A review of the History Channel’s new series American Ripper, which explores the theory that Chicago serial killer H.H. Holmes was also Jack the Ripper.
History Channel
The Curse of Oak Island: Marty and Rick on skepticism and what they’d change
An interview with Rich and Marty Lagina, the stars of History’s The Curse of Oak Island, who talk about the show’s editing and their search for treasure.
Gabe Rygaard, of History’s cancelled Ax Men, was killed in a car accident
Gabe Rygaard, one of the stars of History Channel’s now-cancelled Ax Men, was killed in a car accident Sept. 16. He was not wearing a seat belt.
Top Gear USA cancelled, but may return on a new network
The History Channel has cancelled Top Gear USA. But the show’s producer and co-host suggest it may end up on another network sometime soon.
Swamp People’s Mitchell Guist died of natural causes; fans invited to his funeral
Swamp People star Mitchell Guist died Monday of natural causes, according to an autopsy. He’ll be buried Saturday, which would have been his 48th birthday, and fans are invited. The Baton Rouge Advocate reports that “Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley said the parish coroner, Dr. John Fraiche, determined from preliminary autopsy findings that the star… continue reading
History Channel’s Pawn Stars, reality TV make it the fifth-most popular cable channel
The History Channel’s reality shows have propelled the network to become the fifth-most popular network on cable, behind only USA, Disney, TNT, and ESPN; last year, it was number eight. Pawn Stars, which is getting a spin-off, is largely responsible for that growth. While the network is planning to air some scripted shows, its brand… continue reading
Jousting in armor on horseback: the next History Channel competition series
The History Channel is casting for a new reality competition that will feature jousting in armor. Full Metal Jousting is described as a “hard-hitting competition [that] will recreate the raw, crushing force of hardcore jousting battles by arming 16 fierce competitors with lances, armor and a 2,000-pound war horse,” with the winner receiving $100,000. Besides… continue reading
Mark Burnett will tell Biblical stories in new scripted, acted History Channel series
Survivor and The Voice producer Mark Burnett is producing a show about the Bible: a five-episode, 10-hour scripted miniseries for the History Channel that he developed along with his wife, Touched By An Angel’s Roma Downey. That the History Channel is now producing a series about a book that is not quite an accurate account… continue reading
Rob Mariano will star in new History reality series Around the World in 80 Ways
The History Channel is capitalizing on Survivor Redemption Island star Rob Mariano’s popularity and has hired him to star in a new reality series called Around the World in 80 Ways, on which he’ll travel around the world again, having done so twice already on The Amazing Race. On the 10-episode series, produced by Thom… continue reading
Pawn Stars cast member arrested after bar fight, attacking cop
Another reality show cast member has been arrested after an apparent drunken fight, although this one is not an MTV star. Corey Harrison, 27, who’s known as Big Hoss on the History Channel’s Pawn Stars, “was booked into jail at the sheriff’s Big Bear Lake station on suspicion of battery and resisting arrest,” KTLA reports…. continue reading
Top Shot host Colby Donaldson: “I certainly don’t want to rip Probst off”
On Sunday night, the History Channel debuts its first competitive reality series, and it’s hosted by three-time Survivor cast member Colby Donaldson, whose work as a host is admittedly influenced by Jeff Probst, and it has also given Colby “newfound appreciation and admiration” for the Emmy-winning host’s work. Top Shot is a competition between 16… continue reading
Win History’s American Originals DVD megaset
The History Channel has offered a free DVD set to a reality blurred reader, and I’m happy to pass that along. It’s the American Originals megaset, which has a retail value of $99 and includes season one of Ice Road Truckers, season one of Ax Men, season one of Tougher in Alaska, and eight episodes… continue reading
Whale Wars, Expedition Africa, Out of the Wild: quests that make fascinating, actual reality TV
Three reality series use expeditions, both real and contrived, to show us lots of actual reality, and all three are definitely worth your time. Tonight at 9 p.m. ET, Animal Planet debuts the second season of Whale Wars, its docudrama about environmentalists committed to stopping Japanese whalers who insist they’re killing whales for scientific research… continue reading
Mark Burnett’s Expedition Africa is History’s “biggest investment” ever
In June, the History Channel will debut Expedition Africa: Stanley & Livingstone, a Mark Burnett-produced series it first announced about a year ago and that follows four people who follow Henry Morton Stanley’s route to find David Livingstone. At the network’s upfront presentation, A&E’s CEO Abbe Raven said the series represents “the biggest investment we’ve… continue reading
Ax Men loggers investigated over episode; Ice Road Truckers crew injured in accident
A crew working on the History Channel’s Ice Road Truckers was injured in Alaska, while some loggers featured on Ax Men are being investigated because of footage that aired on the show. In Alaska last Thursday morning, “a pickup truck carrying three passengers and a driver hit a rig owned by Carlile Transportation Systems and… continue reading