The genius of American culture is not shown in its art, in the sense of high or noble art, but in its entertainment. Anyone who doesn't understand that is an ass. I've just spent the evening watching TV crap, the finale of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" and then "24," neither of which is that great all things considered (Chaplin? Keaton?). TV is cinematic prose, and whatever Britain lacks in cinematic poetry—British movies being akin in general failure to British painting—the British seem to understand television more than we do. Nonetheless, and regardless of all the offensive drek that comes accross the screen, there's unpretentious vulgarity and popular cynicism on American television that's almost heartwarming compared to what we have to put up with in the serious media. I read The Guardian because I watch The Simpsons, and vice versa.
I'm burnt and drunk. Enough for now. It's been a running joke over the last few years that though I'm sick of New York, I can't make up my mind whether to move to Europe or LA: to delay the inevitable or take the plunge into honest absurdity.