04 March 2011

the wild within / good television


as i mentioned, dan and i have a new favorite tv show. and it's totally unlike anything i've ever watched before. i half-heartedly watched bear grylls sometimes, but have fallen hard for steven rinella. maybe it's because he is a writer and my heart sorta melts for writers.

it all started when dan read steven rinella's book, American Buffalo. he kept telling me i'd love it and that i should read it. steven is an outdoorsman / hunter / buffalo enthusiast / writer. the book never made its way to my nightstand. not that i have actually finished any of the books currently on my nightstand. now that pinterest has entered my life, i don't know how i'll ever actually accomplish anything ever again. fortunately dan's darling book-worm university-going niece, lucy borrowed it willingly, as they are always exchanging good reads. a few months after that i noticed a mention of steven rinella in an issue of oprah magazine. weird. my worlds were colliding.

then dan found out about steven rinella's upcoming television series. dan doesn't watch tv much at all, so i knew this was a pretty big deal. we made it a point to catch it one night. i played the role of supportive wife and curled up next to him, ready to fall asleep. but i couldn't sleep through it. which is saying a lot from one who has snoozed through many a bourne identity marathon.  

the wild within has the element that i crave in reality tv; the camera follows steven through his journeys and he talks right to the camera. i think his skills in writing make him even more articulate, amidst his laid back, rugged mountain man persona. i love that i'm along for the adventure, in my jammies in my family room. plus, steven rinella has charisma. he is likable and spontaneous and normal and he'll probably remind you of someone you know. he often mentions his wife and baby, which is always endearing. he is not annoyingly conceited nor is he falsely modest. he's just real; very into hunting and exploring and making the most of what he and his family eats.

the whole premise is based on his pioneering passion for attaining his own food rather than utilizing outside (and sometimes mysterious) sources to feed his family. i've learned a lot about fishing, wilderness and animals from him. i now know how crazy dangerous a wild boar can be and how fatty and wonderful cooked beaver tail is. supposedly it tastes like butter. (in case i ever get stranded near a pond.) i appreciate that steven is not pushing his agenda or views about hunting / gathering food on me, i do not feel under attack while watching this show. he also does not go on and on about guns or bullets, i would bore quickly if that were the case. the camera catches incredible scenery, the highs and lows of exploration and interesting tidbits about the culture of his locale. the fact that this show is so appealing to someone like me just proves the point that when there is passion, the audience can feel it. he adventures far from his home in new york city to hunt in alaska, hawaii, montana, canada and this week, scotland.

i must admit (and warn you), in every episode he usually hunts a large animal and as a result takes care of it right away–on camera. he is very straightforward and reverent about the ordeal, however i can't handle all the blood and guts so i always shield my eyes and ask dan to tell me when the animal prep is over. until further notice, i am happy to live in the dark. i prefer my meat clean (and usually boneless) shrink wrapped from the butcher. i realize steven and i have different views on the matter. still, i very much appreciate what he's all about. it's entertaining, riveting and highly recommended. yay for good television for manly men and the girls that love them.

sunday nights / if you watch it, do tell me what you think.

8 comments:

Jane said...

My husband and I watch the Wild Within and it has given me a new appreciation for where our food comes from. And as the wife of a hunter, I am able to better understand my husband's desire to be out in the wild and acquire his food in the way our ancestors did. So glad you watch it. I loved the episode in San Francisco. For a city girl, it was highly entertaining!

Liz said...

Marta! My husband and I also love this show. I find it a little gross at times, but that whole concept behind it is wonderful! I am glad to know I am not the only woman out there loving it.

Happy day to you!

the price report said...

If only I had cable! I know a few people who would love this show. Thanks for sharing!

Miranda said...

Well now I can't wait to watch. It sounds like something Nate and I would love. It also sounds like a show that my dad probably already watches faithfully and that I would stumble upon while visiting and become instantly obsessed with. Hello, American Pickers.

Tammie said...

I admit this doesn't sound like something I would watch, but I've been surprised by my own tastes before :-)

I loved this quote - "maybe it's because he is a writer and my heart sorta melts for writers." It's nice to know that I'm not the only who's heart melts for writers!

Katy said...

If you like them you should check out Ray Mears' tv and books. I find his shows really calming. He specialises in 'bushcraft' - getting everything you need out in the wild.

Dansie Family said...

what channel? this may be something tom and i can get into. he humours me with survivor. but it's not too bad with hulu. we cuddle in bed and watch it on the laptop. i wonder if wild within is on hulu...

Dansie Family said...

found out there's a conflict - sister wives or wild within?

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