Top Ten Outdoor Shows on the Discovery Channel

Tired of television programs that only focus on sets limited by the walls of buildings? Want a change of scenery? Well, have a look at the Discovery Channel. Out of over twenty shows the network airs, nearly half of them are outdoor related programs. While some teach you how to survive in the wilderness, others display the beauty of nature. Some even focus on the natural power of disaster. Then, you can find yourself learning about the debunking of some of the world's most popular myths or the players working behind the scenes at obscure jobs. All of this, and more, can be found at The Discovery Channel. What to watch, though? Here's the top ten outdoor programs that you should watch on the Discovery Channel:

Man vs. Wild

In Man vs. Wild, Bear Grylls, the host of the show, is placed into various regions across the world and forced to use survival tactics to stay alive. Generally, for a few days, Grylls must live off of what nature offers him: in one episode, he must eat raw and live fish, while in another, he has to drink his own urine to remain hydrated. It's no wonder why this show's intriguing; he's ready to do anything to survive. Although it seems as though Grylls is unaided in his adventures, as most people stranded in the middle of nowhere would be, in actuality, he's not. Coming under debate during 2007, viewers and media wanted to know how much support Grylls actually received from his crew (under the premise that they are prepared to help him if he's in danger). By July 2007, British Channel 4 had issued the statements saying that Grylls does stunts "within clearly-observed health and safety guidelines" and makes it "clear that he is receiving an element of back-up." Grylls later added that when he's not filming, he stays "with the crew in a sort of base camp." Despite the sense of danger minimized, "Man vs. Wild" continues to be an entertaining show that will teach audiences how to adapt in the wilderness and live on their own.

Survivorman

In contrast to Man vs. Wild, Les Stroud, the star of Survivorman must survive unaided in remote regions of the world. Living in the wilderness, Stroud is equipped with nothing more than a knife, his clothes, camera equipment, and a harmonica. He is also given an emergency phone in case he requires the assistance of his crew, however, Stroud claims that sometimes, when he has used it, it did not work. Thus, the element of danger in Stroud's Survivorman is far greater than in Man vs. Wild. Though the camera work is less commendable (because it is only manned by one person, Stroud), the survival strategies that Stroud uses are proven by the fact that he actually has to use them without aid from his crew. After the twenty-third episode, Stroud left the show, saying that there was too great a physical toll on his body after the filming of each episode. Nonetheless, three seasons of Survivorman are rerun on The Discovery Channel and remain just as exciting to watch.

MythBusters

Though this show is not solely devoted to outdoor activities, this series is so engaging that it definitely deserves a spot on this list. Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman host the show, along with the aid of their "Build Team," and explore both popular historical myths and current ones. In one episode, they'll find out whether the myths of James Bond hold up against science, and in another, discover whether the skills of ninjas are actually as true as they're said to be. Savage's laugh combined with Hyneman's sarcasm makes the duo great for investigating myths, and proving them to be busted, plausible, or confirmed. Whether or not you're interested in science, this is one of the greatest and most popular series that the Discovery Channel has to offer.

Destroyed in Seconds

I hate to say it, but people love to see disaster. And then, after it's over, complain about how shockingly catastrophic it really was. Either way, the creators of Destroyed in Seconds got it right, and successfully made a show that captivates its audiences within moments. Fortunately, very few fatalities are included in the show, so you can leave knowing that, most of the time, no one died. The property damage, on the other hand, is always extremely severe. On this show, you'll see clips of fires, driving accidents, explosions, and plane crashes. Though we hate to admit it, sometimes watching a bit of destruction is a fun way to spend our time.

The Deadliest Catch

This series chronicles the lives and difficulties of crews fishing during the Alaskan King crab and Opilio crab seasons. It's readily apparent why the show is so popular: it's full of real-life drama, pranks, and the danger of a nearly 75% increased fatality risk (relative to pilots and loggers) working on a crab fishing boats. Throughout the series, you'll learn about the "greenhorns," or inexperienced rookies, the dangers that threaten the lives of the crew, and the relationships between sailors on their own ships or with competing ships. Not even the camera crew is safe aboard this recipe for disaster. With drowning, hypothermia, capsizing, and the possibility of being struck by heavy machinery, danger remains imminent at all times for the crew members. This is one of the most engaging outdoor shows on the Discovery Channel because of the high risk that the crews take to capture the most crabs and beat their competitors.

Dirty Jobs

Similar to MythBusters, not all of the episodes on Dirty Jobs, hosted by Mike Rowe, are outdoors. Nonetheless, it's an appealing show. Why? Well, ask yourself why you're grossed out if people drink the blood from beef. Or ask yourself how, in other countries, people eat the brains of certain animals. To us, it seems ridiculously gross. But, watching them do it definitely earns an "ohh!" or even an "aww" in disgust from the audience. Either way, you're stuck to the television, ready to see if they'll actually do it. The same thing goes for Dirty Jobs. You're absolutely glued to the screen wondering what kind of jobs Mike Rowe will actually do. Whether it be cleaning septic tanks or collecting bat guano, Mike Rowe is prepared to do it. This series will you keep you on your feet to see how far Mike Rowe will really go just to keep his viewers satisfied.

Planet Earth

Described as a "definitive look at the diversity of our planet," this Emmy-Award winning, Peabody-Award winning, and BAFTA-Award nominated series gives an amazing look at the life that exists beyond our households. Planet Earth divides each of its hour-long episodes into detailing particular regions. For example, one episode is devoted to the ice poles, another to jungles, and a third to caves. The list goes on. Using impressive camera work and imagery, the true side of the world we don't normally get to see is displayed right in front of our eyes. Aerial perspectives, close ups, and long-distance shots cover every aspect of Earth, compiled in the footage of Planet Earth. Now it's easy to see how this series was naturally the winner of so many awards.

Iditarod: The Toughest Race

Iditarod: The Toughest Race is a documentary-reality series based on the Iditarod race of 2008, an annual event held in Alaska composed of teams that must travel 1,161 miles by sled in under two weeks. As the most popular sporting event in Alaska, and a tradition in Alaskan history, the race is extremely expensive to join. Therefore, the show not only emphasizes the trek itself, but the logistics behind the actual event. While $3,000 is the upfront fee to join the race, mushers often end up paying over $20,000 in expenses and require sponsorships to help them pay. Dogs must be cared for, and strategic rests for the team can mean the difference between winning and losing. Iditarod: The Toughest Race is a compelling show that depicts the pride of mushers competing in the Iditarod, and the struggles that they must overcome to succeed.

Everest: Beyond the Limit

This series chronicles the journey of a team of 11 climbers and additional crew who attempt to climb up the world's tallest mountain, Mount Everest. The 14 episodes spend the majority of their time discussing the risks of oxygen starvation and frostbite, meteorology, the equipment that they use, and a description of the hike itself. Most importantly, the element of risk is extremely severe. At such altitudes, fingers can be frozen off in moments if not properly protected, climbers can slip off the edge of the mountain, their metal spikes can lose their grip in the ice, and the crew may run out of oxygen. In fact, significant controversy arose over the death of climber David Sharp, who was passed by the rest of his crew and left to die. When they arrived at his body nine hours later, they had to leave him because he was ill-prepared, lacking proper gloves and sufficient oxygen for such a climb. Nevertheless, Everest: Beyond the Limit is a compelling series that will keep you hooked for hours at a time.

The Alaska Experiment

The Alaska Experiment, lasting from April 22 to June 10 of 2008, was a short-lived but exciting series about ten individuals who try to survive in Alaska during the fall and winter. Composed of eight 60-minute episodes, the show describes how the team manages to live. They have to find sources for fire, shielding against the wind, and accessible areas to find food. Although it is probably the least prominent outdoor show on the Discovery Channel, it's certainly not a bad place to spend your time.

Sources:
"Survivorman." Wikipedia.
"The Deadliest Catch." Wikipedia.
"Man vs. Wild." Wikipedia.
"Planet Earth."Wikipedia.
"Everest: Beyond the Limit." Wikipedia.
"The Alaska Experiment." Wikipedia.
"Idatarod: Toughest Race on Earth." Wikipedia.
"Mythbusters." Wikipedia.
"Dirty Jobs." Wikipedia.
"Destroyed in Seconds." Wikipedia.