The Pat Kenny Show Michael Palin on his new book ‘Michael Palin in Venezuela’
11 snips
Nov 7, 2025 
Michael Palin, the iconic Monty Python member and veteran travel presenter, chats about his new book 'Michael Palin in Venezuela'. He shares insights into Venezuela's stunning landscapes and the political challenges overshadowing them. Palin reflects on his journey to country number 100 and the impact of Chávez's social reforms. He discusses the fears of students under surveillance and the massive Venezuelan diaspora. Additionally, he shares unique stories about rugby's role in rehabilitation and unfulfilled tourism potential in the country.
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Country Number 100
- Michael Palin marked Venezuela as his 100th country because he counts overnight stays.
- He keeps a personal list and treats the milestone with wry amusement.
From Boom To Collapse
- Venezuela was once a booming capitalist success with strong international links, especially in oil.
- Palin explains Chávez shifted the model left and economic mismanagement and oil price falls later caused collapse.
Stopped By Armed Intelligence
- Palin describes being prevented from filming a statue in Chávez's birthplace by heavily armed intelligence agents.
- He found the security measures excessive and personally intrusive, down to photographing his socks.
