Name: Miriam’s Big American Adventure
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2018-01-03
Rating: 7.5
Cast: Miriam Margolyes, Julian Barratt

The American Dream

60 min

Episode one sees Miriam in search of the American dream as she investigates whether it still exists and if it is available to all, and she asks why would you want it anyway. Miriam's journey starts in the divided city of Chicago. Staying with Airbnb 'super-hosts' Larry and Jai, she is introduced to ex-Playboy bunny Candace Jordan, who is now a leading socialite in the city. Candace persuades Miriam to have a beauty salon makeover and wardrobe revamp before heading to a glittering social event. But Miriam wants to see the other side of this city of divided fortunes and travels to Chicago's troubled south side. At 'O' Block, she meets ex-gang member and former drug dealer SP, who can't leave his block for fear of rival gang shootings. Next, Miriam hangs out with rapping brothers J-Mac and Tray Tray in Merrill Park - dubbed Murder Park by the regulars due to a spate of gang-related killings. But fearing Miriam's life may be in danger, AZ, her personal security guard, decides to pull her out, amid concerns of an imminent rival gang visit. Miriam also wants to try and understand why people from other countries still want to become Americans. She heads to Indianapolis for a mass citizenship ceremony and meets the extraordinary Jose, who left his village in the jungle of the Congo and is now one of America's proudest and newest citizens - just in time for the 4 July celebrations, for which Miriam joins him and his family.

02

American Values

60 min

Miriam Margolyes continues her road trip through the heartlands of middle America, heading almost a thousand miles from Chicago to New Orleans to meet the people whose voices and votes are reshaping the nation. Her adventure starts in Indiana at Summer Camp. Miriam joins the young campers as they begin their days pledging allegiance to God and the US flag and end them sharing thanks around a fire. She meets camp counsellor Bobby and is persuaded to try her hand at pottery. Next, Miriam heads to Ohio, one of the leading states for drug overdose deaths. She meets antidrug sheriff, Richard K Jones who runs a jail in Butler County. In the mountains of Tennessee, Miriam stays with a bunch of preppers. Fearful about imminent terrorist attacks, financial meltdown and tensions with North Korea, they fend for themselves, storing supplies of freeze-dried food to survive the next 25 years out in the woods if necessary. Miriam stays with Heidi, a dedicated prepper since 1987.

03

The Divided States

60 min

Miriam feels the divide between city and country when she visits rural Arkansas. She then meets with a right-wing extremist, Texas' first female African-American sheriff and an all-woman biker gang.