US television programs on French screens

It is not surprising to see US television programs on French television. I am not sure if it has increased or decreased over the years, but I think it has increased quite a bit; at least that's my perception.

What interests me a lot, though, is which programs appear here. No doubt there are negotiation issues that determine the final result, of course, but in the end, I suspect that French television carries what French television wants to have.

There is a lot of work involved. None of the US shows is broadcast with its original soundtrack. All are dubbed in France, a practice that employ a lot of people, but I personally prefer text than voiceovers, the normal practice in the US with French movies.

There was a period when French television was carrying programming like the CBS Evening News with text translations at the bottom of the screen. That may still be there, but I do not know where. In fact, I know of no US television news or public affairs program that I have ever seen shown here currently.

Instead, it is all entertainment programming, including movies. Here is a rundown of the programs that I see in the TV guide, just for today:

The Incredible Hulk
NCIS
Law and Order
Desperate Housewives

"Un couple mixte interdit de mariage aux Etats-Unis "au nom des enfants" - LeMonde.fr

Whether in French or in English, this action by the justice of the peace in Louisiana is embarrassing, wrong, and out to be answered by loud cries of criticism of the judge. Whatever procedure is, if any, in Louisiana, to remove justices of the peace, it ought to have started yesterday in this case. He deserves a fair hearing, of course, but if the facts prove to be as reported here, he deserves to be a private citizen and not a judge.

There is hope that the people of Louisiana will do the right thing.

$15 USD for a tooth?

This full page advertisement ran in French newspapers this week promoting a limited edition silver coin worth 10 euros. The ad suggests that this would be a great gift for the tooth fairy to leave under a child's pillow! Is that the going rate in the US these days?

"Internet bouscule les choix culturels des Français" - LeMonde.fr

As is so often the case in France, the full story of the internet's impact is extremely complicated.

"The French Get Lost in the Clouds Over a New Term in the Internet Age" - WSJ.com

"Health Care Scorecard: Vermont Tops, Mississippi Last" - ABC News

It would even more useful to compare all of this with France.

Practical Traveler - For Americans, Plastic Buys Less Abroad - NYTimes.com

"Les journalistes du "Parisien/Aujourd'hui en France" inquiets pour leur avenir" - LeMonde.fr

France and the US both risk the loss of venerable newspaper institutions.

Swine Flu vaccine in France v. US

My sense here in France is general unease about what to do when the Swine Flu (Grippe A here) vaccine arrives. The Government has laid out clear priorities of who should get it first, but the recommendation is purely optional.

Unlike the seasonal flu vaccine (purchased at the local pharmacy and administered by a nurse or doctor independently), this shot will be administered, the Government says, at centers yet to be announced. The first concern that this raises among people here is whether these centers will turn out to be filled with people who can infect everyone else.

Another interesting item is the advertising in the last couple of days from the French part of the global Visa credit card system noting that any holder of a Carte Bleue card (from most banks in France tha are part of the network) will have considerable insurance - for free - should they contract the Swine Flu. This includes medical evacuation and other expenses. I have not yet seen such an offer from a credit card in the US but I might have missed it here in France.

"French Students Get an Extra Push" - NYTimes.com

Le Village Marché

France v. NC

It's interesting that France has 7 times the population of North Carolina - 62 million v. 9 million, and 4 times the square miles - 210,000 v. 54,000. Should we expect France to be 7 times better than NC in far less space/person?