Leading article: The empire strikes back
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.American television viewers must be wondering what's hit them.
Time was when the British presence on their screens comprised impeccably executed costume drama like Brideshead Revisited or lovable zany comedy, very often featuring John Cleese. It's true that equal reassurance could be derived from the recent delights of Downton Abbey, but in the past week American notions about what we are like have been seriously challenged. We've gone a bit edgy, and we're paying the price.
First, Ricky Gervais made enemies of the Hollywood elite with a thoroughly irreverent turn as host of the Golden Globes. Then Piers Morgan – admittedly more fawning than anything else – had the audience puzzling over how he'd come to inherit the throne of Larry King. And now a remake of the Brighton-set drama Skins – an uninhibited portrait of adolescence at its lairiest – has proved so shocking that broadcasters have ordered it to be toned down.
American cultural imperialism has been felt more in Britain than anywhere else. But it's nice to know that we can still give back – and how.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments