Michael Palin's New Europe
 

I haven't seen any discussion about this series, which apparently started last week. I have a friend who passed the first episode on to me in iPod video format. I enjoy Michael Palin and think this series will be very interesting. The one that I have seen is about the former Yugoslav Republic.

When and if it will air here in the US where I live I don't know.

Has anyone else seen the first episode or have any information about the airing of this series?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/palin/

Yes, some of us regard this as compulsory viewing. It's on BBC1 Sunday nights 9pm with at least 2 repeats throughout the week, one on Saturday early evening on BBC4. Hard to say when it will arrive in US, likely the Discovery channel or BBC America.
The first episode took us through Croatia, Bosnia, Albania. The second mainly concentrated on Turkey with the overriding question of whether/when Turkey will join the EU.
Michael Palin does a good job of raising awkward questions, making off-beat comments and seeing the stuff the average tourist doesn't see. He went to Ephesus to see camel wrestling, not a word about the ancient Greek sites most people go there for!

It seems to include a fair bit more political reflection than I remember from previous series. But then, if you're in Sarajevo, Mostar and Turkey it would be hard to avoid. But we've also had MP avoid sheep-slaughtering in Albania, watching oil-wrestling in Edirne, not quite belly-dancing in Istanbul and being politely sceptical of a fortune-teller in Cappadocia.

It's not your average travelogue but I love Palin's way of presenting and gentle humour, Cappadocia looked stunning in the snow, making me even more determined to visit.

Can't wait to see it. I enjoyed his trip to the Himalayas.

Can I watch in in the us, I just have regalar cable, can I watch in on my computer?

They have a little clip embedded on the relevant BBC website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/palin/

But otherwise, I think you'll have to wait until a local company buys it, or the BBC starts selling it on DVD. The book's out already here.

Of course you can't see it in America. BBC America couldn't possibly miss showing House Hunters or Cash in the Attic in alternating fashion. Perish the thought.

The series will start in US tonight on the Travel Channel. The first show is "Across the Iron Curtain".
Looks good, count me in.