I’m looking for recommendations for reality competition shows that are based purely (or at least mostly) on skill. I love watching people who are passionate about something complete against each other. But I loathe manufactured drama.
Some of my favorites for context:
Forged in Fire - knifesmiths completing against each other and the clock. Think Chopped for blacksmiths.
Alone - Just people trying to survive on their own in the wilderness. No camera crews, no backstabbing, no tribal councils, no voting, just people versus the elements and their own minds.
The Great British Bake Off - my comfort watch. I love how everyone supports each other.
I also enjoyed A Cut Above and Blown. I tried to watch the Pottery one on HBO, but couldn’t get into it.
I didn’t like the later seasons of Alone Australia, the top scorers were basically starving themselves, rather than actually attempting to survive. The risk/reward really doesn’t favour spending the energy to hunt.
And there is a huge luck element when it comes to hunting and fishing.
But I agree that the manufactured drama being absent is a huge plus.