South African bush dangers test Joe's skill-set on Dual Survival

It is a new season of Discovery Channel’s Dual Survival, and fans are all over the map on Cody Lundin’s new partner, Joe Teti.

Since the Season Three premiere of Dual Survival aired on New Year’s Day, fans have been burning up Internet chat boards and fan sites, and Huliq readers have had a lot to say about Joe Teti—some good, some not so great. On a Huliq article entitled, “Will Dual Survival fans give Joe Teti a chance?” many fans were clear: No.

“Turned it off after 19 minutes,” notafan anymore wrote. “I couldn’t watch it. The camera work is great and the locations beautiful but there isn’t any actual teaching of survival skills or bush craft. I think these shows have reached a peak and there isn’t anything new to add....”

Some fans were more to the point on Joe, specifically, however, such as Carol Lewis, who said, “I love the show with Cody but the new guy Joe is a blow hard know it all..........takes all the fun out of watching the show..........”

Still, there were others who were more democratic in their opinions, such as one anonymous commenter who said, “I am a fan of the show and applaud the contrast in styles. Clearly hunter (Joe), gatherer (Cody) skills. I look forward to this season.”

And, there were even some who preferred Joe as Cody’s partner, like one anonymous commenter who enthusiastically said, “Joe Teti is friggin awesome!! People give him a chance and think about what he's REALLY been thru. This dude is a warrior of the highest degree. They will grow to know and trust each other as it moves along and act as more of a team. Best thing that could've happened to this show! I loved Dave,don't get me wrong. This is a better fit.”

Perhaps in the best strategy of all, some are just keeping an open mind, not making a decision yet, like Kingtut who said, “First off, Hollywood is all about make-believe and false heros, so what difference does it make if Dave was a ID clerk or a warrior? He proved himself repeatedly and I still feel like there is a place for him on my TV set-I just liked the guy! Dave and Cody had a great thing going! But I'm also not ready to throw Joe under the bus after the first episode. My ten-year-old and I watched it last night and found it as usual, very entertaining. The camera work was quality and took us to places we've never seen-that's what this show does.”

Drinking Bodily Fluids a No-Go with Fans

So, there have been, without a doubt, a full range of opinions on Discovery Channel's new Dual Survival pairing. The biggest criticism of the show overall? No doubt it, it was the urine-drinking scene, about which some, like Sarge47, felt extremely strong:

“Criticizing survival is NOT throwing the instructor under the bus, but rather checking out his or her credibility. Drinking urine is dangerous to the human system and many people have died doing that. The 1st time a child even gets ill following any TV survival instructor demonstrating that it's okay to drink urine the lawsuits will hit!”

But, bottom line, the big question Discovery Channel is no doubt waiting to have answered tonight is simply this: Will those viewers who threatened to stop watching Dual Survival follow through and change the channel tonight, or will they be too intrigued to look away when it is all said and done? Tonight, Cody and Joe may be in a situation that will prove to be more geared to Joe’s territory of expertise. According to the Discovery Channel:

Stranded in the South African bush and in close proximity to the planet's deadliest predators - including lions and leopards - Joe and Cody fight to get out alive while hiding from poachers who may be hunting them.

Some fans have questioned whether Joe's extreme military training really qualifies as "survival" skills, such as Smellslike, who commented, "The new casting is set up to look as if it is a compare contrast two styles, but there is ONLY one survivalist, the other is a solider and really has nothing to do with surviving the campout scenario, but rather that of completing missions. Even if it cost his life. It is not about surviving. There is no comparision nor is there a true contrast. Soliders are not survivalists which the general public does not understand as well as those in the military do. Thus looks like two trying to survive, but there is only one survivalist." Perhaps seeing an episode where Joe's military skills are more necessary for the duo's survival than Cody's primitive skills will help viewers see how this new Cody-Joe pairing makes sense for the new season of Dual Survival?

Stay tuned.

Dual Survival airs on the Discovery Channel tonight, Tuesday, January 08, at 9/8c.

UPDATED: Fans not warming to Joe Teti?

Image: Discovery Channel

Video: Discovery Channel/Dual Survival