anime vs western tv

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HeartbreakerByZep
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Post by HeartbreakerByZep » Fri Jun 04, 2004 7:16 pm

I like modern western TV. Obviously most of it isn't sophisticated, intelectual, or even creative, but it's like the movie Van Helsing. You can't expect everything to be worthy of worship, everything to be superb and to blow your mind. Some things are going to be simply... something to watch to pass the time.

But one of the major factors that annoys me extensively about American TV is the way that shows are nearly always just trying to last forever. Even the adult dramas and all that, they don't give a damn about story or theme or anything of the sort, as long as they can last for another 50 seasons they'll be alright. It's disgusting, end a damn show for once! It's that kind of crap that gives me extra respect to shows like Furi Kuri... and to books. (excluding book series)
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Zarxrax
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Post by Zarxrax » Fri Jun 04, 2004 7:22 pm

I've stopped watching TV for a while now, except when I go home and I'm with family and friends and stuff, cause all they ever do is watch tv -_-

There are a few decent shows on TV, but for the most part its definately crap. I typically enjoy watching channels like TV Land, theres usually some decent crap on there. And the occasional thing on the Discovery Channel... and of course classics like The Simpsons. And who doesnt enjoy watching those dudes from Takeshi's Castle on MXC? Ok, well maybe that one isn't really a true western show, but it wouldn't be the same without the commentary.

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madbunny
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Post by madbunny » Fri Jun 04, 2004 7:24 pm

You have to realize that western (read American) TV has a lot of restrictions placed on it via the FCC and what sort of content can be shown in a particular timeslot, or even at all. Additionally many of the shows are designed to reach specific target audiences. Once you start designing your entertainment and marketing it for smaller and smaller nich audiences you begin to alienate everyone outside of that nich.

If you take a look at an average evening of programming on Japanese television, you will see pretty much what you see on American television. Junk. Buttloads of weird ass game shows,Sitcoms that probably make no sense, drama shows that make no sense, and the odd show here and there that is good.

For every 'sopranos' and 'Oz', and 'stargate' you have 10 'Knight Rider', 'Baywatch', and 'Midnight confessions' too.
Build a man a fire, and he will be warm for a night. Set a man on fire, and he will be warm for the rest of his life.

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angelx03
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Post by angelx03 » Fri Jun 04, 2004 7:25 pm

I only watch 24 and a few comedy sitcoms on TV.
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HeartbreakerByZep
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Post by HeartbreakerByZep » Fri Jun 04, 2004 7:31 pm

madbunny wrote:You have to realize that western (read American) TV has a lot of restrictions placed on it via the FCC and what sort of content can be shown in a particular timeslot, or even at all.
Granted that this is a major problem. But if they really want to, they can get around it (just like Japan does by putting shows like Berserk & Hellsing on during deep night) just look at South Park. At night (here in America) you can show a heck of a lot of stuff... violence, swearing, sex, nudity, talking about all the aforementioned subjects, and that's all on average cable, not Direct TV or anything. Plus you can do a heck of a lot depending on the audience you claim to aim for. Movies on those Oxygen and Women's channels always show things about rape and murder and sex.

There definetly are great American TV shows, and there probably are whole tons of bad Japanese shows, but I'd have no doubt to say that Japan has the better shows.
Look at all my trials and tribulations
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Don't disturb me now, I can see the answers
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Charizard305
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Post by Charizard305 » Fri Jun 04, 2004 7:31 pm

madbunny wrote:You have to realize that western (read American) TV has a lot of restrictions placed on it via the FCC and what sort of content can be shown in a particular timeslot, or even at all. Additionally many of the shows are designed to reach specific target audiences. Once you start designing your entertainment and marketing it for smaller and smaller nich audiences you begin to alienate everyone outside of that nich.
That dosen't mean that every big show on TV has to me some kind of American/Pop Idol, or some Survivor Remake. Granted not every television show is like that, and there are a few good ones out there, but it seems that all of the shows on T.V. are new sitcoms that suck, have no real plot, don't let you feel for the characters or has been done before. You just dont see the good sitcoms like Friends, Seinfeld (kinda) or the like anymore.

Amreican Idol is what, going into its 4th year now? Yea, it was ok the first year, but damn, The show is old now. Everything you coulda possibly done has been done. And as for the survivor shows, how can you watch a group of people stab everyone elce in the back and get a kick out of it. Thats just asenine
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Nekoboy Sal
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Post by Nekoboy Sal » Fri Jun 04, 2004 7:31 pm

I'v completely stoped watching western TV (moving to Irland helped). The only thing I watch on TV (wich is a widescreen like all Eruopean TVs) is Emerdale, Corination Street, Eastenders, or what ever my grandma is wathcing duruing dinner. I'v stopped plalying Video games aswell. I only have one power addapter and I'm not bothered to unhook my DVD player every 5 minets.
During the last 1 or 2 years before I moved my TV watching dwindaled. SciFi channel, Ed, Edd, And Eddy, and Adult swim was pretty much the only things I wathced. I missed the good SciFi channel too. When they didn't play stupid TV series like Tremors. Its nothing compared to the Movies. But only the first 2 were good. It went downhilll from there. I did like Stargate, but again nothing compared to the movei. I remember when I watched Gigantor on the SciFi chanel with my mom.
*Sigh* The Good old days.
BACK WHEN THE SCIFI CHANNEL WAS COOL!
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I've just moved to Politicaly Corect "Republic of Ireland".

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Charizard305
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Post by Charizard305 » Fri Jun 04, 2004 7:35 pm

Thats another thing. Stargate the move was Awesome, Stargate SG-1 is Watchable but only a mere twinkle of the movie, as with any series, it should start out as a series to introduce the characters and get you aquainted with them, then create a movie about it so you can focus more on the story line and plot of that movie.
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Don't expect to have an inteligent conversation with me, the hampster that runs the wheel inside my head died a few weeks ago from lack of excersize.

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Post by Aussie_angel5 » Fri Jun 04, 2004 10:18 pm

I prefer Stargate SG-1 to the movie. The series is a lot more entertaining, and I prefer the more comedic Jack to the serious Jack in the movie. By the way, I'm a Stargate fan so I just had to say that.

I don't watch much television any more. I used to watch it addictively, but now I have found it boring. There is this new show on 7 that seems to be a cross of Alias and 24 - both of which I enjoy. I am REALLY tired of reality shows, they just flooded the market when the ratings went up.

I gotta say I prefer anime because it's different and I don't see much of it. I'd like to see more, but I need the money and time to actually go out and buy them.

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demented
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Post by demented » Sat Jun 05, 2004 12:37 am

Theres plenty of anime that was influenced by westen media. You're not very observant if you couldn't spot it. I'll give a few examples:

Cowboy Bebop: Mushroom Samba episode based on the Blaxploitation films of the 70's. Mad Pierrot was based on the Penguin and Joker from Batman comics. Spike is dressed like Dirty Harry. Fuck the music itself was Western

Trigun: The typical Old West layout

You see that Japanese has a fascination with Native Americans, as seen in Cowboy Bebop, Dragonball (original), Cyborg 009, and Dagger of Kamui.

There was an Oingo Boingo poster in Kuwabara's room in Yu Yu Hakusho

Macross series: Da plane!! Boss! Da plane!!! As in look in the plane designs



On a different take on this topic, I see the FCC or whoever censors anime on daytime television as bunch of hypocrites

I see plenty of anime on tv were cigarettes, guns, and booze are airbrushed out just because they are cigarettes, guns, and booze. But if you look at a Tom and Jerry cartoon, you see Tom holding up Jerry at gunpoint in a Old Wes themed cartoon. Tom even rolls up and smokes a fucking cigarette. Also didn't Nibbles (Jerry's nephew) get drunk on ale in the Robin Hood-ish short? Underaged drinking is a no no in anime, but its alright in a western cartoon. Yeah I understand that they're animals, but the representation is still there.
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