Birmingham: The Unsung Hero of Cities
In a recent interview with Chortle, comedian Joe Lycett gushed about his hometown, Birmingham, proclaiming it “the best city in the world” and bemoaning the fact that it remains largely under the radar. As the star of his new series, United States of Birmingham, Lycett embarks on a journey to explore other cities sharing the same name, searching for common links and shining a light on the oft-overlooked Birmingham in the UK.
According to Lycett, his love for Birmingham is rooted in hometown pride, but he also acknowledges that other UK cities, such as Manchester, London, Hull, Bristol, and Milton Keynes, have their own unique charms. However, he insists that Birmingham stands out from the rest, boasting a distinct character that sets it apart. As Lycett told Chortle, “Birmingham is unique in that it IS the best city in the world and yet no one knows about it. Partly, or mainly in fact, because Brummies never shout about it. So, I am breaking with tradition and talking about Birmingham.”
Lycett’s enthusiasm for his hometown is matched only by his excitement for his new series, which sees him travel over 2,000 miles across North America to visit 18 other cities named Birmingham. In an interview with Chortle, he described the trip as “daunting, exciting, arousing, infuriating, emasculating, career-defining, brilliant” – a journey that was truly one of those trips that “kind of encompassed everything.” Lycett also shared a humorous anecdote about his bus driver, Randy, who was “literally a dude sent by the company which we hired the bus from” but turned out to be one of the funniest people he’s ever met.
One of the most interesting aspects of Lycett’s journey is his search for a common identity that exists across all Birminghams. As he told Chortle, he found that Birminghams are often seen as the underdog, viewed as “ugly, low rent, ignored, and embarrassing.” However, he also discovered that each Birmingham has an extraordinary amount to offer. For example, Birmingham, Alabama, is renowned for its calorie-dense food, while Birmingham, Michigan, boasts “properly swanky restaurants” that rival those in St John’s Wood.
As Lycett revealed to Chortle, one of the highlights of his trip was the friends he made along the way. When asked about the best thing to have ever come out of Birmingham, Lycett didn’t hesitate, naming Alison Hammond, the talented and lovely television presenter. He also extolled the virtues of his hometown, urging everyone to visit Birmingham and experience its unique energy for themselves. In his own words, “In the words of Telly: ‘you can almost smell the energy!'” – although he was quick to add that, in Birmingham’s case, that energy might also be described as “rotting household waste due to continued bin strikes!”
United States of Birmingham launches on April 22 on Sky Max and streaming service Now, offering viewers a chance to join Lycett on his journey of discovery and exploration. As Chortle reported, Lycett’s passion for Birmingham is infectious, and his series promises to shine a well-deserved spotlight on this unsung hero of a city. With its unique blend of humor, culture, and exploration, United States of Birmingham is set to captivate audiences and leave them eager to learn more about this incredible city.
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