We like to believe they are stingy with stars

Because we got three out of five.  Four would have been nicer.  But check out the glowing review from Metro UK, reprinted in full below but found online here:

Can the family survive the therapy in The Americans?

by NADINE MCBAY - Wednesday, August 6, 2008

The Americans

It's crunch time in the American household. Mom Liberty has been racking up the therapy bills, while daughter Mary is only off her iPhone when she's ordering designer bags and prescription drugs online.

As head of the family, dad Sam needs to put his foot down and declare a 'war on debt'. A punchy multimedia sketch show parodying US political culture, The Americans is written and performed by New York-based actors Anne Teutschel, Anna Moore and Jeff Kreisler (the last a Comedy Central writer who won the Bill Hicks Spirit award for his own stand-up).

With something of the irreverence of American Dad and the borderline slapstick of Mr Show, the three Americans don't just represent the stereotypical US family, they are ciphers for the competing claims on the nation's future. With the patriotic father holding the reins, the spendthrift females are kept in check by the fear of imminent attack or being sent to the 'Basementanemo'.

Oddly, though the family budget has been slashed, there's still enough to fund a new security system and in-house CCTV.

Though more Daily Show-style satirical than laugh-out-loud hilarious, the Americans succeeds in being a colourful and engaging portrait of our stateside cousins.

Until Aug 25 (not 11), Gilded Balloon Teviot (V14), 3pm. www.gildedballoon.co.uk

How excited am I that they compared our show to American Dad, Mr. Show, and The Daily Show???