Why must Brits be the bad guys?

[McLaren]

This has started to irk me for a while, but these shows that have 3 judges (1's a Brit), like American Inventor, America's Got Talent, American Idol, etc. seem to have 1 thing in common....Yes, these are all arguably dumb shows.

For some reason, the shows' producers have this idea to make the British fellow the heartless, evil critic. America's Got Talent British fellow said a 9 year old girl's mother made her do the skit on the show, and everyone turned on him. American Inventor's British judge called one invention, ridicuously stupid...and he was blasted.

This may not be the be the smartest question, but I want to know why the British must be made to look like an intolerable, uncaring, jerk who's only on the show to call people stupid, or bad while the American judges are kind, sympathetic humans.

I suppose it's just TV, but I feel a real British citizen could give insight as to why American TV must make them look like they are above everyone else, and that nobody can do something good.

 

[Barracuda]

Because brits are stuck up jerks who think that if something isn't british, it's completely rubish, lol jk

 

[a6m5]

I don't watch reality TV(much), but I would think that they are copying the American Idol? They are probably the most popular reality TV program in the States, and I think the other shows are copying one of the key formula.

 

[3-Wheel Drive]

I think they are just cranky because their weather always sucks

 

[opelgt1969]

It might be that they don't have that Southernnnn Drawwww in their voice you being from Texas should notice this. I'm not against Brits but around here we do have a local newsperson (I think it's only local) thats a Brit and it seems everything he talks about is in a snobbish tone. I don't watch reality shows because they don't seem real.

 

[McLaren]

It might be that they don't have that Southernnnn Drawwww in their voice you being from Texas should notice this. I'm not against Brits but around here we do have a local newsperson (I think it's only local) thats a Brit and it seems everything he talks about is in a snobbish tone. I don't watch reality shows because they don't seem real.

Are you saying, because they don't talk like a redneck is why I don't understand them being the bad guys?

 

[opelgt1969]

Are you saying, because they don't talk like a redneck is why I don't understand them being the bad guys?

You Bet-chew I never had much of a Brit humor thing understanding myself Note: my location (about the most redneck area in the USA)

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

I think a6m5 is right in saying that they are copying American Idol. I think Simon Cowell is some people's reason for watching the show.

So You Think You Can Dance feels like a copy of American Idol with the judges and everything, but it was made by the same producers.

America's Got Talent has Simon Cowell listed as one of its creators.

From wikipedia on American Inventor:
"It was conceived by UK entrepreneur Peter Jones... and produced by Jones alongside Simon Cowell and the producers of American Idol."

So after some research, it seems Simon Cowell has a lot to do with it.

I think it makes the shows more interesting, though I only really watch Hell's Kitchen.

 

[Famine]

British people - or more specifically English people - are the last safe preserve of the Cliched Villain Department. Film directors make us The Bad Guy, because we have an air of knowing superiority (our accents - other than Scousers, Cockneys, Geordies, Mackems, West Cun'ry and Naaarfok - make us sound slighty snobby) even if it isn't deserved. Plus we've done a lot of bad things to other people in history, allowing Mel Gibson to make Braveheart and The Patriot.

But we don't really mind and, even if we did, we're too reserved to complain about it...

 

[the Interceptor]

When Brian Cox was the star in Top Gears reasonably priced car, Jeremy Clarkson asked him why the Brit always is the bad guy in Hollywood movies. He replied that "the Americans mistrust intelligence.".

Anyway, Simon Cowell is the motor of that show, because people do not only watch it to see talents, people watch it to see faces of people Simon totally destroys. A huge chunk of the shows appeal is voyeurism, and Simon is the motor for that.

Regards
the Interceptor

 

[niky]

"the Americans mistrust intelligence.".

It's a stereotype created by dry and sarcastic media figures like Simon Cowell and Jeremy Clarkson himself...

Of course, it gets old, quick... even Simon Cowell seems to often struggle for words in dressing down contestants on American Idol, and a lot of it can seem forced.

 

[Danny]

The real answer is because we're all inherently evil.





You'd think somewhere down here I'd put j/k, but I'm really not.

 

[Duke]

It's retaliation against the standard British stereotype that all Americans are loud, tasteless boors with big hats and Southern accents.

Then again, that's pretty much what the world thinks of us, so get in line.

 

[Race Idiot]

It's retaliation against the standard British stereotype that all Americans are loud, tasteless boors with big hats and Southern accents.

Then again, that's pretty much what the world thinks of us, so get in line.

Thats just you guys, i'm pretty sure the rest of the world just thinks of us as drunken thugs.

Well at least I hope so.

Or maybe thats the irish in me trying to come out iono.

 

[McLaren]

British people - or more specifically English people - are the last safe preserve of the Cliched Villain Department. Film directors make us The Bad Guy, because we have an air of knowing superiority (our accents - other than Scousers, Cockneys, Geordies, Mackems, West Cun'ry and Naaarfok - make us sound slighty snobby) even if it isn't deserved. Plus we've done a lot of bad things to other people in history, allowing Mel Gibson to make Braveheart and The Patriot.

But we don't really mind and, even if we did, we're too reserved to complain about it...

I figured you'd be the one to put it best, and I wasn't wrong. 👍

When Brian Cox was the star in Top Gears reasonably priced car, Jeremy Clarkson asked him why the Brit always is the bad guy in Hollywood movies. He replied that "the Americans mistrust intelligence.".

Anyway, Simon Cowell is the motor of that show, because people do not only watch it to see talents, people watch it to see faces of people Simon totally destroys. A huge chunk of the shows appeal is voyeurism, and Simon is the motor for that.

Regards
the Interceptor

Ah, I can see how that should make since now. People watch for the 'insults' and humilation the English do to us rather than the shows itself, sometimes. 👍

 

[the Interceptor]

Ah, I can see how that should make since now. People watch for the 'insults' and humilation the English do to us rather than the shows itself, sometimes.

Yeah. But it doesn't neccessarily have to be an english guy, it's just that Simon Cowell is an integral part of the show and its production and a bigmouth at the same time. It could as well be an american though. Here in Germany, we surely have the same show, and a similarly rude guy called Dieter Bohlen. He's the most successful german producer ever and, just as in your version, one of the reasons people watch it at all.

Regards
the Interceptor

 

[Boundary Layer]

It's the American Revolutionary War. The British played the bad guys in that, and they've been stuck in that role since.

 

[Stevisiov]

It's the American Revolutionary War. The British played the bad guys in that, and they've been stuck in that role since.

That could just be the answer, damn us brits

 

[Lee]

Because of Fish and Chips, America is just jealous that we beat 'em to it.

 

[Dougboy]

Gordon Ramsay anyone? Never heard a chef swear so much in my life

 

[Omnis]

In American Idol's case, Simon is the only one who is right. He's not mean or evil, he's RIGHT.

 

[Loon]

With the shows I think they make themselves the bad guys. With their accent and lack of tact they come off as very evil, even though they are just giving their honest opinion.

 

[Slick Rick]

Gordon Ramsay anyone? Never heard a chef swear so much in my life

Well if you dont ****ing like it, you can **** off and change the ****ing channel.

















jk
He does swear too much imo but its not really a big deal, thats just the way he is....

 

[TheCracker]

Gordon Ramsay's Scottish - they're aloud to swear, it's part of their language. You should hear daan and TM at the UKGTP's, it's like being at a Tourettes Conference.

 

[daan]

Gordon Ramsay's Scottish - they're aloud to swear, it's part of their language. You should hear daan and TM at the UKGTP's, it's like being at a Tourettes Conference.

Hawd yer peep, yah dobber.

 

[Alex.]

dont forget we always have villians who are british in movies

 

[FastEddie12]

Brits tend to say it like it is (eg "I need a pee.")

Yanks tend to dress it up (eg " I need a comfort break")

Brits love to shoot people down - particularly the French, of course.

Yanks like to build people up - except the Canadians, of course....

I really think it's that simple. Cowell stumbled on a successful formula by telling bad singers they couldn't sing while all the Yank judges were trying to dress it up (eg Yank judge: "you need to work on your tuning, but otherwise it was wonderful"; Cowell "My cat sings better than that in the bath...").

Vive la difference.

PS Some years ago I worked at the airport, and an American came up to me and asked me if there was a bathroom he could use. Slightly surprised, I said "well there's a gents toilet over there, but I don't think it has a bath in it. You might find a shower somewhere, though." 💡

 

[Azuremen]

Thats just you guys, i'm pretty sure the rest of the world just thinks of us as drunken thugs.

Well at least I hope so.

Or maybe thats the irish in me trying to come out iono.

Naw, its true... all the Germans and French I've dealt with while in Europe tend to be driven nuts by drunk English tourists on vacation.

And the English peoples I ran into (aside from very good looking girls), were generally drunk... one guy I was dealing with on a regular basis at where I was staying could be seen with a pint in hand by around.. 10am.

That, and your accents make you sound all superior like, plus their is the dry, cutting nature of your insults and humor, which most people just don't understand over here in the US.

 

[Dave A]

Oooh, dry cutting insults. Yes, we have a pretty sharp sense of humour imo, but day to day we're very reserved.

With regards to being drunk, we'll their on holiday, what do you expect. Even then, most Brits I've seen of gone on holiday with wer'nt drunk either at all or that often.

 

[zoxxy]

This has started to irk me for a while, but these shows that have 3 judges (1's a Brit), like American Inventor, America's Got Talent, American Idol, etc. seem to have 1 thing in common....Yes, these are all arguably dumb shows.

For some reason, the shows' producers have this idea to make the British fellow the heartless, evil critic. America's Got Talent British fellow said a 9 year old girl's mother made her do the skit on the show, and everyone turned on him. American Inventor's British judge called one invention, ridicuously stupid...and he was blasted.

This may not be the be the smartest question, but I want to know why the British must be made to look like an intolerable, uncaring, jerk who's only on the show to call people stupid, or bad while the American judges are kind, sympathetic humans.

I suppose it's just TV, but I feel a real British citizen could give insight as to why American TV must make them look like they are above everyone else, and that nobody can do something good.

Because it's an american TV show?