50 minSeason 1 • Episode 7
LatestArriving in the United States only two days back of Fogg, Palin spends night one in America onboard the embedded Queen Mary. After a few days, he boards an Amtrak and travels to Glenwood Springs, Colorado. He takes a balloon ride there and a dogsled trip in Aspen. Realizing he probably should have stayed on the Chicago-bound train, he leaves the Rockies frantically. Eventually arriving in New York, he boards the final ship of his journey dead-even with Phileas Fogg on Day 71. After eight days, he arrives in Felixstowe, touching foot on British soil for the first time in two and a half months. A few train connections later, he arrives at his starting point, the Reform Club, Pall Mall, London, yet is not allowed in. The journey ends 79 days and 7 hours after it began.
Michael Palin attempts to copy the exploits of fictional character Phileas Fogg, by trying to travel around the world (without flying) in 80 days.
Acting
Palin's unscripted reactions—genuine panic masquerading as cheerfulness.
Writing
Diary narration that finds poetry in ferry schedules and missed connections.
Production
Pre-digital spontaneity—no GPS, no guarantees, just a man and his duffel.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Palin kept actual diaries throughout, later published as books—this series essentially launched his second career as Britain's favorite travel uncle.
The 1989 airing predates the internet and budget airlines; watching it now feels like time travel to an era when 'around the world' still meant something.
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