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RuthnJasper wrote: »Geebz - I've been a fan of Ricky, Steve and Karl since their XFM days! My brother gave me the "An Idiot Abroad" book for my birthday. I don't watch ANY TV (can't afford the licence these days), so I read LOADS of books. I wouldn't mind seeing Strictly, though. I've met Ann Widdecombe; she's fab - I have a lot of respect for her! Anyway, I've just reviewed Karl's book on Amazon. Here's my review, in case you are interested:
"My brother gave me this book for my birthday yesterday, as I've been a fan of Ricky, Steve & Karl since their XFM days. I've actually finished the book already; it was that funny, I couldn't put it down!
It was a good, interesting, &, in its own unique Karl-type way, insightful read. To those readers familiar with the trio, & who haven't watched the TV series, it quickly becomes clear that Karl's small production unit are colluding with Ricky & Steve to set Karl up in situations which they know will irritate him - e.g. getting him to film with a gay man on a nudist beach in Brazil.
In each country, Karl generally stays or travels with a local resident, most of whom are incredibly poor. Despite their hardship & daily circumstances (one delightful young man in India, Ashek, lives in what is essentially a garage), these people are extremely generous with their time & hospitality. In some cases, however, these parts of the book left me rather saddened for some of those who opened their homes to Karl - he was so rude & offensive to them. In one case in particular, Karl mentions how he pushed some food into the face of an elderly Chinese lady whilst shouting at her (in her own home, after she & her family had welcomed him in & cooked for him), just because she was trying to encourage him to try a bit of a different dish and this irritated him.
Plus, Karl was never actually that impressed by the Wonders - I hoped he might have ultimately learned to appreciate something, as there was a quote from his last wonder (Machu Picchu) at the beginning of that chapter in which he said "Magnificent. I'm speechless." So I thought that he might have actually gained some kind of new understanding from his experiences - but on reading the chapter, you find that he was just spouting it to Steve Merchant so that he could get out of the trip a day or two early. Somehow, it left me with a vague feeling of disappointment that a man who has experienced some of the world's most amazing treasures & cultures willingly persists in ignorance & disdain for much of what he encounters.
That said, it is definitely a book worth reading, with several laugh-out-loud moments, & offers a uniquely in-depth look at some of our world's most incredible people & places (as well as Karl’s misadventures with the various toilet facilities of each country…).
Karl really is just a simian buffoon with "a head like a f**king orange", but he certainly makes for a fascinating travelling companion."
Hi Roo, i have to say that i agree with most of what you have said. I do and have for a long time, enjoyed Ricky's sense of humour, and his laugh just sets me off straight away.
I can't say i saw the bit where Karl did the food in someones face bit, there is no excuse for that and to be honest i'm glad i didnt see it as i would have been very disappointed. I didnt actually see it from the start and have only seen a couple of episodes but in all honesty, they really made me laugh my socks off. Yes he may well be very ignorant, but it's the way he voices what so many others are probably thinking, without having the nerve to say so. I dunno what it is, he just seems to tickle my funny bone, no end!. :rotfl::rotfl:If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them~Dalai LamaHow people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours~Wayne DyerLet none find fault in others. Let none see omissions and commissions in others. But let one see one's own acts, done and undone~ch4 vs500 -
Just a quick morning bump be back later to catch up on posts xThe worst cliques are those which consist of one man ~ George Bernard Shaw
Holiday Saving fund 2010 = £25.00
WeightLoss 2010 = +6lbs 
BSC 292
June NSD 11 :TJuly NSD 15:TAugust NSD 14:TSeptember 9:T October 19:jNovember 15/110 -
Good morning all x
"If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride"
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O they are pencils......... I only just worked that out
what a div!
xThe worst cliques are those which consist of one man ~ George Bernard Shaw
Holiday Saving fund 2010 = £25.00WeightLoss 2010 = +6lbs
BSC 292
June NSD 11 :TJuly NSD 15:TAugust NSD 14:TSeptember 9:T October 19:jNovember 15/110 -
time for my 'can't get going today' monkey - bump!
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Sunnylooloo wrote: »O they are pencils......... I only just worked that out
what a div!
x
Well it is Sunday Loo
confused76 wrote: »time for my 'can't get going today' monkey - bump!
Love the monkey "If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride"
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"If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride"
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Afternoon Bump.....:)
If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them~Dalai LamaHow people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours~Wayne DyerLet none find fault in others. Let none see omissions and commissions in others. But let one see one's own acts, done and undone~ch4 vs500 -
The worst cliques are those which consist of one man ~ George Bernard Shaw
Holiday Saving fund 2010 = £25.00WeightLoss 2010 = +6lbs
BSC 292
June NSD 11 :TJuly NSD 15:TAugust NSD 14:TSeptember 9:T October 19:jNovember 15/110 -
If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them~Dalai LamaHow people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours~Wayne DyerLet none find fault in others. Let none see omissions and commissions in others. But let one see one's own acts, done and undone~ch4 vs500
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