OK, since the first airing of Man Vs. Wild, this exact same discussion has come up exactly 3,467 times on this forum. We've rehashed, rechewed and mulled over all the available information at least half of those times. Here are the finished talking points that have come out of those thousands of conversations.
-A large portion of the show is faked for dramatic effect.
-Bear and the crew often sleep in 5 star hotels and eat pizza during extended camera breaks.
-They employ the talents of local survival experts to consult Bear and the crew on the areas they're presenting. Bear is not the world almanac of survival information.
-Ron Hood was involved with the show in the beginning stages but was disenchanted by the way the producers wanted to present questionable survival info for shock value.
-Ron said he liked Bear and that Bear did indeed know survival skills. (Ron has since retracted that fact and I really don't know where he stands as far as the whole thing goes.
-Bear was indeed in the SAS, but not the special forces (as if this somehow diminishes his service).
-He did indeed climb everest, there is some contention about how many times he reached the top, but he did make the summit at least once as his name is in the official roster.
Personally, I would much rather watch M vs. W than one of the 17 "Law and Order" shows or "The Bachlor and the Hooker", or whatever reality show they're trying to shove down my throat this month.
At least it lines up with my intrests, which is rare.
