So much has happened in reality television in recent times that creativity alone isn’t going to be enough to grab the audience by the scruff of its neck.
Just when we thought we have seen it all — from the hunt for the next big pop star and a life partner for a rich millionaire to men eating cockroaches to test themselves against extreme conditions — Discovery Channel has come up with a show that could genuinely shock you.
The show, Eaten Alive , will have naturalist and wildlife filmmaker, Paul Rosolie, offering himself as prey to a species of snake that is very much a part of popular culture — anacondas.
After the release of the teaser of Eaten Alive , which will be aired from December 7, the makers of the show have been slammed, mainly on two accounts.
First, animal rights groups have alleged that consciously feeding the snake a large prey amounts to animal cruelty. It has been argued that retrieving Mr. Rosolie — who will wear a special suit that protects his ribs and spine — from the body of the snake could be, at the very least, painful for the reptile.
A petition to stop the airing of the show has been started by Ben Paramonte from California on www.change.org. It has garnered more than 33,000 signatures.
Second, those behind the show have been accused of simply attempting to shock the audience, moving away from the educative values of Discovery Channel.
