Monster Bug Wars
| Monster Bug Wars | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Documentary |
| Narrated by |
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| Country of origin |
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| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 12 (+2) (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Running time |
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| Original release | |
| Network | Science Channel |
| Release | March 29, 2011 – February 28, 2012 |
Monster Bug Wars is a nature documentary program, created and distributed by Beyond Television Productions,[1] and televised on the Science Channel in the United States, and SBS in Australia. The monster movie format features two kinds of insects, arachnids, myriapods, and other invertebrates in gladiator style combat in a simulated natural environment. In addition, entomologists educate the viewer about the strengths and weaknesses of the dueling bugs.
Opening narration "In nature's fight pit, a host of ruthless bugs as bizarre as they are lethal slug it out in real-life battles to the death. Witness epic encounters between swarms of marauding assassins, and vicious one-on-one clashes where only one bug survives. The world of monster bugs is a jungle, where there's just one law: eat or be eaten."
Premise
The program highlights The Law of the Jungle involving two types of bugs, usually but not always, both carnivorous. Both bugs are shown fighting to the death with the victor devouring the victim in graphic detail. The program is noted for its use of dramatic theme music and unusual sound editing. For example, during combat, the sounds of growling, screaming, war cries, and shrieks of agony, to name but a few, are heard. In addition, other military and ringside sound effects such as bells, bugles, whistles and alarms are also heard. Of course, none of these sounds are natural and are only added to enhance the life and death drama. However, some viewers have stated these sound effects are silly and do nothing but make a good documentary program into something rather comical.[2] It has been noted that season two has much less sound effects than season one. Further more, the show's confrontation isn't really a real naturally occurring event, as the fight is actually being staged and done in a studio, which raise critics by some audiences.[citation needed] Between shots of the "bug smackdown", the two entomologist hosts of the program narrate the action. Dr. Linda Rayor of Cornell University, and Associate Professor, Dr. Bryan Grieg Fry of University of Queensland describe the bug's lethal abilities that have evolved to give it an advantage over its prey. The entomologists often try to predict the winner of the two warring bugs.[3] [4] The program is narrated by Henry Strozier.
In Australia, the program began airing on SBS on November 14, 2012. It features re-voiced narration by Dr. Paul Willis of RIAUS, as well as a longer running time due to additional narrated footage.[5] Eden began airing the series on February 29, 2016 in the United Kingdom.
Production
The series premiered in 2009. The first season started in 2011 and had a run of six episodes. The series was renewed for 2012 with another six episodes produced.
Episodes
Series overview
| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | |||
| Pilot | October 7, 2009 | |||
| 1 | 6 | March 29, 2011 | May 3, 2011 | |
| 2 | 6 | January 24, 2012 | February 28, 2012 | |
| Special | July 2012 | |||
In the following episode listings, winners are in bold.
Pilot (2009)
| No. overall | Title | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Pilot" | October 7, 2009 | |
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Rounds:
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Season 1 (2011)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | "Death at Midnight" | March 29, 2011 | |
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Rounds: | ||||
| 3 | 2 | "Enemy Empire" | April 5, 2011 | |
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Rounds:
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| 4 | 3 | "Quick and the Deadly" | April 12, 2011 | |
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Rounds: | ||||
| 5 | 4 | "Shape-Shifters" | April 19, 2011 | |
| 6 | 5 | "When Tribes Go To War" | April 26, 2011 | |
|
Rounds: | ||||
| 7 | 6 | "Rainforest Rampage" | May 3, 2011 | |
|
Rounds: | ||||
Season 2 (2012)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 1 | "Deadly Duels" | January 24, 2012 | |
| 9 | 2 | "Blood on the Forest Floor" | January 31, 2012 | |
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Rounds:
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| 10 | 3 | "Ultra Violence" | February 7, 2012 | |
| 11 | 4 | "Mother of All Wars" | February 14, 2012 | |
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Rounds: | ||||
| 12 | 5 | "Murderous Intent" | February 21, 2012 | |
| 13 | 6 | "Super Slayers" | February 28, 2012 | |
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Rounds:
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Special (2012)
Monster Bug Wars Top 10 is a second season compilation episode released in July 2012. This episode included 10 already released bug fights that have been shortened. The following battles are listed below:[6]
| No. overall | Title | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | "Monster Bug Wars Top 10" | July 2012 | |
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Rounds:
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References
- ^ "Corporate Information". Beyond. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ community.discovery.com [dead link]
- ^ "Monster Bug Wars | Discovery Science". Science.discovery.com. December 10, 2013. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ "Monster Bug Wars : Programs : Science Channel : Discovery Press Web". Press.discovery.com. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ "On Telly - Royal Institution of AustraliaRiAus - Australia's Science Channel | Bringing science to people and people to science". Riaus.org.au. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ "Local listings, news, recaps, photos, clips and more – MSN TV". Tv.msn.com. February 1, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
External links
- Official website
- Krishna Ramanujan (March 28, 2011). "Linda Rayor hosts 'Monster Bug Wars' TV series, starting March 29 on the Science Channel". News.cornell.edu. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- "Breaking News - "Monster Bug Wars," "How It's Made A-Z," "Stephen Hawking's Sci Fi Masters" on Tap This Quarter on Science". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved February 26, 2016.