopranos.
yeah, so why is violence ok, but not sex?
demographics maybe? those 18-34 year old males are a pretty lucrative market from what I hear....
Reply
I laughed when I read the article - no way Europe is going anywhere with its model as long as it's trying to emulate the economics of the USA (which in my mind is built on psychology and nothing else.) There's no way we can keep an eternal growth up, instead we need to figure out a more democratic and just distribution of the wealth. Europe has failed big time on that project and EU will not sustain the inner tensions it creates. A model for others? Hell no! A warning example maybe - to not emulate but think for your friggen selves for once.
We should not go for eternal growth but for economical redistribution and less consumption over all. That is what the third stage will be all about - but I haven't seen it peaking its head up anywhere yet. I guess there has to be another major crisis before it does.
Reply
Yes, there are more out-spoken and different life-styles presented in European productions - but they do not reach a world-wide audience. I think only the American entertainment industry breaches those borders. Maybe that is why its kept on safe turf?
Bollywood has a larger production than Hollywood does - but is it seen on our screens? No, and I still don't get why not because some of the productions are hilarious.
Reply
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