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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2016 13:13:20 GMT
I just got back from a business trip in Europe. I wind down at the end of the day by watching TV, so I was happy that there were a few channels that had English language, which is not always the case. There were 6 channels that had BBC programming, and I spent the week watching some really interesting programs. The one thing that struck me was that I was constantly seeing the faces of gasp! older women. Most of them were not especially attractive, and did not have anywhere close to perfect teeth. A good number of them were overweight. And there they were, on the TV, as if they had the right to be. Imagine that!
I found that to be so refreshing. If you watch TV in the US, you would think that everyone is assembled from a kit of perfect parts and dies after the age of 40. If you ever see an older woman, she must be superhumanly preserved. If she LOOKS like an older woman, she is only there to be either the kindly grandmother or else is to be ridiculed.
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Post by gar on May 1, 2016 13:17:27 GMT
I wouldn't have thought there'd be such a marked difference...that's interesting and sad and shameful of the TV industry.
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maurchclt
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Post by maurchclt on May 1, 2016 13:18:50 GMT
That does sound refreshing! Imagine, older women without face lifts, huge lips, faces that don't move etc.
Imagine older women with wrinkles!
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Post by AN on May 1, 2016 13:19:45 GMT
Although I didn't notice this specifically, I did find TV in England interesting and this lines up with my observations. Overall, even for the prime time, well-known shows, production values on the whole were just a lot less "slick" and seemed lower than the US. I do watch a couple BBC shows (Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife), but the majority of what I saw on nightly TV felt like they had lower production values. The style generally felt less polished. Not good or bad, just different.
It wasn't anything I'd be up for paying a TV license fee for! Haha
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Post by hop2 on May 1, 2016 13:24:33 GMT
Well, the US seems to be the only country overly obsessed with 'perfect' teeth. Perfectly straight, perfectly white, perfectly perfect. No gaps ( gasp! )
Everywhere else seems to be fine so long as the teeth work.
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Post by seikashaven on May 1, 2016 13:26:59 GMT
If you watch shows like Broadchurch or Happy Valley you'll see what the OP is talking about. I think it draws better acting because you can hire for skill and not just body type. Plus I find I get more into the story lines be if the actors look like actual people who could be my neighbors or colleagues.
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2016 13:31:10 GMT
I noticed this too. I really enjoyed Sherlock, Broadchurch, and Happy Valley. They're all shows with fantastic acting, great stories, and normal-looking people. The kind of people I see around town. After I watch something like that, American shows look so fake.
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2016 13:41:38 GMT
I don't really watch much British tv but I think we have a lot of beautiful older actresses and they are beautiful because they clearly haven't given in to plastic surgery.
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Post by anxiousmom on May 1, 2016 13:51:57 GMT
I've been watching MI-5 and have noticed something similar. All the main characters are normal looking, wide variety of age groups, acting skills seem to trump looks-it is so encouraging. In this show in particular, very different that what we see here, skills and intelligence doesn't seem to erode the moment your first wrinkle appears.
I like it.
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Post by Really Red on May 1, 2016 13:59:23 GMT
Well, they're they're not weatherwomen on Swiss television, because they are all dressed in sexy evening wear and look like they are ready to go to the clubs.
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quiltz
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Post by quiltz on May 1, 2016 14:37:58 GMT
I enjoyed watching TV when I am in different countries. There is a difference from the US, even Canadian tv is different from US tv.
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Post by melanell on May 1, 2016 14:52:16 GMT
I wouldn't have thought there'd be such a marked difference...that's interesting and sad and shameful of the TV industry. There's definitely a difference, and I agree. DH & I have been commenting on it for years, now. It's so refreshing to see people who look "real". It makes the show or movie more realistic and engaging in our opinion. |
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valleyview
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Post by valleyview on May 1, 2016 15:19:51 GMT
Not only do I enjoy watching the acting skills on British TV, I enjoy seeing women as real characters who may be bosses in their fictional jobs. There also seems to be more realistic betrayal of middle class people and housing.
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tuesdaysgone
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Post by tuesdaysgone on May 1, 2016 16:57:26 GMT
One of my favorite British shows is Vera. The lead character is an older woman, very "real," full of both life experiences and flaws. She's played by Brenda Blethyn. While there are a few older actresses in American TV, I agree with the OP it's not common.
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anniebygaslight
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Post by anniebygaslight on May 1, 2016 17:03:22 GMT
I would rather look at a lived in face than an expressionless flat wrinkle free face with a trout pout any day.
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scrappinghappy
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Post by scrappinghappy on May 1, 2016 17:20:06 GMT
It wasn't anything I'd be up for paying a TV license fee for! Haha BUT an it's a huge but, that TV license means NO ADVERTISING and for that I would happily pay for the license. |
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Post by pierogi on May 1, 2016 17:50:13 GMT
My mom loves a British show about these two older women detectives who are also gardeners. (Rosemary and Thyme?) Given that a large segment of viewers are women older than their 20's, you'd think networks here would be more open to having actors who are outside the glamor box.
I think Call the Midwife and Downton Abbey are very polished shows on par with any American program.
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Post by anniefb on May 1, 2016 18:34:21 GMT
I wouldn't have thought there'd be such a marked difference...that's interesting and sad and shameful of the TV industry.  |
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Post by lisae on May 1, 2016 20:21:41 GMT
DH watches a lot of British TV on Netflix and yes, most of the actors look like people we know in everyday life. It's far more realistic.
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Post by georgiabeachbum on May 1, 2016 23:29:24 GMT
We living in the US but really enjoy watching British TV. Hubby says it's just more intelligent TV. So many "reality" shows and sitcoms are just stupid. We just can't relate.
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Post by AussieMeg on May 2, 2016 2:53:08 GMT
There really is a massive difference between actors in UK and US shows, that's for sure. In the UK they choose actors based on their acting ability and the characters seem much more "real". In US shows it's all about the looks. Obviously acting ability comes into it, but looks first and foremost. Australia falls somewhere in the middle when it comes to casting. If you watch shows like Broadchurch or Happy Valley you'll see what the OP is talking about. I think it draws better acting because you can hire for skill and not just body type. Plus I find I get more into the story lines be if the actors look like actual people who could be my neighbors or colleagues. Broadchurch / Gracepoint is the first show that popped into my mind. Compare the character of Ellie in both versions. Another one is the UK cop show "Scott and Bailey". The main character Janet would not be considered particularly attractive (and she most certainly does not have perfect pearly whites). Compare her to the stunning Angie Harmon in "Rizzoli and Isles". |
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Post by jenis40 on May 2, 2016 3:03:47 GMT
Yes! I really enjoy watching TV from other countries, especially British tv. Since I got sick, I like watching a lot of mysteries and procedurals. Everything from the fluffy ones like Midsomer Murders and Father Brown to grittier ones like The Fall and Happy Valley. River, Last Tango in Halifax, Rosemary and Thyme...
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Post by jenis40 on May 2, 2016 4:54:35 GMT
There really is a massive difference between actors in UK and US shows, that's for sure. In the UK they choose actors based on their acting ability and the characters seem much more "real". In US shows it's all about the looks. Obviously acting ability comes into it, but looks first and foremost. Australia falls somewhere in the middle when it comes to casting. If you watch shows like Broadchurch or Happy Valley you'll see what the OP is talking about. I think it draws better acting because you can hire for skill and not just body type. Plus I find I get more into the story lines be if the actors look like actual people who could be my neighbors or colleagues. Broadchurch / Gracepoint is the first show that popped into my mind. Compare the character of Ellie in both versions. Another one is the UK cop show "Scott and Bailey". The main character Janet would not be considered particularly attractive (and she most certainly does not have perfect pearly whites). Compare her to the stunning Angie Harmon in "Rizzoli and Isles". I guiltily admit to watching McLeod's Daughters to the bitter end. That was an interesting combination of some really attractive actors and some who may not quite be the "American TV" type. Also love "Upper Middle Bogan" although I've only seen the first season. |
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Post by jackie on May 2, 2016 5:14:32 GMT
I've noticed the teeth thing just watching older movies and TV shows here too. There was actually a time in the US when the actors didn't have perfect teeth and they weren't unnaturally white. I kind if miss that.
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Post by beanbuddymom on May 2, 2016 7:45:55 GMT
We living in the US but really enjoy watching British TV. Hubby says it's just more intelligent TV. So many "reality" shows and sitcoms are just stupid. We just can't relate. I love British TV as well. Though I will admit I do love many sitcoms and a few reality shows, the amount of reality shows have really gotten out of hand here and replacing smart television is out of control. I love the BBC shows. |
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Post by pjaye on May 2, 2016 8:11:38 GMT
I think Call the Midwife and Downton Abbey are very polished shows on par with any American program. Wow, that's totally insulting. American TV isn't exactly the "top" that all other countries have to aspire to, in fact I think it's pretty much the opposite, British TV sets the standard and USA TV has a handful of programs that are on par. Whenever a favourite book is being made into a movie, I always hope that the Brits will do it because if the Americans do they'll just shove in whatever actor is "in" right now and even the 90 year olds will have stretched plastic faces that don't move and perfect bodies. I remember watching and episode of some TV show where Tim Curry was playing a homeless man, they yellowed up his front four teeth, but as soon as he opened his mouth a bit more you could see all his teeth were neon white and not a filling in sight. Even homeless people living in dumpsters have great teeth in America. I much prefer real looking people in my TV shows and movies. |
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anniebygaslight
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Post by anniebygaslight on May 2, 2016 9:55:07 GMT
I think Call the Midwife and Downton Abbey are very polished shows on par with any American program. Wow, that's totally insulting. American TV isn't exactly the "top" that all other countries have to aspire to, in fact I think it's pretty much the opposite, British TV sets the standard and USA TV has a handful of programs that are on par. Whenever a favourite book is being made into a movie, I always hope that the Brits will do it because if the Americans do they'll just shove in whatever actor is "in" right now and even the 90 year olds will have stretched plastic faces that don't move and perfect bodies. I remember watching and episode of some TV show where Tim Curry was playing a homeless man, they yellowed up his front four teeth, but as soon as he opened his mouth a bit more you could see all his teeth were neon white and not a filling in sight. Even homeless people living in dumpsters have great teeth in America. I much prefer real looking people in my TV shows and movies. Bravo. |
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2016 10:07:43 GMT
Wow, that's totally insulting. American TV isn't exactly the "top" that all other countries have to aspire to, in fact I think it's pretty much the opposite, British TV sets the standard and USA TV has a handful of programs that are on par. I don't think it was insulting I think she was reacting to these comments. |
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Post by pjaye on May 2, 2016 10:39:07 GMT
I don't think it was insulting I think she was reacting to these comments. Then both sets of comments are bad! |
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Post by AN on May 2, 2016 11:25:28 GMT
Just to clarify, I meant those two shows have similar production values to US TV, but most of what I saw on TV when I was in the UK had a much different production style. And I also said it's not good or bad, just different. But I do think the production quality felt lower on most of the shows and wouldn't fly with a US audience, but it's just a style difference between countries.
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