Series synopsis
Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days is a documentary television series that premiered on BBC One on October 11, 1989. It ended on November 22, 1989. It stars Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Alan Whicker and Max Votolato.
Michael Palin attempts to copy the exploits of fictional character Phileas Fogg, by trying to travel around the world (without flying) in 80 days.
Premise
Michael Palin attempts to copy the exploits of fictional character Phileas Fogg, by trying to travel around the world (without flying) in 80 days.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Michael Palin as Self
- Terry Jones as Self
- Alan Whicker as Self
- Max Votolato as Self
- Nour El-Sherif as Self
- Don Bannerman as Self
- Jim McGrath as Self
- Basil Pao as Self
Supporting cast
- Chris Collins as Self
Guest cast
- Terry Jones as Self
- Alan Whicker as Self
- Max Votolato as Self
- Nour El-Sherif as Self
- Don Bannerman as Self
- Jim McGrath as Self
- Basil Pao as Self
- Chris Collins as Self
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 9 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 2 | December 30, 2008 | |
| Season 1 | 7 | October 11, 1989 | November 22, 1989 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Exclusive Interview with Michael Palin Michael Palin discusses the difficulties in shooting "Around the World in 80 Days" |
|
| 2 |
Around the World in 20 Years Michael Palin sets out to find the Indian sailors who took him on a slow boat from Dubai to Mumbai 20 years ago during the filming of his first travelogue Around the World in 80 Days. During an intense week at sea in 1988, he and the film crew learned to admire and respect the underpaid deckhands of the dhow Al Shama in whose hands they had placed themselves, and their farewell was a memorably emotional occasion. The return visit offers a chance to see how the teeming city has developed in the Asian economic boom and discover whether the ancient sailing ship is still afloat. |
December 30, 2008 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Challenge Palin accepts the offer from the BBC to attempt going around the world in 80 days. After boarding the Orient Express at Victoria Station in London, he reminisces on his rigorous preparations for this extraordinary circumnavigation. He rode across Europe before being stopped by an Italian train strike in Innsbruck. Arriving in Venice by coach, he helps out the local sanitation department clean up the city. After that, it was on to the Corinth Canal and Athens, where he saw the world-renowned evzones, as well as a die-hard Python fan. After that, and a brief stopover in Crete, Alexandria beckoned. Palin mentions that two of his referees are fellow Pythons, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam. |
October 11, 1989 |
| 2 |
Arabian Frights Palin arrives in Egypt, only to find difficulty getting a train to Cairo. When in the capital, he attends a local soccer match and appears in a cameo role in an Egyptian film. After seeing the Pyramids in Giza and riding a camel sharing his name, Palin runs into trouble when a ship he was supposed to board develops engine issues and cannot run. Even though he is able to board a ferry getting out of the city of Suez, he misses a key connection that would have taken him to Muscat. As a last ditch effort to save the journey, Palin (however, only he) is allowed to drive across Saudi Arabia to Dubai. |
October 18, 1989 |
| 3 |
Ancient Mariners In Dubai, the crew finds a good dhow to take to Mumbai. Along the way, Palin bonds with the dhow's crew, lets one listen to a Bruce Springsteen song, and develops a bad case of diarrhea. Palin mentions he drove the distance from London to the Black Sea in one weekend. Palin has said in interviews that he wants to meet up with the dhow's crew and thank them again for their gracious hospitality. |
October 25, 1989 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC One |
|---|---|
| First aired | October 11, 1989 |
| Last aired | November 22, 1989 |
| Runtime | 50 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Wednesday at 21:35:00 |