Why the British Are Better at Satire • Hacker News Board

Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire

#21

Post by zevyoura » Wed, Feb 18, 2015, 1:03 AM UTC

jgrahamc wrote: post #6

Is 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

The Onion is by far the most prominent satirical publication in the US and probably the closest equivalent, though the styles of humor are different.

Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire

#22

Post by wwweston » Wed, Feb 18, 2015, 1:08 AM UTC

Someone1234 wrote: post #8

jgrahamc wrote: post #6

Is 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.

Also, John Oliver is... British.

Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire

#23

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Feb 18, 2015, 1:13 AM UTC

rhino369 wrote: post #2

I 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,…

[deleted]

Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire

#24

Post by ssenko » Wed, Feb 18, 2015, 1:21 AM UTC

Why are you still watching revision?

Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire

#25

Post by ssenko » Wed, Feb 18, 2015, 1:23 AM UTC

Why are you still watching television? Don't you people have VC $ to blow?

Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire

#26

Post by baldfat » Wed, Feb 18, 2015, 1:32 AM UTC

New England's native tongue is sarcasm and I think we do it just great (no sarcasm)

BUT people who hate sarcasm I just LOVE them.

Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire

#27

Post by bruceb » Wed, Feb 18, 2015, 1:33 AM UTC

1_player wrote: post #20

Swizec wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think that in the US this is primarily a male trait. Guys are supposed to make fun of their guy friends. But you'll never see girls doing the same to each other. The cool ones will do it to/with their guy friends.

I've read somewhere that there's no real appreciation and respect between two men unless they make fun of each other.

You are worse than a youtube commenter.

Edit: down voted... I guess some didn't get the joke

Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire

#28

Post by agumonkey » Wed, Feb 18, 2015, 1:38 AM UTC

rhino369 wrote: post #2

I 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,…

I think it's been mocked a bit in Community. One character was utterly fond of short British TV shows that would end abruptly after 6 episodes, while American shows would be milked seasons after seasons.

Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire

#29

Post by bruceb » Wed, Feb 18, 2015, 1:40 AM UTC

Yes Minister. One of the smartest (and timeless) comedies of all time. The power play between politicians, bureaucrats, and the public/business. The series is better than a Political Science course.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes_Minister #5 in this poll http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britain%27s_Best_Sitcom

Start with a classic "Open Government" http://www.veoh.com/watch/v21037637mzbJZ9n4?h1=Yes+Minister+...

Re: Why the British Are Better at Satire

#30

Post by dmolony » Wed, Feb 18, 2015, 1:41 AM UTC

jonnathanson wrote: post #14

rhino369 wrote: post #2

I 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." I used to work in TV series development. One of the ongoing legends in the TV development business is how every American TV exec loves Fawlty Towers , and even though everyone's tried to adapt it for American TV, none of their attempts has been successful. The reason being that American audiences need the prot…

But Basil is totally likeable. He's very reasonable, but the world (and his wife) always conspires against him. His only real fault is his class consciousness, but show me a Brit without any of that.