Last week I flew to the States, primarily to attend San Diego Comic-Con International (AHMAHGAAAAADD), but also to spend a week hanging out and recharging in LA.

Imagine my delight, then, when I arrived with my hosts and was informed that since my stay last year, they'd had cable installed.

Soon, this was me:



With a little side serving of this:



What may not surprise you, however, is exactly what I've been watching.

Sure, I did the traditional first-day-in-the-States overload of outrageous TLC Network programming (Toddlers & Tiaras, Cake Boss) and random news networks and infomercials (I came this close to purchasing a belt that attaches electrodes to your abs and performs the equivalent of 100s of sit-ups - what could possibly go wrong?!), the bulk of my viewing has been drawn from the various children's and family channels.

Seriously: have you ever watched iCarly, Wizards Of Waverly Place or Hannah Montana?

These are some of the best comedies on television at the moment, and it's not even the excessive amounts of white cheddar popcorn I've eaten speaking.

Admittedly, I'd already caught Hannah Montana back home on Saturday Morning Disney, but tend not to watch it there because of the stinging memories of never winning the Mailbag prize pack. The other two are new discoveries (even if the shows themselves are far from it).

All the shows operate in the same realm as most classic American sitcoms - set-based, studio audience providing riotous laughter/applause/groans, and lots of exaggerated pauses and mugging.

It's hilarious.

What strikes me the most is how terrifyingly accomplished all the child actors are (the adult casts are equally talented, and the shows frequently feature guest stars; I watched a Wizards ep with Shakira, and a Hannah Montana one with Larry David...!!).

They're far funnier, and have a far more canny sense of timing and physical comedy - plus a strong grasp of knowing when a pause or a silence will bring more lulz than any punchline - than many of their adult peers, and I found myself actually barking with laughter throughout each episode.

I've long, er, longed to find a sitcom in the traditional format that I actually found funny - it hasn't been the same since the '90s glory days of The Nanny, Friends and Seinfeld, and excuses for comedy like Two And A Half Men make me weep for humanity.

Sure, there are plenty of great deadpan/awkward/observational/mockumentary comedies out there, but if it's a laugh track - and some actual laughs - that you're looking for, switch over to the kids' channel.

It can be our little secret.