How the States Got Their Shapes

2010

Seasons & Episodes

  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
8.2| TV-PG| en| More Info
Released: 06 April 2010 Canceled
Producted By: Half Yard Productions
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website: http://www.history.com/shows/how-the-states-got-their-shapes
Info

The show deals with how the various states of the United States established their borders, but also delves into other aspects of U.S. history, including failed states, proposed new states, and the local culture and character of various U.S. states. It thus deals with the "shapes" of the states in a metaphorical sense as well as a literal sense. The show format follows Unger as he travels to various locations, and interviews local people, visits important historical and cultural sites, and provides commentary from behind the wheel of his car as he drives from location to location. Interspersed with these segments are brief historical synopses by notable U.S. historians.

Genre

Documentary

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How the States Got Their Shapes (2010) is now streaming with subscription on Prime Video

Director

Production Companies

Half Yard Productions

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How the States Got Their Shapes Audience Reviews

Raetsonwe Redundant and unnecessary.
Glimmerubro It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.
Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.
Orla Zuniga It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review
jason-leonidas1984 The first season was amazing, I loved it. Something very strange happened in the second season though, it adopted a cheesy game show type style and VERY centralized around the Midwest. Every episode in the second season seems to have something to do with the Midwest. What about the other states? Yeah, they are mentioned but not explored in depth. I've heard them talk about Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, etc., what about Oregon, Washington, Montana? Hell, California has only been features once or twice. Maybe the boarders are more interesting in the Midwest but you could still talk about the other states more. Maybe I'm wrong and have missed something but it just seems like the producer of the show loves the great lakes area.
MartinHafer Over the years, I have noticed that fewer and fewer of the shows on The History Channel actually have much to do directly with history. Shows about truckers in Alaska, whether Jesus was a space alien, the sex lives of pygmies and the like have become commonplace. However, it's a nice breath of fresh air when I see shows on the channel like "How the States Got Their Shape"--a show that is historical, through and through. However, I don't just love this series because of its historical basis but for two other important reasons. First, it is very, very interesting and quirky. I really think if the average history-hating person would allow themselves to watch the show, they would not only learn something but be entertained. Second, the host, Brian Unger, is great. He's handsome and well-muscled but also non-threatening and cute. My daughter thinks he's precious but I like him because he's not a pretty-boy and has a great, natural style. Well worth seeing and very well made.
funwithstardestroyers When I first heard about this series, I was excited for many reasons. One reason was that it was actually something that involved history on The History Channel. It seems that for the last few years, The History Channel has pursued a policy of forsaking almost anything that has to do with history in favor of stupid, unoriginal reality shows, "ancient aliens" and other things that just don't belong on a channel about history.Another reason is that, each of our states have such a rich, deep history that's unique to every single state. It's good to learn about that kind of thing. I mean, it's our own country for cryin' out loud! We should want to learn more about it! A show that teaches us that is okay with me.Not only is the show educational, but it's entertaining. We follow Mr. Unger as he visits all fifty states and along the way he'll visit some interesting sites (some that have been almost forgotten), speak to some experts and even talk to the residents of the various states where he asks them questions about their own state, as well as others.The quest goes far beyond geography, because the show explores the deep history and eccentricities of each state, such as the battle over BBQ, the different accents around our country and other cultural differences. It even shows us some states that were lost, such as Franklin and Deseret.If you've ever seen and enjoyed Stephen Fry's America, you'd enjoy this as well. If you've never seen either, you'd still enjoy this, because it's a deep, but fun look at the history of our country.
balefulregards When we sit down to watch television as a family, we choose documentaries. In addition, we are Americans living in Canada so it is important for us that our daughter (now 13, moved here when she was not quite 8) get some American History in addition to the Canadian and Quebecois history she gets in school.I downloaded the first episode to gauge her reaction and interest. To my delight, she immediately requested I download the rest of the series.Told in a fun conversational style, and using some footage that I am pretty sure was part of "The Story of US" , it takes you through different angles of just how the United States ended up looking the way it looks. To Date we have seen the first three covering how Water, Transportation and Forces of Nature have impacted the shapes of the United States. In between the segments, I have shared stories about where I was born (Wheeling West Virgina) as well as being a little girl in Jacksonville North Carolina in the early 1970's with no air conditioning in sight - something that seems almost inconceivable today.Listen, when you can hook a 13 year old and get her to ask for More? You are doing something right.