Bear is a loser, sorry all you Bear fans. If you do half of the things he says or does you are not going to make it. Discovery should be held responsible for such an irresponsible show. If I wanted stories like Bear gives I would go to my local bar.
If you do half of the things Bear says or does, then youre rediculously unlucky. Alot of the stuff he shows you is for life and death, "If theres no other way" situations. Bear is a winner, sorry, I win.
I can't believe I just joined the Discovery Channel forum to declare my love for Les Stroud.
OK, the reason why Les is sooo much more awesome than Bear is not that Les is more hardcore. It's exactly because Bear is too confident that I enjoy watching Les more. I don't really want to watch a superhuman dude run amok in the wilderness with his camera crew... I like watching the balding, scruffy Canadian try to set up a trap for six hours and fail miserably, then finally skewer some unappetizing looking food object only to apologize to said food object, shiver in the cold and mutter about not sweating, get eaten by bugs in a jungle and nearly drown in a dingy. A dingy, for god's sake. All toting his own gear and with no friends to chat with. Poor Les. Poor awesome awesome Les. It's just more raw and interesting to me than that super-confident jock Bear.
quote:
Here's the bottom line: When they fall into cold water and have to take off their clothes to warm up, I want to see Bear, I don't want to see Les. Bear is a hottie, Les...is not.
Point taken, but my friends and I agree that Les is weirdly hot. Receding hairline? Check. Odd wide-set googly eyes? Yes. Silliest Canadian accent ever? Sure. Grungy grimey hippie smell? Most likely. And yet... so weirdly attractive.
Originally posted by line58: Is anyone familure with the regions that Bear has done shows in? I live and grew up in the are he filmed the Sierra Nevada show in, and let me tell you, it was fake. First off, there are no wild horses in these mountains, NONE.
i think both shows are great. Each have a different way's of survival. I think its kinda "dumb" to say one is better then the other, cause there both great shows, just my 2 cents.
bear grylls is better than les.les does not tell as much survival stuff as bear does.he does not move as much as bear does he just starts making a shelter then waits 7 days until he moves to find civilization.and bear does not use a shelter that his crew gives him(unlike les in the life raft episode and the episode where he used a brocken plane as a shelter givin to him by his crew.)
wow. i just read every comment on this topic. and i have a lot to say.
first of all. to all those who picked one of the other because they are hotter. WE ARENT IN A BEAUTY CONTEST HERE.
second of all YES THERE ARE WILD HORSES IN NEVADA. PLZ LEARN UR FACTS.
third. people say bear grylls is cheaper in MvsW and ect. because he has a crew. HOW WOULD U KNOW? its not like your there were to watch every second of it behind the scene. he might. but i doubt it. and also how would u know some other medical team or some stuff other than a camera crew is following les? like he says "no camera crew" doesnt mean no other peeps. not saying he does have any. im just saying u dont know how it is. so talkin about behind the scenes is useless
fourth. everyone says how les is boring, uses more reasonable ways to surve. ect. i have something to say about that. he carrys 50 pounds of camera gear and needs to walk back every time for it (if its true), what do u think? do u think les is actually gunna climb up a tree, climb down cliffs. and do the other stuff bear would do? NO. if he had a camera crew he might. we wouldnt know. bear grylls has a camera crew and he can do many stuff that les cant do. and i watched one of his talk shows and he said that his camera crew are very strict and wont even give him food or something and for whoever asked. the camera crew stays in tents with food.
fifth. MvsW does show bear light his fires. what are u talking about?? although he uses flint to light his fires, he does that to suggest u to bring flint and w/e the other thing was when hiking or w/e JUST INCASE. u say he's a fraud not lighting fire and stuff. but if he was in british army and climbed/flew over mount everest. do u think he knows how to use 2 sticks to create enough friction to light a fire??? OF COURSE. AND THAT HE HAS SHOWN HOW TO IN MANY EPISODES.
I have seen the river episode which u all say he has a life jacket underneath. i didnt really look carefully. but using ur backpack to float urself is POSSIBLE. and whoever says he would die goin down the river. Yes its possible. but remember bear is really fit and some sa he is superhuman.
so really les is boring and goes the easy way out. cuz he has to carry camera gear. but is more reasonable
bear is well trained and wa sin british forces. many things he does u may not be able to do. but he is doing what he can do. yes i do think MvsV is a more entertaining show to watch.
yea in my opinion i like MvsV better.
BUT BOTH ARE AS EDUCATIONAL AS THE OTHER.
yea thats all i have to say lol. that took a while to type
Alrite people, here's what it is. The simplest way to end all argument about Bear Grylls, and Les Stroud.
Formal Training: Bear Grylls: 3 Years British Special Ops Military SAS Trained unarmed combat Trained desert and winter warfare Trained combat survival, medics Trained parachuting, signals Trained evasive diving Trained climbing, and explosives Served in N. Africa Twice YOUNGEST to scale Mt. Ama Dablam YOUNGEST to scale Mt. Everest Titled "Everest Mountaineer" Leads 1st Jetski circumnavigation of UK Made Ambassador for Princes Trust Charity Gains a BA Hons Degree Hispanic Studies Leads 1st team to cross unassisted the frozen North Atlantic Ocean in a raft. Breaks record: highest dinner party ever Dinner party on hot air ballon @ 25,000 ft. Awarded Honorary Commission by Royal Navy Films 13x 1 hr. shows titled Man Vs. Wild Breaks new world record, sails powered paraglider above the summit of mt. everest.
(Highpoint: Broke back in 3 places at the end of his tour with the SAS, rehabilitated, and became youngest person ever to scale mt. everest.)
Equipment(knife, canteen, flint)
Formal Training: Les Stroud: Graduated College with Masters of Physics Took 3 week survival course during college Likes Music, cinematography, and acting Brings approx. 50 lbs. of supplies per show Doesn't need cameraman, films on his own (Highpoint: spent 1 year living off of land with his wife)
Hmmmm... who all said Bear Grylls is a phony? Mind you he did all of that, while writing 3 books, recording 3 seasons of man vs. wild, and starring in a handful of full length movies. He has raised money for charities, and is a proud married father of 2.
I would have to have my better judgement doubt that when you are that well trained a cameraman with his eyes, arms, and movements occupied with recording could make such an impact.
Lastly, it's not that I dislike les stroud, occasionally he makes good points, and has useful information. However, for the most part it seems like les' episodes are TOO convenient. I've watched too many episodes where he found just what he needed in the most unlikely spaces SHORTLY after declaring the necessity. I'm sure that's how you put together a show on survival.... that is if you only went through a three week non-credit course in college, while you were studying to master in physics.(SO important in survival btw)
Oh, and one more thing, for all you pussyfoot hillbillies.... when bear grylls does things your mom and pop suggested you don't do, remember one difference... bear grylls is a man, in survival mode, ready to do whatever it takes. There's never time to stop, or be selectie in a life or death situation, and roughing it is sometimes a necessity, and not a choice. I think bear's advice is consistent on NOT PANICKING and staying forwards progressive in a survival situation.
Les Stroud..... be a good little filmmaker and hire a crew. Your camera shots need work, and it'll free some time up for you to learn some new survival techniques. Quit being "conveniently placed here for me to use on the show-man" unless you're going to change the title of your show. Have a nice day!
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I like both of them. I'd like to start out by saying that the shows are entirely different because of their different formats. Bear could easily do what Les does, but he puts himself into more dangerous situations to show what to do if that happens to you. He can do this because he is not alone. Also, I am pretty sure that the producers of Survivorman keep track of Les somehow and he could be rescued if something goes wrong. Finally, calling Bear a loser is pretty ignorant. He is more than qualified for the show and has accomplished a lot more than the average person. He has served with the British special forces (one of the most elite in the world) and is very entertaining. As for people complaining that he is in great shape and most people aren't, maybe they should get off their butts and get into shape.
The below is lifted from another forum and post, but I think it makes the point of why -- while Bear is very entertaining -- his show is NOT the best way to learn survival tactics. FALLS ARE THE #1 WAY TO DIE. HYPOTHERMIA IS #4. If you think you can do the things Bear can do without risking these two, then bully for you. But for most people, it is NOT the safe way to go:
Not too long ago, Backpacker Magazine (www.backpacker.com) put out a special SURVIVAL issue, and one of the articles was named (can you guess it?) A Dozen Ways To Die. It's about the most common ways people manage to die in the backcountry - 12 of them.
I was not surprised that animal attack was not in the top 10, but I was surprised that hypothermia wasn't #1.
In order of their degree of fatality:
#1 - Unprotected falls. People either climb higher than their ability allows for a safe ascent or descent, or they try descending a face that is too steep and dangerous
#2 - Drowning. This usually occurs on "frozen" lakes and whitewater rivers.
#3 - Heart attack.
#4 - Hypothermia. Also known as exposure. I was surprised this wasn't #1. It doesn't require freezing temps - only temps in the 50s, with wet and windy conditions contributing. Wearing cotton clothing (jeans, sweatshirt, etc.) can exacerbate this condition. It's best to keep yourself warm & dry instead of having to get yourself warm and dry.
#5 - Heat stress
#6 - Lightning. I'm surprised this isn't listed as a threat more often on this show. I'm much more afraid of lightning than bears or mountain lions
#7 - Avalanche. I believe Colorado leads the nation in avalanche deaths every year. Just poking the snow with a ski pole is NOT an adequate test for avalanche conditions.
#8 - Suicide
#9 - Flash flood
#10 - Insects
#11 - Snakes & spiders
#12 - Predators, including alligators, mountain lions, and bears
My sentiments exactly!!!!!!!!!! I have seen in the beginning of Bears shows, where he states that he will show how a "tourist" can survive-what tourist is in peak physical condition to climb an 80 foot tree to cross a creek? The normal Joe is very liable to break a leg or arm or end up dead following his examples. On the other hand, LES STROUD IS BACK AUGUST 15th!!!!! That made my whole week!!
"what tourist is in peak physical condition to climb an 80 foot tree to cross a creek?"
I am, and you should be too before you go out to where life is harsh. Its called being prepared. (Not in a sassy tone.) lol. I saw the Survivorman preview, SO awesome! Nothing better than lots of survival shows, especially new ones!
I can't believe I'm joining a message board to weigh in on a Les v. Bear debate, but anyway:
1. Bear's a climber (obviously) - that's his special interest. Why should it surprise anyone that he's happy to climb when the opportunity presents itself? And why shouldn't he provide pointers on doing something that he knows how to do well? This whole idea that he's giving bad survival advice because he utilizes his own skill set it ridiculous. If I was ever lost, I would not be trying to downclimb a waterfall because I saw Bear Grylls do it. It's obvious that he's not recommending that people exceed their capabilities.
2. Les Stroud, while obviously very knowledgeable and capable, does not have the natural teaching ability that Bear does. He also doesn't have the same charisma. There's nothing wrong with that, but it does make his show a whole lot less exciting than Man vs. Wild.
3. In my view, a major benefit of both shows is showcasing the beauty of these wild environments and implicitly encouraging viewers to go out an interact with nature more. Bear is always pausing to comment on the beauty and awesomeness of his surroundings. Les spends a lot of time talking about how rough he's feeling and how bad conditions are. I think Bear's approach goes a lot farther towards selling the outdoors to viewers who don't have a lot of experience with it.
4. It's funny that so many people resent Bear's camera crew. The point of the show is to show what one could do in order to survive in various environments (not watch someone actually put themselves in a legitimate emergency) - good photography helps enhance that learning. It gives the viewer a chance to see all of Bear's slip-ups and mistakes. I think that's interesting and more informative than struggling to see what Les is doing 100 yards away from his tripod.
5. As someone else pointed out, Les has a sat phone. And obviously Bear has a camera crew. Both men have an "out" if they need it. I don't understand why that bugs people. Why should anyone not take legit safety precautions to not die while filming an educational program? Obviously, both guys are more than capable of handling themselves in an actual survival emergency. But trying to up the odds that you'll die filming a show that already requires some fairly difficult stuff is stupid.
Both programs provide viewers with good survival information, but clearly neither show is the be-all end-all of survival information. Hopefully these programs inspire people to learn more about survival if they are regularly going camping/backpacking/biking/etc. And hopefully they inspire people to start doing those things if they aren't already.
To each his or her own, but for my money - Man vs. Wild is the more interesting (hence watchable) program. Bear Grylls is the infinitely more pleasant host - and if I'm going to actually sit down a watch TV, I'd rather watch the more exciting program with the more personable host.
"But an adviser to Born Survivor has disclosed that at one location where the adventurer claimed to be a “real life Robin-son Crusoe” trapped on “a desert island”, he was actually on an outlying part of the Hawaiian archipelago and spent nights at a motel."
Good for him. He deserves to stay in hotels at night. But for me, the best sleep ive ever had was in a shelter I made sleeping on a bed of pine needles. It doesnt change the fact that he could stay a few nights in the wilderness if he wanted or needed to. And about the horse thing, there are wild horses, and if I approached some and they didnt run, id try to befriend one. And as for the raft, who cares, kids make rafts all the time, if he had to make one, hed do fine. Its a TV show, not an actual life or death survival situation.
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Originally posted by berentsen: I may have missed the answer to this , but can anyone tell me why I am not seeing any new episodes of Survivorman in my area (Las Vegas)?
I think this is more like comparing apples to oranges. Les makes survival documeteries, while Bear just shows off his athletic abilaty. When it comes to surviving Les would win hands down. Cause Les is out there alone. Have you ever wondered how Bears film crew gets accross the same rivers and Swamps as Bear? It cant be to difficult or else all you would see is Bear running around like an idiot on the one side of the cliff and the crew stuck on the other side. Bear isnt surving he's just showing off in more of an exabition than anything. Dont get me wrong I love and respect both of them but I think that Bears "I was in the special forces I can do anything" attitude would kill him long before Les would die because he had to take his time to do things right. Look at Steve Irwin, RIP, he took chances and did crazy stuff but did he survive, sadly... he did not.
yes but it's a fact that teens and drunks cause the most accidents on the road, teens take a lot more risks behind the wheel and driving drunk is a huge risk no matter what age, my point is the more risks you take in the wild the more likely you are to get injured. why would u want to take risks just to get to safty faster when you can be sensible, live of the land, take your time and avoid things like hypothermia or breaking a bone. I do have to give credit to Bear for showing things like how to get out of bogs and better climbing techniques, but his go for broke techniques are not always worth it and could easily lead to a serious injury, or death if it were a real survival situation.
He is able to do it, so he does it, so we can see how he does it, just incase we have to do it someday. Bears life was almost taken away from him during his parachute accident, so I dont blame him for living on the edge aka living life to its fullest. Bear doesnt show JUST his athletic ability, he shows how to build things, how to use things, and so much more, even more than what Les shows. Bear was in the SAS and WOULD/could do ANYTHING to survive. He is good at what he does, so let him do it. Special forces are good at what they do, but sometimes an operator will get KIA, thats just life, some people are more elite than others, and sometimes those people put themselves in danger for us, like Bear, so instead of seeing Bear as a crazy guy with a deathwish, see him as a very elite human who is sacrificing alot to show us some cool stuff. He isnt showing off, hes showing us some of the choices we have if we get in a bad situation. If I had the choice to either climb down a waterfall or take an extra hour to walk around, and I was in a survival situation, I would walk around, unless I was 100% sure I could climb down no problem. But if a rogue Grizzly Bear cornered me by surpise and the only choices were to fight or climb down the waterfall, Id climb down the waterfall. Grylls is elite, he gives up alot to show us some useful things.
Bear is having fun. His show is "Bear's Great Adventure". He has some good techniques to teach but many are the techniques of a special ops soldier or the experienced climber. Most of us aren't at that level of functionality and never will be. And many of his stunts he pulls off just for fun or just for shock value. It is a very entertaining show.
No, Les doesn't move as much as Bear. You wouldn't move as much either if you had 50 lbs of camera gear on your back and had to continually set up, walk from the camera, walk back to the camera, break down and walk away again. The techniques shown by Les are a bit more realistic than Bear's. He messes up, smacks his finger, tries a zillion times to get his deadfall trap to work, wastes his bait because he got lazy making his trap and doesn't watch his fire properly. All this could have been edited out but he's showing you mistakes on purpose to give a more realistic idea of what to expect.
Staying in place IS what every source recommends for people who are lost. Conserve your energy, build the biggest smokiest signal fire you safely can. When you are reported missing they will come for you. This does assume you bothered to tell someone when to expect you back and where you went. If you didn't - and you are truly so deep in the wilderness you are not going to meet other people and nobody would see a signal fire - you may have to walk out on your own.
Realistic depictions of this can be seen on "I Shouldn't Be Alive". Unprepared people making stupid mistakes and end up in crisis situations.
Stupidity is its own punishment in the wild. Les has his multi-tool. Bear has his knife and flint. Usually both have a canteen. To go into the wild without some kind of preparation is stupid and carrying basic survival tools is the first survival lesson we should take from both shows.
Bear has his rescue right there so he CAN take more risks. Any number of scenes were obviously fake whether precut handholds in ice, "wild horses" that obviously aren't or a floatation vest under his coat. (Sorry but there are NO wild horses on the high meadows of the Sierra Nevada. I know that part of California well. And wild horses would never have let him get that close.)
Hearing him talk bout how lonely he feels with the camera crew right there filming him strains my credulity. Seeing him charge off in the middle of the night, scared silly by what he thinks might be a black BEAR, of all things, was one of the stupidest things I have ever seen on any survival show.
Bear is a spectacular physical specimen at a level of fitness that few people will ever achieve and nobody will maintain past middle age. I'm willing to bet that Les is in better shape than 90% of the posters here but his techniques don't emphasize fitness. Bear's does.
Les' rescue is usually several hours off if he needs it, assuming the radio isn't on the fritz. That makes a BIG difference. Occasionally he loses radio contact completely. He needs to be risk averse. When he talks about being alone, he means it.
Being paradropped into a remote wilderness is not how most people will encounter a survival situation. You'll be injured on a hike or get caught in a blizzard. You may have a vehicle or other equipment to scavange. You might get lost in the wild. Real survival training starts with avoiding the survival situation, having the proper tools with you in case of emergency and letting someone responsible know where you are going and when to expect you back. I don't remember either show emphasizing this.
"Most of us aren't at that level of functionality and never will be."
Unless you have no choice. If youre life is at risk and you have no other choice to do something crazy, itd be nice to know alittle about what youre about to do. When that adrenaline kicks in, youre gonna be able to do things you thought impossible before. Its also very important to be physically and mentally fit, thats part of "BEING PREPARED." You wouldnt have a choice if it were back in the day, you would have to be fit, or die.
"And many of his stunts he pulls off just for fun or just for shock value."
True, but also to show you how to do them if you ever have to.
Sure some parts are staged, but you still learn from those scenes. And I believe if you feel you are able, if you have a true warrior spirit, and theres a wild or escaped horse that is separated from other horses or is alone, theres a slight chance of befriending the horse. Horse whisperers are real, anything is possible. Also, some things are staged for safety reasons, but you still learn from them! And there are wild horses on Earth, people get lost everywhere.
Also, Bear could have still been alone some nights.
Bear moves so much because his scenerio is that nobody is coming for him, so he has to get out. He also has to move fast because of the places he is dropped off at sometimes are dangerous to be at at certain times, and because alot of the techniques he shows involve fast movement, and he has to travel a certain distance to get to each area to show you something new, thats why you learn so much and thats why its so entertaining and fast paced.
And ya, hah, that was pretty dumb of Bear to run from what he thought was a Bear, but like you said, everyone makes mistakes, and Bear gets better every episode because of his growing experience. It only gets better!!!
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For me, it's Les Stroud all the way, and here's why:
1. Les is the better survivalist. He respects the environment around him, and doesn't go around wantonly damming rivers (wasting vast amounts of calories, by the way) or touting glissading (which Bear TOLD THE AUDIENCE COULD BE FATAL) as a survival skill.
2. Les has a greater burden to bear (no pun intended). Say what you want about the camera crew not helping - the simple fact that the camera guys are carrying the cameras is a LOT of help.
3. Les is in real danger. Barring a rock falling on his head, Bear will always have help on hand to whisk him away to safety. Not so for Les. If Les gets bitten by a rattlesnake or falls down a canyon, HE WILL DIE. The fact that he puts his life genuinely on the line, without the safety considerations that Bear has, makes me appreciate him all the more.
4. Les does what he does well. The reason he's never had to drag himself through the wilderness on a broken leg or somesuch is because he's smart enough not to get hurt in the first place. He studies environmentally safe (and even in some cases, aboriginal) methods instead of plowing through the wilderness like a headless chicken with a hot foot.
5. Bear is misleading. Doesn't anyone else see the irony that he stays in hotels on a series billed in his native country as "Born Survivor"? Defend him however you want, the fact that Bear has to fake things to get them done puts him on a totally different level from Les - there is no longer any reasonable comparison between the two. It would be like comparing a TV wrestler to a Roman Gladiator.
6. And if you think that all Les does is sit around and wait for help, I suggest you watch the "Boreal Forest," "Lost at Sea," and "Costa Rica" episodes.
1. Once again, Bear does these things to show you how you could do it if you ever have to. Would you rather die than even try to glissade? And I wouldnt say Les is a better survivalist, Bear is learning SO much because of his ongrowing experience, so one cant be sure on whos the best, because we just dont know them that well. Also, sometimes surviving means you have to some nonos, like cutting pine tree boughs to make a bed and shelter, having a fire during NO FIRE season, etc.
3. Sure Les is in danger, but you have to be crazy to think Bear isnt in danger, I mean... come on.
4. Sometimes having to survive means you have to ruin some things. You never know whats gonna happen out there. You have to be prepared to do anything.
5. Sometimes a teacher cant teach you something because its too dangerous or is just too hard to do, but that doesnt mean what he wants to teach you wont come in handy, its like firefighters fighting staged fires for practice. As for the horses, I could imagine how hard it would be to find a horse, but it COULD happen, so the only way they could teach it was to stage it I guess, lol. Bear has more under his belt than Les: Special Forces experience, climbing experience, survival experience that is growing very rapidly, experience with mountains, and so much more. The fact that Bear fakes things so we can learn whats usually VERY hard to learn by video and audio makes me feel very thankful for the fact that they can do such things.
6. And no, Les doesnt just sit around, he stays in an area for a certain time, and sometimes then heads out to find civilization. Les and Bear are awesome, I cant wait for the new seasons of both shows, its gonna be AWESOME!
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1. No, I would rather survive long enough to find an alternative path and/or be rescued, thanks very much. Les was being CONSULTED as a survival expert long before Survivorman. And even if "no-no"s are required, Les at least tries to minimize the impact on the environment around him - he knows well enough not to take the bark from all the way around a birch tree (which can kill it), and recognizes when it's safest to move and safest to stay put.
2. I'd rather learn from someone who can survive while burning 4 to 9 times the calories by doing the filming himself and still thrive. To each their own.
3. "I mean... come on" is not an adequate defense. As I said before, unless something kills him on the spot, Bear's got backup. More specifically - dying instantaneously AND dying a slow, gruesome, withering-away death are both on Les's plate. Not so for Bear.
4. Just because you have to be prepared to do anything doesn't mean you should go ahead and do everything. What Les understands properly is that it's smarter to avoid the "I've got to do everything to survive" situation than to get into it and then take stupid risks.
5. I like Les better because he teaches you how to go about things so I don't have to do the dangerous stuff. Yes, yes, Bear has all those credentials - I DON'T. That's why I like learning from Les better...because unless I'm in Everest-climbing condition (and I promise you, I'm not), if I try to do half of Bear's stunts to survive, I...WILL...DIE. I'll pass, thanks. Same reason I like Green Arrow better than Batman. Batman's a super-rich, hyper-intelligent businessman with a photographic memory, expert skill in half of the martial arts known to man, perfect knowledge of the criminal psyche, and a leather fetish. Green Arrow's a street-smart former billionaire with a talent for archery. Guess which one I can relate to better?
But once again! Bear does all those dangerous things to show you how to do them if you ever have to!!! Life or death! What if there is no alternative safer route, and you HAD to glissade? Thats how I think about it all. Alot of the things Bear does you shouldnt do unless theres no other way. But then again, the other half of what he does is normal safe stuff, so you get a mix.
See, there again, the physical aspect comes into play. For me, it wouldn't be "be stuck on the glacier, or glissade." It would be "wait on the glacier for help, or slide to my death." I have no appreciation for a man whose advice can get me killed.
Youre missing the point. What if you were in a situation where doing something Bear did was the only way out and you couldnt wait any longer for rescue because of the type of situation you are in? Sometimes you cant wait for help, and sometimes doing so will get you killed. Are you pulling my leg just to try and get me to say alot for nothing? haha
No, I'm dead serious. I think people overestimate the likelihood of the situations in which the only way to survive is through something extraordinarily risky. I also think the primary way that people could get into a situation where they had to use what Bear taught them is if they completely ignore what Les could have taught them.
I distinctly recall a Man vs. Wild promo where Bear's method of catching a fish called for damming the river to trap the fish before catching it and eating it raw. In contrast, Les did the same thing in Costa with a spear and an elastic band, and not only caught the fish but also managed to build a shelter to eat it in front of and a fire to cook it with. That pretty much sums up my view on things.
Well, I know I cant change your mind, haha. Ive been rambling on about Bear, now to ramble on about Les. Way awesome, I love that he went out in the woods for a long time with his family, Id SO do that. One of my goals in life is to spend a year or more out in the woods starting out with nothing or almost nothing. I like Les also because he does REALLY respect the wilderness, trying to leave everything how it was, and doesnt he take his shelters down after hes done with them? Pretty cool. I saw him on TV tonight during the Shark Week thing talking about sharks and how theyre becoming endangered and etc. I cant wait for next friday, 9pm!!!!
It was shortly after I finaly got cable at my new house that I saw Survivorman for the first time. I turned on Discovery channel about halfway through one of the episodes. I watched it and was like, this is the coolest show ever! Luckily for me they had 3 episodes in a row and I watched them all. A couple weeks later I saw a preview for MvW. I knew immediatly that it was just a way for Discovery to get a different audience. The middle aged, balding guy rambling on about being drained, boered as many viewers as it enticed. So they figured to draw in the other half of the viewers they would have a guy with an accent (the number one way to get people to respond is get a guy with an accent, lol) and full of p n vineger to thrill people. I refused to watch the show... at first. After I heard one of my friends raving about Bear, I figured I would give him a chance, and I liked it. Not as much, or for the same reasons, but for the same reason they have Bear doing the show, for a more exciting experience. I think some of the things Bear shows you how to do CAN be very usefull to many adventurers, but a lot of the things he shows will only be usefull to one in a million. Who really is going to between a cliff and a charging mountain lion or grizzly? It could happen but is extremely unlikey. The vast majority of people who get lost in the wilderness aren't going to have and instant life or death situation staring them in the eyes, so some of the skills he shows are about as usefull to the viewers as overhauling an engine is to a housewife and mother of two. None the less it still makes for awesome viewing and I cant wait for new episodes. So hats off to Discovery channel for padding their wallets by finding the best way to entertain all types of average Joes, survival nuts, and thrill seakers, lol.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: kim g,
Well now that Bear and his program are being investigated I think it's safe to say Les is the better man in every way. Honest, realistic, and smart about the choices he makes, Les' instructions might make your survival experience less adventurous, but you're more likely to come out of it alive. For those of you still singing Bear's praises, be honest with yourselves. He's an attractive young British man with a cute accent and a nice smile. In our 'looks and youth-obsessed' culture, should we really be surprised when people come to the defense of "the hot survivor guy" and not "the canadian with the receding hairline". Of course not. Above all, these shows are about entertainment. And sex sells. Sexy Brits sell. Even the liars. Integrity and television don't normally go hand in hand, but I consider the exposure of Bear's so called "survival techniques" to be sweet justice.
I just watched "Survivorman - Behind the Scenes", hahahaha, I laughed SO hard, Les is awesome. Hahahaha, theres still tears on my face from laughing hahaha. I cant wait for season 2, its gonna rock. If any of you havent seen this Behind the Scenes episode, watch it, its awesome: http://youtube.com/results?search_query=Survivorman+-+B...Scenes&search=Search
Originally posted by imdbigi: My primary concern with Les is the same as others...he is compelled to express compassion for the critters in which he devours. It can clearly be seen that he is a naturalist of the truest sort, but when it comes down to the cold truth, the protein is needed. Simply eat it and enjoy.
What I would like to see different, is what flora is not edible as well as those which are. For example, if you are stranded and are near water and there is ample vegetation, I think it would be a good idea to know what not to eat.
I like what you say about Les being a naturalist in the correct sense. I really began to like him a lot more when he commented on his philosophy on his meat consumption. I did feel, though, he might be doomed for prime-time, since Americans have a hard time separating "normal vegetarians" from the peta-loonies and others who bring a stock plate of political/moral views to the table with their diets.
I'm not a vegetarian, nor have any religous values, but ever since I was a small child, I would thank each and every dove, quail, and deer I downed while hunting. Usually, once immediately after the kill and again at the dinner table.
While not feeling guilt about being a predator, I even silently thank the cow that died for my burger.
Some folks will always say this is "weak", but those are the same teenagers whose idea of roughing it involves trucks, beer, and heavy tents.
Also, not to spam up the forums by repeatedly posting, but hey, I just signed up and have some catching up to do!
Does anyone else get the impression that Survivorman and Man vs Wild had different plans from the start? I got the impression that Man vs Wild was made in response to Survivorman when Discovery felt it needed a show of similar success and content, but comes with the benefit of being shot with high-definition cameras so the show could be used to fill some of the badly needed content for Discovery HD.
With the current state of technology, Les is stuck carrying lighter SD cameras that don't have the visual quality to be up converting to 1080 in post-production.
I felt he gives a more accurate sense of how it feels to be wandering the country-side. A great sense of how vast some scenes are, and lots of excellent camera-work, music, graphic work that seems to largely be done by Les himself.
EDIT: Oh Yes, I don't mean anything negative about Bear's show. I forgot to mention that I'm a big fan of both!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: br14n420,
I think we are comparing apples to oranges because each of them is attempting to do something completely different. Bear is more extreme and skillful than the average backpacker needs to ever be. Les is very slow and methodical because he has to make a show and film it, and trudge huge amounts of equipment that he cannot use for his survival. However we can indeed compare them on different criteria.
Fitness: Clearly Bear is far more fit
Better Hunter: Bear (Les has never been successful even using a hook to fish).
Drive: Equal (Les have traveled all night long to escape which makes up for the episode where he was really lazy with his traps, and a squirrel ate his beef jerky)
More Realistic: Les
Resourceful: Bear (How do determine direction through magnetized needle, using horizon, and the different things to eat or use in the wild.
Aside from it all, the issue boils down to character. Les conducts the show as it is all about his own survival, while bear tries to extrapolate information that can be useful for all. Les complains a great deal (is very whiny) and ultimately has a negative disposition towards his challenges. Bear is very optimistic, and is always very encouraging and rarely (if ever), complains.
If I had to choose one of them to be lost with, I choose Bear. I watch Les with my friends so that we can laugh at him and complain about him. Les is sometimes misguided. In one episode, Les makes a tent using "Spanish Moss" while in a more recent episode, Bear advises that "Spanish moss" is foolishly used because people don't realize the numerous small critters which live in it.
Ultimately Les is great at what he does "Barely Surviving, Complaining, and keeping a generally negative disposition" while Bear is great at "Escaping his environment, Finding Food, and providing facts and specific details about what he is doing".
Again, I don't think that they should be compared head-on. Bear is still more instructional and entertaining, even if he uses ploys that are far more unrealistic than what the average hiker will ever need to use.
P.S. Aside from physical and character disposition attributes, each of them has a team behind them which prep them before every challenge. So we should be measuring how much the survival teams know individually, which we obviously can’t measure.
Better Hunter: Bear (Les has never been successful even using a hook to fish).
Drive: Equal (Les have traveled all night long to escape which makes up for the episode where he was really lazy with his traps, and a squirrel ate his beef jerky)
More Realistic: Les
Resourceful: Bear (How do determine direction through magnetized needle, using horizon, and the different things to eat or use in the wild.
Ok lets take a real look at this then.
Fitness: Bear BUT its not like Les is out of shape.
Drive: Les, I dont see how you can take someone that is out alone for 7 days and say they dont have drive. Bear dose have drive but that is easer to do with all the people around and (honestly here) with the breaks he gets like hotel rooms.
I dont know how a mistake with teh jerkey by Les is somehow worse then hotel says.
More Realistic: Les
Resourceful: Les Keep in mind I have not seen a lot of Man vs Wild but if the bar is set at using a magnetized needle to find north well thats also in my old cub scouts book. Les shows how to use plants, animals, and everyday things that you might actualy have with you not parashoot cord.
quote:
Aside from it all, the issue boils down to character.
Um you gave this to the guy that lied to everyone??? That fact alone shows how extreamly one sided you are on this topic. It also shows how little you know about the urvivorman show. Also the compleat lacking of factstowards Les's show says a lot as well.
Actually, I think Les is really fit because before he goes off to survive, he hikes/runs/works out to be comfy with his camera load.
Bear also shows how to use plants, animals, and everyday things that you might actualy have with you... and parashoot cord.
Les and Bears character are very good.
From Bears Blog:
"Ps here are a few nice letters from fellow explorers who know me best. Thanks guys.
Sir,
The recent alleged "revelations" that Bear Grylls stayed a night in a motel whilst on location filming for Man Vs Wild/Born Survivor and that some of his feats of endurance are being questioned for authenticity, leaves me irritated.
Should we really allow jealous local survival experts, past their sell-by-date adventurers and disloyal expedition organisers the time of day in print to attempt to discredit a man attempting things most of us wouldn't dream of doing and providing great entertainment on the small screen to boot.
If Bear Grylls were a fraud, as some of these detractors would have us believe, then I'd be the first to know. I witnessed first hand his paramotor flight high in the Himalaya, served in UK Special Forces alongside him, rode a jet ski around Britain with him and stood on the summit of Mt. Everest next to him.
I can assure you and your readers that he is the most courageous, honest, generous, fun, mischievous, caring and loving family man I have ever met.
Neil Laughton Chairman, Office Projects Ltd (World 7 Summiteer)
I thought that Born Survivor & Man Vs Wild was one of the most entertaining shows of this year, and without you it wouldn't have been possible. I hope that this all blows over quickly (funny how they are so quick to slate the show, but no mention of your many incredible achievements), and you can get on with entertaining us all with the next series.
Just to say that I am so proud with my even meagre association with you and you will foreverbesomeone I aspire to.
Jake Meyer (current youngest World 7 summiteer and British Everest climber)
Dear Sir/Madam
The Daily Mail's attack on Bear Grylls mentions that he is 'the cheese soufflé' of the adventure world and, by way of pushing this assertion, suggests that he may not have been the youngest Brit to scale Everest, and implies that the T.A's/21 SAS Regiment is not as tough as the Regular 22 SAS Regiment. I would comment that he was indeed the youngest Brit because the only possible rival claimant was clearly Australian. And that 21 SAS membership requires distinctly non-cheese soufflé people. Its comparison to 22 SAS is therefore irrelevant and cheap, suggestive journalism of a misleading nature.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes ('World's greatest living explorer' Guinness book of Records)"
I have never missed a Survivorman show. I love it! Much I like love my quirky, and slightly insane uncle.
In the real world, the negativity which Les handles himself with would be detrimental to any team. I do agree, having a crew does keep Bear more upbeat, but Les' pessimism and constant whimpering over even minute pinches or paper cuts is ridiculous.
Yes, Bear has used a floating device down a river, and has been given a shirt after his fire went out after he had jumped into a freezing lake (which are within the boundaries of what the crew can do in life/death situation).
But Les, made 2 attempts at building a three-log raft and failed. Failed at making and Igloo-after acknowledging that the snow conditions were ideal for Igloo-making. Les went spear fishing in 4 feet of water (Bear about 40 feet). He also showed us how to survive with one arm, and half-way through the show gave up because it was too difficult. He also chose to leave the coast to escape Costa Rica through the jungle, only to complain that the jungle was to hot! He also bitched about being at sea in a dingy, but when he got to land, complained that it was worse than being at sea. He just complains too much for my taste.
Overall, les isn't sophisticated! He is just a frustrated musician who after failing as a producer in Low-budget "Much Music" TV station in Canada, took a stab at being a wilderness man and pitching it to Discovery! He chose this career because he loves it, but he'll readily admit to not being that good at it.
I just think that the average outdoorsman knows about as much about survival as Les does.
I will continue to watch every episode of Survivorman, but just so that I can enjoy the scenery and laugh at Les.
Bear, fishing: dam a river, thwack fish with a big stick, eat raw.
Les, fishing: build a spear, use elastic waistband to propel it, swims into the shallows to hunt with it, cooks fish over an open fire.
And points for finesse go to...LES STROUD.
And although it's nice that Bear has some reputable character witnesses to back him up, Laughton's use of ad hominem fallacy (meaning he insults people in a manner irrelevant to the debate at hand) and Mr. Meyer's bordering-on-hero-worship statement don't impress me all that much. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a little mean to call Bear Grylls personally a liar, but I'd sooner put stock in BBC News than a few editorials. I'll wait until the investigation comes out before passing judgment on Bear Grylls, but really, I think Les Stroud is far too underrated already; it's only fair that Man vs. Wild be held to the same standard as Survivorman.
I have never missed a Survivorman show. I love it! Much I like love my quirky, and slightly insane uncle.
In the real world, the negativity which Les handles himself with would be detrimental to any team. I do agree, having a crew does keep Bear more upbeat, but Les' pessimism and constant whimpering over even minute pinches or paper cuts is ridiculous.
Yes, Bear has used a floating device down a river, and has been given a shirt after his fire went out after he had jumped into a freezing lake (which are within the boundaries of what the crew can do in life/death situation).
But Les, made 2 attempts at building a three-log raft and failed. Failed at making and Igloo-after acknowledging that the snow conditions were ideal for Igloo-making. Les went spear fishing in 4 feet of water (Bear about 40 feet). He also showed us how to survive with one arm, and half-way through the show gave up because it was too difficult. He also chose to leave the coast to escape Costa Rica through the jungle, only to complain that the jungle was to hot! He also complained about being at sea in a dingy, but when he got to land, complained that it was worse than being at sea. He just complains too much for my taste. (could you imagine if he had to cross the Atlantic on a small boat like Bear…I’m sure someone would try to throw him over)
Overall, les isn't sophisticated! He is just a frustrated musician who after failing as a producer in Low-budget "Much Music" TV station in Canada, took a stab at being a wilderness man and pitching it to Discovery! He chose this career because he loves it, but he'll readily admit to not being that good at it.
I just think that the average outdoorsman knows about as much about survival as Les does.
I will continue to watch every episode of Survivorman, but just so that I can enjoy the scenery and laugh at Les.
PS Please, DO WATCH THE behind the scenes youtube video that gc_4845 posted earlier. You will probably never watch something funnier...again, that is why I never miss Survivorman
Have a nice day!
