The first thing that pops into my mind in relation to the respective charcteristics of English and US sitcoms is the puppet duo 'Punch and Judy'. The resonances with slapstick and/or violent sitcoms are unmistakeable. P+J never caught on an America, and I can't think of any television series like it in US broadcast. BBC comedy has a growing following here, but only as 'cult' or non-mainstream material, though I'm not sure that sheds mcuh light on the matter of slapstick vs emotive/cathartic. khyron ---- To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]