I really have tried to like US telly, but I'm beginning to think that the deadly combination of the writers' strike, lazy broadcasting (i.e. endless re-runs and (worse still) 'marathons') and the lack of cable TV in my room is conspiring against me. Of course, there are also the endless channels trying to sell me (ironic grin) exercise equipment or some evangelical channel wanting me to send money.
Don't get me wrong, I love US TV drama - check out my favourite TV shows on my Facebook page. There are few I dislike and I love Six Feet Under, Rescue Me, Dexter, Numb3rs, Without A Trace - the list goes on. But, please, ad breaks every 7 mins - aaarrrggghhh.
However, this brings me to the main point: US ads rock! Sure, mixed in with the really good stuff is some truly bad stuff. But when they're good, they're really good. And sure I appreciate that sometimes they're inane or cheesy but that just makes them all the more appealing to me. Top 3 favourites at the moment are as follows (enjoy):
3rd - Bud Light 'talking to animals'
2nd - Subway 'receipt for burgers'
1st - but pride of place goes to the Jeep ad (sure, I'm a sucker for the 70s-tastic song, but it is, as my US colleagues would say, "totally freakin' awesome").
Enjoy...
3 comments:
Yeah, the ads are often better than the content. Be sure to watch the Superbowl half time slots!
You're better of with cable -- HBO and the like are the places for the more innovative material, though you may find the odd one or two gems on terrestrial, and PBS should have a good stock of BBC (ancient and modern!).
But on the whole, your mental health will be nurtured far more by staying clear of the TV, especially the news, which is skimpy, simplistic and selective.
Indeedy, I cannot wait to move into the rental, sort my cable and get plugged in for "over 200 channels".
Without HBO, Bruce definitely had it right when he said "57 channels and nothing on".
The news: you're spot on. What's more astonishing is the tick-off list of stereotypes - the cheery & wacky weather person, the male/female lead anchors, the agonising "ad-libbing". It's like 'Ron Burgundy' - but in real life.
And the hair, don['t forget the news anchor hair.
Looks like it comes out of a packet.
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