For actors moving to Hollywood from other countries and regional areas of America, it is vital to perfect a flawless standard American accent. There are a variety of American accents:
the Northern states (almost sounds Canadian),
the East Coast (Boston, Jersey, Philly, New York),
the Mid-West (Chicago, Michigan), and
Southern accents (Texan, Georgian, Tennessee).
All of these accents are different and very specific.
The neutral Californian accent spoken by most characters on TV is referred to as a ‘standard American’ accent.
(The Importance of A Standard American Accent)
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Fun and Easy Tip for Learning an American Accent At Home
Here are some TV shows where the main characters speak with General American accents (unless otherwise noted).
Comedies with General American Accent:
- Friends
- How I Met Your Mother
- The Office (American version)
- Parks and Recreation
- Community
- The Colbert Report
- Mad About You
- Dharma and Greg
- Parenthood
- The Big Bang Theory (the exception is the character Raj)
Dramas with General American Accent:
- The West Wing
- The X-Files
- Six Feet Under
- Mad Men
- Dexter
- Grey’s Anatomy
- ER
- House, M.D. (Yes, Hugh Laurie is British in real life, but his American accent is perfect!)
- The Twilight Zone
Bonus: New York Accents
- Seinfeld
- Taxi
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In most TV series and films you’ll hear a range of American accents, but it’s probably easier to note what to avoid if you’re using them to help learn an American accent. You probably want to avoid any shows and movies set in Boston, New York City, Texas, or the South. Also, be careful with TV sitcoms because there will sometimes be characters with strange speaking patterns. You’ll probably be able to notice them, because it’s usually part of the character.
...
Some recent shows and movies where you can get some good models include the following:
The Americans,
Grey’s Anatomy,
Friends,
Law and Order
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For a more neutral, General American accent, settle in and watch Star Wars, the Dark Knight trilogy, or for an old-time classic, try Gone With the Wind.
To experience more diverse regional accents the US has to offer, try Fargo, set in Minnesota in the midwest. East Coast? The Godfather presents New York Italian American. For a Southern drawl, cinema classic Forrest Gump is set in Alabama, in the Southeast.
(https://blog.e2language.com/5-tips-to-master-the-american-accent/)
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“Why is the California accent considered the "general" or "neutral American accent instead of Southern or New York accents?”
It is not. This is a myth somewhat perpetuated by Hollywood.
What is today considered the “neutral American accent” is the central Midwestern accent: Iowa, Nebraska, etc. This accent was promoted by broadcasters in the mid-20th century and it has rapidly spread around the country.
Californians traditionally have spoken with a Western accent. Like all states, the traditional accents of California have been fading for the last few decades in favor of the Midwestern accent.