I love Ray.
But.
The best that I can say about his wildlife presenting style is that of the enthusiastic amateur.
That said, I can see how his prime time ITV slot would appeal to a mass audience who are not looking for 'specialist' knowledge so much as pretty things to look at and feel good about. And if we want more Ray then it has to be commercially viable and pull in the ratings to get the advertising. Which, ironically, will make his programmes less appealing to the likes of us.
As much as I've been underwhelmed by his wildlife programmes I also think it unfair to pigeon hole him into doing just bushcraft stuff. Though, as someone alluded to above, I do think an interest in the natural world is an intrinsic part of bushcraft.
The poor sod probably can't win.
In contradiction to everything I've said above, his Wild Britain series' (particularly the hour long episodes) have been his most inspirational and motivating television work he's ever done, for me. Which is as well because they've been repeating them on one of the deepest and darkest Freeview channels recently.
But.
The best that I can say about his wildlife presenting style is that of the enthusiastic amateur.
That said, I can see how his prime time ITV slot would appeal to a mass audience who are not looking for 'specialist' knowledge so much as pretty things to look at and feel good about. And if we want more Ray then it has to be commercially viable and pull in the ratings to get the advertising. Which, ironically, will make his programmes less appealing to the likes of us.
As much as I've been underwhelmed by his wildlife programmes I also think it unfair to pigeon hole him into doing just bushcraft stuff. Though, as someone alluded to above, I do think an interest in the natural world is an intrinsic part of bushcraft.
The poor sod probably can't win.
In contradiction to everything I've said above, his Wild Britain series' (particularly the hour long episodes) have been his most inspirational and motivating television work he's ever done, for me. Which is as well because they've been repeating them on one of the deepest and darkest Freeview channels recently.
