Just had a LONGGGGG chat with a UK buddy who admits he watches way too much TV, and he's convinced that there are some dire signs that the "special" British sense of humour is soon to go the way of the dodo. He figures that when something really edgy, and funny (read: potentially offensive, folks) gets a ton of hate mail, the Brit officials have always just chucked the complaints in the waste-paper basket. He asks whether Canadian or American networks or sponsors are a bit more easily spooked. My feeling is yes. The wondefully written Sopranos, has certainly been forced to come to heel a few times by the Italian anti-defamation league, and I have no doubt that a lot of 'single issue' groups, have kept a pretty tight rein on a lot of other shows. They're pretty scared about 'sponsor boycotts'.

Heather and I were huge fans of "Ab-Fab", but sadly most of our friends found it 'vulgar, in bad taste, and in some cases...sickening. Have their been sponsor boycotts in the UK?

There were a few panicked peeps when Rick Mercer's "Talking To Americans" was reducing people to stitches (if you're not familiar with this bit of mischief...check it out on the net....especially the episode where the Governor of Arkansas officially congratulates us on the opening of our "National Igloo"!!)

And then of course there's Michael Moore (as has been mentioned)...he may have been on cable, but he was ON.

It kind of boils down to 'mild humour' and 'bitter humour'. I can sure enjoy Andy and Barney, but I gotta have a dose of "Yes Minister" or "Ab Fab" to keep focused.

Cheers

Rick