Daisy Does America - Gold Star

Sorry if this is a bit behind the times for you, but I have just discovered Daisy Does America on Living TV2. The title is reminiscent of a badly scripted pornographic film. But honestly, this is family viewing; that is, if your family is not American and doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Daisy Donovan says in the intro that she has big American dreams. In order to realize these dreams, she attempts to break into stereotypically ultra-American pursuits. Among other things, she tries becoming a bounty hunter, a rapper, a dog handler, a beauty queen, and a wedding planner. These people take themselves and their ventures very seriously, and just can't tell when Daisy isn't doing the same.

Daisy’s earnest expressions and reverence for her mentors endear her to each group she infiltrates, but the underlying derision goes over their heads. Daisy doesn’t directly mock or make fools of anyone. They do it themselves, but in the most innocent and passionate of ways. It's funny and oddly endearing.

For example, Daisy enlists the help of a young beauty pageant star and her mother to prepare Daisy for her upcoming pageant debut. Both mother and daughter really want to help Daisy win, even if she never expects pageant glory. They ask Daisy if she has a routine for the talent competition. By her face, it’s obvious she doesn’t, but she says she does. Daisy gets marching and Britney Spears music-video dancing about the living room, which was comical in and of itself.

Even funnier however, is that the mum says it isn’t bad. By her face, you can see this isn't entirely true. But she sets about helping Daisy to refine the steps and arm movements, just refining, not changing. So pageant routines are meant to be look ridiculously cheesy? I actually laughed out loud watching this scene, which is a major accomplishment for any show. My reactions to on screen humour tend more toward smiles or light chuckles at best. Curiosity piqued, the rest of the family had to come see what I was watching.


Turns out, it’s not my partner’s sort of show. If you are, like he is, someone who gets embarrassed for people on television, you may not want to watch. While appearing to embarrass herself, Daisy points to the most ridiculous aspects of each career she tries. While the premise of the show is rather Ali G in nature, the delivery is all Daisy Donovan. The show isn't scripted, so the laughs are all natural.

Although I've been living in the UK for a few years now, I’m a Canadian who grew up with American television and culture colouring my identity. Maybe that's why I am partial to the brand of humour in this show. Daisy pokes fun at the extremes of American culture, while embracing them at the same time. Sort of like a Canadian.

To Americans, the humour in Daisy Does America may be a bit too British, or perhaps too close to the bone to bring about any really deep belly laughs. It may look like bad docu-drama, but it’s all genuinely good-natured ribbing. Daisy obviously does like America and Americans, even while she makes us laugh at some of the oddest the nation has to offer. The rap episode particularly shows how much she wants to successfully integrate and how well received she is by her hosts.

For Americans who haven’t seen the show, give it a try, and just remember she does love you. For everyone else, tune in, and see what I think is the funniest thing on television. Hey, she’s not laughing at you or me.