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- Oct 29, 2005
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Hopefully someone who actually knows the British military can set us straight.
This show is NOT presented as fiction. "Bear" is NOT presented as a fictional character being played by an actor. They go out of their way to publicize his credentials in order to support the notion that he is a credible source when it comes to wilderness survival.
Comparisons to television fiction are weak and irrelevant. A better comparison would be to other "how to" shows. Bob Villa used his own name and gave specific advice. He was not "acting" per se. Tim Allen played Tim Taylor and ACTED like the host of a tool show. If you can't see the difference, the knitting needles are probably too little, too late.
-- FLIX
Poor Bear... He has done the worst thing that you can possibly do in the Western world... He hurt peoples feelings. I feel bad that so many feelings were hurt by the fact that some of the elements of MvW are staged.
Wow, this thread is still chugging along pretty well.
I said it earlier, and I'll say it again: If anyone was watching MvW as a bonefide guide to wilderness survival, I feel sorry for you, and recommend you get some books.
From the first time I viewed MvW, I suspected that some of the situations were staged. But that didn't bother me. Bear illustrates concepts and techniques for dealing with given situations.
MvW is infotainment. He conveys tips about getting out a particular situation, and entertains by going through most of the motions. It's a safe approach to dangerous subject.
is bear an expert survival dude?
no, but he did stay at a holiday inn express.
I was driving to work this morning and noticed a large number (well over a 100) of what initially looked like office workers strolling about in freshly cut field. As I got closer I realized they were a film crew. I've never seen so many in one place before. I pulled over to watch for few minutes and something caught my eye above me at an 11:00 position. Falling from the sky was Bear Grylls with feathers coming off a parachute fashioned from old Kroger bags and some kite twine. He held a turkey vulture in his hands. He crashed into the ground about 30 feet from me and about 3 feet away from a large hay bale. Not more than 5 seconds after he hit the ground, a huge hawk landed on the hay bale and stared at Bear's vulture. Bear immediately jumped up, grabbed the hawk by the legs, and bit its head off. I missed his precise grabbing technique.......DAMNIT! I slowly moved around my vehicle to grab my camera but I must have spooked him because he took off running into the woods, blood dribbling down his chin. The 100 or so members of his film crew trailed behind him.
I wish I would have seen his grip but it was still a nice way to start the day.
but most of the viewers don't know and maybe one time they will use this wrong knowledge. This is what wrong with him. I don't know what is so hard to understand in this.
People don't emulate fake, stupid acts they see on television? Acts that are clearly for "entertainment only"?
hmmmmmm..............
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backyard_wrestling
Anyone notice when Survivorman was putting together the fishing line in the swamp, (spring, rope, bubble gum, credit card) that the rope he was using seemed to become an actual fishing line out of nowhere?
Re: the recent press accusations of motels and stagings in the show that have been doing the rounds, all I can say is they don't always tell the full story, but thats life and part of being in the public eye I guess.
The upshot is were determined to make all new shows more inclusive of the crew and their role. Discovery and Channel 4 will also include a disclaimer at the start of the show so there's no confusion....
Ps here are a few nice letters from fellow explorers who know me best.
Thanks guys.
Sir,
The recent alleged "revelations" that Bear Grylls stayed a night in a motel whilst on location filming for Man Vs Wild/Born Survivor and that some of his feats of endurance are being questioned for authenticity, leaves me irritated.
Should we really allow jealous local survival experts, past their sell-by-date adventurers and disloyal expedition organisers the time of day in print to attempt to discredit a man attempting things most of us wouldn't dream of doing and providing great entertainment on the small screen to boot...
Neil Laughton
Chairman, Office Projects Ltd
(World 7 Summiteer)