DVD Review: An Idiot Abroad 2

Karl Pilkington is back for a second trip 'round the world in An Idiot Abroad 2. As in the first season, Karl hates just about every minute of his journey; he doesn't enjoy traveling or experiencing cultures that stretch him outside of his comfort zone. And also, like in the first bout, the results are hilarious for the television viewer who delights in watching the poor man suffer.

Series one has Karl visiting the Seven Wonders of the World. In series two, Karl demands that he get to pick the adventures, choosing from among some of the most popular Bucket List items, based on broad surveys. One might think that since Karl has greater control now, he will enjoy it more.

Not so. While Karl does set the basic agenda, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, comfortably ensconced back in the U.K., plan many a detour and activity that go against Karl's wishes. Sometimes, Karl refuses to do whatever it is they want him to do, like jumping from a tower. But most of the time, no matter how much he might protest, Karl fulfills the requirements of his contract.

Excursions accomplished in these eight hours include a night spent on a deserted island, a ride on the Trans-Siberian Express, swimming with sharks, a reduced-gravity flight, wrestling with Mongolians, visiting a village of dwarfs in China, a makeover by Taiwanese ladyboys, getting a massage from an inmate, dog sledding, whale watching, deep sea fishing, a visit with a family who keep a hippo as a pet, a New Age cuddle party, a Smart Car ride down Route 66, a flight on top of a plane, a climb up Mount Fuji, and sumo wrestler training. Karl then returns home in the final episode to talk about his experience, and get a prostate exam on-air.

If that sounds like a lot, it is. Each installment is crammed with several experiences, Karl bounces from one place to the next, making side trips on Gervais and Merchant's whims, keeping the pace charging ahead. He gripes and complains, but does what he's told, for the most part.

Why is watching a man be miserable so entertaining? I don't know, exactly. It has to have something to do with personality of Pilkington himself, an odd man who views the world from a totally unique perspective. The enjoyment doesn't come so much from watching him grumble, but from the words that come out of his mouth. He doesn't see things the same way most people do, and the insights he provides, as well at crazy theories he espouses, make for some great programming.

It's interesting that An Idiot Abroad 2 goes to destinations that would be a dream vacation for a great many people, but for Karl, it's a nightmare. Admittedly, Karl doesn't get the perfect experience, seeing his accommodations downgraded, and forced to mix with the locals, rather than stay on the travelers' path.

What that means, though, is this is also a wonderful travel documentary, going further off the beaten path than most people would on their holiday. Maybe some viewers will want to try some of the things that Pilkington does, or maybe it will serve as a lesson as to what should be avoided. Either way, there is valuable knowledge mixed in what is basically a show done for fun.

The DVD is two discs, and has a few special features. These include deleted scenes, Pilko's Pump Pants Featurette, and Ain't No Pleasing You. These are pretty standard fare, nothing really surprising, but a decent enough mix for a short series.

What I would like to see, that is not included, is audio commentary by Pilkington on all of the episodes. While he does do the final overview episode, and speaks to the camera throughout, I feel like a whole other, meta experience could be had sitting through these episodes with Karl again.

In all, this is a good DVD set that should provide at least eight hours of enjoyable entertainment. An Idiot Abroad 2 is on sale now.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first published as DVD Review: An Idiot Abroad 2 on Blogcritics.

An Idiot Abroad can be brought home tomorrow

     Coming to DVD this Tuesday, January 10th from the BBC is An Idiot Abroad. Though the DVD cover doesn't list this as The First Season, that's what it is. An Idiot Abroad contains all eight episodes of the initial run, wherein Karl Pilkington (The Ricky Gervais Show) visits the Seven Wonders of the World, and in the eighth hour, returns home to debrief. The instigators of the journey are Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant (The Office, Extras), who delight in just how miserable it makes Karl to experience other cultures. A second season will premiere later this month in the U.S.

     For those already familiar with the podcast or animated version of The Ricky Gervais Show, Karl Pilkington is a familiar face. He is an odd duck, and anyone who has listened to him will not be surprised that Karl is reluctant to take his free trip around the world. He'd rather read about the Wonders on the internet, and would likely believe everything that he reads. Thus, every episode is a fish out of water tale, as Karl tries, though not very hard, to cope with the new cultures around him.

     Karl's brain does not work like anyone else's. The biggest reason he doesn't want to visit China? He might eat toad there and like it, thus having something to miss when he goes home. It's an alien concept to most people, many of whom would find this a weak reason not to travel. To Karl, who fears upsetting his carefully balanced existence, it makes perfect sense. And actually, Karl adapts quite well, though never seems comfortable, gamely going along with most of what is planned for him, albeit with some complaint.

     He is not easily impressed either, so the trip may not end up being worth it to him. Karl likes weird things, but when the weird thing seems normal to others around him, he doesn't find it that weird. Plus, Karl is more into freaks of nature than anything having to do with human beings' creations, so seeing the Wonders is not on his list of goals for his life.

     The Wonders of the World, though setting the destinations for each of Karl's visits, are not the main point of An Idiot Abroad. Karl does see them, even being forced to travel the entire Great Wall of China, in order to get the full experience. But the real draw is the people around the Wonder, and that's what Karl spends most of every episode dealing with. He has to take in new customs, and taste new foods. Generally, this does not go all that well, much to the enjoyment of viewers.

     It is a little bit odd that Karl goes the journey alone, with Ricky and Stephen only checking in via phone. However, that also makes Karl less likely to deal with the situation well, not even having his friends to turn to. The other two are a presence on the series, but the focus is Karl's interactions with locals, with makes for a very entertaining time.

     The special features on An Idiot Abroad are almost nonexistent. The Preview Show that aired on television is included, as are deleted scenes and a photo gallery. And that's it. Considering the final episode of the season mainly consists of Stephen and Ricky speaking to Karl about the whole experiment, a making of documentary would seem unnecessary. And it's hard to think of any specific bonus that should have been included. But it's still a little disappointing there isn't a little bit extra for the fans who really enjoy the TV series.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     Click here to read all of my An Idiot Abroad reviews.

Article first published as DVD Review: An Idiot Abroad on Blogcritics.

Karl, An Idiot Abroad, Finally Comes Home

     Eight weeks after it started, the Science Channel's An Idiot Abroad has come to an end. Karl Pilkington has come home, and in the final episode, he sits down with his chums and the show's producers, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, to discuss his travels and what, if anything, he learned.

     I think I like this episode at least as much, if not better than, the seven where Karl is shown traveling the world. I am a big fan of The Ricky Gervais Show on HBO, based on their podcasts, and I enjoy the three men sitting in a room and having a chat. In the final episode, we see some new footage of Karl, not too many clips already seen before, and mainly lots of talk between the guys. It may sound boring on paper, but it is actually where the three of them are strongest.

     I think my favorite bit of new footage from when Karl was abroad is when Ricky breaks it to Karl that the show will be titled An Idiot Abroad. The announcement comes as Karl is approaching the Seventh Wonder, tired and cranky from his journeys. Up until now Karl has labored under the impression that the series would be called Karl Pilkington's Seven Wonders. I have a sneaking suspicion this was never the intention, but used simply to help sell Karl on the idea. He does not react well, as you might expect, but obviously he was later overruled. A good business choice, if nothing else.

     We also saw Karl briefly visit his old vacation spot in Wales during the finale. He comments that perhaps he is ruined, now looking for a native tribe, rather than just a pool, when he takes a holiday. I find this statement a bit odd, considering just how miserable Karl appeared for most of his visits. Perhaps, it retrospect, he realizes just what a valuable experience he has had.

     Can we look forward to a second season? If Ricky gets his way, then yes. The theme of the first season is Karl visiting the Seven Wonders of the World. But he usually spends a small portion of the episode at the Wonder, and the rest of the hour he is getting culturally immersed. This can be done anywhere. I don't even think a theme is needed. Just pick seven more countries and send Karl. He says during his final trip that he will refuse a second season, but his comments in Wales leave open a possibility of one.

     Karl is a generally good sport. Ricky and Steve mention that they have been accused of bullying him, but Karl just shrugs it off. Sure, he gets frustrated after the horrid conditions he is repeatedly put in, but he does the entire show. I can see him doing more, if the trips are more spaced out. Also, it might help if he goes into things knowing the score, whereas in this first season, it seems like a lot of what Karl experiences was sprung on him as a surprise.

     Whether the show continues or not, they have delivered eight very entertaining hours. If you missed it, look for the reruns on the Science Channel. Well worth a watch.

Article first published as TV Review: An Idiot Abroad - "Karl Comes Home" on Blogcritics.

For an alphabetical list of all of Jerome Wetzel's Current Season Reviews, please click here.

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

An Idiot Abroad: Karl Pilkington and the All Right Wall of China

     Is half an hour a week of Karl Pilkington not enough for you? I love him on HBO's The Ricky Gervais Show, but I am always left wanting more. Luckily, the Science Channel is giving us just that beginning last night, and every Saturday for the next eight weeks. The premise? Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant send Karl around the world to visit the Seven Wonders and the culture that surrounds them.

     Karl, of course, is reluctant to go. He likes to stay safely in his comfort zone, and just read about exotic places on the internet. His first stop is China to see The Great Wall. His biggest reason he wouldn't want to make the trip? He might eat toad and like it, then miss it when he returns home. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Karl's brain does not work like everyone else's on the planet. Who else would possibly have thought of that?

     I did find it a bit odd, at first, to not have Ricky and Stephen along for the ride. I'm so used to them picking at Karl continuously, and now here is a look at him by himself. Ricky and Stephen did check in by phone frequently, so they're still a presence on the show. Even better, though, was Karl's mingling with the locals. Although there was a serious language barrier, Karl seems more at home that I would be in his situation. For someone who is perpetually out of place, he was remarkably well adjusted to the situation. Well, except when getting a fire massage or eating local cuisine. But with the people, he was fine. He can really roll with the punches. Which he did, while learning Kung Fu.

     I think one thing that impresses me about Karl is that he is not easy to impress. He takes everything in stride, so getting a strong reaction out of him is rare. His visit to The Great Wall was rather dissatisfying to him, and I actually understood some of his points of view, though not all. Hilariously, Stephen called to insist Karl see ALL of The Great Wall, so the episode is not hard up for shots of it. Karl spends days traveling its length. You think he might be impressed then, after really experiencing its size, but no such luck.

     I was thoroughly entertained the entire hour of the China episode, and look forward to the rest of the series. Karl is scheduled to head to China, India, Jordan, Mexico, Egypt, Brazil, and Peru, before spending the eighth full episode back home, discussing the experience. Sounds exciting!

     Be sure to watch An Idiot Abroad Saturdays at 10 p.m. on the Science Channel.

Article first published as TV Preview: An Idiot Abroad: Karl Pilkington and The All Right Wall of China on Blogcritics.


For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter.