I’m a big fan of the shows Man Vs. Wild and SurvivorMan. Basically the shows are about a man trying to survive in different hostile environments. For example being dropped in a remote jungle and having to find food, water, and shelter. Basic survival stuff. I’ve always thought Les Stroud ( SurvivorMan ) was a little better. In his show he has no camera crew. He basically sets up all the shots and lugs the camera equipment with him. Add to that the fact he is trying to survive in some of the harshest environments on our planet, i think doing the camera work as well is going way above and beyond. Bear Grylls ( Man Vs. Wild ) carries a camera crew with him. Both shows are pretty similar in format. They show you basic survival tactics and helpful tips from their years of experience. A few weeks ago Bear was demonstrating the fact that you can drink your own urine to survive. He fills his canteen full of hot fresh piss and gulps it down. Now i know in a survival situation you do what you have to do. I’d have been perfectly fine with him saying “hey guys, if you have to you can drink your own urine” but doing it when you don’t have to is something i feel he didn’t really need to do. In another episode he pissed on a shirt and wrapped it around his face and head to keep cool. I know it’s just a show and they are trying to give it’s viewers a real idea of what to do in that position. But please don’t drink your own piss unless you just have to.
Like i said, i’ve always liked SurvivorMan over Man Vs. Wild. I believe Les is a little more believable. He at least tries to set up a possible reason and circumstance for being stranded. I even bragged that he was a bit more legit as he did his own camera work. And to top it off i said “at least he doesn’t drink his own piss”. Well guess what! I watched an episode where he DID DRINK HIS OWN PISS. Now it was pointed out to me that he didn’t just piss in a cup and drink it. He used a method to filter the water from the piss. But to me it’s still piss. Add to that the fact that this time he was stranded with a boat and didn’t use the boat to escape. Why the hell would you try and survive in a jungle full of animals and insects that could kill you when you have a damn boat. Les really lost some respect points with me this weekend.
Anyways both shows are worth watching, check your local listings for SurvivorMan and Man Vs. Wild