NBC's beloved, Emmy-award winning 30 Rock made its debut on German television earning a 0.0 rating, or in American terms, a rating in between Parker Lewis Can't Loose and The Dana Carvey Show.  Some critics speculated that the show's pop-culture-laden writing contributed to viewer confusion or that the show itself lacked proper promotion: "You vill vatch ze American program of funniness! Acht!"  I think the Germans lost their sense of humor along with some bombed out province of Glickenstein or Schpeilkinburg.  This is afterall a country that does not find the humor or irony in elevating David Hasselhoff, a man that earned his fame for playing a character whose best friend was a tricked out Pontiac, to god-like status.

 It's not that I dislike Germans or German culture. I am, for instance, a big fan of beer. I just hate to see them missing out on the comedic genius that is Tina Fey and her writing team.  I think NBC should give them license to tweak the plots and characters so it reflects a more German sensibility, more in line with German issues.  It could take place inside the German government's public relations bureau, and the first episode could involve Angela Merkel's lingerie ad scandal:

 German Pete (to German Liz): This is very bad for us, Frau Lemon. The Chancellor is showing unmentionable parts on advert. Photoshopping has not yet been done!

German Liz: Blurgh

 If 30 Rock didn't quite successfully bridge the international divide, it does make me wonder: What makes American humor, American? British humor seems pretty distinct (tight jawed, rife with intellectual references, often involving dead animals); and Canadian humor has its own stamp too (sweet and silly, not politically interested, and may or may not include beer), but American humor is a mystery.  Maybe that's not the right word. Maybe it's harder to characterize because it's the equivalent of comedy gumbo.  We borrow a little bit of everything, including some things we probably shouldn't, throw it in a pot, mix it up, and charge people $9.50 to see it on screen or at a comedy club.  I admit, American comedy is an imperfect science, but more often than not, it works.  What other country in the world can claim  more then two centuries and counting of great, comedic minds working hard to evolve the perfect fart joke for the rest of humanity.  If that isn't American, I don't know what is. 

Episode 2 of 30 Gestein

German Tracy Morgan (to German Liz): Frau Lemon, you know I am not able to be on the television for the Chancellor because it is Tuesday when meat comes to the office free of charge!

German Liz: Blurgh