There is modern satire and comedy worth the time and effort (in my opinion, of course)

In America, we have Kathleen Madigan. She is absolutely hilarious, and lightyears beyond the female comedians here who personify the "shag in a skip" mentality so popular.

We also have Lewis Black, here. His style is that of the rant, but the intelligence behind the rant is as good as it gets. If ever there was a comedian who could use expletives intelligently (albeit plentifully, to be sure!) rather than merely for mainstream shock value or the affectation of street-cred, he's the man.

On your side of the pond, Al Murray just takes the piss out of his own "pub landlord" persona, best enjoyed in a stand-up venue. I've never had my attention held in any of his series or chat-show environments, though. Somehow, the intent at poking fun at ignorance is dulled in either, and the character becomes tiresome. On the other hand, the character's run for a seat against Nigel Farage was as good as satire gets, and his "Mockery of Democracy" presentation afterwards was as intelligent a discussion of satire as could be wished for.

Bill Bailey is a favourite; intelligent craft against the sea of Carr/Gervais style shock-shite. A fine musician with a very very twisted yet light touch to his humour. Jimmy Carr should have nightmares about having to follow Bill Bailey on the same show.

There are so many more, Armstrong and Miller, Mitchell and Webb in the world of sketch comedy, Rhod Gilbert, Jack Dee in the dry and cynical. You lot breed far more intelligent comedians and satirists than what is offered here; Americans just don't get subtlety in any form. They need their comedy a great platter of steaming excrement delivered with a sledgehammer before they'll get the joke, should the joke even survive the presentation.

Although not a comedian per se, I'm also a strong supporter of Stephen Fry. I can listen to that man and every time leave with something to think about.

Satire? Especially political satire, Ian Hislop. Not everyone's cuppa but I enjoy his complete inability to suffer fools, no matter the political stripe. I especially look forward to Private Eye's annual review done on stage each year.

I'm sure my choices aren't universal, but I really have no use for the very trends you cite, the divisive crap, obscenity only for obscenity's sake, gutter "humour". A good intelligent skewering, even of something I might support, is something I respect and enjoy.