Austin Stevens - melodramatic tosh or wildlife nirvana?
 

Any thoughts?

Personally i thoroughly enjoy his C5 programme on a Sunday - last night case in point, some absolutely huge rhinos, some fantastic footage.

But i can't help thinking i'm being taken for a ride, that it's all a bit gimmicky. :wonder:

I mean, WHY get yourself as close as he did to a twig snake that apparently has no known serum and which will kill you slowly over the course of two days? The snake got within a few inches of striking him twice - why would you do that? And the rhino could have skewered him within seconds. All because he "has" to get the ultimate close-up picture?

Is it done this way to appeal to the American market? Or do people generally need this much drama in a wildlife programme to keep them interested these days?

Must admit I enjoy watching Austin Stevens, he certainly does make it alot more interesting than most other wildlife programs.

I guess it's just a feeling of audience participation? I mean if you're watching a program where the presenter is all over the subject you start to project emotions into the scene, for example flinching at snake bites etc. which i imagine makes for an improved viewer experience.

yeah i wonder why he doesnt just leave some of the snakes be, but as above, adds to the excitement i guess.

he is a great presenter though and would love to work in places like that, albeit at more of a "distance" lol :)