USA TV Shows: Entertaining Audiences Worldwide
All around the world, even in non-English speaking countries, people tune in every day to enjoy episodes of their favorite American television shows. Some of the world’s most popular shows come out of the USA. This article is a quick look at some of the most popular television shows today.
Ask anybody and they can give you a whole list of fantastic US television shows, over the years some of the most popular have been Friends, Cheers, I Dream of Jeannie and Everybody Loves Raymond. These are still popular today and are enjoyed all across the world.
The first show we will look at today is possibly one of the most successful shows to ever come out of the USA - the Simpsons. The Simpsons is based around a fictional family of the same name. Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie make up the Simpsons family and they are a satirical parody of a middle-income American family. Set in the fictional town of Springfield, the Simpsons broadcast nearly 500 shows since the first episode was aired in December, 1989. In 2007, the Simpsons even released a feature-length movie that grossed over $527 million worldwide. The Simpsons have had several celebrities write episodes, including Conan O’Brien and Ricky Gervais. They also often regularly get celebrity voices and characters in the show.
Another one of the most popular US television shows on air at the moment is Desperate Housewives. The show is a comedy drama based around the lives of five women living on the fictional Wisteria Lane who have seemingly perfect lives until the show delves in and reveals the dramas that really exist. The show is narrated by a former neighbor who committed suicide, who makes appearances in dreams and flashbacks throughout the episodes. The show has won numerous awards including Emmys, Gold Globes and Screen Actor’s Guild awards. It is also said to be the highest rating show in it’s demographic across the world with almost 120 million viewers worldwide. The cast consists of former Superman actress - Terri Hatcher, as well as Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Eva Longoria Parker, and Nicollette Sheridan. The narrating is done by Brenda Strong.
The next show we shall look at is American Idol. A worldwide phenomenon, American Idol is a reality TV show which searches the country for the next up and coming singing sensation. One of the highlights are the auditions by truly terrible singers who often think they are fantastic. It first aired in 2002, and has become a massive hit ever since. The show was created by music producer, Simon Fuller. The show was first created in the UK under the name Pop Idol, and many countries around the world have now adopted it with a different name. The show has celebrity judges - Paul Abdul, Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell, and Kara DioGuardi. The show is presented by Ryan Seacrest. Many of the winners and contestants have gone on to sell millions of records, and even win Oscars. Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, and Clay Aiken are some of the most well known American Idol alumni.
Two and a Half Men is one of the world’s most popular comedy sitcoms at the moment, and of course it comes out of the USA. Starring Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer and Angus Deen, Two and a Half Men has taken the world by storm. The series is based around Charlie Sheen’s character also called Charlie who is a women-loving bachelor living in his Malibu beach-house with his newly-divorced brother Alan and his son Jake. The show is a laugh a minute, and the producers have recently signed a new contract with CBS to make another 3 series’ - taking it up to nine.
The final television show we shall look at today is Grey’s Anatomy. A medical show with a twist, Grey’s Anatomy has been a hit around the world ever since it debuted in 2005 as a mid-season replacement for Boston Legal. Based in Seattle, the show has a mix of comedy, romance and drama and is based around the lives of several doctors working at Seattle Grace Hospital. The show has consistently had upwards of 15 million viewers in the USA alone.
That was just a quick guide to some of the mos popular US television shows that are out at the moment. With so many channels and so many great shows coming out of the USA, it is impossible to name them all. No matter what sort of show you are into there will no doubt be something to keep you amused on American TV.
