Why does America produce amazing shows?

[black orb]

>>> Some of their original shows are good but the American adaptations from japanese shows are utter crap..

[Seifer]

I'm reading this thread and thinking to myself, "I just realized...I've watched cartoons all my life..."

So either I have some sort of complex, or I just really don't like live-action television.

[Germ Hamee]

Examples?

Other than Firefly, I can't remember a recent TV show that I thought was really quality, that was cancelled before it was given at least one or two seasons to find an audience.

Tru Calling, Wonderfalls, Point Pleasant (started out horrible, but got REALLY good a few episodes in)... I know there's a few more, but I can't think of them off the top of my head.

I really despise most of what's on TV. The only shows I support any more are Veronica Mars and Lost... but my interest in that little island is waning.

[Awesomeman]

There's only one good american TV show: Arrested Development.

[vampirepiggyhunter7]

The quality of entertainment is rapidly slipping into an alltime low...

Only a few shows are any good.
Amazing Race, Survivor (starting to not care), 2 and a half men (best running comedy), family guy, boondocks, american dad, other AS shows if ur real tired Lost is OK and thats the only phenominal shows making new episodes.
Seinfeld is still the best.

EDIT BY BoB: Please do not post twice in a row - just use the edit/delete button to add more to your post. Thanks.

[Miriel]

It honestly bugs me when people write off American television/film/etc. to be horrible when that's not the case at all.

Gray's Anatomy, Rome, Arrested Development, Prison Break, Lost, Veronica Mars, The Office, Desperate Housewives, The West Wing, Monk, Everybody Hates Chris, all very good shows. And there are more really quality shows out there that I haven't even had the opportunity to watch. Saying that only one or two particular shows are good and everything else sucks is pretty unfair.

Also, I <3 the 80s/90s is one of my favorite guilty pleasures of all time. That's some great televisioning right there.

[marc]

Only a few shows are any good.
Amazing Race, Survivor (starting to not care), 2 and a half men (best running comedy), family guy, boondocks, american dad, other AS shows if ur real tired Lost is OK and thats the only phenominal shows making new episodes.
Seinfeld is still the best.

they still show surviver in America?, that programme sucked.

[Cuchulainn]

America make some of the greatest TV on earth, but it's important to remember they make some of the worst too, in equal amounts. They just have a great budget to work on which makes them classy hits or expensive flops.

It honestly bugs me when people write off American television/film/etc. to be horrible when that's not the case at all.

Gray's Anatomy, Rome, Arrested Development, Prison Break, Lost, Veronica Mars, The Office, Desperate Housewives, The West Wing, Monk, Everybody Hates Chris, all very good shows. And there are more really quality shows out there that I haven't even had the opportunity to watch. Saying that only one or two particular shows are good and everything else sucks is pretty unfair.

Also, I <3 the 80s/90s is one of my favorite guilty pleasures of all time. That's some great televisioning right there.

Rome: A joint effort with the BBC, all British actors & production, American money

The Office: A copy of a British TV show

But agreed. America CAN produce great TV. It's just they produce crap in equal measures. My favorite Sitcom is American, Scrubs. My favorite comedian of all time was American, Bill Hicks. My favorite Series, Soprano's, American. To write off ALL American shows can be put down as British Snobbery. Britain churns out crap TV too. Just the British TV Budget doesn't allow them to be so numerous.

[escobert]

Seinfeld > all

[Zeldy]

Americans have better Comedy shows but the English has better comedians. Im a big American comedy fan myself, I love My Wife And Kids, Simple Life, Friends, One On One, In The House, Fresh Prince Of Belair, Invasion and things like that. But when It comes to Comedians.. Peter Kay, Johnny Vegas.. <3

[Jebus]

America made Firefly.

End of story.

<3

[Miriel]

The Office: A copy of a British TV show

I've seen the original British version of the Office, and I can honestly say that the American reincarnation is very much that, American. I loved the British version, but honestly, I do prefer this American version more.

[Cuchulainn]

I've seen the original British version of the Office, and I can honestly say that the American reincarnation is very much that, American. I loved the British version, but honestly, I do prefer this American version more.

Very understandable, as as it's for an American audience, you are more likely to pick up more of the subtle jokes & references you wouyld have missed in the UK one. The British version was genius though. As expected I prefered the original.

[RPJesus]

America doesn't make a lot of good programmes. Britain does comedy a hell of a lot better. The very best comedy is British. And America makes all of these hideously stupid dramas.
They can't do mad action either, that's for the Japanese.

[*ETERNAL FANTASY*]

24 stole one of the best writers that Lost had (David Fury), which I account for some of Lost's lackluster performance this season. That, and J.J. Smurfing Abrams, likes to get a show going and then abandon it for another project (a la Alias ).

I agree with you there Alias was really good up until Season three (season 4 wasnt too bad) when J.J did Lost and now Lost is faultering abit with him doing MI 3, the guy has alot on his plate but still cant help but get dissapointed sometimes! I love those 2 shows

Most of my favourite shows have already been posted (Greys anatomy,Amazing race, Survivor & 24) but just incase it hasnt been mentioned SMALLVILLE is pretty fantastic, im actually glad that its finally getting the attention it deserves....Its been pretty tight since its pilot!