> Yeah, American entertainment can sometimes be ruined (for me) by sentiment. I've always preferred British humor, because it's so...oh geez I forget the proper word--more cynical, more deadpan. It mildly irritates me as well when the Simpsons get mushy, though the writers, wisely, generally avoid that. 'Seinfeld' also made it a rule to never get sappy.
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> I think American sitcoms are mushy sometimes, because it's so important here that the audience like and admire the protaganists. I like the British practice of sitcoms starring total jerks. 'Fawlty Towers' and 'Absolutely Fabulous' are shows about people I would never want to meet, yet those shows are hilarious. And jerks don't cry at weddings, not even zany sitcom nuptials, unless they're three sheets to the wind.
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> Maybe Americans are, by nature, more demonstrative of emotions. The 'stiff upper lip' philosophy hardly exists here. Tom Hanks' display most likely struck most Americans as endearing.
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> Now I'm not whining about America--this is the best country for me, except maybe Australia. But yeah, the mush can get pretty cloying. Emotions shouldn't be squelched, but I don't like seeing actors pretending to be overwhelmed by love or whatever in an otherwise goofy sitcom. It just seems cheap and disgusting.
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> --Jez"gonna write a thesis on sitcom psychology someday"zika

I have to admit that I don't think much of American sitcoms, mainly because of the sap/sentimentality. I also think that the need to have a message behind the comedy quite annoying. I tend to prefer Australian comedy, when it's being absurd. It can be very satirical, but it very rarely falls back into sentimentality, ie The Panel, Frontline.
I quite enjoy some British comedy, but it generally has to be the more absurd type: Red Dwarf, The Young Ones, Rex the Runt, Blackadder.
But the more cynical "Victor Meldrew" type of shows I don't like.

However, having said that, I know that both American and British comedy is extremely popular in Australia, so I don't think my sense of humour is something to judge all Australians by. A sense of humour is very personal and differs whatever country you're in.