Stand Up, dude! Gip and Miki start in a '70s motorhome from Los Angeles, cruising through the Western states, and heading south to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. It's a 6-month journey, connecting with people who've got a real reason to stand up.
The show was broadcast by Sky Italy in 2005/2006.
Gip and Miki embark on an exciting road trip from Sacramento to San Diego, immersing themselves in the vibrant skate, surf, and cultural scenes of California. They embrace unexpected adventures, making their journey a thrilling exploration of the Golden State's ever-evolving landscapes.
Gip and Miki explore LA and meet Chris, a spider and scorpion enthusiast. A spider bite sends Miki to the hospital while Gip enjoys a Dodgers game. Miki recovers and steps into the boxing ring, thanks to Larry and Kenneth. They also attend a World Surfing Championship event in Huntington Beach.
Embarking on a musical journey in Los Angeles, Gip and Miki encounter legends like Ozzy Osbourne and Phil Collins. A quirky star search leads them to Rodney Bingenheimer, opening doors to the music world. Under his guidance, they morph into rockstars, culminating in an epic night at the Key Club.
Captivated by the Suicide Girls social phenomenon, Gip delves into it, only to find it's mostly a spectacle. He and Miki then continue their punk-rock journey, traversing the Grand Canyon to reach Burning Man in Black Rock Desert to experience a week of indelible moments in a surreal atmosphere.
In a unique episode of Stand Up, Gip leaves Miki and Tommy B in charge for the first half. Gip rejoins in Tijuana for Mexican Independence Day. The initial part involves Miki and Tommy B creating a mock-fiction where Tommy B dies, and Miki heads to Mexico to deal with the situation.
Venturing into the heart of Mexico, the duo explores its rich culture, from mysticism to unexpected encounters. A Miss Thailand pageant, a daring rodeo in Guadalajara, and moments of contemplation on life's unpredictability. In Frisco, a bike trickster memory turns into an unexpected, tranquil loss.
Arriving in Los Mochis, Gip and Miki dedicate an episode to showing how they manage their money wisely. They encounter Pechocho, a clever dolphin, visit a bat cave with no luck, and confront the Mayor over misleading guidebook information. A journey on the Chihuahua Express train takes them to the Tarahumara territory, with Ana Guevara guiding them to the Tarahumara shaman. Gip and Miki discreetly begin their quest for the shaman.
Gip and Miki continue their Barranca del Cobre journey, meeting Tarahumara people and the shaman. They explore the contrast between their simple lives and ours. In Puerto Escondido, influenced by an iconic film, Italians flock in search of utopia. Interviews uncover the community's reality, including the tragic story of Claudio, an Italian expat. The duo moves on to Acapulco, renowned for its cliff divers, and secures an exclusive interview with the divers.
In the state of Sinaloa, Mexico, renowned for the notorious Sinaloa cartel, Gip and Miki find themselves thrust into an exhilarating escapade at the nation's largest cockfighting farm. The journey takes a wildlife turn as they explore Mazatlan's vibrant aquarium. Here, they cross paths with the globally acclaimed marine biologist Jose Alberto Varron, who passionately imparts his wisdom on the tireless crusade to safeguard endangered sea turtles.
Gip and Miki enter Guatemala, unaware of Hurricane Katrina's 2005 impact. They explore a hippie community and encounter the legacy of their parents' choices. Mechanical issues stall their motorhome in an unlikely location, while the episode ends with a story of the "masked surfer".
Stand Up delves into Mayan rituals at Copan ruins near the Guatemala-Honduras border. Gip and Miki explore pelota, sacrifices, and Maya substances. Later, they navigate Costa Rican forests via canopy tours, then attend the Longboard World Championship at Playa Zicatela.
Playa Negra, they embrace a simpler life of surfing, sunsets, and camaraderie. Crossing into Nicaragua, they meet Manlio Grillo, a fugitive with a compelling story. Sky replaces their exclusive interview with a segment on marijuana legalization. The episode unravels unique perspectives on life's intricacies.
The final Stand Up episode drops some never-before-seen backstage moments from their journey. From Miki's Las Vegas wedding (a 10-hour disaster) to a tribute to Dario Di Cesare, an extraordinary friend lost in a tragic Los Angeles motorcycle accident on May 11, 2006.
