A Course Called Ireland review: Bill Murray leaves no cliche unbothered in this schmaltzy Oirish tour
A review of Bill Murray's travelogue 'A Course Called Ireland' criticizes the show for relying on tired stereotypes and a lack of genuine connection with the Irish people. The reviewer suggests the program feels condescending and out of touch.
Why it matters
This highlights ongoing cultural tensions regarding how international media portrays local identities and the potential for celebrity-led travel content to feel exploitative.
A few things have been lost in translation as Bill Murray touches down in the old sod for his toe-curling, golf-themed travelogue, A Course Called Ireland ( BBC One, Friday 10.40pm). It really is the worst possible case of Groundhog Day as Murray and his British production crew set off on a tour of the country, filling up their bingo card of musty stereotypes and condescending chestnuts as they go.
No cliche is left unbothered. Faux-trad diddly-dee muzak, the strategic deployment of the word “feck” in a script that clearly did not come within light years of an actual Irish person, and jokes about the Irish and their quirky patois (look at how they spell “Cove” as “Cobh”, lol)… it’s not quite EastEnders go to Wicklow and meet a donkey but it’s not all that far removed either.
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