More on ‘The Alaska Experiment’
I recently got this e-mail from Out There reader Larry Crooks, who had this to say about the Discovery Channel’s “Out of the Wild: The Alaska Experiment”:
Ouch. I’ll have to admit, there were some folks on the show who were a bit whiney. But when you look at the cast, it looks more like they did what most reality show casting crews do: they looked for potential conflict.
What we got: A New Jersey cop with no wilderness experience. A Wisconsin outdoorsman who was a bit of a loner. A middle-aged southern woman who likes to hunt, but is set in her ways. A lawyer. A personal trainer. A bus driver. All three of them had some outdoor experience. A recreational hiker and a New York hotshot. And lastly, a horse trainer who happened to be gay.
I won’t judge this bunch as harshly. First, they were living on a daily food intake that is less than what most people snarf down in one setting at McDonalds. They had to spend a lot of energy, in the cold, doing chores and finding food. Their hikes, while not long, were off trail bush-whacking affairs that can be pretty tiring. And those packs. Oh, those dreadful Yukon packs. Yuck.
All that said, only two cast members seemed to be somewhat confrontational, and they didn’t last long. The rest hung together pretty well, given the circumstances. Unlike most reality shows, it would appear the circumstances bound these folks together. That, or they found a way to rise above their differences and circumstances and pulled it together.
Still haven’t heard if there’s going to be a Season 3 casting call. But if I hear about it, I’ll post something here. If that happens, Larry, I fully expect you to sign up! I know I’ll be giving it some thought as well.
Bob Doucette
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Benn getting a lot of similar requests. I’ll keep me ears open, and if I hear about any sort of tryouts or casting calls, I’ll be sure to post here.
Imagine how this would sound on T.V. “47 year old twin brothers, Ronny and Donny Northington, Both truck drivers from Ft. Worth Texas” I’m speaking on camara now, “We figure we can make it here simply because we really want to be here” Donny speaks “We have talked it over and decided there are 4 main things to surviving Alaska, Shelter, Food, Water, and Warmth (firewood)” We both are aticulate, and are so willing to Accept the challenge of Alaska. Please send us the link to sign up for the next season of “The Alaska Expieremnet” OH MY GOD what an adventure this would be for us. We are at a point in our lives where we need this challenge. The rat race is a real drag. Please, Please help us escape if for only 90 days…….Sincerely…….Ronny Northington…….
Best bet, folks, is to keep tabs with The Alaska Experiment’s Web site so see if they’re getting ready to do casting calls again. Here’s a link, and if I learn anything, I will post here. http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/out-of-the-wild/out-of-the-wild.html
This show seems to want to show the “fish out of water” experience that most folks would have in that situation.
They could use a ringer like myself to show the contrast between the prepared mind & those who just like the idea of going to the bush.
After watching season 1 I was struck by the fact that I would have spent 2 of the 3 months sitting on my ass enjoying some berry-booze & wondering how the others were doing.
This experiment is a great way to prove that all men are NOT created equal.
Aloha,
Bob Cutter
Kailua-Kona,HI
Can Canadians participate in The Alaska Experience or would we be too experienced already that it would give us an unfair advantage? I am a 40 year old hunter with both wilderness and cold-weather survival training. The father and daughers trio from the first season totally disgusted me. They claim they would “do it again in a heartbeat”, but what would they do if they were the ones in that wall tent? They would have crumbled after about 3 days…or killed each other. We Canadians have been “experimenting” with severe weather and harsh living conditions all our lives. The only real challenge for me would be to put up with weak, whiny, pathetic wussies!
Casting is open for Out of the Wild season 2 until sept 27th 2010 says the web site. Try searching Out of the Wild instead of Alaska Experiment because the new season will be in Africa =) Not Alaska
Hi, My name is Praveen Khati, I am from India, I like alaska experiment very much. I also want to participate in alaska experiment. But I dont know how to be a participant in alaska experiment. If some body know about this please help me.
Right now, I’m unsure if Discovery is doing another season of this show. However, you can go to Discovery.com and look up the program. If they are having a casting call, it should be somewhere on that site’s page.
I would love to volunteer myself and family for another season I am 40 year old woman my husband is 40 and my son is 17 , we are from Florida if you do hear of another season of this to happen please let me know my email is ladylake124@yahoo.com
I am a 35 year-old woman. I am originally from South Asia and moved here in the US since 1996 no family and relatives here in the States but 3 beautiful children ages from 12 to 4 yrs old, the father of my children died in a car accident last year. I have lived in the city but always have a place in the mountains to have my own time but sometimes friends followed me to my place up in the mountain uninvited. I always dreamed of living in the jungle for months and months just to see how it is to live a simple, natural life and be a part of the nature. I believe that surviving in the wild is about technique and common sense and ofcourse, never give up. I have a very little experience outdoors, i did a very little backpacking, and dispersed camping.I am down to earth, blunt, always takes care of other people’s needs first before myself. But I will challenge everyone out there and show me what you got and how you survive outdoors. I am only 5 feet tall and a 100 pounds. I would like to try out whatever Discovery channel is casting for outdoor challenge.
i’d like to sign up all six of my family members . how could i do that for the ” Alaska Expirience “
If they have a season 3 I would also like to volunteer.
I am a 31 years old and disabled through the Veteran’s Affairs system. I had my legs crushed by a back hoe while on active duty orders at the age of 19. I know it sounds crazy for me to want to volunteer to survive in the Alaskan wilderness but I am confident I can push through the challange and overcome my limitations. I am presently a graduate student set to graduate in December. I am divorced with a 5 year old son that lives with me the majority of the time. I don’t want to sound desperate but I am prepared to do whatever it takes to become a cast member for season 3. It has been difficult to come to terms with being disabled, especially since I have been dealing with a disability my entire adult life, so I think a challange like the Alaska Experiment is exactly what I need to prove something to myself. I think that being a disabled veteran and a single parent would add alot of credibility to the story line. I am from Louisiana so I do have experience in the outdoors but I am far from a survival expert. I could add hunting experience and a no b.s. let’s get it done drive. I am also a very vocal and comedic personality when I choose to be so I think I could add an entertainment value especially since I am a very blunt person. If you have any suggestions please email me.
Dexter
I am 18 years old and I live in North Dakota. My dad had me out cutting wood when I was 9 to make it through the winter here. I’m sure I could do it there for the survival. As for the food, fishing and hunting is nothing i’ve done it all before here. I’ve got a buddy from Florida who thinks he could do it also, so I think it would be an experiment to try it. We are always up for a challenge, so if u could some how help us get a chance at going to Alaska. It would be greatly appreaciated.
I am a very physically fit 49 year old male from northern california. I am a general engineering contractor. My 17 year old son and I would like to volunteer for the next season of the Alaska Experiment. My 19 and 22 year old daughters might also voluteer if they knew more about it. Please let me know were we can formally volunteer. My E-mail address is mguiton7@sbcglobal.net, my cel phone no. is (530) 515-5415 & home (530) 247-1557.
Your help would greatly appreciated.Thank you, Mark Guiton