Why the British Are Better at Satire
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Why the British Are Better at Satire
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Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire
#2I wonder how difference between TV show productions affects this. Broadcoast TV shows in America are expected to run 22 episodes a year. In the Thick of It has made about that many episodes over 7.5 years. I don't think you can get people to watch that much biting satire in such a small time period.
But I think in the end, American audiences want to see the good in people, especially the main characters. If not good, at least some humanity.
Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire
#3I wonder how difference between TV show productions affects this. Broadcoast TV shows in America are expected to run 22 episodes a year. In the Thick of It has made about that many episodes over 7.5 years. I don't think you can get people to watch that much biting satire in such a small time period. But I think in the end, American audiences want to see the good in people, especially the main characters. If not good,…
>But I think in the end, American audiences want to see the good in people, especially the main characters. If not good, at least some humanity.
What's more human than trying and failing (or being beaten by the system)?
Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire
#4On the subject of Prime Minister's Questions here are some clips showing how rowdy it can get;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1iL2jGZiZw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUqhqsfE0YQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVs1jN85w10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUX9LvYlAps
Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire
#5On the subject of Prime Minister's Questions here are some clips showing how rowdy it can get; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1iL2jGZiZw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUqhqsfE0YQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVs1jN85w10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUX9LvYlAps
Those look a lot like political rap battles.
Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire
#6Is there any equivalent in the US of Private Eye: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_Eye?
Here's a recent cover: http://www.private-eye.co.uk/covers.php?showme=1383 and another: http://www.private-eye.co.uk/covers.php?showme=1378
Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire
#7On the subject of Prime Minister's Questions here are some clips showing how rowdy it can get; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1iL2jGZiZw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUqhqsfE0YQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVs1jN85w10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUX9LvYlAps
It should also be noted that PMQs are a "pressure release valve" for British politics. If you turn on BBC Parliament at any other time outside of that 30 minute period it is all very serious, very respectful, and a lot is accomplished.
I had BBC Parliament on almost the entire day during the "Gay Marriage" debates, and to be frank it was some of the best political discourse I've ever seen. Even though some people took the topic personally (e.g. old religious conservatives) they were always extremely respectful to both gay people AND to other members.
Keep in mind that debate was not whipped. So it made for quite an interesting dynamic with conservative debating other conservatives and some labour people coming out against gay marriage.
Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire
#8Is there any equivalent in the US of Private Eye: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_Eye ? Here's a recent cover: http://www.private-eye.co.uk/covers.php?showme=1383 and another: http://www.private-eye.co.uk/covers.php?showme=1378
Daily Show/John Oliver/Colbert are the closest the US comes as far as I know. Maybe South Park occasionally?
Although both the Daily Show and Colbert have now wrapped up. And John Oliver is more like 60 minutes (before they sold out) than Private Eye.
Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire
#9Saturday Night Live has done good political satire over the years.
Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire
#10I wonder how difference between TV show productions affects this. Broadcoast TV shows in America are expected to run 22 episodes a year. In the Thick of It has made about that many episodes over 7.5 years. I don't think you can get people to watch that much biting satire in such a small time period. But I think in the end, American audiences want to see the good in people, especially the main characters. If not good,…
> But I think in the end, American audiences want to see the good in people, especially the main characters. If not good, at least some humanity.
Perhaps it's a misunderstanding, but when British people "take the piss" they're not trying to suggest someone is subhuman, it's more often than not just playing with the absurdity in everyday life. It's not done with malice in mind, we "take the piss" of ourselves as much as we do others.
It's partly a freedom thing too, you can slag off your mate to his face, and they'll do the same back to you, because you know you don't mean it. You really need to be comfortable with someone to do that though, wouldn't recommend it as an ice breaker. ;-)
Here's one American who gets it... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU7L3D8Ndqo