Alone UK

What happened?

I've watched all the series of alone. When I discovered this series ages ago I was mesmerised. Firstly, the idea of the person actually being alone and trying to survive in the wilderness without cameras following them around is an excellent idea.

Secondly, the first seasons did not have some of the annoying things most reality TV shows have; One. Intrusive background music to evoke emotion. This UK version of alone is ruined by overly dramatic Music. So annoying. What I found refreshing in the earlier seasons was that the viewer was able to someone imagine what it might be like to be alone in the wilderness. The sounds of nature, or silence - Not being bashed over the head with Music better suited to a blockbuster action adventure movie. So annoying. Watching the show used to be a relaxing experience, now every two seconds a voice-over narrator tells us something about the contestant. Shut up! In the earlier seasons information was conveyed via subtitles. Now we have to put up with this annoying voice-over narration.

The other annoying difference is that the footage of the contestants in the wild is interspersed with footage of the contestants talking to the camera interview style. Why? So it looks more like all the other 5000 Reality TV shows? Very annoying.

Other reviews mention that the contestants are all very good looking. Looking back over all the seasons this is generally the case, you can't really get on TV if you're ugly. That has been a staple for at least a decade now.

Alone US (the original) has a group of people who make their living on survival, hunting and living off the land. I've watched them all, and even the Australian spin off (which was a little disappointing as a first season goes). While this is filmed in the same location and has the same title...the contestants are just people off the street! What a waste of time. We've seen on 10 American seasons where people have lasted into the heavy winter, made various shelters and even had moose meat so it is a completely different show when you have a group of Brits who have no experience. Not even someone from a Services or conservation/wildlife background. It's a rubbish Big Brother style, watch-them-eff-up show. How can you really prepare for living in a completely different climate, different wildlife and vegetation, with only 9 days worth of 'training'? It really is a waste of effort. I am sure that there are Brits out there who do have some similar skills. There are already shows that plop Bob from Down the Road into new countries, but if you are using this franchise name, surely stick to the format? At least for the first series? Or how about filming it somewhere remove in the UK? Won't be as cold as Canada but it is about being able to sustain yourself. What a blooming shame. Also, there is an annoying ping sound that is over used throughout.

Wow compared to the original show, this is absolutely terrible! These people did not belong in the Canadian wilderness, they were so out of place. My wife and I spent much of the show laughing at how unprepared the contestants were. Sadly I have British heritage and my wife never let me forget it. All of these contestants should be embarrassed at the effort they put in, but I think the UK producers should be more embarrassed. The total lack of training that these contestants had made the show difficult to watch. I kept hoping it would get better but it didn't. I'm hopeful that IF they do a season two it will better follow the format of the original.

Two things I really disliked about the show. 1) the annoying "beeping" noise every time they started a camera and 2) the ending where they called the winner. I like the way the original series and the Aussie spin-off notify the winner.

Whether they're is a season two is yet to be seen.

I have seen the original Alone series and thoroughly enjoyed it so I had to give this one a try. I was skeptical at first after seeing the lack of experience the contestants had. I underestimated quite a few of them and it was great to see them persevere and adapt to the unknown. I would like to see more experienced members take on the second season; many of them didn't seem to know what they were getting themselves into. The lack of research done beforehand was frustrating to watch. I think it would be more endearing to watch people that are skilled, enthusiastic and well equipped to succeed.

Although not every season of Alone USA was perfect, the vast majority made for compelling viewing and broke the mould of currently awful reality shows.

The format of using experienced outdoor experts and military vetrans worked perfectly for those shows.

Then along comes Alone UK placing completely inexperienced people into an environment totally outside their abilities.

While the original series produced characters that the viewer could empathise with, the UK show introduces characters who at best, the viewer feels sorry for, and at worst, prayed for them to tap out asap!

The addition of nudity and excessive foul language reflects badly on the UK and is really unnecessary.

Sorry, but Channel 4 has completely missed the point of the tried and tested formula used on the Original Alone seasons, and it can only be hoped they will change if there happens to be further seasons.