Christopher Hitchens - [2004] - Texas: America Supersized

Documentary from 2004 about Hitchens travelling to Texas on the Trio network.

[@geoffcole2962]

As an original Californian who has lived in Texas for almost 20 years, it makes me absurdly happy to watch Christopher Hitchens shopping for cowboy boots and a hat.

[@fredbeach2085]

It`s a wonder how they found a cowboy hat big enough for Hitchens.

[@ebrohman]

Lol Hitch driving a pickup...never thought I'd have seen footage of him driving, let alone a truck.

[@BrettLeMans]

Eric Brohman - where are you from, cousin? :)

[@flatplant]

Oddly I thought the same to myself.

[@JorgeGonzalez-zs4pi]

+Uncle Ben as did I lmfao

[@Reticence9zen924]

Cool seeing two people with the same surnames.

[@shatterdreamz2325]

He looked like he was having trouble driving that truck.

[@troyadams19]

My thoughts as well, every time you turn a corner on KZbin there's another hour worth of Hitchen's you didn't know about.

[@stephenvannattan]

Thanks Christopher. I am delighted you did this before you passed on. As a Texan, I must say, you earned your boots. You made Texas look good, imperfect like any place on earth, but you acted like a friend. I am sorry you did not just settle down and be a neighbor. And, for anyone thinking I am gushing carelessly, I am a Fundamental Bible believer. So, you know I have to mean what I am saying.

[@alessandrotomich9317]

This was a really nice documentary. I miss the Hitch.

[@chestypants78]

@19:39 "Even the non sporty type can still find some consolation." Hitchens with a cheeky grin, surrounded by cheerleaders. My man!

[@forensix78]

I can’t believe I’ve never seen this. There’s so much to miss about Hitch.

[@willknowsright9615]

Christopher Hitchens has such swag

[@Amadeus_2061]

Dear Mr. Hitchens, you would totally hitchslap me for this, but if there's a small chance that you may still exist somewhere out there, then Thank You for everything you have done. Your work is invaluable and you are so missed. This documentary is awesome and it saddens me that you won't be creating any more. RIP.

[@ZachRose88]

Haha I am consistently astonished at the breadth of this man's cultural footprint and equally gratefull to all of those who work to get these videos on youtube. Thank you.

[@losttribe3001]

You KNOW there’s Johnny Walker Black in the truck he’s driving. 🤣😂😆

[@TheEternalOuroboros]

You know Hitch!

[@david-barna]

Rest in peace, Hitch. You were true to reason and rationality to the bitter end. You are, and forever will be one of my greatest intellectual heroes.

[@MrPotatoPro]

I miss him.... :'(

[@glenndez420]

Matthew Cowey Bush? Yeah, I could use a laugh every now and again.

[@MrPotatoPro]

glenndez420 Haha, Bushs' actions could always make people laugh, especially the 500 000 Iraqis killed during the Iraq war....-__- Also no, I was referring to Mr Hitchens.

[@glenndez420]

Matthew Cowey whoosh

[@MrPotatoPro]

***** I shall always reminisce the hitchslap.

[@RoachKai]

As a Hitch fan and Texan I found this incredibly amusing.

[@meowmastr123]

I never even met the guy but I miss him so much. D:

[@AlicedeTocqueville]

I did meet him a few times. He was just as he seems in this video. 😢😢😢

[@hansdegroot652]

I know you cannot not hear me. But I feel so silly I never heard of you before you were gone. The cool thing is I get to watch so many vids of you I missed. Thanks for the good work.

[@avedic]

I love the music in this. I write and record music and am a huge huge fan of the blues and all American music forms. Oddly enough, I also love psychedelic music and modern electronic music. But, there's something so pure and raw and human in the blues. It's the gritty aural personification of human strife and redemption.

[@notcaptain1]

Thank you for uploading this! I thought I'd seen just about all the substantial Hitchens stuff youtube had to offer. This is a new one. Thanks again.

[@tamspence1]

Excellent documentary,and thanks for uploading it.KZbin is a fine medium for learning,and Hitch was a great tutor.

[@pumpstreetsongs4231]

Thank you for uploading this. Fascinating.

[@alex_frijolero]

4:13 "Elephant? That makes me sad" what a guy

[@CryptoChanakya]

This was not about Bush, this was Texas, this was brilliant and insightful as a person who just came here because of Hitchens.

[@wallysmith9162]

It's embarrassing for Americans though. What can you do about tired old stereotypes?

[@CryptoChanakya]

You stick to the truth, no matter what, its price is being the black sheep in the herd or whatever but it doesn't matter, things like these, its about civilization not what someone thinks, its about doing whats right, having a perspective and history will prove those who were right.

[@boogerf3679]

Thank you for the upload !

[@Akumeitakai]

Wow! I hadn't even heard about this! What a find! Thanks so much for uploading!

[@chrissibborn4677]

Loved that! Well done THE HITCHENS ARCHIVE Hitchens at his best.

[@povelvieregg165]

Very nice introduction to Texas by Hitchens. I greatly enjoyed this. This Texan way of life and thinking have always been enigmatic to me. I certainly think the Cowboy movies are cool and enjoy watching movies with these kind of rugged characters. Still it is hard to fathom that there people who take this stuff dead serious. I've visited Texas briefly for two weeks and it is certainly a fascinating state which I'd love to explore more. It is extra intriguing perhaps because my views on life and politics are pretty much 180 degrees of what Texans think.

[@bpaajcisna5595]

I’ve never seen Hitchens be this goofy. It’s endearing seeing him out of his cocktail party element. I say that with all due respect.

[@standswithawinedwb]

Thanks for posting. Hitch rocks.

[@avedic]

Man...there's been so much new Hitch videos uploaded in the past few weeks. Makes me a happy man. I had seen damn near every debate/video of his and it's nice to sit back and watch some new material...with a scotch in one hand and a cigarette in the other, in true honor of Hitch himself. ;) It's funny...I normally don't gel well with people of a cynical curmudgeonly disposition, as Hitch had an element. But...his wit, charm, and intelligence overrides all that in spades, making me a true fan.

[@dougwalters159]

Never thought I'd hear him say "ginormous". :)

[@PaytonFu]

Not often I come across something on youtube about Hitchens I have yet to see, appreciate it. Cheers

[@daimenstephens7883]

thanks for posting mate! nice one...appreciated.

[@1LTPETE]

"I detested all sport at school and I still do."

[@JordyBoothy]

I don't need anybody telling me you're a nutball with a gun, dude. You helped me reach that conclusion all on your own.

[@CandaEH]

***** Pretty sure he's just a nutball.

[@BuppyJam]

Thanks for uploading this, I didn't even know it existed.

[@orth82]

I've actually visited this crazy place many times, but would never watch or enjoy a documentary on the subject were it not for the late great Hitch making it. Thanks so much for sharing this! :)

[@avedic]

This is fascinating. As an American, I've often found Hitch's take on America to be more salient than most..Americans. He had a love for this country, but also was critical when need be. Texas, of course, is indeed America writ large. So, it's fascinating to see his take on the culture. I like that Hitch was not easy to pin down, he was equally liberal and conservative. You couldn't categorize him. As a socially liberal fiscally conservative living in the bible belt of TN, I appreciate Hitch.

[@Staysa001]

Hardworking, self-reliant, courageous and polite.

[@AlphasysNl]

Very interesting. Thanks for uploading.

[@johnandpaul4657]

We need this in HD

[@lucaswheeler5586]

26:35.. The open admission that so many middle and lower class Americans consistently vote against their own economic self interest. Million and Billionaires representing the working class, all under the guise of, "I'm just a working man got lucky." Staggering.

[@itsmylife2624]

'Against their own interests' if their only interests are economic. God forbid a member of the working class takes a principled stand on social and political issues (you know, the sort of things the middle and upper classes pat themselves on the back for doing).

[@georgejackson956]

The whole thing basically reaffirmed why I could never be a Republican. I’m sure many Texans are nice, decent people, but I don’t think I could live there given its politics.

[@spearfisherman308]

define your own interest.

[@kylew.4896]

@@spearfisherman308 the right to collectively bargain? Have access to healthcare? Collect social security? All things republicans are openly against

[@spearfisherman308]

@@kylew.4896 nope not all, secondly some things like higher taxes and certain public programs are not necessarily in the interests of a blue collar worker. Finally public healthcare comes with a giant increase in personal responsibility and a big clamp down on immigration which the left opposed. Also social security is running a deficit that's why someone on the right would oppose especially when you are having it deducted from your paycheck and you will not be able to rely on it because it does not have enough.

[@Sagaciousish]

Too much slide guitar not enough hitch

[@Exileonbackroad]

This music has become such an HBO/Netflix cliche style.

[@reason5591]

👍Agreed👍

[@undeadfornow]

Happy He did these.

[@shawndimery]

Never seen or heard of this! And as a die hard Hitch fan im a little ashamed... Thank you for the upload! Subscribed.

[@dirgemarksman6048]

Another fantastic work by CH, and another comment section full of people tearing it to shreds with their desire to generalize and hate.

[@Wildfan-sg3fh]

Larry McMurtry summed up Bush perfectly.

[@KajiCarson]

What an amazing doc - doesn't brainlessly glorify, doesn't insultingly smear. Classic Hitchens. Can't wait to visit the Alamo sometime soon! Long live Texas!

[@lyndapierson6338]

what a terrible loss. never did hear him live

[@TonyTheSamurai]

so incredibly hyped to see linklater in this hitch doco!

[@UmbrellaTier]

Hitchens picking out his western wear is the cutest thing I've ever seen.

[@thedolphin5428]

Total parody and irony.

[@Betelgeuseification]

This docu is just the best!

[@MJASW]

I really appreciate his use of the word 'ginormous'.

[@BroadwayJosh]

This was excellent, and as a native born Texan myself (now a Missourian), I wholeheartedly agree with Larry McMurty that "George Bush is the worst president in my life." I sorely miss Christopher Hitchens...

[@1997CWR]

19:35 was brilliant

[@saxongreen78]

Being his typical chick magnet self.

[@Silverhand290]

Sport without a motor is a lot less fun than sex without a woman. At least you can use your imagination and think up a better woman than your ever goin to find. Maybe a

[@staninjapan07]

Wow. I am really not sure what to make of that video. It seems on one hand to be utterly contradictory to Mr. Hitchens's usual approach and stance, but he seemed so at home with so much of what he saw, and the praise for Baby Bush, now that was like a kick in the face. Well, perhaps there's just too much I don't know about both Texas and Mr. Hitchens. Thanks for a thought-provoking video.

[@pauleverest]

This is journalism at its finest.

[@poiutrew]

Yeah, and from what I've heard of the era, the cowboys' lives weren't anywhere near as romantic as everyone seems to envisage. They worked for pittance, which was usually spent shortly after hitting the destination and they tended to die very young from ill health and fatigue. Gun fights were a rarity. It sounds like pure nostalgia.

[@viggosthrone]

In my humble opinion as a typical social-democrat European, Texas is a fascinating place worth a visit. Never been there yet, but I will some day.

[@SUpersaiyajinjerkbag]

Texas is boring. It's not as bad as the commentors here say it is; but any of it's "virtues" are more than negated by smugness and bad weather. Also, the cultural capitals of Texas are Dallas and Houston (don't listen to anybody who says it's Austin; Austin is more or less the most overrated city in the country)

[@bananaman0011223344]

Amazing seeing a Hitchens video that is new!!!

[@mervinprone]

Never thought I’d see Hitchens driving a pickup truck

[@kiyoty9486]

i miss him to

[@TORLBC]

RIP Hitch, one of the figures who drove me to irreligion (let's call it that)...good ole' Texas and their devotion to militarism, guns, and 'Murca

[@manusha1349]

My beautiful Hitch ❤ how I miss him!

[@JLebowskiii]

Hitchens was one of the few people that shaped my life views.

[@Teutoburg09]

There is one thing about Texas that a lot of people don't understand that brings clarity to his interview with the black cowboy and the Hispanic border patrol agents. He found it hard to reconcile the fact that they are not white and possibly not Republicans, yet they are fully enfranchised Texans, and also the fact that so many Hispanics voted for Bush. The reason is that Texans feel a greater affinity toward each other, regardless of race or political party than they do toward non-Texans of the same race and party.

[@hallerd]

you're right

[@ricardomontalban6004]

Sounds isolationist.

[@kiwitrainguy]

Texans: "Secession here we come."

[@slop123456789]

Slide guitar music starts to get grating at around the 20 minute mark

[@MagnificentFiend]

Thanks!

[@topatpatterson]

really enjoyed this

[@lylecosmopolite]

Much of Texas talk is myth making, rewritten history, boyish bragging for grown ups. The reality is more complex. For starters, Texas is not monolithic. Texas AAs are one thing, Latinos are another, and whites are fragmented: old Texans, post WWII Yankee migrants, Germans, Czechs. Topography and climate vary. East Texas is southern pine country with torrential rains and poor soils. South Texas is Latino poverty. Houston is curiously untouched by southern evangelical religiosity. Texas is surprisingly Roman Catholic, starting with its Latinos. You'd never know it from the mythology, but cattle ranching was usually hard work for a modest income. (Larry McMurtry grew up in near poverty.) Texas west of the balcones escarpment is different from Texas east of it. When I lived in Texas 30 years ago, survey after survey, to my surprise, revealed that only 25% of Texans identified as conservative. What I noticed about Texas was a great respect for the private sector and entrepreneurship. I was told that in northeast Texas, there are 3 levels of social clubs for businessmen: one for cotton growers, one for cattlemen, and one for oilmen. Prestige was inversely correlated with actual wealth, but positively correlated with how many generations old the money was. I repeatedly heard the term "oilfield trash". Texas was proud if riding on the IT wagon: Texas Instruments, Compaq, Dell. Probably the most important IT technology is the integrated circuit: it was invented in Dallas by Jack Kirby working for Texas Instruments. I suppose that a new level of social clubs will have to be created for IT billionaires.

[@RossetaStoned91]

b24harman Don't be an ass, I enjoyed reading all of it.

[@iantryan]

b24harman I enjoyed it as well; your comment is the one wasting space..

[@GT90ford]

The TV and Movie industry has exploded in Texas over the past several years, and as for electronics, the Silicon Prairie has a giant foothold, all this likely due to no state taxes. The problem is, the Left are coming in with them.

[@lylecosmopolite]

IBM's Austin facility had 7000 employees 35-40 years ago. Dell and Compaq computers began in Texas. Texas Instruments isn't much heard of any more, but was a mover and shaker, 1955-1990. Texas has a 6.5% sales tax, and property taxes. Texas property taxes are high, not so much because the dollar amount is high, but as a percent of the price of the typical house. Property taxes are high because Texas houses are cheap. The Left is already in Texas. First, recall Molly Ivins and Glenn Yarborough. Then note that Dallas, Houston and San Antonio all voted for Obama.

[@corradojohnsopranojr.9426]

b24harman Nobody cares that you have ADHD

[@boonestead4812]

theres a new sheriff in town and his name is hitch lol

[@slipknot95maggot]

Interesting indeed... I echo the appreciation for the upload

[@STM1066]

Hitch was known for his strongly held beliefs, and yet he’s able to interview all these various people with vastly different beliefs, without even coming off as even slightly judgmental. Imagine a journalist doing that in 2022…

[@roybecker492]

Can you please put more adds on this video? I just love it when a video gets interrupted over 6 times.

[@dappleben7223]

I've lived in Texas all but 3 years of my life and I've been many other places inside and outside of the United States, and I can tell you Texas is one of the most ignorant places I've ever been.

[@needicecream100]

That last line is just so sweet. Boom!

[@Idolcruisefix]

sooooooo tolerant and full of endurance, love and understanding, compassion and empathy.

[@skiphoffenflaven8004]

Anti-intellectualism...key term, main priority. It's a lone star problem. And I am a huge Hitchens fan.

[@mihkelbaat]

"It's a lone star problem" Well, now "anti-intellectualism" is a White House problem :D Woe to the world...

[@NatCo-Supremacist]

@@mihkelbaat haha get it guyz drumpf it le stupid haha get it? please tell me you understand please laugh god please

[@brandonhobratschk5079]

Even those of us that are highly educated and have travelled the globe. Got it. Judgmental ass.

[@dasadopeboy]

ozzy will piss on anything, what a legend

[@user-xh7bg1kc7c]

he's too good. such a voice

[@josephyoung6749]

That obscenely prominent horse-nay at 47:44 is fucking hilarious... (gallops away via stuntman) "The wilderness may have been suburbanized, but there is no conquering the wasteland within."

[@socalbio1]

I am half way through this video and am fighting nausea every second. Texas, please leave the union and stop embarrassing not only the U.S., but the universe!!

[@salinferno]

"I detested all sport in school, and I still do." ... and here's a segment, anyway. Love Hitch.

[@jamieorourke767]

Detested?🤣

[@malvolio01]

Love me some Christopher Hutchins.

[@Phil_Mitchell]

Me too, Hutchins was a legend!

[@fjoo]

wish hitch had done a documentary on everything. all topics imaginable.

[@thinkagain9457]

Used to live there - could not wait to leave. Big egos caught up in their own bullshit.

[@adnanbashir5115]

Texas has the second largest economy in the United States behind California, and it is growing at a faster pace than California; in fact, Texas has one of the highest economic growth rates in the country, which is remarkable given the already large base size of the economy. Texas also has the highest population growth rate from in-migration. Texas is a world leader in energy, aerospace, nanotechnology, and healthcare research (think Houston). As much as people like to hate on Texas, the fact is that in the not-so-distant future, Texas will be the richest and most powerful state of the United States.

[@St99785]

If you weren’t such a humongous dipshit, then you’d maybe have known that the predominant migration in-country has been to the state of Texas. The majority of California residents moving out of state have been moving to Texas. Furthermore, there is no oil apocalypse, nor would it even matter, anyway, as the state economy is diverse, and with a gross domestic product slightly higher than the entire nation of South Korea, which would place it right among the top 10 in the world, by it’s lonesome. At this pace, it is indeed very possible they can overtake California at some point in the future. Did I also mention you’re a humongous dipshit?

[@TheClassicWorld]

Well, at least part of Texas is, indeed, extremist, in terms of Christianity and otherwise. It's one of the worst capital punishment states, not just in America, but in the world. It has one of the worst prison systems in the world and more prisoners than most countries. Not to mention, the educational system is terrible and one of the worst in America and far down the list worldwide. Yes?

[@TheClassicWorld]

You mean 'energy destroyer'? America uses more energy and damages the planet and its creatures just about more than any other country in the world. What good is this? And, you say 'power and riches' in the same breath like it's inherently a good thing...

[@markheggeland]

this whole video just reinforces my theory that christopher hitchens lived one of the most interesting lives ever.

[@RaspySquares]

Hitchens...driving 10 and 2. Never fails.

[@kiwitrainguy]

Maybe because he knew he was being filmed.

[@akshayrathore2882]

documentary wasn't much different from 'Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan'

[@headrockbeats]

Fewer hairy naked asses.

[@scottleft3672]

you've waited YEARS to throw that one.

[@KayCeesFinest]

@@headrockbeats far fewer ... i much prefer this hairass-lessness version

[@CaptainCalculus]

"Jesus was a cowboy..." perhaps the most American thing ever said.

[@zenzombie72]

Good, fair documentary.

[@jonathancaulk8748]

ROFL -- Hitch singing this while driving a pickup: "So all of Texas will know, and remember the Alamo!"

[@carpetfarmer]

Julian Castro is now mayor of San Antonio ... ugh..

[@Feroal2]

Tom Servo and now a presidential candidate! Hahah such a joke

[@cronistamundano8189]

the guy that sing "and we keep out kids away from mexico" goes on a diatribe of how tolerating and inclusive of other societies the cowboy culture really is. I cant stop laughing at that bit.

[@jamieorourke767]

He's right

[@insight827]

It’s very funny

[@MTread545]

9:24, i went there a few years ago, it's pretty damn cool to have stood where Hitch has stood

[@latricheapantin1824]

A well written and interesting documentary....

[@sipo70]

Whats with the twangy slide guitar music? Is it really necessary to make this video?

[@MRCKify]

+sipo70 I know, I'm surprised Hitch didn't make a comment on how kitch and hand-holding the ending music was. Why not let the commentary stand on it's own merit?

[@thedolphin5428]

It's an intentional cliché.

[@drstrangelove09]

"eye-rack" hate that

[@ricardomontalban6004]

Sem eye

[@netjunkie9]

Never thought I'd hear Christopher Hitchens use the word "ginormous".

[@netjunkie9]

Because you don't expect to hear it from an educated man.

[@ScinLaeca358]

I agree - I HATE that word. It's as if you heard him say "totes mcgoats."

[@salektonlxiv35]

netjunkie9- no shit, right?

[@Eltae42]

Thanks that was very interesting. My first visit to America in '82 was to Dallas. Notice Hitch avoided the Book Depository . Interestingly he credited LBJ with bringing water and electricity to deprived areas.