Survivorman Shark Week Special Review

[marshallkarp]

I really like the Survivorman series and Les Stroud, so I was looking forward to him hosting Shark Week and this special. As usual, Les threw himself, enthusiastically, into his work. But, I was really hoping for something new, versus warmed over shark show leftovers.

In case you missed it, the whole show was about, if you wear a dark colored wetsuit, float next to a sea turtle, and don't smell like pork, the great white shark may not be interested in you. However, best not to dive where there is a shark feeding frenzy.

Other than that, there was lots of shark footage, which faded out to red. I supposed this was subliminal fear messaging that sharks are connected with blood in the water. This symbolism was probably in homage to film director Ingmar Bergman who passed away this week.

Huh, now here's something interesting that I learned. The great white liked the turkey and beef, but did not like the pork? Must be a Jewish shark, they only eat Kosher food.

I really thought the show was going to be like his Survivorman series. I thought it was going to be something like:

Les: You could be surfing and swept out to sea with a strong current and into shark infested waters. All I have with me is my surfboard and knife and for the next seven days I have to

Great White Shark: CHOMP

**1/2

 

[bolantej]

Unfortunately, I thought it was kinda lame. He kept getting others to do the dirty work.

 

[johnny_bravo]

I agree...it wasn't that great but he had some good footage...the best of Shark Week is that rerun "Diary of a Shark Man" with Manny Puig freediving with that crazed Mako.

Les was on CNN last week to plug the show and when they showed footage of that reef shark getting a little frisky he said it was a "9-foot monster" or some other hyperbolic statement.

Cheers.

-J.-

 

[diverdowndh]

Isn't that Sharkman guy lame? He acts like his "interactions" are some scientific breakthrough work but he is handling them and harrassing them like tourists that don't care a thing about them...

 

[BeachJunkie]

The Survivorman show was not very interesting. Maybe if it was on by itself instead of in the middle of shark week. But it was nothing new, pretty dry, and almost boring. He tried too hard to make everything sound so intense when it really wasn't.

Personally I really enjoyed the "dirty jobs" segment that mike rowe did. Some pretty interesting footage. Especially the "shark suit tester". Interesting job for sure!

As far as many goes, I can't take anything he does seriously anymore after seeing him work with all the jackass guys on mtv

 

[BeachJunkie]

deleted due to double post.

 

[bolantej]

Yeah, Mike Rowe rocks man. His reactions are the most genuine, I think.

 

[BIGG_BUDD]

I agree, the show was weak. Les Stroud tends to be a little overly dramatic, in my opinion. Sometimes I think he tries to make too much with very little, but hey, that's television. However, it's part of the character of the Survivorman series. It's a good show.

Now, Man vs. Wild is a GREAT show. Head to head, Bear Grylls will whoop up on Les Stroud anyday, hands down. Kinda like the old Steven Segal vs. Jean Claude Van Damme discussions...

 

[BIGG_BUDD]

Yeah, Mike Rowe rocks man. His reactions are the most genuine, I think.

Amen. He's the man. And you know he's knocking the ladies dead. That brutha has GAME!

 

[LiteHedded]

I agree, the show was weak. Les Stroud tends to be a little overly dramatic, in my opinion. Sometimes I think he tries to make too much with very little, but hey, that's television. However, it's part of the character of the Survivorman series. It's a good show.

Now, Man vs. Wild is a GREAT show. Head to head, Bear Grylls will whoop up on Les Stroud anyday, hands down. Kinda like the old Steven Segal vs. Jean Claude Van Damme discussions...

except that show is all fake...