movies/tv Media Differences between the UK and US

[MrMeep 264]

Most of you have probably noticed, but there is a definite difference in UK and US based media, with TV shows being the most apparent, thought it might be worthy of a discussion?

 

We can see these differences first hand when we look at a TV show which has both a US and UK version, (one that doesn't just import the show). Off the top of my head, reality shows seem to be the biggest player in this, with The Apprentice and Supernanny (lol) coming to mind. There's also The Office in comedy that comes to mind too.

 

In my personal opinion, I prefer the British versions of these shows. Watching the American versions of these shows makes me feel patronised. I feel like the American shows treat me (the viewer) as if I have no intelligence, and thus it makes it a bit tedious to watch.

 

British shows are more subtle than American shows, this is a fact. This can be proven when you see the American adaptations of British shows. The adaptations tend to all follow the same pattern, in that they take a British show, add dramatic background music to almost the entire length of the show, add un-needed sound effects intended to summarise emotion or an event, and usually feature a narrator who explains the event that you've just heard with dramatic music and sound effects.

 

British shows seem to focus on the content of the shows, they seem to focus on getting the content right, by focusing on what the programme is attempting to show. Whereas I find with American shows, they seem to be more on the line of 'Whatever the content happens to be, we need to make it seem as dramatic as possible'.

 

This could be down to cultural differences though? It could be that the media sees Americans as, potentially, unable to interpret some of the situations that they assume the British population can do. They may also believe that the American population wants drama, and that it is what sells. There are many cultural differences between the two countries, and as with any country, comparing media presentation can provide an insight in to the differences.

 

I tend to find that the dramatisation of media happens a lot in America, which is what makes me dislike American TV over British. I prefer British TV, where I can be shown content in a respectable fashion, for me to make my own judgements, opposed to having drama thrown at me for me to falsely feel empowered by.

 

Bit of a tl;dr there xD But any thoughts? How would some of our TV shows differ in a Cross-Atlantic counter part? (British version of MLP? )

[Evilshy 5,090]

I don't know much about British media, but I do know that:

1 - British comedy >>>>>>>>>> the majority of American "comedy"

2 - British TV can have boobs

[MrMeep 264]

I don't know much about British media, but I do know that:

1 - British comedy >>>>>>>>>> the majority of American "comedy"

2 - British TV can have boobs

 

1) Yeah, I agree

 

2) It can? xD There are certain adult channels which probably show boobs, but they're only available up front on satellite. I think you might be on about the Tabloid Newspapers here, which show topless models daily in sections of their newspapers.

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

Doctor Who is a British show, therefore Britain automatically wins.

Closest American counterpart I like to use is Lost and that, while suspenseful, was very convoluted, scatterbrained, and at some times ridiculous. Doctor Who has great continuity, tight logic, and very focused plots.

[Evilshy 5,090]

2) It can? xD There are certain adult channels which probably show boobs, but they're only available up front on satellite. I think you might be on about the Tabloid Newspapers here, which show topless models daily in sections of their newspapers.

 

 

I thought it was the TV where boobs weren't taboo... Well, I know there's some British media that doesn't care about showing boobs as much as the American counterpart. Or something like that.

The point is, I watched some Monty Python, it had clearly visible boobs, I watched some American stuff that I suppose could be labeled as the equivalent (adult humor) and there were no visible boobs. So logically, British TV can show boobs when American TV can't.

[MrMeep 264]

I thought it was the TV where boobs weren't taboo... Well, I know there's some British media that doesn't care about showing boobs as much as the American counterpart. Or something like that.

The point is, I watched some Monty Python, it had clearly visible boobs, I watched some American stuff that I suppose could be labeled as the equivalent (adult humor) and there were no visible boobs. So logically, British TV can show boobs when American TV can't.

 

Fair point actually, I think TV has become a little more strict with it. ..Infact... Yes.. they have. I may be mistaken, but I'm sure boobs are only allowed after watershed now (9PM), and there is always a warning before the programme of 'Brief nudity' or something along those lines.

 

Newspapers just don't care though, tits there everyday. Which is pretty hypocritical come to think of it. "Hey, think of the children! Don't subject them to boobies! ...now let me read my newspaper with tits in it". What's wrong with boobs anyway? Surely it's only natural.

[FinalGamer 192]

Fair point actually, I think TV has become a little more strict with it. ..Infact... Yes.. they have. I may be mistaken, but I'm sure boobs are only allowed after watershed now (9PM), and there is always a warning before the programme of 'Brief nudity' or something along those lines.

 

Newspapers just don't care though, tits there everyday. Which is pretty hypocritical come to think of it. "Hey, think of the children! Don't subject them to boobies! ...now let me read my newspaper with tits in it". What's wrong with boobs anyway? Surely it's only natural.

 

That's pretty much how it is here yes, we have a watershed where adult content can be shown, only after 9pm. The BBC were first to implicate that and it's carried on since then as a standard. Newspapers operate on a different lay entirely, tabloids being just gutter trash.

However, the recent Leveson Inquiry might change all that, hopefully for the better.

 

I do however note that American TV has more puritanical values that place harsher restrictions on sex than violence. I never understood that priority that sex is somehow a worse thing than violence, as if yanno violence can be a more socially acceptable thing than sex in ANY FORM.

While Britain does retain a rather stiff-upper-lipness about sex, we do get influences from Europe who are the opposite way around, emphasising harsher restrictions on violence rather than sex.

 

It even extends to videogames. The videogame Fahrenheit/Indigo Prophecy when released in Europe contained sex scenes (not even good ones but more explicit than Mass Effect at least), whereas in the USA, the scenes were removed.

It just blows my mind that even in this day and age there's a weird stingyness from American media about TITS OH GOD. I dunno, I just feel that's some messed up priorities. Everything in moderaton yeah, I'm not asking for tits in the daytime, just be less weird about it.

[MrMeep 264]

That's pretty much how it is here yes, we have a watershed where adult content can be shown, only after 9pm. The BBC were first to implicate that and it's carried on since then as a standard. Newspapers operate on a different lay entirely, tabloids being just gutter trash.

However, the recent Leveson Inquiry might change all that, hopefully for the better.

 

I do however note that American TV has more puritanical values that place harsher restrictions on sex than violence. I never understood that priority that sex is somehow a worse thing than violence, as if yanno violence can be a more socially acceptable thing than sex in ANY FORM.

While Britain does retain a rather stiff-upper-lipness about sex, we do get influences from Europe who are the opposite way around, emphasising harsher restrictions on violence rather than sex.

 

It even extends to videogames. The videogame Fahrenheit/Indigo Prophecy when released in Europe contained sex scenes (not even good ones but more explicit than Mass Effect at least), whereas in the USA, the scenes were removed.

It just blows my mind that even in this day and age there's a weird stingyness from American media about TITS OH GOD. I dunno, I just feel that's some messed up priorities. Everything in moderaton yeah, I'm not asking for tits in the daytime, just be less weird about it.

 

Good post, and you are very right in what you say.

 

I wonder if America's harsher view on sex in the media is down to the country being more religious than most of Europe. It seems to fit well... Christianity condoning sex as the worst thing imaginable yet turning a blind eye to the violent parts of the bible.

[FinalGamer 192]

Good post, and you are very right in what you say.

 

I wonder if America's harsher view on sex in the media is down to the country being more religious than most of Europe. It seems to fit well... Christianity condoning sex as the worst thing imaginable yet turning a blind eye to the violent parts of the bible.

 

I believe it is, at the very least on a subconscious level which America should try to shake off in future, no problems about 100 people being beaten to death with the jawbone of an ass but oh god no Song of Solomon plz. You can pretty much tell the state of a nation's mentality, any nation really, from its media.

 

Actually I'd love to see a study on something like that, would be fascinating.

[MrMeep 264]

I believe it is, at the very least on a subconscious level which America should try to shake off in future, no problems about 100 people being beaten to death with the jawbone of an ass but oh god no Song of Solomon plz. You can pretty much tell the state of a nation's mentality, any nation really, from its media.

 

Actually I'd love to see a study on something like that, would be fascinating.

 

I agree completely, and as it happens.. I'm starting a course in Media Production this September at University... one of my modules being American Media, so it just may happen :3

 

But I agree that as a country it would benefit from the recession of religion. Although that said, it will not happen anytime soon. Religious people tend to be more stubborn.

 

Now don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with religion. I do have a problem with stupidity however, and when I see people such as Bill O'Reilly spouting utter shite on TV it makes me weep for society xD

[Dragonshy 2,305]

I will say that they're are so many stupid shows here in the U.S. Including: Jersey Shore, Cupcake Wars, Toddlers and Tiaras, etc. But there are some good shows that aren't so dramatic. Walking Dead is slightly dramatic, but still my favorite show. There are a lot of comedys as well: South Park, Family Guy, Tosh.0, etc. I haven't seen many U.K shows, other than Little Britain ( ). I'm not sure if I mis-read your OP but you sounded a little biased.

 

I don't know.

[Jokuc 8,174]

2 - British TV can have boobs

 

What? Thay don't show boobs on tv in US? lmao

[Gingerpotato 889]

America has My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic...

 

Sorta feels like I'm a traitor, being British and all but I'd happily trade a bunch of our shows (except Doctor Who, that can never leave Britain) just to have MLP.

[MrMeep 264]

I will say that they're are so many stupid shows here in the U.S. Including: Jersey Shore, Cupcake Wars, Toddlers and Tiaras, etc. But there are some good shows that aren't so dramatic. Walking Dead is slightly dramatic, but still my favorite show. There are a lot of comedys as well: South Park, Family Guy, Tosh.0, etc. I haven't seen many U.K shows, other than Little Britain ( ). I'm not sure if I mis-read your OP but you sounded a little biased.

 

I don't know.

 

I think there's a bit of a difference between having an opinion and being bias. Well.. they're kind of the same thing I guess xD. It's like if I said "You're bias towards My LIttle Pony" because.. you watch it x3.

 

I don't like American media much, as comparing the US media with the UK ones just shows how UK media is more... subtle to be honest x3.

 

But I mean, you might have the same opinion if you watched British TV for a bit... or you might not, as you've been brought up with the American media so that might just be the standard to you xD

[Dragonshy 2,305]

I think there's a bit of a difference between having an opinion and being bias. Well.. they're kind of the same thing I guess xD. It's like if I said "You're bias towards My LIttle Pony" because.. you watch it x3.

 

I don't like American media much, as comparing the US media with the UK ones just shows how UK media is more... subtle to be honest x3.

 

But I mean, you might have the same opinion if you watched British TV for a bit... or you might not, as you've been brought up with the American media so that might just be the standard to you xD

 

In your OP it sounds like your saying it as fact :/

[MrMeep 264]

In your OP it sounds like your saying it as fact :/

 

Some part ARE fact though, which is what I base my opinion from. Saying "I prefer British TV shows to American ones" is an opinion, but saying things such as "American shows include dramatic music, sound effects and narrators to further explain the content to the viewer" isn't opinion, it's fact. It can be shown through evidence As that's what happens.

 

As to why? It's to keep it in-fitting with American media, because as they seem to see it, American media is more dramatic than British media, and apparently requires more explanation to the viewer x3

Edited April 16, 2012 by MrMeep