FD, I second that. Ever seen Black Books? Probably one of the funniest shows I have ever seen.
I LOVE Black Books! They aren't showing it on the Beeb right now, though, which is a little disappointing.
Gotta chime in on Firefly. That show was AWESOME, and I am furious that it's off the air. I don't watch much American television because it does tend toward stock characters and the same old drama week after week. Give me a good ole Britcom, drama or sci-fi any day.
I dunno though. I think US TV is in a bit of a golden age, or has been for the past ooh five years. CSI, Lost, Heroes, Deadwood, Firefly, Sopranos, 24 (mind you I'm not keen on Sopranos personally, and haven't got round to watching 24, but everyone goes on about them). Meanwhile the UK hasn't produced much of note in recent years. Spooks is about the best drama I can think of and even that wasn't as good as say Heroes. And what's happened to the good old tradition of good UK comedy? The only thing of note since 'Spaced' was 15 Storeys High, and hardly anyone's heard of that. Little Britain was awful...
I think the main problem with the US telly though is that as I said before, the good stuff gets cancelled (deadwood also)
Did you get a chance to see a show called Afterlife? That was a good one for folks who enjoy paranormal. It's more recent. Half the shows you mentioned I haven't seen. I don't watch much telly. When I do, it's good old Britcoms -- Fawlty Towers, KUA, Are You Being Served, and such. I would never win a pop culture game show. My friends tease me mercifully about my disconnect from the current world.
You're right, the good stuff does get cancelled. Very frustrating!