Original title
Hidden America with Jonah Ray
Released
6/2/2016
Origin country
US
Status
Returning series
Number of seasons
2
Number of episodes
17
A travel show fronted by our intrepid host, Jonah Ray, where the places are real, but the people aren't. America's Never Been Citier...
This week, Jonah travels to Boston, where America's past exists within the now. He explores the rich history of his family tree and their place in colonial times. Jonah also spends time with locals to talk sports, oysters and Boston's most legendary and reclusive comedian.
They call it the Second City and Jonah's here to find out why. He digs into Chicago's vast history of corruption as it relates to politics. It's historical relevance to the Prohibition Era party scene. As well as taking in the city's famous improv theaters, bars and nightlife.
Jonah travels to Seattle, where he realizes the residents of the Pacific Northwest have a difficult time dealing with year round gloominess. He explores what the people here do to find happiness, be it music, sports, or running a café dedicated to your favorite TV show.
Jonah takes in the epicenter of counter-culture. Renting a room in the heart of the city from a hip, young couple gives him an instant entrée into the city’s unique spectrum of indulgence. Be it the remnants of the hippy scene, the vibrant wine culture, or a 2nd generation vegan chef, this truly is a city of diverse interests.
Jonah heads down the Mississippi River to the Jewel of Gulf, New Orleans. He learns about the major impact that Mardi Gras has on the city and its inhabitants. Also, he spends time with the locals and discovers more about the devastating effects Hurricane Katrina. All, of course, while taking in the music, the food, and the smells.
This week, Jonah shows off the city he’s called home for the past 15 years. He aims to prove that the lady known as Los Angeles is one of the most misunderstood of cities. By exploring the city’s rich history, culture, diverse neighborhoods and parks, he hopes to prove people wrong. Beaches, Tacos, and Cinema are only a fraction of what make this place great.
Jonah goes back to where he became a man, Denver. The mountain town where Jonah went to college. He reconnects with an old friend who runs a successful, legal weed shop while staying at Denver’s most haunted hotel. Music, Drinking on bikes, and old friends? It’s good to be back home.
Jonah heads to Atlanta, the capital city of the south. Here, he explores the city’s fascination with death throughout history – dating all the way back to the Civil War and up until modern times with zombies and a unique point of view on gun culture. Jonah also grabs southern cooking with an Olympic legend and indulges in some Ethiopian cuisine.
Jonah’s last stop of the tour is Austin, Texas. His favorite city in the union. Jonah sees a different and unexpected side of the city’s popular “Keep Austin Weird” mantra. But, this wouldn’t be a trip to Austin without eating BBQ, Shooting Guns, and hanging with some biker gangs. All roads have led Jonah to this…
Jonah travels down to the MIA, also known as Miami. He visits a local assisted living facility, where the elderly bestow pearls of wisdom about living a full life. Dives in head first to investigate the world of Miami Drug Lords. Learns the art of Latin dance. And gives the viewers a firsthand recreation of the plight of the Cuban refugee.
They call it “Believeland” but also “The Mistake on the Lake” so Jonah’s here to find out why. With the help of Cleveland’s number one fan, Jonah is shown the hidden beauty of the city. He also meets up with his famous cartoonist uncle. Talks to a Polish Historian. Goes surfing in Lake Erie. As well as giving the most in depth backstage pass tour of the iconic ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME.
This week, Jonah travels to the nation’s capitol and hits up all of his favorite monuments. Showcases DC’s legendary hardcore scene. Meets Lin Manuel Miranda’s successor of political musicals. Then meets up with former Chicago Mayoral Candidate: Marty Lehrman who is now a lobbyist for GUN LOVERS OF AMERICA.
When Jonah goes back home, he reunites with several people from his past including a High School teacher, A High School friend, and some of his old High School band mates. Opting to soak in as much of the Hawaiian culture as he can he talks to a man preserving the art of Hula and two iconic Hawaiian Comedians. Jonah also returns to the diner where he got his start in the world of T.F.E (Televised Food Entertainment).
Jonah heads south of the Mason Dixon line to Taylor Swift’s hometown, Nashville. His first stop is a charming b&b where he meets a very friendly couple that shows him around their old plantation. He also meets a Julliard-trained actress who puts her own spin on dinner theater, which forces Jonah to face some of his own demons. Along the way, he learns how to be a true country outlaw and performs at the famed Bluebird Café.
In this very special episode, Jonah travels to Minneapolis, a city that holds many a secret to Jonah’s past. In one of America’s coldest cities, he tries to get over his painful past with Minnesota’s favorite bacon connoisseur. But it’s not all flashbacks, he also explores the city’s cultural attractions including ice fishing, a beloved radio show and visits the quietest room in the world.
This week, when Jonah ventures to Vegas’ younger, hotter sister, Reno. Here he meets up with the king of North Nevada: Anthony Bertucci. The two party at their hotel, hit the casino, take in a show and TONS more. But after seeing all that Reno has to offer in less than a day, Jonah hits the road to nearby spots Lake Tahoe and Virginia City. Then, when those places end up taking much time as Reno, Jonah goes over budget to travel across the country and meets one of his idols, Anthony Bourdain.
In the season finale, Jonah does something never done before on an American Based travel program – he leaves America! As a fan of prequels, Jonah has always been interested in the thing that came before the thing. And in this case, that thing is LONDON: The original America. Jonah encounters several history buffs in his travels throughout this archival city – a tour guide, a warlock, a trio of transchronologers and a landmark expert. And at long last, he’s reunited with a special person from his past. No, it’s not Stacey.
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