Dhani's Blog
Horseback Riding in England
Out of all the crazy things to do in England I end up horse back riding on a fox (drag) hunt. Now I can tell you this, my sister had a horse and I took care of the horse. I love horse back riding, and when I get finished with everything, whatever or whenever that might be, I will live on a ranch and will take care of horses, cows, sheep and chickens, if I must. I love the farm life, there is something about being out there in the countryside, you and your horse.
Coming up next, England, Rugby (the pilot - first episode we shot). This was our first chance to make a dent in history, I like to call it. Not sure what exactly is the amazing feat but I consider it groundbreaking, critically acclaimed, smash hit (HBO, sorry). How many black men have you seen host a travel show? I'll tell you, I haven't seen any, not that that's a big deal, but I think about it sometimes and it makes me go the extra distance. These are changing times, and if you get a chance to do something different and new, do it.
So back to this horse and the great English outdoors. Remember how I said this was a chance to take, a new experience, groundbreaking. Well, to break that ground I pushed the envelope. I said my sister had a horse and I helped take care of it. I even rode the horse a lot, but I never jumped it. And so came the time during the fox hunt that I had the opportunity to make a smash hit. I didn't want to jump, but this English chap kept telling me, "it will make good for television." So I jump, fell, got stepped on, but I survived and lived to write about it. Later that day I called the GM of the Travel Channel, Pat Younge, and said, "I told you I'd do whatever it takes to get this show." Needless to say, we were approved for nine more episodes (two you have seen already), and I went on to do even more insane activities. Sometimes you just have to take a chance.
Posted by: Dhani Jones
Sweet! I can't wait to see this episode! And I think it is a beautiful and inspiring site for african americans to see someone that looks like them traveling the globe. And to give them a taste of what is out there waiting for them, if they choose to step outside of their world.
is it monday yet? i can't wait for this episode!
Dhani,
Even though you can't expect to defeat the absurdity of the world, you must make that attempt. That's morality, that's religion. That's art. That's life.
Dhani, can't wait to see it! But you definitely need to get back on the ice for hockey.
Your slap shot effort was weak!! Hola at me if you want the practice.
Dhani--
The fact that you not only go to these places, but go the extra mile to immerse yourself in their culture, is what makes the show great. I couldn't believe you ate all those bugs in Thailand! Thanks for the show; I'm hooked.
Peace
Ty @ The Lions in Winter
Thanks for the "ANTEDATE" Riding in Europe!
ANTICIPATION - for the Renaisance Man oooh!! Monday @ 9:00 p.m. on the Travel Channel! Will check it out and keep it real and JOCOSE! Take Care from a viewer that is a JEWEL!
Dhani, Dhani, Dhani;
These are changing times indeed. You, my friend are doing a fantastic job tackling the globe. I love the show and I wish you nothing, but THE BEST. Plus, got to love a versatile brother!!!
Can't wait to see you ridding, teaching us something new and inevitably making us laugh. Man, you are full of charisma. We want more of you and your fabulous show!
Ciao,
Taryn Cabase
P.S. I will be attending the TCA in July in Washington D.C. woo-hoo me!
I love it man! You're doing a great thing for travelers all over the world. Combining sports with travel has peaked the interest of even the most mundane minds on the planet. Keep up the good work, and good luck!
Dhani, I enjoy watching your show. I surprised that the Bengals are letting you do this. I mean the rough stuff, like rugby, wrestling. The milking the cow was pretty funny. Looking forward to next week's show.
Woo! ok Dhani this is the episode with the horse. I know your ok now, but it's really going to be hard to watch that scene. Also you know how when your show comes on and your naming different parts of the world, well when you say who the ?@#@$ wants to go to Antarctica? I always say "you do". You'll be there in that cold water too trying to swim. Lol! Oh! and if someone said all you have to do to meet Dhani is eat some of those same bugs he and Mr. Pitts ate, all i could say is pass the bread and hot sauce.=) I do enjoy your show Dhani. When you go back to NewZealand, that's when i book my flight. However bungie jumping is not the type of @#$%% black people do either man. Take Care! CK, GA.
What more could anyone ask for? Beauty, brains, bow ties and now I find out that you like horses? Be still my heart. Can't wait for tonight's episode and I will for once NOT be totally focused on the horse...
Dhani, your future on television is real bright man. Even your commercial for New Zealand was entertaining. Hope to see you whoop some rugby *** today!
Good job man and take care of your self this season(football).
Wanna see you on TV man!
Looking forward to tonight's episode! Cheerio!
Also, can't wait to see the Jai Lai episode. Went with my grandfather when I was a kid to 'bet' on the event somewhere in Florida! Curious to see your take on it!
Dhani, as an Eagles fan I loved seeing you on the field, but I must admit that watching you on travel channel is even more fun. It's wonderful to see such a talented, refined gentleman such as yourself as a representative of African-Americans for the rest of the world. Growing up Asian-American, I know a lot of my family members back in the "old country" had some pretty messed up assumptions about African-Americans but I'm sure watching this show will set them straight. You're doing more good with this show than you might think.
Hey, you can ride and jump for over 20 years like I have, and still eat some dirt on the hunt field! Thanks for a great show!
Dhani, my husband and watch your show. He never really watched the travel channel until we saw you on there. Keep up the good work. You and Anthony's shows are the best shows on the travel channel. Represent!!!!
TT
I am enjoying each of these shows dhani! you are really doing a great job by educating us about all these countries and their pastimes...thank you!
I have been glued to the TV for every episode. I love how you go into these sports really wanting to win, not just trying to make good TV. I must say while I love watching you play sports, my favorite part of today's episode was you in that fresh tailored suit. WHOOOOO!!! Thanks Travel Channel!!!
i sure hope you do more than 9 more episodes!!! I look forward to your show every week!
Excellent show and your view on life and the world is amazing. I watch the show with my three year old and I let him know that when you need an athlete to look up to, nay a person to look up to, look no further than Dhani Jones.
Just caught the show and it's the best one yet! You REALLY look like you enjoyed yourself in this episode. You were SO funny and were a real trooper with all the drinking and carousing on top of a grueling training schedule. I look forward to seeing the rest of the season. You have truly made me a believer in the "bow-tie guy". Love ya Dhani!
Mr. Jones
You got a great thing going here, best show on the travel channel along with Bourdain. Keep knockin them down and puttin them out and my wife and I will be watchin. Best of luck.
I really enjoyed tonights show in London. Now you know what real football is. I am now a regular fan and I also got my daugther interested. I hope you had some Guiness before you left, if not we have alot in Flatbush ( Brooklyn). I think we drink more Guiness than they do in Ireland. Once again I really enjoyed. Keep up the good work.
Last night's episode was awesome, can't wait for next week!
Dhani, as usual, the show was off the hook! I hated that you fell off of the horse, but you maintained your cool (on camera at least). Loved how you looked in that suit and those rugby shorts!
Yes Dhani,
That fall was awful. Youtube made it seem like you were good. However last night showed that you really were hurt. You needed to get wasted at that club to forget all the pain you were in. Glad you had a driver also when you guys left. It was a good example for the younger people watching. The show was great overall. That suit was fire!!! Take care Dhani. CK
Dhani,
It takes a big man to take a fall (off a horse) and get back up!!! GREAT show!!! Interesting, unique, engaging, entertaining, beautiful to watch and places you visit are awesome as well! ;) Can't wait for the next show~
t.
This show is the best new show on the Travel Channel. It's a great concept, and Dhani has the personality and charisma to make it interesting!
I can't wait to see the rest of the episodes....
I love this show! I like watching a humorous, hot guy experience new cultures. I'll definitely keep watching to see what happens next!
Dhani,
I'm loving you! You've got a great TV personality, sense of humor, smile and do a great job of keeping it REAL! Your expletives are quite entertaining! :-) In the future I would love to see you "tackle" some old school roller skates! Yes, some of us still roll...check out www.skategroove.com or videos on www.jivebiscuit.com. Be well and best wishes on a bright future.
I loved the show. Your sense of humour and talents a rare combonation. Keep up the good work of entertaining and teaching us. Thanks
Oh, I forgot, I took up rugby at age 44, broke my leg in 2 places the practice before my 1st game. Liked the drinking though.
Caught an episode last night on replay and had to TIVO right away. I'm so excited to see a brother do something different, with great commentary and good sense of humor. Thank you for making me chuckle. I'll continue to watch!
YOU R VERY INTELLEGENT STRONG SEXXY AND ADVENTUROUS LIKE ME I PLAN 2 TRAVEL SOME THIS YEAR AND EXPLORE EXOTIC ANIMALS SO IF U COULD EMAIL ME SUM TIPS I WOULD APPRECIATE IT BABE. GOOD LUCK ON YOUR JOURNEY
Great show. I thought it would be mainly the sports which would have been just fine for me, but it also has so much other aspects of the countries. And Dhani, you've got the perfect attitude to travel. Open to trying things.
I started watching your show this past Monday. I watched the reruns of the show in the afternoon and then I watched the new episode(England)in the evening. I am hooked. Not only are you gorgeous, but you are intelligent and down to earth.I love to see someone who understands what it means to truly live in the moment and emerse themselves in a culture. Traveling is something that I have always wanted to do, but can't afford. I hope one day to see the world with my own eyes rather than through the media. Great Job, I don't think you'll have a problem getting fans:)
I'm sorry to say but my favorite scene of you in England was when you fell off of the horse! Its eye catching to see such a macho guy on a horse.
Hey All. If anyone else is in love with this show as I am we need to try to expand its audience base. I took a crack at editing Dhani's wikipedia page to include info about episodes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhani_Jones
I have no idea if its ratings are good or not, but if you care about this show please spread the word. Thanks - SJ
Dhani - My fiance and I are huge fans of your show!! We are going on our Honeymoon and think it would be awesome if you were in the countries we visit at the same time! We will be in Zurich 5/18 - 5/19 and then island hopping in Greece 5/19 - 5/30. What are the chances of you planning to be there the same time?!?! Huge fans and we hope there is another season!
Dhani,
As an ex-pat Limey living in the U.S. I've just watched with great enjoyment your rugby adventure in England. Great television. Top show, top man.
The England episode is one of the most entertaining television shows I have ever watched.
Well done, sir, well done.
I can't believe your producers convinced you to jump a fence on a horse. That was hilarious! Deserves an Emmy.
Hey man watched the England episode with lots interest because I play rugby. I believe if you honest with yourself you'll admit that rugby is tougher
than football. Besides the obvious no helmets no (hard)pads we play for 80 minutes yall only play for 60 minutes. We play both offence and
defence during that period no time outs no breaks. In football you have offence, defence special teams and timeouts. Fellas make one good run and
have to go on the side for oxygen. Each player in rugby has a greater set of skills. Man our kickers are thougher than yall defensive ends.
In football you dont even tackle properly you just run into someone and throw your body. You dont wrap and bring the opposition to the gorund
(in most instances) only sometime you tackle properly. You had on every pad legal in rugby which most rugby player refuse to wear. Inconclusion
dont forget American football Comes from Rugby. Why you think yall call it a touch down? Because in rugby we actually touch the ball down to score.
But over all I really enjoyed the episode great show keep up the good work!!
Hey Dhani, try to throw some darts. It's not the most physical sport but you have to have patience and a strady hand. Go back to England and ask for Phil Taylor to throw against. You will have a challenge.
I like the show, especially how you get ready and prepare for the challenges. You have a great work ethic.
love your show. especially how you get into the culture. keep up the good work.
I have found my soulmate...too late! I am in complete and total tove with this man. He presents such a complete oppisite image of what the world see of African-American men. Stay on the grind Dhani!
Dhani Jones, I love your show I am soooo glad they selected you to tackle the globe, how amazing. I really really wish you would consider being on Dancing With the Stars, i would love to see you on that show, anyone with me on this one???? thanks Dhani for this great new series!!! when are you gonna do Roman Greco Wrestling in GREECE!!!!!?????
A few thoughts about the rugby episode:
First, I thought Dhani represented not only himself but all Americans with poise and intelligence. Let's face it, American football gets a bad rap from rugby fans who claim their sport is tougher. They make a few valid points (no pads, offense and defense, etc.), but the speed and brute force contact of American football are greater. The pads and helmets allow for full-speed head-to-head collisions, which would be deadly without the gear.
From a fan's perspective, I believe that American football is a more dynamic game, though I appreciate both sports. Of course, one will always be drawn to what one grows up watching. I like the passion of rugby fans, and I agree that some of the American football sideshows (cheerleaders, marching bands, etc.) are over-the-top and make the sport look foolish to the outsider.
Overall, I believe the average NFL player would more easily adapt to rugby than the other way around. I appreciated Dhani's straightforward and candid response at the end of the episode when he was asked which sport he thought was more difficult. In that crowd, in that situation, he could've easily lied.
Cheers to you, Dhani. Great show.
You were sooooo funny on the horse & when you fell it was hilarious. I got my sisters watching. I love the show & to see a HOT, intelligent African-Amercian experiene new places & cultures is what we need. And I would love to see Dhani on Dancing With the Stars.
Loved your show esp. That you tried rugby in England. As far as I'm concerned both American football and rugby are tough sports in their own way. However, when you get to Sydney, Australia you've got to try Rugby League which is a whole different version of rugby. It has that explosiveness of NFL you described in the show. After that go south to Melbourne, Australia to try out Aussie Rules Football its real wacky and strange form of football...should be fun man.
You rock!
lol @ Hars talk about few valid points. You barely made one speed and force come on, the only reason it might seem that way is the noise pads and helmet make. Both are tough sports and yes I did grow up watching football. Wouldn't wanna play it though you basically only get to do one thing. You either throw the ball or you catch it or your only job it to tackle someone. With a roster of obout 50 players just ridiculous. But to each his own I actually like football (Dolphin fan) and love fantasy football.
I would give it to you rugby is an easy game to pick and play but hard to master. And some football player would adapt to rugby easier than the other way around. But rugby players are fitter. Just watch a game man garentee you see blood.
But you know the reason why America had to go change things was because they sucked at rugby and couldn't compete. The only reason yall dont promote rugby is because of yall pride. Man yall barely pormote the most popular sport in the world (soccer) because yall or no good at it. Dont take me wrong I'm not anti American but you know yall have the arogance to you. Yall cant even win baseball no more how sad is that.
You're amazing! What a great show, and your attitude is wonderful. Plus you're very funny!
Sounds like a perfect plan!
Dhani- you rock. saw your show last night in the Basque region. as one who lived in australia, your Aussie Rules episode is the one i am looking forward too. I look forward to your take on the game. many Aussies i know say it is harder than the NFL becuase of the conditioning and hard hits with no pads. i would always ask them how they think a facemask feels in the gut or forearm. that a helmet is used as a weapon. your thoughts.
I like the segment while in London when you went to visit Oswald Boateng's clothing store. His suits are hot!!!
Growing up Asian-American, I know a lot of my family members back in the "old country" had some pretty messed up assumptions about African-Americans but I'm sure watching this show will set them straight.
And eating Rinder Meat. Thats my favorite in the restaurants of Helsinki.