Passion of Christ opens in the US.

In Texas, thousands of Christians rose before dawn to view the movie, with 6,000 filmgoers filling all 20 auditoriums at a multiplex in Plano, Dallas, for screenings from 6.30am onwards. Arch Bonnema, the Christian businessman who reserved the theatre, had spent $42,000 on tickets, having told his wife: "Honey, we've got to get as many people as possible to see this film because it's changed my life."

Its subtle blend of sado-masochism, anti-semitism, "Jesus porn" and sectarian fury has moved a country to collective tears of redemption and rage. "Better than Operation Iraqi Freedom" read a notice.

However, this reassured me: Italian reality TV has a certain slasher style

Scalpel - Nobody's Perfect, a programme in which viewers volunteer for cosmetic surgery...is shown on Italia 1, owned by Mr Berlusconi, who himself underwent a facelift recently.

It's because we Europeans have culture, and history. That's what sets us apart.