The first item is shallow reporting. So what if US TV shows are slotted into non-prime slots which are given over to locally produced shows? What are these locally produced shows, their content, their form, their inspiration? Many are simply take-offs, copies, of US shows. Which is the more potent -- the imitation local show or "the real thing"? --- Not in Russia, except for game shows. Lots of Soviet-type variety programs. They're more likely to copy a Latin American soap opera than an American show. American programs just are not on the air, with the exception of Married... with Children and the Simpsons. You'll never catch Seinfeld or Friends on a Russian television.