Idiot Abroad Review

The round headed 'buffoon' Karl Pilkington

Travel broadens the mind at least that is what Ricky Gervais and Steve Merchant were hoping when they sent their mate Karl Pilkington to see the Seven Wonders.

The problem being Karl is in Gervais’ own words: “A round empty headed chimp like Manc moron.”

Karl is a typical ‘Little Englander’ who doesn’t like going out of his comfort zone, a real life Homer Simpson, something this show exploits brilliantly.

The show is incredibly funny in an awkward way similar Gervais’ other hit shows, The Office and Extras.

The audience laughs at Karl’s expense but at the same time we can’t help feeling sorry for him by the end of it all.

Highlights include the episodes in China and India.

The Great Wall according to Karl is simply average, comparable to the M6 which also stretches for miles but at least does a job.

A scene in Israel where Karl is kidnapped is comedy gold, with gun totting ‘scousers’ thrown in for good measure. (see above)

The accompanying music is fitting and really adds character to what we see on the screen, matching Karl’s bumbling buffoonery perfectly.

Gervais’ laugh does tend to grate towards the end as there are enough humorous moments for the audience to enjoy without him forcing a laugh out of us.

Does travel broaden the mind then? According to Karl no: “It buggers it up, I’m knackered.”

It might not help Karl change his outlook on life but it certainly makes for an entertaining trip along the way.