Why does the entertainment industry always want to dish up a sunny view of life because American audiences would rather not be reminded of problems in society?

Answer 1

They don't always, actually. For instance, proximal to the end of the Vietnam War, in a time of comparative prosperity, films like Easy Rider were breaking box office in America. This nearly Greek-tragic anti-hero based, nihilistic tale could hardly be called a sunny view of life. Other films of this era included Bonnie and Clyde and The Graduate. Hardly candy coating. You might also note that the cabaret life in the 1920's and 1930's in Europe, during times of intense depressions were -- while not exactly sunny -- definitely an attempt to be upbeat. I might also note that, while 1922 wasn't a very happy time in Germany, Hermann Hesse whipped up Siddhartha, which actually is pretty optimistic. While the German film industry wasn't well developed at the time, I think the acceptance of this story bears a thematic similarity to a peoples' need for an alternate, optimistic perspective in tough times. So, in direct answer to your question, it's not strictly an American phenomenon, and there are periods when the entertainment is divertive and cheery, and other times when it's rather stark and introspective.