Film and TV

Fry’s American journey is sure to enlighten us

By Mike Jennings
October 15, 2008

Plenty of people have visited America for the odd holiday, but national treasure Stephen Fry has undertaken a somewhat bigger journey – to travel across the US of A and visit every single state along the way in a bid to learn more about the country.

Beginning in the north-east tip and driving his trusted London black cab, Fry began his journey by travelling down the eastern seaboard through New Hampshire, Vermont and New York before heading further south.

His encounters along the way were suitably eclectic and eccentric – a trip up the world’s first cog railway, built on an incredibly precarious slope on Mount Washington, and a frankly scrumptious-looking visit to the Ben & Jerry’s factory.

Before long, though, he’s deer hunting, dropping in to a tea party at Harvard University and touring a nuclear submarine in Connecticut.

Any show fronted by Stephen Fry has a lot to live up to thanks to the quality of his prolific output.

Thankfully, the beginning of his American tour doesn’t let him down.

This looks sure to be a fascinating – and refreshingly upbeat – look at a much-maligned country. Even better, it’ll save me from having to find the cash to visit 50 states – I can’t wait.