You know we are die-hard fans of The Amazing Race. So it will come as no surprise that our TiVo's Now Playing list more often than not has some kind of travel-related program on it. Actually, since we got HD, it seems like we're watching even more travel stuff. It's almost like we're there... well not exactly, I know my eyes couldn't see things that clearly!
Granted watching all this just leads to frustration. While money is an object to a certain extent, having the time to travel is more the issue for us... so many places to go, so little time... plus these shows just end up adding to the list... which isn't particularly helpful either!
Here are three of my favorite travel-oriented programs... all available in (but not exclusive to) HD.
First up, is Smart Travels with Rudy Maxa on PBS (and, I've come to learn, public television's first ever HD series)... also airing on the Fine Living channel. There are two different series... Europe and Pacific Rim. They are half-hour episodes led by public radio's Rudy Maxa... the ideal fatherly (or grandfatherly) type. I swear your blood pressure will go down listening to his calm and soothing commentary. Rudy hits all the major spots (but goes off the proverbial beaten track)... with a lot of tips, tricks, and advice along the way. (And he is exponentially less creepy than his PBS travel show counterpart, Rick Steves).
If you are looking for the polar opposite of Rudy Maxa, I could think of no other person than Zane Lamprey, host of INHD's Three Sheets... while this one does require HD television, you can watch some of the full episodes online (click that link and explore). As you may be able to guess by the show's title, comedian Zane explores the "drinking cultures" of the world... in other words, he goes to places and gets drunk... sometimes, extremely drunk. Zane has become oddly appealing to me (note to self: do a post about guys I find oddly appealing). It's a very funny and very fast half-hour of television.. and goes to some not so typical locales (Belize, Costa Rica, Croatia).
Our latest travel show addition is 1,000 Places To See Before You Die... based on the bestselling book and airing on Discovery HD and also The Travel Channel. It would be easy to really hate Albin (yes, Albin) and Melanie Ulle. On a lark, the newlyweds auditioned and won hosting duties for my dream job -- basically The Amazing Race... without the racing and challenges, with plus 4- or 5-star hotels! But after watching just two episodes (Alaska and Peru/Machu Picchu), they are really quite likable... and ummm... given the above pix, you can probably figure out what else we "like" about the show (goshdarnit, when is that Hawaii episode going to air in HD?!!). This is a one-hour show... so a bit more leisurely paced than the other shows... and thus far, it has certainly lived up to its name.
You mean we're not the only people who've actually watched Three Sheets? I just wish there were some new episodes.
Haven't ventured into 1000 places yet--taped the Alaska episode, but it got deleted. The luck of the hosts might make us White with Rage, though.
I don't think it's in HD, but PBS's Globetrekker series is also interesting--the hour in Mongolia was fascinating.
And of course there's always Michael Palin.
Posted by: JD | Friday, April 20, 2007 at 07:35 PM
And ... what about "No Reservations"? I think it's the BEST travel show!
Posted by: TV Goddess | Saturday, April 21, 2007 at 10:44 AM