Sunday, November 16, 2008

Stephen Fry in America - part 6: Review

Stephen Fry in America 6/6 - Pacific (Sunday 16 November 9:00pm - 10:00pm BBC1) This series is about Stephen Fry visiting all fifty states of the USA, via a black London taxi. Tonight's episode is the final episode in this six part series, with Stephen exploring the states along the Pacific Coast, and then up to Alaska and lastly over to Hawaii. Stephen began with a cable car ride in San Francisco, California, and he visited Chinatown, one of the oldest and best established Chinatowns in America. After that, Stephen met up with Apple designer, Jony Ive. Still in California, Stephen met the sheriff of Mendocino County and got instructions in firing a handgun. He got to join in a drug bust (after being kitted out in a bulletproof vest) and watched as two suspects were arrested and led away from a farm where cannabis plants are cultivated. In Oregon, Stephen went rafting on the Rogue River. In Seattle, Washington, Stephen visited the Seattle Aquarium, and he said goodbye to his London taxi. Next, he flew to Anchorage, Alaska from Seattle. From Anchorage, he flew in a small plane to Kodiak. After visiting Kodiak, Stephen flew to Barrow (the northenmost town in the USA) where he met up with an Eskimo called Henry, who is a whaling captain. Finally, the last state in Stephen's journey was Hawaii (the southermost part of the USA). On the North shore, Stephen swam with sharks - well actually he was in a metal cage lowered into the water and surrounded by sharks, but very impressive none the less. On Big Island, Stephen visited Keck Observatory and then he went on a helicopter ride over the lava fields of Kilauea. Stephen said he could feel the heat up in the helicopter. And his visit to Hawaii was the end of the series. I thought this episode certanly showed a stark contrast in climate and lifestyle between Alaska and Hawaii. I'm going to miss watching this series. I looked forward to a visit to the USA every Sunday. All in all, it was a good series although there were bits that could have been left out or shortened (such as the visit to the brothel in part 5) and a lot more that could have been included. Over all though I think it probably gave a good view of the USA to the British audience. What are your thoughts about the last episode and about the whole series? Did the series alter your views about the USA in any way? related links from my blog: Stephen Fry in America - part 1: Review Stephen Fry in America - part 2: Review Stephen Fry in America - part 3: Review Stephen Fry in America - part 4: Review Stephen Fry in America - part 5: Review

10 comments:

  1. I really think Stephen Fry was gun happy for a moment there...

    I'm definitely going to miss this series too--it was something to look forward to watching after Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday nights. I've certainly been inspired to travel to places like Minnesota or Alaska, which I might not have thought of before.

    Do you know the name of the piece of music that was played each time the show started?

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  2. LOL - I agree, he did seem to rather enjoy his lesson at the shooting range!

    It's great to know that the series has inspired you to travel to places like Minnesota or Alaska. I've never been to Alaska (unfortunately) but I can vouch for Minnesota. It's a beautiful state.

    Sorry, I don't know the name of the piece of music at the start of each episode.

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  3. I need to catch up with the last two programmes, which should be repeated next Saturday and the week after.
    As you know I enjoyed the others. xx

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  4. flighty, don't forget that you can also catch up (on the last 7 days of BBC TV) via BBC iPlayer.

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  5. Thanks for the reminder! However I'll probably watch the repeats on BBC2. xx

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  6. I was certainly disappointed with part 5 with little of interest to me apart from the B-17 flight. xx

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  7. I was disappointed with that episode too, flighty! I thought he spent way too much time with the silly Spy Game in Las Vegas and the visit to the brothel. It's a shame that is what he chose to show as highlights in the state of Nevada.

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  8. maureen, i love this series, and i love his episode with new england. i am staying with a friend in vermont this summer and i cant wait. i definitely want to live in the us when im older. you might be interested to know that 'more fry in america' is coming to the bbc which includes the parts stephen left out

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  9. Hi Archie - it is an excellent series, isn't it? Thanks for telling me about the new series called More Fry in America. I hadn't heard about it before now so I appreciate the info! I look forward to watching it.

    I hope you enjoy your trip to Vermont this summer!

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