Naked and Afraid

***Naked and Afraid*** is an American reality television series that premiered on the Discovery Channel on June 23, 2013. Each episode chronicles the lives of two survivalists who meet for the first time naked and are given the task of surviving a stay in the wilderness for 21 days. A spin-off series, *Naked and Afraid XL*, followed in 2015.

## Synopsis

The events of each couple's quest plays out over a single episode. Partners - one man, one woman - strip down and meet each other. They are provided with rough cross-body satchels containing a personal diary/camera for use when the camera crew is not there at night, and a map. They all wear identical necklaces with a center bead which is a microphone with a wire that connects to a wireless audio transmitter hidden in the satchel. Each survivalist is allowed to bring one helpful item, such as a hatchet, a machete or a fire starter. There is also a camera crew who are not allowed to intervene except for medical emergencies when absolutely necessary. At the beginning of the fourth season, survivalists are given a third "surprise" item. A team is allowed to "tap out" at any point during the challenge; if they don't, they must arrive at the designated extraction point on the final day to be picked up by a helicopter, plane, automobile or boat or other vehicle suitable to the environment. Viewers are updated throughout with statistics including how many days have passed, the time, and the temperature. The show then computes the cast members' Primitive Survival Rating (PSR), which is based on predictions and observations of survival fitness in skill, experience, and mental strengths. Before and after weight measurements are also revealed at the end of an episode.

## Episodes

Main article: *List of Naked and Afraid episodes*

## Reception

### Critical

Reviewing the series premiere in 2013, Brian Lowry of *Variety* found *Naked and Afraid* to be "typical of the genre, but it's still kind of a risible kick, if only for how seriously the show takes itself." Melissa Camacho of Common Sense Media and David Hinckley of the New York *Daily News* gave the show three out of five stars.

By the time of its 2015 season premiere, Brian Moylan of *The Guardian* called it the "best reality show on television" as it "takes the outrageousness of other reality genres, but applies it to celebrate human strength and fortitude rather than exploiting the frailty and narcissism of those who just want to be noticed."

Mike Hale of *The New York Times* expressed skepticism that the dangers implied by the situations faced by the couples in each episode were authentic, even by the standards of reality television, observing that the couple in the series premiere appeared to be cleaner and more shaven than he would have expected. Hale was also not impressed with the interaction between the two participants, whose personalities he found uninteresting, stating that he found the snake bite suffered by the field producer shown in the beginning of the episode to be more riveting.

### Ratings

The series premiere of *Naked and Afraid* delivered 4.16 million viewers, making for the Discovery Channel's biggest series launch since the series premiere of *Amish Mafia* in December 2012. It also delivered a 2.8 household rating and a 2.1 rating with adults 25-54. The premiere, held following *Skywire Live*, helped to boost enough ratings to bring the network's fourth highest ranked night ever. In a press release issued by Discovery Channel which announced Nielsen ratings milestones for the series, it was shown that the show had become the "#1 ad-supported program in cable among Men on Sunday, July 28." The season 4 episode, "Surthrive", featuring Bo Stuart and Debbie Harris, is the highest-rated episode of the show.

### Controversy

There has been a lot of controversy related to how real the show is. Former contestants have said the locations are not as isolated as portrayed. A contestant was treated with IV fluids so she could continue, but this was not shown. Les Stroud, host of the survival show *Survivorman*, has been very vocal with his criticism. Though the show blurs some of the bodies of the actors, the fact that they are fully naked has also been a subject for controversy and critical reception. Focus on the Family's Plugged In highlighted "that the show's near constant-nudity is simply impossible to ignore." Parents Television Council, One Million Moms, and American Family Association have boycotted the network.