After sending Karl Pilkington to see the Seven Wonders in Season 1, and then dispatching him on a journey of a lifetime to do the ultimate “things to do before you die” in Season 2, Ricky Gervais has Pilkington packing his suitcase one more time for AN IDIOT ABROAD: THE SHORT WAY AROUND. Airing back-to-back-to-back, the three-part series returns to Discovery on Sunday, July 14 beginning at 7 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT. Following in Marco Polo’s footsteps, Gervais wants Pilkington to go on the ultimate trip: an 8,000-kilometre journey from Venice to China. But this time he won’t be alone. To help Pilkington out, Gervais has arranged for his mate, 3’ 6” actor Warwick Davis (Harry Potter), to keep him company, in the unlikeliest of “buddy movie” matchups. An encore presentation of the three-part series will air Wednesday, July 17, starting at 8 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT, on Discovery.
They are two strangers, whose only thing in common is their friendship with comic and prankster Gervais: Karl Pilkington, 6’1”, son of a taxi driver, never excelled at school and has a limited tolerance for new experiences; and Warwick Davis, son of an insurance broker, well-educated, and all-around nice guy. While Pilkington always moans, Davis is enthusiastic, open-minded, and genuinely wants to see the world. AN IDIOT ABROAD: THE SHORT WAY AROUND charts the ups and downs of their odd couple relationship as they travel around the world together. Davis never complains on camera, is keen to try out everything the locals do, and generally puts Pilkington to shame. But across the three-episode journey, they eventually find things in common – and uses for each other too, especially when Pilkington discovers he can fob off the surprise challenges Gervais has arranged on his more accommodating companion. And Davis discovers Pilkington’s incessant moaning can motivate him to push him beyond his normal limitations.
Episode highlights from AN IDIOT ABROAD: THE SHORT WAY AROUND include:
AN IDIOT ABROAD: THE SHORT WAY AROUND – “Venice and Macedonia”
Sun., July 14 at 7 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT
Ticket for two please – Karl Pilkington’s got company for his latest adventure! The prospect of “holidaying” with Warwick Davis doesn’t fill Pilkington with joy, but, regardless, Ricky Gervais sends the pair off to their first pit-stop: Venice, Italy. Nerves are tested when Davis takes Pilkington to a masked ball, where they enter the inaccurately-named Pleasure Machine, before Pilkington moves on to his wish-list: test-riding a jet-pack. But, as is usually the case on AN IDIOT ABROAD, things don’t go as planned.
AN IDIOT ABROAD: THE SHORT WAY AROUND – “India”
Sun., July 14 at 8 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT
It’s time to hit the road as Pilkington and Davis’ journey continues via India, one of Pilkington’s least favourite destinations from his previous travels. To get him in the right frame of mind to appreciate the country properly, Davis introduces Pilkington to laughing yoga, before they land roles in a Bollywood movie. This may be Davis’ area of expertise, but Pilkington embraces the opportunity to showcase his natural rhythm.
AN IDIOT ABROAD: THE SHORT WAY AROUND – “China”
Sun., July 14 at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT
It’s the final leg of the journey and the pair’s relationship is tested to the limit as they prepare to make their way to China. But first, there are a few loose ends to tie up in India – Pilkington has some unfinished business with the Spider Sisters, dragging Davis into the thick of it. With tensions running high, the duo arrives in the Far East where Gervais has arranged a couple of eye-opening excursions, including a (short-lived) cruise along the river Yangtzi, and some quality time with a panda at the Sichuan Panda Sanctuary.
