From his log cabin in Montana, Rich Hall writes to his friend Mike Wilmot to come and share with him in lively, face-to-face debate, far from the distractions of television, computers and mobile phones. Together the pair aim to form a small free-thinking society, discuss the upcoming election and 'drink a sh*tload of bourbon. With Mike being Canadian, he has little or no knowledge of American politics so Rich takes the opportunity to introduce him to how the whole system works of course it is much more likely to just become a series of drunken rants.
And of course that is pretty much what happens but those familiar with Mike & Rich on BBC4's The Fishing Show will not be surprised by this. The show basically takes the basic form of two men putting the world to rights over some whisky, with Rich meeting some of the 'other' candidates for Governor of Montana, taking a look at the history of the country and the things that make America America. Those expecting a rip-roaring hilarious attack on American culture will be disappointed because that is not what the Fishing Show ever was and it sure isn't what this programme is either. Instead it is just consistently amusing with just enough truth in every barbed remark to make it both funny and insightful.
However it is not that insightful either and it does come across as two guys just putting the world to rights across drinks. It isn't ever sharp enough to really do justice to the craziness of America as a country but it has just enough rough charm and humour to it to make it work. A big part of this is the nice rugged deliver from Hall and Wilmot. Wilmot acts as out foreign eyes in this strange land while Hall pretty much fits in with the grizzly inhabitants of Montana while also at the same time allowing them to send themselves up.
Overall, fans of the gentle and relaxed humour of friendship as seen in the Fishing Show will enjoy this as I did. However if you're looking for sharp humour to provide insight and satire on the eve of the American election would do better to look somewhere else.
