Chomp

The disconnect between reality and reality TV provides Carl Hiaasen with a ripe source of satire, and he employs many stereotypes in the narrative to capitalize on this theme. While any reality TV program must necessarily rely on some degree of artifice, Hiaasen’s narrative glories in exaggeration as he creates absurd depictions of Expedition Survival! and its egotistical star. The chasm between what the show depicts and what is happening behind the scenes is wide indeed. While the show portrays Derek Badger as a lone adventurer navigating a different untamed wilderness every week, the star is in fact surrounded by a film crew and a helicopter that airlifts him to a luxury hotel every night. Most of his life-or-death struggles with nature are carefully choreographed, and far from subsisting on whatever nature has to offer, he enjoys meals that are served by a caterer. The supposedly lean and fit adventurer is actually a flabby, pampered child, and by extension, everything about Expedition Survival! is the antithesis of reality.

To this end, Hiaasen gleefully exaggerates the superficiality of the “reality” TV production process, creating scenarios that highlight the unscrupulous thread of greed that runs through the industry.