Watch History channel’s “Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy” to see Kansas Boy Scouts and Venturers

Update (11:30 a.m. June 30): The episode, “Larry Beefs Up,” is now available for download on iTunes. Click here for the $1.99 SD version or here for the $2.99 HD version.

“It’s not every day you get to teach a comedian to tie a sheepshank,” said Boy Scout Colin Goodman.

True. But then again, it’s not every day your Scout troop gets featured on national TV.

Nothing was typical last December when the History channel stopped by Naish Scout Reservation to film a segment for its show “Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy.”

Scouts and Scouters who are familiar with Larry the Cable Guy know one thing: He certainly isn’t your typical comedian. His wears jeans and flannel shirt, speaks with a Southern accent, and frequently utters his catchphrase “Git-R-Done!” He’s probably best known for his role on the Blue Collar Comedy Tour (or for playing “Mater” in Cars and Cars 2).

Some might even say the funnyman symbolizes our country in his own unique way. That’s why his latest project, “Only in America,” fits.

On the show, he crosses the country in search of experiences that are uniquely American. So far, he’s visited a gator-infested swamp, checked out the country’s biggest truck stop, joined a gospel choir, and much more.

But as Scouters know, no tour of Americana is complete without the Boy Scouts of America.

Colin and 40 other Kansas-area Scouts and Venturers showed Larry all about wilderness survival, outdoor cooking, rappelling, pioneering, rock climbing, and more. It was all peppered with Larry’s unique irreverence and wit.

The episode, which features a 15-minute segment on Troop 201 and Venturing Crew 2085, premiered on Tuesday, June 28.

Pilgrim Television & Films, which also produces “Dirty Jobs” and “Top Shot,” spent more than a month planning the Boy Scout segment, a process that included meetings with the Heart of America Council, local Scouts, and adult volunteers.

The producers wanted to show the excitement and adventure the BSA has brought to young men and women for more than 100 years.

The shoot ended up taking 12 hours, but the long day was worth it for the Scouts. In addition to meeting Larry the Cable Guy, the guys completed Cinematography merit badge after getting a firsthand look at big-time TV production. Larry even signed the Scouts’ merit badge cards as their official counselor.

And how did Larry enjoy his brief immersion into Scouting?

“I believe that America is the greatest country on the face of the Earth. Scouting, both the kids and adult volunteers, is part of what make us great. It is not as easy as I thought to be a Scout, particularly in the programs for older teenage boys and girls,” he said. “Heck, I think it was easier filming the segments with the Marines and Navy then it was trying to keep up with these Venturers and their high adventure. These Scouts really Git-R-Done!”

(Photo by Eric Weingrad. Used with permission)


About Bryan Wendell 3282 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.