Going Places: Ireland

"Annoying Americans Visiting Ireland" would have been a more accurate title for this excruciating video. In this tape we follow five Americans as they separately tour the Republic of Eire: a Michael-Bolton-esque Sensitive Guy, two senior citizens from New York, and two contestants for the Rose of Tralee beauty pageant. All of which begs the obvious question: Shouldn't "armchair travel" focus on the actual land and people being visited, as opposed to the American Tourist's reactions? Watching this video is like being on a group tour with no one that you like: the New Yorkers whine about local cuisine and state the obvious (an ancient stone fort "was built for some purpose"). You want to cut off Sensitive Guy's red lovelock before he arranges it over his shoulder one more time, and you aren't sorry when one of the Rose of Tralee contestants doesn't win because of her violin playing (to which we're unfortunately subjected). Despite the excellent production values, not even a true lover of the Auld Sod could stomach this video -- blood sausage is a sight tastier. Not recommended. (R. Reagan)