Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2 / Not available on demand
BILLY CONNOLLY'S GREAT AMERICAN TRAIL is an epic travelogue that sees Scotland's favorite comedian trace the history of Scots in America, from the first pilgrims to the parents of presidents. Along the way, Billy visits iconic landmarks such as Ellis Island, the site of Woodstock, and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
EPISODE GUIDE:
Episode 1: Wednesday, June 22 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2 - Billy embarks on his great American trail as he opens the New York tartan day parade to a crowd of 30,000 strong. He heads to Plymouth, Massachusetts where the Pilgrims first landed on American soil, followed by a meeting with members of the Native American tribe whose people and language nearly wiped out. Only recently has the language been revived in a pre-school class of children.
Then it's on to Boston, and the home of possibly the naughtiest group of nuns on the planet. From there Billy heads to Gloucester, the oldest seaport in America, home to blue whales, the most bizarre fisherman’s tradition and the scene of the "Perfect Storm."
After being blessed with sea spray, he heads to the graveside of the most famous man you never knew was a Scot (Uncle Sam!), before wrapping things up at haunting Ellis Island, through which millions of immigrants passed. Many never made it beyond the hospital's walls.
Episode 2: Wednesday, June 22 at 8:45 p.m. on KPBS 2 - In Kearny, New Jersey, a place known as "Little Glasgow," Billy discovers it was the Scots who brought football to America. Then it’s a pilgrimage to the Martin Guitar Company and the factory that has built instruments played by some of the biggest music stars on the planet, including Billy’s hero, Hank Williams.
From there it’s on to the tiny town of Stockbridge, home to America’s greatest artist, Norman Rockwell and the muse who’s bottom appeared on thousands of copies of the Saturday Evening Post.
Next up it’s the Eastern State Penitentiary. Once America’s most notorious prison, this was the one-time residence of legendary gangster, Al Capone. From there, Billy heads to the boardwalk of Atlantic City, the city that was Vegas before Vegas was famous. Next, we watch Billy tinkling the irons of the world’s largest musical instrument — that just happens to be underneath a car park.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, Billy meets some veterans of peace, love and understanding at the site of the greatest rock concert on earth. He ends the episode with clog dancing in Virginia at Floyd Country Store in the Appalachian mountain range. Epic.
Episode 3: Wednesday, June 22 at 9:30 p.m. on KPBS 2 - This episode begins deep in Virginia on the trail of bootleggers dealing in illegal "moonshine." From there Billy follows the tracks of the underground railroad and the amazing woman who led hundreds of slaves to their freedom and meets a family member dedicated to keeping her memory alive. He stops to take in the baffling sight of a farm filled with giant, sculpted heads of all the American presidents.
From there it’s onto mining country… and the town that’s dealing with the biggest epidemic in American history: the opioid crisis. In a pinch yourself moment, Billy visits the home of the Carter family that put country music on the map. Then it’s to the backroom of Manuel Cuuevas atelier, the flamboyant designer who put Elvis in that gold suit, Cher in bell bottoms, and dressed the Beatles. This epic adventure ends in Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry and the hallowed stage where Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash performed.
Currently available on Apple TV
Distributed by American Public Television
