If you've been to Europe at any time over the last five years, you'll know that the United States isn't particularly popular over there. Besides the fact that they think we act like ugly tourists who don't know that "raw ham and cheese" is called "prosciutto and mozzarella," residents of many European nations aren't big fans of President Bush or his policies.But they do love our TV. And according to The New York Times, American TV is as popular in Europe as ever, with shows like the Lost, Grey's Anatomy, the various CSIs, House, Monk, and even Six Degrees popping up on primary broadcast channels all over the continent. American TV is so popular that the UK independent Channel Five is starting a new digital channel called Five US, which will show nothing but American programming. The resurgence is due to a combination of higher-quality product from the U.S. and lower production budgets in Europe, says the Times article.
The last time American TV was so popular in the Old Country? The '80s, when the most popular U.S. shows were Dynasty, Dallas, and The Dukes of Hazzard. At least Europeans have better taste these days.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-16-2006 @ 3:41PM
Bob Jones said...
I watched the launch of Five US and believe me, if Happy Days and Joey are the best US comedies Five could fine - I'd rather you kept them your shows to yourself :P
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10-16-2006 @ 3:47PM
Tim UF said...
yet, we keep buying into UK concepts for shows, and americnizing then (thereby ruining what made many of the mfunny in the first place... the ACCENTS! just kidding, guys... really)
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10-16-2006 @ 3:55PM
thisIsMyBrainOnDrugs said...
legalize beer!
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10-16-2006 @ 4:25PM
nushu said...
"residents of many European nations aren't big fans of President Bush or his policies."
I'm spanish and I DON'T LIKE NEOCON-BUSH AND HIS POLICIES".
But it has nothing to do with Television Shows.You still produce the best shows on TV. I'm not gonna denied that.
I also don't like Tony Blair, but I watch most of the BBC, Channel 4 shows ("Shameless", is just brilliant XD).
Sorry, but one thing is politics. The other one, entertaiment. And on that one, US are the best. (almost...^_^)
Salud!
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10-16-2006 @ 4:44PM
SJ said...
US TV is not just popular in the UK and Europe, but ALL over the world. I am a Pakistani citizen living in the US and a lot of people are familiar with American shows over in Pakistan and the Middle East.
Before I came here I was a big fan of The Simpsons, South Park, Seinfeld, and yes, even Farscape! I have friends in Pakistan who regularly download Lost, Smallville, Grey's Anatomy, etc. Some of my female friends love The OC too.
I introduced Arrested Development to my brother who's living there and he got others hooked on it too. Plus just about every TV show is available there on bootleg DVDs.
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10-16-2006 @ 5:02PM
Stone said...
Good. When I lived in the UK I couldn't find a decent TV show on at all (except for reality and game shows of course). The production quality of shows made there is just so bad that I'm not surprised that they are turning to US TV.
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10-16-2006 @ 5:15PM
Dwayne Conyers said...
I remember as a teenager watching Dallas on Greet TV with subtitles. Surprisingly, it didn't help me learn to read Greek.
--
dwacon
http://dwacon.blogspot.com
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10-16-2006 @ 7:21PM
A Student said...
Since when did Europe ever really like us in general? And in all seriousness, why would we care? Individual people you take on a case by case basis, I don't like or dislike a guy because he's French. But country by country, why would you ever care about your 'popularity'?
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10-17-2006 @ 2:52AM
l0ne said...
Well, nothing good comes out of many national TVs -- unless you think reality shows are good, which they aren't here. House's Season 2 is doing great here in Italy, outclassing all national programming in the same slot.
Now, if only we had on-the-air HD and My Name Is Earl before 11.45pm...
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10-17-2006 @ 8:28AM
Kerstin said...
Well, I LOVE some of the US-shows as well, as there are Grey's, Gilmore Girls, Desperate Housewives and The L-Word. I'm German and over here there are lesser than three decent shows made by German TV-productions. Without the US-shows I could sell my TV. :)
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