The Dying Art of Meaningful Travel Shows
Three middle-aged men enjoying drinks in Greece. Three middle-aged men exchanging banter in Southeast Asia. Two middle-aged men laughing over Camparis in Italy. Sound familiar? This is the tired template of nearly every travel show in the 21st century. When done right, a travel program can offer breathtaking sights and inspire wanderlust; it can evoke genuine laughter, showcase human connections, and impart enlightening lessons about different cultures. However, such enriching experiences seem to be dwindling.
One might be forgiven for thinking that television commissioners are suffering from collective amnesia, given the staggering lack of variety beyond the stale (and often very homogeneous) “lads-on-tour” format. This over-focus on male camaraderie rather than the cultures and countries they explore has become tiresome. I find myself exasperated by the antics of personalities like Gordon Ramsay, Gino D’Acampo, and Fred from First Dates, who seem to indulge in a never-ending holiday of mischief across the globe.
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Reflecting on the origins of this trend, I trace it back to Top Gear, particularly the first around-the-world special that aired on BBC Two in 2007. In this episode, Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond journeyed across Botswana in second-hand cars. This sparked a realization among TV commissioners that men engaging in playful antics could be both entertaining and cost-effective. Thus began a new era of men getting paid for what essentially resembles a fantasy holiday.
The next significant player in this genre was A League of Their Own: Road Trip, which debuted in 2016, featuring James Corden, Jamie Redknapp, Jack Whitehall, and Freddie Flintoff. Now in its eighth series, this show has become an annual spin-off with a rotating cast. Following closely was the aggravating Gordon, Gino, and Fred: Road Trip, which premiered in 2018. And the list goes on: Rob & Romesh Vs, Freddie and Jason: Two Men in a Tent, Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures in Sicily, Gino & Fred: Emission Impossible… the examples are endless.
So, what makes these shows so unappealing? Besides their tendency to spotlight the men rather than the places they visit, there is an undeniable formulaic quality. Each male host is assigned a stereotype that they rarely deviate from, rendering the experience inauthentic. Comedians Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan might share genuine chemistry, but in Rob & Romesh Vs, their archetypes ultimately hinder the show. Now in its seventh season, Rob as the “cheeky upbeat one” and Romesh as the “moody cynic” have become tiresome and predictable.
This rigid adherence to character roles is even more pronounced in the trend of “What if I went on holiday with a direct family member?” shows like Bradley Walsh & Son: Breaking Dad and Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father. Despite the generational divide, both series ooze the same lads-on-tour energy. The humor is often painfully forced, laden with contrived jokes and set-up scenarios. The characters come off as one-dimensional, with little to no depth. In Gordon, Gino, and Fred: Road Trip, the banter and sexual innuendos mask any valuable insights; it’s merely three men bumbling around, trying to outdo one another. They challenge each other in absurd ways, like pushing one another off boats or engaging in ridiculous competitions, all while chasing after women (a particularly dated trope exemplified by Gino).
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The latest addition to this tiresome trend is Two Men on a Bike, featuring Hugh Dennis and David Baddiel, airing Mondays on Channel 4. While it lacks the overt laddishness of its predecessors, the competition and teasing—like Dennis jokingly claiming he “never liked” Baddiel—still reflect a masculine dynamic I find hard to relate to.
Admittedly, I am not the target audience for these shows. Yet, I appreciate when the travel format is executed well. I am a huge fan of Mortimer and Whitehouse Go Fishing. Even with no interest in fishing, I find immense pleasure in watching old friends Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse fish in serene British rivers. The stunning visuals and their genuine conversations create an atmosphere of tranquility reminiscent of nature documentaries. There are no forced jokes; instead, we witness authentic human connection, which is more than sufficient.
In a similar vein, the chemistry between Rob Rinder and Rylan Clark in the upcoming Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour elevates their Italian adventure beyond mere sightseeing and banter. Their friendship reveals deeper layers of their personalities, allowing for playful jabs that feel natural rather than scripted.
When I tuned into Two Men on a Bike, I expected something at least mildly entertaining, but instead, it proved to be a lackluster experience, as uninspired as its title suggests. This show might just serve as the final nail in the coffin for this monotonous format.
Perhaps the issue lies in who gets to enjoy these all-expenses-paid trips. Research from Intrepid Travel shows that a staggering 74% of mainstream travel shows on BBC iPlayer and All4 in 2024 featured all-male presenters. If more women were included in these travel escapades, I might be able to overlook the incessant “lads’ antics.” While Joanna Lumley, Sue Perkins, and Sara Pascoe have made strides as some of the few female travel hosts, it’s time for a girls’ trip featuring Alison Hammond, Diane Morgan, and Daisy May Cooper. Now that would be a travel series worth binge-watching.
