TV Critics Tour: McGregor Hits The Road Again in ‘Long Way Down’
New Fox Reality Series Takes Viewers From Scotland to Africa
By Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 7/11/2008 10:04:00 AM MT
Beverly Hills, Calif.—Movie star Ewan McGregor said he found an Africa that was very different from the dangerous place depicted in the news as he traversed the continent filming Long Way Down, a travel adventure show that will debut on the Fox Reality Channel on Aug. 2.
Like his previous motorcycle trek series Long Way Round, following McGregor on a motorcycle trek across Europe, Russia and North America, this series shows the star and friend Charley Boorman cycling from Scotland to the tip of Africa.
McGregor told TV critics he met people who were “quite negative” about traveling to Africa, but 98% of the time the mates met “fantastic people” on their adventure. The actor added that “sometimes the poorest people are the ones who are the most generous.”
He enthused about touring by motorcycle, noting that traveling on a motorcycle exposes you to the elements, so people you pass feel they must look after you; and you’re already in the environment you’re visiting, without the protection or barrier of a car.
And the accident-prone cyclist added, “And you can't fall off a car.”
After each of the treks, McGregor and the rest of those involved with the trips use the programs to promote auctions which raise money for UNICEF, The Children's Hospice of Scotland and Riders for Health.
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