How to Start Your Own Country
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| How to Start Your Own Country | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Created by | Danny Wallace |
| Presented by | Danny Wallace |
| Theme music composer | Banks & Wag |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom, Kingdom of Lovely |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Garfield Kennedy Julian Pearson |
| Producer | Lee Philips |
| Production location | London |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production company | Leafstorm Ltd. |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC Two |
| Original release | 3 August – 6 September 2005 |
| Chronology | |
| Related | Are You Dave Gorman? |
How To Start Your Own Country is a six-part BBC Television documentary comedy series aired between August and September 2005. The show was presented by British writer/comedian Danny Wallace and followed his quest to start his own country in his flat in Bow, London. The micronation he created was eventually named the "Kingdom of Lovely".
The series was released on DVD in the UK on 18 June 2007.
Episodes
"Birth of a Nation"
Danny investigates territory for his new country, starting by visiting Sealand. He also meets Erwin Strauss and Dennis Hope, a man who claims to own the Moon. He "invades" Eel Pie Island but leaves after the police are called. He makes friends with a General of the British Army. He eventually decides upon the area of his flat as the territory and makes a declaration of independence, which he gives to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
"Citizens Required"
With the help of an advertising agency, Wallace chooses a design for the flag of his country. He records a national anthem, which is played during his interview on Iain Lee's LBC show.
"For King and Country"
Danny Wallace meets the SAS (Second Amendment Sisters) and meets the King of Fusa. He also goes to the Principality of Seborga.
"State of a Nation"
Wallace visits two very different 'utopian' communities, the planned town of Celebration which maintains its pleasantness through strict rules and regulations, and the anarchic self-governing neighborhood of Christiania. He also speaks to a Catholic Cardinal about the role of religion in society and Sheriff Joe Arpaio about law and order.
A somber visit to death row and an interview with the death row chief John George leads him to decide against the death penalty in his country.
"The Bank of Danny"
When he struggles to pay his electricity bill, Wallace begins to kick-start his country's economy. He investigates the National Debt, with advice from former Chancellor of the Exchequer Kenneth Clarke. He designs his own currency, the IOU (Interdependent Occupational Unit), which he shows to Andrew Bailey, the Chief Cashier at the Bank of England. He also discovers the Principality of New Utopia and interviews the UK Pro Consul, Tony Nicodemous. He applies for international aid, and fails, due to the wealth of his citizens.
"The United Nations"
Wallace attempts to enter the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 in Athens with a song called "Stop the Muggin', Start the Huggin'".
In an attempt to officially become a country, he travels to New York to try to win the support of the United Nations. The lack of territory lets him down.
This final episode ends with a gathering of citizens in Leicester Square, where Wallace reveals that the country is to be called "Lovely."
Citizen TV
A show called Citizen TV, also presented by Danny Wallace, was shown to digital viewers after each episode, giving news and discussions about the country.
See also
References
External links
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This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at How to Start Your Own Country. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. |