Ricky Gervais sends Karl Pilkington and Warwick Davis the short way round for Sky 1 HD
Sky 1 HD today (Thursday 26 April, 2012) announces the commission of AN IDIOT ABROAD: THE SHORT WAY ROUND, a 2 x 60’ special from RiSK Productions in association with Me & You Productions. The special was commissioned by Celia Taylor, Head of Factual at Sky and will be executive produced by Celia Taylor for Sky and Ricky Gervais, Richard Yee and Krishnendu Majumdar for RiSK Productions.
After sending Karl Pilkington to see the Seven Wonders,and then on a journey of a lifetime to experience the ultimate ‘ThingsTo Do Before You Die’, Ricky Gervais has now persuaded Karlto embark on an epic journey following the footsteps of famous explorerMarco Polo from Italy to China.
But this time, to help Karl with the loneliness of being away from home,Ricky’s arranged for his mate, Warwick Davis, to keep himcompany.
Ricky Gervais said: “Karl once said to me that opposites attract. Warwick Davis is sociable, hardworking and never complains. They should get along fine.”
Karl Pilkington commented: “I don't know how it will work out. Honestly. Edmund Hillary had that Tenzing fella, Ben Fogle had James Cracknell. I've been given an Ewok.”
Warwick Davis added: “I'll be following in the footsteps of Marco Polo who, on his deathbed, said: ‘I did not write half of what I saw, for I knew I would not be believed.’ That’s pretty much what I thought after I first met Karl.”
Over the course of a 5000 mile journey from Venice to Eastern Europe,India and China, AN IDIOT ABROAD: THE SHORT WAY ROUND willfollow Karl and Warwick as they get stuck into different cultures and traditions,illuminated by Karl’s trademark observations about the world and Warwick’svarying experiences as a little person in different countries.
Celia Taylor commented: “An Idiot Abroad has been a huge success for Sky 1 HD and we are thrilled that Karl is back on the channel for THE SHORT WAY ROUND, which with the addition of the brilliant Warwick Davis, looks set to be the most entertaining yet.”
The second series of An Idiot Abroad was recentlynominated for a BAFTA® Television Award, adding to previous nods from theBritish Comedy, National Television, Royal Television Society, Broadcastand Broadcasting Press Guild awards.
AN IDIOT ABROAD: THE SHORT WAY ROUND is part of Sky'scommitment to increase its investment in original British content by 50%over the next three years. By 2014, Sky expects to invest £600 milliona year in British programmes across its portfolio of channels. Thiscommitment follows the success of home-grown content such as entertainmenthits GOT TO DANCE, AN IDIOT ABROAD and A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN,dramas such as STRIKE BACK and MAD DOGS,comedies such as TROLLIED, SPY and THIS IS JINSY,and factual shows such as ROSS KEMP EXTREME WORLD and theBAFTA-winning documentary FLYING MONSTERS 3D.
AN IDIOT ABROAD: THE SHORT WAY ROUND will air exclusively on Sky 1 HD and Sky 1 in December 2012. Following the addition of Sky 1 HD to Sky Go, customers will also be able to watch AN IDIOT ABROAD: THE SHORT WAY ROUND on the move on iPad, selected smartphones and laptops at no extra cost.
ENDS
For more information contact:
Claire Wilson
Publicist, Sky 1 HD
T: +44 (0)20 7032 3071
M: +44 (0)7920 027 764
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