River Monsters on Discovery Channel

[TZ]

Anybody watch this? It seems like its a stealth skeptic debunking cryptozoological and local myths. The guy Jeremy Wade has only briefly mentioned he's a rationalist (which I believe is a polite way of saying skeptic). He goes to all these fresh water spots around the world were scary tales, many of them true or at least exaggerated from a true event to see what animal might be the basis of the stories. He also deals with the local myths. He fishes to try to catch these extraordinary animals and throws them back alive if he can. Its pretty neat..He pretty much busted the myth of Nessie casually in one discussion about how Loch Ness has not enough food to support a creature as large as Nessie is supposed to be. He also finds and shows some incredible creatures that I'd be skeptical about their existence if he didn't get them on camera...The one that was amazing to me was the 8 ft long ray, that ended up having babies after being caught...the babies were the size of most rays..... Anyway, its kinda an interesting look at how extraordinary large/or fierce or mysterious animals can inspire myth and fear. I'm not really one for watching fishing shows but this is a fascinating glimpse into some really amazing critters. In a very scientific yet interesting way. Its really well done.

[onager]

1. Thanks! I'll watch for that!

:hi:

And return the favor by pointing to the NatGeo show "Is It Real?" Especially Episode 1.05 (5) "Lake Monsters - Monsters of the Deep."

The ol' Stalin Of Skepticism himself, Joe Nickell, investigates Canada's most famous lake monster, Ogopogo, in British Columbia's Lake Okanagan.

The believers have ACTUAL VIDEO!!! of the monster. Watch and be careful not to die laughing.

Love this comment on the Wikipedia entry for the show:

The program has been criticized as being heavily biased towards the skeptical perspective because it usually concludes debunking or finding mundane explanations for the claims.

IOW, heavily biased towards reality.

"Is It Real?" originally aired in 2005-06, but NatGeo still shows it. Sometimes even in a marathon on the weekend!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Is_It_Real%3F

[lazarus]

2. it is quite skeptical

but done is a way that doesn't rub people's faces in it, so a good thing.

Mostly, people get killed by catfish, it seems. :D

[EvolveOrConvolve]

3. I love, love, LOVE that show

It's one of my favorites and Jeremy Wade has a way about him that keeps me engaged.

[semillama]

4. It's a great show - very addicting

I caught a marathon while staying in a hotel for an out-of-state project. The Goliath Tigerfish is the stuff of nightmares!