AMERICAN DETOUR TELEVISION |
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AMERICAN
DETOUR "Throw some tea and bread in an old sack and jump over the back fence." - John Muir on expedition planning The "American Detour" television series is a medley of journeys crossing each US State, end-to-end in various overland modes, while unearthing the regionŐs authentic characters. The host, Bruce Northam, is an adventure author, speaker and tourism adviser. His animated multimedia travel presentations - held at universities and seminar centers nationwide - capture the essence of circling the globe, freestyle. The United States needs to be celebrated, again. The mission is to inform and entertain by knitting together the originality of our nation of "50 different countries." Think CHARLES KURALT MEETS MTV. The web site - AmericanDetour.com - will also create marketing opportunities that complement Northam's appearances on CNN, national radio and on the lecture circuit. Bruce's "rat-race exit blueprints" provide counsel for people on academic and workaholic binges. His message is road-tested for providing lessons you can't learn in a classroom. THE CONCEPT The series explores the fifty States using a dual motive - crossing each one in the most resourceful way while unearthing unsung heroes. The physical intent is a continuous overland odyssey - detours that highlight the natural beauty and transportation alternatives. State-by-State expeditions utilizing historic railways, canoeing and rafting on natural waterways-canals, mountain biking, hitchhiking, horseback, motorcycle, public transport, on and off-road driving, swimming, trekking and downtown strolling . . . what else? . . . houseboat, ferry, lawnmower, tractor, pontoon boat, hot-air balloon, pig back, llama, dogsled, snowmobile, ride with subway pilot, gondola-chairlift, and being pulled in a wagon by an eight year-old. The people energy grows from a blueprint of locale and personality. Authentic characters and unsung heroes will be discovered in: maternity ward, tavern, independent bookstore, religious service, police station, brewery, boat community, fire department, prison, beauty parlor, the state's highest point, lost historic landmarks, alternative community (and people living alternative lifestyles within structured communities), and by rating the optimum swing set. A lighter side of small town politics will surface, depending upon what the barber says. The journeys will be punctuated by sponsor-driven bookstore appearances, travel "lectures," radio spots from the field and network morning show coverage. Enroute, locally colored interviews will feature known (and should-be-known) personalities accompanying Northam on apropos segments: oldest living citizen, Guinness book record-holder, hermit, pogo stick zealot (including pogo stick contest), village buzz-king, banker, people banging their own drum, Ethnic restaurant staff, an ad executive's take on the region, pet fanatics (most prolific cat and dog owners), self-ordained gurus, ecologically concerned politician, the all-knowing deli-counter man, and the world according to a pack of second graders - interviewed in the gymnasium in a talk show format. demos and complete treatment available ADVISORS Enroute consultations from "advisors" -- Northam sourcing a consultant team for inspiration and routing suggestions via personal interviews and split screen phone conversations -- -advisor list rotates with each show, using homegrown talent.
ADDITIONAL THEMES A. With the recent economic downturn, now is the time to seize an opportunity with a domestic, grass roots travel program -- American Detour puts a new spin on escapading close to home. Finding affordable adventure in your backyard is an idea whose time has come. B. En route workshops and forums
C. "Migrations" on the trail of someone or something notable, e.g. Mark Twain. D. News flash on swing-sets, professionally rated by panels of neighborhood kids, set up around a boardroom meeting table, in the playground. E. Environmental brainstorms -- tree planting, local water testing, compost suggestion, organic gardening. American Detour suggests that we don't have to hop oceans to find adventure. It's time to enlighten our remote-control society with an adventure travel television series that transforms leisure time by discovering whatŐs around the block. Employing an idiosyncratic mix of travel lore, humor, shock, advice, anecdotes and globetrotting tales, the viewers gain "back yard insight" and are motivated to hit the road. |
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