Fake Reality TV

I'm a fan of The Science Channel program, "Survivor Man," featuring the survival skills of Les Stroud. If you've seen the program, you know that Stroud gets dropped of in some remote environment with a few makeshift tools or supplies and has to survive for seven days AND get himself to civilization. Oh, AND video tape himself with gear he has to carry around.

It's danged impressive.

Lately I've also watched a few episodes of the Discovery Channel's "Man vs. Wild" a similar program starring a Brit with the evocative name of Bear Grylls, (name sounds like a barbecue place in Northern Minnesota.)

I've been less impressed with this guy, in part, because he has a video crew follow him around while he's "surviving." Whenever I see him nestling into the treetop bed he's made for himself out of palm fronds and lizard entrails, I always ask myself, "Where's the camera guy going to sleep?"

Well, now we know. He sleeps at a neaby motel or lodge. As does the star of the show.

A recent article in the Times of London reveals that much of what is depicted on Man vs Wild is staged:

"On another occasion in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains where he was filmed biting off the head of a snake for breakfast and struggling for survival “with just a water bottle, a cup and a flint for making fire”, he actually slept some nights with the crew in a lodge fitted with television and internet access. The Pines Resort at Bass Lake is advertised as “a cosy getaway for families” with blueberry pancakes for breakfast."

Read the whole annoying this here.

If I hear something similar about Les I'll be crushed. But I doubt I will. He's the real deal.

Posted by David at July 24, 2007 01:45 AM