Good interview on Letterman where Bear explains what goes on behind the scenes. He makes it very clear that the show is purely about showing you how to survive in life and death situations. All the tree climbing/rock climbing/rappelling etc.etc. is real, there is absolutely no way this could be staged and he risks his life to show you this. For all those knockers out there, it's amazing what jealousy brings out in some people. So what if he sleeps in a tent from time to time with the film crew, he still puts himself in life or death situations on a regular basis to show viewers the techniques used for survival. Immersing himself in quicksand or freezing ice pools just to show you the the implications, when he could just as easy walk around, it gives you the essence of the show. Would love to see some of these people that call him a "fake" out doing what he does, wouldn't survive 5 minutes!