Why is the humour in many American TV shows and movies so angry and spiteful?

So much of the humour in American TV and film is based on ridiculing anyone who is different, such as foreigners, the aged, the disabled, women, nerds and pretty much everyone else. Movies like the Hangover or Road Trip, or TV shows like Big Bang Theory or South Park. Some of these are funny for other reasons but get boring when they try too hard to humiliate anyone they think is different.



Of course this is a generalization -- there are many great and funny American movies and shows out there. But I am always shocked at the number of shows that think being angry and spiteful is funny.



Why do they do this? Is the American sense of humour really so childish?Why is the humour in many American TV shows and movies so angry and spiteful?well with south park in it's defence it does it to expose how stupid it is and generally makes some sort of point about it. But yes, generally you are right. I am not a huge fan of a lot of american comedy films for that reason, they are often childish and the humour is just too obvious. I really do like Brit comedies better. Monty Python. Richard Curtis for a romantic comedy, Simon Pegg is v.funny and at times clever. My biggest exception is Kevin Smith's films, yes there is lots of silly stuff but films like dogma are clever and hilarious.Why is the humour in many American TV shows and movies so angry and spiteful?Perhaps lack of Imagination on the part of the writers. Or maybe just laziness to go for an easy laugh.Why is the humour in many American TV shows and movies so angry and spiteful?Yes. Dumb + angry + childish, that's us (have you seen our politics?)