River Monsters

... this is the show to watch.

An enthusiastic and entertaining presenter draws you in and you're hooked (sorry!).

You will quickly understand what it is to engage in this sport/hobby and why some estimated 2.9m people do so every week.

Well all the guys are 'bla bla blaaahing' about the big fishes this guy catches. Ladies, ladies, here's what YOU want to know... this guy, this Jeremy Wade fella... truth be told he wouldn't be a 'good catch' but he sure as heck would be a GREAT 'catch and release' option. GOOOOD looking (in a 'weatherbeaten' way, but what the hay I likes 'em that way), kinda a fisherman who could be a blended mix of... hmmm... Tom Selleck circa 1995, Charles Bronson circa 1966 with a little Alby Mangels circa 1976 mixed in. Sure you can watch the River Monsters episodes for the scary big fishies, or you can just turn off the sound and watch them for JEREMY WADE. (Forget about him being a biology teacher, bla bla blaaah, he is the 'peasant woman's Bond, James Bond. sigh. Life is short and all the good guys are only available via flat- panel these days. (But if you are into stalking, I don't see anything on here about him that says he's MARRIED, so what's the harm of going on a 'wilding' adventure, ne c'est pas?

Years ago, the Discovery, A & E, and Nat Geo networks opted to eliminate true reality programming , in favor of scripted fiction on the paranormal. UFOs, crypto-zoology, treasure hunters, and rich Alaskans "living off the grid." Viewership and revenue went up; they're cheap to produce and can be rerun ad nauseum. The only cost was their reputation.

River Monsters is one of a handful of authentic programs left. You really can't script catching fish. It is informative, not only about the prey being sought, but the places and people who appear. Wade is an excellent teacher, and the programs include other experts on specific species.

I agree that the reenactments are a little too much, including one that parodies the flight from the ocean in Jaws I. But this is part of the entertainment side of each episode. Animal Planet has been showing old programs once a week, for those who missed their original run.

But this show is great. Watched every episode and would like to see more.

This is a great fishing show apart from the overdramatization, which for me is a major negative.

Some drama scenes are annoying and plain unbelievable. The plot of every episode starts with a mystery man-eating monster but in the end there is no monster (duh) except for some seriously big fish. I guess this helps attracts non-fishermen to a show that would otherwise attract mostly fishermen.

On a positive note, the host is a good fisherman with excellent knowledge of the fish he targets and the ecosystems they live in. This portion of the show is by itself highly educational and enjoyable to watch.