New show? For Brits, it's a rerun

Blimey, gobsmacked, or "suss somebody out" probably won't enter the American lexicon anytime soon, but other aspects of British culture - besides crumpets, the Beatles, and those adorable Mini Coopers - have jetted across the Atlantic and onto US tellies faster than a ride in the Concorde.

Ever since the ratings bonanza of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" US networks have salivated over anything British, and they continue to keep fishing across the pond, hoping to catch the next big thing.

Over the past three years, at least two dozen shows based on British hits either have been picked up by or are being shopped to US networks. And that's not counting BBC America, which airs original British programming on its cable channel. BBC America is currently in 35 million US homes.

More British imports are on the way:

• This month, NBC will start taping - with an American cast - its own version of "Coupling," a mix of "Friends" and "Sex and the City."

• CBS plans to put its own spin on "Manchild" (sort of a male version of "Sex and the City").

• Universal has bought the rights to the edgy, documentary-style comedy "The Office."

The reason is simple. Robbie Williams aside, "young British audiences and young American audiences tend to listen to similar music, like similar films, and like similar television," says Michael Davies, the producer responsible for bringing "Millionaire" to the United States in 1999.

He says all one has to do is walk around London to see evidence of the trend. "It's crawling with network executives and Hollywood agents meeting with every producer, director, and writer in Notting Hill," says Mr. Davies, who is now working on two more reality imports: "Perfect Match: New York," airing on ABC Family in June and "The Swap," airing on ABC this summer.

Reality shows such as "American Idol" and "Big Brother" are the most high-profile programs with British roots. But fashion, home decorating, and garden makeover shows from Britain have also sprouted up on cable TV. TLC's "What Not To Wear" and "Trading Spaces," have attracted a loyal and growing following. Some 6 million people tune into "Trading Spaces" every Saturday night, making it the network's first bona fide hit.

"The reason for all these makeover and reality shows," says Paul Lee, CEO of BBC America, "is that seven or eight years ago, traditional British comedies were getting stale. The world started saying, 'We're bored with cookie-cutter television. We want something that surprises us.' "

But the army of redecorators has grown so vast it's a wonder there's a dandelion or avocado-green kitchen left anywhere in the British Isles. And whether the new versions of Britcoms will translate to American audiences remains to be seen. There's plenty of precedent either way.

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