British Invasion: America’s Best UK Imports

American television producers are always looking for the next big hit, so it is understandable that they would keep an eye out for a successful series across the pond and adapt it for U.S. audiences. But anyone who falls in love with a brilliant British show knows the frustration of watching it become butchered without proper care. Skins, Shameless and Being Human were successful back in the UK, but in America the shows are facing public backlash. This, coupled with the ugly portrayal of adaptations in Episodes, makes viewers wonder if crossovers really do work. While many shows translated poorly in the United States, the following are some that attracted massive appeal.

Whose Line Is It Anyway cannot be underestimated as a huge crossover success in the United States. The improvisational sketch show ran for 10 years with rotating guests and a few regulars. When it was brought to the states, two regulars, Colin Mochrie and Ryan Stiles, went with it. The format of improv games in front of a studio audience showcased comedic talent that isn't seen very often on television here. It has become as beloved as the original, even now that it has moved to late night reruns.

The United Kingdom has been the petri dish for countless unscripted programs that have gone on to creep across the American pop landscape. But one show rose above the rest. Ratings juggernaut American Idol revolutionized the way reality competition winners were selected by giving the audience the power. The show has gone on to produce a great number of successful singers such as Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson, to name a few. Idol has had an irreversible effect on U.S. television and the music industry and will continue to be a popular institution in American pop culture, even as the judge panel shifts in its 10th season.

Queer As Folk was perhaps the only drama to successfully cross the waters. The explicit sex and subject matter surrounding gay culture, stereotypes and social issues caught the attention of Showtime executives. The result was the most explicit series, gay or straight, on television, until the The L Word in 2004.

What about Shameless, Skins and Being Human? Will these new shows work? It's too early to tell, but a lot can go wrong with controversial subjects like drunkenness, teenage debauchery and the paranormal. However successful these rookies could be, none can top the previous sensations.