An Idiot Abroad, 2010
It’s often the most simple ideas that bring in the laughs, lets face it it was the sight of a rag and bone man going about his business that gave Galton and Simpson the idea for Steptoe and Son. An Idiot Abroad is just that – a very simple idea. Take someone who tells it he way he sees it and hates travel and send him abroad.
Created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, An Idiot Abroad ran for three series between 2010 and 2012.
Summary
Karl Pilkington has no interest in travel, so Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant decide to send him round the world, whilst they stay in Britain to monitor his progress and give him his next ‘mission’
In series one the idea is Pilkington is sent to visit the New Seven Wonders of the World. Though the New Seven Wonders of the World include the Colosseum in Rome, this is not one of Pilkington’s destinations; instead he visits the Great Pyramids in Egypt (which is the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World to remain intact). Most of each episode focuses on Pilkington’s reactions to cultural differences and idiosyncrasies in the countries he visits. His reactions and thoughts are hilarious.
During each episode Gervais and Merchant call him and set him unrelated tasks.
Series Two uses the same ideas but for this series Karl Pilkington is sent around the world to complete a bucket list as defined by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant.
The third series sees Karl Pilkington joined by actor Warwick Davies on a bike as they cycle the route taken accross China by Marco Polo. Stephen Merchant was unavailable for this series, which was broadcast over Christmas 2012 in three parts.
Clips
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Starring
Karl Pilkington
Ricky Gervais
Stephen Merchant
Warwick Davies
Details
Channel: Sky One
Created By: Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant
Executive Producers: Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant
Original Transmission Dates: 23 September 2010 – 14 December 2012