Survivorman Les Stroud returning to televison

One of the Discovery Channel’s most popular programs, Survivorman, is returning to television after being on hiatus for more than three years. The show, which features host Les Stroud demonstrating survival techniques in extreme settings, such as the Kalahari Desert or Alaskan wilderness, will relaunch with a series of special episodes sometime in 2012.

While Stroud’s list of destinations is not yet known, we do know that the format for the show will remain mostly the same. The episodes are filmed by Les himself, who goes out into the wild alone, carrying all of his camera and survival gear. In the past, he would usually spend seven days living in the wilderness, but according to the announcement on his website, he’ll actually be staying out for ten days on these new episodes. Apparently he’ll also begin filming the first new show in just three weeks time.

Fans of Stroud will be happy to hear of his return, as he had garnered quite a loyal following when the first three seasons of Survivorman were being aired. At the time, there were numerous comparisons to Man vs. Wild, the show hosted by Bear Grylls, which often sparked debates as to which of the men best knew his stuff. While Bear is a bit more theatrical and over the top, Les tends to remain more grounded and practical in his approach. Both shows are fun to watch however and I always enjoy seeing the destinations as much as what kind of trouble the two men can get into there.

The new Survivorman specials are set to air on OLN in Canada, Discovery Science in the U.S., and Discovery Channel International elsewhere. No word yet on when we can expect the shows to hit the airwaves however.

[Photo credit: Les Stroud]

Will Ferrell (yes, that Will Ferrell) joins Bear Grylls for episode of Man vs. Wild

Actor-comedian Will Ferrell recently braved some frigid conditions in Sweden while joining Bear Grylls for a taping of the popular Discovery Channel show Man vs. Wild. Ferrell called the experience, which included rappelling down frozen waterfalls and drinking his own urine in the remote mountains of Sweden, “the thrill of a lifetime,” although he notes that he “did get urine-drunk, which is sad.”

So how did Frank the Tank handle the harsh conditions? According to Bear Grylls, pretty well. Said Grylls: “Will did an amazing job in subzero, very unforgiving conditions. He trusted me when it mattered, and we survived. … He should be very proud of how he performed.”

The episode will air in early June, just before the release of Ferrell’s upcoming movie Land of the Lost.

What am I doing on a Sunday afternoon? Watching wildlife videos!

It’s sunny and mild outside, with just the slightest of breeze: the perfect fall day. But I’m holed up in my room, watching Youtube (Man vs. Wild episodes). But there’s a much better way to be anti-social on a Sunday afternoon. It’s called Fancast, a site with completely legitimate full length movies and television episodes.

I just finished a 40-minute documentary on the Serengeti, narrated by James Earl Jones. It’s below. Oh, and those Man vs Wild episodes? Check them out here.