Series synopsis
John Ratzenberger's Made in America is an American documentary television series that premiered on Travel Channel on January 6, 2004. It ended on June 25, 2008. It stars John Ratzenberger.
John Ratzenberger's Made in America is an American documentary television series hosted by John Ratzenberger. The series premiered January 6, 2004, on the Travel Channel. Ratzenberger visits various American manufacturers, taking the show's viewers along on the tours and showing how various everyday items are made. The show has visited a variety of factories, including Crayola, Airstream, Yankee Candle, Samuel Adams Brewery, Ruger, Delta Faucet Company, and Rodgers Instruments.
Premise
John Ratzenberger's Made in America is an American documentary television series hosted by John Ratzenberger. The series premiered January 6, 2004, on the Travel Channel. Ratzenberger visits various American manufacturers, taking the show's viewers along on the tours and showing how various everyday items are made. The show has visited a variety of factories, including Crayola, Airstream, Yankee Candle, Samuel Adams Brewery, Ruger, Delta Faucet Company, and Rodgers Instruments.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
Episodes
This series spans 5 seasons with 90 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 20 | January 6, 2004 | June 15, 2004 |
| Season 2 | 19 | December 7, 2004 | June 7, 2005 |
| Season 3 | 20 | December 6, 2005 | June 20, 2006 |
| Season 4 | 21 | January 9, 2007 | June 19, 2007 |
| Season 5 | 10 | April 2, 2008 | June 25, 2008 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Gibson Guitars First stop is Nashville, Tennessee, home to the guitar company, Gibson. John chats with country music stars Steve Earle, Dan Seals and Joe Diffie, who all swear by Gibson. Seals and Diffie -- whom John meets with at The Gibson Bluegrass Showcase -- even perform an original song that Seals wrote in honor of their guitars. Later, John heads to the Gibson rough mill, where he sees a Les Paul Supreme (named after the legendary guitarist) being constructed. At the mill, John is given a tour by manager Tom Montgomery, and watches sander Matt Branch, neck-setter Jimmy Wright, waxer Brenda Reid, airbrush artist Rebecca Green, buffer Rich Coleman and tuner Jay Thompson in action. Next stop is Oaks, Pennsylvania, where flag outfit Annin & Co. is located. John chats with V.P. of Manufacturing Carter Beard and flagmaker Gerry Miller, assists with the carrying of a giant flag, makes a bungled effort to sew a star pattern, and provides instructions on how to handle a flag the patriotic way. Finally, |
January 6, 2004 |
| 2 | Harley Davidson | January 6, 2004 |
| 3 | Monopoly | January 13, 2004 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Yankee Candle First stop is the Yankee Candle factory, located in the small town of Deerfield, Western Massachusetts. John talks with Yankee's V.P. of Manufacturing, Art Rubeck, and joins the factory's employees on the assembly line. John also visits the nearby candlemaking museum, where he chats with museum associate Michelle Held and learns how bee's wax candles are mass produced, before dropping by one of Yankee's outlets to discuss candle scents with Fragrance Committee Chairman Bob Nelson. Next stop is Shelton, Connecticut, where Shelton's Better Packages are manufactured. Co-owner Phil White and Director of Sales and Marketing Ken Backman demonstrate how water-activated packing tape is stronger and safer than plastic tape. After John gives a history lesson on Wonder Bread, it's back to the Yankee Candle factory, as he partakes in employee Chris Curtain's farewell party after 18 years on the job. Last stop is John's hometown, Bridgeport, where he meets up with his buddy, Kay Williams, a boating |
December 7, 2004 |
| 2 |
Pyrex First stop is ""The Magic City,"" Charleroi, Pennsylvania, home to the Pyrex plant. Plant manager ""Jack"" Jackson gives John the scoop about the invention of the sturdy glassware before taking him on a tour. Then quality assurance associate Edna Maxson shows John how measuring cups are cooled on the last stop on the assembly line, the thermal downshock. Later, he meets with collector Mary Jane Martucci. Next stop is Auburn, Massachusetts, where Wolf Coach mass produces vehicles for the military, police and TV news. John talks with Vice President Richard Wolf... who can't talk about most of the vehicles. Captain John Welch, of the Norfolk County Sheriff's Department, shows John the inside of their command unit. And engineer Steve Spinney details how he helped design a vehicle that scans cargo for contraband. Finally, John gives a history lesson on Hostess Twinkies, and we hear from Lewis Browning, who is a self-proclaimed Twinkie gourmet. |
December 7, 2004 |
| 3 |
US Steel First stop is the US Steel plant in Braddock, Pennsylvania. John talks with the company's local historian Lou Jack and steelworker Walt Oliver, and ""suits up"" to see the inside of a blast furnace. Next stop is Manlius, New York, home to Stickley, Audi & Co.'s handmade furniture factory. John meets with company historian Mike Danial, current owners Alfred and Aminy Audi, production supervisor Brenda Bennett, and case fitter Anthony Carolla. John is shown how a chest of drawers is built and assembled. Finally, John gives a history lesson on the microwave. |
December 14, 2004 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Holiday Tree Company | December 6, 2005 |
| 2 | Caterpillar | December 6, 2005 |
| 3 | 3M | December 13, 2005 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Limoneira Lemons, Starret Tools, Tums | January 9, 2007 |
| 2 | Zildjian Cymbals, RGM Watches, Mrs. Grossman's Stickers | January 9, 2007 |
| 3 | Frito-Lay Corn Chips, Crane Paper, Steelcase | January 17, 2007 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hobie Cat; General Jackson Showboat | April 2, 2008 |
| 2 | Shedd Aquarium; California Portland Cement | April 2, 2008 |
| 3 | Viking Ranges; Sears Tower | April 9, 2008 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Travel Channel |
|---|---|
| First aired | January 6, 2004 |
| Last aired | June 25, 2008 |
| Runtime | 22 minutes |
| Status | Ended |