What’s the deal?
In this reality/documentary style show, friends Ricky Gervais and Steve Merchant –known as the creators of the office- decide to have their friend, Karl Pilkington, travel to see the Seven Wonders of the World and to experience the most exotic places he could ever go. And Karl reluctantly agrees, though he hates travel. Karl thinks he’s going on these trips to show viewers the wonders, but Ricky and Steve give their miserable pal all types of things to do that he absolutely hates. From Mexican wrestling to staying in youth hostels to skydiving and so much more.
Now, it sounds a lot like they are bullying their friend around the world and essentially they are, but you will fall in love with Karl. I laughed so hard at his faces and reactions that my roommate had to leave our apartment and find somewhere else to study (sorry Haley). Karl questions every custom in every country and tries to argue that the Great Wall of China should be called the Alright Wall of China. If you want to see a miserable person be put in extraordinary circumstances while making you laugh out loud, this show is for you.
The Main Players:
The show follows around Karl Pilkington “a typical Brit, who doesn’t like going out of his comfort zone.” He’s the kind of traveler who packs his own food and tries to avoid any type of enlightenment. And he’s not actually an idiot, he’s just got a very odd world view, which is why he’s so funny to watch. He’s usually not very impressed by the world’s wonders. One of things he says in the show is “happiness is like a cake; have too much of it, you get sick of it.” And I think that really sums him up as a whole.
Ricky and Steve are present in the show. They have meetings with Karl about where he is jetting off to and then call him as well as leave him a variety of voicemails of where to go and what to do, much to Karl’s dismay. And there are always a bunch of interesting characters that come in when Karl explores whatever place he’s at.
What’s so great about it?
It’s a great mix of a reality type show and a travel documentary. Karl talks to the camera and tells you about what he is seeing, but you get to see it as well. He will give little interviews about his day and usually how unhappy he is. And it creates this awesome viewing experience that will leave your abs sore from laughing.
Perks of Watching
Aside from the fact that it’s hilarious, it actually is a travel program in HD. It is a perfect blend of letting you see new, unique cultures and seeing the beautiful exotic places of the world and seeing the non-tourist version. You get to see the Taj Mahal and the Amazon jungle. You see hippos and gorillas in their natural habitat and learn all about different customs and traditions.
But you also see the not advertised circumstances. You see the massive stomach trouble Karl goes through in India and how he almost freezes to death in Antartica. You see the slums right next to the wonders. You see the garbage floating around the great pyramids and Machu Picchu loses its appeal once you see how much walking it takes to get there.
Another perk is watching Karl “dance”.
Overall, this show just made me laugh really hard while letting me see the world. And that’s all I really need to love a show. There are three seasons and you can binge them all on Netflix.
Have you seen “An Idiot Abroad”? What are you binging during the hot summer months?
