G'day, American television!

I thought I'd do a blog posting about TV here because I've been getting slowly hooked on some of the shows. (We don't go the movies, so its our last ditch effort for cheap entertainment, ok?)

First, let me touch on how most of the TV here are American shows. Such as reruns of Friends, The O.C., Top Chef, America's Next Top Model, 90210, Oprah, Two and a Half Men, The Simpsons (by far the most popular), Family Guy, So You Think You Can Dance, David Letterman, and Project Runway. Purely American, and only about 1 season old. Now if only they would show The Office and LOST...

Then the rest of TV is filled with football (rugby), strange Aussie dramas, makeover shows from the U.K., shows about traveling and where to go on holiday, the mega-hit reality show Big Brother, and Aussie versions of American shows. Think Deal or No Deal, but watered down...different humour...quieter...smaller budget. These shows include Australia's Next Top Model, Project Runway Australia, So You Think You Can Dance (AU), The F Word (Hell's Kitchen in the US) and of course, the most popular- Australian Idol. Check out one of my favorite contestant's audition video.

One of the main differences on basic TV here is the Aussie government are much more laid back on censorship. Imagine the look on our faces when first watching Australian Idol, and hearing one of the judges saying "that was complete bull$hit". Or hearing Chef Ramsay scream out "WHAT THE F*** are you F***ing doing, you F***ing kidding me?" All this, on primetime family TV. But ironically, they're not allowed to show the "Itchy and Scratchy" cartoons on the Simpsons...isn't that bizarre? We're still trying to figure it all out...

Meanwhile, the best has to be the comedic skills of this country. Boy can they drink, and man...are...they...FUNNY! Who doesn't appreciate a sense of humour, and even funnier when they are making fun of Americans and/or Kiwis! Check out one of the latest "ad breaks" (Aussie for TV commercial) from a major bank here, Commonwealth Bank. (warning, you might not think its quite as funny as we do since we now live here in Oz)

Of course, it seems to be an international trait that commercials about beer are generally pretty funny. Although this beer itself (like most Aussie beer) is gross, check out this commercial, and I DARE you not to laugh...

Lastly, you have your late night shows here (like Letterman/Leno) and the best and only one here is called Rove. Check out a clip from funnyman Rove McManus while he interviews one of the biggest Aussie claims to fame, Kylie Minogue. It's quite long, so fast forward to about 5 minutes in. Now listen carefully to their accents, and try to differentiate how they don't sound British at all. (Don't worry if you can't tell the difference, most Americans-like us-had to rely on cultural immersion and close listening)

So you see? We're not missing out on much American style couch potato TV down under!