Great American Railroad Journeys: Monterey to Los Angeles
09:00 am - 10:00 am, Sunday, June 14 on U&Yesterday (27)
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About this Broadcast
Monterey to Los Angeles
Season 3, Episode 1
Michael Portillo continues through southern California aboard the Coast Starlight rail service. In the port of Monterey, he discovers the city's Spanish and Mexican heritage, before heading to Paso de Robles, where he tours Hearst Castle, dream home of the newspaper baron, William Randolph Hearst. In the hills of Morro Bay, Michael joins avocado farmer, Jim Shanley, amid his 4,000 avocado trees to harvest the pears and learn how to make guacamole. Arriving in Los Angeles, Michael heads for the Warner Brothers studio, founded on Sunset Boulevard
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16x9
Education/Science/Factual Topics
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Did You Know..
Michael Portillo
(Presenter)
Born:
May 26, 1953
in
Bushey, Hertfordshire
Best Known For:
Losing his parliamentary seat in 1997.
Early-life:
Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo was born in north London on May 26, 1953. He is the son of Luis (an exiled Spanish republican) and Scotland-born teacher Cora. As a child he wanted to become an actor, and appeared in a TV advert for Ribena. After attending Harrow County School for Boys, Michael went on to graduate from Cambridge with a first class degree in history and worked at a shipping company for a year. In 1976, he moved to the Conservative Research Department, where he spent three years. He worked for various government ministers until 1983.
Career:
Portillo entered the House of Commons in 1984 as the MP for Enfield Southgate following the murder of the previous incumbent, Sir Anthony Berry, in the IRA bombing of Brighton's Grand Hotel. He was a minister for 11 years and held three positions in the Cabinet, including Secretary of State for Defence. In 1997, he was one of many Tory MPs who lost their seats at the general election that saw Labour sweep to power. He returned to the Commons between 2000 and 2005, becoming Shadow Chancellor. However, his decision to leave politics led to a new career as a political pundit and a TV presenter, fronting documentaries on subjects as diverse as the death penalty, the railways and composer Wagner.
Quote:
On losing his Enfield seat in 1997: 'Well it was certainly a great opportunity to return to normal life.'
Trivia:
Portillo has been married to Carolyn Eadie since 1982.
Dave Minchin
(Director)
Alison Kreps
(Series producer)
