> My post--

For the record, my reply was mostly to Philbee rather than you, but you said the words that made me realize why Philbee's post bothered me so much and enabled me to reply at all. I certainly don't begrudge you the preference for shows like "Fawlty Towers" over weepy melodrama. Like I say, I consider it one of the finest comedy shows of all time. But...

> However, a distaste for public displays of emotion does not necessarily mean the person is "threatened" by it, or that they condone nasty entertainment.

...regardless of what a distaste for public displays of emotion implies, that in itself is problematic, at least if it's voiced in a judgmental manner, as Philbee's post was. A man is moved by tender emotions, and it's "do you Americans LIKE that stuff?" instead of a quiet appreciation of the fact that a fellow human being is having a genuinely moving emotional experience and wants to express his gratitude.

> My father remarked to me, "Of course you know that if you ever said something like that to me, no studio audience will be amused."

I wouldn't be amused anyway, but I'm good to agree to disagree on this one. Although I have very definite opinions on sitcom writing, I concede it's a secondary issue of comparatively small importance. In fact the sarcastic writing of sitcoms today is probably more of a symptom than a problem.