Rog & Davo's Guide To Russia

Rog & Davo's Guide To Russia is a unique exploration of the 2018 FIFA World Cup host country, delivered with a hearty dose of wit, insight, and the delightful camaraderie of its two hosts, Roger Bennett and Michael Davies, fondly known as 'Rog' and 'Davo.' Broadcasted by NBC Sports and aired in the summer of 2018, the show takes the audience on a captivating journey across Russia, and its rich cultural tapestry, while doubling down as a tribute to the global football festival.

From the hustle and bustle of Moscow to the majestic landscapes of Siberia, Rog & Davo's Guide To Russia captures the soul of the world's largest country, aided by the perfect duo of football-loving British expats now living in the United States. Both Rog and Davo take the audience on a football-themed odyssey that unfurls the Russian landscape inside and out, mixing travelogue, history, culture, food, and football with entertaining chemistry.

The show is unique in many ways, including its exclusion of the common studio format for sports’ shows. It employs a more immersive experience, focusing on the real stories and settings in Russia, beyond the stadiums and the matches. Bennett and Davies set out on a rich and vibrant adventure, sharing their on-the-ground experience with viewers and revealing the many sides of Russia that are often overlooked.

Throughout the series, viewers will become oriented with Russia's diverse regions, each presenting its unique charms. You’ll witness the architectural grandeur of metropolises like Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and the raw beauty of off-the-beaten-track destinations like Kazan and Samara, among others. Viewers get to see the metropolis glitter of Moscow, the austere beauty of Red Square and the Kremlin, the moving episode in Stalingrad - where one of history's bloodiest battles was fought, the Tatar heritage in Kazan, and the mind-boggling expanse of the Siberian steppe.

Rog and Davo are perfectly matched as guides, combining a depth of knowledge about the sport and its history, with a propensity for banter and quips that keep things light and entertaining. As presented by Bennett and Davies, Russia emerges as a land of contrasts, full of rich history, infused with a love for football, yet wrestling constantly with modern-day realities. They also navigate political complexities, unpicking tough topics with intelligence and humor while remaining focused on the passion and spectacle that is the World Cup.

One of the highlights of Rog & Davo's Guide To Russia is the way the show captures football's impacts at a grassroots level. The hosts interact with local football fans, celebrities, and even ordinary Russians who bear little interest in the sport. Through these encounters, the program paints a vivid portrait not just of Russia's football culture but also of its vast social and cultural landscape, thus providing a more nuanced understanding of the country's World Cup experience.

Each episode in the show generates not just an appreciation for the upcoming matches, teams and players but also a fascination with getting to know a country as grand and complex as Russia. The duo's infectious passion, palpable camaraderie, and effortless humor make it a remarkably pleasant watch, whether you're a football nerd, a travel enthusiast, or someone with a curiosity for cultures around the world.

Rog & Davo's Guide To Russia, therefore, is not just a one-note guide to the 2018 World Cup in Russia. It's a uniquely engaging blend of travelogue, cultural commentary, and sports journalism that humanizes both the country hosting the World Cup and the global sporting event itself. It's a testament to football's immense power to connect and unite people from all over the world, a testament to the incredible diversity and beauty of Russia, and most importantly, a testament to the joyous, comedic genius of sports commentators who understand that football – and the passion it inspires – is about so much more than what happens on the pitch.