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From Amazon.co.uk
What could just be another travelogue documentary, Paul Merton In China is lifted enormously by its star. Merton, best known of course for the likes of Have I Got News For You, covers the well and lesser known destinations within China’s border, all the while proving to be an engaging and genial guide.
It helps, of course, that Merton is one of the funniest people working in television today, but Paul Merton In China is a lot more than a chance for him to display his wit (although it is frequently very funny). Instead, he displays a continuing inquisitive interest in the places that we see him visit, never forgetting that his job is to help document a broad, yet often mysterious nation.
Across the four hours of Paul Merton In China, he covers both the contrasting modern and more traditional areas of the country, from the big cities through to the lesser-known areas, meeting some interesting characters while on his travels. And the only problem is that there isn’t more of it, for there’s surely scope for some kind of follow-up here, given that Merton scratches the surface of the country.
Nonetheless, Paul Merton In China is a quite brilliant piece of television, and you only hope that the BBC ensures Mr Merton’s passport is kept regularly stamped in the years ahead. --Jon Foster
Product Description
The comedian’s oriental odyssey in search of the engaging and the extraordinary. Paul Merton, (star of Have I Got News for You), journeys across both modern and traditional China as he attempts to unravel the deep mysteries and baffling contradictions of this ancient country. Travelling to major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu but also to the country’s most obscure and traditional backwaters, Merton enjoys a voyage of personal discovery as he encounters China’s new economic realities, idiosyncratic cuisine and engaging people. Merton meets representatives from all walks of Chinese life, from the eccentric farmer who has taught himself to build robots out of scrap metal to the apparatchik who has built his own 17th century French chateau. Exploring China’s cultural differences, the comedian braves meals of scorpion and hairy crab, attempts kung fu, prays with Tibetan monks, meets Chinese hip hop artists who only rap about food, and visits Thamestown, a unique recreation of a provincial English town on the outskirts of Shanghai. Laced with Paul Merton’s usual deadpan wit and observations, his journey is an unforgettable oriental trip along the road less travelled. Presented by Paul Merton Original Music by Rohan Stevenson Produced and Directed by Barbie Maclaurin Series Producer Mark Chapman Executive Producer Paul Sommers
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By MPD
Format:DVD
Generally a lighthearted and entertaining documentary about Paul Merton's 6 week visit to China. It's very watchable, and Merton's commentary is often funny and humorous.
I agree with other reviewers in that it doesn't have much depth, but that doesn't make it any less interesting.
However, the comparisons to Palin are not fair. Palin has produced some very challenging and insightful documentaries which are in a completely different league to Merton.
Overall, I would recommend the DVD. Merton's amusing observations result in an entertaining series.
I agree with other reviewers in that it doesn't have much depth, but that doesn't make it any less interesting.
However, the comparisons to Palin are not fair. Palin has produced some very challenging and insightful documentaries which are in a completely different league to Merton.
Overall, I would recommend the DVD. Merton's amusing observations result in an entertaining series.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I loved this series when it was shown on television and I can't wait to get the DVD! I really hope there are some extras, because one can never get too much Paul Merton!
He was just great as he traveled through China: funny, witty and showed us the "real" China in many aspects. All very educational and entertaining at the same time. I'm really looking forward to his upcoming documentaries in Germany and India.
He was just great as he traveled through China: funny, witty and showed us the "real" China in many aspects. All very educational and entertaining at the same time. I'm really looking forward to his upcoming documentaries in Germany and India.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By M. Brown
Format:DVD
If you have watched and admired Paul Merton's rapid, incisive and sarcastic wit on HIGNFY you may be concerned that he would direct it at the host country. He is far more professional than that and in fact shows that he is kind, polite and genuinely interested in the way people in this part of the world live. His gentle humour serves to enhance the picture he paints of China, which is as accurate as any educational programme. I loved the programmes and the DVD, it won't languish in the back of the cupboard, it will be watched again and again!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Decent Introduction
I thought this was a really decent introduction to modern China, not in terms of historical overview but in terms of the feel of the place. Read more
Published on 16 Oct 2010 by Simon A. Weil
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great series!
This series is very interesting, entertaining and Paul Merton is funny. Enjoyed watching this. Great service again from Amazon with speedy delivery.
Published on 6 Aug 2010 by Sonic
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fish-out-of-water perspective
Paul Merton presents a guide to offbeat China from the perspective of someone not at all familiar with Chinese culture. Read more
Published on 16 Jun 2010 by jsteph
2.0 out of 5 stars
Making fun of different cultures
I am a big fan of Paul Merton, but I have to admit I was disappointed by the way he presents this documentary. Read more
Published on 10 Jan 2010 by M. Jubehova
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not as good as i had expected it to be
I have never been to China and, before watching this dvd, I thought I might like to go there next year. Read more
Published on 15 Nov 2009 by Happy user
4.0 out of 5 stars
lighthearted travelogue of modern china
Merton's programs are an interesting and lighthearted travelogue of modern China. Although this series does not delve much into China's history, Merton's light comedy approach to... Read more
Published on 2 Jun 2009 by Rajiv Kapur
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent - Most Enjoyable!
This was a great insight into China and didn't purely focus on the famous tourist attractions. Paul Merton's attitude/comments added to the situations he found himself in to make... Read more
Published on 11 Feb 2009 by F. Cameron
5.0 out of 5 stars
Paul Merton - Amazing
Amazing & funny, worth watching! Paul Merton really should take over the BBC's travel progs
Published on 31 Jan 2009 by Mr. S. A. Durbridge
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting and fun journey through China
This was a really entertaining travel series by Channel 5. Paul Merton journeys through China to get a look at this beautiful, cultured and mysterious nation. Read more
Published on 6 Jan 2009 by KN
5.0 out of 5 stars
Everything you could want...
I used to think that Michael Palin was Just About Perfect as a travelling reviewer...and with his charming personality he is... Read more
Published on 16 Dec 2008 by Jan Jack
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