The Daily Star - Stay Tuned
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/490645
The Daily Star, Oneonta, N.Y., Friday, April 3, 2015 20 B/River Valley (top 6 x 2) By Gabrielle Bérubé TV Media Going nowhere fast: Once again, television is fo- cusing on regular humans who conquer the unbeaten paths, channel every strain of willpower they possess and enthrall audiences as they do so. From the same producers who brought us "Naked and Afraid," a new man-versus-nature series is arriving about three best friends who embark on the trek of a lifetime. "100 Miles From Nowhere" premieres Sunday, April 5, on Animal Planet. Matt Galland, Blake Jo- sephson and Danny Bryson are the intrepid outdoors- men in question. Originally named "Matt On The Run," this docuseries follows the trio as they tackle the most uncharted areas of wilder- ness. Aiming to hit at least 100 miles every four days, they are prepared to walk, climb, skateboard, ski and even raft toward their shared destination. The question is, what makes this series stand out? For starters, this pack of ad- venturers is leaving the tele- vision crews behind, instead choosing to shoot every piece of footage from their own handheld devices. "No cameraman can keep up with us," Galland said in a news release, "which is why we must shoot everything ourselves." Additionally, the chemis- try between the three bursts through the screen. This ex- pedition is not just a bucket list item to check off; this is the way they have fun. "Some best friends go to the bar and get drunk. These best friends, we just go run 100 miles in the middle of nowhere," chuckles Galland in a trailer for the series. Their upbeat, fun-loving vibe is sure to make for entertain- ing television, and they are not above such rowdy stunts as cannonballing into a freezing river or doing a headstand at the top of a steep hill. As much as they enjoy what they do, Galland and company still face the very real dangers of wearing themselves out. Josephson admits that the challenge can be excruciating. "There comes a time when you wonder what the hell you're doing, and why you're doing it," he said in the same trailer. However, these are not explorers to be trifled with, and as Galland reminds us: "If it doesn't hurt, it wasn't worth it." Nothing can dissuade these determined men, be it cruel weather, rocky terrains or wild predators. "Matt, Dan- ny and Blake offer their fresh, unfiltered perspectives of the most remote places on Earth, allowing viewers to experience the planet through adventure, first-per- son footage and real emo- tions," said Rick Holzman, executive vice-president of Animal Planet. From the comfort of your living room, follow Matt Galland, Blake Josephson and Danny Bryson's high-en- ergy hijinks into the mouth of Mother Nature when "100 Miles From Nowhere" premieres Sunday, April 5, on Animal Planet. Laugh-out-loud ladies: Juicy one-liners, strong con- victions and crisp timing. Viewers who get to know the unstoppable women of "Funny Girls" should pre- pare for all of this and more. Oxygen's new reality show about six female standup comics with rapidly ascend- ing careers premieres Tues- day, April 7. This visit to prime time might give them unprece- dented exposure, but each of the titular "Funny Girls" al- ready has an impressive list of credentials. Yamaneika Saunders hosts her own podcast, and Ester Steinberg has toured across the nation. Calise Hawkins' and Stephanie Simbari's writings have been broadcast on major net- works. Relative newcomer Nicole Aimée Schreiber flexed her charisma muscle through a rewarding stint in the marketing world. There's even musical talent in the mix: ukulele-strumming bombshell Scout Durwoods' cabaret act is a huge suc- cess. All are fearless in their monologues and delve into their personal hardships for refreshingly honest material just as easily as they swing out a lighthearted joke. "I do standup for my heart," Simbari said in the official series trailer. "I write about things that affect me." Self-described "in your face and aggressive" power- house Saunders gets vulner- able in the same trailer. "Part of being a comic is we're all insecure and we've all got issues," she said. Highlight- ing the comical side of every tough moment is what keeps them going. Their frustrating day jobs, their budding friendships and their evenings onstage in Los Angeles all get screen time. For added star power, our heroines will receive valuable advice from big- name comics such as Bill Burr and Margaret Cho. When putting six colorful characters in each others' lives, the occasional dramat- ic feud can never be entirely bypassed. For example, the trailer hints at a clash be- tween Stephanie and Ester when a comedy show goes awry. Despite marked differenc- es and occasional ruffled feathers, the ladies seem to fundamentally appreciate each other, and the focus is first and foremost on the joy they get from their passion. They each bring something exciting to the table, and if they keep chasing their goals, these rising stars are bound to break down the doors of a male-dominated industry. Don't miss the laugh-out- loud premiere of "Funny Girls" when it airs Tuesday, April 7, on Oxygen. realtalk Danny Bryson, Matt Galland and Blake Josephson in "100 Miles From Nowhere" Going nowhere fast Animal Planet takes viewers on a wild trek % ! ! " " ! $! "! $ "! " #! $ #!# " " $!" # ! ! " $ # $! #!