Do you think that American TV is for the lowest common denominator?

I agree for the most part, except for some of the shows on Discovery, Animal planet, and The Learning Channel. Most that reality TV stuff and anything with bleach blondes belongs in a big bag o' sh!t under a porch in Alabama.

I see what you are saying, but there are arguments against it. You just have to know where to look. Positive cases can be made for Heroes, Lost, House, Battlestar Galactica, Little People Big World, My Name is Earl, Survivorman, Digging for the Truth, Monk, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, etc.

I could go on, but I limited this to a few of the shows currently running. We also have UK favorites like The Office and what not. I didn't even get into shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Rome, John From Cincinnati, Californication, Weeds, Dexter, and others on premium channels.

You'll find them once you learn to ignore the shows with laugh tracks.

About shows being canceled: In the states, sports are the highest rated TV events. They can cause a show to be canceled or not air sporadically. These effect the downfall of shows like Futurama.

I'm American but I agree that most Americans don't want to watch anything that requires any effort on their part- they want to sit and zone out while staring at the tv. Most of the things showing on tv these days is plain crap, despite the fact that there are a few goodies. I like movies and shows that grab my interest and make me think. Sadly, all I can ever find are stupid reality shows, annoying dramas or sitcoms- when it isnt something focused on the lives of celebrities or a competition.

Futurama has actually been amusing for me, though, so I don't agree with you on that point. A lot of other stuff is just mindless mess with no point whatsoever. However, as much as I hate the tv shows of today there are people who enjoy them... and since I know what it feels like to be bashed for enjoying something that no one else likes, I'm not going to insult anyone.

You are right, a lot of the smarter shows get cancelled because of problems with viewership. There are a lot of people who just want to watch the Bachelor and stuff like that. I loved Studio 60. I thought Aaron got a bit too preachy at times, but I think the kinks would have worked out eventually. Just the casting alone was worth tuning in for! Scrubs is another one that doesn't get the attention it deserves but at least it's still around.

I completely agree that US television is dumbed down for the average audience. I think the problem lies in the word "average." The networks gear their television programs toward their largest audience. I don't think you need statistics to tell you that the more educated and intelligent a person is, the less television they're likely to watch. Intelligent TV-Watchers is almost an oxymoron. They're a minority, and networks don't make money producing shows for a small percentage of viewers.

No, not really, I just think that they need to make it easier for us to tell them what's good TV, and what's bad.

Plus, I'm personally working on finding a law to stop people from paying the TV license. I won't say where I've found it, but I think I've found a way, not only to stop paying it, but also, to reclaim the money you have put into it, right back till 1992! But that's a work in progress. If everyone were to claim, it would probably completely ruin the BBC!

TV is used to sell products. It does not matter the artistic value of a program, just that it draws a large enough audience to sell advertising.

Can I just point out that there is a programme on BBC1 tonight called - "Worlds Greatest Elvis Auditions".

hello??? Need I say more??????

have you ever watched any British shows?!?!

im british btw and even i think that they are absolute crap!

the X factor, Honey were killing the kids, Shopoholics,

bargain hunt, cash in the attic, car booty, homes under the hammer etc etc.

these are all crap, don't even think about watching any of them, you will only waste half an hour of your life.

Networks listen to their sponsors.

Without the sponsors we wouldn't have commercial TV.

What your saying sounds nice.....but nice isn't where the money is.