Paul Merton in China
Series Overview
Paul Merton in China was a four-part television series broadcast on Five commencing from 21 May 2007. It follows the journey of Paul Merton, comedian and writer, and his interpreter Emma, as they voyage across the country, exploring Chinese culture, expansion and change from Mao Zedong's reign. The series was a hit for Five and Merton confirmed on Michael Parkinson's show that a second series entitled Paul Merton in India had been commissioned. The theme music from Channel Five's advertisement is Michel Legrand's Di Gue Ding Ding, which was also used as the theme music to Heston Blumenthal's series In Search of Perfection aired concurrently on BBC Two. All four episodes were released on DVD in late October 2008.
Broadcast Schedule & Network Information
Airing status, episode counts, upcoming schedule, and network syndication.
1 Season • 4 Episodes
60 min per episode
2007 – 2007
Premiered: Mon, May 21, 2007
Creative Production Team
Latest Aired Episode
Season 1, Episode 3: “Episode 3”
Our man in the Panama hat and socks-with-shorts combo continues his bizarre travelogue. But wait, Merton's looking down in the mouth. Too much travelling and a bad cold have soured his mood and China is starting to get him down. "You get sick of the s*** and spitting and the staring," he confides bitterly, recovering his sense of humour to add, "And that's just the crew." Merton rallies to deliver a programme of two halves: marvels in the first half - the sublime beauty of the Li river, the paddy fields of the "Dragon's Backbone", a scene where he is massaged by six people at once - but then a slide toward bathos for the second half as he visits Guangzhou (or Canton, as was) and mingles with less-than-scintillating expats. But as a quirky glimpse of a nation full of wonders, this continues to be an enjoyable eye-opener.
Seasons & Episodes Breakdown
Cast & Creators
Explore Star Directory →
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Paul Merton in China.
Shows Similar to Paul Merton in China
Series sharing comparable tone, character dynamics, and narrative themes
6.9
8.5
7.5
6.5
9.2
10.0
8.0
7.9
4.0
6.0
7.2
More Series Like Paul Merton in China
Shows sharing similar genres, audiences, and storylines.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paul Merton in China
Key facts, seasons breakdown, and credits for search engines and AI assistants.
What is Paul Merton in China about?
Paul Merton in China was a four-part television series broadcast on Five commencing from 21 May 2007. It follows the journey of Paul Merton, comedian and writer, and his interpreter Emma, as they voyage across the country, exploring Chinese culture, expansion and change from Mao Zedong's reign. The series was a hit for Five and Merton confirmed on Michael Parkinson's show that a second series entitled Paul Merton in India had been commissioned. The theme music from Channel Five's advertisement is Michel Legrand's Di Gue Ding Ding, which was also used as the theme music to Heston Blumenthal's series In Search of Perfection aired concurrently on BBC Two. All four episodes were released on DVD in late October 2008.
How many seasons does Paul Merton in China have?
Paul Merton in China comprises 1 season available to explore.
Who stars in Paul Merton in China?
Key cast members in Paul Merton in China include Paul Merton.
Who created or directed Paul Merton in China?
Paul Merton in China was developed and directed by Not specified.