An Idiot Abroad

An Idiot Abroad was the funniest thing to grace British TV for years. No script, no actors, just a normal bloke from Manchester taken completely out of his comfort zone and sent to explore the world against his will.

The results is hilarious, with Karl hating every minute of his travels and Ricky and Steve making it increasingly difficult for him as the series progresses.

Whilst it may fall under the category of travel documentary, it's Karl's dour personality and relentless whinging that makes it so entertaining. The actual travelling, visiting the Seven Wonders and participating in bucket list activities, become merely a sideshow.

There aren't many TV shows that make you laugh out loud like 'An Idiot Abroad', it's comedy gold.

I love Karl Pilkington and have loved this series to date (4 episodes). I agree with many other reviews that certain parts were disappointing e.g the Israeli kidnapping, but in the main the show has been fantastic. Karl Pilkington is both the weirdest bloke I've ever seen but at the same time the most normal too....go figure! I love his monologues and anecdotes and my only complaint would be that the show should have more of these and fewer gimmicks/stunts.

As a concept, the show is great. Miserable, small-headed Manc going around the world's most prestigious and cultural locations moaning about them all. If you can just ignore the occasional blatant contrivance and enjoy the show for what it is, you'll love it.

Best line ever on the nudist beach, "Never seen anyone bend down as much as that bloke!" - quality!

if you're complaining that there is no gervais or merchant, then you're not getting it.

gervais has made lots of cash from claiming pilkington is an idiot, but after seeing the man through his own speech and action, then i have to disagree. and i wonder if this isn't another layer of gervais' caustic social commentary.

but if gervais actually thinks carl is a fool, then i have to say the joke is on him.

pilkington is a master of everyday, ultimate truth. a mastery that kicks the crap out of the vacillations of gervais, merchant, Nietzsche and me.

this man's brain boils down the b.s. of both the ancient and modern world, and turns all of it into simple equations -- with answers.

his conclusions must confuse populist, false intellectuals. and they wonder why? their training does not prepare them for carl; and the primary reason is: for many school smart people, the obvious is hard to grasp. and unfortunately; these are usually the same people who end up on television telling us what to think.

but i love his answers.

his shtick is the twisted mirror image of the fool thought sage.

I happened upon this programme by accident as whilst enjoying The Office and Extras I'd become a little bored of Ricky Gervaises Hollywood offerings. I'd never heard of Karl Pilkington, but within minutes of watching the first episode I was crying with laughter. Karl's view of the world is so honest and uneffected that he says what the rest of us are thinking most of the time. Pure genius - a travel programme that doesn't take itself seriously, is funny yet still hits the emotional buttons in each of the episodes I've watched so far. From a travel perspective he stays in places that your average tourists wouldn't stay in and whilst not necessarily enjoying the experience Karl makes an effort to immerse himself in the local culture. He is full of wisdom - and totally without the BS I see in so many other travel programmes.....Karl - you are a star!

An Idiot Abroad features a guy who loves the comfort of his own home travelling the globe in order to visit each of the Seven Wonders of the World.

A friend of actor/comedians Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant who also appear in the series, Karl at times comes across as a dim wit but most of the time makes some hilarious observations and raises questions monkeys want answering.

This is one of the greatest travel shows you'll ever see, there is a truth and an unwitting innocence in everything Karl Pilkington says and does. With comments like "...a little tornado innit. You don't see that in the brochure. Shitty old nappy whizzing through the air. They tend to leave that out." While standing in Egypt not far from the Pyramids of Gaza. "What's so good about The Amazon? Can't be that good; there are things in it that would rather live in me knob." And (on The Great Wall of China) "Just goes for miles and miles....but so does the M6."

Granted not everyone will get the British humour or the jokes but there is pleasure in watching presenter Karls pain as he stays in some rotten places, meets some 'interesting' people and eats some varied foods.

In season two it's more of the same only this time Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant have put together a bucket list - things to do before you die. Karl sets off on his travels this time carrying out tasks that most wouldn't want to do, as well as visiting countries and experiencing their diverse cultures.

It's a kind of Michael Palin gone wrong, mixed with the characters Frank Spencer and Victor Meldrew. You get to follow Karl on his highs and lows, highly recommend reality TV.