Karl is billed as the idiot, but I would say he has a very unique view of the world. He is generally small-minded, and that informs his opinion about all the things he encounters. By exposing him to the Seven Wonders (in the first season) and a Bucket List of locations (in the second) and eventually pairing him with a little person (for the third) we have the opportunity to experience his wonderment of the stupid little things and his near disregard for the momentousness.
He describes Christ the Redeemer at the top of a mountain in Rio de Janeiro as a "pylon." When he's actually standing in front of it, he comments that the view from the mountain is better than the statue. They could have put anything at the top of the mountain, he figures, and there would still be droves of people coming to it so they can look at the view.
Where Ricky and Stephen's plan comes into effect is to attempt to push Karl well out of his comfort zone. He has to eat food that looks very difficult to choke down for the average person, but - to his credit - he tried his best most of the time. He often throws up his hands and says that he's not doing something, and he is then apparently cajoled off camera by a producer. So, he does (most) things that he doesn't want to do.
The feeling that one gets watching the interaction between the three, though, is of bullying. They all (Karl included) deny the idea that they are bullying him, but all the hallmarks are there. Karl's response when asked about it is to say that he's 40 years old - don't worry about him. Many of the things that Karl was forced to do were well outside Steven and Ricky's comfort zone as well.By the third season (only three episodes deep) they were running out of ideas. I expect the series has reached its logical conclusion. The ones that are out there are worth a watching.
4.0/5
