An Idiot Abroad

[Moonliner]

Has anyone been watching An Idiot Abroad?

I've only caught a couple of episodes and so far I'd have to say I don't get the title of the show. Karl seems like a fairly average bloke who doesn't fawn over every little thing. I guess "An average guy abroad" dose not have the same marketing punch.

From what I can see the only Idiot's associated with the show (Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant) were not on the trip.

Still aside from the title, and the incredibly moronic "hosts" it's actually a fairly interesting show.

[katiesue]

We LOVE it. OMG it's the funniest show on TV. Poor Karl. I think he's only an idiot for taking the job.

Every episode is hilarious. He was adamant that there would be no season two when he was in Chile so we'll see if they can talk him into another one.

[blueerica]

Jason and I have been watching from the beginning. While idiot probably seems like a harsh term, Karl really doesn't know much about the world outside of England, and it shows. As the show has progressed, he seems much more accepting that things are in other cultures (and social strata), despite his discomfort and occasional unwillingness to participate in events surrounding the "Wonders".

Throughout the show, Karl has become more endearing; no matter how worldly we think we are, there will always things we'll find difficulty with - it's just nature.

I think that a part of the premise is that it's an almost mean-spirited practical joke for the amusement of Ricky and Stephen (particularly Ricky). But I think it's just that, a premise. Karl seems rather bright and very funny. I think it's a set up, but it's a good way to get the audience to see and experience the world through this rather average, but funny, man.

Hospitals have kept me from seeing the damned finale, though! GAH! I will catch up over the next few days...

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by blueerica

Jason and I have been watching from the beginning. While idiot probably seems like a harsh term, Karl really doesn't know much about the world outside of England, and it shows. As the show has progressed, he seems much more accepting that things are in other cultures (and social strata), despite his discomfort and occasional unwillingness to participate in events surrounding the "Wonders".

Throughout the show, Karl has become more endearing; no matter how worldly we think we are, there will always things we'll find difficulty with - it's just nature.

I think that a part of the premise is that it's an almost mean-spirited practical joke for the amusement of Ricky and Stephen (particularly Ricky). But I think it's just that, a premise. Karl seems rather bright and very funny. I think it's a set up, but it's a good way to get the audience to see and experience the world through this rather average, but funny, man.

Hospitals have kept me from seeing the damned finale, though! GAH! I will catch up over the next few days...

One interesting tidbit from the finale, the title "Idiot Abroad" was a last minute suggestion from Ricky. Karl was on the last stop of the trip when it was first suggested. As you might expect, he was not too pleased with the new title.

[SzczerbiakManiac]

I haven't seen An Idiot Abroad because I didn't learn of its existence until the final episode and would like to see it from the beginning. I can only assume it's a "worldly" extension of The Ricky Gervais Show which I've been watching on HBO because it's freaking hilarious.

I can't tell if Karl Pilkington is for real or if that's a character he's playing. I hope it's a character because if not, he's stunningly dense.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by SzczerbiakManiac

I haven't seen An Idiot Abroad because I didn't learn of its existence until the final episode and would like to see it from the beginning. I can only assume it's a "worldly" extension of The Ricky Gervais Show which I've been watching on HBO because it's freaking hilarious.

I can't tell if Karl Pilkington is for real or if that's a character he's playing. I hope it's a character because if not, he's stunningly dense.

Karl is a real person not a character. It's important to remember the difference between stupidity (or being stunningly dense in your words) and ignorance. Karl is ignorant of the world having never traveled much, but that's a pretty common state of affairs for many many people and is in no way related to intelligence. Karl is not stupid or slow just because he's never seen/used a squat-toilet. In fact he has a pretty good read on a lot of things.

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Andy Kaufman was both a real person and a character created by Andy Kaufman, so that's why I raised that question.

I have not seen AIA so I am not making my assertions based of Karl's reaction to squat toilets or experiences out of his comfort zone. Based solely on what I have seen on TRGS, I stand by my "dense" description of Karl (assuming this is not a character.)

[katiesue]

I think Karl is just unimpressed. Some of it is just like going on vacation with my Dad.

[3894]

It's kind of a redo of "Root into Europe" from the early '90s. Anyone remember that one?

[blueerica]

Since our hospital didn't have the Science Channel, we finally caught the finale on our DVR last night.

I really liked how it all came together. Despite it only being "suggested" at the end, I believe Idiot Abroad was the title all along, they only just let Karl know at the very end of it.