My blog posts so far have probably revealed my cynicism towards the media, marketing, and entertainment industries. I loathe reality TV and cannot believe that we live in a society where people have watched more episodes of the Karfattyian’s show than they’ve read books. That’s why my I was interested to read that adventurer Bear Grylls would be visiting South Africa before filming an episode of his survival show in Zimbabwe (some jokes just write themselves).

His show, Ultimate Survival, has been criticised in the past as viewers were initially lead to believe he had no support crew and that all events were filmed in sequence. Producers have since adopted a full-disclosure policy now inform viewers of any support he receives. Whether scenes or faked or not, any guy that crushes his vertebrae in a sky-diving accident and climbs Everest eighteen months later must be pretty tough. Even Chuck Norris might wince at the thought of mimicking some of Grylls’ exploits.

I have to ask the question: what drives an Eton College educated man to spend time in the bush feeding on insects and drinking his own urine? If I am not mistaken, that’s the kind of behaviour one engages in when one loses a bet with friends after a night of drinking wine from a box.

What makes adventurers such as Grylls, Ranulph Fiennes and Bruce Parry take the step from joining a local hiking club that trudges around a mountain to living with tribes few people knew existed deep in a forest just left of the middle of nowhere? It becomes a more intriguing question when you consider that many daredevils were born with a silver spoon in their mouths. Fiennes (a distant cousin of the British Royal Family) is also an Eton graduate and Grylls is the son of prominent UK political figures. What makes the privileged and educated decide they want to spend their time in areas where there are no lavatories?

Perhaps they realised that with the means at their disposal, they are in a unique position to experience the world in ways you or I could only imagine. And that is why we love to follow their exploits – we join them as they traipse the globe meeting interesting people, witnessing amazing sights, and getting out of seemingly-impossible situations. There is no need to get frostbite or fall off a cliff when you can watch someone else do it on TV while you enjoy a beer. The only danger involved for viewers is a hangover or falling off the sofa.

I think I should start my own adventure programme but give it a real South African feel. I will show viewers how to braai without tongs, cycle down Chapman’s Peak on a bicycle with no brakes, swim with sardines during the annual run (because only hippies swim with dolphins) and wrestle a lion (or average drunk rugby supporter). If I don’t wind up dead I’m sure the show will be a success.

I figure if the average reality TV star is willing to waiver their dignity for fame, I have to go one better and put my life on the line.

Find Shaun online at www.gingercomedy.co.za