The survival story is immensely popular in mainstream television and movies. Films like The Revenant, The Martian, and 127 Hours almost instantly strike a connection with audiences with their harrowing survival stories. When the same story is applied to reality television, though, it becomes much more entertaining.
Real individuals removing the complications of contemporary lifestyles to meet their fundamental needs not only provides for a compelling reality show but also satisfies a viewer’s desire to connect with nature.
This is why survival reality television seldom employs overdone dramatization and frequently presents its competitors with a rite of passage tale. The survival reality TV genre has spawned a plethora of shows, some of which are nasty yet beautiful, while others are less successful.
Life Below Zero plays out as a documentary rather than a reality show. It exposes all of the challenges and tribulations endured by those who live off the grid in the harsh Alaskan conditions throughout its runtime.
Man Vs. Wild
Man vs. Wild, one of the most popular reality series of all time, not only provides viewers with an exciting survival experience but also motivates and educates them. Bear Grylls, the show’s charismatic host, navigates some of the world’s most inhospitable places.
Survivorman
Les Stroud, a survival expert similar to Bear Grylls, spends a week stranded in risky distant areas. With no food or sophisticated equipment, the outdoorsman relies solely on his survival skills and uses his one-man camera rig to guide viewers through his adventure.
Alone
The show’s title implies that the contestants are left alone with no camera crews or backup. All of the footage in the series was shot by the author. Each season, the reality TV show introduces a new location with plenty of food and water to ensure the survival of the show’s ten contestants. It is up to the contestants, however, to explore the harsh terrain of their surroundings and equip themselves with all they require to survive.
Frontier House
Frontier House is less of a reality program and more of a history lesson. The series, which aired on PBS in 2001, provided three families with a true frontier experience by recreating the year 1883 in rural Montana. Aside from its medieval setting and well-executed set designs, the show contains some engaging communal interactions among its participants, who come from a variety of origins and cultures.
