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Although the Euro-hopping reality competition the travel contest wasn't quite the summer smash the broadcaster were hoping for, it provided host Rob Brydon a stylish transformation. The complex bus journey aimed to project a globetrotting atmosphere, so its master of ceremonies got dressed in deluxe tailoring: boldly coloured three-piece suits, silky cravats and nautical jackets. Unexpectedly, he acquired the debonair look complementing his vintage Roger Moore impression.

A Thematic Wardrobe and Country Music

The newest three-part series, Rob Brydon's Honky Tonk Road Trip, also features some Mr Benn-style thematic wardrobe. The genial Welshman goes full Yellowstone cowpoke sporting of flannel shirts, sturdy coats and the occasional Stetson hat. This complements of a premise where he driving a massive American truck on a 2,000-mile circuit of the southern US for a crash course in country music.

His mission involves with marking the hundredth anniversary of country music – specifically the century mark of the Nashville radio show that evolved into the iconic venue, foundation and star-maker in the industry for generations – through the classic celebrity travelogue tradition of road tripping, chatting with residents and engaging deeply in the culture. This anniversary aligns with country becoming, he claims, “the most rapidly expanding music style in Britain” – due to global superstars and new country-inspired records from Beyoncé, Post Malone and various performers – offers another angle for examination.

Road Trip Experience and Personal Doubts

It's established he enjoys long drives and conversations because of the various incarnations of his travel series with Steve Coogan. But at first he appears uncertain about his credentials as a presenter. Watching him speak with a dashboard-mounted camera certainly brings back recollections of a character, the melancholy driver from Brydon's TV breakthrough, a beloved series. En route to Nashville, he calls his sitcom collaborator Jones for a pep talk. She recalls his authentic country bona fides: their 2009 charity single of Islands in the Stream was a UK No 1. (“The original artists reached No 7!” she points out.)

Conversational Talents With Local Engagement

If the “full sensory overload” of a night out in Nashville proves challenging for the host – a line-dancing attempt alongside a performer turned country singer Twinnie sees him tap out early in Shania Twain song – the veteran comedian is far less wobbly legged during conversations. His respectful interview style blends well local etiquette, efficiently extracting anecdotes about legends and reflections about the essence of country music from silvery-haired veterans like the institution's mainstay Bill Anderson and 92-year-old tailor-to-the-stars Manuel Cuevas. His calm approach is effective with younger guns, like the scraggly-bearded chart-topping singer and the bluegrass banjo maestro a talented musician.

Although several the anecdotes feel well worn, the first installment does contain at least one unexpected moment. Why exactly is Gary Barlow spending time in a homely east Nashville studio? Reportedly, he's visited to Tennessee to hone his songwriting since the 1990s, and points to a country icon as an influence on Take That's bulletproof ballad a classic song. Finally, is an interviewee he can tease, joke with and wind up without worrying about creating a diplomatic incident. (Barlow, bless him, participates willingly.)

Cultural Context and Unscripted Moments

Given a hundred years of the genre to explain and honor, it's reasonable this regional journey across two states (including visits to other areas upcoming) wants to focus on the art and not necessarily engage with the current political moment. But it cannot help but seep in a little. While guesting on the glossy morning show on the local broadcaster WSM – proud founder of the famous show – the host humorously asks if the US and Canada are still friends, disrupting the polished presenters off their stride. The audience doesn't see to see chilly response.

Ideal Presenter in This Role

But for all his visible insecurity, he is obviously a good fit for this sort of lighthearted series: friendly, interested, modest and always ready for costume changes, even if he has difficulty locating an elaborate western top in his size. Might his partner worry that his wingman can do solo hosting alone? Definitely.