or


[01/06/11 - 02:08 PM]
Ricky Gervais Brings "An Idiot Abroad" to Science Channel
The eight-episode series will out Saturday, January 22 with back-to-back episodes.

[via press release from Science Channel]

RICKY GERVAIS BRINGS "AN IDIOT ABROAD" TO SCIENCE CHANNEL

--The Minds Behind "The Office" and "Extras" Bring the Eight-Part Series to Science Channel Beginning January 22 --

(Pasadena, CA) - This January, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant are bringing the most elaborate practical-joke-turned-sociology-experiment in television history to Science Channel. The Emmy(R)-winning crazy geniuses behind the acclaimed series "The Office" and "Extras" bring the eight-episode series AN IDIOT ABROAD to the United States, beginning Saturday, January 22, at 10:00 PM ET/PT. A special preview episode will air immediately prior to the series premiere at 9:30 PM ET/PT.

"It's great to have AN IDIOT ABROAD on such a prestigious and innovative outlet," said Gervais. "Karl didn't even go to school and now look at him. I can't wait to hear how they announce it on air." And now on Science Channel, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant send a chimp around the world to annoy it.

In AN IDIOT ABROAD, Gervais and Merchant surprise their close friend - and close-minded curmudgeon - Karl Pilkington with a forced trip around the globe to visit the Seven Wonders of the World. This jet-setting adventure would be a dream come true for most, but it is a nightmare for Pilkington, who has no interest at all in ever leaving his comfort zone in the UK.

Despite his resistance, however, he's shipped to exotic locales, including the Great Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China, and the Taj Mahal. His assignment at each destination is to learn the history of each Wonder of the World and immerse himself in the local customs. Will Pilkington, whom Ricky calls "the real-life Homer Simpson," broaden his perspective or trigger an international incident?

"Science Channel is television's home for the thought provocateur - and no one provokes like Ricky Gervais. He's the perfect fit for our network," said Debbie Myers, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Science Channel. "Karl Pilkington gives AN IDIOT ABROAD a real heart. He has a fearless, childlike wonder that allows him to ask the questions that others are afraid to. His fish-out-of-water experiences in these new, mysterious worlds make him the epitome of an 'accidental scientist.'"

AN IDIOT ABROAD is produced for Science Channel by Mentorn International. For Science Channel, Brian Lavin is network producer, and for Mentorn International, Dan Goldsack is executive producer.

About Science Channel:

Science Channel, a division of Discovery Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), is home for the thought provocateur, the individual who is unafraid to ask the killer questions of "how" and "why not." The network is a playground for those with audacious intellects and features programming willing to go beyond imagination to explore the unknown. Guided by curiosity, Science Channel looks for innovation in mysterious new worlds as well as in its own backyard. Science Channel and the Science Channel HD simulcast reach more than 68 million U.S. households. The network also features high-traffic online and social media destinations, including ScienceChannel.com, facebook.com/ScienceChannel and twitter.com/ScienceChannel.

About Mentorn International:

Mentorn Media's output has a breadth and quality that ranks it as one of the UK's foremost producers. Established in 1985, Mentorn Media is one of the UK's longest established independent television production companies, making thousands of hours for broadcasters in the UK and worldwide. Our offices in London, Oxford, Cardiff and Glasgow produce programs across a range of genres. Question Time, The Big Questions, Traffic Cops, Motorway Cops, Underage and Pregnant and Cowboy Trap are recognized brands in the BBC's output, placing Mentorn Media as the sixth biggest supplier in terms of hours to the BBC in 2009. Over the last couple years Mentorn Media has produced two series of The School Musical and, in 2010, An Idiot Abroad with Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington for Sky 1HD.





  [january 2011]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· EXTRAS (HBO)
· IDIOT ABROAD, AN (SCIENCE)
· OFFICE, THE (NBC)





[10/03/25 - 02:17 PM]
ESPN's Record-Setting '25 MLB Wild Card Series
Across eight games, the MLB Wild Card Series is averaging 4.4 million viewers, up 65% from last year.

[10/03/25 - 12:37 PM]
BET+ Sets October 23 Premiere for "Carl Weber's The Family Business" Season 6
The 10-episode season will premiere with two episodes, followed by one episode weekly, with the finale on Thursday, December 18.

[10/03/25 - 12:07 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Continues to Shatter Records - Growing Two Weeks in a Row Since Season Premiere for First Time Since 2005
Plus: "High Potential" hit a season high in Total Viewers (4.24 million), growing by double digits over the show's comparable third episode from last fall.

[10/03/25 - 10:57 AM]
Legends, Champions and Icons of October Highlight FOX Sports' Postseason Broadcaster Lineup
FOX Sports begins its Postseason coverage Saturday, October 4 at 4:00 PM ET on FOX, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports App and FOX One as the New York Yankees face the Toronto Blue Jays.

[10/03/25 - 10:05 AM]
All-New Season of "Gold Rush" Returns with High-Stake Risks and Land Fury on Friday, November 7 at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery
With only a few short months to mine, top bosses and rising underdogs collide in a race to claim new ground, move more dirt, and strike it rich.

[10/03/25 - 09:12 AM]
FOX Nation Secures Exclusive U.S. Rights to Docuseries "Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar"
The acclaimed series will make its anticipated U.S. debut on FOX Nation on Monday, October 6.

[10/03/25 - 08:02 AM]
TNT Sports to Be Exclusive Home of 2025 NLDS & NLCS
Both best-of-five NLDS series begin Saturday, October 4.

[10/03/25 - 08:01 AM]
TNT Sports Sets BIG EAST Men's College Basketball Schedule for Inaugural 2025-26 Season
TNT Sports' regular season BIG EAST men's basketball schedule will feature 40 appearances by St. John's, UConn, Creighton, Xavier, and Marquette, programs that each clinched berths in last season's NCAA Men's Tournament.

[10/03/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "27 Nights" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When a woman is admitted by her daughters to a psychiatric clinic for her carefree ways, an expert must judge if she is ill or simply wants to enjoy life.

[10/03/25 - 04:01 AM]
Video: "Steve" - Official Trailer #2 - Netflix
Over one intense day, the devoted head teacher of a last-chance reform school strives to keep his students in line while facing pressures of his own.

[10/03/25 - 03:02 AM]
Miguel Herran Will Play Poli Diaz in "El Porto the Vallecas," the New Film by Daniel Calparsoro for Netflix
Inspired by true events, the film follows the life of Policarpo "Poli" Díaz (Miguel Herrán), a young man from Vallecas who, despite a childhood marked by poverty and family violence, became a boxing legend in 1980s Spain, even fighting for the world lightweight title.

[10/03/25 - 03:01 AM]
Netflix Honors Jane Goodall with Posthumous Release of "Famous Last Words" Docuseries Following Her Passing
The series showcases reflective interviews with some of the world's most influential cultural figures, who agreed to sit down and discuss their legacy, and give their final words, with the understanding that it would only be shared with the world after they passed.

[10/02/25 - 04:09 PM]
ESPN Delivers the Most-Watched WNBA Semifinals Ever
Game 5 between the Indiana Fever and the Las Vegas Aces averaged 1.8 million viewers, peaking at 2.1 million.

[10/02/25 - 03:01 PM]
Video: "Twisted Wonderland" - Trailer - Disney+
Your favorite villains reimagined in ways you've never dared to dream.

[10/02/25 - 02:51 PM]
ESPN's Record-Setting Day One of MLB Wild Card Series
Coverage of Red Sox versus Yankees averaged 6.5 million viewers, peaking at 9.9 million.