🔗 Share this article

Although the continent-crossing reality competition the travel contest might not have been the seasonal hit the BBC were hoping for, it provided host Rob Brydon a lovely glow-up. The convoluted coach trip clearly wanted to project a globetrotting atmosphere, so the show's host got dressed in deluxe tailoring: boldly coloured three-piece suits, smooth neckwear and yacht-ready blazers. Unexpectedly, he acquired the debonair look complementing his vintage 007 impersonation.

A Thematic Wardrobe with Musical Roots

The newest three-part series, Rob Brydon's Honky Tonk Road Trip, includes some Mr Benn-style thematic wardrobe. The genial Welshman goes full Yellowstone cowpoke in a parade of flannel shirts, sturdy coats and sometimes a cowboy hat. This complements of a premise that sees him driving a massive American truck on a 2,000-mile circuit through southern states to learn quickly in country music.

Brydon has been tasked celebrating the hundredth anniversary of country music – specifically the century mark of the Nashville radio show that evolved into the iconic venue, cornerstone and kingmaker in the industry for generations – via the time-honoured star-led journey approach involving driving around, chatting with residents and immersing himself with traditions. This anniversary aligns with the genre's rise as, according to him, “the most rapidly expanding genre in the UK” – due to Taylor Swift and recent countrified albums from Beyoncé, famous singers and various performers – provides additional perspective to explore.

Road Trip Experience and Personal Doubts

It's established Brydon is up for a road trip and conversations because of multiple seasons of his travel series alongside his comedy partner. Initially he appears uncertain about his credentials to be our guide. Observing him speak with a dashboard-mounted camera evokes beta male memories of a character, the sad-sack cabby from his early career, Marion & Geoff. En route to Music City, he calls his Gavin & Stacey co-star Ruth Jones to boost his confidence. She recalls his some genuine music credentials: a past charity single of Islands in the Stream was a UK No 1. (“The original artists only made it to seventh place!” she notes.)

Conversational Talents With Local Engagement

While the overwhelming experience of a night out in the city proves challenging for the host – a line-dancing attempt alongside a performer turned country singer results in him tap out during the opening a popular tune – the veteran comedian is far less steady in the interview segments. His respectful lines of questioning blends well with southern manners, gathering Johnny Cash stories 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 bearded hitmaker Luke Combs and the instrumental virtuoso Tray Wellington.

While some of the stories seem familiar, the first installment includes a single unexpected moment. What on earth is the pop star spending time in a cozy recording space? Apparently he has been coming to Tennessee to hone his compositions since the 1990s, and cites a country icon as inspiration on Take That's enduring hit Back for Good. Finally, is an interviewee Brydon can needle, joke with and playfully provoke without worrying about creating any offense. (Barlow, bless him, is very game.)

Broader Implications and Unscripted Moments

With an entire century of country to contextualise and honor, it's reasonable this regional journey through Tennessee and Kentucky (including visits in Virginia, Alabama and Mississippi to come) aims to concentrate on music and without needing to address contemporary issues. Yet it inevitably includes a little. While guesting on the polished program of the Nashville radio station WSM – proud founder of the famous show – Brydon jokingly wonders if the US and Canada are still friends, which throws his slick hosts off their stride. We do not get the likely presumably icy aftermath.

A Natural Fit in This Role

Despite his apparent self-doubt, Brydon is clearly a good fit for this type of breezy, bite-size format: friendly, interested, modest and always ready for costume changes, even if he struggles locating a fancy cowboy shirt in his size. Should Coogan be concerned that the co-star can do solo hosting alone? Absolutely.