Comments on: DT: Nandi Bear

By: Krimeg

Krimeg — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 10:23:38 +0000

Another very possible candidate for the Nandi bear: a recent relative of Ekorus.

By: Cass_of_MPLS

Cass_of_MPLS — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:32:27 +0000

I always enjoy DT. A few comments about the show.

1. The cast turnover. Josh’s “Leading Ladies” have other commitments which is why they are not always there. Jael is now a regular cast member of FACT OR FAKED among other things and Ryder is a producer in her own right and has her own projects but don’t be too surprised if either or both turn up again as time allows since both really enjoy working on the show.

As for the time spent in investigation…what you SEE amounts to one night (what with editing and so on) the research and interviews of witnesses/experts may not always make it into the final product. Much in the way that FACT OR FAKED interviewed Center for Fortean Zoology Founder Jon Downes for their “Beast of Dartmoor episode entitled “Predator”.

In Jon’s words “They interviewed me for about 45 minutes and then promptly cut out the bits where I told them I thought it was a wild boar, but never mind.”

TV is TV and not even MonsterQuest (now cancelled) is above criticism but I think they all do the best they can within the parameters they have to adhere to.

As for the Nandi Bear…yeah, I think they nailed it. While I don’t doubt that the locals would know a hyena when they saw one under NORMAL circumstances…if they spot something under cover of darkness where they’re already half expecting to see this legendary beastie of theirs their eyes might be fooled.

That’s very human….

By: wolfatrest

wolfatrest — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 12:18:48 +0000

I was disappointed in this episode. Even the 3-D model they came up with looked like a giant hyena as seen through the distortion of fear of being eaten alive. I’ve always wondered how many of these native people are cracking up at how gullible outsiders are to come in and spend money chasing whatever freak they decide to make up for them. We’ve all seen how things get distorted by retelling stories, this was probably an unusually large hyena or a species they’d never seen before that just grew into a monster over the years from simple exaggeration. The show has potential but they really need to be a little more thorough in their investigation.

By: Cryptidcrazy

Cryptidcrazy — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 07:56:41 +0000

You cannot watch DT, expecting it to be “Monsterquest”. DT is more for entertainment purposes than it is for actual investigations, but the Nandi Bear episode failed on both fronts. There will probably never be another “Monsterquest”, but what ultimately killed that show, was that they veered away from the cryptid formula and started investigating sharks, giant squid, killer bees, feral dogs and other animals we already knew existed. Those episodes weren’t worth watching, because they had nothing to do with cryptids. Instead, they should have been investigating the Skrimsl, the Heavenly Lake Monster, Nahuelito and other cryptids that they never got to. I miss that show!

By: springheeledjack

springheeledjack — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 01:05:40 +0000

And nobody’s really pointed out how much time they spend goofing off in town (on screen–I don’t even want to know how much time they fritter away off camera), instead of actually hunting that which they came to investigate in the first place.

On the Nandi bear front, I think they took a quick out in calling it a hyena without actually doing any investigating (I’m not sure I call what they do is investigating most of the time).

HOWEVER, I do like they’re base camp approach with rings of cameras, and sensors…no on the other hand, they never seem to get much…but I won’t belabor that. At least that tactic inspires me.

By: coelacanth1938

coelacanth1938 — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 23:51:59 +0000

I just can’t watch this show. Anything that SyFy does should be regarded as candyfloss.

By: Cryptidcrazy

Cryptidcrazy — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 19:50:29 +0000

After reading all of the descriptions of the Nandi Bear, I believe it is a striped hyena. I wish the DT team would have asked the tribe members if they knew the difference between a spotted hyena and a striped hyena. If they didn’t that could explain things. Striped hyenas have a shaggier coat too. If they had never seen one, they could think it is an entirely different species.

By: Cryptidcrazy

Cryptidcrazy — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 19:41:15 +0000

I have been a huge fan of the show, since the beginning. Despite that, I can honestly say I was disappointed. Part of the show’s success was due to the chemistry of the team. This is one instance where the constant turnover of the investigators has hurt the show. While they didn’t always find what they were looking for, the show remained entertaining, in part, due to the relationship between Josh and his “leading ladies”. With Jael, there was a sexual tension. I found it humorous the way he followed her around like a puppy dog, trying to make her laugh. With Ryder, there was a brother and sister dynamic where they were constantly goading each other in a friendly manner and it too, was very entertaining. With the new girl, Aly….there is nothing. It’s like some stranger he met in an elevator. The humor is gone, the tension is gone, the interest is gone.

By: MrInspector

MrInspector — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 12:40:36 +0000

Did anyone think to ask the locals what they call hyena?

By: Loren Coleman

Loren Coleman — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 10:01:06 +0000

Of course, the obvious question for DT and any like-minded sensationalistic journeys into the bush, why do they not employ more local guides and local animal collectors to go with them into the wild? A local would be able to quickly id the extant and known species and less time would be spent on wild goose chases and being scared. For example, in New Zealand, why won’t you take along a local field biologist with you?

But then that would not be good TV to have someone who really knew what that animal seen in the distance really is, would it?