Austin Stevens: 6 Million Dollar Fool
Xmas TV is not that great. I don’t think it ever has been to be honest, and every year I channel hop, hoping to find something noteworthy before slapping on a DVD. That’s not to say it is all bad….Doctor Who for one thing. Good, solid entertainment. However, there is too much dross. Austin Stevens Adventures is a good example of something that some idiot thought would make good Christmas TV. Who is this person? He must be nuts…
Austin Stevens is an even more silly version of the now deceased [[Steve Irwin]]. He beggars belief. The Boxing Day programme on Channel Five is over the top, dramatiscised nonsense which has a faint sliver of reality behind it. Austin’s quest is to photograph and get up close to the "most dangerous snake in the world". In the process he runs through the Peruvian jungle like some sort of serious Frank Spencer. Be it a frog, or a falling branch, this chap wants us to believe he is going through hell to get to this snake. The outcome is neither documentary, nor drama and comes over more as a farce.
Looking up his biography on Animal Planet states: "Austin James Stevens, who was born in South Africa, has been drawn to
snakes since he was 12 years old. By the time he finished his
schooling, his private reptile collection, which included some of the
most exotic and venomous species in the world, was considered one of
the most important ones in South Africa.".
Now, I don’t mean to be foolish, but I have been drawing Transformers since I was 12 but that doesn’t make me want to find Optimus Prime.
He is in need of some kind of help….seriously. And his contempt for wildlife in the in the quest for action photography is appalling. I don’t want to see this, but don’t think that these sort of programmes get aired. This is the primary reason who animals in the zoo get put down because some fool decided to jump in the cage.
Austin Stevens is obviously not a stupid man, but he cannot act for toffee, and comes across more crass and stupid than Steve Irwin ever was. Why is there a need for this sort of programme? Surely a real documentary would offer more insight into both the wildlife and people of the Amazon basin, without opting to feed the arrogance of a such pompous man. At least he gets his comeuppance…. http://youtube.com/watch?v=AVJKFpS1-Yw
Hi John,
In this instance, I couldn’t disagree more.
Not that I can’t see how you’ve arrived at your conclusions, it’s easy to mistake Austin’s enthuasiasm and energy for wrecklessness, however Austin Stevens is one of the most respected, most knowlegable herpetologists in the world, he has 100% passion for this, and conducts himself with the utmost respect for all nature.
For example (and there are many) Austin finds an injured lizard in one documentary – injured in a rockfall, which he rescues and mends its leg.
Another that springs to mind is a trapped water snake in Florida which was tangled in fishing wire, austin Rescues it at the expense of a bite from the frustrated snake.
I feel you’ve jumped to conclusions, and been far too harsh on this unique man.
Incidentally, there are enough channels for you to not have to watch if it’s not your cup of tea.
Regards,
Simon
Well, it’s a shame that he portrays himself in such a bad light then, if he is as revered professionally as you say. Either that or he needs a new director as I couldn’t call his film a “documentary” after he tries to stare down a pack of Lama in a narrow street to get past them. It’s daft!
I agree with Simon, i find the shows informative and entertaining, it is a different stlye of documentary and i’m in awe of his enthuisasm and his fearless behaviour. I respect your opinion and it’s fair to see he is not loved by all but as Simon says you can change channel. i hope he continues to make more shows.
Well, I can’t argue that the chap has fans. It’s odd that I’m getting replies to a nearly year old story mind….
It’s seems clear that even his fans can “see” what other may not find enthusing…but each to their own as they say! And I’ll make sure that Sky+ does not cross the path of Austin Stevens this Christmas…
I know and have corresponded personally with Austin. He is zealous and real about what he does, and YES he is the world’s most famous herptologist, etc. Contrary to that, his true love are elephants!!! I have never seen anyone like him when it comes to reptiles. His bravery and success with these creatures is spellbinding.