The Travel Diaries Dom Joly
Mar 31, 2026
Dom Joly, comedian and travel writer who has visited 108 countries and created Trigger Happy TV, joins to recount wide-ranging journeys. He talks about growing up in Lebanon during civil war, discovering dark tourism, surreal visits to North Korea and wellness travel in India. He also shares favourite places, banned-from towns and a bucket-list love for Algeria.
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From Diplomat To Trigger Happy TV
- Dom transitioned from MTV and diplomacy into political TV research and stunts, eventually creating Trigger Happy TV when asked to make comedy 'about nothing'.
- Trigger Happy's rule was simple: if it made him and Sam laugh, they'd use it, leading to huge mainstream success.
Instant Fame Felt Surreal And Ruleless
- Dom describes sudden fame after Trigger Happy TV as disorienting and without a rule book, enjoying being known but struggling with the scale.
- He gives the moment: three people shouted his show's ringtone on a train, marking the instant change.
Skiing In Iran With A Surprise Mix
- For The Dark Tourist Dom skied in Iran where resorts built by the Shah have gender-segregated runs but mixed at the top, leading his guide to joke 'mullahs don't snowboard.'
- He uses quirky details to reveal cultural complexities.
