Science Channel has announced that the third season of An Idiot Abroad will debut on January 19th. Last June, Ricky Gervais said that this season would be the last one.
The press release doesn’t indicate that this is the end but the last episode of the season is described as “the final leg of the journey.”
Here’s the press release:
RICKY GERVAIS, KARL PILKINGTON AND WARWICK DAVIS BOOK A RETURN TRIP TO SCIENCE CHANNEL WITH “AN IDIOT ABROAD 3”
–All New Season Premieres Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 9 PM ET/PT–
(Silver Spring, Md.) – Karl Pilkington has experienced things many only dream of. He’s gained notoriety for his pilgrimage to see the Seven Wonders of the World and to conquer the ultimate “Bucket List.” But after all of that, Karl is just as annoyed and unhappy as ever. Now, Ricky Gervais has convinced Karl to embark on another ambitious expedition; from Italy to China following in the footsteps of the famous explorer Marco Polo. Joining Karl on the excursion is Ricky’s diminutive friend-film and television star Warwick Davis (“Life’s Too Short”, “Return of Jedi,” the “Harry Potter” franchise)-who tries to raise Karl’s spirits while broadening his perspective on AN IDIOT ABROAD 3, premiering Saturday, January 19 at 9 PM ET/PT on Science Channel.
“This is Karl’s most epic journey so far but, despite being a seasoned traveler, he is still as angry, confused and naive as ever,” said Ricky. “At one point he seriously asks Warwick ‘do you have knees?'”
“Our network’s philosophy is to question everything… and no one asks more questions than Karl,” said Debbie Adler Myers, general manager and executive vice president, Science Channel. “The mix of his unconventional queries about life, Warwick’s spirited drive for new experiences and the smart, sharp humor of Ricky Gervais make this season of AN IDIOT ABROAD the most thought-provoking and hilarious yet.”
The third installment of the AN IDIOT ABROAD series follows Karl and Warwick as they trek 5,000 miles from Venice, Italy to Eastern Europe, India and China. Along the way, they seek familiarity with different cultures and traditions. Karl digests his surroundings and offers the odd pearl of wisdom as he goes along while Warwick samples the foreign locations from his own unique perspective.
“I have so many amazing memories of my travels with Karl; the people we met and the cultures we experienced. My eyes were opened to the diversity and beauty of our world. I am really proud of the show, and can’t wait to share it with the viewers,” said Warwick Davis.
Karl Pilkington said, “I found that being with happy positive people annoys me.”
AN IDIOT ABROAD 3 precedes the world premiere of the breakout new series STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW, Science Channel’s new series based on the blockbuster top 10 iTunes podcast of the same name featuring Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant.
AN IDIOT ABROAD 3 features the following three episodes:
Episode One Saturday, January 19 at 9 PM ET/PT Ticket for two please; Karl Pilkington’s got company for his latest adventure. The prospect of “holidaying” with Warwick doesn’t fill Karl with joy, but, regardless, Ricky sends the pair off to their first pit-stop: Venice, Italy. Nerves are tested when Warwick takes Karl to a masked ball, where they enter the inaccurately-named Pleasure Machine, before Karl moves on to his wish-list, test-riding a jet-pack. Things don’t go to plan and, with Warwick proving less than sympathetic, Karl gets his own back with the help of some balloons.
Episode Two Saturday, January 26 at 9 PM ET/PT It’s time to hit the road as Karl and Warwick’s journey continues via India, one of Karl’s least favorite destinations from his previous travels. To get Karl in the right frame of mind to appreciate the country properly, Warwick introduces Karl to laughing yoga, before they land roles in a Bollywood movie. This may be Warwick’s area of expertise, but Karl embraces the opportunity to showcase his natural rhythm.
Episode Three Saturday, February 2 at 9 PM ET/PT It’s the final leg of the journey and Karl and Warwick’s relationship is tested to the limit as they prepare to make their way to China. First there are a few loose ends to tie up in India – Karl has some unfinished business with the Spider Sisters that Warwick gets dragged into. With tensions running high, the duo arrives in the Far East where Ricky has arranged a couple of eye-opening excursions, including a (short-lived) cruise along the river Yangtzi, and some quality time with a panda at the Sichuan Panda Sanctuary.
AN IDIOT ABROAD 3 is produced by RiSK Productions in association with Me & You Productions. Ricky Gervais, Richard Yee and Krishnendu Majumdar are the executive producers for RiSK Productions. For Science Channel, Debbie Adler Myers is general manager and executive vice president of the network. Brian Lavin and Kaitlin McIntyre are producers for Science Channel.
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 74 million U.S. households. The network also features high-traffic online and social media destinations, including ScienceChannel.com, facebook.com/Science Channel and twitter.com/Science Channel.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 200 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity through more than 140 worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science and Investigation Discovery, as well as US joint venture networks OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub and 3net, the first 24-hour 3D network. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools and owns and operates a diversified portfolio of digital media services, including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
What do you think? Will you be tuning in for the new installments of An Idiot Abroad?