Wallaroo

From a European point of view it is extremely bad taste to make TV entertainment out of something so serious as a trial. This might also be the primary cause for the fact that American trials look more like obnoxious stageplays and dirt throwing, instead of something serious where they actually stick to the case.

I think it most of all damages justice and fairness in a big fucking way.

ukrainska mavpa

well, you'll get no arguement here. In fact I comletely agree with you.

But to turn the tables on you a little bit, what's your excuse for things like Eurovision and other huge TV spectacles.

It gives the impression that Europeans not only have no taste in music but that the music and musicians who perform are actually popular. When in fact most of them will be forgotten by next week.

__________________
"A calm sea does not make a skilled sailor."


"You can't step on a blind man's testicles twice."

Wallaroo

I didnt know that Americans were also wathcing this disgusting Eurovision crap. I agree with you, it is incredible ugly and tasteless - both when it comes to the music, the performers, and the setup. I might add that the reason for this propably is the lack of a common European identity and mentallity. Notice how neutral and boring the hosts of the Eurovision shows always are - because they are adressing so many different countries with nothing in common.

ukrainska mavpa

Honestly, I don't know if it is broadcast here. I hope not.

Until recently, I was living in Eastern Europe and had to listen to people talk about that shit all the time.

But, overall I think the quality of European TV programs (with some obvious exceptions) are of generally higher quality that what we have here in the US.

I'm curious: Does Europe have something equivalent to the Daily Show and Colbert Report?

__________________
"A calm sea does not make a skilled sailor."


"You can't step on a blind man's testicles twice."

Shiva_TD

Raise your hand if you support secret trials as opposed to public trials.

Remember, shows like Judge Judy are not trials and are not conducted by the courts. They are TV shows addressing civil disputes where the TV producers pay the bill for the losers.

Fong

I think he was talking more about cases like OJ Simpson, Phil Spector et al.

As to the Eurovision song contest, you misunderstand it.

It isn't supposed to be about the music, it is supposed to be about Europe coming together to celebrate its culture and history and 'togetherness'

What it actually turns out to be is a back biting excercise where the European states vote depending on political standing rather then musical talent. Which is why no one sends any musical talent to the Eurovision song contest.....if you are only going to be judged on how your leaders treated your neighbours in 1998 then it really isn't worth sending anyone with any talent.

Fong

In England we have Bremner, Bird and Fortune. Have I Got News For You and Mock the Week. We also have Private-Eye magazine fortnightly.

We sadly lack anything like The Daily Show or The Colbert Report, two of my favorite shows, more Lewis Black is needed though.

The UK isn't politically active enough to warrant a TV show like Daily/Colbert.

Our two main political parties are almost indistinguishable. they just spent the last two weeks accusing each other of stealing ideas, that is how close they are and neither of them seem to have noticed the problem is that both of them stole ideas from the other side. We are not talking about initiatives to fix a problem...like hubcap tax, we are talking about entire party policies, core policies that are supposed to define you as a party.

Yet they were able to steal ideas from each other.

Since it is this bad in the UK, politics and the interest in politics has taken a nose drive.

captainmorgan

"Since it is this bad in the UK, politics and the interest in politics has taken a nose drive."


lack of interest in politics is a governments best friend. when you stop paying attention the snake in your room, dont be surprised when it bites you.

Fong

You should be talking in the past tense surely?

An unfounded war. Massive Taxes. Privatised Essential industries. A failing Education/Health service. Cost of living/Cost of Housing far out stripping average wages. Uncontrolled immigration.

The list goes on and on.

Still you are left with the feeling, I pay attention personally, and what I see are two political parties offering no real difference. No third party as a realistic option.

What do you do when the political parties become so similar that either choice is irrelevent, the overall outcome is the same.

You can pay attention all you like, it will not change anything. It requires a larger event to change something. The emergence of a third party? It is quite difficult to create and break into the mainstream a 3rd party.

On two occasions in Britain there has been a '3rd' party created. UKIP and Respect. Both parties exist purely on protest votes. UKIP survive on the Anti-EU vote and Respect survive on the Anti-War vote. Yet, despite that both have done well...considering what they are. This is because the public WANTS a third party.

To create one requires great wealth. Those of great wealth are doing very well in our society. There is no motivation to change that.

Wallaroo

The bolded part is much worse in Denmark than in the UK, take my word for it! I read that the UK has the second lowest taxes in Europe, so your complaint is silly from a danish point of view.