Romesh and his ‘misadventures from my sofa’

Romesh Ranganathan must be one of the busiest blokes on the box these days.

As well as popping up in pre-recorded shows, the teacher-turned-stand-up hasn’t let the lockdown stand in his way of making programmes. He filmed the most recent run of The Ranganathan in his garage, with his panel dialling in online, and now he’s back with a new three-part series, which he’s also filmed from the safety of his own home.

For the comedian, it’s something of a dream come true – after all, he describes himself as a “reluctant traveller” who prefers to lounge about by the pool rather than soak himself in local culture, so being able to stay at home is a godsend.

“I could not resist the opportunity to make a travel show where not only do I not have to travel anywhere, but not even leave my living room,” he grins.

The BBC is no doubt thrilled to bits too – after all, they’re currently short on fresh content due to the lockdown, during which most productions have been forced into a hiatus, so being able to launch a new series comprised of previously shot footage is a godsend, particularly as it’s relatively quick and inexpensive to make too.

For those who haven’t caught any of his misadventures before, each edition sees Ranganathan being sent off to explore some of the most beautiful but dangerous places on the planet. There are no home comforts or even complimentary breakfasts available during these trips, and he’s spent many of them complaining, moaning and being desperate to get back to Blighty.

Now he’s going to be looking back on memorable moments during his journeys to Haiti, Ethiopia, Albania, the Arctic, Mongolia and Columbia, among others, during which he has been surprised, enthralled, annoyed and enlightened while making firm friends with many of his guides along the way.

Each episode reunites him with those he travelled with, who share their favourite anecdotes about their experiences – and it’s fair to say that some of them choose the events that Ranganathan hated the most. There’s also a chance to see previously unshown footage.

“I’m looking forward to sharing some insights about the shows that people will have not seen as well as catching up with my co-hosts, all of whom I received messages about being better than me when the shows went out!”

Emily Hudd, from production company Rumpus Media, adds: “Working with Romesh on Misadventures is always a joy wherever we go.

“We’re looking forward to him revealing some never seen before moments with the help of his brilliant and illuminating co-hosts, as well as re-living some of the highlights – whether it’s wild camping in the Saharan desert, making home brew in Zimbabwe or bathing in boiling mud in a fake volcano in Colombia.”

The first episode charts Ranganathan’s journeys to Zimbabwe, Bosnia and the Sahara, where he’s once again confronted by a variety of activities and situations he’d really rather avoid.

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