For topics unrelated to bush walking or to the forums.
Wed 21 Mar, 2012 12:37 pm
It's all a bit of fun. He's engaging, good looking, and makes shows about doing fun stuff in the wild. Don't take it too seriously: it's entertainment, not education.
Closer to real survival is Survivorman. Les Stroud gets himself into the middle of nowhere, and spends a week getting hungrier and hungrier, colder and colder, weaker and weaker... until he eventually self-rescues.
Seems to shoot everything himself too, no crew.
It's far more realistic, and of far more appeal to anyone who's even remotely been in a similar situation (or suspects they may one day be). Which is why Survivorman doesn't appeal to a mainstream audience, and Man vs Wild does. My wife likes watching Bear, because he's hot and takes daring risks. She doesn't like watching Les, because he isn't hot, and spends most of his time shivering under a makeshift shelter, and failing to catch dinner.
But that's the beauty of having a hundred pay channels, and internet streaming: choice. Don't like something? Don't watch.
Thu 22 Mar, 2012 6:22 pm
JohnM wrote: He's ... good looking... My wife likes watching Bear, because he's hot ....
*scratches head* Is he?
Doesn't do anything for me.
Last edited by
north-north-west on Sat 24 Mar, 2012 11:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
Thu 22 Mar, 2012 6:51 pm
Have you given him the chance?
Sat 24 Mar, 2012 9:57 am
I watched for a couple of episodes. He's just not my type.
Sat 24 Mar, 2012 11:13 am
Sat 24 Mar, 2012 11:28 am
Maeh.. see, the real bear woulda known that was no bacon tree, if Ted hada stayed there longer he woulda realised..
It was obviously a HAMBUSH
Thu 19 Apr, 2012 10:52 am
I think that a lot of people are overly critical of the show. Its interesting to see how people react so divisively even within the Outdoors community, some supportive; some so outrageously against.
I think its important to think of the show as a hook that might get more people interested in going out-doors and enjoying the "wild". Sure he makes a lot of choices that I certainly wouldn't If I was in a survival situation (and he probably wouldn't either!), Abseiling off a waterfall or intentionally dunking himself in icy water for example! But!!! You have to respect that there has to be a dichotomy between "Good TV" and "Good Survival techniques" after all, I'm sure you're all of the opinion its better TV than something like Big Brother and by developing the entertaining "Good TV" side of the show, he was able to keep it going for 7 years.
I enjoy the show from an entertainment and fun perspective.
Thu 19 Apr, 2012 3:01 pm
Bushman Ben wrote:I think that a lot of people are overly critical of the show. Its interesting to see how people react so divisively even within the Outdoors community, some supportive; some so outrageously against.
I think its important to think of the show as a hook that might get more people interested in going out-doors and enjoying the "wild". Sure he makes a lot of choices that I certainly wouldn't If I was in a survival situation (and he probably wouldn't either!), Abseiling off a waterfall or intentionally dunking himself in icy water for example! But!!! You have to respect that there has to be a dichotomy between "Good TV" and "Good Survival techniques" after all, I'm sure you're all of the opinion its better TV than something like Big Brother and by developing the entertaining "Good TV" side of the show, he was able to keep it going for 7 years.
I enjoy the show from an entertainment and fun perspective.
Exactly right!! and it's entertaining watching the camera avoid the nice easy descent just to the side of the waterfalls he's "having" to downclimb.
Thu 19 Apr, 2012 3:17 pm
Yep, why didn't I think of that??? Like NP I really should bring myself to add more useful comment

Hambush.. really!! who would find that useful (let alone amusing)??
Anyhow yer, well put bushy ben.. I'm not sure its the best way to promote the outdoors to those who wouldn't already be motivated but yes.. why do people get polarised?? Does it offend their traditional fountain of outdoor knowledge??
I mean, he reversed up and straddled then slid down a spiky log crutch first.. ha ha .. great entertainment is all!!!
Thu 19 Apr, 2012 4:13 pm
I found it mildly entertaining for a couple of episodes until I saw him take a bite out of a live Salmon - the guy's an idiot!
Thu 19 Apr, 2012 4:24 pm
Yer, some of the killing was a bit needlessly inhumane I guess. Idiot is a bit harsh.
Thu 19 Apr, 2012 4:29 pm
Nuts wrote:Yer, some of the killing was a bit needlessly inhumane I guess. Idiot is a bit harsh.
Agreed, what's the correct word for a smart person that is needlessly inhumane?
Thu 19 Apr, 2012 4:58 pm
Politician?
tbh I didn't see the episode but severing the spinal chord would be the aim no?
Thu 19 Apr, 2012 7:48 pm
stepbystep wrote:Nuts wrote:Yer, some of the killing was a bit needlessly inhumane I guess. Idiot is a bit harsh.
Agreed, what's the correct word for a smart person that is needlessly inhumane?

Ollster?
Actually... Vote 1 Ollster for Bear Grylls successor
Fri 20 Apr, 2012 4:27 am
doogs wrote:stepbystep wrote:Nuts wrote:Yer, some of the killing was a bit needlessly inhumane I guess. Idiot is a bit harsh.
Agreed, what's the correct word for a smart person that is needlessly inhumane?

Ollster?
Actually... Vote 1 Ollster for Bear Grylls successor

Hahaha Nice Doogs......
Errrr errr guys, guys.... I dont think... errr im not sure.... ahhh idont want......
Fri 20 Apr, 2012 8:06 am
Nuts wrote:Politician?
tbh I didn't see the episode but severing the spinal chord would be the aim no?
Severing the spinal cord won't work. Need to cut the throat and bleed out for the fastest kill.
Fri 20 Apr, 2012 8:18 am
Strider wrote:Nuts wrote:Politician?
tbh I didn't see the episode but severing the spinal chord would be the aim no?
Severing the spinal cord won't work. Need to cut the throat and bleed out for the fastest kill.
Politician

I like
Ikejime is the go.
Tue 17 Jul, 2012 2:28 pm
I watched the Canadian episode of Fan V Wild last night. The first of these I have seen. They did kills worms.. but otherwise I found it was really interesting.
The interaction was good viewing for guides/educators so on..
Tue 17 Jul, 2012 6:08 pm
doogs wrote:stepbystep wrote:Agreed, what's the correct word for a smart person that is needlessly inhumane?

Ollster?
Actually... Vote 1 Ollster for Bear Grylls successor

Except for the well known fact I'm risk averse and hate snow, it'd be fantastic! Although considering my "element" is head high tea tree wound together with bauera and cutting grass it would make for a pretty slow show.
Sun 29 Jul, 2012 11:47 am
JohnM wrote:... Closer to real survival is Survivorman. Les Stroud gets himself into the middle of nowhere, and spends a week getting hungrier and hungrier, colder and colder, weaker and weaker... until he eventually self-rescues...
Fans of Les Stroud will be pleased to learn that
new Survivorman episodes are on the way. Personally, I enjoy his unassuming Canadian manner and the way he rarely manages to find enough food, his traps don't usually work and beasties are mostly heard, never seen.
(Also enjoy MVW - it's like watching a 'Boys' Own' adventure.)
© Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2013.