Pole to Pole

A compendium of misadventure, cultural detail, and even a bit of real danger led by the charming Michael Palin. There's a spontaneous quality here that can be infectious - the interactions with locales never fails to entertain - even when a bit of an aimless manner [mostly in the later episodes] is introduced. Delivers a fitting ending. Very enjoyable.

Every step of the way, Palin is once again witty, self-effacing, and seemingly game for anything. (Except when one gal with a heaving bosom wants to share an improvised wading pool with him. "I find myself wondering how to say I am married with three children in Russian.") There are still "boy am I glad I live in California" moments, though, e.g., when he and his crew have to cross Ethiopia with soldiers. Wouldn't you just love to put "fighter escort for Michael Palin" on your resume?

All the Michael Palin's travels are worth watching and this one is no exception. It covers life in East Europe and Africa (and of course beyond both polar circles) at the beginning of the 90s.

Excellent.

Not as captivating as Palin's other travel series, but this has some worth as a time capsule of the early 90's - his journey coinciding with the collapse of communism, the aftereffects of the Gulf War, and the fall of apartheid.

Part Michael Palin wandering naked through the final days of the soviet era and part Michael Palin commanding a child army.