CNN puts a new spin on travel documentaries: multiple hosts
CNN is testing a new formula for the original documentary series it has shown regularly for the past decade.
Since the 2013 launch of ‘Parts Unknown’, led by Anthony Bourdain, the Warner Bros. Discovery-backed outlet unveiled a series of travel stories built around everyone from Lisa Ling and W. Kamau Bell to Morgan Spurlock and Mike Rowe. Each personality guided viewers on a specialized journey through interesting communities or specific geographic regions.
In 2025, a new CNN series will rely on multiple hosts, each given one of six episodes to take viewers to a place that brings them joy.
“My Happy Place,” which is expected to join CNN’s slate of originals next year, is in production under the auspices of the network and Boardwalk Pictures, a studio that specializes in nonfiction programming and has worked on series for Hulu, Netflix and others.
In each episode, a different host takes viewers to what is billed as a “personally meaningful place in their lives.” The roster of hosts includes Alan Cumming; Taraji P. Henson; Simu Liu; Billy Porter; Octavia Spencer; and Questlove In May, Amy Entelis, CNN’s executive vice president of talent. CNN Originals and creative development, narrated Variety she planned to “rebuild” a slate, albeit with costs in mind.
“CNN Originals has a long history of premium, host-led travel programming that our audiences have come to know and love,” Entelis said in a statement. “’My Happy Place’ is a fresh take on the genre, with iconic personalities guiding our viewers on these revealing journeys.”
Using multiple hosts for a single series means that the real star of the show is the format, not the actor or personality talking about it. Should CNN choose to renew “Happy Place” for multiple cycles, it presumably wouldn’t have to worry as much about paying to keep a central star in place. The network also plans to launch a new travelogue series helmed by Eva Longoria, which will see the actor and producer explore Spain.
“My Happy Place” will “highlight some incredible destinations and explore what makes them so unique and special,” said Andrew Fried, founder and CEO of Boardwalk Pictures, in a statement.
Executive producers for “My Happy Place” are Andrew Fried, Jamie Granet Bederman, Sarina Roma and Jane Yusim for Boardwalk Pictures, along with Amy Entelis, Lyle Gamm and Katie Hinman for CNN Original Series. Showrunner Alexandra Lowry is executive producer.
