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The Tourist

SERIES 2

Join tourist comedian Rick Bronson as he rockets through a variety of North American cities seeking out adventure and advice from local merchants to tour guides, street performers and of course, other tourists.

Episode 1: San Antonio, Texas

Comedian Rick Bronson is back with more light-hearted comment on life in various North American cities. In this programme, Rick finds there's more to remember about San Antonio than the Alamo! On a stroll through the city's streets he sets out to uncover the truth about salsa with a blind taste test - do Texans prefer their own or that 'crap' from New York City? Also on the agenda is a visit to the Hertzberg Museum - dedicated to life under the Big Top - and a Tex-Mex dinner on a boat floating down the river.

Episode 2: New Orleans, Louisiana

Rick Bronson gets his Mojo working in the land of the Big Easy - New Orleans. As New Orleans is situated five feet under sea level and cemetery space is tight, "Rent-a-Tomb" is serious business in this town. This is the home of North America's largest Mardi Gras, so Rick goes behind the scenes to watch construction on the huge parade floats and learn the proper technique of bead tossing. Next, he meets a voodoo priestess who reads Rick's future through the divination of chicken bones and performs a voodoo bonding ceremony with him. Fulfilling a lifelong dream, Rick gigs with a Zydeco band at the 'Rock n' Bowl', hops onto a streetcar named Desire, sails through the Bayou and eats at 'Lucky Chengs' restaurant where he finds plenty of spice on the menu.

Episode 3: West Palm Beach, Florida

Sun, sand and spectacular wealth - just another day at West Palm Beach! Rick Bronson explores the lifestyles of the rich and famous during a shopping trip to some of the most exclusive stores in the world. The secrets of the Everglades are explored aboard a fan boat and gliding across the River of Grass reveals some little-known facts about alligators. Back on terra firma, Rick woos Lady Luck at the greyhound races and plays one of the most deadly games in the world - jai alai. After all this excitement, Rick unwinds with a gourmet buffet and a bit more sun, sand and surf.

Episode 4: Halifax, Nova Scotia

Rick Bronson experiences Maritime hospitality firsthand when he visits the coast. He gets to captain a tugboat through the busy Halifax harbour and celebrates with a pub-crawl. Jiggin' for fish out on the ocean tests his sea-legs (and stomach) and a visit to the historical British fortress, The Citadel, tests his mettle as a soldier. Later, Rick supervises a gun runner competition, plays gags on unsuspecting tourists at Peggy's Cove and visits a Maritime Museum that houses many artifacts from the ill-fated Titanic. Before bidding Nova Scotia and Haligonians farewell, Rick discovers the answer to the age-old question of what is really worn under a kilt.

Episode 5: Toronto, Ontario

As Canada's largest and most cosmopolitan city, Toronto has plenty to offer intrepid tourists. Rick Bronson starts out on top of the world at the CN Tower - the planet's tallest freestanding building - before heading down to the Bata Shoe Museum. The museum's collection features footwear from around the world and throughout the ages, and houses more shoes than Imelda Marcos' wardrobe. Over at the Hockey Hall of Fame, Rick tests his goalie skills and discovers the Holy Grail of Hockey - the Stanley Cup. A trip on the world's shortest ferry (it lasts 40 seconds) rounds off Rick's voyage to 'The Centre of the Universe'.

Episode 6: Quebec City, Quebec

The capital city of La Belle Province, Quebec City is the oldest fortified city in North America and has been named an UNESCO Heritage Site. Rick Bronson decides that aluminium siding is the answer to sprucing up some of the old buildings and attempts to drum up support from the locals. Quebeckers love to party and two of the biggest parties of the year are the Carnival in winter and Jean Baptiste Day on June 25th. Rick takes a trip down the St. Lawrence River, re-enacts the historic Battle of the Plains of Abraham (as both the English and French armies) and tries his hand at being an untalented streetside artist.

Episode 7: Ottawa, Ontario

Where better for Rick Bronson to get tips on how to become a politician than in Canada's capital city, Ottawa? Rick hangs out with the young, hip members of the Reform Party and discovers that politicians are a lot more fun than they let on. He sees the 'high' lights of Ottawa, from touring the Parliament buildings to hot-air ballooning, and on Canada Day he goes undercover (dressed as a beaver) to quiz Canadians on their knowledge of their native land. Finally, Rick puts his tastebuds where his mouth is when he challenges the newspaper's food critic to a taste-off.

Episode 8: Calgary, Alberta

Yahoo! Rick Bronson is sworn in as an official Calgary visitor - complete with white Stetson hat - before exploring all that 'Cowtown' has to offer. On a visit to Olympic Park, home of the 1988 Winter Olympics, Rick takes a death-defying trip down the luge run, with only a helmet and a marshmallow-padded shirt for protection. Beautiful Banff in the Rocky Mountains is only an hour's drive from Calgary and offers the soothing waters of the natural hot springs as well as spectacular views from a gondola. Deep in the heart of cattle country, Rick chows down on four pounds of succulent Alberta beef just so he can eat for free!

Episode 9: Vancouver, British Columbia

Rick Bronson visits Vancouver, arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. He starts off with a trek up Grouse Grind Trail using his mountain climbing skills to meet women - or try to, at least. After this failed attempt, he sets up an 'Adopt-A-Goose Foundation' at Stanley Park's 18-hole pitch and putt, where flocks of Canadian Geese are a course hazard. There are more adventures in store later when he cuts a rug at BaBalu's nightclub, trades insults with the waiting staff at The Elbow Room and ends up having to make his own coffee!

Episode 10: Chicago, Illinois

Rick Bronson discovers that 'The Windy City' has 6 million people, the world's largest library, 40 museums and 148,000 manholes. Rick plays Whirly Ball (Chicago's 'secret' game of basketball with bumper cars), fuels himself with Mr Beef sandwiches and uncovers the connection between the Cubs' losing streak and the Billy Goat Tavern. This is definitely his kind of town!

Episode 11: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia is not only the birthplace of America but the 'City of Brotherly Love' - unbeknownst to the Philadelphians quizzed by Rick Bronson. He discovers that the Liberty Bell is not all it's cracked up to be and that even the eighteenth century was not immune to graffiti artists. He gets in touch with his inner artist by taking an art class at the Philadelphia Museum - with a group of eight year olds. All that creativity works up an appetite so it's off to the South side for some Philadelphia cheese steaks.

Episode 12: Savannah

Rick Bronson compares Savannah to a box of chocolates - he never knows what he's going to get next! 'The Book' gift shop is one example - it only sells items themed on the book 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil'. Another unique case is Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room, which despite having no advertising and no sign, is the busiest restaurant in town. Rick takes a walk down streets lined with beautiful mansions, going in search of the top three porches in the city. A tour through Juliette Lou House inspires him to become a Girl Scout and sell cookies - until the other girl scouts turf him out of the group.

Episode 13: Honolulu, Hawaii

Rick Bronson says 'Aloha!' to the beaches of Waikiki and, under the guise of 'Tan Man', sets off on a sun-protection crusade. The crashing waves inspire him to 'Hang Ten', jump off a cliff and swim with sharks. Later, he gets 'lei'd' at the Polynesian Cultural Centre and gets plain lost in the world's largest maze. The highlight of Honolulu, however, must be Rick singing 'Tiny Bubbles' with the man himself, Mr Don Ho.