Ridley Scott, Ricky Gervais Bring Projects to Science Channel

PASADENA: An Idiot Abroad, from Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, is headed to Science Channel, which has also greenlit Prophets of Science Fiction, produced by Ridley Scott.

The comedic duo behind the acclaimed series The Office and Extras, Gervais and Merchant are bringing the eight-episode series An Idiot Abroad, a practical-joke-turned-sociology-experiment, to Science Channel starting January 22. A special preview episode will air immediately prior to the series premiere at 9:30 p.m. In the series, the pair surprise their close friend Karl Pilkington with a forced trip around the globe to visit the Seven Wonders of the World. However, Pilkington has no interest at all in ever leaving his comfort zone of the U.K. "It’s great to have An Idiot Abroad on such a prestigious and innovative outlet," said Gervais. "Karl didn’t even go to school and now look at him. I can’t wait to hear how they announce it on air. ‘And now on Science Channel, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant send a chimp around the world to annoy it.’"

"Science Channel is television’s home for the thought provocateur—and no one provokes like Ricky Gervais. He’s the perfect fit for our network," added Debbie Myers, the executive VP and general manager of Science Channel. "Karl Pilkington gives An Idiot Abroad a real heart. He has a fearless, childlike wonder that allows him to ask the questions that others are afraid to. His fish-out-of-water experiences in these new, mysterious worlds make him the epitome of an ‘accidental scientist.’"

Ridley Scott, behind such iconic science fiction works as Blade Runner and the Alien franchise, as well as adventures like Gladiator, has a new eight-episode series for Science Channel, Prophets of Science Fiction. The series explores legendary figures of science fiction who later inspired "science fact," including Isaac Asimov, Gene Roddenberry and George Lucas, and examines how their work often inspired future discoveries decades before they took place. The series will premiere in the second half of 2011. "I am thrilled to be partnering with Science Channel on this exciting new series. I hope that the audience will find the subjects as interesting and inspiring as I do," said Scott.

"Quite simply, Ridley Scott is a titan in the world of science fiction—and the perfect personification of Prophets of Science Fiction," added Debbie Myers, the executive VP and general manager of Science Channel. "Science Channel is thrilled to go on this journey with Ridley beyond imagination into the world of the unknown. Science is sparked by creativity, and the remarkable individuals we cover in this series actually inspired future generations of scientists."