Pajiba

Oh come on, kimchi is delicious, if a bit pungent, while Bear Grylls doing naked pushups in snow is almost as delicious. Almost. I think that clip from Deadliest Catch is one of the most moving things I've ever seen. Way to make me cry on a Monday!

Bear is insane. Did you happen to catch his special that chronicled his attempt to para glide as high as Mount Everest? After the Australian Outback episode, I was left speechless. Bear is yeah, insane.

I love Mythbusters. That show is just awesome. They blew up a dump truck into tiny pieces. Really, how can you not love them?

You should do more reviews of "Man vs. Wild" (IN FACT, SCREW GREY'S ANATOMY. RECAP THIS!).

Big deal, Bear has a little help on some of his adventures. He is 22 times more badass than anyone I actually know (I calculated), and at least 5 times more badass than boring Survivorman. Add to that his life before the show: he led a team on the first adventure in a rigid inflatable boat across the Northern Atlantic Ice, was the youngest Briton to have summited Everest at the age of 23, and his youngest son is named Marmaduke. If that doesn't scream badass amazing, then you're deaf. OH, and he did all of this after having BROKEN HIS M*TH*RF*CK*NG BACK in a parachuting accident over the Sahara.

If I had ovaries, I'd bear him more children, and we'd name them badass names because he is so badass. I am going to watch more naked push-ups now.

Obsession isn't just a fragrance. It's a way of life.

I'll admit, when I read the title, my first thought was, 'there's no such thing.' But when I realized you weren't talking about the Survivors of the TV world, I settled in to read. I've only ever seen MythBusters on this list, and haven't even heard of some of the others. (I really don't watch much TV.)

Would Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe count? Cause I love that. Enough to watch it once or twice a month.

Also, feel free to pluck out my eyes as penance, but that Bear guy really doesn't do much for me. And he's surprisingly hairless for a guy named Bear.

The "Survivorman" vs. "Man vs.Wild" debate continues to rage in my house... I recognize the premise of the former as superior in terms of realism and danger and all, but damn if Bear Grylls isn't crazy hot and (as you mentioned) frequently shirtless. So while I enjoy both, I'm more likely to tune in if Bear is on. My husband, on the other hand, thinks Bear is a "pussy" and a "ponce," and refuses to watch "Man vs. Wild."

Pajiba, my point here is that there will be no peace in my house until this debate is settled once and for all. I think that this website would be an excellent medium for helping resolve this potentially marriage-ruining conundrum.

I think he's just jealous because he doesn't look as good doing naked push-ups.

And Anthony Bourdain is GOD. If you haven't read "Kitchen Confidential" or "A Cook's Tour," then you're missing out. There's this other guy who does a weird food travel show on the Travel Channel as well, but he really is a douchebag, He is in no way close to being as cool as Chef Tony, and on top of that tends to be pretty rude when he doesn't like something that a sweet, elderly local woman has made for him out of whale blubber. We don't like him. Chef Tony could kill him with his scowl.

AnnArrogance,

You are clearly smarter than your husband, and it is a bit distressing that you married someone so inferior to you in every way. I'm sure he is a decent guy. But you know when you're walking down the street and you see two people and you say, whoa, that one girl/guy is so hot, how did she/he land that other girl/guy? See where I'm going with this... You = so hot. Your husband = not so much.

My ultimate point being: your marriage is most likely doomed. Anyone that likes Survivorman more than Bear is not only NOT smart, but probably won't provide for you OR your children (future children) very well.

I'd accept his inferiority and move on with your life. Clearly, the world is yours.

Love,

David

Yay, you got some of my favorites! "No Reservations"...the best episode ever is Iceland. You may suffer a sarcasm overload.

I'd add to your list BBC America's "How Clean Is Your House?", because really, don't we all need to feel like paragons of cleanliness, and even *I* do when watching this show from amidst my wallow of clutter. And also the BBCA showing of "Kitchen Nightmares" and "The F Word". NOT the Fox version of "Kitchen Nightmares" -- I watched it but it was hardcore stupid.

For manufactured drama, there is always "Project Runway", which I watch simply because the way Heidi Klum says "Nina Garcia" cracks me up every single time. I can't help it, and I don't think there's a cure.

While Bear is definitely crazier than Survivorman, I feel like the Survivorman show is for the people that are unknowingly stranded and Bear is helpful to crazy people that put themselves in a bad situation.

As to who is more badass, I would give it a tie because Survivorman has no crew and doesn't always carry around helpful equipment like a knife.

Les Stroud is a bad-ass. A smart, entertaining, real, bad-ass. Survivorman goes to the top of my watch list whenever there's a new ep on.

Another great show along the lines of Deadliest Catch is the History Channel's Ice Road Truckers. Those guys drive insanely large trucks over melting ice daily. In.Sane.

Beckyloo, you had to go and bring up In-N-Out didn't you? Excuse me while I go beat my head against a wall in an attempt to stop the incessant salivation that you've caused, devil woman!

I've never watched "Survivorman", but I always hear that the guy's more badass than Grylls. (I say, whatever, I think I can only really watch one show where a dude kills and eats snakes anyway). I got sucked into "Man vs. Wild" after flipping channels one day, going to the kitchen to get some food, and, while turned away from the TV, almost swearing it was Christian Bale talking about glaciers (or, "glass-iers", which, hee hee, I never get over the cute accent thing). So...yeah. It's become a bit embarrassing, though, watching "Man vs. Wild" and hoping that he somehow finds a way to incorporate partial nudity into the episode. (Stuck in Alaska? Show us how to start a fire and then take your shirt off!)

Ahh! The "Man v. Wild" versus "Survivorman" debate. I love Bear, love him wildly and nakedly....and I don't mind the TV crew. I still think he's one bad-ass mofo. Les is kind of a whiny bitch sometimes. And they did a behind-the-scenes thing with Surviorman and Les, and it showed him meeting up with the locals and they basically gave him all the information he needed to survive. It was all "Eat this, don't eat this, watch out for this bug, if you dig here you'll find water." I'm sure Bear gets advice like that too, but they don't SHOW it and it totally ruined watching Survivorman for me. Now I'm just like, "Whatever, he got that from the local Peruvians yesterday."

I watch and love all these shows (what can I say, I'm a sucker for human drama) except "Nimrod Nation," which I hadn't heard of before this. I'll have to check it out. I love "Amazing Race" and "Project Runway" too.

i, too, would totally add 'dirty jobs' to this list. mike rowe is a true american, and damned funny. the fact that i would leave my husband for him has nothing to do with anything.

also, i adore bizare foods. andrew zimmern is a man who unabashedly loves food, and anyone who's enthusiastic about eating multiple varieties of testicals is okay in my book.

i, too, would totally add 'dirty jobs' to this list. mike rowe is a true american, and damned funny. the fact that i would leave my husband for him has nothing to do with anything.

also, i adore bizare foods. andrew zimmern is a man who unabashedly loves food, and anyone who's enthusiastic about eating multiple varieties of testicals is okay in my book.

I LOVE kimchi. Just this morning I had to talk myself out of bringing a jar of it to work for lunch. I don't think it's polite to bring fermented cabbage to the workplace but I so long to do it. I am not kidding in the least.

I'll just assume that the omission of the so awful it's brilliant American Gladiators redux on NBC is because the show only premiered last night. It makes the original seem like a serious sporting competition.

Seriously: Hellga? Wolf (he howls)? The Rock's cousin (yes, really, his actual cousin/stunt double) pretending to be a Maori warrior? Titan (who apparently was frozen when Gladiators originally went off the air and thawed out in all his steroided glory)? And lady gladiators that look like ladies? WTF?

On a more serious note, The Amazing Race still manages to impress in it's umpteenth season, and No Reservations is appointment viewing.

I really like Little People Big World, because the family is so normal.

I'll watch a Mythbusters re-run any old time just to see Kari's wonderful smirk when Jamie and Adam fail miserably at a first or second attempt to blow something up.
No Reservations is great because Bourdain truly does respect the cultures of the places he travels to and you learn so much more than from some schmuck "tourist travelogue" show. You also wonder how the skinny bastard could possibly hold THAT much food in one sitting.
Good shows, both.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Dirty Jobs. Mike Rowe is, for me at least, the walking definition of "man." He's funny, adorable, works damn hard, and has one of the sexiest voices I've ever heard.

Don't even get me started on the masturbation inspiration that is Bear Grylls. I'm at work, for crying out loud.

Couple of things: I'm not a TV watcher. At all. But Deadliest Catch grabs me every freaking time. I can't stop watching it. I need an intervention.

My husband, on the other hand, can't stop watching Mythbusters. I'll walk into the room and say "that's like the fifth time I'VE seen this episode and I don't even watch this show."

I think it's two things: slight man crush and extreme jealousy that HE doesn't have THEIR jobs. I mean, think about it: they have the perfect little boy jobs. Blow shit up, catch things on fire, shoot stuff. Damn. He watches it like a starving man looking at a feast.

First of all, ranking "Man vs Scrip... err "wild" ANYWHERE near Survivorman undermines your credibility, a great deal, your LUST for the man betrays you. And you should have added Ice Road Truckers on there instead of that piece of rehearsed crap.

Aaaanyway, bow down before the greatness that is Bourdain the man goes way beyond the food and introduces the culture, respectfully, none of us are worthy of even watching his documented travels. Which brings me to my last point: Most of these shows should NOT be branded as "reality" they are more akin to documentaries (think Mutual of Ohama's Wild Kingdom, or Costeau's Specials).

Oh, and did I mention that Gryllis is a dickhead, I wanna make sure I get that point across.

Granted, I've had yet to be brought to tears (or any overwhelming emotional breakdown for that matter), but "Top Chef" on Bravo is pretty friggin' decent in my opinion. Then again, I'm a foodie, so I'm a little biased. Yeah, there's some reality-show-pre-scriptedness-bullshit, but all in all, a pretty slick hour of television.

Oh yeah, and the host is smoking hot. Sweet Moses...

Really hot.

Cripes...

I gotta go lay down for a bit...

Aw, I go and mock your ass for liking reality TV, and then you turn around and in my face serve me like the sad little bitch I am. And make me out to be a hypocrite since I love both "The Deadliest Catch", Anthony Bourdain, and most of the Food Network crap. (That goddamn cake making blows my mind.)

However, you are right to exclude American Gladiators. I couldn't have been less disappointed by an arrival than if my mail order bride came in a coffin. The contenders are bitches. You're waiting for Wolf to rip a contender limb from limb? I'm waiting for Titan, that glam rock Henry Rollins looking motherfucker, to tear off the contender's spandex and go all Oz on someone like he desperately wants to.

Bear Gryllis is too entertaining. Dirty Jobs is one of my favorite shows. But Mythbusters? It's like watching kids opening great big gifts on Christmas; joy and goodwill and truly being grateful to be alive, bashing the shit out of robots with great big sledghammers full of gunpowder.

Close run, between Dirty Jobs and Mythbusters for me. But...em... nobody mentioned My Super Sweet Sixteen? *ducks

Sorry, but I think we can all agree that Survivorman is clearly a more bad-ass show. At least Les Stroud doesn't feel the need to ditch his camp and stay in hotels overnight, and actually bears the weather.

I guess no one remembers the little scandal Bear got himself into a while ago. All he has to do is take off his shirt, and memories are instantly wiped.

As a seafood lover, I used to bitch an moan about the coast of shellfish. Then I caught an episode of "Deadliest Catch". Now I happily fork over my 15+ bucks per pound and STFU.

I love Dirty Jobs and Mythbusters. But Man Vs. Wild is too much for me... I watched Bear Grylls pee into a t-shirt and wear it as a hat- he lost me right there.

i love me some naked bear.

No cable here, folks, so I MUST agree with the following sentiment by David:

You should do more reviews of "Man vs. Wild" (IN FACT, SCREW GREY'S ANATOMY. RECAP THIS!).

I can get my jollies out watching this guy Bear on YouTube (whom I'd never heard of - actually have never heard of ANY of the shows reviewed here today) and there is one fewer Pajiba article I have to regrettably avoid (I can't stand Grey's At). Win. Win. yea for us all!

I've got a really big crush on Anthony Bourdain.... especially after the Marathon of episodes they've been airing to get us ready for the new season.

Deadliest Catch: I live in an Alaskan coastal town so honestly I can't watch that show, it's way too close for comfort.

I guess no one remembers the little scandal Bear got himself into a while ago. All he has to do is take off his shirt, and memories are instantly wiped.

Posted by: morerobots at January 7, 2008 1:32 PM

----------------------------------------------------

Oh nooooooooooooo, that's the part that makes me SICK, most if not all are giving him a free pass because he's good looking. The thing is, if Gryllis looked like, mmmmmmmm, I don't know.... Walter Matthau, he wouldn't have so many cheerleaders.
I don't care if he's gone to the moon wearing only shorts and rocket pack, HIS SHOW IS FRAUDULENT.

Top Chef anyone? It's great for food junkies like me.

Also, I am in LOVE with Tony Bourdain's show. In fact, as I write this I am watching a marathon of No Reservations on the Travel Channel.

And for the record...kimchi is an amazing amazing food. I'm drooling just thinking about it.

BSlim, I am always surprised when we agree on something. Survivorman has it all over Man v. Wild! In fact, it was a clip linked from Pajiba Love that clear demonstrated how un-isolated some of Bear's locations are, that really did it for me.

Love Mythbusters, Top Chef, and Project Runway. Will gladly watch Deadliest Catch. And do I have to duck if I admit to being easily sucked into Miami Ink (yes, Ami is a total dick, but Garver is hilarious) or LA Ink?

Oh, and you can count me in the likes kimchi group.

Add me to the list of No Reservations addicts. The show is brilliant as both a travelogue and a foodie show. And the new season starts tonight - w00t!!!

No love of BBC's Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares? I checked out this show strictly because of Bourdain's praise of Ramsay in A Cook's Tour and find it fascinating.

Becks, I love you, but -- you had to figure a but was coming :\ -- but I'm a little miffed that you didn't really include any competitive reality programs which, in my taxonomy of real people making contrived fools of themselves, is what reality tv is really about. The shows which you mention all seem cut from the (nature) documentary cloth, and while some of them follow their subjects into the candid parts of their lives for the borderline trashy IN-DEPTH LOOK! they lack reality tv's secret sauce -- yes, schadenfreude, but also a sense of moral justice -- and thus, I daresay, they're not real reality tv. (Oh the tautology!)
Being a trash tv cognoscenti, I can say with authority (please stop me before I sound snotty, k?) that as much as viewers get off on schadenfreude, wallowing in other people's misery and foolishness is amusing only for so long; after a time, it becomes tiresome to watch. Instead, viewers need a someone to root for, at which point the show acquires a moral dimension with a sense of justice. We want to see the villains punished, and the heroes and heroines (not heroin, I don't want to inject them and listen to jazz) rewarded, as it reinforces the social order we want to believe in but which often breaks down in real life (and a whole lot of socio-cultural myths that pervade American identity). Now whether this reinforcement is cathartic or just another example of the hegemon dealing out social opiates to keep us dumb, that's another debate.
But in the meantime,
Signing off, USA #1!

Yes, Bear's "little scandal"...more like "Man vs. Room Service". What a puss. Survivorman all the way!
It's OK if Les forgets something like a knife or compass because it's similar to a regular person who finds themselves lost. Do you take a knife or compass whenever you leave the house?

The Deadliest Catch: When I see the gajillions of yummy crabs fall out of the pots into the bottomless hull of the boat, my feelings vary from hunger to shame for us humans sweeping the sea clean.

"...No love of BBC's Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares?..."

Good call, count me in. But only the BBC version, the FOX adaptation is wretched.

Finally! BSlim took a swing at me! I have arrived. But listen homes, let me make something clear: not only did I call a spade a spade in this here post, but never, not for a frickin' second, did I think "Man V Wild" was anything but set up. That shit was clear long before the motel "scandal." I mean, that "wild" horse had fuckin' shoes and a brushed mane! Puhlease. I don't care. Bear is still a bad ass (any one who climbs Everest gets that title, even if their rich ass was carried up there by a sherpa). And he's super hot. I will not apologize for my loins and how dare you ask me to! What are you, a eunuch? And by the by, I would so totally watch if he looked like Walter Mathau. Have you seen Les Straud? Give him 20 years and he could star in a remake of Grumpy Old Men. There is room for all. Why must you insist we live in a zero sum world? How totally boring.

YOU FORGOT DIRTY JOBS!

SUCH HERESY!

HERESY I SAY.

Les does not entertain me. He might be a badass (a minor badass, but a badass nonetheless) but every time I've tuned in he is sitting there pointing at things. Whoop. Dee. Doo.

And I can only speak for myself but I didn't forget the Bear saga. "Never forget" is my motto. But if you can honestly say that because he receives some assistance (however minor or major it might be), he is a fraud, then I'll have you institutionalized. He climbs overhangs with his bare (ha, pun) hands without climbing gear. Enough said.

Where is Les again? Oh yeah, he's still pointing at things. (Disclaimer: Les is a badass. Even if he likes to point a lot)

And so what if Bear looks good/great/amazing? I like watching Christian Bale movies partly because he is supreme hotness, but that doesn't detract from his amazingness as an actor.

Nice, yet I'm not saying you or anyone shouldn't like the show Becks, just think it's out of place on THIS list. Maybe a list that included the Real World/Road Rules Challenge and Ninja Warrior is a better fit, in my opinion.

I too would have added Dirty Jobs to this list. Overall, I find it a really entertaining show, although sometimes Mike strains a little too hard to sell a joke. I loves me some Mythbusters, but I usually draw the line at watching an episode 5 times. However, if there's a marathon on, it's assemble the snack food and turn the ringer off on the phone time.

Concerning Survivorman versus Man vs. Wild. I'll let the words of my neighbour Jimmy (former member of the British Special Forces, and current bodyguard), speak for me: "The show is OK, but does he have to lie about shit! Don't say you're going to float down a river using your backpack as your only floatation device when you're clearly wearing a life jacket under your shirt!"

Advantage: Survivorman.

Posted by: David at January 7, 2008 2:11 PM

The answer as to WHY Bear does the things he does vs. how Les does them is simple:

Les is showing you basic knowledge to SURVIVE not showboat and get your ass killed before getting to safety.

I keep thinking I should watch Mythbusters, but never do. I enjoy Man v. Wild & frankly don't give a damn how produced/scripted it is. He is hot & I am entertained.

I must agree with others who suggested adding Project Runway to this list. I watched it for the first time last season & am now addicted. Also, I have to throw out some American Chopper love. It's gone downhill as the family has gotten more popular/famous & the loss of Vinnie will hurt, but it still amuses me & I like the bikes. And, finally, I really miss Monster Garage.

Do not dis Ninja Warrior. Ever.

American Gladiators is stealing ideas from them for the record.

Dirty jobs should have totally been added.

Bear Grylls is a joke. I hate to have to call you out on it but I'm convinced that you only added him to capitalize on the ongoing Les vs. Bear debate to rake up some comments and debate here...Phooey!

I'd have to add Dirty Jobs, now that's entertaining eye candy (in my humble opinion).

Deadliest catch is an amazing show, but you neglected to mention the most consistent thing about the show - the narrator, Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs fame. While the show can be a slow or irrelevant at times, Mike's ability to completely relate with any human on the planet makes the show more accessible to workaday, sit in the office and read pajiba types.

Pretty heavy on the discovery shows, which is understandable. A bit disappointed in the omission of Dirty Jobs, though, which is as funny and poignant as any of the shows you mentioned. Like you were saying about nimrod nation, the show (mostly in part to Mike Rowe) lovingly portrays its dirty guests and stresses the importance of jobs most of are glad we never have to touch with a ten foot pole.

After watching the link on Pajiba of Bear's faux-pas I must admit my lusting after his body has taken a decidedly darker turn (It feels wrong, but oh so right)...

....

..hmmm what? oh. wait. I'm back.

Les vs Bear is like Jackie vs Jet - you're going to be entertained both ways but well, sometimes you like your nethers to be entertained as well as your brain.

I really like Dirty Job, and Deadliest Catch and Ice Road Truckers make me thankful my work consists of nothing more dangerous than getting caught on Pajiba by the boss-man.
Also - I wish I were the girl from Mythbusters. She's awesome.

Actually, I can't really think of any of the shows mentioned here that I don't like (special shout out to Little People Big World - Matt is a role model for ALL of us).

but HOT DAMN - Bear is hot.

Christ, now I need a drink.
and a smoke.

Oh, I think all of us remember the Bear! Grylls! Fraud! Scandal! but still, he is damn hot! And he definitely wrapped himself in the skin of a rather hideous-looking deer corpse, so props for that. Besides, he's just how I prefer my men: dirty, British and bad-ass. Yes please!

"And I can only speak for myself but I didn't forget the Bear saga. "Never forget" is my motto. But if you can honestly say that because he receives some assistance (however minor or major it might be), he is a fraud, then I'll have you institutionalized. He climbs overhangs with his bare (ha, pun) hands without climbing gear. Enough said."

I agree, David. No, I haven't forgotten about it. It's just a matter of "how much do I care". And the answer is: not much.

Also, if Bear's getting by on his looks (I don't see it that way, but whatever), meh. Who cares? Doesn't Jessica Alba's ass do that every time she's in a movie? I don't see the difference.

Oh, wait, I think Bear has more talent than her ass. Perhaps. Can it eat scorpions and climb down slippery cliffs next to waterfalls? If so, then he's got competition.

Mythbusters is such a great show, and just when it seems like I haven't seen an episode in a while, BAM! there's a marathon on Discovery. I recently saw the beer-cooling episode for a second time, and it made me just as thirsty as the first time I saw it.

I haven't yet aquainted myself with Man vs Wild, so I think I have a new homework assignment (my current homework assignment is catching up on Deadwood, so you'll forgive me if I don't get around to Man vs Wild right away).

In my humble opinion (Les vs. Bear aside), if everybody in this country watched Discovery Channel even once a week, my faith in mankind would be restored. I may only watch a few regularly, but I can't think of a single show on that channel that doesn't have some sort of redeeming value as well as being entertaining.

You know where Gryllis' show belongs? Right smack in the middle of MTV's "reality" feces block. Not on the Discovery Channel.

And for the record, homeboy does his climbing with with safety lines and I don't believe he eats scorpions for real or any of the other shit he "allegedly" does. Including hitting that rabbit with the stick, sorry, I just don't.

I love me some Mythbusters! Adam saying "I reject your reality and substitute my own," sends a little ray of sunshine into my cold cold heart.

Jut admit you're jealous and then shut up.

Anyway Mike Rowe could bend Bear Grylls over a barrel any day (can't decide if that would be hot or just weird).

No Reservations is brilliant telivision. It also created the best Holiday (Christmas) special ever devised by man: Bourdain babysits his brother's kids, one a foul-mouthed 13-year-old boy who you can tell immediately is related to anthony, and a 15-year-old girl who looks like she hates everything and everyone. They try and decorate Bourdain's brother's house with these nice decorators, and everything goes to shit. Then, Anthony makes a festive dinner for everyone, including the randomly/awesomely placed Queens Of The Stone Age (decked out in sweaters that would make Cosby blush), before ending the night with an eggnog toast and a few carols from the band.

Best hour of television I've ever seen.

Any thoughts on A&E's Intervention? When I first heard the premise for the show I really thought that these people were going to be exploited. How wrong was I??? Jeff Van Vonderen (sp?) is amazing to watch when he interacts with the addicts.

I was terrified that "Reality Shows That Don't Suck" menat that someone here was going to explain to me exactly how people keep watching "Real Housewives of Orange County" without throwing things at the screen.

Because I can't.

Hell yes to "Deadliest Catch", mad props to "Dirty Jobs". And "Iron Chef America" is completely watchable.

Oh, and last night's "American Gladiators" made me feel like a kid again. Glad it's back.

Posted by Stella: "Actually, I can't really think of any of the shows mentioned here that I don't like (special shout out to Little People Big World - Matt is a role model for ALL of us)."

Too bad he's had a couple of DUI incidents.

Anthony Bourdain is so effing sexy. And I want to ravage Bear Grylls. That is all.

My husband and I stopped watching Man vs. Wild when Bear jumped/slid down a crevasse on a glacier... on purpose. Now, there's doing things just for TV fun, and then there's doing things that could potentially kill people if they emulated you. Bear is putting this stuff forward as ways to deal with extreme situations when they are, in fact, merely TV fun.

Being from/in Alaska, Deadliest Catch has been a fun and interesting show to watch. I know a lot of people who have done this job because it pays really, really well, but they usually only last a few seasons. That is some hard work.

OOOOOOOh I love me some "Deadliest Catch" I saw that episode when they pulled the guy out of the water and I know exactly what you mean when you say your heart skipped a beat as the captain hollered "man overboard" I haven't been that scared for a person since I saw a man get hit by a car in real life (he lived, but it was still scary.) That's reality, people really die doing that shit so the adrenaline rush is real. With real being the root word in reality I don't see how anyone could consider Man-vs-Wild a reality show. Once your credibility is blown you might as well be an episode of "The Hills" on MTV to me.

Hi fellow Alaskans! I didn't know there were so many of us lurking about.

I wanted to add some love for "Ace of Cakes" too. Sure the cakes they make don't seem all that edible, but I love seeing a portrait of a functional workplace where all of the staff is respected and cool.

And let us all breath a sigh of relief that Timothy Treadwell never got a reality show. The last thing my state needs is another bipolar whack job fannying about the forest trying to pet wild animals.

"Too bad he's had a couple of DUI incidents."

Posted by: Faye at January 7, 2008 3:53 PM

wh-what? That can't be the same Matt????? please tell me no! My faith in humanity can't take much more if a FRICKIN' PUMPKIN PATCH OWNER GETS DUIS.

I still think he's a great role model for never letting your 'lot in life' keep you from dreaming big. Unless it's booze. Lay off the BOOZE MATT - for the love of all that's holy.

Bear Grylls is such a pussy. There's no element of survival at all when there are two other people filming you. The reason it's more entertaining than Les's show is because he's showboating and Les is surviving. That's why Les is grumpy...because he actually sleeps outside and not in a freaking hotel. But as long as people admit they're watching it because he's hot and not because it's better, I don't care.

In the Alaska episode Bear was pretending that he couldn't walk on the ice so that he could demonstrate how to take off your socks and put them on the outside for traction...cut to ten minutes later when he's walking on identical ice without the socks completely fine.

In reality, though, neither of them are doing very much. I would love it if Les did a Super Survivorman where he had to go for a month.

On Little People, Big World,

I've got a special place in my heart for the Rollofs (even if the normal sized twin is kind of douchy). That episode, where Matt breaks down in frustration because he can't do things he would like to? Maaaan tears would have poured from my eyes, were I capable of doing so. The show just gives me a warm, fuzzy sensation, like visiting with family.

Count me in on the Bear side of the debate. Real, schmeal, the boy is beautiful and entertaining. Who cares??? Reality is overrated.
Much love for Ice Road Truckers and the History Channel in general! I also love watching Planet Earth - that show is so beautiful.
And finally, I have an absolutely perverse addiction to I Love New York, and was sad when Season 2 ended. *runs and hides*

Whoa, B Slim. Are those...emotions?

The first few episodes of Ice Road Truckers blew. Then they got into the young guys, and that was pretty fascinating. I hated how they dubbed in the ice shifting noises really loud. Hmph. I still watched it though.

Anthony Bourdain doesn't know it yet, but he wants to have sex with me.

Since the Pink household does not have The Cable, I can't speak to many of these mentioned. I do make a weekly trek to my mom's house for the latest Project Runway. Sure the editing brings out the "characters" and the "drama" on the show. But I can't help but be amazed at some of the things these people dream up and then create in such short periods of time. I can barely sew a pillowcase. Hats off to any show dedicated to showcasing the creative arts.

My vote goes out to Project Runway. Even if you don't love fashion, you have to appreciate how crazy-bitchy Michael Kors can be. He is such a fussy old queen. I love it.

I love Project Runway. This season has some interesting people. I still miss Laura Bennett from last season. Tim Gunn is my favorite person on tv. Michael Kors does have some of the best lines. His fascination for poorly constructed crotches is hilarious.

The Amazing Race is also a favorite of mine. Mmmm...Phil...mmmmm

Forgot Kitchen Nightmares (original BBC recipe) (You will watch and you will want to marry Gordon Ramsey), and Intervention on A&E (You will watch and you will cry. I dare you not to.)

Sadly, all the women at my work who watch Project Runway have either quit or been fired so I don't have any more Thursday morning,"did you SEE what they had to make clothes out of??"

Tim Gunn rocks - but his show sucks. I couldn't even make it through his premiere.

Sadly, I don't find this years contestants NEARLY bitchy enough, but then, I've only seen a couple episodes. I'm waiting for the all day Saturday marathon lead up to the finale. ooo, that's going to be a FINE day for drinking Bloody Mary's in my 1990 Gap corn cob patterned boxers with coordinating 1998 Sweet Corn Festival t-shirt. And no, I don't particularly like corn. It's just how often do you find COORDINATING CORN? Unless you're from the midwest. which i am. sorta. anyway, wow, that wine is going straight to my head.

and Please. You want crying?

Turn on any ANIMAL PRECINCT or some such show and I defy you to keep from crying.

There is a reason that the Animal Planet channel is banned in our household. Abused animals make Mrs. Stella militant.

How's that for reality tv.
ooo, actually that would be an awesome reality tv show: get a bunch of low life trogs who abuse animals into a room and then get random real life people to devise ways of torturing those sick sons a bitches within an inch of their pathetic lives.

I'd watch that.

Hell, I'd audition.

add project runway and INTERVENTION. perfect.

Also, if Bear's getting by on his looks (I don't see it that way, but whatever), meh. Who cares? Doesn't Jessica Alba's ass do that every time she's in a movie? I don't see the difference.

True. Let's not forget the many times a hot woman has been in a movie otherwise known as a vortex of crap and a fair share of Pajibians state variations of, "Well, (insert half-naked, pretty but talentless actress here) is in it, so I'm there."

Nevertheless, Bear doesn't do it for me at all. Also, I'm a little heartbroken that he was compared to Christian Bale, who dwells in my manharem along with Gerard Butler and Kyle Chandler in Daphneville. Not to take away from Bear's accomplishments, but physically speaking, he has nothing on my precious Christian.

Mike Rowe, on other hand, is delicious. Methinks he shall be added to my manharem.

The often overlooked point of "Man vs Wild" is that Bear's camerman has to be as badass and crazy as him. I imagine his thought process is something like this "Don't go over the cliff Bear, don't do it, don- mother f***er, here I go again" and then he jumps off of the ridiculously high cliff into freezing water after Bear.

Stella can I be on your team?
that way we can take turns kicking the abusers while AnneMarie or one of those yummy Animal Cops Houston cowboys keep score.

..Where is Top Gear?

Did BBCA cease showing it when I was not paying attention? Is it not valid for some other reason? I cannot fathom why else it would not be featured here. Top Gear is brilliant, dammit. Brilliant and wonderful and composed entirely of grade a WIN, as the kids say.
Amend your list promptly, sir! Or, uh.. Lady-sir.
Yeah.

Additionally, HOORAY FOR KIMCHI!

I have to add to the love of Mythbusters and Dirty Jobs. The monkey episode of the latter is what cemented that show's place in my heart. As for Mythbusters, I swear sometimes I watch just to hear Adam laugh. And lines like this?: "Not only is it defying the laws of physics, but it's getting increasingly funnier every minute!" Gold.

I can't really get into the Bear vs. Les debate, seeing as I've only watched a couple episodes of Survivorman, and that clip of Bear naked was the first I've seen of that. The thing I hate about Survivorman is that it's so obvious that he's setting up the camera and then acting like he's walking toward it for the first time. It's like when people win $100,000 and act all surprised when they open to the door to the giant check, but the camera was already in their home. I hate that.

I'm surprised though, people. No love for What Not to Wear? I want to marry Clinton just so he'll dress me every day.

I LOVE mythbusters! My nephews and I talk about it all the time. We just love watching shit get blown up. Plus, I love Jamie's walrus mustache.
Also, Deadliest Catch is amazing. I caught a marathon day and watched if for about 10 straight hours. The episode where they saved that man's life was the most terrifying and amazing thing I'd ever seen on TV. I am another person who no longer complains about the price of seafood. Those men earn every penny they get!

props to you beckyloo! ( i didn't mean to rhyme, honest.)

thanks for putting mythbusters and deadliest catch on the list.
for years i have sat happily on my ass and watched people risk their lives for the glorious bounty of crab, and have been enthralled by it.

more people should watch it, me thinks, if only so it can make them aware of the great cost of putting alaskan crab on their plates.

i'm glad i'm not the only discovery nerd on here. i haven't tried out bourdain's no reservations but often see previews for it. i might give it a shot.

on that note, i feel as though i should also finally out my huge crush on deadliest catch captain of the northwestern, sig hansen. yeah, that's right - i dig sig. whoa, again with the rhyming.

Tony Bourdain (my favorite [punk, snide, hard drinking, slightly-abusive] TV husband) could kick Bear Gryll's poseur ass any day. Now there's a reality show I'd watch.

And it warms my icy heart to see all the Mike Rowe love, he deserves it.

Bear Grylls. Mmm....the things I would do to that man.

did you not include 'dirty jobs' because you forgot, or you just don't realize how great the show, or more specifically--mike rowe--is?!?!

"I will not apologize for my loins and how dare you ask me to! What are you, a eunuch? "

hee hee Becky, I think you're my new favorite Pajiba writer.

Because of the above discussion, I tuned into an old episode of No Reservations last night, and taped the premiere to watch later. (Yes, I know, no Tivo, no Netflix, it's as if I'm a troglodyte. But what can I say, my VCR and my local, independent video store still work for me.)

Thanks for the suggestions of things that are available for watching while the writers are striking.

Thanks for turning me on to some reality shows I wouldn't be embarassed to be caught watching-going to have to track down Bourdain. I have to admit to a love for Project Runway and How Clean Is Your House?. Any show with a highly coiffed Valkyrie checking toilets for "pee-pees" is high on my list.
My and the mister's favorite is the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" hosted by Guy Fiere. It is a feel good show full of restaurant owners with pride about their cooking and a desire to make their customers happy about food. What's especially refreshing is the "joi de vie" exhibited by people truly happy about what they do. Guy is the perfect host, with an easy manner and sense of humor. Love this show!

Holy crap, can I get a weekend pass to Daphneville ? That is some serious yumminess over there.

Kathy: My hubby is the SAME WAY- Mythbusters over and over and over again until I can practically recite them simply by walking by. Though I can't talk because of my Law and Order obsession.

Jennifer re: Ace of Cakes: TiVo caught this seriously random show about a cake-making competition where they had 7 hours to do these really impressive cakes- blew Ace out of the water. Oh! Found it: http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_cc/0,2495,FOOD_20077,00.html

I didn't realize how much "reality" tv I watched until I read this list- I guess I'm not "above it all" like I thought I was. That said, even if Beckyloo had NOT included her parameters, this list would still kick all forms of ass. When a Deadliest Catch marathon is on, it's either time to clean out the TiVo or just admit I ain't doing nothin' that day but sit on my butt and stare.

Extend the list to 15 and add Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares (really bad opening and all), Iron Chef, Little People, Big World and probably Dirty Jobs and Project Runway.

My favorite episode of No Reservations is the very special Holiday extravaganza, featuring the musical stylings of Queens of the Stone Age, looking all festive in Christmas sweaters my grandmother would be ashamed to wear.
Anthony Bourdain is the man.

Project Runway is soooo entertaining. Wednesday, I agree, Heidi Klum pronounces Nina Garcia in the most hilarious way. Mr. shelleyh and I always imitate her. It almost seems as if she's yelling it out. NINA GARCIA! MACH SHNELL! I think Christian should get his own reality show. He's really annoying, but I find that fun to watch. Somewhere somebody said he has angry lesbian hair. That pretty well describes it.

The BBC version of Kitchen Nightmares is much better than the Fox version. I watch both religiously. Love love love Gordon Ramsay. The Fox version is too Ty effing Pennington, giving these idiot owners a total overnight re-do, and then the grateful, tearful reveal the next day. Whatever. Just get to the part where you tell them their food is shit, we're in the shit, and I'll be happy.

Doesn't anybody else watch The First 48? We record all of them, and I have seen some PRETTY REAL SHIT on that show. Last night, a perp THREW UP when he heard the tape of his cousin implicating him in a murder. And then I cried at the end when the dead man's family talked about being grateful to those who had the courage to speak out against a drug-dealing murderer.

Also, Bear: 9. Gordon Ramsay: 8. Mike Rowe: 10!!!! In the goat soap episode?!?!?!?! I'm amazed I didn't have a you-know-what right then and there!

Man vs Wild-infinitely superior to Survivorman...
Les has zero personality and Bear is so charismatic

"it tastes like old moldy cheese...but Whuuurse"

Holy crap, can I get a weekend pass to Daphneville ? That is some serious yumminess over there.

Sure! Stop on by, y'hear? I'll keep the light on for you.

"The thing I hate about Survivorman is that it's so obvious that he's setting up the camera and then acting like he's walking toward it for the first time."

What 'acting'? He is completely forthcoming about this and has stated it in numerous episodes. Almost every episode, he says that one of the toughest things about what he does is not just surviving but doing everything twice to make sure he gets the shot.

I'm surprised at how many people are taken in by the sham that is Bear Grylls. Every single thing he does in the show is completely scripted, shot, re-shot with safety lines and other equipment and then he returns to the hotel at the end of the day. It won't be funny the day someone dies because he uses one of the "expert" survival techniques he saw on the show. I would have more respect for him if he said upfront what he was doing.

Beckyloo, I think it's important to point out that In-n-Out ALSO has a few locations in Arizona.

Bravo, Arizona, don't take 'em for granted!

I love Bear, I love Les, and I love those damn Mythbusters.

AND Mike Rowe with "Dirty Jobs."

Discovery Channel holds the key to my heart.

Beckyloo: try kimchee with a nice steak-it'll be 1000x better than horseradish. Unless you're a vegetarian...then I don't have a suggestion for you.

Is "Last One Standing" considered a reality show? Despite my distaste for "fighting shows", I got sucked into this one. It's sort of a travelogue/fighting show. The contestants are fully immersed in the fighting techniques/coming of age rituals of the culture that they are in (e.g. African tribe, Peruvian clan, Thai something, etc.).

"Amazing Race" will win another Emmy-it deserves it (and I can tell you firsthand that the producers do not interfere with any of the travel arrangements on the show, as some are inclined to believe).

I'm on the fence with Anthony-I've never read any of his books, but happened to catch some of the "No Reservations" marathon. I guess a lot of people like his brusque approach...a man's man.

"Man vs Wild" is what I watch when it's Nap Time On the Couch.

I'm a Discovery Channel addict. Mythbusters, Dirty Jobs, Survivorman, Storm Chasers -- I'll watch them all, all day long. I've got Bear sitting in the corner until I can get over the fact that his show is a bit of a sham.

Bear was dead to me the moment I watched him drink the shitquid he wrung from fresh elephant shite. Put that in your fanatasies ladies.

Deadliest Catch is one of the best shows (reality or other-wise) on TV today. Those guys are just amazing people and I can't get enough of them...especially Edgar!!

I, too, would have added Dirty Jobs. Mike Rowe is an awesomely funny "host" and just so down-to-earth.

I love Mythbusters, too!! Great list!!

Dirty Jobs definitely. Err . . . Ghost Hunters? *ducks*

Wow, I totally ended up watching "Last One Standing" as well. I didn't even mean to, it just...happened.

What was that second-to-last episode where they were with those crazy ninja motherfuckers all hoppin' around and looking ready to carve ass with their knives? THAT was the sweetest shit I'd ever seen.

Does anyone remember when Mike Rowe was hosting that (pretty cool, for a while there) show, "Worst Case Scenario," I think is what it was called? They'd show you how to properly roll out of your car while it's moving, and stuff. It was pretty bad-ass. Anyway, that's when I developed an early host-crush on him.

God, I thought I was the only one addicted to Discovery Channel. I can watch Cash Cab and Mythbusters over and over and over again. I love those damn marathons! However, the older episodes of Mythbusters are my favorite, the ones where they actually busted myths that I've heard of and it wasn't so obvious how the experiment was going to turn out. But obviously they were going to run out of the more interesting myths, and considering that, it's still really an awesome show.

Also love No Reservations. It's pretty much the only travel program I can stand. And anything involving exotic foods gets an A in my book. Like someone else above said, Anthony really seems to have an interest and appreciation for the culture. So refreshing.

What no love for 'Mantracker'. Perchance 'tis only us Canucks who get to see the steely eyed glare of doom of Mantracker. It's good, honest. And now I'm afraid to admit it, but I find Les Stroud kinda hot. I like Mythbusters, but man, do they drag it out.

Check out "Mantracker" on the Outdoor Life Network. This guy is insane! Two 'prey' (ie, 2 people who have never met, and have contrasting outdoor skills) have 36 hours to get from point A to point B on foot (in the remote Canadian wilderness), while Mantracker tracks them on horseback. Winner gets bragging rights, but thats about it. The best part is the final chase, where Mantracker whips out the lasso!

Bear is a pussy and a retard compared to Les. I don't find retards sexy.

Oh Tara, too bad you do not consider yourself sexy. But who am I to quibble with your lack of self-love? Take Whitney's message to heart, it is the "greatest love of all," but I suppose only for those who can think.

Anthony Bourdain is a prick. When I see him on Top Chef, he's never respectful. He's a bitchy elitist quipster. Fuggim.

I gotta say I love Ace of Cakes on Food Channel, too. There's practically no tenson, other than "Will they get the cake made on time?" or "Is he gonna drop that cake?" But I like the cast of characters and the work they do is really superb.

this list is great - - i love man vs. wild, deadliest catch, and mythbusters. though, like others before me, i would add project runway and ice road truckers.
my little piece on bear - - - ok, no one really thought it was 100% authentic before the 'scandal' arose, right? had you ever looked at the show credits? and the shots from different angles? i never expected that he was out on his own like les, and he has survival guides credited per region. but he does dangerous shit that i could never do, and i appreciate how he tells us exactly what the insect/plant/animal he's acquired tastes: "They're a mouthful of goo - with the texture of cream cheese with crunchy lumps of gristle." yum....ha