Ellie Walker-Arnott

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An Idiot Abroad 3 – review

Posted on December 1, 2012 by elliewalkerarnott

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An_Idiot_Abroad_3Ricky Gervais has done it again. Like a sinister puppet master, he has sent the perpetually grumpy Karl Pilkington on yet another once-in-a-lifetime trip. But this time he’s not alone…

The first episode of An Idiot Abroad’s third series saw Karl gain a travelling partner in the form of Hollywood star Warwick Davis. But as you’d expect, Karl was far from pleased about his new companion.

As the two men met before their odyssey began, Gervais likened the pair to Dick Whittington and his cat. Then Pilkington said Warwick was “like a little limpet, hanging on, dragging you back” and we we’re left a little unsure as to whether we are supposed to giggle or cringe. It seemed Pilkington – the round-headed man who wants nothing more than a simple life – was mainly worried that he’d have to carry Warwick’s bags.

But, in spite of a chilly start, it turns out that sunny Warwick and grouchy Pilkington actually make a magnificent duo.

As the pair set off in Marco Polo’s footsteps, Warwick’s easy going attitude became another hilarious gripe for Pilkington, and before long he set about plotting ways to ruin Warwick’s fun.

First stop on their whistle-stop tour was Venice. Karl’s alternative guide to some of the world’s most beautiful places takes some getting used to – but it’s certainly a refreshing change from travel telly clichés. In Karl’s deadened eyes, the watery tourist trap was “a hassle… a town made for mermaids, d’you know what I mean?”.  Venice is more suited to the days when humans were “fish”…

Entering the bustling St Mark’s Square, Karl assumed the reason everyone was milling about was because there’d been a fire alarm. And as Warwick trotted off to get ice-cream and buy postcards, Pilkington fumed into the camera: “He’s treating it like a holiday… We can’t keep wondering about taking pictures and that.”

Next up they went shopping for costumes and a disgruntled Karl perked up for the first time when he found a tiny hat for Warwick. In Karl’s own words their Venetian masquerade party was “like a horrible Come Dine With Me.” The evening’s entertainment – a strange curtained area ominously named ‘the pleasure machine’ – certainly made for uncomfortable viewing, but the visual discomfort on Karl’s face as he “gets fondled and all that lot” was worth it.

Next morning and Karl was feeling proactive. “The problem with Venice is that it’s stuck in its ways,” he said. So he decided to try a water jet pack. But he thought it’d be easier and he had to wear a polo neck-style wetsuit so after a bit of flailing around in the water – “I saw my life flash before my eyes” – he decided to give up.

Next stop, Macedonia and a night with the Romany gypsies. For once, caravan holiday fan Karl was in his element while Warwick found himself out of his comfort zone. Karl got in the spirit of things and did a little dance while the gypsies slyly touched Warwick for luck. Karl insightfully mused on the likelihood of Warwick being lucky: “I think it’s a load of old bollocks because I’ve been with him for a while and he’s pissing me right off.”

The following morning, though, Karl seemed to be warming to his travelling companion. First he admitted that “when it comes to sleeping in little holes and crevices, he’s ideal…” before they embarked on a wonderful scene where Karl cycled along with Warwick in his bicycle basket.

They were heading to the top of a hill where omnipresent Gervais had organised for Karl to be attached to helium balloons – cue him failing to take off before falling into a pile of nettles. It was Warwick’s turn next and he was much more successful, though not best pleased, while Karl looked on in glee before saying, “I’ve never had a kite.”

But this new found fondness didn’t last long and, as Gervais called to check up on them, Karl soon declared: “honestly, if you offered me a cat now I’d swap…”

Throughout the entire trip demonic Gervais takes pleasure in adding fuel to Pilkington’s angry fire – Warwick’s hotel rooms are grand and spacious while Karl’s are pokey and uncomfortable – and he and his trademark chortle pop up on the phone every now and again to revel in his creation.

The charm of series one and two is slightly tarnished – part of the joy was watching Pilkington squirm as he faced ridiculous challenges on his own with only a camera for company – and you can’t help but feel that Sky1 are paying an awful lot of money for one friend to prank another, but there’s no denying Karl and Warwick’s escapades do make for pretty entertaining telly.

Next week the mismatched duo act in a real Bollywood film, meet conjoined twins, have a late night encounter with drunken holy men and try and let go with a spot of laughing yoga. (It’s a good one. You should probably watch it.)

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Posted in Article Category, Reviews, TV Tagged An Idiot Abroad 3, An Idiot Abroad review, Karl Pilkington, Ricky Gervais, Travel, TV review, Warwick Davis

What To Watch Tonight: 7th – 13th November

Posted on November 26, 2011 by elliewalkerarnott

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We’ve got a great week of TV ahead of us. From exercising our vocal chords with The Choir on Monday 7th November and testing our luck on Friday 11th with The Experiments to revelling in the glamour of air travel with Come Fly With Me: The Story of Pan Am on Saturday 12th November. Here’s our guide to the best TV this week:

Monday 7th November:

The Choir: Military Wives, BBC2, 9pm

Choirmaster Gareth Malone returns to our screens determined to get Britain singing in harmony. Convinced that our vocal chords are the key to our happiness, he travels to North Devon to take on a group of women living in a military base while their partners are on a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Tuesday 8th November:

Death in Paradise, BBC1, 9pm

Sun, sand, sea and murder. This cheerful Caribbean crime drama follows British detective Richard Poole as he attempts to solve a murder investigation whilst hunting down a proper cup of tea.

Wednesday 9th November:

Frozen Planet, BBC1, 9pm

David Attenborough’s dulcet tones narrate this extraordinary documentary, which follows the cycle of the seasons in the earth’s polar regions. This week sees the poles and their native species during the summer months.

Thursday 10th November:

Life’s Too Short, BBC2, 9.30pm

The long awaited spoof documentary is finally here. Written by comedy duo Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the show follows the life of Warwick Davis as he tries to climb his way to the top of the showbiz ladder.

Friday 11th November:

The Experiments, Channel 4, 9pm

Are you feeling lucky? In the last of the series, Derren Brown explores why some people seem to be more fortunate than others. In an elaborate hoax, the illusionist persuades an entire town that a statue has special powers and watches the effects the lie has on the residents.

Saturday 12th November:

Come Fly with Me: The Story of Pan Am, BBC2, 8pm

Get ready for the BBC’s glamorous new drama Pan Am with a look at the history of the Pan American World Airways and the exciting lives of their stewardesses – celebrity encounters, international romances and all.

Sunday 13th November:

Garrow’s Law, BBC1, 9pm

Suffering from Downton Abbey withdrawal? Fill the period drama shaped hole in your Sunday nights with Garrow’s law. Watch as barrister and general do-gooder William Garrow attempts to shake up the 18th  century legal system and ensure justice is served.

Published on the 7th November 2011 on Red Online. 

Posted in Article Category, Arts, Film, Publication, Published Articles, Red magazine online, Reviews, TV Tagged David Attenborough, Death in Paradise, Downton Abbey, Frozen Planet, Gareth Malone, Life's Too Short, Military Wives, Pan Am, Red magazine, Ricky Gervais, TV guide, TV review

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Currently a writer for RadioTimes.com. Living in London, tweeting @Ellie_Wa.
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