Travels in Trumpland with Ed Balls - anyone else watching?

[Chottie]

It's a three part series with Ed Balls going the Deep South and meeting some of the people who voted for Donald Trump.

It's just me then!

We watched episode 1 last night! I was surprised how much I enjoyed it, especially the wrestling

Missed it but wanted to watch. Is it worth watching on catch up?

I enjoyed it as well.

I watched some of part 1 but turned off. I found him insufferably condescending towards the Trump voters. Like 'check me out, i'm being all tolerant with these knuckle draggers'. He'd have been better off talking to voters in the UK about why the Labour party he stood for has tanked and been taken over by momentum.
Mind you, I do think he's dreadful anyway.

I have just watched it, and I found it very interesting. I actually like Ed Balls, and think he was genuinely respectful towards the people he met, even though he profoundly disagrees with them. In what way do you think he was patronising?

Sorry, you said condescending, not patronising.

I think he needs to channel Louis Theroux and just allow people to talk. Trump supporters aren't going to change their minds after 5 minutes with a Brit.

I’ve just watched the first episode and found it v interesting and refreshingly balanced.

I’m very anti trump but it stayed away from the usual ‘toothless racist trump supporter’ tropes and interviewed a wide range of people, some of whom were quite eloquent as to why they voted for him and supported him.

The veterans and the wrestlers were particularly interesting - I couldn’t believe the Mexican lady who’d come over illegally 30 years ago but still thought Trump should build the wall to stop ‘bad guys’ getting in

I didn’t get the impression he was trying to change their minds, more trying to tease out (in as non-confrontational a manner as possible) their reasoning for supporting / voting for Trump despite xyz reasons

I thought it was interesting and will watch the other episodes.

Oh I'd managed to miss this – thanks for the heads-up.

Sounds fascinating, and maybe not too cringe-inducing.

Beginning to really like this guy! Who’d have thought.

I never thought Ed balls would grow on me but I'm finding this really interesting.

I watched it and I was surprised I enjoyed it.

Watching now...very moving

It was really interesting. I do wish he wouldn’t dance, but it’s nice to see (as we have with Ed miliband too), the humans behind the politics, and they are much more relatable without the spin. I remember when he lost his seat, Nick Robinson was really quite emotional about how we would see the real Ed Balls - he was right.

Think he's coming across very well. The gun thing in America is terrifying.

I think Ed Balls should return to British politics. He's such a humble person.

Tonight's episode interesting. It showed clearly how British culture really doesn't 'get' the American gun culture. It was sad and fascinating at the same time.

Ed should be leader of the Labour Party. He’s experienced, very bright and capable, and he has the popularity and charisma to take on and beat the Tories.

It’s such a shame it will never happen .

Apparently, when he was Brown's right hand man he was known as 'the envoy from planet fuck' by fellow mp's who objected to his bullying. Obviously he's positioning himself as a newer,kinder Balls for when he returns to politics.
I still think he's the worst of New Labour rolled into one man. But i'm obviously in the minority.

Found it really interesting. More please BBC. People opened up to him.

I thought he came across really well, not condescending at all. Wish he was in charge of labour instead of Corbyn.

Yeah, I would have not considered myself a fan prior but I think it's been really interesting. He is enjoying getting his kit off too!