The Naked Archaeologist

Simcha is highly entertaining. Binged watched both seasons and his other shows a couple of times and occasionally fire up an episode to kill time. Simcha is very credible but there's holes in his theories and evidence. That which can be proved is eye-opening. As an Orthodox Jew he knows faith is unprovable in many instances and doesn't fit into laws or archaeologically.I love the quote from the archaeologist who was in charge of sifting through the rubble excavated from the Dome by Muslims. "I lived through the 6 Day War. I believe in divine intervention and I believe in miracles." The second season theme song is great!!!

OK, so this isn't a show which would be shown at an Ivy League university, but what this show does do is to bring provocative thought and discussion down to the level of the average layperson - in a way that is interesting and entertaining. Even the average layperson knows that you don't believe everything you hear - thus discernment is required. Still, there is value to this program. Simka's upbeat and fun mannerisms allow the viewer to enjoy the process of reasoning through issues they may have questions about......better to be encouraged to think and reason than to fall asleep during a boring, highly-intellectual documentary.

I don't believe Simka is trying to be a Harvard professor. He's trying to reach down to the average man/woman and allow them to enjoy the process of discovery -- thinking discovery - about biblical times. We all seek our roots. This gives the average layperson a chance to perhaps find some roots to trace. Once the bridge of discovery is crossed, doors open up to the possibility of looking deeper.

I say, thank you Simka for entertaining us while trying to encourage us to think. (OK, so the Jesus Tomb stuff was wrong.....maybe you should do a piece to follow up on that. :) ) To make the show more credible, it would be nice to see follow up on things that were well....obviously out of line.

Thanks, Simka for making me laugh - I enjoy your program.

As an informed lay-person, a peripheral yet broadcast film-maker educated to post-grad level in archaeological theory, I love the informed energy of 'The Naked Archaeologist'. I believe archaeology pivotal in the understanding of human affairs, though political and indeed, dangerous. I even suggested the eponymous title in print, in a British archaeological journal (clue) a while back and now here we have a very engaging response. I'm not however suggesting that the producer's were necessarily inspired by my humble effort. We are currently watching the 2nd? series in the UK and I think the show is progressively finding its targets, the nature, possession and obsession of archaeology. I'll be writing a follow-up article in, yes you guessed it, 'British Archaeology' (a publication I would highly recommend to all viewers interested in this broadcasting strand). Keep watching the artefacts....

If you are real archaeologist and scholar, I could see getting upset with Mr. J., the "naked archaeologist." To me (not one), he is just a showboat. Calling it "Naked" means pandering to get attention. Getting himself "crucified " is a good example. I could not watch that show. But I could not watch Mel Gibson's movie about that topic either. But on the positive side, the locales they visit are real. And he does engage real people in the field who argue all the time with each other anyway. I like any approach to civil discussion about ancient times that doesn't get all misty and religious and doctrinaire. So the show is usually quite fun to watch despite the obvious ego bumping. I give the show a solid "B" and look forward to next week.

This show makes you think and it presents everything in a creative way. Adults as well as children will learn. Anything that stimulates the mind (unlike most reality television) is worth watching. I wish it was released on DVD. The graphics at times are simple agreed, but they provide the additional creativity. Let's face it not everyone is going to get excited over Archaeology. I for one however have always enjoyed this show and would recommend it to others. 98% of the time events are evaluated from several different perspectives. Sure you will get the opinion of Simcha Jacobovici, but the show after all is his and was his idea. Something about him always puts me in a good mood and often makes me laugh. That is a compliment not a cut.