« Heller Hath No Fury
The States: History Made Adorable
Don't know much about history? That's OK, because not surprisingly History Channel can help. The network's new special The States takes a wry, fun-loving look at the history and culture of each of the 50 states, and its homespun interviews with locals and celebrities native to each state are heartwarming, not to mention hilarious. And heck, maybe you'll learn something.
The beauty of the series is its nationalistic emphasis on state residents' charmingly fierce state pride. Historians and academics get some input as well, but the big focus is on interviews with heavily accented locals and staunchly nostalgic celebrities. Footballer Terry Bradshaw tells a rollicking funny story about corruption in Louisiana politics, the captivating Neil Patrick Harris waxes adoring while describing his native New Mexico's cuisine, and a spry and sardonic elder woman complains about the low quality of rival state New Hampshire's granite compared to that of her beloved Vermont. ("They were named before we were," she moans when explaining why New Hampshire got the nickname the Granite State.) All states regardless of size or historic consequence get equal loving treatment, and viewers will walk away with a textbook ton of trivia. Like, did you know that Oregon is the only mainland state to be attacked in World War II, or that New Mexico has the highest number of PhDs and Louisiana the highest number of bridges? Or that Vermont had the first postage stamp, the first patent, and was the first to outlaw slavery? In the words of champion snowboarder Hannah Teter, "Thanks, Vermont, 'preciate it." As a native woodchuck, I'm inclined to agree. No matter which state you're from, you'll learn something new about your state and love it all the more.
The 10-part series airs Saturdays at 10 pm/ET.
|
|
|
|
May 7, 2007 12:52 PM
|
I might be a geek (might?) but I'm looking forward to this. In fact, I'm thinking that I'd like the inevitable DVDs.
I just checked, and I've already missd three parts of it. I hope it's repeated soon so I can catch up.
|
|
May 7, 2007 10:02 PM
|
