Mark, I am pleased to hear that and I'll promiss you, you won't regret it. We never did.
As for American television audiences, I do like to tread lightly on that subject, I know too many Americans that get rather upset if you tell them in not so many words that basically they might be considered a little uneducated in some cases.
Like when my daughter did her High School degree in LA and someone asked her if Germany was still a suburb of Moscow and how Hitler was doing. Phew, how to deal with a bright question like that from an 18 year old?
No, you are right, too much nannying going on, which can be a bit of a problem in the UK too, only that when it comes to documentaries, Brits tend to be more on the ball, allthough I have as yet to see one where you will actually get to see a lion making the kill and eating it. I my opinion this is totally wrong. Yes, children need protecting but not necessarily from all of the real world. I recently had the displeasure of having to sit through 'African Cats' a US doc about, well, African cats. What a stupid and dumbed down programme that was. All the lions and cheetahs were given human names. Sorry, they are wild animals, these don't come up to you for a cuddle and if they do, you'd better have a ranger with you that's a sure shot, unless you want to end up on their dinner table.
All a bit Disney in the end.
Thank goodness we don't have cable here yet. I've seen what others get and for the pleasure of paying up to 50GBP a month, that's a definitive 'thanks, but no thanks' from me. We have what in the UK is called Freeview. All the BBC channels, ITV one to god know what, plus a host of others. Worst of the lot is '5' and its offspring. Must have US origins, at least 60% of their mindless drivel is CSI, NCIS, Law and Order... the list is endless, plus that fat old fart Steven Segal. How on earth do they still manage to squeeze him into the black suit?
Oh, Man v. Food, now that probably explains a lot about American obesity. When someone goes out to stuff himself to the point of being sick and then gets posted as the great role model... Yep, I think I've seen it all now.
I have considered getting this Netflix service but I was somewhat disappointed that I can't see what the whole offer is unless I actually do sign up first. That is something I highly disagree with. First you show me what you've got, then I'll think about joining, not the other way round, probably in the hope that I will either forget or just keep it anyway.
As for Michael Moore, who over the years lost a lot of his followers and fans in Europe, I too am a little unsure. His doc Sicko was not too concerned with the truth in places, as for Bowling for Columbine, I lack the background knowledge to judge him on that one.
Gasland, that's a new one to me, though I have heard of the coal tar project from friends in Canada, some of whom violently oppose the scheme but again, I am not sure how far this has progressed or whether or not it may even have been shelved for the time being (until fuel is even more expensive and resitance dwindles).
Food Inc, now that sound intriguing and I will see if I can find it somewhere. I doubt that it'll surprise me in any way. As I mentioned at some point, I used to own/run an organic greengrocers and delicatessen. The things you learn about food in the process... some of the more unsavoury things that make their way into our food are tough to stomach.
Fancy a nice Frankfurter made from MRM? Mechanically recovered meat. Slurry to you and me.
. The manufacturers of the machines do their best to keep any videos of the process off the web. Tasty, I tell you, very tasty. Seen one of the machines in action in Germany during a food manufacturers fair in Cologne. Best thing I can say about it is... It has to be seen to be believed.
But back to the old TV. I am rather pleased with my country of residence. I my opinion the BBC is the best broadcaster in the world and I have seen a few. The BBC has an awful lot to be grateful for to David Attenborough, who back in the 60s was head of the doc department, pretty much shaping its future. One thing for sure, there can never be another one like him. He has done more for UK TV then anybody else I know, so Hail Sir David.
Let me know how you got on with the 'Following'.