An Idiot Abroad: The Complete Series 1 & 2 [Blu-ray]

<laughing>While the bloom is off the rose, the edge not as sharp - there's really nothing like the phenomenon known as Karl Pilkington. Truly incomparable with any other human on our planet. And that's a good thing. At least, as long as you're a fan.The guy does seem to possess an innate ability to get under the skin of some people - rubbing them wrong doesn't even begin to describe it. Don't even think to ask an Indian or Mainland Chinese expatriate what they think and/or feel about our man. Been involved in several unhappy discussions which consistently ends in a war of flaming posts.The unappreciative aside, I think, as both Gervais and Merchant have already noted, there are many folks who can readily relate to Karl, his missives and misgivings. At the very least, he presents an alternative to the pompous globe-trekking narcissists that readily compare their "life quotient" to belittle you anytime the opportunity presents itself. Already played that game with several self-absorbed knuckleheads, and Karl gives a voice to those less inclined to dive into global flotsam, then proclaim it good 'just because'.There's more than a bit of self-hate in what I hear and read in people who instantly brand the US and UK as somehow less informed, less self-aware and less spiritual - essentially culturally inferior. In all honesty, if I offered cow urine as a health drink, I can foresee about a dozen lawsuits before I even put labels onto the product. That's more than a bit of bias being dressed up as intolerance and slopped onto us so-called cultural Philistines.And an excellent example of that is when Karl is 'volunteered' to do charity work in a South African shanty town made up of tens of thousands of huts. When he begins to question whether or not anything was really accomplished by fixing one, Steve begins lambasting and hammering the man. So when Karl asks a simple, but honest, question: "When were you here?" Nothing. Dead silence. Right, because there it is. That's the kind of self-possessed crap where the talkers (and there's an unending supply of those here in the states) are complaining and criticizing you, the guy who is actually boots on the ground, not having ever done it themselves.Karl only says what's truthful - at least for himself. And I think people who don't like that truth, meaning not instantaneously falling lock-step with their views, brand others as socially defective and culturally bankrupt. I really wish people who so readily drop "intolerant" into a discussion look up the word and honestly stare into a mirror.Stepping off soapbox. <g>Idiot once again delivers. Karl's tormentors state at the get-go that there are a few "goodies for us"; including swimming with 'dolphins' in Australia and 'watching whales' in Alaska. I won't even get into the choice between wing-walking on an old biplane or dancing at a very special club. <rofl!>Ya gotta love the twists thrown into the boiling cauldron of Karl's ever-brewing unhappiness.Personal Notes:- The DVD Extras contains the entire televised home-shopping clip that Steve and Rickey watch in stunned amusement during the post-series interview as Karl hawks his Pilko Pump Pants. And, in fact, someone has set-up a preliminary commerce website. I know I'm ready with my credit card. Will pay even more if Karl gets to doing an autographed version. <laughing> :-D- I'm personally embarrassed that the U.S. episode (Route 66) focused on some of the bizarre kooks of our country. We don't have long lines of people signing up for "cuddle parties". Nice normal average citizens far outnumber what's seen in the show.

dvd is for region 2 and will not work with most us dvd players

This blu ray will only work on certain players here in the States. I highly recommend viewing Matt Wilson's review for a list of compatible players. I own a Samsung BD-C6800, and it works like a charm on that. I know many people tend to use their Sony PS3's as their primary blu ray players, and i'd assume Sony locks out non-Region 1 blu ray's to protect their video game market(s) here.As for the show itself. Hilarious. If you are a fan of dry/witty humor, then this is right up your alley. Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant (creators of The Office) send their mutual friend, Mr. Karl Pilkington all over the world and we, the audience get to witness first-hand his encounters. If you are unsure if this is something you'd enjoy, there are loads of videos on youtube you can browse to get a better understanding. The discs aren't necessarily loaded with extras, you get some deleted scenes and what not. One other minor bonus (to me, anyways) is the fact you're watching the 'practically' unedited version of this show on these blu ray discs. The Science Channel version that airs in the States, tends to edit out every swear word.

Like others, I was apprehensive about buying this DVD set because of possible DVD Region incompatibility. I own an Insigna NS-WBRDVD (first model) and these popped right in and played beautifully. As for the series itself, it is one of the most hilarious documentaries I have ever seen. Karl makes me laugh out loud every episode. I am so glad these were finally available in the US, in Blu-Ray, and as a complete series. If you too are a fan of the show and have the right DVD player (see other reviews for more models), then go ahead and treat yourself. I even bought mine used (just in case did not work) and the set I got was pristine. Glad I saved the $20 or so dollars for "Used - Like New."

This is a very entertaining series. Do not assume it will play on your BluRay player in the U.S. even though it is supposed to be Region nuetral. Sony players will NOT play this. We have both Sony and Samsung BluRay players, and the Samsung WILL play it without any issues.The series 1 shows have aired on the Science channel and series 2 is currently in process. Ricky Gervais has a winner in this series. It's hilarious, if you can play it.

This is my absolute favorite travel series of all time (followed closely by Drinking Made Easy/Three Sheets/Have Fork Will Travel and No Reservations/The Layover). This version plays on my Insignia NS-WBRDVD2 like a champ, and looks FANTASTIC in Blu-Ray HD. I'm so happy to have the unedited for US TV version. This series is great - I've turned my parents and grandparents on to Karl Pilkington, and now the whole family loves him. If you have a 50hz capable player, buy this set and ENJOY. You will not regret the purchase.

My father and i absolutely loved this season. Hence forth i purchased it for his birthday. But here is the problem:THESE DISKS ARE NOT IN USA FORMAT!meaning of you purchased a dvd player and set it to united states codec you will not be able to watch these discs on them. I even tried to watch them on my PS3 console and it still would not work.Just a heads up. The series is well worth the price and is an amazing show. I just wish we could watch them.

All I can say is that this has to be the funniest documentary ever, It's comedy gold. Karl Pilkington has such a sensible way of viewing the world that you cannot help but agree with his insights pertaining to other cultures. I cannot stop watching this, it's addictive! I have to have my An Idiot Abroad fix every day, it's the perfect way to wind down after work. Check this out, you won't regret it!Love and light,RD xxxxx

Series 1 excellent and genuinely funny with one liners and antics we would come to expect and relate to from a fellow mancunian. Season 2 , The locations and cultural highlights were great but I feel that karl was kind of put on a leash and didn't really look like he was discovering and enjoying the experience in the same way which is why most of the comments and lines were kind of petty and forced as if he needed to say something despite not having much to say over a series of scenes. I don't think the two clowns really helped to be honest by giving him ridiculous and tedious tasks which were never really funny or entertaining to do and watch and I think karls attitude to half of them and lack of involvement also summed up how he thought about it , Karl only really started getting back to his normal self towards the end of season 2. Overall it was an interesting watch and funny mostly because of season 1 but season 2 loses novelty quickly and doesn't do anything to be worth a watch again.

An idiot abroad is a fantastically funny series, so funny in fact, I ordered it for my parents and my parents in law. The only downside was the delivery from Zoverstocks. In the past. As with Amazon, deliveries have been faultless and on time, but since the beginning of 2014, I have found Amazon and Zovetsocks have been awful, with things taking far longer than they should, Amazon logistics playing knock and run and thins item not arriving at all. Upon re ordering this same item, then another a week later, it was only when I enquired it's whereabouts when I believe that it was dispatched, as it arrived on the same day as the second item, ordered some time later. Be aware when ordering this brilliant box set, that you may be waiting some time for it to arrive, if at all and totally disregard "dispatched" emails.5 star dvd. 1 star service.

I'll begin by stressing: As with every comedian's DVD, please watch a few clips on you-tube before buying and subsequently down-rating this DVD. This particular humour is not for everyone.I personally loved every minute of this, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone who asked. I very rarely buy a DVD (or a book) unless I absolutely adore it and believe the producer deserves the (invariably) large amount of money requested, opting instead to rent them out/borrow from friends. Had I seen all of these on Sky I would still have gone out and bought it, purely to give these guys some well deserved money. As an aside, I thought this was very nicely priced for what it is, though that is almost certainly because it had been on TV already and people may not have been willing to part with more.For the record I believe that Karl does at times exaggerate his stupidity for effect, but most of the time it's actually him. And that's what makes him so loveable!

We bought this for my partner's aunt for christmas 2011 as she's been watching them on Sky + but had missed most of the first series and she really loved it. After we watched one with her I decided I wanted to see it too and now I've watched both series it really is a must see.Karl Pilkington is very funny and he's not even trying to be. He's typically British and some of the things he comes out with will have you laughing out loud. Alongside it being a comedy programme it's also informative in a strange way, I learnt a lot of things about the places that he visited that I didn't know before and a lot of the time it makes you wonder how they managed to arrange for him to do the things that he has to do over there. You do feel very sorry for Karl, they're so unnecessarily mean to him and you feel especially sorry for him by the end of series 1 he's absolutely shattered and is not very enthusiastic when he's asked about the possibility of a second series!I just can't put it into words how good this is. Don't hesitate to buy it just do it you won't regret it!

Karl Pilkington says the things that most people would think in the situations he is put into by the the real two UK idiots.This series will have you holding your sides time after time and just from KP's natural reactions.It isn't for those offended by bad language (whatever that is) but when he comes out with the expletives it just makes you laugh because it sums up the situations.Enjoyed this series but don't screen it in front of young kids, it is adult stuff.Ricky Gervais always makes me think that he forces the laugh but KP is a natural.