Mentorn International has secured deals of An Idiot Abroad with Discovery USA's Science Channel as well as Canada and territories across Europe to add to the deals in Australia and New Zealand, it was announced today (FRI).
The Mentorn-produced, eight-part series which stars Karl Pilkington, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant in a documentary travelogue starts on January 22nd on the Science Channel, following world-record breaking podcast star Karl Pilkington as he embarks on a journey to discover the Seven Wonders of the World.
"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.'"
Mentorn International has also confirmed sales of the series to Discovery Channel in Canada where it will broadcast from January 21st, SVT in Sweden, TV3 in Denmark, YLE in Finland, NRK in Norway, ITC Skjarinn in Iceland. These are in addition to the previously announced territories of Australia (Network Ten) and New Zealand (TV3).
David Leach, Managing Director of Mentorn International, said: "I'm delighted that Science Channel is showing An Idiot Abroad in the US and I'm sure it will be a great success. People around the world are laughing at Karl's antics as the series is already showing in even more countries than Karl visited on his epic voyage of discovery."
"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.'"
About An Idiot Abroad
The eight-part series premiered on SKY1 HD in 2010. Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant are outraged that Karl has written off the Seven Wonders having never seen any of them with his own eyes. They've thrown down the gauntlet to send him around the globe to force him out of his comfort zone. Stephen wants the experience to broaden Karl's mind and change his outlook on the world. Ricky wants Karl to hate every minute of it for his own amusement.
Despatched on what many would term a journey of a lifetime, the 'little Englander' will be putting his misgivings to one side as Karl finds out for himself what the fuss is about. He will travel to the Great Wall of China, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, Petra in Jordan, Machu Picchu in Peru, Chichen Itza in Mexico, the Taj Mahal in India and the Great Pyramids of Egypt. Meanwhile Gervais and Merchant will be keeping a watchful eye from London, monitoring every step of Pilkington's journey. The conclusion of the series will see the weary traveller returning home to report on his findings.