But no matter the motivation, all avid hobbyists share a consuming and often infectious passion for their chosen interest: A desire to create worlds within worlds; a small corner of the universe they can actually control. And now, into this universe steps Mark McKinney... a man who needs a hobby.
Mark McKinney is a Canadian actor and comedian, best known as Glenn Sturgis from the NBC sitcom Superstore and as a member of the influential sketch
comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall.
He was a principal cast member on Saturday Night Live for three seasons and co-created, wrote and starred in the series Slings & Arrows. He also appeared as Tom in FXX's Man Seeking Woman.
EPISODE 1: BIRDING
Mark visits a nature preserve to learn the difference between “birding” and “birdwatching,” and meets with a group of local birders at their monthly pub event.
EPISODE 2: HISTORICAL RE-ENACTMENT
Mark spends two days living as a 14th century knight in a wholly medieval world – helping with cooking, trying his hand at archery and longsword techniques.
EPISODE 3: BARBERSHOP QUARTET SINGING
Mark learns how to harmonize and suits up to perform for an audience of professional barbershop judges.
EPISODE 4: WATERSPORTS
Mark dives in with aquatic activities, learning the basics of sailing, bodyboarding
and synchronized swimming.
EPISODE 5: ROBOTS
Mark travels to the heart of Silicon Valley and tinkers with electronics to assemble
a participant for a bot-hockey tournament.
EPISODE 6: PUPPETRY
Mark joins a workshop where he creates his own puppet and takes the stage to display his handiwork at a late night cabaret.
EPISODE 7: POP CULTURE COLLECTING
Mark hunts for bargains at an antique mall, checks out legendary Hollywood artifacts and helps refurbish a vintage pinball machine.
EPISODE 8: FLY FISHING
Mark dons a pair of hip-waders and tries his luck at the art of tying flies, reading
the water and learns to fish safely in the wild from a nature advocate.
EPISODE 9: ITALIAN COOKING
Mark takes a course in conversational and culinary Italian, then joins a bustling kitchen to help prepare a true feast.
EPISODE 10: DANCING
Mark hits the floor to experience a variety of forms, including ballroom, square dancing and line dancing – then crashes a wedding to show off his moves.