Show: Jack Whitehall: Travels with my Father
Rating: 4/5 stars
Available on: Netflix (1 season, 6 episodes)
What we thought:
Jack Whitehall: Travels with my Father is one of those online streaming gems that are unexpectedly delightful. When it first popped up in my Netflix recommendations I just browsed past it, until a colleague suggested I give it a try.
What a wonderful find it was.
The premise of the docu-series centres on 29-year-old comedian Jack Whitehall and his 77-year-old dad, Michael. Together the two decide to go on a trip to Southeast Asia. But here’s the twist – Jack is a really laidback chap, while his dad is a rather stuffy Brit.
Jack wants to have an authentic backpacking experience, whilst his dad can hardly come to terms with the thought of setting foot outside the comforts of his own home. Jack loves to party. His dad would rather enjoy a drink at a fancy bar. Jack wears flip flops and shorts. His dad prefers a linen suit.
Their adventure, seen from two very different perspectives, starts in Bangkok and right off the bat Michael has issues with their cheap accommodation. He’s more of a luxury hotel kind of guy. But that’s only the start of it.
Although there is a bond between father and son, Jack grew up in boarding school and didn’t really get to see his father a lot. The trip becomes the perfect opportunity for them to get to know each other – be it over a game of elephant polo or on a primitive train ride through Cambodia.
Throw in a creepy doll named Winston and you’ve got an entertaining mess of a travel show that also has some heart. It kind of has that “Karl Pilkington in An Idiot Abroad” feel to it, but a lot less negative and depressing and lot more hilarious WTF moments.
If you’re looking for something funny and easy to watch over a weekend this is the perfect show.
See the trailer here: