Of course, acolytes, you do indicate that you don't have access to all tv in the US. By "American" I assume you are also not including Canada or Mexico which are also on the North American continent. I find that tv anywhere is not up to the standards of our childhood or early adulthood. But there is a wider range beyond the 3 major channels and PBS version of my younger years. I find that I watch a great deal on TBS, TNT, BBCA, SYFY, etc. I am grateful for the larger choice as well as channels that feature beloved programs from my past.
Perhaps you would like to share the shows from Sweden that you feel are superior to US television. PBS ran a short mystery series (in English) about Wallander.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallander_(British_TV_series)