The fact is, they should quit calling it "reality" tv.
It's not reality. In reality, u r at the mercy of fate. You make your choices either enjoy graces or face consequences.
There is no host and production crew who (and I don't care what they try to depict) will save you if something goes terribly wrong.
They show these sometimes "near death" experiences.
You know that if anybody on any of these shows was "really in danger" that they'd bust their asses to save them big time (they don't wanna get sued folks), and you wouldn't see it on camera.
I will admit, the Pirate Theme of Pearl Islands has intrigued me, and I did catch a few episodes. I did watch one of those PBS shows (Frontier House). But reality is not a good title for any of it. Its just another way for tv to get ratings and make $ Plus you see them always adding "the twist". That kills the "reality" too.