Hog TV – History Channel Monster Quest and More!
It is to laugh.
At least that’s the feeling I got after watching the History Channel’s Monster Quest episode in search of “mega-hogs”. Kat’s teenage son likes to watch the show, and I’ve sat here on the computer while the intrepid monster hunters pursued such creatures as the australian box jelly, giant squid, and of course, sasquatch. I find the show generally ridiculous, as the dramatic narration lays out the scenarios. And, of course, they never find the monster… or if they do, it turns out not to be quite so monstrous after all.
Jumping ahead to this morning, we flipped on the TV to find the Monster Quest cameras in search of the elusive and mythical chupacabra (the goat sucker). After I stopped laughing… or at least when the belly laughs died to a low rumble… I realized the episode was almost done. Despite the inconclusive data, the search apparently will go on.
Then the next episode came on before I could find the remote. It got my attention right away, as I spotted the familiar sight of bristled legs passing through brush. Wild hogs! Cool! But monsters?
Turns out the show was all about the attempt to find a “mega-hog” similar to Hogzilla, Monster Pig, or some of the other huge pigs we’ve seen on the Internet and news rags over the last few years. Now most of us know pretty well that a hog in the 400 pound range is pretty unusual. Most hunters take a 200-pounder as a trophy and are tickled with it. The idea of going out over a couple of trips and finding a 1000 pound pig seems kinda ludicrous… but I guess that’s what TV shows like this are made of. It’s not the reality of the thing… it’s the idea of it.
So anyway, I’m not gonna pick the show apart. It was actually not a terrible show, once you get past the narration and the objective. I didn’t find a lot of really useful information, but hey, that’s not what these programs are really about is it?
If you want information, though, and you’re in the San Francisco Bay area where you can receive KQED (public television), you’ll want to tune into KQED’s Quest program on Tuesday night, (07/14) at 7:30pm. Look for the Hog Wild episode, and pay close attention. You might recognize a face or two… like, maybe our own Holly, the NorCal Cazadora, or maybe even my goofy mug.
I haven’t seen the finished product, and probably won’t until it airs, but as some of you will remember, Holly and I took the QUEST team down to the Central Coast for a hog hunt. We had some huge, last-minute help from T. Michael Riddle and Sam McGuire of Native Hunt in accessing some private property for the show when my initial plan fell apart.
Anyway, it was an interesting (and very real) hunt. It didn’t all play out quite like we’d planned, but we had a good time and I think the show got some good footage. We’ll see just how much good footage on Tuesday night.
[...] more here: Hog TV – History Channel Monster Quest and More! Share and [...]
July 11th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
[...] lays out the scenarios. And, of course, they never find the monster… or if they do, it turn click for more var _wh = ((document.location.protocol==’https:’) ? “https://sec1.woopra.com” : [...]
July 11th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Phillip,
You are spot on! Television Shows are becoming more and more hype (ridiculous as you would say) and trying to entertain instead of inform (they claim to be the “History Channel”).
I rather spend my time surfing the internet. At least there is a possibility that the information is actually real.
I live in the remotes of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Lake Superior Country and hunting & fishing is more than way of life, it’s a cultural necessity. It’s good to see and hear what is going on in other parts of the USA.
Publishing on the net is very important to all of us. Keep up the good work
Thanks again
Greg Moose Man Johnson – http://www.BearMountainQuest.com
July 12th, 2009 at 6:01 am
“So anyway, I’m not gonna pick the show apart. It was actually not a terrible show, once you get past the narration and the objective. I didn’t find a lot of really useful information, but hey, that’s not what these programs are really about is it?”
Watching you write sideways trying to be nice is really entertaining, too!
I wish I had KQED here, but alas, no cable. I’ll check it out when/if they post it online.
July 12th, 2009 at 7:51 am
Greg, thanks for the kind words, and for dropping by! Hope you hang around!
I guess I can editorialize a bit more and say that I’m a little disappointed that channels like History Channel and National Geographic have gotten so caught up in entertainment over substance that they’re turning from great educational sources to just another source of “reality” TV. I guess you give the people what they want, which maybe doesn’t say a lot for “the people”, in my opinion.
And Josh, thank you too… it’s kinda fun. As far as the show, I’ll let folks know when it’s going to be online.
July 13th, 2009 at 6:56 am
Well, our last bastion in non-cable non-satellite land was PBS, but because everybody dropped out of it, they keep playing Roy Orbison ad infitinum… I used to love him… and also pledge drives. However, every once in a while they let me see some of their old glory, Nature and Nova are still great, and they’ll be showing some good folks pig hunting (in the Bay Area), so that’s great!
July 13th, 2009 at 9:50 am
Phillip,
You are right. As a documentary show devotee, History Channel’s venture into pseudo-science is very disappointing. It’s good my cable has chiron show screener. If I see UFO or monster quest, then I know that’s something I would want to waste my time into — although the Mega-hog show is one that I sat through.
Regards,
July 13th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Phillip,
I actually find that Monster Quest to be quite laughable, but it is interesting sometimes as to what they choose to “find”. And the narration that they do in order to make the show seem dramatic honestly makes me giggle.
On a different note, is there any way to watch that episode you and Norcal are featured in. I was looking around over there, but nothing jumped out at me. I’d love to see it if there is a way.
July 14th, 2009 at 4:12 am