An Idiot Abroad

An Idiot Abroad was finally shown in America! However, I don't think it was even publicized. I found out about it by accident. The Science Channel (run by Discovery) aired the nine episodes on Saturdays at 10:00 PM EST, and they were available On Demand the following day. I was looking for another show On Demand (probably HBO's The Ricky Gervais Show), and I saw An Idiot Abroad listed. I watched and told others to watch. It's a BRILLIANT show! I don't understand why they didn't publicize it more, though. Ricky didn't even mention it on his many podcasts about the show (which aired on Sky in the UK).

Episodes:
22 Jan 2011: The Preview Show

• Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant prepare to send Karl Pilkington around the world. Half practical joke, half human experiment, Karl's journey is unlike any undertaken before.

22 Jan 2011: China -- The Great Wall of China

• En route Karl is forced to experience traditional fire massage, learn the ancient art of Kung Fu, and discovers a disturbing fact about his future.

29 Jan 2011: India -- The Taj Mahal

• Before he can even get there, he's forced to visit the largest religious festival in the world, stay in an Ashram with a living Saint, and get cow poo smeared on his head at a cow sanctuary. 

5 Feb 2011: Jordan -- Petra

• Before he even gets there, Karl's forced to go on a tour of the Middle East that takes in the religious sights of Israel, a tour of Palestine, and the Dead Sea. 

12 Feb 2011: Mexico -- Chichen Itza

• Arriving in the middle of the Easter celebrations, Karl witnesses a crucifixion, is forced to do Mexican wrestling, and learn cowboy skills.
  

19 Feb 2011: Egypt -- The Great Pyramids*

• He tries out a traditional Egyptian outfit, experiences Cairo night life, and comes across a restaurant whose staff are all deaf.

26 Feb 2011: Brazil -- Christ the Redeemer

• Before he can even get there he takes part in the Rio Carnival, immerses himself in Rio's gay scene, and learn about Brazil's beaches.
  

5 Mar 2011: Peru -- Machu Picchu

• Before he gets there Karl's unexpectedly dropped in the middle of the Amazon where he's forced to survive in the jungle.

12 Mar 2011: Karl Comes Home

• Karl Pilkington finally returns home after traveling around the world to see the Seven Wonders of the World. Back in Britain he's quizzed about his travels abroad by his friends Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, who want to find out if he's actually learned anything from his experiences.

*My only problem with this show is the fact that they sent Karl to see The Great Pyramids in Egypt but not to The Colosseum in Rome, Italy. It may be because Karl has already been to Rome (as mentioned on the XFM radio show). However, The Great Pyramids are NOT one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, but The Colosseum is. The Great Pyramids were given a special honorary status as the 8th Wonder when the new wonders were being decided on because it is the only ancient wonder still in existence. I have no problem with Karl visiting The Great Pyramids, but they shouldn't leave out the fact that The Colosseum IS one of the modern wonders, and he should have visited it. By leaving it out, the show provides misinformation about the Seven Modern Wonders of the World. It's misleading, and I know Ricky and Steve are better than that.

Products:

From http://www.amazon.co.uk

• An Idiot Abroad is available on DVD and Blu-Ray for those who have DVD players that can play Region 2 DVDs (The United States is Region 1).

• An Idiot Abroad: The Travel Diary's of Karl Pilkington is available as a hardcover book (ISBN: 1847679269)

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

• The Great Pyramids at Giza
• The Hanging Gardens at Babylon
• Statue of Zeus at Olympia
• Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
• Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus
• The Colossus of Rhodes (my favorite!)
• Lighthouse of Alexandria

Visit An Idiot Abroad: Science Channel for information, quotes, video clips, puzzles, etc.

Episode descriptions are from The Science Channel and Amazon.co.uk