By Mark HadleyMonday 7 Dec 2009TV and StreamingReading Time: 1 minute
TV: Man vs. Wild (Mon, 8.55pm, SBS)
Adventurer Edward ‘Bear’ Grylls, a former special ops soldier, pits himself against some of the world’s most inhospitable climes. The series celebrates the ‘can do’ of the human race, while also indicating just how much capability has been lost through a pampered existence.
It’s a brilliant watch for people with an appreciation of the outdoors, but there is a flaw. Recent reports reveal that Grylls actually stayed in hotels, used safety gear and had assistance during most of series one.
It’s been re-edited with disclaimers but the production short-cuts cast doubt on the trustworthiness of the entire program. In the end truth is important to relationships, particularly those with audiences.