Miriam Margolis in America

One of the problems with the programme is that she is not visiting normal folk, but making judgments about a whole society by looking at the extremes. I have met some pretty normal-seeming Americans in my life.

Indeed - she is an actress, so some of what she says and does needs a generous pinch of salt.

And her views on the American system of justice were a bit simplistic, although I could see why she was unimpressed - but in the UK the rate of returns to prison could not be described as something to be proud of either. We have plenty of similar young people in the grip of addiction and turning to crime to fuel this.

I thought the summer camp was truly ghastly - with a string hint of Hitler youth about it. I wonder what happens to the young people who find themselves unable to fit in there. It just made me shudder.

It's all in the editing. I suspect that the 'Marigold' producers picked the bits where she was most noticeably outrageous and carefully omitted the times when she was thoughtful and kind. They highlighted the rude bits to make more sensationalist TV.
The producers of the American programme are able to focus more positively on her as they don't have to bother with all the other 'celebs'.

You could say that MM is a very good actress who knows exactly how to steal the limelight. In 'Marigold' she was not the star so rather than be a team player she chose to make sure she was the most talked about by her vulgar, rude and inconsiderate behaviour.

In 'America' she is showing a caring and understanding side to her nature because the viewer would be outraged at licence payers money being thrown at the kind of person she was in 'Marigold.'

The cod American accent creeping in now and again is silly.

It's a good and revealing series but I'm not fooled by Miriam.

I think MM was quite different on the Marigold series because she was 'confined' with a few pain-in-the arse celebs(of the female variety I have to say) who never ventured out without several layers of false eye lashes and slap. I would have been totally hacked off if I had been in the same position (which is why I would never go on a cruise, or coach holiday) but I may have reviewed the situation if I was being financially rewarded . Doesn't mean to say I would have suffered them anymore politely than Miriam did.
On her own she showed the deeply thoughtful person she obviously is. I think she finds it difficult to show her real emotions... I sympathise her with her on that.
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Thanks, Jane10. Really enjoying the programme and finding her very different to how she comes over in the Marigold series.

Just found that episode 3 will be on next week. Phew!

Is there a third episode? If so, I think we’ve missed it. ?

Wow, Jane, I just came on to say that I thought there were 3 parts and I've only seen 2. I think I set Sky to record all of them and I'm fairly sure that they did a preview at the end of the 2nd one. The last one I saw was with the prison.

Glad you enjoyed it Bluebelle.

Very honest BlueBelle I'm glad you persevered. I don't know when the next episode is. I thought there would be more than two.

One thing I do always try to do is hold my hand up and admit when I m wrong and Gransmetters you’re right Miriam Margoles is a very different lady to how she came across in the Marigold series I now salute her as a caring and deeply thinking woman I have enjoyed the series so far and thanks for making me step beyond my own prejudices

Poppyred; I think that, having switched off the TV, you should have watched that episode to the end. It might change your idea of her....

americans are not all into religion
on the other hand large parts of the country were colonized by english, irish, europeans looking for freedom of religion because they couldnt practice in thier home countrys
i find all religions ridiculous,but respect the right to worship what or who they please

same goes for the pledge of allegience/i stopped pledging in early 70s/i love my country but hated the polotics and still do.

Loved it, really interesting and yes she can be blunt but in this series refreshingly so. Look forward to more.

Obnoxious woman! Watched her telling the black man in Chicago (who was so proud of his adopted country) not to be so sure of his beliefs! Typical liberal loviee had to switch off!

Where do they get their version of Christianity from though! I've never seen anything in the Bible about God wanting us to protect our rights, or about every man for himself. What happened to loving your enemy?

Yes. I thought she'd give them both barrels but seems to have held back. She seems to have a way of communicating with such a huge range of people. Maybe because she seems so different from everyone else. She also seems to have a big kind heart.

MM was polite in her disagreement, though - showing respect.

T'was said George Dubbya was not in possession of a passport when he cheated his way into the White House.
I admire MM very much, she takes no prisoners in her direct approach. If we don't agree with something why should we hold our tongues?I would have been incandescant at some of the right wing rubbish she had to listen to, although my preconception of the sheriff showed my prejudice as he seem a decent bloke. I thought he would be the very worst kind of 'red-neck'. But IMO his wife made up for it!!

I reckon it is. Just crossed my mind that one of the reasons why Miriam is able to converse with such a wide range of people is that so many recognise her from her role in Harry Potter so, once again it shows how art and literature are vitally important to us in so many ways.

I was told that only 6% of Americans have a passport. Surely that cannot be true?

It must be very difficult not to be over-earnest if you’re brought up reciting that oath of allegiance to the American flag every day. I wonder how many are cynical about it? I hope some are. I think I’d get the giggles.

The programme can only give a very limited view of America, but it’s interesting viewing and Miriam an ideal intelligent commentator.

I have also been very impressed by Miriam in this series especially her self awareness and acknowledgement of her prejudices. I think she was charming to the sheriff and his family , really trying to understand them even though she didn't agree with their point of view. I was also very moved by her visit to the prison and could see she was really trying to understand the issues even though they were totally outside her experience. I really admire her.

I have also watched this from the start in spite of not having warmed to Miriam in the past, but thought the content would be interesting as indeed it has been, and Miriam does come across as more likeable.

They certainly know ( or did know when it was filmed!) how to welcome immigrants. Yes many Rural Americans have a very provincial attitude, backward looking, (as we can be, but mostly we accept that change is inevitable). and it being thus, you can understand why they vote against change or anything that will force them to confront the 21st (or 20th) century. I wonder if it is because the country is so big and has everything - hot and cold climates, and mountains, deserts, lots of space - they can be self supporting and don’t need to travel. More worrying is the lack of interest in learning about other countries - I suspect their knowledge of history, other than that of America, is pretty dismal. Perhaps this is why immigrants who have been able to acquire education and opportunity can do so well there, they are more open minded.
Sorry if these sound like a sweeping statements I mean to refer to the rural Americans who have no interest in travel - and in that vast country, there are many who have not left their own state, let alone their country. There are of course many open minded, intelligent people, ( Bill Bryson for one who prefers to live in England!).

I worked with someone who based her voting decisions on how God fearing someone appeared.