Running Wild with Bear Grylls

I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful sceneries and watching the celebrities navigate outside their comfort zones.

Also, this show isn't trying to fool anyone as some have claimed. Of course there's going to be safety nets and the occasional equipment pre set up- it's to keep the show moving for both the viewers and the celebrity counterpart and to ramp up the entertainment.

I was truly skeptic when I saw the trailer for this show. "Get Out Alive with Bear Grylls" was forced. But "Running Wild with Bear Grylls" was toned down and felt much more relaxed. The survival techniques and stunts used felt like something a normal mortal person have any chance to use.

The episode with Ben Stiller was genuinely funny. The 4 celebrities I've seen so far have all been interesting and all different. It also helps that Bear Grylls seem to be a sympathetic person.

This show has managed to renew the somewhat fatigued survival genre. It's nice to be positively surprised sometimes!

This was a great show, I'm big into the survival and exploring type shows and the insertion of celebrities gives this type of show a new edge.

The celebrities are good sports with it and its just an overall fun show. They all seem very comfortable and not at all like they're forced into the situation, there is great chemistry.

Everyone is very likable and watching people overcome the terrain is great and the celebrities seem much more like your run of the mill people. Great photography to it's a show for any age. If you like other of Bear's shows or shows like Ultimate Survivor or the Out of the Wild shows

I suspect there are many who would like to go on an outdoor adventure with Bear Grylls, taking advantage of his experience and expertise. "Running Wild" allows the viewer to do that--from the comfort of his easy chair.

In the first episode I watched (from the second season), Kate Hudson--actress, dancer, and daughter of Goldie--accompanied Bear on a traverse of a pass in the Italian Dolomites. They climbed rocks, they hiked above the snowline, they passed through tunnels left over from WWII, and they rappelled beside a raging waterfall. They dined on available foods. They spent the night on pine boughs beside a comforting fire, taking time to discuss some deeper issues.

When it was over, Kate had experienced laughter, tears, and some moments of contemplation and insight. What more could you ask for? I think Bear likes to push his guests beyond their comfort zones. But he seems rather trustworthy in his exhaustive knowledge of techniques for negotiating risky situations. These are transformative experiences and it's fun to share them.

Update 7/29/15: After three episodes, it is clear that this show is even more than I thought it was. By sharing the triumphs of Bear's guests, the viewer is treated to elevating experiences. As the book says, "Feel the Fear and do it Anyway" and that principle is embodied by the show and its lesson is made real. I am increasing my grade to 9. Enjoyable and inspiring.

Technically / visually it's almost its equal (photography / camerawork are still spectacular), and in terms of character it's more intimate and introspective. But it's also much slower-paced: if Bear alone faced, say, 10 challenges per episode, with a celebrity guest they face, say, 4. There is also one more problem: too much rappelling. It's thrilling to watch the first few times, but when every single episode has it (though I have missed a couple), it gets very repetitive. My favorite episode is probably the one with Vanessa Hudgens - she is extremely likable, and the "screen running" at the end makes for an exciting change-of-pace. Oustanding later episodes include those with the super-fit Keri Russell and Brie Larson. But the show seems to be heading in the wrong direction mid-season 5 (Bautista? Channing Tatum (again)? A professional rock climber???). For this concept at its freshest, see the "Man Vs. Wild" specials "Fan Vs. Wild" and the one with Jake Gyllenhaal. *** out of 4.