I happened across this one episode on our PBS channel, and as a Buckeye who was there at KSU, I was disappointed that Mr. Fry chose that one tragic event to represent Ohio, and, moreover, described it in a superficial sound-bite.
My question is this, does Mr. Fry ever visit Ohio again in any of his other episodes, and does he show something good about my home state?
Thanks to anyone who has seen this series and can answer my question.
Hi-
It had to do somewhat with the time we had to shoot and although its not a bright thing to remember and does not in any way tell what ohio is and has to offer the story was about america and the many things that make up the people and the land and what happened at the university was important to remember as a part of the whole and what has helped make America what it is today!
Thank you for the reply!
I understand that, as with any country, there is way too much history and culture to condense into the limited time available.
I was disappointed with his oversimplified description of those four days, however, and as I said on another thread, his dry delivery style makes it difficult for me to tell if he is genuinely admiring or mocking when he is descibing some of the quirky people and customs he encountered.
As "Jeeves" he was laugh-out-loud funny, and his guest appearance on "Thin Blue Line" was hilarious, but I've never seen him on a show as "himself," so I have to confess I can't judge his sincerity.
I've been told on another thread that Mr. Fry genuinely likes and admires my country, so I'm willing to accept that and I will try watching the entire series when an opportunity occurs.
I'm just watching that particular episode here in the UK and I know what you mean the Ohio part was woefully short, but I have to say it was incredibly moving. I think after doing his research he personally probably felt that was a story to tell again to a new generation even.
Stephen has a fascination with the differences in America but is so intelligent that he can also see the unity and patriotism. Personally I am realy enjoying watching the series again. I would like to know if there is a DVD version with longer insights into each of the states. I hope you've managed to catch the rest of it. I find his view of America uncynical and refreshing in fact. And that's as it should be. Beautiful, and huge, country always something new to discover.
To answer your original question, no, there is no further mention of Ohio. I admit that as a native Ohioan, I did at first feel that Ohio was given short shrift. But on further consideration I couldn't actually think of anything particularly interesting about Ohio that should have been included.
Many states are more naturally beautiful than Ohio. The great plains states are better known for their agriculture. And while we have a large manufacturing industry, Detroit is more characteristically industrial.
We do have among our claims to fame both John Glenn and Neil Armstrong, as well as Thomas Edison, the Wright brothers, and a disproportionate number of presidents. But these historical figures are difficult to film.
Nevertheless I thought that America as a whole was well-represented in the series, and if Mr. Fry should ever want to take a closer look at Ohio I would be glad to host him.
I have to respectfully disagree with my fellow Ohioans in this thread. Ohio is a beautiful and historically rich state that deserved better representation in this documentary.
Ohio boasts many beautiful lakes, rivers, and even foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Winston Churchill called Cincinnati the most beautiful inland city in America.
Ohio was an important stop on the Underground Railroad, and many of the homes that were part of that network are still standing. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati would have been an ideal place to showcase this part of Ohio history. The Freedom Center even has an authentic "slave pen," that you can tour.
Seven U.S. presidents were born in Ohio, including U.S. Grant, the man who effectively ended the Civil War.
As was mentioned previously, Neil Armstrong and John Glenn were both born in Ohio, and I believe the both currently reside here. The Wright-B Flyer was built and is currently displayed in Dayton. Mr. Fry could easily have visited the hangar where the B-Flyer is currently displayed, and he likely could have met with either or both of these great men.
Many movies and tv shows have used Ohio as a backdrop, including Rain Man and the Shawshank Redemption.
Though I like the series as a whole, I really think Mr. Fry could have spent a bit more time in the Buckeye state.
I agree and disagree. I agree that he gave Ohio short shrift. The sense in which I disagree is that he gave most states short shrift and the same criticism could be made about many deserving states. However, as has been said, the 6 hour series length just wasn't long enough to make a comprehensive documentary on all 50 states. It was a highly enjoyable, quirky, individualistic set of experiences and commentaries on various places in the country, but was in no way representative.
I grew up in New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland and there was very little about them. I also doubt Iowa wants to be known for flying yogis.
I thought the Ohio segment was well done. There really wasn't much time in any state (except maybe Nevada as it's been pointed out). But what was done was done well.
shareA well done segment? Maybe, but who wants their state represented ONLY by the shooting deaths of Vietnam War protestors in 1970? I am an Ohioan, and I was sorely disappointed in that, when we have a beautiful state and many historical figures, as others have pointed out. They could have pointed out that Texas was where JFK was assassinated or Tennessee is where Martin Luther King was shot, but didn't. Those were also tremendously significant events.
shareI'm sure the residents of ever state would feel their state deserves a miniseries on their history alone. You can't satisfy everyone, unfortunately.
As a longtime fan of Stephen Fry (up here in Canada), I love the series and own it on blu-ray. Fry does remark on how people are ever complicated and contradictory, so though he often remarks on how America is great and wonderful, he does bring in sobering anecdotes from it's history and present: Hurricane Katrina, The Massacre At Wounded Knee, The Shootings At Kent State, problems with homelessness in St. Louis, dead towns in Kansas, Lakota Sioux losing their heritage etc. It's important to have some harsh reality sprinkled into the entertainment.
Everyone else may be an a**hole, but I'm not! - Harlan Ellison