'm talking about those moments where a contestant comments on what's happening during a challenge, even though, from the viewer's perspective, the challenge is still ongoing.

Do they pull them aside in the middle of the challenge, like the director calls "Cut!" and they give a quick update? Or are those interviews filmed after the challenge is over? For example, the team already knows they're going home, but they still have to talk through the challenge and recall what happened.

I get it, Matt's a survivalist (I am not) however was it really necessary to bite all the fish between the eyes to kill them so they didn't swim away? Surly there's an easier and more hygienic [less disgusting] way to keep your dinner.

Teal/ marina. Ky/dan. Frank and alexa. Jeff and rachel. Kerra/ renee. Would leave gabby and matt and pablo and fernanda as they were.

Poor Frank, he's such an amicable bloke, and Teal is so Moody. Telling Frank to use his words like he is a child. Fancy being stuck with her .

I recently had Ky Furneaux on The Survival Debrief Podcast for a proper conversation about her survival career.

We spoke about:

• Which of her nine Naked and Afraid challenges was the toughest
• How competition changes the way survivalists make decisions
• Whether the conflict between contestants is real or exaggerated for television
• Racing against Ed Stafford
• Recovering from a serious back injury before becoming a Hollywood stuntwoman
• Why mindset can matter more than technical skill
• Whether she would return for another challenge

As someone who has also completed Naked and Afraid, I wanted to ask the questions viewers regularly debate, rather than just covering the standard television stories.

One point that stood out was how different survival becomes when it turns into a race. Viewers sometimes criticise basic traps, shelters or tools without considering that contestants are hungry, under time pressure and trying to beat other experienced people.

Full interview on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/bPZgNgJrQWI

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2lU70sUg96PHXG9w4VytQn

What would you like to see Ky do next, another traditional challenge, a competitive format or another race against Ed Stafford?

I watched taste of their own medicine last night, and the woman got bitten to excess by mosquitoes and/or other bugs, to the point where she required an antihistamine.

It did prompt me to wonder: when the challenge is over do contestants head to a GP to get tested for things like Zika, Dengue, or botfly, other normal tropical diseases?

Are contestants in such places on anti-malarial meds that we don't see?

Watching lots of episodes and it’s getting really frustrated how they have a spoiler right at the start of so many episodes. They’ll show clips of one of the contestants getting airlifted by helicopter out of the jungle right at the start before the contestants are even introduced - I mean what’s the point of spoiling it? We don’t need to know that

I can’t stand team brazils accent. I would rather have them speak their native language with subtitles. That is all.

Episode Name: On Top of the World

Welcome back,everyone! Are you excited for the Global Showdown finale? I am! I’m going to stick with my pick to win it all that I had from the very beginning, and that’s Team Mexico. But it’s anyone’s game at this point.

Welcome to the Naked and Afraid Running Diary! Let’s get to it!

– “If I fail, I’m letting down an entire country.”

– “I’m out here for my country.”

–I really want to see Marina win it all. I don’t like Rene, if I haven’t made that obvious already.

–Day 37.

–I wonder if Matt’s going to bite any animals’ heads today.

–Matt thinks everyone is rooting for him. We’re not.

–Gabby refers to herself as a Legend again. I can’t wait for her to lose.

–Scroll time!

–Head to the X at sundown. Is it a night challenge?

–Marina goes fishing.

–More “legends” talk. Stop it already. Seriously.

–Day 1 Marina was so pretty omg.

–Day 37 Marina is pretty too but she needs a good scrub.

–Pablo sounds serious.

–Is Matt destined to be a bridesmaid, never a bride?

–Gabby cries because she’s a PATRIOT. Good god, lady, get a grip.

–Lots of instructions for the elimination challenge.

–Basically it’s another boiling water challenge. Lame.

–Nighttime.

–Step one is to make a fire.

–Team Mexico gets theirs going right away. Team USA East, not so fast.

–Time to build the rocket stove.

–Cordage.

–Gabby continues to struggle. Shocker.

–Team USA East is behind early, which makes me nervous for Team Mexico. You know how the edit loves to try and trick us.

–Team USA East makes fire.

–Team Mexico is going to make a mistake. I can see it coming.

–And there it is. Their fire goes out because Pablo was too anxious.

–Flashback to Patrick.

–Team USA East is way behind. I’m getting nervous. I do not like this edit for Team Mexico!

–Both teams are now building tripods.

–Team Mexico’s fire went out. I knew it was too good to be true.

–Team USA East has this. No way is Team Mexico catching up now.

–Team USA East dropped their monkey bowls in the fire! Oh no!

–Can Team Mexico catch up now?

–Commercial thoughts.

–As a lover of sharks, could Shark Week be any more lame?

–Back to the show.

–Here comes some rain.

–Does anyone on production check to make sure the water is actually boiling?

–Team Mexico has finished two boils so far.

–Team USA East just finished their first boil.

–Now it’s tied.

–An intense competition!

–Team USA East’s monkey orange bowls are dropping into the fire. Not good!

–Team Mexico has one left.

–So does Team USA East though!

–Stop panicking, Team Mexico!

–Matt says he’s come way too far (to fail).

–Team USA East wins! I knew it.

– “Representing America.”

–Good try, Team Mexico. You were a worthy opponent!

–Matt gives Team Mexico Legendary status.

–I didn’t realize Matt was in charge of giving out that award.

–I’d like to see Team Mexico in another N&A show. They were good TV.

–That concludes the first half of the episode.

–Commercial time.

–Who do you think wins it all now? Who do you want to win it?

–I’m rooting for my future girlfriend Marina to win it all. After she does so, I plan on asking her out for a seafood dinner. Her treat.

–Back to the show.

–Day 38.

–Rene talks about beating a Legend again. That makes me nervous. Too much Legend talk.

–Matt and Gabby talk more shit.

– “Matt and Gabby have a lot of fat.”

–Day 39.

–Scroll time!

–Time to make some shark tooth knives.

–Matt figures out a way to make glue. Smart.

–Rene and Marina finish their knives, but it doesn’t look like they used glue.

–Will that matter?

–Nighttime.

–Lots of confidence on both sides.

–Day 40.

–Matt’s now finished 345 days of N&A.

–Matt gets a montage. Not sure why, other than for filler.

–They’re really leaning into this montage. Not sure if that is good or bad for Team USA East.

–In other news, I’m asleep.

–Yet more commercial thoughts.

–Do you think we’ll ever have a true survival show, where the losers die? Can we make this happen? I want my post-apocalyptic thriller already!

–Back to the show.

–Rene talks more shit to Matt. I’m nervous for Team Brazil.

–Six phases to this next challenge.

–Lots of instructions.

–I feel like the prize money should have been 1 million.

–Marina’s knife isn’t cutting through the rope. Hurry!

–Both teams complete Phase 1 but it looks like Team USA East has a substantial lead already.

–Time to make a spear.

–Team USA East finishes their spears first. Team Brazil is playing catch up.

–This lead of Team USA East might only be seconds, but that’s a lot right now. I’m not feeling good about Brazil’s chances.

–Time for some archery.

–This just has Team USA East Winner written all over it.

–Matt has his first hit. So does Rene!

–Matt gets his second hit. Gabby talks shit.

–Rene finally gets his second hit but Team Brazil is way behind.

–Time to build a snare trap.

–That beach really is beautiful.

–Gabby was really happy during that last interview clip. Not good (for Team Brazil).

–Team USA East finishes Phase 4.

–Oh, no. Team Brazil is way behind. Their trap is broken. There’s no fake editing going on here. They are going to lose.

–Brazil finally finishes their trap.

–Gabby is having trouble with her challenge. But their lead is substantial.

– “I am puckered up!”

–Gabby hooks her item. This competition is just about over.

–They can try and make this as dramatic as they want, but Brazil is way too far behind.

–And that’s it. Not even close.

–Team USA East wins! Great job by them!

–Here comes the Patriotism.

– “This one’s for America!” Matt says as he weeps like a baby.

–I really dislike Gabby. A lot. Sorry not sorry!

–And that concludes Global Showdown. Great job by Brazil and Mexico.

–Well, I’m proud of my future girlfriend. I hope we see her again.

–Rene was annoying but he was a good competitor.

–I don’t care to see Gabby’s montage. Get out of here already.

–Matt finally won a challenge. Will we see him again? I’m sure we will.

Episode Grade: B

Global Showdown Grade: B

I liked Global Showdown. I’d watch another season,although they should make it more “global” next time.

What did everyone else think? The good, the bad and the ugly.

I’ll see you guys for Naked and Afraid: Shipwreck in a couple of weeks!

Thank you for reading the Naked and Afraid Global Showdown! See you next time!

Free Substack link to article:

https://open.substack.com/pub/jonpeters241288/p/naked-and-afraid-global-showdown-253?r=6un91f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

There’s a reason he is a homesteader. No one can put up with him otherwise. I just saw his episode for the first time. I hope they give Molly another chance.
Is there any behind the scenes tea about this episode?

I've only watched a few seasons and a few XLs and it just occurred to me I've never seen anyone medically tapped because their weight was too low. I know being med tapped for weight is a big threat on alone, but it doesn't seem to be an issue on N&A.

Danni is bad ass and I was shocked. I knew she was tough from previous 14 day.but her knowledge and abilities are superior. I hope she appears often.

Watching XL season 8 for the first time why is Trish like that?

Episode Name: Smoking the Competition

Welcome back everyone! Only two episodes left until Global Showdown is over. How do you rate the season so far? Good, bad, somewhere in between? Are you tired of the challenge format? Ready to get back to regular N&A? Thoughts on the upcoming Shipwrecked season that’s coming out in August? Lastly, which team do you want (and think will) to win?

Welcome to the Naked and Afraid Running Diary! Let’s get to it!

–Only two more episodes of listening to Rene scream in broken English.

–Let’s find out who won (and lost) this elimination challenge.

–I’m rooting for Marina, not Rene, to win this challenge. Rene is one of my least liked contestants in a long time.

–It’s time for Team Australia to go home. They’re finished.

–Team Brazil wins! They scream like a couple of lunatics.

–Goodbye Team Australia. I didn’t hate you guys, but I’m also not sad that you’re going home.

–I’ve become more anti-Legend the longer N&A continues. I’m tired of seeing them.

–Marina gives a motivational speech.

–Why does Team Australia get a flashback montage when no other team did?

–Ky says that they were underdogs. No the fuck they were not. Team Mexico is an underdog. Team Australia was one of the favorites.

–Ok, can we move on from Team Australia now, please? Oi! Oi! Oi!

–Team Mexico doesn’t seem too excited to see Team Brazil. Lol

–Day 30.

–Rene says some stuff.

–Scroll time.

–Migration time.

–That was a nice looking beach!

–Team Mexico says that they are more resilient than the other teams. Is that true?

–Four mile river trek.

–Hippo and shark stock footage.

–I wonder if they’re going to reset the points again.

–2 hours into migration.

–The sun beats down upon their broken bodies.

–4 hours into migration and they finally hit land.

–Yep, points have been reset. How does everyone feel about that?

–I’d love to know where that beach is. Looks like decent surf.

–The teams set up camp.

–Rene spears a crab.

–Day 32.

–Pablo searches for octopus.

–Anytime I see a Stingray, I think of the Crocodile Hunter. RIP.

–Gabby says she’s one of the top females to ever do the show. Do we agree with this? She does have lots of days under her belt.

–Gabby grabs an octopus. Let’s hope it eats her.

–Matt bites the octopus between the eyes to kill it. The more you know.

–That was disturbing.

–Gabby talks some shit now that she’s actually contributed something.

–Scroll time.

–Construct a raised platform shelter.

–Matt and Gabby deconstruct their raft in order to make a shelter.

–Team Brazil and Mexico begin on theirs as well.

–Marina is a smart woman. So sexy!

–Pablo looks tired.

–Look at what Team Brazil built. That’s a shelter!

–Brazil finishes first and receives three items.

–Rene goes fishing.

–Rene catches a stingray.

–Team Mexico and USA East each finish their shelters.

–Team Mexico goes fishing.

–Matt goes fishing and bites the fish just like he did the octopus. So gross.

–Matt and Gabby sure are full of themselves. Knowing how this show works, that means that they’re going to go up for elimination this episode.

–Gabby has a puffy eye. I wonder if something bit her.

–Day 36.

–Scroll time.

–Snare trap challenge.

–Rene talks.

–Fernanda reminds us that Matt has screwed up in the past. Lol

–The narrator gives us the instructions for the challenge.

– “I will rip the tendons out of my own leg…” Matt says. He really wants to win.

–Matt and Gabby can’t find their fire starter. Not good! Maybe you shouldn’t have been talking so much shit, guys.

–Looks like a close competition so far. Each team is now working on their snare.

–Lots of discussion about teamwork. We get it already.

–Matt and Gabby look like they’re having some issues.

–But so are teams Brazil and Mexico.

–Team Brazil completes their first snare.

– “We’re the only legends left in the competition,” Gabby says.

–Umm, I don’t remember anyone giving Gabby Legend status.

–Matt completes his first snare.

–Holy crap this competition won’t end. I’m officially dead.

–Team Brazil just needs to set their snare to win. Can they do it?

–Looks like the wind almost knocked it down.

–Team Mexico is right behind them!

–Team Brazil wins!

–They understandably lose their shit.

–Team Mexico finishes second but will still go to elimination.

–And Matt and Gabby finish third.

–I will not be upset if Matt and Gabby go home.

–Is Rene under legal obligation to talk about how great of a survivalist Matt is?

– “I’m out here for our country.”

–When did we make Matt our country's representative? I don’t remember anyone asking me. Was there a vote I missed? Who else was nominated?

–And that concludes the episode.

Lots of time spent on that final challenge. Sometimes this show just drags and drags.

Episode Grade: C.

What did everyone else think?

See you guys for the finale! Go Team Marina!

See you next time on the Naked and Afraid Running Diary!

Free Substack link to all N&A Running Diaries:

https://open.substack.com/pub/jonpeters241288/p/naked-and-afraid-global-showdown-2a3?r=6un91f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Why tf did Matt have to kill that octopus. First of all that girl shouldn’t have messed with it. Octopi are smarter than these two put together. Jack lame….. get some crabs or something.

I understand that there’s a lot that goes in to the challenges and hunting and fishing. But after being a fan of this show for over 10 years, it’s becoming unwatchable for me. Not sure how to fix the mixing so there aren’t shouts every 20 seconds that are 3 or 4 orders of magnitude louder than everything else.

Apparently this guy was actually a recurring survivalist, I've only seen him in one episode so that's the one I'm gonna focus on.

Seth is a pessimist. All he did was complain, he didn't help Max build a shelter or waterproof it for the rainstorms. He helped get food as his main skill is hunting. I think he's more of a hunter than an actual survivalist, he wasn't really qualifed for anything else. Or maybe he was just lazy, I've always loved the part where he hyped himself up by saying that he's here to stay and how there's no getting rid of him only for him to dip out almost immediately after that once it kicked in that Max and Kate weren't gonna do everything for him anymore and now he has to do tasks on his own. He tried making us pity him by saying that he wasn't appreciated enough by the group, bro you could've been. If you actually put in the time and effort, they would've respected you.

I researched every publicly documented British Naked and Afraid contestant. Did I miss anyone?

As far as I can verify, only four contestants from the United Kingdom have appeared in the main programme or its official spin-offs:

Jamie Frizzell: 55 recorded days before Shipwrecked

Sam Mouzer: approximately 32 days

Steven Kelly: 56 completed days

Jennifer Kelly: 7 days

For transparency, I am Steven Kelly and Jenny is my wife, so I have included a full editorial disclosure and applied the same counting rules to all four contestants.

I used actual field days rather than advertised challenge lengths, and I clearly labelled anything estimated or calculated.

I have published the full episode-by-episode breakdown here:

https://www.stevenkelly.uk/journal/uk-naked-and-afraid-survivalists-the-british-contestants-who-took-on-discoverys-toughest-challenge

I am happy to correct anything if somebody can provide a stronger official source.

Which British contestant would you most like to see return?

This is probably one of the strangest questions ever posted in here, but fans ask me about it surprisingly often.

On my first Naked and Afraid challenge, Season 17 Episode 5, I did not have a poo for the entire 21 days.

Not once.

At the time, I genuinely thought something was wrong with me.

Then I took on Naked and Afraid: Apocalypse and somehow went the full 35 days without going again.

So my question for the other survivalists is: did this happen to you as well?

Was it the lack of food, dehydration, stress, or did your body just completely shut down anything it did not need?

It is a random subject, but it is one of those behind-the-scenes realities that viewers rarely hear about.

Survivalists, what was your experience? Fans, what other awkward or unglamorous questions have you always wanted answered?