Discovery Channel's "Survivorman"

[Grant Lamontagne]

I think you guys hit the nail on the head with that one- Bear is more entertainment.  Many people find Les Stroud boring because that's real in a survival situation.  But, reality has never made for good TV, so someone came up with Bear's show to make it more entertaining.

Def

[Viking]

Spot on Def!!

Les's show is certainly slow in areas, but has some useful info.  Les' highlight might be that he finally found an edible plant to nibble on and then starve for the rest of the week. 

Bear's show is never slow and full of fun.  Last week he cut the head off a skunk after getting sprayed, got stung by bees so much that his eyes swelled shut and then killed a rattlesnake and ate it.  All in one show!!!

[Leatherman123]

I saw that episode! Eating skunk would be GROSS!

[Freudian Frog]

I think you guys hit the nail on the head with that one- Bear is more entertainment.  Many people find Les Stroud boring because that's real in a survival situation.  But, reality has never made for good TV, so someone came up with Bear's show to make it more entertaining.

Def

Spot on, Def! Wait, hasn't that been what I've said? Nevermind, I'm not quite so eloquent as my mind likes to make myself out to be.

[EZ822]

I think Les Strouds approach to survival is more practical than Bear Grylls. Lets face it how many of us are really going to climb a 150 foot cliff or repel down a waterfall just by tying together some vines or even drink camel crap juice in a survival situation. 

[Splat]

I think Les Strouds approach to survival is more practical than Bear Grylls. Lets face it how many of us are really going to climb a 150 foot cliff or repel down a waterfall just by tying together some vines or even drink camel crap juice in a survival situation. 

Hey, if drinking camel crap juice is going to keep me alive in some remote location then.......  I'd rather die! 

[Poncho65]

The new 3rd season seems to be under way and on wikipedia (link below) they have turned up some of the locations

Northern Canada, Sierra Nevada (U.S.), Papua New Guinea, and Madagascar

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivorman

  I love this show I sure can't wait

[Grant Lamontagne]

Northern Canada is a pretty big place... I'd like to see him survive in Churchill, Manitoba.  Of course I'll bet that would be a very short episode!   

Def

[Dtrain]

I know my oldest boy likes Bear better. He, wether he is right or not feels that at least Bear admits he has a camera crew and help with him. Myself, I enjoy both shows. Science of Survival isn't that bad either.

Dtrain

[BIG-TARGET]

Here is an interview with survival teacher, Cody Lundin.
Note some of his commentaries on "survival reality(or lack there of)" on the boob tube
http://www.practicalbackpacking.com/blog/archives/000007_pbp_episode_5_cody_lundin_survival_expert.php

[duckman1975]

When watching man vs wild always put in mind that almost all the things done in the show is for last resort, its the least thing you do if there is no other choice.
They should have retitled it SURVIVAL THE LAST RESORT.

[BIG-TARGET]

When watching man vs wild always put in mind that almost all the things done in the show is for last resort, it that least thing you have to do if there is no other choice.
They should have retitled it SURVIVAL THE LAST RESORT.

Good point

[Gareth]

After watching a couple of Bear Grylls I wanted to throw things at the TV.  He seemed determined to get himself, and anyone who listens to him, killed.   The one example that always springs to mind is jumping into some fast moving white water using only his backpack as a buoyancy aid.  Oh yeh? That and the life preserver he is so visibly wearing under his sweatshirt.

Les Stroud is much less likely to get you killed.  And he uses SAKs and multi-tools. What more could you want.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

After watching a couple of Bear Grylls I wanted to throw things at the TV.  He seemed determined to get himself, and anyone who listens to him, killed.   The one example that always springs to mind is jumping into some fast moving white water using only his backpack as a buoyancy aid.  Oh yeh? That and the life preserver he is so visibly wearing under his sweatshirt.

Les Stroud is much less likely to get you killed.  And he uses SAKs and multi-tools. What more could you want.

I feel the same way about Mr Grylls

The dude's an absolute disaster waiting to happen, follow his advice only if you have a deathwish.

Les on the other hand, while not a survival guru as such, at least show's the practicalities of a survival situation

[max6166]

I feel the same way about Mr Grylls

The dude's an absolute disaster waiting to happen, follow his advice only if you have a deathwish.

Les on the other hand, while not a survival guru as such, at least show's the practicalities of a survival situation

Couldn't agree with you guys more. To me, his show is one step away from Jackass.

Unfortunately, someone could get seriously hurt or killed imitating his lack of respect for both the wild and personal safety.

[PyroJames]

Hey guys, I'm new here.  (Just joined. first-time poster, long-time reader/fan of the site.)

You guys are right. Man vs Wild is entertaining but it's almost a cross between Jackass and Fear Factor.  No doubt, the show IS entertaining but Bear sometimes doesn't provide the best advice for survival.  The show is educational and you do learn some neat things but I wouldn't follow his tips unless I had absolutely no choice.  I'm not sure if I would drink the juice from camel poo or use a camel carcass for a sleeping bag unless I really, really, really, really, REALLY had no choice.

Survivorman on the other hand, is more realistic and provides more proper advice on survival.  I've been watching Survivorman since day 1 and I think it's a great show.  I've probably seen each episode about a dozen times but the show is still fun to watch and learn from.  What I love about the show is that Les Stroud is TRULY alone and showing you how to survive.  (Not to bash Bear Grylls but you're not really using your brain/survival skills to the fullest if you have a crew to build the shelters and follow you around.)  Les also shows you how to be creative and survive with the most obscure items in your backpack.

When I watch Man vs Wild, I just want to see Bear eat disgusting stuff.  When I watch Survivorman, I want to actually learn something about survival.

If you guys get OLN, Survivorman is on every day at 10am EST. (It's on right now.)  It's also on Discovery Friday nights, Saturday morning and on CityTV (Ontario) Saturdays.  Man vs Wild is on Discovery Channel Canada friday and saturday nights; reruns the next day in the morning.

[Tarrodemierda]

welcome,good to see new fan of Les here

[cgk]

Welcome aboard pyro....why does that name scare me.....none the less welcome.

[PyroJames]

Thanks for the warm welcomes, guys.    Don't worry, "pyro" is an old nickname from school.  I'm more of an inactive pyro now and the only thing that I've burned recently is my breakfast. (accidentally, of course.)   

[Anthony]

Welcome Pyro!


Anyone know is the Discovery Channel had the Survivorman episodes taken off youtube?  I remember there were lots of episodes on there but now they aren't

[Splat]

I believe tonight's a new episode. Looking forward to it. Finally, a reason to save $ and not go out on Friday nights. 

[BIG-TARGET]

Thanks for the warm welcomes, guys.    Don't worry, "pyro" is an old nickname from school.  I'm more of an inactive pyro now and the only thing that I've burned recently is my breakfast. (accidentally, of course.)  

I've always liked my bacon well done

[stressmaster5000]

I believe tonight's a new episode. Looking forward to it. Finally, a reason to save $ and not go out on Friday nights. 

I second that! 

[BIG-TARGET]

One thing that drives me nuts with some shows(i.e. Survivor, Man vs Wild, etc), is that some of the BS they show and call it a survival skill. 

Sad really, since survival skills are incredibly facinating!  When I walk in the city or in a forest trail, my brain goes into(automatically) into the mode of:"I can build a shelter with this,,,,, I can make a safe fire there,,,,,,I can trap and eat that,,,,,,,,etc."

I love bouncing into that mind sinc.  Not many other people can say that they think this way

[Splat]

One thing that drives me nuts with some shows(i.e. Survivor, Man vs Wild, etc), is that some of the BS they show and call it a survival skill. 

Hold on now... I cannot recall seeing Les ever do something on Survivorman that wasn't in the best interest of what the show is trying to do/teach. Bear, OTOH, has become a farce to a lot of people because of the great risks he takes in the pursuit of "surviving", the stories that have been leaked out about him and his show, not to mention the fact he has a crew with him when he's "surviving".

Sad really, since survival skills are incredibly facinating!  When I walk in the city or in a forest trail, my brain goes into(automatically) into the mode of:"I can build a shelter with this,,,,, I can make a safe fire there,,,,,,I can trap and eat that,,,,,,,,etc." I love bouncing into that mind sinc.  Not many other people can say that they think this way

I don't think that when I'm in the city/urban environment. I'm trying to be 360º alert and look alert. When I'm in the middle of nowhere or in a remote place then hell yeah, I start thinking about what I have with me and what can be obtained and used for my survival.

[BIG-TARGET]

  Let me clarify, the CBS-TV show "Survivor"(not Survivorman) and Bear Grylls.  I happen to like Les's show too.  Though I must admit, he did push is luck when he alost had the heatstroke in the Kalahari, and the foot fungus in the Amazon.

BTW,  Survival situation do happen more in cities than in Forests, due to infrastructure breakdown(i.e. water/sewer main breaks, and electrical power outages).  That happens, a city STOPS,and is dead in the water.
Crime doesn't even factor in.   And this is especially so in east coast US cities that have infrastructure over 100 years old,  and had their last overhaul during the "New Deal"(1930-1935).

[NutSAK]

I just got done watching the new episode (Sierra Mtns).  It was excellent!!

[Tarrodemierda]

i still havent seen all,but close.the one id really would like to get/see is the Robinso Crusoe.

and i crave for that book of his....if i get any connection to les,as ive been emailin there,ill try to get one copy with his autograph.

[Poncho65]

Has anyone ever seen the Snowshoes and Solitude documentary Les and his wife have?

Also Surviving Urban Disasters and Surviving Alaska are very good shows he has out as well

[PyroJames]

Has anyone ever seen the Snowshoes and Solitude documentary Les and his wife have?

Also Surviving Urban Disasters and Surviving Alaska are very good shows he has out as well

I haven't seen those yet.  Have you guys seen his special "Off the Grid"?  It's a really interesting look at him and his family building an eco-friendly house.