I've never really cared about Ricky Gervais until this show. Now I really really dislike him! Creating a show for the pure purpose of insulting someone who he (Rick) perceives below him and to make fun of them... that's pretty despicable and is in the end going to cost Ricky dearly in his career, as he strikes me as someone who will continue stretching it until it breaks. The more fun to see that this show actually is incredibly enjoyable, but for completely different reasons that RG intended.Ricky seems to see himself as someone who the rest of the world has to look up to, purely because of his fame (and because he thinks no end of himself) . And that's the reason why he thinks he can get away with trying to degrade someone for his own (yet public) amusement. Ricky is arrogantly assuming that he has the right to be teaching Karl something that Karl -should normally know-. Actually, in some way he is. Karl is experiencing all the memorable moments of travel that everybody in hindsight enjoys and tells their friends and relatives about when they get back home. It turns out, the bad intentions of Ricky, turn into a good thing for Karl. The stuff we tell people from our travels are not the things that went well, but the things that went wrong! So... great, I guess! Karl might seem not to have been around much, yet he is perceiving his surroundings with an incredible clarity, an astounding neutrality, and in a way, he's not passing judgment tainted by his culture's preconceived notions about the places he visits. In stead he judges his surroundings and the people on the basis of his own every day, here and now, way of life.That gives an incredibly refreshing view of cultures and other people that you don't usually see in travel programs. Karl is able to quickly spot the core of the subject, peeling every issue like an onion and making a quick and witty commentary about it that is spot on! His views of people and culture are practical, straight forward, simplified (yet no way simple) and no nonsense. That's is the beauty of Karl's mind, who, in a moment of tension between him and Ricky actually subjects even Ricky to the hammer of his straight forward intellect when he clarifies something Ricky misunderstood about Karl.Karl had mentioned that "You are better off living in the hole, looking at the palace, than living in the palace looking at the hole...". The meaning of this escaped Ricky and Ricky was quick to try to physically put Karl in the "hole" Ricky thought Karl wanted to be in. That Karl wasn't literally speaking escaped Ricky.Not only did Karl really enjoy his night in said "hole" he was forced to sleep in, (back at ya Ricky!) but Karl actually in so few words did what he does best, as he probably unintentionally summed up their intended parasitic relationship in that profound comment: Ricky is living in the palace looking at the hole, while Karl is in the hole looking at the palace.And yes, Karl is ways better off with that! By being aloof, Ricky can only look on in daft amusement as Karl is actually having the time of his life, something that will forever enrich him as a person.Thanks Karl, you are (the only person) who makes this show truly enjoyable! Ricky is not the star here, nor is he in any way needed to make this thing enjoyable. I would gladly watch any travel show Karl is in, where as Ricky could be pulled off the air permanently, just to do the world a favor.Go Karl, and don't let them get to ya!

I'll try to make this both short and sweet. Season 1 finds us understanding Karl's childlike ability to reduce things to a simple equation....often very amusing to those accustomed to fancy talk-around euphemisms for things, refreshing. Second season sees more of the same with Karl occasionally simply doing his own thing and refusing to be manipulated by Ricky & Steve.....Steve who?....aside from being 7 feet high he seems to serve no other purpose than to yes-man Ricky...who IS genuinely funny. Sadly, the third season breaks the cardinal rule to success....if it ain't broke....don't fix it. Third 'season' finds the VERY unwelcome addition of Warwick....who is obviously Ricky's in-house spy and confidant. The ganging up on Karl becomes outrageous as they both get different room qualitys on the same ship...etc thus reducing the 'accidental' possibility of terrible accommodation to a deliberate act to hurt Karl.....not funny at all. We always knew it wasn't an accident but smacking Karl in the face with it is just hurtful.....not amusing. Luckily Karl says what's on his mind and including the classic..."You're not a proper actor" to Warwick as well as other more scathing but similar comments about Warwick getting attention because he is an oddity...not because he is a recognized actor.....TOO TRUE. Season 3 is a waste of time and should not really be included in the series as clearly Warwick was chosen deliberately to embarrass and compromise Karl....not needed in the first two so why then? All in all I would watch it again but NOT the section with Warwick

Put together by the two comedic genius' that brought you "The Office" and "Extras". You'd think that this show would be a genius, subtle and well put together comedy featuring Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais.But no, this show is all about one lovable idiot. Named Karl Pilkington. Karl Pilkington is the average Brit who will make you love this show after one episode. The comedy is stupidly funny that everyone will understand. Karl is a reluctant traveler practically forced into these situations by two friends. Watch, as the ultimate pessimist is put in the worst of conditions and gives his opinions idiotic but hilarious opinions on his travels and his own life.If you have a strong dislike of Ricky Gervais or Stephen Merchant(A lot of people seem to). Don't worry they're not in it much.The best thing about the show is that it's all real! Karl is no actor. He is genuine simpleton living out his life in London. However, Ricky and Steve have hidden some surprises along the way that Karl describes as "the lowest points of me life"

One of the best shows on TV. A show about the typical Englishman out of his comfort zone getting tormented by a mate. Ricky Gervais is that mate. Ricky and Stephen Merchant send Karl on trips across the globe to "broaden his mind" for their own amusement. They consistently annoy him as it is "NOT a holiday!" Tormenting Karl is where the comedy comes from. Just like the Ricky Gervais podcast we get to hear the wisdom of the wonderful Karl Pilkington. The first season is the best of course but the other 2 are also brilliant. In series 3 Karl is accompanied by a dwarf actor called Warwick. Karl doesn't really enjoy his company as he doesn't find midgets very useful. I don't agree with Karl on that part but I believe Warwick thinks he's better than the average man. All he ever talks about is his great acting skills and his tour guide book. As Karl says "Oh, here we go again..." Great comedy along with some great shots from all over the world. Even if you don't learn anything you do get to see other cultures and have a good laugh whilst doing so. Karl is a legend!