There’s been a long and fruitful history of remaking British TV shows in the US.

Shows like ‘The Office’, ‘Masterchef’ and ‘Wife Swap’ have all journeyed across the pond and gained significant popularity.

But if you’re after American success there needs to be some tweaking on the journey over. British and American audiences want different things and most remakes are adjusted to appeal to an American audience.

Especially when it comes to reality shows.

If you want your UK remake to blow up the twitterverse you’d better have the following elements; drinking, cheesy catchphrases, weird or foolish behavior ideally leading to a fight and relationship break up or make up at the center of it all. Or at least something very uniquely and stereotypically British.

It’s simply not enough to be young, pretty and top the charts anymore.

Maybe someone should have told The Saturday’s that. Their recent reality show on the E! Network only lasted one painful season before it was cancelled. The show documented the girl group’s attempt to break the American market, but it was a little too much ‘documentary’ and not enough ‘controversy’.

Other British bands had better take heed. The Wanted’s reality show starts airing June 2 on the E! Network. Previews of the series have hinted at drunken fights and partying at showbiz events  - that’s a start.

Rising stars Little Mix have admitted they dream about their own US reality show too. The female band is heading to America where they’ll release their debut album 'DNA' later this month.

My advice is take a leaf out of the show ‘Made in Chelsea’, the structured reality show based on a bunch of affluent Chelsea socialites. It’s hung on for an impressive three seasons on the Style Network. 

It’s a mixture of love triangles, jet-setting, Kensington style and posh accents. American’s obsession with the young royals, especially Kate Middleton, means anything slightly upper-class and trendy is sure to be a hit.

If you’re looking for a fun, simple and memorable way to celebrate Mother’s Day this year, how about a spot of afternoon tea?

Although I’ve lived in the UK most of my life, I had never indulged in afternoon tea. To me it was one of those quaint English traditions reserved for posh, elderly people who have nothing else to do all day.

However, a few years in America can make you unexpectedly homesick and last Christmas, on a trip back to London, I indulged in my first afternoon tea experience and loved it!

Now, we’re not talking a simple cup of Earl Grey after 12pm - afternoon tea is a small snack or meal that includes savories and sweets, usually consumed around 4pm, with hot tea.

The snack can consist of cucumber, egg and cress or smoked salmon finger-sized sandwiches, scones (which are unsweetened or lightly sweetened biscuit-like cakes) with clotted cream and jam or jelly, along with pastries like fruit cake or biscuits (cookies).

Are you salivating yet?

Despite my perception that this distinctly British custom was slightly old-fashioned I was surprised to see how popular it’s become. Many big city hotels and restaurants in the UK are serving up varied afternoon tea menus. The package I was treated to came with a glass of champagne and over 20 types of tea!

It’s also not just a British thing anymore. Tea-lovers across the world are hosting afternoon tea parties as an idea for a bridal or baby shower, birthday gathering or probably the most fitting of all - a Mother’s Day celebration.

Having afternoon tea has become a great way to honor mother’s in the UK (and elsewhere). Although it doesn’t always have to be a formal affair, the whole experience of dressing up and eating from fine china makes it special and a great way to relax and bond.

If you can’t find a place where you live hosting a Mother’s Day tea, how about doing your own?

To get you started here’s a simple recipe for a classic afternoon tea item - cucumber and mint tea sandwiches.