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Although the Euro-hopping reality competition the travel contest might not have been the seasonal hit the BBC had anticipated, it did give presenter Brydon a stylish transformation. The convoluted coach trip clearly wanted to project a jet-setting vibe, so the show's host got dressed in deluxe tailoring: vibrant three-piece suits, silky cravats and nautical jackets. Unexpectedly, he acquired the sophisticated appearance to match his classic 007 impersonation.

Costume Changes with Musical Roots

The newest three-part series, Rob Brydon's Honky Tonk Road Trip, includes some Mr Benn-style costume changes. The affable comedian goes full Yellowstone cowpoke in a parade of flannel shirts, sturdy coats and the occasional cowboy hat. It's all part of a premise that sees him driving a massive American truck on a 2,000-mile circuit of the southern US for a crash course about the musical genre.

His mission involves celebrating the centenary of the genre – specifically the century mark of the legendary broadcast that evolved into the iconic venue, foundation and star-maker in the industry over decades – via the time-honoured celebrity travelogue tradition of driving around, chatting with residents and immersing himself in the culture. That the centenary has coincided with country becoming, according to him, “the fastest-growing music style in Britain” – due to Taylor Swift and recent countrified albums from multiple artists, Post Malone and various performers – provides additional perspective to explore.

Road Trip Experience With Insecurities

We know Brydon is up for a road trip and conversations because of multiple seasons of his travel series alongside his comedy partner. But at first he seems unsure about his credentials as a presenter. Watching him speak with an in-car lens evokes recollections of Keith, the melancholy driver from his early career, Marion & Geoff. En route to Nashville, he phones his sitcom collaborator Jones to boost his confidence. She reminds him his authentic country bona fides: their 2009 Comic Relief cover of Islands in the Stream topped the charts. (“The original artists reached seventh place!” she notes.)

Conversational Talents With Local Engagement

If the “full sensory overload” of a night out in Nashville is a little too much for Brydon – a line-dancing attempt with the UK actor now musician results in him giving up early in Shania Twain song – the veteran comedian is far less wobbly legged during conversations. His polite lines of questioning blends well with southern manners, gathering anecdotes about legends and general musings on the spirit of country music from silvery-haired veterans like the institution's mainstay Bill Anderson and nonagenarian celebrity clothier a fashion icon. His calm approach is effective with younger guns, like the scraggly-bearded chart-topping singer and the instrumental virtuoso Tray Wellington.

Although several the stories seem familiar, the opening episode includes a single genuine curveball. Why exactly is Gary Barlow spending time in a homely recording space? Apparently he has been coming the state to hone his compositions since the 1990s, and points to a country icon as inspiration for his band's enduring hit Back for Good. Here, at last, is an interviewee he can tease, mock and wind up without worrying of causing any offense. (The good-natured star, participates willingly.)

Cultural Context With Spontaneous Interactions

Given a hundred years of the genre to explain and honor, it's reasonable that this southern-fried tour through Tennessee and Kentucky (with pit stops to other areas to come) aims to concentrate on music and not necessarily engage with contemporary issues. Yet it inevitably but seep in some elements. While guesting on the polished program on the local broadcaster the established creator of the Grand Ole Opry – the host humorously asks if the US and Canada maintain good relations, disrupting his slick hosts from their rhythm. We do not get to see chilly response.

Ideal Presenter for the Format

Despite his visible insecurity, Brydon is clearly a good fit for this sort of lighthearted series: friendly, engaged, modest and prepared for costume changes, even if he has difficulty locating a fancy cowboy shirt that comes in a medium. Should Coogan be concerned that the co-star is capable of solo hosting alone? Definitely.