# Which episode in Michael Palin's travelogues? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 12, 2008, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002 "2008-04-12T04:27:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Satyagrahi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f475e1/32.png) [@Satyagrahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satyagrahi)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002/1 "2008-04-12T04:27:49Z")
I’m looking for a specific incident that was filmed in one of Michael Palin’s travelogue films back in the 80’s and 90’s. I’ve googled around a bit but can’t find a site with enough detail to nail this down for me. First, it could be in Full Circle, the one where he’s traveling around the Pacific. At some point, one of his film crew develops some medical condition where they need to see a doctor. They go to a local doctor who treats the condition by use electric shocks delivered through his hand. When pressed to give demonstrable proof, the doctor holds his hand over a balled-up newspaper and you can see sparks which set the newspaper on fire. Maybe real, maybe not…but I’d like to find the exact series and episode. Can anyone help? ---
**Author:** ![Shamozzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002/2 "2008-04-12T05:29:04Z")
[QUOTE=Satyagrahi] I’m looking for a specific incident that was filmed in one of Michael Palin’s travelogue films back in the 80’s and 90’s. I’ve googled around a bit but can’t find a site with enough detail to nail this down for me. First, it could be in Full Circle, the one where he’s traveling around the Pacific. At some point, one of his film crew develops some medical condition where they need to see a doctor. They go to a local doctor who treats the condition by use electric shocks delivered through his hand. When pressed to give demonstrable proof, the doctor holds his hand over a balled-up newspaper and you can see sparks which set the newspaper on fire. Maybe real, maybe not…but I’d like to find the exact series and episode. Can anyone help? [/QUOTE] Hmmmmm… I recently marathoned my way through every single episode of each of Palin’s travel series and I don’t recall the sequence you have described. I could be wrong though, my lids may have drooped here and there. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002/3 "2008-04-12T13:03:45Z")
Like the other comment, I’ve been on a kick lately, and I’ve watched the one in the Himalayas and the Around the World in 80 Days and I don’t recall that. I haven’t yet gotten to Full Circle, though. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002/4 "2008-04-12T20:27:44Z")
I remember him visiting fake doctors, including the ones that pull “goo” out of you. I never have seen the electricity doctor, however. ---
**Author:** ![Satyagrahi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f475e1/32.png) [@Satyagrahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satyagrahi)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002/5 "2008-04-12T21:23:23Z")
I suppose that it’s possible that I’m misremembering the setting. ☹ Maybe it was someone else traveling through the Indonesian part of the work with a film crew? ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002/6 "2008-04-13T00:41:45Z")
Have you read the wikipedia entries? They have pretty good summaries. I just checked out Full Circle and there’s a reference to “psychic surgery” which doesn’t sound like what you’re looking for, but that’s about it. I didn’t have time to read all the rest, but if you’re curious, you might devote the time to it. > **[Full Circle with Michael Palin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_Circle_with_Michael_Palin)** > > Full Circle with Michael Palin is a 10-part 1997 documentary television series, first broadcast on BBC One in 1997. Presented by Michael Palin, Full Circle was the third of a series of programmes in which Palin made and documented lengthy journeys. The first was Around the World in 80 Days with Michael Palin, a 7-part series first broadcast in 1989, and the second was Pole to Pole with Michael Palin, an 8-part series first broadcast in 1992. > The series documented a 245-day, 50,000-mile (80,00... ---
**Author:** ![Satyagrahi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f475e1/32.png) [@Satyagrahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satyagrahi)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002/7 "2008-04-13T03:07:28Z")
[QUOTE=scout1222] Have you read the wikipedia entries? They have pretty good summaries. I just checked out Full Circle and there’s a reference to “psychic surgery” which doesn’t sound like what you’re looking for, but that’s about it. I didn’t have time to read all the rest, but if you’re curious, you might devote the time to it. > **[Full Circle with Michael Palin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_Circle_with_Michael_Palin)** > > Full Circle with Michael Palin is a 10-part 1997 documentary television series, first broadcast on BBC One from 31 August to 9 November 1997. Presented by Michael Palin, Full Circle was the third of a series of programmes in which Palin made and documented lengthy journeys. The first was Around the World in 80 Days with Michael Palin, a 7-part series first broadcast in 1989, and the second was Pole to Pole with Michael Palin, an 8-part series first broadcast in 1992. > The series documented a 2... [/QUOTE] Yes, I looked at that before I posted here. As you say, it doesn’t sound like what I remember…but then maybe the Wikipedia description isn’t accurate. I plan to hunt down a copy of that episode, just in case. ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002/8 "2008-04-13T03:15:38Z")
I can’t help but think that if Michael Palin had stumbled across a man who could shoot death rays from his hands, British TV would have made more of a fuss over it. ---
**Author:** ![fiddlesticks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddlesticks/32/18129_2.png) [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002/9 "2008-04-13T03:57:31Z")
I’ve got no memory of this either and I’ve seen all three of his travel series… 😕 ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002/10 "2008-04-13T04:34:28Z")
[QUOTE=fiddlesticks] …and I’ve seen all three of his travel series [/QUOTE] He’s done seven travel serieseseses. Around the World In 80 Days Pole to Pole Full Circle Hemingway Adventure Sahara Himalaya New Europe ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002/11 "2008-04-13T15:22:52Z")
I’ve seen the demonstration in question, but I’m not sure if Michael Palin was involved, or if it was even one of his series. You might be confusing it with something else. I found this [Chi Fire Demonstration](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HdvNeZDXbk) on youtube, and I believe this is the same guy, however I also remember seeing this guy (or another) do the same thing in the 90’s on another more contemporary documentary style film (Maybe one of Palin’s series?). This is probably the same guy, but this seems like older footage. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002/12 "2008-04-13T15:27:31Z")
[I believe this is the footage in question, and the Chi Master’s name is John Chang.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77nD5xmL0kU&feature=related) ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002/13 "2008-04-13T15:38:25Z")
A truly amazing [New John Chang video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aos0hnwiHt8&feature=related) ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002/14 "2008-04-13T18:00:26Z")
[QUOTE=devilsknew] A truly amazing [New John Chang video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aos0hnwiHt8&feature=related) [/QUOTE] Sorry, I’m not amazed in the least, but I did find it almost Pythonesque that of the two brothers treated for an eye infection, one wears an eye patch and the other is dead. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002/15 "2008-04-13T18:44:00Z")
[QUOTE=TWDuke] Sorry, I’m not amazed in the least… [/QUOTE] I wonder how he did it? It seemed as if the paper ignited from the bottom, and not from his hands. Maybe some glycerine and potassium permanganate (on different hands) that got mixed in the paper? (But then, it would be mixed on his hands as well…) ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002/16 "2008-04-14T01:37:48Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny L.A.] I wonder how he did it? It seemed as if the paper ignited from the bottom, and not from his hands. Maybe some glycerine and potassium permanganate (on different hands) that got mixed in the paper? (But then, it would be mixed on his hands as well…) [/QUOTE] See, to me it appears as if the fire is starting at the contact point with his hand. If he is arcing enough electricity or chi through his body, he wouldn’t need an accelerant or any type of chemical. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002/17 "2008-04-14T01:54:56Z")
If eels can transmit bio-electrical current at will, why not humans? Perhaps, he has just been able to tap into that bio-potential? ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002/18 "2008-04-14T01:59:01Z")
Electric eels can generate a charge because they have large, highly specialized organs for that purpose. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002/19 "2008-04-14T01:59:58Z")
[QUOTE=devilsknew] If eels can transmit bio-electrical current at will, why not humans? Perhaps, he has just been able to tap into that bio-potential? [/QUOTE] Only electric eels have organs for generating electricity. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002/20 "2008-04-14T02:06:01Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny L.A.] Only electric eels have organs for generating electricity. [/QUOTE] Not only eels… I believe there are some other species that do as well. But if you want to get technical, all life produces electricity, even you. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-episode-in-michael-palins-travelogues/445002.md?page=2)