Travel spoof could be “Hidden” treasure
In the crowded universe of TV travel shows and cable reality TV parodies, there’s one potential genre that’s been overlooked: the travel show parody.
Jonah Ray (host of “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” co-host of “Nerdist” podcast) aims to fill that void. And he’s just the deadpan comedian to do it. He sounds more like Anthony Bourdain than Anthony Bourdain.
“Hidden America with Jonah Ray” is a mashup of real places and faux people, a stylized comedic and rather theatrical take on Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown” CNN travelogue, starting with visits to a number of U.S. cities.
“Hidden America” debuts June 2 on Seeso, the ad-free streaming comedy channel backed by NBCUniversal. The “Hidden America with Jonah Ray” debuts June 2 on Seeso, the ad-free streaming comedy channel backed by NBCUniversal. Denver episode (the seventh in the series) is subtitled “You Can’t Go Home Again,” with apologies to Thomas Wolfe.
The Denver installment is focused on a famous (not) haunted house, “Hotel Tiffington,” which bears an uncanny resemblance to the Holiday Chalet on Colfax Avenue. There are also nods to the Pedal Hopper bike bar; Civic Center park; Ray’s alma mater, University of Colorado at Boulder; and, of course, a pot dispensary.
When early settlers crossed the country, he narrates, they got to the Rocky Mountains and stopped. They named the place Denver, “which is Waxahachie for ‘This’ll Do.’ ”
Denver joins Boston, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, New Orleans, Los Angeles and Austin in the first round of episodes.
Lots of recognizable names appear in the Denver chapter, including local comics and actors (and veterinarians). Among them: Catherine McGuire, Weston Unruh, Ralph Garman, Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald, Timmi Lasley, Adam Cayton-Holland, Andy Juett, Andrew Orvedahl, Josh Androsky, Amanda Grace Jenkins, Alicia Ferguson-Berruti and Rachel Weeks.
Denver comedians/actors Mara Wiles, Hannah Duggan, Zach Reinert, Abby Alt, Christie Buchele, Brent Gill and Kayvan Khalatbari show up, along with Los Angeles comic Josh Androsky, and actors Ralph Garman and Mike Phirman. The episode was produced by Juett.
Throughout the series, Ray draws on guest stars to play the invented locals. He taps comedians, improvisers and actors, including Randall Park, Laraine Newman, Ian Roberts, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Jay Johnston, Baron Vaughn, Brendon Small and Bobcat Goldthwait.
Boasting writers who have worked for “Mr. Show” and “Saturday Night Live,” the series should be worth a look for armchair travelers as well as armchair comedy clubgoers.