http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... 78-9128813

I have not read the book, only the excerpts and reviews provided. But I have two reactions.(1) Social commentators should learn not to focus on which television show is most popular. I recall an embarassing analysis from the normally sound Economist entitled "Thank you Laverne and Shirley." Susan Faludi's excellent Backlash about media misreporting of scientific results got into a 200 page muddle about The Cosby Show. I have never seen, and do not expect ever to see, useful conclusions about society based upon Neilsen data. Even with the perspective of history its very difficult to relate fashion to culture, and very easy to look silly trying.(2) Nihilism is a suspect charge. Usually it means the alleged nihilist is making fun of the accuser in a negative way, and will not listen to the accuser's beloved sophisticated arguments. Stuffed shirt, smug, hypocritical prigs have been systematically humiliated in comedies since before the word was invented. No one likes having their life philosophy treated that way, but crying "nihilism" has never made people stop laughing.

He has admitted that he erred on the Simpson's [underemphasizing the fact that eventuallythey do the right thing], but otherwise, I believe that his analysis is spot on.