TV Tonight: Rob and Romesh Vs… sees the comedians take on Bowling in the USA

Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan are back for one final adventure in the current series of Rob and Romesh Vs…, as the Celebrity Traitors favourites take on the rather unexpected world of competitive ten-pin bowling.

The comedians return to Sky One tonight at 9pm for the fourth and final episode of the series, titled Bowling USA.

Having already tackled Kung Fu, the supernatural and the Tour de France, the pair are heading to America to discover whether they have what it takes to become competitive bowlers.

Unfortunately, while Rob and Romesh are usually confident when it comes to taking on new challenges, their latest adventure proves that knocking down a few pins is not quite as easy as it looks.

What happens in Rob and Romesh Vs… Bowling USA?

In tonight’s episode, Rob and Romesh travel to the United States to immerse themselves in the world of competitive ten-pin bowling.

Romesh is well aware that physical challenges and himself rarely make a particularly successful combination. However, something genuinely extraordinary happens when the pair first try out their bowling skills at an alley in Charlotte, North Carolina.

For a brief moment, it looks as though Romesh might actually have discovered an unexpected talent.

Sadly, things go downhill from there, with plenty of balls finding their way into the gutter rather than knocking down the pins.

The comedians are taken under the wing of professional bowler Kyle Troup, who attempts to turn them into serious competitors.

The pair receive expert coaching as they prepare to take part in an Underground Bowling Association tournament, but there are plenty of distractions along the way.

They discover that the bowling balls are scented, which naturally provides plenty of opportunities for the duo’s trademark jokes.

There is also the small matter of choosing bowling nicknames.

Rob comes up with one so rude that it would apparently be inappropriate even if overheard at a stag night.

With their training underway, the question is whether the comedians can put the jokes aside long enough to master the sport and make a decent impression in the competition.

Who helps Rob and Romesh with their bowling challenge?

The pair are introduced to the Troup family, a professional bowling dynasty with considerable experience in the sport.

The family is led by Guppy Troup, a Pro Bowlers Association Hall of Fame member, who helps Rob and Romesh understand what it takes to compete at a serious level.

Professional bowler Kyle Troup also provides coaching as the comedians attempt to improve their technique.

After their intensive training, the pair head to Atlanta, Georgia, where they take part in the UBA Civil War, the Underground Bowling Association’s televised competition event.

It is a considerably more serious environment than their initial attempts at the bowling alley, and the comedians will need to demonstrate that they have learned something from their expert tuition.

What have Rob and Romesh done in series 9?

The ninth series of Rob and Romesh Vs… has seen the comedians travel around the world, taking on some unusual challenges and meeting experts from a variety of different backgrounds.

Tonight’s bowling adventure brings the current run of episodes to a close, following three very different trips.

Episode 1 – Rob and Romesh Vs Kung Fu

The series began with Rob and Romesh travelling to China to learn the ancient art of Kung Fu.

For Romesh, it was a particularly exciting adventure, as martial arts had been a childhood passion.

The pair headed to Hong Kong, where they trained with Paco Yick, a professional stuntman who has worked with martial arts legend Jet Li.

They also visited the famous Shaolin Monastery to learn more about the history and traditions of the discipline.

Their training culminated in an opportunity to put their new skills to the test by performing in the Shaolin Zen Music Ritual, one of Shaolin’s biggest martial arts shows.

Episode 2 – Rob and Romesh Vs Tour de France

For their next challenge, the comedians headed to Paris after receiving an invitation to take part in the iconic final stage of the Tour de France.

They were given the opportunity to race against legendary British cyclist Sir Mark Cavendish.

Rob and Romesh were joined by fellow comedians and friends Josh Widdicombe and Tom Davis, forming their own peloton as they prepared for the challenge.

Even with a head start, competing against professional cycling talent was never going to be straightforward.

Episode 3 – Rob and Romesh Vs The Supernatural in New Orleans

The third instalment took a suitably spooky turn as the comedians travelled to New Orleans for a Halloween-themed investigation into the supernatural.

Turning themselves into amateur Ghostbusters, they immersed themselves in the city’s paranormal community.

Their adventures included ghost hunts and encounters with people who claim to be real-life vampires.

The pair also attempted to make contact with the dead, with Romesh particularly interested in reaching his musical hero, the Notorious B.I.G.

Whether they managed to establish contact was another matter entirely.

Episode 4 – Rob and Romesh Vs Bowling USA

For the final episode, the comedians swap ghost hunting and martial arts for bowling shoes and scented bowling balls.

With help from the Troup family and professional bowler Kyle Troup, they attempt to develop the skills needed to compete in the Underground Bowling Association.

Their journey takes them from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Atlanta, Georgia, where they face the challenge of the UBA Civil War tournament.

It is the perfect opportunity for one last dose of their familiar comedy and competitive spirit before the series comes to an end.

Who joins Rob and Romesh in series 9?

As usual, Rob and Romesh have not been left to tackle their challenges entirely alone.

Throughout the series, they have received help from a number of experts and familiar faces, including:

• Paco Yick – Professional stuntman and trainer of Jet Li, who helped the comedians with their Kung Fu adventure.
• Josh Widdicombe – Comedian and Rob Beckett’s podcast co-host, who joined the pair for their cycling challenge.
• The Troup Family – A professional bowling family dynasty who introduce Rob and Romesh to the competitive bowling world.
• Sir Mark Cavendish – Legendary cyclist who put the comedians to the test during their Tour de France adventure.

Their contributions have helped make this another varied series, with Rob and Romesh experiencing everything from traditional martial arts to competitive sport.

How to watch Rob and Romesh Vs… tonight

The final episode of Rob and Romesh Vs… series 9, titled Bowling USA, airs tonight at 9pm on Sky One.

Viewers can also watch the series through NOW, with episodes available to stream.

After four very different adventures, Rob and Romesh are finishing the series with a trip into the competitive world of American bowling.

But while they might have picked up a few skills from their expert trainers, their scented bowling balls and questionable nicknames suggest that the comedy is unlikely to be taking a back seat.

And if Romesh’s early bowling success is anything to go by, there could yet be a surprise in store.

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