A MENTORN MEDIA PRODUCTION WITH RICKY GERVAIS AND STEPHEN MERCHANT
Sky1 HD have commissioned Mentorn Media to produce an 8x60 documentary travelogue series following world-record breaking podcast star Karl Pilkington as he embarks on a journey to discover the Seven Wonders of the World.
Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant are outraged that Karl has written off the Seven Wonders claiming they’re all “a bit shit” having never seen any of them with his own eyes. They’ve thrown down the gauntlet to send him around the globe to force him out of his comfort zone. Steve wants the experience to broaden Karl’s mind and change his outlook on the world. Ricky wants Karl to hate every minute of it for his own amusement.
Despatched on what many would term a journey of a lifetime, the ‘little Englander’ will be putting his misgivings to one side as Karl finds out for himself what the fuss is about. He will travel to the Great Wall of China, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, Petra in Jordan, Machu Picchu in Peru, Chichen Itza in Mexico, the Taj Mahal in India and the Great Pyramids of Egypt. Meanwhile Gervais and Merchant will be keeping a watchful eye from London, monitoring every step of Pilkington’s journey. The conclusion of the series will see the weary traveller returning home to report on his findings.
Karl commented: “I can’t wait to get started. Not ‘cos I’m excited but ‘cos the sooner we start the sooner it will be over. The fact the nurse gave me an injection that protects me from dirty chimps put a dampener on the whole thing. I don’t think Ross Kemp has to have that injection.”
The series has been commissioned by Clare Hollywood, Sky1 HD’s Commissioning Editor for Entertainment and Factual Entertainment.
Executive Producer, Dan Goldsack, said: “We’re really excited to be working with the team behind the world record breaking podcasts on their first factual television series. This is a genuine social experiment from Ricky and Steve and it’s going to be fascinating to see Karl’s take on the Seven Wonders.”
Ricky Gervais/Stephen Merchant quote: “We’re absolutely thrilled that Sky1 took this idea. It’s apt that the home of The Simpsons has made room for another bald-headed buffoon. The terrifying thing is this one’s real.”
Richard Yee is Series Producer and Krishnendu Majumdar is Series Director. Dan Goldsack, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant are Executive Producers. Kate Collier, Krishnendu Majumdar and Dan Goldsack developed the series. Karl Pilkington’s Seven Wonders Of The World (working title) will transmit on Sky1 and Sky1 HD in 2010.
Notes to Editors
A series of record breaking podcasts with Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant made Karl Pilkington a household name around the world. The podcasts went to number 1 in 14 countries including America and have remained at the top of the charts for over two years outselling, albums, TV and film. Karl’s classic quote “I could eat a knob at night” has spawned dance records, merchandise and a thousand online discussions – one such discussion leading to the conclusion that Karl isn’t real but is in fact, a comedy character invented by Ricky and Stephen.
For further information:
Susan Collins
Publicity Manager, Sky1 HD, Sky 1, 2 and 3
T: 020 7800 4243
M: 07736 026074
Susan.collins@bskyb.com
Louise Plank
Mentorn Media
lou@plankpr.com
T: 020 8995 3936
M: 07801 321 965