Topic: I think I'm in love with pay TV........... (is that bad???)

[UnCrash]

I sometimes think that if Americans just took a step back and looked at some of their movies and TV programmes from the POV of a foreigner, they'd get a far clearer idea of why a large section of the planet's population hates them so intensely

Most Americans hate all the crap that's on TV.  The Neilson system completely mis-represents how many people watch a given show, and only surveys individuals who volunteer to join in.  This means that they are asking a few heavy TV watchers (addicts) to report on what they are watching.

Of my friends and family most don't watch major network programming except for sports and news.

I think that isn't unusual.

And believe me, many, many Americans have a very clear idea of why the world hates us so much.

As for the other 30% that supports our government, most Americans (70%) don't understand them either.

[BobbyR]

I actually like Americans which is handy since I am one. America exports culture, we do not import it. When we need a good actor like Hugh Laurie we import them and export their work (House). We send our Movies, TV shows and music around the world. What you see on TV and Movies s is not American life, never was. We like Movies that move and entertain which is why foreign films don't do well here. We need to be entertained, which is why you go past some rusted out Trailer out in the woods and they have a Satellite Dish. I can now listen to the same program Coast to Coast via the Satellite Radio in my car. We are very spoiled as a group, but we are also very busy people so we need everything including entertainment quickly.
Does the World hate us, probably not. They criticize us a lot, but except for some radical Muslims I don't think we are hated. Now with the weaker Dollar, the Europeans are flocking here which is Good since the US is all about money anyway.

[gerhed]

One show that sticks in my mind.

Jesse James brought in all these famous 50's custom car builders to build something "old school".
Norm Grabowski (I think he built the T-Bucket in "77 Sunset Strip") or was that Roth's work?
Anyway, the guys couldn't do too much work, I guess.
Grabowski cut himself badly and ended up in the hospital.
Did he survive ?--fairly interesting show, I'd say.
 

[upperlake04]

Does the World hate us, probably not. They criticize us a lot, but except for some radical Muslims I don't think we are hated.

  If the superior communications technology was used to listen and watch news and documentaries produced outside of the USA, it is possible you might modify your position. The rest of the world generally does dislike the American governments' and big businesses' intrusive foreign policy, but except for the BSing, loud and swaggering stereotype, Americans as individuals are considered  generous and friendly.
                                                      Your pal, Dave

[BobbyR]

Does the World hate us, probably not. They criticize us a lot, but except for some radical Muslims I don't think we are hated.

  If the superior communications technology was used to listen and watch news and documentaries produced outside of the USA, it is possible you might modify your position. The rest of the world generally does dislike the American governments' and big businesses' intrusive foreign policy, but except for the BSing, loud and swaggering stereotype, Americans as individuals are considered  generous and friendly.
                                                      Your pal, Dave

Actually Dave we do have access non US media. As a radio enthuist I used to listen to the BBC, CBC, and even Radio Moscow on SW. Now I listen to the BBC in my car on Satellite. I have no illlsions about the US being perfectly pure. The English, French, Spaniards "colonized" which is a polite word for invade and occupy a good part of the World. The US came into the game late, so we economically colonized using our Multi National Corporations. United fruit and Standard Oil bought governments etc. When you are enjoying the benefits of that activity you kind of overllok that stuff. Canada has always been in a tough spot being next to The US. Our economies are linked, so that if the US gets a cold, Canada gets pnuemonia. When free trade came in the US furnitire makers flooded Canada with cheaper furnituire and wiped out one or more Canadian manufacturers. I can see where friction can develop under those scenerios.
You know, I could really care less about what Eurpoe thinks about the US, I am more concerned with US China relations and how we can get people into the Government that can get us out of this insane Iraq mess. I want our kids home and well treated when they return, which did not happen when we returned from Nam.  Europe will fall back in line as Putin rebuilds the Soviet empire. Europe always talks tough from a block away.
           

[upperlake04]

  Nice reply Bobby, generous and friendly    Of course you're right the US, Europe, the UK and ex-colonies will (mostly) continue to be on the  same team as the future challenges with China, the Middle East and Russia unfold.       
  But what really amazes me is how a few seemingly innocent lines from the Pot Stirrer King can be so provocative.   

Er, I'd just like to say that I like Americans.............

Why are people so fascinated with cops and lawyers?

I think I'm in love with American pay TV.......

[Terry in Australia]

Geez, all I said was I like pay TV and Americans mate, don't go making this into some kind of an anti-American conspiracy, ok? Let's just play nice, we're all friends here....................

[BobbyR]

I like Aussies also. Very much like Americans. Both are somewhat uncouth in a charming manner. Both like to have a good time. Both Nations were built in a hostile environment by the debris of Europe. I would say there is some linkage there.

[Terry in Australia]

I like Aussies also. Very much like Americans. Both are somewhat uncouth in a charming manner. Both like to have a good time. Both Nations were built in a hostile environment by the debris of Europe. I would say there is some linkage there.

That's it Bobby, I like American cars, American bikes, American booze, hell, somebody give me a flag!

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

What about the Canadians?    .

[fuzzybutt]

What about the Canadians?    .

hockey, great beer and back bacon. Canadians rock.

[CrisPDuk]

Canadians are the coolest people on earth

Who else could live next to neighbours like that and stay that chilled

Not Mexicans that's for sure

[seaweb11]

After reading this thread, I have a much better idea why I had "very little help" in my "I want a BIG Plasma Screen Thread last year"


.........squeal like a pig

P.S. If any one else here has a good surround sound set up on their big screen, the new film "Transformers" will rock your house!!!!!!!!!
Good graphics, unbelievable sound, poor film but who cares as long as the floor bounces and the helicopters sound like they are landing in your fireplace.

[Terry in Australia]

 the helicopters sound like they are landing in your fireplace.

What's a fireplace? I've been to places where they've had bush fires, is that it? 

Hey Canadians are fine, kinda like a cross between an American and a New Zealander. I've had a couple of run ins with French-Canadians on Ebay though, what's up with them? 

[BobbyR]

 the helicopters sound like they are landing in your fireplace.

What's a fireplace? I've been to places where they've had bush fires, is that it? 

Hey Canadians are fine, kinda like a cross between an American and a New Zealander. I've had a couple of run ins with French-Canadians on Ebay though, what's up with them? 

Sorry mate, the English speaking Canadians are a cross between Englishmen and Americans. The French-Canadians have to be impossible since they consider themselves French. Having said that Montreal has the best strip clubs, so it has some redeeming properties. Food is pretty good too.

[mattcb350f]

Sorry mate, the English speaking Canadians are a cross between Englishmen and Americans. The French-Canadians have to be impossible since they consider themselves French. Having said that Montreal has the best strip clubs, so it has some redeeming properties. Food is pretty good too.

++++1 
 

[upperlake04]

..the English speaking Canadians are a cross between Englishmen and Americans

 Interesting observation on our multicultural country BobbyR - I could guess which part most resembles an American - could you expand on that thought?
 TIA - on an internet site with members with a wide range of ages, cultural backgrounds and life experience, humour is hit or miss, and without the feedback of face to face, none of us really know how our personal sense of humour is received.  I assure you that I believe posts that belittle or insult other members  are divisive and have no constructive part on this site. My  apologies if my last post offended your sensibilities, it was only intended as friendly humour - even had a smiley at the end.

[BobbyR]

..the English speaking Canadians are a cross between Englishmen and Americans

 Interesting observation on our multicultural country BobbyR - I could guess which part most resembles an American - could you expand on that thought?
 TIA - on an internet site with members with a wide range of ages, cultural backgrounds and life experience, humour is hit or miss, and without the feedback of face to face, none of us really know how our personal sense of humour is received.  I assure you that I believe posts that belittle or insult other members  are divisive and have no constructive part on this site. My  apologies if my last post offended your sensibilities, it was only intended as friendly humour - even had a smiley at the end.

Well I spent a lot of time in Markham Ontario on business. This is of course Toronto. If you listen to the accent in Toronto it sounds very much like you will find in the Midwest here in the US. There is so much interaction between NYC and Toronto you find a lot of cross pollination. Our TV and radio is easily heard there. If you look at the spelling used it is sometimes English and sometimes American, you spelled humor English style. Walking around Toronto it seemed very familiar and I felt very much at home.
Quebec was quite militant about being French for quite a while, to the point they wanted to they break away. Now working with them as bit, they seemed to have calmed down. As a far as strip clubs, Quebec has a more European attitude which is far more realistic than the  US. If it were not for Canadians, the US would not have very good entertainers and comedians. Don;t worry about Terry, he is an Aussie and they like to bust balls a bit. Just like Americans.