Triumphrat

Archimedes · 02-13-2007

I think one should steer away from generalisations. Invariably, so called 'anti-american' sentiments are aimed toward the prevailing government and not the people per se.

Clarkson holds no truck with any nation. Be it the Swiss, Germans, French or other. He always has some comical/satirical riposte at hand - which makes him so likeable.

I guess if one raises one's head above the paprapet then you are likely to get shot.

Anyhow, the States have their own satirists do they not?

And yes, we heap as much oprobrium on Blair - probably more so because he's hated so much.

:razz:

doodledog · 02-13-2007

Its my beleif that the digs are aimed at the governments and policies thereof, no one makes accusations of a whole nation in so far as they are just the faceless masses and you cannot say they are any different from ourselves, if however the government of the day set themselves up through pompous stupid and ignorant comments/actions they are then fair game to be held up to ridicule by the world in general, this appies to every government in the world, its just more noticable when someone is doing it towards our/your own. THIS IS NOT a dig against the USA, her population or any other government or people, just my opinion of the world in general,DD.

welshrob · 02-13-2007

I haven`t lived in the UK for almost 8 years, but I don`t seem to remember Television being anti-American. I`ve got stacks of British TV comedy DVD`s and whilst the French usually cop a bashing there`s nothing Anti-American in them. It`s obviously happened in the last couple of years. There`s a lot of public resentment brewing over the war. The creators of the Tv series in question are probably just trying to cash in on it.

I don`t want to see Anti American messages in TV programs any more than I want to see pro war messages. It`s BS and there`s no need for it. I watch 'entertainment programs' to be entertained, not informed or influenced in my thoughts. I have my own opinions on world affairs and if I want facts on the matter I`ll watch the BBC World News.

Humour like Clarkson or the 'Dumb Americans' video though, shouldn`t be viewed as anything more than harmless fun.

richb · 02-13-2007

The US (Administration) is an easy media target at the moment because of public perception (however ill-informed) of the justification and prosecution of the Iraq war and its aftermath. In the 1800's it was France, in the 1900's it was largely Germany and/or Russia. You're big enough to deal with it, get over it.

We don't all get flustered that every British character in a Hollywood movie at the moment is a slimy, two-faced, weaselly (but extremely well-spoken) crook now, do we? :-D

(tip-toeing delicately over the politics before I'm smitten with the mighty Smiting Bat of Wom!)

Nickwiz · 02-13-2007

Quote:

On 2007-02-13 17:24, richb wrote:
We don't all get flustered that every British character in a Hollywood movie at the moment is a slimy, two-faced, weaselly (but extremely well-spoken) crook now, do we? :-D

(tip-toeing delicately over the politics before I'm smitten with the mighty Smiting Bat of Wom!)

Nope we don't! Nor do we get annoyed when they portray us as Hugh Grant alike upper class twits or when Hollywood re writes history so blatantly that it practicaly dishonours the scarifice made by this nation of ours and others during WW2 or... hell I could go on.

The thing is not like our Aussie cousins who love to laugh at themselves as much as they do at us I get the general impression that we are rather good at poking fun at ourselves the Aussies The Americans and anyone else too. I think a healthy nation is one who can laugh at itself.

So don't sweat the current anti American thing. Most of it is as Doodle and Arch says. Its about your Govt not you lot.Plus if you look at yourselves you might just get a glimpse of how daft you lot can sometimes be and learn to laugh along with us. As we do with you.

I have to say that Top gear was great. Though the Incedent in Alabama was mystifying to me and scary. It just shows what happens if you have a sense of humour bypass. If we saw that stuff on a car over here we'd laugh not try to kill the driver!
:???:

[ This message was edited by: Nickwiz on 2007-02-13 17:41 ]

Ridge · 02-13-2007

Thanks, guys. I think I have my answer.

I'm with you, Rob. I would rather not have any type of agenda driven message slipped into my entertainment. I especially hate it when the producers think their audience is dumb enough to swallow it without question.

And just to be clear, guys, I'm not referring to political satire or humors jabs. What I am referring to is propaganda. A clear, one-sided message delivered as "facts" within the story.

Thanks for your replies.

akenaten · 02-13-2007

To the rest of the world: LOVE US PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

Actually I agree with most of what's said here.

[ This message was edited by: akenaten on 2007-02-13 18:24 ]

Ridge · 02-13-2007

Quote:

richb wrote:
... You're big enough to deal with it, get over it.
We don't all get flustered that every British character in a Hollywood movie at the moment is a slimy, two-faced, weaselly (but extremely well-spoken) crook now, do we? :-D

Ok, thanks, Rich. I'll try my best to get over it, but as you can clearly read, I was neither flustered nor annoyed, merely surprised. I see now that I should not have been.

The quintessential slimy, two-faced British weasel you are referring to is my wife's all-time favorite. She's had it for him ever since the Sharpe's series. No one hates it more than she does when he appears as a weasel again and again.

(BTW, he was awesome in Bravo Two Zero)

Wombat · 02-13-2007

Ridge,
I saw on tv only the other night where Sean Bean suffered a cut above his eye while doing a scene in 'Patriot Games' with Harisson Ford.
Since then he has by his own choice, played the 'scar-faced British crim'.

I loved him in the Sharpe series.

Sprint1050DA · 02-13-2007

This week's Top Gear was awesome. Although I wouldn't want to try to make it 800 miles in a $1000 car. I thought trying to get the cow off the roof of the Camaro was hilarious. And about the incident at the gas station, you have to remember, that was the reaction that they were going for. I laughed for the majority of that episode. I also liked the Bugati Veyron v. Cessna 182.