Eugene Levy, el antiviajero

By now, we should all have come to realize and acknowledge the comic genius of Eugene Levy. From that prototypical, Canadian sketch comedy show, SCTV, that also gave us the late, great John Candy and also the equally incomparable Catherine O'Hara, to the faux-documentaries he co-wrote with Christopher Guest (I refuse to call anything a "mockumentary," even Spinal Tap dang it!), to his very own production company that he created so he and his equally hilarious son, Dan, could co-star (w/Catherine, of course) in the aptly named Schitt's Creek. So I am not sure who initially thought to take a home-body and confirmed curmudgeon like Eugene, who'd done surprisingly little travel (surprising to me, as somebody whose first million would be spent exclusively on it), and plop him into the widest range of cultural, geographical & gastronomical situations one could've imagined and then just trail his every move to see what happened. But it's a solid idea for comedy gold-so long as it's a lone, anxious, fish-out-of-water Eugene Levy. I think it helps if the viewer loves travel; hence, being astonished that our protagonist doesn't.

Spectacular cinematography and really magical locations, I'll give it that. It's like "An Idiot Abroad" but Eugene just isn't as funny as Karl. I get that they're trying to get him out of his comfort zone and I respect him for doing so at 75. He really seems to be experiencing things that he'd rather not, hence the reluctant in the title. I think that element, which is the highlight of the show, is sometimes its weakest one. It gets overly repetitive and annoying at some point that it takes away from the magic of the locations he's in. Hearing someone complain the entire time on a trip is my biggest caveat, so maybe that's why I couldn't fully enjoy this show and Eugene's commentary as it is.

We know Eugene Levy is comic gold, even though this eight-episode 2023 series felt like a cross between a more jaundiced "Somebody Feed Phil" and Jack Whitehall's "Travels with My Father". His observations are less cynical than Whitehall Sr.'s and more dryly relatable except perhaps for his lifelong aversion to sushi. I think having a diametrically opposite travel companion like his son Daniel, or more ideally, Catherine O'Hara, could've made this series less one-note as we rely solely on Levy for his comments which remain consistent no matter the locale or how many exotic travel experiences he has.

Watching eugene's apprehensive way of moving thru the world but overcoming these feelings was so encouraging, he articulates what some of us may be thinking during our travels but too shy to express... his physical and facial comedy is hilarious and i barely laugh outloud but did several times during the watching of this show... he is also very respectful of local cultures and a pleasure to watch, i hope there's a season 2. I particularly liked to see the maldives episodes (knowing this is a country under threat and attention needs to be brought to it), i also liked his take on the wildlife of costa rica and his half-hearted sloth sighting (again can relate)... 'yeaaaah, i saw it' (said in a muted voice).

Considering the plethora of highly rated, award winning movies and series available to watch, I NEVER thought I would prefer to watch a travel series on Apple TV! Eugene Levy shares his travel experience as only he can and that is what makes this show MAGICAL! His wry sense of humor and ALWAYS well delivered cynical communication style is nothing less than addictive! I have had many laughs with my family while watching this entertaining and educational show! I think this is a must watch and is perfect entertainment for anyone who thinks a travel show on Apple TV is the last thing they would ever want to watch. Hilarious! Culturally astute! Perfectly done!