As you know, I’ve spent the last month or doing research for my wilderness survival graphic novel. This research has included getting soaked in Algonquin Park, learning to make a fire from a pop can and lots of other fun stuff. Along the way, I’ve discovered some great resources like the Equipped To Survive website.
Equipped is packed with useful survival tips, articles and a must-listen to podcast about being prepared. And according to their recent newsletter, they’ll have their own TV cable network. ETS-TV apparently launches this fall, in conjunction with the Discovery Channel. They’ve got a bunch of shows ready to go and it looks like it’ll be a great channel. It’s the shows they have in development that are little worrying.
One show, Wings Become Adventure, takes reality TV to yet another extreme and makes Survivor seem like a school yard kids game. Contestants are dropped in the middle of the wilderness at the scene of a plane crash set up by the show’s producers and they’ve got to survive for a set period of time. Simple, right? But here’s where it gets scary. I’ll let the newsletter explain it all:
Could you imagine having your arm broken on purpose?! That alone is it’s own reality TV show! I’ve broken a few bones in my body, including my arm very seriously, and although I’d never want to go through that pain again – $25, 000 would soften the blow a bit. But ouch!
It reminds me of that scene in that great soccer/WW II escape movie Victory, where they break the guy’s arm so he can see the doctor. Seeing that as a kid freaked me out and everytime I broke something from skateboarding, I always thought of that scene.
As painful as Wings Becomes Adventure sounds, I think I’d watch just to see the survival skills in action and only if the contestants got a bonus for getting everyone out alive and in one piece. None of this tribal council stuff where someone is whisked away because they were too annoying or didn’t play nice with the others.
I wonder how much a contestant would get if they agreed to be mauled by a bear?
That is unbelievable! Who would they hire to purposely break someone’s limb? Surely they must be joking!
Somehow I don’t think there’d be a shortage of people willing to break someone else’s arm for a bit of cash – it’s a well established career path for many people (not that I know any, btw.) Unfortunately, I don’t think they’re kidding with this idea and even more unfortunate is the fact that it’d probably be a huge hit on TV. We’ll just have to wait and see, but I’m confident it won’t be long before we see and interview with one of these arm-breakees on Entertainment Tonight (cue that annoying theme song . . . )
Hi Liam,
This is John and Patricia who are staying at Cara and D’Arcys in Galway. I trust you and Melanie are keeping well. We love your website and you certainly have been busy writing all those titles.
I understand that you have Denise and Angela in Canada with Elaine and Tony. Please give them our regards.
Look forward to seeing your both in Ireland.
Best regards,
Patricia and John
Howdy John and Patricia! Thanks for stopping by and saying hi. I’ll fill you in on the details of what I’ve been up to in an email, which is on its way to you as I type!