'An Idiot Abroad' on the Science Channel

[veggieboy]

Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant (co-creators of The Office) send their "Homer Simpson-like friend" on a world tour of "The World Wonders" (Great Wall, Taj Mahal, the Pyramids, etc). Hilarity Ensues.

This is my new favorite show. It's absolutely hilarious. Add to the fact that if Gervais is involved, them I'm in. I've only seen the "preview" show, and the episode where they sent him to China, and I have never laughed as long, or as hard, while watching a TV show as I did watching this.

Here's the wikipedia entry for the show...

Watch it. It's funny...

 

[YoLaDu]

so where can it be see in the states?

 

[LondonOllie]

Weird that they are showing that on the Science Channel.
Watched the series. All really funny, although I have to admit, the first episode in China was my fave.

 

[veggieboy]

In reply to:

---

---

 

[YoLaDu]

Seen two episodes now..

India was better than the China one. I thought he was going to have breakdown in India, especially after seeing the "Honeymoon Suite"

 

[dalhorn1]

this Karl guy is a riot! For my taste, i find it to be one of the better shows on television, up there with TopGear. I guess I like to learn a bit about culture while watching writhe in agonizing frustration and foul mood like Karl seems to offer.

 

[YoLaDu]

Karl was completely unimpressed with the Great Wall of China, which is too funny.. He said something to the effect, yeah, it's long, but so is the M6 and it's paved.

He does make a few good points about tourist attractions though. A tour guide asked him how he felt about the Taj Mahal, if he felt a sense of peace or emotional about it. And Karl said how was he supposed to get a sense of peace with throngs of tourists traipsing about.

Totally agree.

 

[Monahorns]

Just watched the show last night. Saw the Great Pyramids, Petra, and Rio show. All great. He definitely has a sour personality and misses the point of some things but I also identify with him. He has a different perspective that is also true in many ways though is myopic culturally.

When he was at the pyramids, he seemed to focus on the trash swirling in the wind. He completely misses the amazing achievement of building the pyramids without modern technology and minimizes the skill that went into building them. But at the same time, the place was a DUMP. It was literally a refuse yard. And then he really appreciates the mini-tornado like wind which is emphasized by the swirling plastic bags. He really got enjoyment of that happening.

Great show. It is great for the insight into culture. It is great for the unfiltered annoyance from Karl Pilkington.

 

[mcbrett]

I think he is hysterical- Mexico made me laugh a lot.

He is an idiot, but a very nice guy- and that's the point. We all root for him, and laugh with him, not at him- but yes, he's not very cultured. Having Ricky call him every so often is perfect- and you can tell they all really like Karl.