Does that make six now?

On July 14th, "History" (aka The History Channel) is premiering their new show called Chasing Mummies with that cam whore Zahi Hawass. It looks like a reality show that follows the life of archaeologists in the field. History already has Ax Men, Ice Road Truckers, Top Shot, Pawn Stars and American Pickers. Pawn Stars and American Pickers aren't too out of place, but the rest of the shows show barely any artifacts or talk about any kind of event in history. Do people actually watch these other shows? With other shows like MonsterQuest and UFO Hunters, I very rarely turn to the channel and see something I like.

While I am not happy about it being a reality show, at least it's something about Egyptology, archaeology, and history. So it's a helluva lot more appropriate to the channel than those other shows.

Originally Posted by MaximiIian

While I am not happy about it being a reality show, at least it's something about Egyptology, archaeology, and history. So it's a helluva lot more appropriate to the channel than those other shows.

From the previews, it seems like it's just about following the life of an archaeologist. I doubt there will be much on Egyptian artifacts and history.

I saw him in Cairo a few years ago. He was opening some exhibit, he said a joke, everyone laughed, good times ensued.

Yes, Hawass might be a camera whore, but he's a camera whore who's the best PR man for archaeology on the planet currently. The man earned his position as an esteemed Egyptologist before he was named Egypt's Minister of antiquities, or whatever his title is.

It's true that a lot of the content on the History Channel is sort of questionable when it comes to it's actual relevance on History but I guess this is the channels way of trying to escape their old nickname the "Hitler Channel" since History used to mostly feature a ton of specials, shows, and documentaries on WWII over any other kind of time period or event.

i approve of an archeologist reality show, the one reality show the channel should have

As an archaeologist, I can tell you, life isn't all that interesting.

Originally Posted by Hookah Smoking Caterpiller

As an archaeologist, I can tell you, life isn't all that interesting.

Quadrant bags!! woo

I think that Spike's "Deadliest Warrior" show is something that the History Channel wished it had.

Even though a lot of the conclusions that are made on the show are often generalized and based on the shock factor of the weapons used instead of actual historical consideration (and they don't take into account the warriors fighting in their groups). But they actually do talk about historical figures, many history related topics with the warriors, and we get to see historical weapons actually used, which is cool to see.

The History Channel has "Top Shot"...that barely has any historical discussion.

Originally Posted by Hookah Smoking Caterpiller

As an archaeologist, I can tell you, life isn't all that interesting.

It has to be a bit interesting i'd think.

I typically watch National Geographic or the Discovery Channel for my television history lessons now days. The only decent history you can hope for from the History Channel is something World War II related, which they have completely over done.

I have to say...that I actually like the Chasing Mummies show. It annoys me sometimes with having too much emphasis on Dr. Hawass' displeasure with the archaeological fellows and the drama is played up too much but it does have enough historical discovery and information to keep me interested. And Dr. Hawass' personality is something I find interesting too. He's a guy who doesn't take crap from anyone and knows he's the boss. He's got a motor too. He never stops working. It's cool to know that new finds are being discovered all the time over there. Is it just me, or do all of the white foreigners in the show seems to not understand how tough doing things in the Egyptian desert can be? I tire of the fellows' complaining.

Much better than Top Shot. *yawn*

I saw the first two episodes and I'll take Chasing Mummies over UFO Hunters or Ax Men any day because of its inherent historical value.

Dr. Hawass seems to be a little on the side, though. His team of archeologists seem to be a bunch of pussies who need to be whipped into shape, but his verbal abuse is extreme.

The show actually seems a little staged, though. Two of the three "fellows" have worked as actors in the past according to their bio's on the show's website. I mean, that Derek kid said he believed the Pyramids were built by aliens. No serious student with a keen interest in archeology would say something like that.
Maybe a bit of acting to get a rise out of Hawass? Seems a little fishy to me.

Originally Posted by Hookah Smoking Caterpiller

As an archaeologist, I can tell you, life isn't all that interesting.

Originally Posted by Kanaric

It has to be a bit interesting i'd think.

It depends on what interests you. You won't exactly get chased by any boulders or discover the Long Lost Golden Face of Howyawannasayhisnamus. Usually it's digging through the ground for fourteen hours a day with a toothbrush and having an anneurism from excitement when you actually find a shard of a piece of a corner of pottery.

Hookah's experiences might be way crazy more interesting than the norm, because the thick mud of England encases anything buried in it in a vacuum seal; no oxygen, no degridation. The only existing era Roman Legionarre socks and the only helmet plumes yet found came from Britain just because of these conditions. But because of the possibility that you'll further damage any artifact that has miraculously survived thus far you have to go at a pace that would probably drive most enthusiasts out of their skin.

Having said that, I had to turn this new show off. It does actually include a great deal of history from Egypt itseld, and I have great respect for Dr. Hawass, but the whole thing was incredibly insulting, to me. Even overlooking the fact that it looked like, from the previews, a girl freeking peed in the tomb, the whole first ten minutes of the first episode was people running over to Hawass saying that a camera man got stuck in the Step Pyramid and him pointing at some guy screaming "this is your fault! I am blaming you for everything!"

Then there was some Canadian girl who walked through the middle of the fence saying in a timid voice "Ha-wash? Ha-wash?" and everyone pretending they didn't know who she was. Like she would have been able to walk within a freaking mile of the place with a camera-man luckily stationed right there with a boom over her head if they didn't expect her to be coming... they're in Egypt for crying at loud, it's kinda hard to sneak up on someone when you've pretty much got sand everywhere around you for a thousand miles. Not to mention that a supposed intern wouldn't know the name of the most iconic Egyptologist on the planet... I can't always remember Dr. Zahi Hawass's name, but you can sure bet if I was going to be an intern for the guy I'd have his name tattooed on my retina and sewn into my freaking underwear. That kind of fake drama is what is really making me lose respect for the channel.

I'm actually fine with them doing all the Truckers and Pickers and Pratter shows they have, but every single "dangerous" or "destructive" stunt they show that's taped is staged. They're just admitting that the things they're shoveling money into aren't at all interesting, so they have to add the hype and drama to make it fun to watch.

LAME.

Originally Posted by Bokks

It depends on what interests you. You won't exactly get chased by any boulders or discover the Long Lost Golden Face of Howyawannasayhisnamus. Usually it's digging through the ground for fourteen hours a day with a toothbrush and having an anneurism from excitement when you actually find a shard of a piece of a corner of pottery.

You can add to that list: "not being able to move your fingers the next day aka trowel hand"

But it's true, when you find something old and relevent to the dig it is an awesome feeling. Still, 90% of the time it goes: "omg what's this!?!?! Broken flower pot." (repeat x1000)

I suppose this is a good time to show you how History channel could make a better programme in my garden.
Roman coin (Julia Mamaea Denarii) found whilst digging in the garden to put a pathway in.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Edward I Penny (London Mint) From the same hole.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Iron Age Hillfort 200m from my house.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

A dig I was on recently, digging up a Tudor manor. Also within walking distance from my house. I found some 16th century Dutch pottery. It was green.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

SOMEBODY CALL THE TIME TEAM.

The History Channel is a whore, selling itself to the highest bidder. I find it ironic that the "History Channel" spends more broadcasting hours on reality shows, ufos and cryptozoology than they do actual history now days.

I actually wanted to see their Top Shot show because I thought it'd be interesting seeing professional marksmen using a variety of different historical weapons. Then I watched the first episode and immediately became bored with it. It's a bunch of extremely forced drama, unexciting marksmen challenges, and basically zero history. Explain to me why a show on the History Channel has zero history in it!

Then I saw their commercial for the Chasing Mummies show and rolled my eyes. I'm all for Egyptian archaeology and history but what I saw in the commercial looked like white people...peeing in a tomb...?

WTF?!?!?!?!

Well it is a very real possiblility. There are theories that aliens were involved in the Bible. Really though, if I recall, the History Channel is owned by Discovery Communication which is trying to make the History Channel more popular, so the History Channel is now a victim of irony; it is under the iron thumb of Discovery Communications (Hitler).

Now history international, its the thing to watch now.

Also the military channel sorta took a lot of the History Channel's content.

Well it is a very real possiblility. There are theories that aliens were involved in the Bible.

They've never been a real possibility to any real archeologists I've heard of. The kid's been watching to much Indiana Jones.