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Although the continent-crossing competitive reality show Destination X might not have been the seasonal hit the broadcaster had anticipated, it did give host Rob Brydon a stylish transformation. The convoluted coach trip clearly wanted to give off a jet-setting vibe, so the show's host was outfitted in deluxe tailoring: vibrant matching ensembles, silky cravats and yacht-ready blazers. All of a sudden, Brydon had the sophisticated appearance to match his classic 007 impersonation.

Costume Changes with Musical Roots

The newest three-part series, Rob Brydon's Honky Tonk Road Trip, includes themed outfit costume changes. The affable comedian goes full western rancher sporting plaid tops, rugged jackets and the occasional Stetson hat. It's all part the concept that sees him piloting an imposing Ford Ranger pickup truck across thousands of miles of the southern US for a crash course in country music.

Brydon has been tasked with marking the centenary of the genre – or at least the 100th anniversary of the Nashville radio show that evolved into the Grand Ole Opry, cornerstone and kingmaker in the industry for generations – through the classic celebrity travelogue approach involving driving around, chatting with residents and engaging deeply in the culture. That the centenary aligns with country becoming, according to him, “the most rapidly expanding genre in the UK” – due to Taylor Swift and new country-inspired records from multiple artists, famous singers and others – provides additional perspective for examination.

Travel History With Insecurities

It's established Brydon is up for a road trip and a chinwag because of multiple seasons of his travel series alongside his comedy partner. Initially he seems unsure about his credentials as a presenter. Watching him speak with an in-car lens certainly brings back recollections of a character, the sad-sack cabby from his early career, Marion & Geoff. En route to Music City, he calls his sitcom co-star Ruth Jones for a pep talk. She recalls that he has authentic country bona fides: a past Comic Relief cover of Islands in the Stream topped the charts. (“The original artists only made it to No 7!” she points out.)

Conversational Talents and Cultural Immersion

If the “full sensory overload” during an evening in the city proves challenging for Brydon – a line-dancing attempt alongside a performer now musician results in him tap out early in a popular tune – the veteran comedian is far less wobbly legged during conversations. His respectful lines of questioning blends well local etiquette, gathering anecdotes about legends and general musings about the essence of the genre from silvery-haired veterans like the Grand Ole Opry fixture a renowned figure and 92-year-old tailor-to-the-stars a fashion icon. His calm approach is effective with younger guns, like the bearded chart-topping singer and the bluegrass banjo maestro Tray Wellington.

Although several the anecdotes seem familiar, the opening episode does contain a single unexpected moment. What on earth is the pop star spending time in a homely recording space? Reportedly, he's visited to Tennessee to refine his compositions since the 1990s, and cites a country icon as inspiration on Take That's bulletproof ballad Back for Good. Finally, is an interviewee Brydon can needle, mock and playfully provoke without worrying of causing any offense. (Barlow, bless him, participates willingly.)

Cultural Context and Unscripted Moments

With an entire century of the genre to explain and honor, it is understandable that this southern-fried tour through Tennessee and Kentucky (including visits to other areas to come) wants to focus on music and not necessarily address the current political moment. Yet it inevitably includes some elements. During an appearance on the glossy morning show of the Nashville radio station the established creator of the Grand Ole Opry – Brydon jokingly wonders if the US and Canada are still friends, which throws his slick hosts off their stride. The audience doesn't see to see presumably icy aftermath.

Ideal Presenter for the Format

Despite his apparent self-doubt, he is obviously well-suited for this sort of lighthearted series: friendly, engaged, modest and always ready for costume changes, even if he has difficulty locating a fancy cowboy shirt in his size. Might his partner worry that the co-star is capable of the whole travelogue thing alone? Absolutely.