-You know, Pamela Anderson?

-I know who she is.

-You know, she was in "Baywatch", the show about the sort of -- -Yeah, big... and a big smile.

-Big boobs.

One time she came to Club Cumming.

It was a night when everyone was singing songs and everything.

And they said to her, "Would you like to sing a song?"

And she went, "No, but I'll run across the stage in slow motion if you like."

-[ Laughs ] Oh, bless her.

-I know.

Isn't that the sweetest thing ever?

Against all good sense, Miriam Margolyes and I have reunited for another road trip.

-Ah-choo!

-And having wheeled her around the best of Scotland... -I bet you sometimes wish I was Joanna Lumley.

-Oh.

Oh, my God/ They're right there.

-...and caught up with some wonderful old friends... -She's very lewd, this woman.

[ Laughter ] -Alan Cumming and I are now sharing another chapter in our lives as actors in America.

-Shall we hit the road?

But this leg of the journey is all about new experiences.

I am taking you, Miriam, to a drug den.

-Smell it.

-I mean, I have worn a harness in my life.

-Oh, my goodness.

-I think you look like Sophia Loren.

[ Laughs ] -After so many years away, I'm more than ready to dive back in.

-The question is, Miriam, are they ready for you?

-[Bleep] off!

[ Both laugh ] ♪ -Miriam and I have been on the road together for two weeks, and that means you find out all kinds of stuff.

-I've got to get some better knickers because I've had these a while and I buy all my knickers in Amsterdam.

-[ Laughs ] What?

Why?

-Because I like a firm gusset and no elastic 'round the leg.

-I've seen your knickers... -I'm sorry that you've had to go through that.

They only come in the white color, and Heather dyes them for me.

-She does?

-Yeah.

-That's so lovely.

We started our West Coast adventure in L.A. and the coastal suburb of Santa Monica before heading north to Santa Barbara.

Now we're going south to the agricultural heartland, rich in vineyards, fruit trees, vegetables, and a crop that probably isn't part of your weekly shop.

-Now where are you taking me?

-I am taking you, Miriam, to a drug den.

-I heard the rumor.

-No, we're going to -- [ Laughs ] Don't be alarmed.

-Well, you know I'm a virgin, don't you?

-You never had any drugs of any kind?

-No, never.

-I am going to open your horizons.

-Now, Alan, I lived through the '60s without taking drugs.

I don't need to be led astray now.

-We're going to do a pot farm.

-And it's a plant.

It's something that you grow like carrots, right?

-Yes.

So it used to be, in a lot of places, it was for medicinal purposes.

And I think this would be good for you and all your sore back and everything.

-All my aches and pains, yeah.

-Yeah.

Really, seriously, I think it could be a great thing.

So there's two things.

There's CBD, which is the one that doesn't get you high, but it has the great healing qualities.

-I call that Central Business District.

-Central Business District.

Right, so CBD -- Central Business District... -Is okay.

-...is okay.

It's the healing, the medical marijuana, the sort of balms, tinctures, potions, gummies.

And THC, that's the one that can make you high.

California was the first state to allow medicinal cannabis use back in 1996.

Today, cannabis is legal for both medicinal and adult recreational use.

I think of marijuana as like gay marriage because When it started in some states, everyone was like, "How dare they?"

Then they were like, "Oh, we can make a lot of money out of this."

-You can't but this in England, can you?

-No.

No.

-Well, I don't want to get hooked on it in America, and then go mental in England.

-You won't get hooked.

Don't worry, Miriam.

They won't notice the difference.

Ooh, I smell weed.

Can you smell it?

-Yeah.

-That's weed.

-Oh.

-We're driving through the Carpinteria Valley, once known as the flower basket of the nation.

But now, flower and plant nurseries have been converted into cannabis farms, making it the densest concentration of cannabis production in the whole of the US.

-Are you ready to get stoned, Lala?

Come on up.

-Well, I'm not ready to get stoned, but I'm ready to learn.

-There we are.

Learn to get stoned.

-Alan's youthful excitement is admirable, but I'm yet to be convinced.

You go first.

You're the junkie.

-Oh, my God.

How dare you?

-Leading me into corruption.

When I go through this door... -You will feel no pain.

-Are you sure?

-Yes.

-Okay.

[ Laughs ] Bye.

-Ooh.

[ Chuckles ] Check this out.

-Wow.

-I give you weed.

Sorry, you can't come in.

You can't come in.

That's it.

-Hello.

-Hi, welcome.

-Welcome.

-Well, welcome to Autumn Brands.

-Thank you.

-So I'm the Autumn part of it.

And then Hannah's the Brand part of it.

I have three partners.

Their last name is Brand, hence Autumn Brands.

-Autumn and Hannah run a family farm, and one of the first female owned cannabis businesses in California.

-I do not want to get high, and that is very important.

I'm an old lady of slightly severe aspect.

-I'll say.

[ Laughter ] -And I don't want to go doolally you know, so... -But I think there could be lots of things -- She's got back pain and things.

I think it could be lots... -There's actually a lot of products now that have THC that you can put on your skin and it won't get you high.

-But the cannabis plant is made up of many, many compounds.

You know, all of these interact with your body in a different way.

Our bodies actually have the endocannabinoid system.

And so we actually do make our own cannabinoids that are similar to THC.

-Make their own cabana noise.

-Cabana noise.

-It's a hard word to say.

So there's hundreds of these actually in the cannabis plant and they all provide different benefits to us.

-Strikes me looking at all of them is how beautiful the plant is.

-I love a plant.

-And as as Professor Sprout from "Harry Potter" days... -I present you with this bouquet, Miriam.

Aren't they lovely?

-But isn't that lovely.

-Are you two pot users?

-Yes.

I'm a very strong believer in cannabis.

I have been for many, many years.

I mean, I love everything about this plant and the products that do get you high, but I love this one that doesn't get you high, and it works.

So the different CBD helps with inflammation, but THC really helps with pain relief.

And so that's why having the combo, not just the CBD kind of topical, but a really THC/CBD blend really is what's going to help you.

-At 81 and someone with long term health issues, I'm not sure that cannabis is the answer to my problems.

-Guys, I'm really hot.

I'm just going to take my shirt off.

-Yeah.

-It is quite warm.

[ Laughter ] -I like it.

-Look.

Do you see it?

-Alan's obviously a fibber, but I'm willing to give anything a go once.

-I am going to make you put a hairnet on.

-Oh, I'm happy with hairnets.

-Okay.

-I used to work in a marmalade factory.

-What?

-Really?

-Yeah.

-When did this happen?

-When I left school.

-I thought you were an encyclopedia salesperson.

-Well, I've done many things in my time.

And now I can add cannabis factory worker to my resume.

-So this is where all of the product gets trimmed.

-Oh, we wear gloves.

-Yes.

-It's just like being in the marmalade factory.

-So in here is a bud, and you take your flower, and you cut off all the leaves.

Should look like this.

-Right.

Like that.

-Bud, bud, bud.

How are you doing, Miriam?

-I'm rubbish at it.

-I'm just so scared of wasting any weed.

-I think the professionals should show us how it's meant to be done.

-So this is Kata.

She's been with us for over four years now.

-You're so fast.

-That's incredible.

-So this is a very highly skilled... -[ Speaking Italian ] -You see how she's rotating it as she's going?

-Yes, I see.

-There you go.

You did it.

-Boom.

Nailed it.

-Woo-hoo!

-I thought... -Nailed it?

You didn't bloody nail it.

-[ Laughs ] -He nailed it?

You missed a bud.

-Do you think she'll make it in the trim room?

-So-so?

-Buono o no buono?

-No, no, no, no.

-No buono.

-Muchas gracias.

-I do feel I've learned, and I don't feel so anti.

It's for good.

This is for good.

-Is it me, or is Miriam a lot more relaxed than usual?

Maybe there's something in the air.

-Do you want to see the last step?

-Yes.

-Yes, very much so.

Adios.

Adios.

-So this is the finished product, and you can smell it.

-She was never seen again.

-[ Laughs ] -It's a bit like spinach, actually.

-The smell?

-It's the first time I've heard spinach.

-Yeah.

-Well, we can tick that one off the bucket list.

I'm so happy that you liked that, Miriam, and you've changed your ideas a bit, haven't you?

-Yes, because I couldn't see that it has medicinal properties.

-And even, I sort of think -- Like, you know, the thing that some people say, "I have a glass of wine, it relaxes me, blah, blah, blah"?

So does having a little puff of a joint.

It doesn't make you go and do crazy things.

It just makes you -- It chills you out.

-Well, that may be true in California, but back in Britain, we just say no.

Eh, kids?

-Now we're heading to one of California's 800 registered cannabis dispensaries to see what we can find to ease Miriam's aches and pains.

And then we're going to go to a dispensary and see... -Yes.

-...get you hooked up with some stuff for your arthritis and stuff.

Is it arthritis?

-Well it's everything I've got arthritis and I've got spinal stenosis.

-What does that mean?

-It means that there's a narrowing of the spinal cord, and it's pressing on a nerve.

-Ouch.

-Believe me, "ouch" is right.

-California's numerous cannabis dispensaries sell their products to anyone over the age of 21.

-And with a look and feel of a very posh pharmacy, I'm keen to see what they sell to help my aging body.

-Hello.

-Hello.

Welcome.

How can I help you today?

-My young friend here would like something to help with her pain situation.

-See, I get arthritis in my joints.

-Oh, my husband has that as well.

So what we usually wind up doing is we do a 3 to 1 ratio, three CBD to one THC.

-I don't want any THC.

-You have to have some.

-It's non transdermal, so it doesn't go into your bloodstream.

You won't get high or feel what they call... -I don't want to get high.

If anything, I want to get low.

-This is an oil.

-So you just put rubbing oil on your sore bits.

-Now, if I get into trouble when I get to the UK, you are going to be for the high jump.

-I will come and rescue you.

[ Laughter ] -That's good.

So, nourishing muscle and joint salt and a concentrated CBD oil.

Nice one, Miriam.

-Now deal with my friend.

I'll take that.

Thank you.

-Absolutely.

-We won't be taking this home.

We might get strip searched at the airport.

But for the here and now, I feel I also deserve a little soothing treat.

-The Autumn Brand again.

-That's where we were today.

How powerful a thing is it?

-I mean, it's good.

-What are you going to it for, though, Michael?

If you feel a bit strung up and anxious?

-Well, kind of.

So, for instance, where I live, I take care of my mom.

She's 72.

-Good boy.

-Yes, absolutely.

And, you know, it wears on you.

-So when you feel a little bit... just kind of frazzled... -It's kind of like an unwinding feeling.

-It unwinds you?

-Yeah, it does.

And it's just kind of like -- [ Sighs ] -Maybe I'll buy this one because that's what we want.

And then I think I'll buy this one.

-That's going to be $89 for... -... hell.

-Thanks so much, Michael.

-Absolutely.

-Thank you.

It was a pleasure.

-Lovely to meet you.

Thank you very much.

-Lovely to meet you as well.

-And I'm glad you're looking after your mum.

That's a nice thing to do.

-Yeah.

-Because honestly, when you get old, nobody wants you.

You're a liability.

-Drugs purchased legally... -Thank you, Michael.

-Pleasure.

-...it's back to the RV to check them out.

Is that the one from the people today?

-Yeah.

-Where are you going to put it?

-On my hand.

Smells nice.

-So this is the first time you've used cannabis.

How are you feeling?

-I do think that one should give things a try.

-Yes.

That's what I like about you.

You're very game.

-Yes, I'm game.

So far, our American adventure has taken us along the West Coast, but now it's time for us to venture further inland.

-Let the games begin, Miriam, because I'm taking us east through the desert and into the resort town of Palm Springs.

With over 300 days of sunshine a year, the small population of 45,000 triples during the winter months as people flock here looking for a good time.

And as one of my favorite places for a weekend away, I can't wait to reach this oasis of fun.

We're really in the desert now.

This is where you get tumbleweeds.

♪ You've never been to Palm Springs?

No?

I once got into trouble at Palm Springs Airport for canoodling.

♪ I think the desert heat has got to poor Miriam.

Hey, Miriam, you ready to chit chat?

-Oh.

-Yeah, we're chit chatting.

-Oh, okay.

-One time, I got into trouble for canoodling whilst we were waiting for a plane at Palm Springs Airport.

-What else can you do?

-Nothing.

There's nothing else to be done there.

But they put an announcement over the tannoy.

It's mortifying.

So embarrassing.

-"Will the couple who are necking publicly..." -Yes.

"Please do not indulge in heavy petting at Gate 27."

-Is that what they called it?

-It was something weird like that.

And also, when we kind of like disentangled, we saw these people like looking at us, tutting.

I first came here in 1996.

-Was it a gay town then?

-It's a gay and old people and gay old people.

But it used to be a Hollywood star getaway.

You know, Frank Sinatra and movie stars.

-The Rat Pack.

-The Rat Pack.

Elvis spent his honeymoon here.

I've been to the house where Elvis had the first night of his honeymoon.

So I've been in the very presence of the sexual energy of Elvis.

-It's definitely got a holiday feel about it.

-It does, doesn't it?

Like a weekend place for people from L.A. Talking of which, our first stop is this shop called GayMart.

-GayMart?

-It's a play on K-Mart.

You get it?

-I get it.

And it's sort of -- I thought we should stop there and just get stocked up for any gay needs we might have.

I just want to broaden your horizons, Miriam.

Don't try to pucker up because they are going to be spread wide.

-What?

What are?

-Your horizons.

-Oh, my horizons.

That's alright.

-Here it is.

-What have you cooked up for me here?

-Gayest thing ever.

-I'm getting frightened now.

-[ Laughs ] All your Palm Springs needs.

-After you.

-Welcome to GayMart.

-Thank you very much.

-And I love the little puppy.

-Wow.

-This is awe-inspiring.

So I take it everybody who enters here is homosexual?

-Not-really.

-No?

People come for a look.

-We love everybody.

-Because I want to go up and down the aisles perving.

Perving.

Lala, we're the only two girls in here.

-Are you enjoying your shopping?

-I mean, I'm having a great time.

-Well, good.

-Yes.

-You?

-I'm... What is that?

-It's a furry jockstrap.

-Oh, it's a jock -- Oh.

Okay.

-Yeah, it's a jock.

-Do you think that the gay world is a bit superficial?

I have so many gay boy friends, and I love them dearly, and I'm often kind of an auntie to them because they get cheated on.

-Men are men.

-And don't we know it?

[ Laughter ] -I'm going to take Miriam down Jockstrap Alley.

-Well, they don't look like yours.

-No, these aren't like mine.

-Viewers may be surprised to know I've seen your jockstrap, but I have.

-Disgusted.

-[ Laughs ] -I'm a traditionalist when it comes to jockstraps.

-Yes, I'm a traditionalist when it comes to jockstraps, too.

-[ Laughs ] -But what fascinates me most are the people buying all this stuff.

-Are you gay too?

-Yes.

-Are you usually alone?

-Yes, ma'am.

-Well, that young man is single, with a beard.

You should go out and have a drink, have a chat.

-It's harder to do than you can imagine.

-Is it?

-Oh, yeah.

-Are you shy, basically?

-Yes.

-Do you want me to say anything for you?

-No, no, thank you.

-I'd better not.

It's better you do it.

-There's a very nice customer here.

Go and have a drink with George.

He's really nice.

-I think he's gone.

-I think he might have gone out of terror.

This has been a very nice morning.

-Yes.

Thanks so much.

-Thank you for letting us come.

-Thanks, Lala.

And Lala did not steal this harness.

She had it when she came in.

[ Laughter ] Your chariot awaits.

I'll put the brakes on.

-I feel quite refreshed from the social intercourse.

-[ Laughs ] ♪ I've spent many a fun weekend here, and with a strong LGBTQ+ community and a third of the population over 65, I think Ms. Margolyes will fit right in.

And this morning, I've planned something that I think will tickle her fancy.

I thought that after GayMart and how shocking that was to your delicate constitution, that we might go and do something completely wholesome, kind of gentle.

-What have you got in store?

-[ Laughs ] Knitting.

-Oh.

-Knitting is a secret passion of mine.

I even had a Knit at Night evening at my club in New York.

The craft has had something of a revival in recent years, particularly in the LGBTQ+ community.

And the gays of Palm Springs are just one of the latest groups to join the scene.

-Well, me and knitting have a history too, Alan.

I have knitted in kindergarten at school.

We were asked to knit a dishcloth, and mine came out triangular.

-[ Laughs ] -I love knitted stuff.

You know, you may have noticed.

-You enjoy a knitted cardy.

-...some nice cardigans.

I'd love to be able to knit.

-It's quite easy.

-Can you knit?

-I've knitted, actually knitted Grant a hat when I was away on vacation once.

And it's one of those things -- It's sort of -- it slips away.

You know, it's like Spanish.

If you don't keep doing it, you lose it.

-Well, I'm game to have a go.

-Good.

Good.

-Yeah.

-[ As Ian McKellen ] I'm Sir Ian McKellen.

We're approaching the trailer park where we're going to do a spot of knitting, Miriam.

-Who's that?

-It's Ian McKellen.

-I don't get it.

-A bit better than that to impress me.

-I'm Sir Ian McKellen.

Hello, everybody.

-Sounds more like Ken Dodd.

-[ Laughs ] -[ Normal voice ] Here at Palm Springs, The local knitting group is headed by these two very nice gents, Doug and Steve.

Are you a pair?

-No.

We're not.

-No, we are not.

-You're knitting pals?

-We are knitting pals, yes.

-Oh, look.

We could have something to drink.

Yes.

-Very occasionally, I like a bit of gin.

-You had the grace to.

say in Scotland -- "I always say I never drink, and that's a lie."

[ Laughter ] -He's imitating me.

-I know.

-It's the best he can do.

-It's as good as it gets.

-Cheers.

-Cheers, everybody.

-Cheers.

-Cheers.

-Don't laugh at me if I'm hopeless.

-The imaginatively named Men's Knitting Group has been up and running for the last five years, all thanks to the persistent efforts of Monsieur Doug.

What a guy.

-So when I first moved here, I couldn't find any of the knitters.

There were some knitting groups an hour east and an hour west, and they weren't inclusive.

There weren't enough gay people.

And so, just decided that if I can't find knitters, I'm going to make them.

And I've made, I don't know, maybe 140, 150 knitters since I've been here.

-You're like an evil sort of doctor... "I have made knitters."

-And I don't give up, ever.

-In my club in New York, it's called Knit at Night.

And the thing is that I thought was hilarious and great was that you didn't say "knitters".

You said -- They were called fiber artists.

-That's right.

-I love that.

-How utterly pretentious and ridiculous.

[ Laughter ] Let's start knitting.

That's what I want.

-Okay, so here is a little package for both of you.

-Thank you.

-That's very sweet of you, Doug.

We bought you nothing.

-This is what you can do with it.

It is self-striping.

And I've given you the pride colors.

-What I'm going to do is the right behind the left.

-I'll make such a... of it.

-And that's just fine.

-I have to say, after wheeling the woman around GayMart, I'm surprised to see that knitting is what's left Miriam speechless.

-Yes.

-There you go.

-You nailed it.

-There you go.

You did it.

-When you get something on the needle, you feel such triumph.

You feel a sense of achievement.

It's really lovely.

-Isn't it nice?

Isn't it meditative?

-There were actually some studies made, and it was suggested that if the National Health could prescribe knitting, they would because it lowers blood pressure, it keeps dementia back.

-Oh, does it?

-Yes.

Anxiety disappears.

It's just very, very therapeutic.

It's wonderful.

-I can believe that.

-Yes.

-We also have knit-togethers at the LGBT center and at the Desert AIDS Project or DAP Health.

-So that's just -- you just knit?

-Stitch-n-bitch.

-Stitch-n-bitch.

-It's a safe place for people to come.

We had someone join us.

He was telling us stories about his life, and his family threw him out when he was 20-something when he came out of the closet and told them he was gay.

They loved him, and then they didn't.

They told him that, "You can come back if you tell us that you're not gay anymore."

-Some people.

-And he passed away.

And one of the things that we did at his memorial service was started telling stories about him.

We keep his memory -- Richard's memory alive, and it's not about the knitting.

It really isn't about the knitting.

You need friends.

You just need company.

You want to talk, you want to complain, you want to laugh, you want to -- whatever.

Just come join us.

-And knitting is something I definitely do want to come back to.

I find it very soothing.

-I have a gift for you.

-Is it a finished jockstrap?

-This is a finished jockstrap.

-So have you done a...stick for me?

-I made it in the colors of the Scottish flag.

-The saltire.

Look at that, Miriam.

That's so great.

-Now, they sent me your measurements, but it was your waist measurement.

-Yeah.

-But is it okay to have wool on your...?

-This is cotton and wool, so touch this.

-Touch my jockstrap.

-Touch his jockstrap.

Ouch.

Don't grab it there.

-[ Laughs ] -Thank you so much.

I love this.

I also love the little bit of ribbing... -Yes.

-...down the shaft.

-A little cable down there.

-Miriam, are you going to continue after we leave?

-Well, I'd like to.

-Do you want me to give you a pattern for a jockstrap?

-No.

-[ Laughs ] -I suppose one knitted jockstrap will have to suffice.

But Miriam, you're a natural.

Look at us.

We're knitters.

I love this.

It's like you've tamed Miriam.

[ Laughter ] ♪ ♪ -Where are you taking me this morning, please?

-I'm taking you to meet a drag queen called Vanity.

Because, as you might imagine, in a city with 50% homosexuals, there's a lot of drag.

-I love drag.

-Me, too.

And this is sort of old school drag.

You know, there's been this big resurgence of drag because of RuPaul and her shows and everything.

There's all these amazing young people doing drag and it's all become this big sort of family thing.

But this is a sort of old school, you know, before all that.

I've always been a bit of a drag fan.

In fact, I've played a few drag queens in my time, but it turns out that Miriam is quite the drag hag too.

-I've always loved drag, ever since I was a little girl.

There's a naughtiness there.

Yeah.

And that's why, like, pantomime has always delighted me.

-Yeah.

-I'm buttons.

I'm all undone.

[ Laughs ] -"I've been looking for...for ages.

We can't find..." -Miles and not a sign of... -Yes.

Exactly.

Yeah.

Today, we are in search of a drag queen named Vanity who has promised us a very special afternoon.

And he's arranged to meet us in a suitably camp location.

Wow.

Look at all this pink.

-There's no mistaking it.

-Behind these walls lies the Trixie Motel.

Whoa.

Oh, my gosh.

You got your sunglasses?

A pink paradise that even had its own reality TV show.

-Oh, look at this.

-Wow.

Look at that.

Are they...rings or just swimming rings?

-Just love hearts.

-Hello, how are you?

I know exactly who you are.

-This is Johnny, AKA Vanity Halston, who's been performing in Palm Springs for over 20 years and has become an iconic figure in the local drag scene.

And it seems he's Miriam's number one fan.

-This is my bucket list, to meet you.

It is like one of my dreams.

-Now, how old are you?

-43.

-And how long have you been a drag queen?

-25 years.

-And have you had surgery to remove your... or have you still got it?

-Oh, I've got it.

-He wouldn't be a drag queen then.

-Oh, you wouldn't be a drag queen?

-No, you'd be transgender.

-You'd be trans.

I mean, drag is sort of gender illusion.

-It is, yes.

-So, you know you're a man.

-Absolutely.

Yes.

-And we know you're a man.

But while you have the makeup on and the costume and everything, you're suddenly Vanity.

-Yes.

It's theatrical.

It's art.

I feel like I was born to be an entertainer, and so that's what I do.

-Well, let's see it.

Start work.

-Is this your "getting makeup on" shirt?

-Oh, no nipple rings.

-No.

-You've got nipple rings, haven't you?

Yeah.

I don't have any piercings, and I don't have any nipple rings.

I just have nipples.

But I work with those.

-Yes.

[ Laughter ] Alright.

-Where did you first see a drag queen?

-I first started going when I was -- when I just turned 18.

I started dating the publicist for the show, and so he said, "You should do the show," and my friends were like, "Yeah."

You know, so it was kind of like a dare.

And so, yeah, I did it.

They enjoyed me.

They invited me back.

I enjoy making people laugh.

Something in Miriam's book that I kind of stick with is a quote that she says -- "Don't think I'm unaware of my duty to be entertaining and shock."

So that is kind of like my motto as well.

So... -Thank you for reading my book.

-Thank you for making one.

I'm a very big fan of you and you are quite an inspiration for me as an entertainer because you exude exactly what you want and you're unapologetic of who you are and you're funny and offensive, but all at the same time.

And that's a true artist.

-Look at that.

This is like "This Is Your Life".

-That is so lovely to hear.

Thank you very, very much.

-We're really fascinated by how the sort of ambiance and sensibility of Palm Springs is so dictated by LGBTQ people.

-Well, and our mayor is transgender.

-Oh, really?

-Yeah.

-Makeup done... -Look at you.

Oh, your eyes look stunning.

-...and wig on... -Whoa, that looks great.

-...now we're in the presence of Ms.. Vanity Halston.

You look beautiful.

Really beautiful.

-Well, I have a couple more wigs here if you would like to try them on maybe a little bit.

-I've got my eye on the green one.

I think it'll make my eyes pop.

-Yes.

-Oh, it's long, too.

-It is.

Let's see.

There we go.

-Pull the front bit?

-Yes.

-It's like -- You look like a '60s flight attendant.

-You do.

-[ Laughs ] -Yes.

-Look at that.

Yeah.

I think you look like the Sophia Loren.

-... off.

-[ Laughs ] Some people just can't take a compliment.

♪ ♪ Let the games begin, Miriam.

Now we're off to pop our drag bingo cherry.

[ Bells chime ] -Oh, my goodness.

Good morning, everybody!

[ Applause ] Oh.

Welcome to church in a gay bar.

Are you guys ready to have a good time?

-Yeah!

-I would like to say this is the first time I've had this many balls in my hands, but that would be a lie.

[ Laughter ] Yes.

Oh, my goodness.

O-68.

I'll tell you what, I prefer a 68 because that way, I just owe you one.

[ Laughter ] Yes.

G-51.

51 is actually the age that people start moving to Palm Springs.

So that way, when they're ready to go to the Heavenly Land, they're already 75% dust.

[ Laughter ] O-69!

[ Cheering ] Yes.

Thank you guys so much for coming out and spending your night with us.

We appreciate you.

Good night and God bless you guys.

-That was a prize to remember.

And so was this entire day with Vanity.

I want you to come and stay with me in England because I've got a spare room.

-Okay.

-So you must come.

-I will.

-And you're gifted and wonderful.

-Thank you.

-And I love that show.

-Thank you.

-I really enjoyed it.

It's rude, but it's fun.

-Yeah, that's what it's supposed to be.

-It's wonderful.

-Sadly, we must wave adieu to Palm Springs and travel north again, back to L.A. -Love you!

It was gorgeous!

-Drive safe.

I love you.

Drive safe.

-Will do.

-We've driven along the sunny West Coast and traveled through the baking desert to Palm Springs.

But the next stop on our journey takes us back to Los Angeles and into the gridlock of L.A. traffic, which can only mean one thing -- Alan is bored.

-♪ Back in the 310, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Back in the 310 ♪ -I'm not going to talk to you if you're going to sing.

-[ Laughs ] -When we finally get to the city center, I have something up my sleeve for Alan.

I want to stop off at a proper LA institution, a 24-hour Jewish run deli, and my favorite haunt while I lived here.

We're going to a place that, really for me, was kind of the beginning of L.A.

It's not kosher.

It's a sort of New York deli type of restaurant.

-Is it Canter's Deli?

-Yeah.

I love that place.

-You know Canter's.

-I've been there.

I used to go there.

-For me, it was the beginning.

-Did it make you feel comfortable about your Jewishness?

-You know, it's like coming home.

-Yeah.

That'll be exciting.

-The other thing that is happening at Canter's -- I'm going to meet a cousin whom I have never met before.

-Wow.

-Eight years ago, through an ancestry site, I discovered a new relative, Evan, living in America.

And today, for the first time ever, I'll get to see him face to face.

-You'd better be on your best behavior, Miriam.

-Here we are.

This is it.

Canter's Fairfax, open 24 hours.

-Oh, great.

Great.

-Bakery, deli.

It looks the same.

I wasn't so much a regular as a fixture here at Canter's and dropped in whenever I possibly could.

It's just how I remember it.

♪ Is it any surprise that Jewish people are fat?

How can we not be fat?

-Not all Jewish people are fat.

-All Jewish people are fat.

-[ Laughs ] -If they're not fat, they're not Jewish.

-Oh, my God.

-As well as being a destination for visiting Jews like me, Canter's Deli's famous in the entertainment industry and has been attracting stars and celebrities since it opened.

Everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Barack Obama has been through these doors.

Today, we have the honor of meeting Mark, the owner, no less.

You're Mr. Canter.

What a pleasure to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

-So this is your granddad started this restaurant?

-Yeah.

1931.

-She used to come here all the time.

Long time ago.

-Back in those days, we were maybe one of three restaurants open 24 hours, and the movie industry people, they're, you know, working all day, and then what's going to happen at 10:00, 11:00 at night?

They want to have something to eat, comfort food, a bowl of soup, something.

-It's true.

-So, they end up at Canter's.

Richard Dreyfuss told me once that when he was a teenager, he'd come here and he'd see Arthur Miller and he'd pick his brain on how to make it, you know, how to get started in show business.

And there's just so many little stories like that.

A lot of history here.

A lot of history.

-It is.

Everybody talks about it.

Are you going for it?

-I don't know if my mouth opens this wide.

And... -[ Laughs ] -Good?

-Delicious.

I love how Jewish you've got since we came in here.

-I've always been Jewish.

-I know, but... -But here, I enlarge myself into Jewishness.

-It's like when I go to Scotland and I get more Scottish.

-You do, Well, you're getting Jewish here.

-I am.

-You might have to be circumcised.

-Oh.

I value my nerve endings.

-Terrific knives here.

Here it comes.

This is what I always used to order.

Thank you.

-The matzah ball is bigger than a baseball.

-Well, I'm not -- Oh, this is so good.

-[ Laughs ] -That tastes ... marvelous.

-But the main reason for coming here is for Miriam to see her newly discovered relative, Evan, for the first time ever.

This could be awkward.

-Hello.

You're Evan.

-I'm Evan.

-Hi, I'm Alan.

-Nice to meet you.

Hi.

-You're really here?

-I'm really here.

-Oh.

-It's so great to finally see you.

-Wow.

-This is Lala.

-Hi.

-So what relation are you?

-She is my grandfather's second cousin.

-Am I like what you expected?

-Exactly what I expected.

-Ah, you see, I have no surprises for anybody anymore.

I couldn't stand him when I first came across him.

-I have an e-mail that proves it.

-What?

"I can't stand him."

-Oh, my God.

The evidence.

What did I write?

-"Dear Evan, I hope you won't take this the wrong way but I just don't have time for you in my life.

I'm busy, I'm old, and I don't want to be disturbed.

I wish you only happiness and good things.

But for the time being, I'd like to say goodbye.

All best, MM."

-So you realized that I was kind of a mental case.

I actually like him very much now.

-But you persisted.

-He persisted.

And he told me he was gay.

-And then she fell in love with me.

-Don't push your luck, kid.

[ Laughs ] Alan and I are only with Evan for a short time, so we're keen to impart the wisdom of our mature years.

-Do you have a boyfriend?

-Not yet.

-When you have a date, do you go to bed with them or just chat?

-Just chat.

-I advocate having sex on the first date.

-I absolutely don't agree with having sex on the first date.

I think that's sluttish and disgraceful.

-Actually, that'd be the title of my next memoir.

-What advice would you guys have for me career-wise?

-It's really hard to give advice, actually, because the industry has changed since -- I think it's got much harder.

-My advice would be to avoid working with old actresses who are unprofessional and say [bleep] all the time.

-Have I said [bleep]?

-Not today.

How did you get on in Hollywood, Miriam?

What was your secret?

-Well, I mean, it was such an extraordinary thing.

-Give it a go.

-...a film of one of Dickens novels, "Little Dorrit".

It was a wonderful part.

And I was brilliant.

-Natch.

-And they...

I'm not always, darling, unfortunately.

I took advantage of Everything I could.

I've got something for you, but you're not going to like it.

Anyway, this is a book.

-Okay.

-Okay?

From which the film was made that got me to America.

-Okay.

-"Little Dorrit".

This is a particularly difficult book.

-She's selling it so well.

-You're not ready for this.

But I want you to grow as a human being.

That's my wish.

And you will be a better actor and a better human being for reading it.

With my love.

-Thank you.

-Aww.

So cute.

Lovely to meet you.

-Lovely to meet you.

I'll come give you another hug.

-And I'll see you... -I'll see you later.

-I'll see you later.

Later.

-Mm-hmm.

♪ -In the final leg of our American adventures, I reunite with one of the most important people in my life, my former fiancée, Saffron Burrows.

[ Tires screech ] -Get out of it, you bastard!

-[ Chuckles ] -And I have an eye opening introduction to Las Vegas after dark.

[ Cheers and applause ] -Before I finally make an honest woman of my dear Miriam.

-I pronounce you friendship forever.

You may hug.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪