Back in the early days of television, nature programming mostly consisted of footage that was shot from someplace in far-off Asia or Africa. Back then, just seeing an elephant in its natural habitat was enough for viewers. But it wasn't long before the audience wanted more than just pretty pictures. Which made the process of creating entertaining science programs for television much more difficult.
This natural boredom with the format is still a problem today, albeit in a much larger arena. Viewers sometimes feel as if they've seen it all already and figuring out a way to suprise, entertain and inform can be very challenging.
Which brings me to 'Monster Bug Wars," a Science Channel series that premieres its second season on Tuesday, January 24. Yes, there is lots of great footage of bugs. There are even a couple of talking heads providing comments as well as a ponderous narrator. But I guarantee this is a science show unlike anything you've ever seen.
If you asked the folks at "Funny Or Die" to create a program on nature's deadliest bugs, you'd probably end up with something a lot like "Monster Bug Wars." The show combines absolutely amazing close-up footage of bugs with a bit of a pro wrestling format to create this odd mixture of education and death.
The show focuses on the killing and hunting power of bugs and it matches them up against each other in a faux cage match approach. The result is that viewers do learn a great deal about the bugs, but it's difficult to retain any facts given that you'll likely be laughing more than listening. The narration is a weird mash-up of delivery styles, combining Orson Welles, William Shatner and the WWE into this oddly fascinating if over-the-top approach.
Interwoven into the episode are comments from a couple of bug experts. While they also deliver actual science information, their comments are cut in a way that you are almost forced to chuckle. Everything about the show is so pronounced and at the same time serious that I can't decide if the producers were aiming for this or if they've somehow channelled the spirit of famed film producer Ed Wood.
"Monster Bug Wars" is the funniest show on bugs I've ever seen. Granted, that's like being the king of the smallest country in the world since the list of previous funny bug shows is pretty short. But it's a blast to watch and even if you don't like bugs, I have a feeling you'll enjoy "Monster Bug Wars."
Comments