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.

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

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.


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