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Brits who flopped in America

Inspired by the Robbie Williams/Better Man thread....who are some Brits who tried to make it big in America but failed?

Cilla Black

Cheryl

Russell Brand

Cliff Richard

by Anonymousreply 224July 7, 2025 3:34 PM

Little Mix

by Anonymousreply 1January 15, 2025 7:18 PM

Robbie Williams

All Saints

by Anonymousreply 2January 15, 2025 7:20 PM

Atomic Kitten

by Anonymousreply 3January 15, 2025 7:20 PM

Suede

by Anonymousreply 4January 15, 2025 7:25 PM

Elizabeth Hurley The spice girls as solo artists Jarvis cocker Sienna miller Lily Allen The streets

by Anonymousreply 5January 15, 2025 7:28 PM

La Roux

by Anonymousreply 6January 15, 2025 7:34 PM

Girls Aloud/Cheryl

by Anonymousreply 7January 15, 2025 7:36 PM

James Corden

by Anonymousreply 8January 15, 2025 7:37 PM

These threads are always just "here are some British artists I've heard of".

by Anonymousreply 9January 15, 2025 7:38 PM

Steps

by Anonymousreply 10January 15, 2025 7:41 PM

Most of them fail.

by Anonymousreply 11January 15, 2025 7:42 PM

R11 Most of them don't even try.

by Anonymousreply 12January 15, 2025 7:43 PM

Emily Lloyd

by Anonymousreply 13January 15, 2025 7:44 PM

Brits who didn't. The Beatles and like 80 percent of all the rock and roll we still listen to. David Frost. Ricky Gervais.

Robbie Williams is not a good barometer to use here.

by Anonymousreply 14January 15, 2025 7:45 PM

Jamie Cullum

by Anonymousreply 15January 15, 2025 7:49 PM

Prince Harry

by Anonymousreply 16January 15, 2025 7:56 PM

Michelle Ryan.

Who?

EastEnders alum who was cast as the lead of NBC's 2007 Bionic Woman remake, only to be upstaged by Katee Sackhoff (as the leader of the fembots) and bomb out after eight episodes.

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by Anonymousreply 17January 15, 2025 7:58 PM

She's terrible. That failure was deserved.

by Anonymousreply 18January 15, 2025 7:59 PM

I almost was on the plane to America and it was all taken away. Stupid tabs.

by Anonymousreply 19January 15, 2025 8:01 PM

Alexa Chung

by Anonymousreply 20January 15, 2025 8:06 PM

Jamie Oliver, eventually

by Anonymousreply 21January 15, 2025 8:09 PM

[quote]Cheryl

I think we all know the reason for that.

by Anonymousreply 22January 15, 2025 8:10 PM

Matt Monro? He was somewhat successful, but certainly never achieved the same level of success he had in the UK, not was he ever as popular as most of his US counterparts.

by Anonymousreply 23January 15, 2025 8:11 PM

David Tennant, at least in "Gracepoint" (the US version of "Broadchurch.")

by Anonymousreply 24January 15, 2025 8:12 PM

Graham Norton. Usually British humor is too subtle for Americans. In his case, it was too broad.

by Anonymousreply 25January 15, 2025 8:14 PM

Tim Vincent.

UK presenter hottie who botched a bunch of US gigs, fell through the cracks of Access Hollywood, and went crawling back to Britain.

Now he's old.

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by Anonymousreply 26January 15, 2025 8:15 PM

Well, he's making a go of it as we type with his new novel, [italic]Frankie[/italic]. We'll see if he flops again.

by Anonymousreply 27January 15, 2025 8:16 PM

Graham Norton hasn't really flopped in the US. He's mostly known to a small audience that watches BBC and he has made the rounds of the major late night talk shows. He also managed to book Obama as a guest. I'm not a big fan of his standup on his show, but he's a great host and understands how to make things work with having a group of guests.

by Anonymousreply 28January 16, 2025 1:01 AM

r25 No British humor is just dumb.

by Anonymousreply 29January 16, 2025 1:08 AM

Sophie Ellis-Bextor, sadly.

by Anonymousreply 30January 16, 2025 1:08 AM

King George III

by Anonymousreply 31January 16, 2025 1:08 AM

Isn’t Kylie Minogue essentially the blueprint for this? Globally, she’s on a level comparable to Madonna, yet in the states, she’s only gained significant traction in recent years thanks to the viral success of Padam Padam.

by Anonymousreply 32January 16, 2025 1:10 AM

R14 The Rolling Stones are right behind The Beatles. I actually listen to The Stones now more than The Beatles. Let It Loose is probably my favorite song of theirs.

by Anonymousreply 33January 16, 2025 1:14 AM

Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who I've been there for the entirety of the 21st century, who I have subjected every boyfriend to massive amounts of during said time, splits this with The Sugababes, as my Brits that shoulda clicked better here standard answers are trotted out for yet another variation of this question.

by Anonymousreply 34January 16, 2025 1:14 AM

Kosheen were pretty big in the early 2000s but practically unheard of in America.

by Anonymousreply 35January 16, 2025 1:15 AM

Steve Coogan

by Anonymousreply 36January 16, 2025 1:29 AM

Shirley Bassey

by Anonymousreply 37January 16, 2025 1:32 AM

S Club 7 and Steps released albums in the US, to dismal results.

by Anonymousreply 38January 16, 2025 1:33 AM

Rita Ora

by Anonymousreply 39January 16, 2025 1:34 AM

Tom Hardy

by Anonymousreply 40January 16, 2025 1:34 AM

Music is kind of an exception. Almost all hit British music acts flop in America.

by Anonymousreply 41January 16, 2025 1:36 AM

R34 Sugababes are probably my favorite modern girl group of all time but I can see how their sound wouldn’t have translated in the US. There’s something so intrinsically British about them. I don’t think they even tried.

by Anonymousreply 42January 16, 2025 1:38 AM

R41 Umm hello. Adele, Ed Sheeran, Elton John

by Anonymousreply 43January 16, 2025 1:38 AM

Jess Glynne is big in the UK and a virtual unknown here.

by Anonymousreply 44January 16, 2025 1:39 AM

The British have an appreciation for female popstars that we seem to lack. They willed Diane’s Chain Reaction into a #1 hit long after the US had abandoned her. They also kept Belinda Carlisle’s lights on for a decade plus. She still tours all over Europe but doesn’t play shows here.

by Anonymousreply 45January 16, 2025 1:42 AM

R45 I think it’s just cause we have so many of our own. If you truly think about it most of the Brit artists who breakthrough in America are kinda of like traditionally talented musicians. Play an instrument, singer songwriters or can sing like Whitney

by Anonymousreply 46January 16, 2025 1:50 AM

Diana "Swinging" Dors

by Anonymousreply 47January 16, 2025 1:53 AM

The British Troops.

by Anonymousreply 48January 16, 2025 1:55 AM

Lowkey Madonna post 1999.

by Anonymousreply 49January 16, 2025 1:55 AM

R19: Tulsa, tell me about your nightclub act.

by Anonymousreply 50January 16, 2025 1:55 AM

I prefer Dallas.

by Anonymousreply 51January 16, 2025 2:13 AM

Did Cheryl's fanny stink?

by Anonymousreply 52January 16, 2025 2:59 AM

Harry Windsor

by Anonymousreply 53January 16, 2025 3:04 AM

Oasis

All the One Direction soloists except for Harry Styles

by Anonymousreply 54January 16, 2025 3:06 AM

I[QUOTE] Isn't Kylie Minogue the blueprint for this?

This thread is about Brits. She is Australian.

by Anonymousreply 55January 16, 2025 3:08 AM

Duffy. Mercy was a huge hit everywhere except America (it flopped in Canada and Australia, too).

I guess they thought she would be big over here, like Amy Winehouse and Adele, but it never happened.

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by Anonymousreply 56January 16, 2025 3:12 AM

I feel like Mercy is one of those songs that was a hit in the states but didn’t chart high. It’s hard to explain.

by Anonymousreply 57January 16, 2025 3:28 AM

Kate Bush

by Anonymousreply 58January 16, 2025 3:34 AM

[quote]Isn’t Kylie Minogue essentially the blueprint for this? Globally, she’s on a level comparable to Madonna,

What a ridiculous claim R32! Madonna is the best selling female artist globally of all time and 6th highest selling artist of all time. Minogue isn't even in the top 100 best selling global artists and she is Australian - not British.

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by Anonymousreply 59January 16, 2025 3:42 AM

the Two Fat Ladies

by Anonymousreply 60January 16, 2025 3:43 AM

Easy to say which ones didn't flop.

Coldplay

One Direction

Elton John

U2

Ed Sheeran

Harry Styles

Dua Lipa

by Anonymousreply 61January 16, 2025 4:09 AM

Gemma Arterton. Dominic Cooper. Sophia Myles. Jim Sturgess. Romola Garai.

And countless others.......

by Anonymousreply 62January 16, 2025 4:33 AM

Not sure if Marianne Faithful was a flop. I liked her voice but she was more famous for being Mick Jagger's woman. Freddy and The Dreamers were just awful. Herman's Hermits weren't much better. The Beatles and The Rolling Stones were talented and enduring.

by Anonymousreply 63January 16, 2025 4:41 AM

^^Peter Noone was dreamy.

by Anonymousreply 64January 16, 2025 5:07 AM

Blur - at first - when they were very big in Britain during the early albums. And I'd say generally too, but they did gain some traction eventually, but nothing like in Britain.

The first two Gorillaz albums - Damon Albarn's post-Blur project - sold significantly more in the US than any Blur album.

by Anonymousreply 65January 16, 2025 5:15 AM

Kate Beckinsale's fucking whack job big bow ass

by Anonymousreply 66January 16, 2025 6:42 AM

R55 So pedantic. Like Williams, she’s an example of someone who is wildly successful in the UK who flopped into oblivion in the US.

by Anonymousreply 67January 16, 2025 6:48 AM

Billie Piper was considered Britain’s answer to Britney, enjoying several major hits in the UK, though none managed to break through stateside. Today, she’s a highly regarded actress, but like her music career, her success has remained largely centered in England.

by Anonymousreply 68January 16, 2025 6:58 AM

I thought of Blur too R65. They hit in the UK the same time as grunge was big in the US as well as a saturated amount of perceived boy bands, so they didn’t really have a niche with their Brit Pop. They were also very UK in their style and themes which just wouldn’t translate. A reverse scenario would be something like let’s say Aerosmith which was too American to ever make it big here in the UK.

by Anonymousreply 69January 16, 2025 7:00 AM

R69, I also thought of Def Leppard, only because they were MASSIVE in the US and in their Behind the Music (I think, or similar show), some of the members said that they just didn't translate as well in the UK. Though, given how huge they were, not being as big in the UK doesn't necessarily mean they were flops. That's why I didn't offer then up at first.

by Anonymousreply 70January 16, 2025 7:07 AM

Sarah Lancashire, Julie Walters, David Tennant, McFly, Busted, JLS, The Saturdays, Cliff Richards, Martine McCutcheon, Victoria Wood, Craig David

by Anonymousreply 71January 16, 2025 7:09 AM

Eternal/Louise

by Anonymousreply 72January 16, 2025 7:10 AM

I heard a story about when they tried to break Kate Bush in the US. She had a fear of flying, so had to be sedated to get her on the plane. Then when she had to meet the record company executives, she sat under the boardroom table sucking her thumb. It just makes me love her more.

by Anonymousreply 73January 16, 2025 7:13 AM

Kate Bush.

If I’m not mistaken, “Wuthering Heights”, “Running Up That Hill”, “This Woman’s Work” and the Peter Gabriel song were hits in the US.

But she wasn’t that well known as the songs.

She’s more famous in the US now today probably than she ever was.

by Anonymousreply 74January 16, 2025 7:14 AM

OMG “This Woman’s Work” never even charted on Billboard. It’s such a famous song. Kevin Bacon’s face is tied to that song.

I’m really surprised.

by Anonymousreply 75January 16, 2025 7:17 AM

Rik Mayall

by Anonymousreply 76January 16, 2025 7:19 AM

I wonder how Ant & Dec would do in the US. They are the equivalent of Ryan Seacrest but not as processed. Americans seem cool with Brits as judges on their crap tv but probably not as hosts.

by Anonymousreply 77January 16, 2025 7:40 AM

Julie Walters has had a pretty terrific career. Emily Lloyd’s career was derailed by crippling mental illness. MTV pushed Jamiroquai pretty heavily in the late 90s but they never caught on. MTV had the darkness glam/metal song “I believe in a thing called love” on heavy rotation around 2004 it was a catchy song but was rejected by American audiences.

by Anonymousreply 78January 16, 2025 7:43 AM

Rachel Stevens’s Some Girls deserved to be #1 for ten weeks in the US. Sadly it was not to be.

by Anonymousreply 79January 16, 2025 7:44 AM

Mis-Teeq had a minor hit in the US with Scandalous. Unfortunately it was used to promote Catwoman with Halle Berry, and we all know how that turned out. Alesha Dixon went on to have a successful solo career in the UK.

by Anonymousreply 80January 16, 2025 7:46 AM

R40 I don't think you can say Tom Hardy flopped. his Venom movies were big hits.

by Anonymousreply 81January 16, 2025 7:56 AM

Depeche Mode's another example of a band that did better in the US than in the UK.

by Anonymousreply 82January 16, 2025 7:56 AM

I would nominate Rupert Everett. He had a hit in My Best Friend's Wedding in a supporting role but his lead in The Next Best Thing opposite Madonna was a disaster.

by Anonymousreply 83January 16, 2025 7:58 AM

Many of the people and acts mentioned here flopped both in the UK and the US. Everett is one of them. He just puts a book out once in a while these days and has an agent who gets him on the interview circuit. He's not doing much otherwise, and has Daddy's money and his sexy Brazilian husband to comfort him.

Kylie did well in the US for three single releases: "Locomotion", "Can't Get You Out of My Head", and "Padam Padam".

Also sad to say that Erasure didn't make it in the US like they did in the UK, despite a strong cult following. The sing "A Little Respect" in stadiums in the UK, which would never happen anywhere in the US.

by Anonymousreply 84January 16, 2025 8:05 AM

Rob Kazinsky. I know…who’s he?

by Anonymousreply 85January 16, 2025 3:50 PM

R85 I thought of Kazinsky, but figured people would ask. who? .. lol. .. I just remember that when he exited EastEnders, the press seemed to be all over the idea that he was off to conquer America. and he'd soon be a household name in the States. I'm sure there are other British soap actors who exited their shows with the same plan.

by Anonymousreply 86January 16, 2025 7:07 PM

Mister Bean

by Anonymousreply 87January 16, 2025 9:04 PM

Mr Bean had 2 hit movies made so I dont think you can call that a flop.

by Anonymousreply 88January 16, 2025 9:07 PM

Ruby Wax

by Anonymousreply 89January 16, 2025 9:33 PM

[quote]Mister Bean

There are two types of British humor: the kind that's funny and the kind that isn't. I would put Mister Bean in the latter camp.

by Anonymousreply 90January 17, 2025 12:24 AM

Kylie Minogue (who is not British) has had 14 number one hits on the US Dance (which is to say "Gay") chart - same as Whitney.

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by Anonymousreply 91January 17, 2025 12:29 AM

The Bay City Rollers

by Anonymousreply 92January 17, 2025 12:59 AM

It's too bad America doesn't get the Jane McDonald they deserve.

by Anonymousreply 93January 17, 2025 8:09 AM

[quote] Rob Kazinsky. I know…who’s he?

Here he is. (The shaved -headed one)

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by Anonymousreply 94January 17, 2025 8:29 AM

Has anyone mentioned Joss Stone?

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by Anonymousreply 95January 17, 2025 8:37 AM

She's gone low-profile in the UK, too.

by Anonymousreply 96January 17, 2025 8:40 AM

Also: Duffy is another one like this. When she disappeared, she did globally, and the poor lass has been quite troubled.

[quote]In February 2011, she announced an indefinite hiatus from music. She briefly returned in 2015, appearing in the film Legend and later contributed three songs to its soundtrack. In 2020, Duffy explained her long-term absence from the music industry, saying that she had been recovering after being abducted and raped. According to Duffy's official website, she is currently signed to Polydor Records, which operates under Universal Music Group.

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by Anonymousreply 97January 17, 2025 8:42 AM

.........

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by Anonymousreply 98January 31, 2025 8:11 PM

Sindy.

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by Anonymousreply 99January 31, 2025 8:18 PM

[quote]Cilla Black, Cheryl, Russell Brand, Robbie Williams

Good. They're are all horrible people.

by Anonymousreply 100January 31, 2025 8:24 PM

Bringing Cheryl Tweedy to America for the X-Factor - given her accent (to everyone outside the UK - ugly and incomprehensible) and history of beating up a nightclub attendant whilst yelling “you fucking black bitch” - was a choice.

by Anonymousreply 101January 31, 2025 8:41 PM

Bay City Rollers did alright. 6 gold albums in the US and a handful of hits including a number one.

by Anonymousreply 102January 31, 2025 11:55 PM

I wouldn't necessarily call Cliff Richard's appeal in the US a flop. He did manage 7 Top 40 hits in his career, 3 of them charted in the Top 10. But overall it was underwhelming.

Robbie Williams did surprisingly flop. He had at least 4-5 global hit singles which should have easily made their way to the US charts, and yet did not. Were US DJ's purposely blackballing him?

by Anonymousreply 103February 1, 2025 12:07 AM

Paul O'Grady

Michael Parkinson

John Barrowman (in fairness, he's a Brit but grew up in Joliet, Illinois)

Dan Stevens

by Anonymousreply 104February 1, 2025 12:14 AM

[Quote]Michael Parkinson

Cunt.

by Anonymousreply 105February 1, 2025 1:01 AM

Harry Styles has done really well. Even won Album of the Year at the Grammys

by Anonymousreply 106February 1, 2025 1:15 AM

Harry Styles has done really well. Even won Album of the Year at the Grammys

by Anonymousreply 107February 1, 2025 1:15 AM

Piers Morgan

by Anonymousreply 108February 1, 2025 1:26 AM

James Purefoy

Dan Stevens

Jeremy Northam

It's really hard to equal Hugh Grant's US leading man success, though God knows they keep trying.

by Anonymousreply 109February 1, 2025 1:36 AM

Ioan Gruffudd.

by Anonymousreply 110February 1, 2025 2:00 AM

[quote] Michael Parkinson

Misogynist.

by Anonymousreply 111February 1, 2025 3:28 PM

Benny Hill.

by Anonymousreply 112February 2, 2025 1:35 AM

[quote] Were US DJ's purposely blackballing him?

American women didn’t find him attractive, he was not butch enough for American men and his voice wasn’t pretty enough for the Latinos.

by Anonymousreply 113June 16, 2025 11:17 AM

Pepsi and Shirley.

Maybe because of the name?

by Anonymousreply 114June 16, 2025 1:25 PM

Liz Truss. Didn't she go to all those MAGA events last summer?

by Anonymousreply 115June 16, 2025 1:28 PM

Was "The Ego Has Landed" in 1999 Williams's first attempt at North American exposure?

by Anonymousreply 116June 16, 2025 1:38 PM

Billy Connolly is a legend in Europe but the attempts to make him a big star in the US didn’t take.

His wife Pamela Stephenson was on SNL for one season as well. She’s now a therapist and has had quite an interesting life post Showbiz.

by Anonymousreply 117June 16, 2025 4:27 PM

I think North America is turned off by the accents.

by Anonymousreply 118June 16, 2025 4:44 PM

r117 Wow, a rare husband-wife flop.

They live in Key West, apparently.

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by Anonymousreply 119June 16, 2025 4:45 PM

Michelle Dockery, best know as Lady Mary, on Downton Abbey. She had a TV show on TBS/TNT called Good Behavior that lasted one season. I tried to watch it and it was dreadful! She's been in some other stuff but, I can almost guarantee, most people know her better as Lady Mary.

by Anonymousreply 120June 16, 2025 5:41 PM

R120 That's because she has RBF which worked for Lady Mary but not for the rest of her characters.

by Anonymousreply 121June 16, 2025 5:48 PM

Anne Robinson when she went to US to host "The Weakest Link".

I think it was bad timing. The US version premiered on April 2001 and after 9/11 I guess what Americans wanted the least to see on TV was a middle aged British lady calling them ignorants for 30 minutes.

by Anonymousreply 122June 16, 2025 5:52 PM

Actually, Good Behavior had two seasons and I kind of liked it.

by Anonymousreply 123June 16, 2025 5:55 PM

R120 I loved Good Bahviour! She was great in it, even though she had a Drama School General American Accent and made no effort with the regional accent, unlike the rest of the cast.

by Anonymousreply 124June 16, 2025 9:45 PM

R37 She didn’t flop in the States. She was selling out venues well into her 80’s. She still performs on occasion.

People get old. Fuck, she’s 88. Her Bond themes were huge.

by Anonymousreply 125June 16, 2025 10:13 PM

I want to think that one important reason of why Robbie Williams failed to make it in the US market is because his public image and persona was not going to attain a solid fanbase among young American females, on that era in specific (late 90s, early-mid 2000s).

Back in the day they had Boybands, R&B and even Latin pop artists to fancy for. So, I guess American women from that era were never going to have interest on a weirdo British dude (that looks like he just got released from a mental institution) who strips off his skin, muscles and organs on a music video.

by Anonymousreply 126June 17, 2025 4:51 AM

I feel like Feel hit most of the right notes, it’s my favourite of his songs.

I am Australian. The five straight British men I know and talk to regularly all went and dragged their girlfriends to his biopic.

I don’t think his level of Jolie Laide, cheeky chappie, neuroticism works as a straight pop singer for Americans. I think he would get away with it somewhat if he were a rocker or a R&B/soul singer. It’s like he’s too femme for the pop market and too woebegone and lightweight for the gay market.

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by Anonymousreply 127June 17, 2025 6:21 AM

Ben Chaplin

by Anonymousreply 128June 17, 2025 6:43 AM

Rita Ora

by Anonymousreply 129June 17, 2025 6:58 AM

Sadly, The Stone Roses (as well as Ian Brown as solo).

"F.E.A.R." is my favorite Ian Brown solo song.

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by Anonymousreply 130June 17, 2025 7:03 AM

[quote]Billie Piper was considered Britain’s answer to Britney

Put down the crack pipe.

by Anonymousreply 131June 17, 2025 7:10 AM

The Little Britain guys.

by Anonymousreply 132June 17, 2025 7:10 AM

Harry and by association, Markle.

by Anonymousreply 133June 17, 2025 7:16 AM

[QUOTE] It’s like he’s too femme for the pop marke

Harry Styles is more femme than Robbie Williams and he is hugely popular in the US. His last album debuted with 521k sold and he did a 15 night residency at Madison Square Garden as part of his tour.

by Anonymousreply 134June 17, 2025 7:20 AM

David Morrissey. Miscast in Basic Instinct 2 even though Sharon picked him. But then she couldn't find an American to star with her. Did 2 seasons of The Walking Dead in a supporting role.

by Anonymousreply 135June 17, 2025 8:27 AM

[quote] Harry Styles is more femme than Robbie Williams and he is hugely popular in the US. His last album debuted with 521k sold and he did a 15 night residency at Madison Square Garden as part of his tour.

Apples and Oranges.

One Direction broke out and Harry became the most popular member of the biggest boy band in decades full 16 years after Robbie left Take That and Back For Good limped to number 7 on the Billboard charts.

Those are different worlds.

by Anonymousreply 136June 17, 2025 9:06 AM

R112, Benny Hill was HUGE here in the 80s.

by Anonymousreply 137June 17, 2025 9:30 AM

S Club 7 was a huge flop in the US. Tried with that shitty TV show too.

by Anonymousreply 138June 17, 2025 11:26 AM

138 posts and no one has mentioned Rula Lenska!

by Anonymousreply 139June 17, 2025 4:19 PM

[QUOTE] One Direction broke out and Harry became the most popular member of the biggest boy band in decades full 16 years after Robbie left Take That and Back For Good limped to number 7 on the Billboard charts.

1d broke the US because of Harry. As soloists, the other four have either flopped, (Louis and Zayn), had mediocre careers (Niall) or turned into gigantic drug queens and died (Liam).

by Anonymousreply 140June 17, 2025 5:24 PM

It's kind sad that very talented pop/rock groups from the 90s and 2000s never managed to fully make it big in America like: The Stone Roses, Pulp, Suede, Travis, James, Blur, Kaiser Chiefs, etc. And yet, as of 2025, we have to deal with those bedwetters of Coldplay with his lead singer whiny voice and their bland, overplayed songs.

by Anonymousreply 141June 17, 2025 6:28 PM

Dying King Tampon& Hag Consort

by Anonymousreply 142June 17, 2025 6:33 PM
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by Anonymousreply 143June 17, 2025 6:37 PM

Does Britain have any black popular music artists? Half the people named here I've never heard of. I know Robbie Williams because all the members of Take That were very fuckable. What happened to the rest of them? Square jaws for days.

by Anonymousreply 144June 17, 2025 10:14 PM

Sade, Seal, Labrinth, Michael Kiwunuka, RAYE, FKA Twigs, Laura Mvula, Tricky, Corinne Bailey Rae, Emeli Sand, Joan Armatrading.

Lots of key members of bands: Fine Young Cannibals, Prodigy, Skunk Anansie, Morcheeba, Bloc Party, M People.

Stormzy, for instance, I don’t think has a presence in America. But Grime is pretty much over.

by Anonymousreply 145June 18, 2025 4:51 AM

R140, again, apples and oranges vis-à-vis Robbie.

by Anonymousreply 146June 18, 2025 4:53 AM

R61

U2 is in no way British.

by Anonymousreply 147June 18, 2025 9:15 AM

George Hanover III

by Anonymousreply 148June 18, 2025 9:34 AM

R147 well the island of Ireland is one of the British Isles. So there’s that 👽

by Anonymousreply 149June 18, 2025 10:10 AM

[quote]Almost all hit British music acts flop in America.

This is hilariously wrong but thanks for the laugh, R41.

by Anonymousreply 150June 18, 2025 10:20 AM

Late to the conversation, OP, but Cliff Richard ultimately had a string of Top 40 hits (including 3 Top Tens) in the 70s/80s, which puts him more in the "delayed success" category than outright flop, no?

by Anonymousreply 151June 18, 2025 10:24 AM

No. Cliff Richard was never a thing, not even for a little while, in the US.

Appearing on Mike Douglas or Merv Griffin won’t make it so.

by Anonymousreply 152June 18, 2025 10:30 AM

R145 - Sade and Joan Armatrading both had success in the US.

by Anonymousreply 153June 18, 2025 10:32 AM

As if re Sade flopping . 😵‍💫

by Anonymousreply 154June 18, 2025 10:38 AM

Apologies for the redundancy, r103. I missed your post when I scrolled through initially.

by Anonymousreply 155June 18, 2025 10:44 AM

Cliff Richard had several hits in the US, two of which I remembered as soon as I saw their titles: Devil Woman and We Don’t Talk Anymore. He was vastly more popular in the UK but he wasn’t a huge flop, per se, in the US.

by Anonymousreply 156June 18, 2025 12:00 PM

R149

I’ll give you that but I can think of few commercial bands who have been more anti-UK government.

by Anonymousreply 157June 18, 2025 12:04 PM

Cornwallis.

by Anonymousreply 158June 18, 2025 12:04 PM

Let’s be clear 99.9% of Americans have no fucking idea who Cliff is, nor do they care. The end.

by Anonymousreply 159June 18, 2025 12:06 PM

I grew up in the US in the 70s and 80s and never heard a Cliff Richard song on the radio. Never heard anyone talk about him. Never saw a concert tour promoted or caught a music video of his. I loved popular music at that age and listened to many genres and explored earlier eras. I had older siblings and grew up listening to their popular music from the 60s/70s, too. I was way more aware of music history than the typical teen of the 80s.

Only heard of him much later in the context of ONJ's career. He was also a sort of footnote in what I read about the Beatles and the first British Invasion, how he was the big "rock star" in Britain before all that. It was always framed that he was a regional act that never broke out internationally, unlike the later wave of British acts he partially influenced.

I don't doubt he charted but his cultural relevance in the US is nil. Very few would know him if you stopped random people on the street.

by Anonymousreply 160June 18, 2025 12:17 PM

Esther Rantzen before she went round the bend with Brexit.

Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders before he went round the bend with the drink and destructiveness.

Westlife. I know they’re Irish but they were huge in the UK and less than zero in the States. Set to fill the Albert Hall in London this October for their 25th anniversary. And still nice to look at and listen to.

Kerry Katona of Atomic Kitten. She was a flop but not her tits: they’re making millions on OnlyFans.

by Anonymousreply 161June 18, 2025 12:33 PM

None of them were even a nobody in the US.

by Anonymousreply 162June 18, 2025 12:40 PM

When I was little, there use to be summer variety show on NBC. Des O'Connor hosted one in the early 70's (The Kraft Music Hall starring Des O'Connor)

I'm guessing they thought his huge popularity in the UK would mirror Sir Tom Jones and Englebert Humperdink here in the states. No such luck.

by Anonymousreply 163June 18, 2025 1:53 PM

Alex Pettyfer.

by Anonymousreply 164June 18, 2025 2:04 PM

Maxwell Caulfield, unfortunately.

He was gorgeous, but Grease 2 killed his potential US career.

by Anonymousreply 165June 18, 2025 2:05 PM

He will always be a success, as Nanny’s dickmatizer.

by Anonymousreply 166June 18, 2025 2:11 PM

R145 who listed a bunch of black British music artists like Sade, Seal and Joan Armatrading is in direct response to r144 who asked

“Does Britain have any black popular music artists?”

by Anonymousreply 167June 18, 2025 3:10 PM

Well fuck then for going off topic

by Anonymousreply 168June 18, 2025 3:15 PM

Sadie Frost and Sienna Miller

by Anonymousreply 169June 18, 2025 5:56 PM

Sienna is Ok here

by Anonymousreply 170June 18, 2025 5:58 PM

Jude Law's career in Hollywood was never the same after the infamous Chris Rock opening monologue at the 2005 Oscars, in which he was mocked for being way, but way overexposed on that era.

by Anonymousreply 171June 18, 2025 5:59 PM

I don't think it was the Oscar joke.

It was the affair with his children's nanny while engaged to Sierra Miller.

by Anonymousreply 172June 18, 2025 6:10 PM

Young Peggy Cummins was shipped over by Darryl F. Zanuck amidst much publicity, to star in the showy FOREVER AMBER.

She was almost as quickly [italic]stripped [/italic]of the role after a week of filming.

“Too young,” they said. Regardless, her subsequent career never amounted to much.

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by Anonymousreply 173June 18, 2025 8:07 PM

Tracey Ullman - funny, but not conventionally pretty enough to be a bonafide star in the US

by Anonymousreply 174June 18, 2025 8:17 PM

R149, the Republic of Ireland does not recognize the term "British Isles" and they are referred to by multiple other variations. The term British Isles is itself not an official term, so basically, what I'm trying to say is that U2 is in no way a British band.

by Anonymousreply 175June 18, 2025 10:51 PM

Jobless Joe Locke.

by Anonymousreply 176June 19, 2025 6:35 AM

R173 - Peggy Cummins was in the American independent cult film noir Gun Crazy. I don't know if it was a box office hit. I would guess no. But still she is remembered for that.

by Anonymousreply 177June 19, 2025 6:52 AM

Millicent Martin

by Anonymousreply 178June 19, 2025 6:56 AM

What about Kim Wilde? 20 Top 40 hits in the UK, but only 2 here in the US. Interestingly, she never had a #1 in the UK, but did have one here with “You Keep Me Hanging On”.

by Anonymousreply 179June 19, 2025 10:30 AM

All of the Brits flopped except Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran, Elton John, Adele, Coldplay.

by Anonymousreply 180June 19, 2025 7:10 PM

Cliff Richard had eight US Top 40 singles, including the million-selling "Devil Woman" and "We Don't Talk Anymore".

by Anonymousreply 181June 20, 2025 5:36 AM

Oh yes this one.

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by Anonymousreply 182June 20, 2025 5:40 AM

R79, I’d forgotten about that song! I not even sure how I discovered it since it was never played here. I had it on my old iPod shuffle! I’m going to find it again.

by Anonymousreply 183June 20, 2025 10:16 AM

Barry Humphries as Dame Edna. Both were born and died in Australia, but he had a long and distinguished UK career, and the British claimed him as one of their own. His 1992 US show, "Dame Edna's Hollywood," was a pale imitation of his long-running UK variety show. Only 3 special US episodes were made.

The second episode starred Burt Reynolds, Barry Manilow, and Sean Young, and it was a shitshow. Burt behaved like a grumpy sourpuss, Manilow was noticeably uncomfortable, and Young looked as if she was ready to burst into tears towards the end.

The same stars would play along and act cute in front of a non-US audience, but their egos couldn't take the same beating at home.

by Anonymousreply 184June 20, 2025 11:33 AM

Dame Edna was born, schooled, worked, lived and died in Australia. Moonee Ponds is not in the UK. Her entire act is based on her Australian-ness. The Brits don’t have fabulousness. It must be imported.

You think Dame Edna is her only persona, ignoring Sir Les Patterson, Edna’s creator and Oz’s most boorish cultural attaché and her Australian bridesmaid and savoury-supplier, Madge Allsop.

by Anonymousreply 185June 20, 2025 2:28 PM

The Brits had their own drag person - Danny La Rue. But he flopped in the US too because I don't think he needed to become international.

by Anonymousreply 186June 20, 2025 2:33 PM

Daring Danny La Rue was 1: too British (local humor) and 2: not that funny. Not enough to make it big in the States. His was a musical Hall act, circa 1900 or so, singing the likes of “Don’t Dilly Dally on the Way.”

He was an old-fashioned drag queen with lovely gowns but without good writers.

by Anonymousreply 187June 20, 2025 2:43 PM

[quote] Tracey Ullman - funny, but not conventionally pretty enough to be a bonafide star in the US

You must be on crack. She has 7 Emmy Awards, 12 American Comedy Awards, hit shows in every decade and worth over $100 million dollars. She made it BIG in the US and has citizenship. Joan Rivers and a ton of others weren’t conventionally attractive. They were still super successful. Tracey is a character actress.

by Anonymousreply 188June 20, 2025 2:48 PM

Tracey even had a hit song in America. lol

by Anonymousreply 189June 20, 2025 2:49 PM

Cilla Black was a beloved icon in Britain, yet in America was a one hit wonder.

Which made more sense because she was cunt sweat whose entire career was built off of inferior renditions of superior vocalists songs.

by Anonymousreply 190June 21, 2025 2:15 AM

Piers Morgan

by Anonymousreply 191June 21, 2025 2:41 AM

Sausages McGee

by Anonymousreply 192June 21, 2025 3:20 AM

Russell Brand owns this thread. And they tried so hard.

by Anonymousreply 193June 21, 2025 4:40 AM

r190=Miss Warwick

by Anonymousreply 194June 21, 2025 2:42 PM

[quote] but his lead in The Next Best Thing opposite Madonna was a disaster.

I like to refer that film as "Kramer vs Kramer" and "Queer as Folk" had an abortion.

by Anonymousreply 195June 22, 2025 10:10 PM

Cliff Richard - Devil Woman

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by Anonymousreply 196June 24, 2025 7:37 AM

Danny La Rue was Irish.

by Anonymousreply 197June 26, 2025 8:18 PM

[QUOTE] Cliff Richard had eight top 40 US singles

Harry Styles has had 22 top 40 solo singles on the US Hot 100, including two number ones. All this by the age of 29 (more than 22 if you count his hits with One Direction).

Americans LOVE this guy, but not his ex bandmates.

by Anonymousreply 198June 27, 2025 8:03 AM

Robbie Williams is currently appearing in ads for cat food in the UK.

by Anonymousreply 199June 27, 2025 8:20 PM

Cliff Richard actually had 9 Top 40 hits in the US., three of them were in the Top 10. Yes, he was a massive star in the UK and European, and should have been more popular in America, but I wouldn't call it a flop either.

by Anonymousreply 200June 27, 2025 11:49 PM

Rula Lenska

by Anonymousreply 201June 28, 2025 12:52 AM

For all of their top 10/40 UK hits, the Jam only charted a couple of times. Barely broke the top 40. Fantastic band.

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by Anonymousreply 202June 28, 2025 1:03 AM

The Jam were garnering a following in college radio stations just before they broke up in 1982. If they hadn't broken up they probably would have broken into the US market.

by Anonymousreply 203June 28, 2025 1:18 AM

Gemma Atherton can't act, so there's that. Jude Law, in spite of his unfortunate rug and messy personal life has morphed into a good character actor. I personally like Steve Coogan & Rob Brydon, but I don't think UK humor always translates to US audiences. That said, Brits have inexplicably bad taste in pop stars. It's like they love the most annoying, shrill, chavy types they can find

by Anonymousreply 204June 29, 2025 7:01 PM

They have good indie pop, though

by Anonymousreply 205June 29, 2025 7:04 PM

[quote]Gemma Atherton

Her name is ARTERTON.

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by Anonymousreply 206June 29, 2025 9:06 PM

^Well, she's still a terrible actor

by Anonymousreply 207June 29, 2025 10:58 PM

Russell Brand just tops this list forever and always.

by Anonymousreply 208July 5, 2025 10:42 PM

Agreed, Gemma Arterton acts like a someone in a school play, deliberate and mechanical. There’s not an organic moment.

by Anonymousreply 209July 6, 2025 5:31 AM

[quote] Usually British humor is too subtle for Americans

Because subtle what I think of when considering Only Fools And Horses, Morecambe And Wise, Are You Being Served, Dad’s Army, Absolutely Fabulous, Peep Show, Julia Davies, Lenny Henry, Billy Connolly, Roman Atkinson, Benny Hill, Ricky Gervais, Jimmy Carr, Jack Whitehead, Jo Brand and Steptoe.

Subtle as a fucking brick.

by Anonymousreply 210July 6, 2025 5:43 AM

^oh, god; Jack Whitehead is just intolerable. He should be shunned in all countries

by Anonymousreply 211July 6, 2025 10:53 PM

King George III, General Cornwallis.

by Anonymousreply 212July 6, 2025 11:14 PM

R180 Beatles, Rollings Stones?

by Anonymousreply 213July 6, 2025 11:16 PM

R163 I remember that show--I liked him, and the show.

by Anonymousreply 214July 6, 2025 11:17 PM

Kenneth More

by Anonymousreply 215July 6, 2025 11:17 PM

Harry Styles as an actor.

by Anonymousreply 216July 6, 2025 11:24 PM

Richard Madden (tho he's Scottish, maybe).

by Anonymousreply 217July 6, 2025 11:28 PM

I’ll get over you…

by Anonymousreply 218July 6, 2025 11:55 PM

One of the acts that spring to mind immediately are Girls Aloud. HUGE in the UK in the mid-to-late 00's but I'm not aware that they gained any real traction in North America, not even in gay clubs.

by Anonymousreply 219July 7, 2025 12:41 AM

Olly Murs

by Anonymousreply 220July 7, 2025 12:44 AM

Probably too young for the average DL demographic, but Marina (formerly Marina and the Diamonds).

by Anonymousreply 221July 7, 2025 1:53 AM

Gabrielle.

"Rise" is my favorite song of hers.

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by Anonymousreply 222July 7, 2025 4:28 AM

R214:

I did, too. I watched it with my Grandma.

by Anonymousreply 223July 7, 2025 1:16 PM

[quote] One of the acts that spring to mind immediately are Girls Aloud.

Girls Aloud and Little Mix didn’t even make it in Australia.

by Anonymousreply 224July 7, 2025 3:34 PM
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