Zane Lamprey Takes Viewers on an International Pub Crawl

Now that I'm living in Germany, I rely a lot on iTunes for entertainment, which has introduced me to television networks I had not seen before. One of those networks is MOJO HD, a channel that caters to... you guessed it... people with high definition televisions. My husband and I recently acquired an HDTV, but we've paired it with Apple TV and usually use it to watch television shows we purchase on iTunes. And that's how I discovered comedian Zane Lamprey and his hilarious and informative show, Three Sheets. I came across Three Sheets quite innocently. You see, a few months ago, I was looking for free programming and, at that time, the first episodes of each of the existing three seasons of Three Sheets were up for grabs. I've never been one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so I was quick to download those shows and I ended up quickly getting hooked. I'm pleased to pronounce Three Sheets a resounding success in keeping me and my husband entertained.

The premise behind Three Sheets

Three Sheets is a unique show that combines travel with alcohol related customs and gourmet. Zane Lamprey goes to exotic locations around the globe on a quest to find out what the local drinking customs are. He then befriends some of the locals, hangs out with a bartender or two, or visits a beverage factory to learn about each area's most famous libations. Then, he partakes of the alcoholic drinks, usually to apparent excess, though he never seems really drunk on camera. After Lamprey indulges, he finds out what the locals do to cure their hangovers. Sometimes the hangover cures involve eating or drinking something. And sometimes they involve doing something bizarre. No matter what, I have yet to see an episode that hasn't taught me something new and made me laugh in the process.

Where does Zane go?

Zane Lamprey has visited places as seemingly mundane as Kentucky and Las Vegas, as well as exotic locales like Bangkok, Saigon, and Rio. He also travels a fair bit in places all over Europe and the Caribbean. Obviously, Three Sheets is becoming a more popular show, as each of the three seasons have gotten progressively longer. During season one, Zane travelled to eight locales. In season two, he went to ten places. In season three, he's gone three sheets in fourteen locations around the world. So far, I haven't seen him travel to Australia, Africa, or Antarctica. Perhaps season four will have Zane Lamprey hanging out with some Aussies.

What does Zane drink?

Naturally, in Kentucky, Zane drank his fair share of Kentucky bourbon, all the while educating viewers about what bourbon is and how it's made. In Saigon, he enjoyed local beers, as well as a type of liqueur made of snakes. In Scotland, he enjoyed some excellent Scotch, while in the Cognac and Champagne regions of France, he tried cognac and champagne. Oftentimes, Zane tries some of the local food as well. I imagine sometimes a little alcohol makes it easier for him to eat some of the local dishes he discovers. Sometimes, he even plays drinking games with the locals.

How does Zane cure his hangovers?

Hangover cures on this show run the gamut. I've seen Zane try everything from a greasy English breakfast in Gibralter to a dip in a beer bath in the Czech Republic. In Saigon, Zane tried curing his hangover with a haircut and a massage, while in Rio, he tried a rainforest berry called Acai.

What else does this show have going for it?

Besides being interesting and educational, Three Sheets is also very funny. The winsome host, Zane Lamprey, is also a comedian, so he's quick to make jokes, play pranks, and get his crew in on the act. He even carries a little stuffed monkey around with him called Pleepeus, a gift from his wife so that he wouldn't have to ever drink alone. Sometimes a voiceover and cartoon image of the "professor" will appear to give viewers a brief lesson about the many different spirits that are featured on the show. And the show also has a number of inside jokes that are easy to pick up on after an episode or two. I find Zane Lamprey to be a very appealing host. He reminds me a little of Michael Keaton with a dash of Jerry Seinfeld or Billy Crystal, but he also seems like someone I could meet on the street. He comes across as a genuinely fun and friendly person to be around.

Drawbacks to watching Three Sheets...

Obviously, I love this show, but I can see how it wouldn't be appropriate for all audiences. For one thing, watching Three Sheets probably isn't a good choice for children, teenagers, pregnant women or alcoholics. Children and teenagers shouldn't watch because it's a show that is clearly meant for adults. There's adult oriented humor as well as copious amounts of drinking. Pregnant women and alcoholics probably shouldn't watch because this show can make drinking look very attractive. When I watch this show, I often find myself wanting to have a drink myself. What's more, this show sort of glorifies drinking and, to a lesser extent, getting drunk. Obviously, it wouldn't be a good choice of entertainment for those who are offended by alcohol consumption.

Overall...

I love this show. I'm glad it's readily available on iTunes, Amazon.com, and Hulu.com. Additionally, episodes can also be watched on MOJO HD's Web site, or if you're lucky enough to get MOJO HD on your television, you can catch them on the network itself.