Rising Popularity of UK TV Hosts in USA

[balzonia]

Is it just me or are all the good TV hosts of the past 5 years from the UK? The only Yank still worth watching is Letterman.

Simon Cowell
Nigel Lythgoe
Gordon Ramsey
Jeremy Clarkson (the single most entertaining human on TV right now)
James May
Richard Hammond
Marco Pierre White
Piers Morgan and
Craig Ferguson
have made more TV worth watching in the past 5 years than the entire US population of talking heads combined...

BBC America has turned me on to the one who appears poised to make the next jump across the pond, Jonathon Ross.

Are all of these guys hyper-popular in UK before making the jump to US television?

Ramsey, in particular, is much more entertaining on BBC America than Fox. His show, "F Word" is terrific and shows a depth of personality lacking in his US persona.

[lonewolf]

I am probably the least qualified person alive to be an arbiter on TV hosts but the only people on this list I have heard of are Cowell, Morgan and Ferguson and I think of Ferguson, who is watchable, as being the only talk show host among the three.
Maybe I am not hip enough to appreciate Cowell and Morgan. Both somehow manage to be simultaneously rude and bland. I don't get 'em.

[BillVol]

Letterman is old news. As is Conan. Jimmy Kimmel is the only yank worth watching now.

[Friar]

I think we're talking about one show in particular --Idol-- that's such an overwhelming success that some copying is inevitable. But I don't see it as a trend and I don't think hosts are that well liked (no matter how rich Cowell is).

The actors coming over have more of an impact and are highly respected.

[TrakFan]

I think show creators know that many Americans will simply for the accents...and they have.

[tandfman]

I am probably the least qualified person alive to be an arbiter on TV hosts but the only people on this list I have heard of are Cowell, Morgan and Ferguson

Sorry, lonewolf. I win. I've heard of only Cowell and Ramsey (and the latter only as a restaurateur, not a TV host, assuming it's the same person).

Edited to fix typo.

[Pego]

I am probably the least qualified person alive to be an arbiter on TV hosts but the only people on this list I have heard of are Cowell, Morgan and Ferguson

Sorry, lonewolf. I win. I've heard of only Cowell and Ramsey (and the latter only as a restaurateur, not a TV host, assuming it's teh same person).

You guys are extremely knowledgeable. I have never heard of any of them. Not feeling shame, either .

[TrackDaddy]

I think some Americans mistakenly associate certain foreign accents with intellect.

That, and they like how they sound... TV, music, movies, etc.

They become a novelty of sorts

It happens for a period during every generation until we become bored with it.

This isnt the first British invasion and it wont be the last.

Plus, unlike the french, y'all pretty much do whatever we tell you.

[nevetsllim]

Re: Rising Popularity of UK TV Hosts in USA

Are all of these guys hyper-popular in UK before making the jump to US television?

Simon Cowell - can't stand him
Nigel Lythgoe - never heard of him
Gordon Ramsey - LOATHE him
Jeremy Clarkson - ditto
James May - never heard of him
Richard Hammond - over-rated
Marco Pierre White - never heard of him
Piers Morgan - loathe him more than Ramsey
Craig Ferguson - never heard of him

[scottmitchell74]

My wife and I have noticed this trend. Not a big fan. If they're good, sure, but many of these people are poor at what they do.

[lonewolf]

I am not fascinated by a British accent. With my diminished hearing I have difficulty understanding women with high pitched voices, small children, whispers, foreign accents in any language..
In fact, I seem to be deaf to any speech except well modulated, male baritone voices with an Oklahoma or Texas accent.

[Mikewats]

I'm British and out of them James May is good, he stops top gear from being too silly and is actually the funniest out of the 3.

Cowell is good at what he does and is funny. Ramasay is a bit of an idiot, but goes over the top for the americans because they love people going over the top.

Jonathan Ross can be absolutely hilarious, doubt he will get away with saying what he does in the UK in the US of A.

Haven't really heard of the rest.

[Mikewats]

Just googled the others, it's who i expected them to be.

Still don't know who craig ferguson is though.

You should try and get Stephen Fry he's amazing, and he's as intelligent as his accent makes him sound.

[Daisy]

Still don't know who craig ferguson is though.

He reminds me a little of Billy Connolly, although not as funny. It could just be the accent but I think he has a similar delivery too.

[lonewolf]

Still don't know who craig ferguson is though. .

late pm, early am talk show host,