The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan
British comedian Romesh Ranganathan investigates if the persisting stereotypes about certain places in the world are exaggerated.
- 2018-2024
- 4 seasons
- HBO Max
- Documentary, Action & Adventure, Comedy
British comedian Romesh Ranganathan investigates if the persisting stereotypes about certain places in the world are exaggerated.
Season 2 Episode Guide
5 Episodes 2019
Episode 1
Zimbabwe
59 mins
For most of Romesh's adult life, the only news coming out of Zimbabwe has been bad news. Robert Mugabe, the eviction of the white farmers and a general aura of danger have combined to make Zimbabwe a no-go zone in the eyes of the world. Now, with Mugabe finally gone, Rom is travelling around the country to find out if Brits should be holidaying here once more. Rom is met by Chipo, a teacher who was born and raised in Harare under Mugabe's rule. She explains that although people have been coming to the country, few venture beyond Victoria Falls. She wants to show Rom what they are missing on a grand, epic road trip that takes in stunning National Parks and close-up encounters with rhinos, elephants and the 'cheetah ambassador'. Along the way he gets caught in biblical lightning storms, re-enacts the film Titanic on a Lake Kariba houseboat and tries the home-brewed beer he made in a bathtub in Bulawayo. But safe as the country feels, Rom is visiting at a time of undeniable turmoil. Mile-long petrol queues form at every station - the fallout of the country's latest economic crisis. Rom learns about the origins of the conflict - from the denial of black culture in the Rhodesian era to the legacy of Cecil Rhodes - and finds out why this generation of Zimbabweans are so desperate for people to visit.
Episode 2
Mongolia
58 mins
In this episode Romesh Ranganathan travels to Mongolia - a country which he has almost no prior knowledge of, save for the fact that it is famously in the middle of nowhere. Landing in the capital Ulaanbaatar, Rom spends a week exploring this vast nation, guided by local entrepreneur and TV host Ider Od, seeing an enormous statue of the country's iconic Genghis Kahn, visiting an energy centre in the middle of the desert and finding out how nomadic people meet a future partner, when their nearest eligible neighbour might live 100 miles away. Along the way he takes in ancient Shaman rituals, bizarre mystery statues, tries his hand at Mongolian wrestling and takes part in his own 'vegan' eagle hunting trip. But Romesh also encounters a country of contradictions. It is full of vast empty open spaces and yet Ulaanbaatar has traffic calming measures to control the unbearable congestion. It is the most sparsely populated country on earth - a vast wilderness, almost untouched by man. But is there actually anything worth seeing there? And would Rom recommend it as a holiday destination?
Episode 3
Bosnia and Herzegovina
58 mins
Romesh arrives in Bosnia and Herzegovina to see how the country is doing 25 years after the Yugoslav Wars and Bosnian genocide devastated it. He visits Sarajevo, Srebrenica, Medjugorje, Mostar, the magical Bosnian "pyramid" and Bruce Lee.
Episode 4
Colombia
58 mins
Romesh explores Colombia's infamous legacy of Pablo Escobar and drug violence. He also sees Colonial cities, Caribbean beaches and a Jesus statue shop, plays violent games, picks coffee, takes a dip in a volcano and learns how to dance.
Episode 5
The Christmas Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan: The Sahara
59 mins
After the last Christmas Special in the Arctic, Romesh agreed to do another on the strict understanding that he would not be sent anywhere cold - so the producers send him to the Sahara Desert.
