Pi-Consulting

Despite a recent spate of anti-US rhetoric from the Kremlin, a newly-prosperous Russian middle class seems to be re-visiting its liking for things American. Russia just became the 43rd country to open a Starbucks (a Venti Mocha will set you back $9, almost double the Stateside price). This year’s surprise TV hit in Russia is a re-make of America’s favorite tacky family sitcom, “Married With Children”, here re-named “Schastlivy Vmeste” or “Happy Together”. Sample dialog: “Honey, take your clothes off”. “Heyyy, after all these months, suddenly you want sex?”. “Naw, I’m hungry. I thought the sight of you would kill my appetite”. Local analysts’ take on the new show’s success? “TV is now training Russians to forget about politics”, they solemnly aver. Says one: “People are getting used to living like children, in the family of a strong, powerful father. Everything is decided for them”. Sounds like Putin’s influence over the media goes way beyond the newscasts alone. Source: New York Times, Pi.