Susan Jacobson

Well, we have heard about the Bush economic meltdown, but with a focus on what it might mean here in the UK. While the Brits are concerned about what is happening Over There (the magazine Private Eye published a special “End of World” Edition), it is crystal clear that Things are Not As Bad Over Here. The UK does not have huge budget deficits. The UK banks did not engage in the kind of predatory lending at the same rate as their American counterparts. Although increases in food and energy prices have also adversely affected British families, the British economy is fundamentally strong.

What I can’t get over here are the very best and juicy parts of the American news media. I had to read online about McCain being a no-show on Letterman, and because the “broadband” Internet connection here is so awful I still have not been able to see more than the first two minutes of Dave’s discussion. I can sometimes download part of Countdown, which makes my day. I was finally granted access to the ultra-snotty British Library, where the broadband works just fine, thank you, and where I may have to resort to watching Countdown during my lunch breaks. I can’t wait for Keith’s Special Comments on the election.

SkyNews and the BBC are the top two news organizations over here. The BBC is supposed to be more liberal and SkyNews more conservative (it’s owned by Murdoch), but they have both been pretty balanced on their coverage of Obama and McCain.

Still, I keep flipping the channels looking for some juicy coverage. Instead, I have found an interesting buffet of programming we have exported to the Brits, and a few shows that the Brits really must send back to us.

American Programming in London:

There is an entire channel devoted to Friends reruns.

Another channel features Ugly Betty for an hour every single night as its primetime offering.

The Ugly Betty channel also offers The Wonder Years every evening and Desperate Housewives on the weekend.

The Family Guy is the only American cartoon.

“The New Season” of America’s Next Top Model just started, and it’s season 10. (Hint: Whitney wins)

Programs over here that will or should soon be going over there:

The Dog Whisperer – Why is this not a feature on Animal Planet? Cesar Milan shows owners of unruly dogs how they can control their pets’ behavior by maintaining a calm demeanor as leader of the pack. It works every time.

Lost in Austen– OMG, a completely screwed-up version of Pride and Prejudice where a modern-day Londoner finds a portal into the world of Austen’s novel. The plot becomes unraveled. Jane marries Mr. Connors, Lydia runs off with Bingley, Elizabeth joins the 21st century where she works as a nanny, and the London interloper ends up with Mr. Darcy. Still, it’s kind of fun.

Tags: bush, countdown, end of the world, jane austen, mccain, obama