Naked and Afraid Archives - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

‘Teen Mom’ Star Maci Bookout Had One of the Shortest Ever Stints on ‘Naked and Afraid’

Megan Elliott — Sat, 24 Aug 2024 20:32:00 +0000

Armchair survivalists need not apply. Teen Mom star Maci Bookout thought she had what it took to last 14 days in the jungle of Nicaragua on Discovery Channel’s Naked and Afraid. But just a few hours in the wilderness taught her how difficult it really is to survive on the show.

Maci Bookout appeared on ‘Naked and Afraid’ in 2018

Maci Bookout in 2016 | Denise Truscello/WireImage

Bookout made her much-hyped appearance on Naked and Afraid in 2018. Despite her lack of survival experience, she felt good about her chances of completing the challenge.

“Being a mom prepares you for a situation like this because the motherly instinct kicks in and gives me an edge,” she said.

The reality star had also watched plenty of Naked and Afraid episodes, and she had strong opinions about people who tapped out early. She vowed she wouldn’t be one of them.

“When I watch this show the one thing that drives me crazy is people quit way too early. They don’t give themselves a chance,” Bookout said. “The first sign of distress they tap out, they’re done. It’s going to suck for sure, but I’m not going to quit.”

The ‘Teen Mom’ star tapped out after just 24 hours

While Bookout felt good entering her Naked and Afraid challenge, she soon faced the reality of trying to survive in a hostile environment with no clothes, food, or supplies.

Though Bookout was able to start a fire, she struggled with walking barefoot on thorns. At one point, her partner had to carry her piggyback because she couldn’t walk. “My feet feel like they’re dying,” she said.

After spending one night in the jungle, Bookout realized she couldn’t continue.

“Last night was hell … Sitting on your couch watching the show is not the same. It’s really f*cking hard,” she said.

Bookout opted to quit the challenge for both her mental health and her partner’s sake.

“I’m tapping out of this challenge,” she said. “It’s the best decision for me. I feel like if I stay here any longer, I’m legitimately going to lose my mind. How I was doing mentally was not doing anything good for him, so it’s best for me to get out of his way.”

Maci Bookout said her ‘Naked and Afraid’ experience was ‘amazing’

Though Bookout had one of the shortest stays in Naked and Afraid history, she had no regrets about signing up for the show.

[Naked and Afraid] was the most amazing (and painful) experience.. even though I didn’t complete the challenge,” she tweeted after the episode aired. “I am proud of myself for trying something completely terrifying and out of my comfort zone. I’m excited to see my partner Justin kick ass.”

“The entire process of N&A (training/attempting) did change my life,” she added in a follow-up tweet. “My perspective & outlook is so much healthier than I could have imagined. Thanks to all who watched tonight, I hope you arent too disappointed, but if you are disappointed i hope ur grateful for ur couch & TV.”

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‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’: Bulent Gurcan Shares Update After His Shocking Elimination

Megan Elliott — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 00:49:41 +0000

The bare-handed killer is out. Bulent Gurcan was forced to tap out early in the August 4 episode of Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing following a frightening medical incident.

Bulent Gurcan goes home in the latest episode of ‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ Season 2

‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ | Discovery Channel

Bulent is a seasoned Naked and Afraid veteran. Since making his debut on the Discovery Channel reality series in 2019, he’s completed multiple challenges and appeared on both Naked and Afraid: XL and Naked and Afraid: Castaways. But Last One Standing proved to be too much for the tough-as-nails survivalist. He was eliminated in the fourth episode of season 2.

From the moment the episode began, it was clear that after nearly two weeks in Africa, Bulent was struggling. Then, the teams embarked on a difficult, five-mile migration journey to zone 2, which left him further depleted.

After a long hike, the survivalists learned they’d have to complete a multi-phase individual challenge to advance in the competition. They had to create a fire-hardened, four-pronged spear and use it to catch a catfish. The last person to complete the challenge would be eliminated.

As he struggled to work in triple-digit temperatures, an exhausted Bulent started to fall behind. He confessed he was feeling dizzy, losing his vision, and was experiencing serious dehydration.

“I feel the lack of energy. And I feel weak,” he said.

Concerned producers were keeping an eye on Bulent. When his symptoms worsened, they called in the medics. After a brief evaluation during which he was informed he was at risk of kidney damage and organ failure, he was pulled from the competition.

“I definitely hit my limit,” Bulent said as he was driven away in an ambulance. “This is the end of my journey.”

Bulent says he’s recovered from his ‘Naked and Afraid’ experience

Bulent’s alarming state at the end of episode four had fans worried about his health. Fortunately, he appears to be recovering from his Last One Standing experience.

“First of all, thank you for all the love and support,” Bulent said in a video shared on Instagram on August 5. “It’s been tremendous. To let you guys know, I’m OK. It’s taking a while to recover, but you know, these things take time. It’s an extreme environment, extreme challenge. But it’s got to be extreme. So, there’s no easy way around it. But I’m OK. I’m getting there.”

“It was a very interesting challenge,” he added, before going on to share his impressions of his teammates and other Last One Standing cast members.

“I hope I supported my team as much as they supported me,” he said.

So, would Bulent return for another Naked and Afraid after his frightening Last One Standing elimination? He can’t say for sure, but he’s not ruling anything out.

“I never want to say no,” he said.

Bulent added that his latest Naked and Afraid experience gave him a renewed appreciation for how tough it is to survive in the African bush.

“One day it will smile at you,” he said. “And one day it will smack you in the back of the head.”

Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Discovery Channel.

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‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’: Which Survivalists Went Home in the Season 2 Premiere?

Megan Elliott — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 18:44:02 +0000

Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing is back, and the competition in season 2 is tougher than ever. In the July 14 season premiere, 14 survivalists arrived in Africa’s Munzwa Valley for a 45-day challenge. The person who outlasts the competition will walk away with bragging rights and $100,000. But two survivalists didn’t make it past day one of the competition.

[Warning: This article contains spoilers for the Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing Season 2 premiere.]

‘Naked and Afraid’ survivalists face a double elimination on day one

Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing Season 2 got off to a running start with a shocking double-elimination challenge.

The contestants are split into two groups based on gender. Each player is tasked with crafting a primitive cutting tool to use to saw through a rope in order to claim a knife. They then must use the knife to fashion a primitive hook, which they need to obtain a map floating on a log in crocodile-infested waters. The map will direct them to their group campsite. The last man and woman to complete the challenge will be eliminated.

“You either have the skills or you don’t,” Jeff Zausch says. “People are really going to have to come out of the gate hard, or they’re going home today.”

As soon as they hear the instructions, the survivalists run off to search for the right rock to complete the first phase of the challenge. As a flintknapper, Darrin Reaay has a natural advantage on the men’s side and is the first to complete phase one. The other men follow, until just Jeff Zausch and Bulent Gurcan remain. Both are strong competitors, so it’s a surprise to see them trailing this early in the game.

Though Darrin finishes phase 1 first, Gary Golding is the first man to snag his map. He casually strolls to the tree to find the message directing him to his camp.

The rest of the survivalists fight to get their map. It soon becomes clear that an early lead doesn’t necessarily translate into a strong finish, and vice versa. Though Jeff was one of the last to get his knife, he doesn’t let that fluster him. He takes his time crafting a hook, and it pays off. He gets his map on the first try.

Meanwhile, the women are fighting just as hard as the men to complete the crucial challenge.

Ky Furneaux is the first woman to claim her knife. She’s followed closely by Trish Bulinsky, who becomes the first woman to reel in her map. Ky is close behind her, and they’re both safe from elimination.

Some of the other women struggle to cut the rope with their makeshift tools. Dani Beauchemin is the last person to get her knife. In the end, she and Lacey Jones are the only two women who’ve yet to claim their map.

Who goes home in the first episode of ‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ Season 2?

The only men remaining by the water’s edge are Russell Sage and Bulent. An unflustered Bulent gets his map and sets off, leaving a frustrated Russel behind in last place.

“I’m happy, almost,” Bulent says after he completes the challenge.

Russell is disappointed by his loss. But he admits he made some mistakes in the first challenge.

“I put everything I had into it,” Russell says. “I saw a stick I thought was going to work well.” However, he “let his heart get ahead of his head” and didn’t do a good job of crafting his tool, which cost him.

Dani might have been the last person to make it to the water, but she manages to get her map before Lacey. Moments later, Lacey reels in her map. Could she pass Dani and avoid elimination? Unfortunately, no. Dani finishes first, and an exhausted Lacey is knocked out of the competition.

“I literally gave it all, everything. I was really looking forward to showing off my skills,” Lacey says.

Lacey admits she was too focused on speed during the challenge and picked the “wrong tool for the job.” The results? An “embarrassing” elimination.

The cast fights for valuable survival tools

Trish and Fernando in ‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ Season 2 | Discovery Channel

The remaining 12 survivalists are split into four groups:

Gary, Lindsey, and Dani
Trish, Fernando Calderon, and Dan Link
Ky, Darrin, and Bulent
Kate Wentworth, Patrick French, and Jeff

The next morning, they receive information about where to find five valuable hunting and survival tools, including multiple bows, fishing tools, and a pelt. But there’s a twist. They can’t share items with other teams after they find them.

Dan, Trish, and Fernando work together to find one of the bow caches. Meanwhile, Jeff and Kate are facing off against Gary, Lindsey, and Dani for the second bow. Dani embraces the ruthless Last One Standing spirit and steals Jeff’s rope when he leaves it unattended. He’s stunned

“I thought you were vegan. Aren’t you guys nice?” Jeff says. Minutes later, he tries to get his revenge. After Gary, Lindsey, and Dani retrieve the bow, Jeff moves to snatch it. But Lindsey is holding it, so it’s not up for grabs.

Bulent and Ky find one of the fishing assets. A second fishing line and hooks is hidden in the pond, but they decide not to search for it, leaving it for another group. Could that be a mistake? As we’ve already seen, sabotage might be key to winning this competition.

Jeff is disappointed not to get the bow, but he and Kate score an important win when they retrieve an animal hide hidden in an acacia tree.

Only one survival item remains. After a lengthy search, Fernando finds the fishing line and hooks that Ky and Bulent left behind in the pond. He, Dan, and Trsh already have the bow and arrow, and this additional item gives them an edge over the other teams.

The survivalists retreat to their camp and take cover as the weather changes. Everyone struggles to stay warm as the wind picks up, temperatures drop, and night descends. It’s a reminder that in this challenge, they’re facing off not just against each other but also against Mother Nature.

Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing Season 2 airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Channel.

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Ky Furneaux Explains Why She Signed on for ‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’

Megan Elliott — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 18:41:00 +0000

Ky Furneaux is no shrinking violet. The Australian survival expert and Hollywood stuntwoman has completed five Naked and Afraid challenges and survived 91 days in the wild. But is she prepared for an entirely different kind of challenge?

Ky Furneaux faces off against ‘Naked and Afraid’ legends in ‘Last One Standing’ Season 2

Furneaux is one of 14 Naked and Afraid vets who has signed on for season 2 of Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing. The competition series pits some of the show’s elite participants against each other for a chance to win a $100,000 prize.

In season 2 of Last One Standing, Furneaux will be facing off against N&A legends such as Jeff Zausch, Gary Golding, and Dan Link. They’ll fight to survive in the vast expanse of Africa’s Munzwa Valley, where they must compete against lions, leopards, and hyenas for food while also avoiding threats from their fellow competitors.

“Today I fight,” Furneaux says in a teaser for the new season. “Let the games begin.”

Ky Furneaux has something to prove on ‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’

Some Naked and Afraid cast members, such as Last One Standing Season 1 alum Zausch, thrive on competition. (He’s complained that the season 1 cast didn’t take the game seriously enough.) Furneaux doesn’t count herself among those who want to win at any cost, she admits.

“I’m not known for my big group challenges in @nakedandafraid,” she captioned an Instagram video of herself talking about why she agreed to do the show. “I do prefer my survival to be about the skills rather than the drama of group dynamics. But sometimes a Why gets bigger than the need to avoid something and this is my Last One Standing Why.”

In the clip, Furneaux explains that she wants to show that women are just as good as men when it comes to survival.

“I am a passionate believer that women are incredibly capable in the outdoors,” she says. “The last season of Last One Standing was very male-dominant. And I’d really like to change that.”

Furneaux’s survival skills are top-notch, but the Last One Standing competition will be tough. To make things even more difficult Furneaux is basically attempting back-to-back challenges.

“I’m not [100 percent] sure but with only 5 weeks between my @nakedandafraid Colombia Mentoring Challenge and Last ONE Standing, I may have hit some turnaround record,” she wrote on Instagram. “Will such a short time between extreme challenges be a help to my performance or a hindrance?”

Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing Season 2 premieres Sunday, July 14 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Channel.

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‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ Season 2 Kicks Off With a Shocking Double Elimination [Clip]

Megan Elliott — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 19:53:03 +0000

No one is safe. Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing is shaking things up in season 2 with new rules and fresh twists that ensure this will truly be an every-survivalist-for-themselves competition.

Just how different will things be from season 1? In this clip from the Last One Standing season premiere (which airs July 14 on Discovery Channel), the contestants learn that two of them won’t make it past the first challenge.

‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ raises the stakes in season 2

‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ Season 2 | Discovery Channel

In Last One Standing Season 2, 14 Naked and Afraid vets will test their survival skills in a punishing, 45-day challenge in the African bush. The person who outlasts and outwits all the other competitors will walk away with the title of Last One Standing, as well as $100,000.

Each player arrives empty-handed and must fight for the tools that will help them secure the food, water, and shelter they need to survive. And unlike in season 1, contestants won’t be allowed to share tools with other participants, raising the stakes considerably.

Who will be battling it out in Africa’s Munzwa Valley? Here’s the list of players:

Dani Beauchemin: 3 previous challenges, 82 days survived
Trish Bulinsky: 3 previous challenges; 75 days survived
Fernando Calderon: 4 previous challenges; 103 days survived
Patrick French: 2 previous challenges: 2; 42 days survived
Ky Furneaux: 5 previous challenges; 91 days survived
Gary Golding: 7 previous challenges; 182 days survived
Bulent Gurcan: 4 previous challenges; 93 days survived
Lacey Jones: 5 previous challenges; 80 days survived
Lindsey Leitelt: 2 previous challenges; 61 days survived
Dan Link: 4 previous challenges; 140 days survived
Darrin Reay: 2 previous challenges; 61 days survived
Russell Sage: 3 previous challenges; 74 days survived
Kate Wentworth: 3 previous challenges; 23 days survived
Jeff Zausch: 7 previous challenges; 245 days survived

‘Last One Standing’ participants face a double elimination in the premiere

In a clip from the Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing Season 2 premiere, the survivalists get the details of their first challenge.

First, the players will split into two groups based on their gender. Each group will participate in the multi-phase challenge. First, they’ll have to craft a primitive blade. Then, they’ll use that blade to release a suspended knife, which they’ll use to create a primitive hook. Each player must use their hook to snare a map that’s floating in a crocodile-infested gorge.

“The last man and the last woman to reach their skull will be immediately immediately eliminated,” says one of the participants as he reads out the rules of the first challenge.

Cue the gasps – and the cheers.

“It’s getting real, real quick,” one says.

“This is f*cking crazy,” says Zausch, who has vowed to emerge victorious after his disappointing finish in Last One Standing Season 1.

Who will go home on day 1, and who will survive to fight another day? Tune in to watch the Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing Season 2 premiere on July 14 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Channel. Episodes also stream on Max.

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‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ Season 2: Meet the Cast

Megan Elliott — Sun, 07 Jul 2024 20:42:00 +0000

Another epic showdown between Naked and Afraid vets is coming to Discovery Channel.

Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing Season 2 premieres on July 14. The survival competition show brings together 14 tough-as-nails contestants who will battle to take home the show’s $100,000 prize. With a mix of fan-favorite players and love-to-hate-them figures – plus some rule changes – season 2 is sure to be must-watch TV.

‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ returns with an unexpected twist

Last year, Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing shook up the Naked and Afraid franchise by adding an element of competition to the long-running survival show. But the shift to an every-man-for-himself approach to survival was a big adjustment for some cast members. Contestant Jeff Zausch was disappointed with how some of his fellow cast members approached the competition, claiming they were playing for a “participation trophy” rather than genuinely fighting to win.

Zausch is back for season 2, and some of his concerns should be assuaged by the show’s tweaked format.

As with season 1, contestants will arrive in the African bush empty-handed. They’ll have to earn the tools they need to secure the food, water, fire, and shelter they’ll need through grueling, multi-phase, 45-day challenge. However, Last One Standing Season 2 will kick off with an unexpected twist: a head-to-head challenge on day one that ends in a double elimination before the survivalists even get to camp. Plus, this season, survivalists will not be allowed to share any of their tools with fellow participants. That means players won’t be able to piggyback on another contestant’s success by teaming up.

“This challenge will weed out the weak,” one cast member declares in the season 2 trailer.

“It’s every survivalist for themselves,” says another.

‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ Season 2 cast

‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ Season 2 | Warner Bros. Discovery via YouTube

So, who will be competing for the title of top survivalist in Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing Season 2? Let’s meet the cast:

Dani Beauchemin (Mercer, Maine): 3 previous challenges, 82 days survived
Trish Bulinsky (Newport, North Carolina): 3 previous challenges; 75 days survived
Fernando Calderon (Simi Valley, Calif.): 4 previous challenges; 103 days survived
Patrick French (Canterbury, New Hampshire): 2 previous challenges: 2; 42 days survived
Ky Furneaux (Melbourne, Australia): 5 previous challenges; 91 days survived
Gary Golding (Redondo Beach, Calif.): 7 previous challenges; 182 days survived
Bulent Gurcan (Norwalk, Conn.): 4 previous challenges; 93 days survived
Lacey Jones (Tamaroa, Ill.): 5 previous challenges; 80 days survived
Lindsey Leitelt (Pine Mountain Club, Calif.): 2 previous challenges; 61 days survived
Dan Link (Honolulu, Hawaii): 4 previous challenges; 140 days survived
Darrin Reay (Delta, Colo.): 2 previous challenges; 61 days survived
Russell Sage (Midlothian, Va.): 3 previous challenges; 74 days survived
Kate Wentworth (Passadumkeag, Maine): 3 previous challenges; 23 days survived
Jeff Zausch (Pocatello, Idaho): 7 previous challenges; 245 days survived

This season, these 14 survivalists will fight to survive in the vast expanse of Africa’s Munzwa Valley, where they must compete against lions, leopards, and hyena to hunt the same prey, including warthog, impala, and kudu.

As rhinos and baboons threaten to push the survivalists out of their territory, one camp is forced to abandon their shelter in the middle of the night. Who will be able to withstand the conditions, and who will crack under pressure? Find out when Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing Season 2 premieres Sunday, July 14 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Channel.

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’Naked and Afraid’ Star Dan Link Defends Terra Short

Megan Elliott — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 12:07:00 +0000

Dan Link has the back of another Naked and Afraid star.

After Naked and Afraid XL cast member Terra Short was criticized for their behavior on a recent episode of the Discovery Channel reality series, Link came to their defense. Link pointed out that aspects of Terra’s experience as a transgender/nonbinary person likely informed their reaction to feeling excluded by some of the other cast.

Terra Short felt left out in a recent episode of ‘Naked and Afraid XL’

Terra’s tough moment came in the June 23 episode of Naked and Afraid XL. After Terra’s group joined forces with the other remaining survivalists, the women set about catching a caiman. When they finally got lucky early one morning, they celebrated loudly. Terra couldn’t help but feel left out.

“Being trans/nonbinary, I guess I’m just used to feeling like the outcast in my life,” Terra said in an interview. “And I feel like once again, that’s the direction this is taking on. So, I’m still pretty bummed. We’ll see what happens.”

Terra had trouble hiding their feelings about the incident. That led Lynsey McCarver to pull her fellow survivalist aside for a heart-to-heart chat.

“I felt alone. I felt excluded. I felt like no one gave a f*ck that I was still here,” Terra explained. Hearing the female cast members “hootin and hollerin” about the caiman catch was “the icing on the cake” in terms of feeling left out, they added.

“I don’t want you to feel that way,” Lynsey said.

The two then hugged it out, which left Terra feeling better and realizing she might need to adjust how she responded to certain situations.

“Lynsey and I are still a good happy family … I’m not here to be a selfish human. I think that I’m gonna do better,” Terra said.

Dan Link says Terra’s feelings about being ‘the odd person out’ resonated with him

Some Naked and Afraid viewers were critical of Terra’s emotional reaction to the caiman incident. That prompted Link, who has appeared on Naked and Afraid and well the spinoffs XL, and Last One Standing, to come to Terra’s defense.

“I get the comments and agree it could have been better,” Link wrote in a Facebook post. “That said, I also understand Terras background in life and where they’re coming from which is important to consider. They articulated their feelings perfectly as well and came to a quick resolution which says a lot.”

“When Terra spoke about being trans/non-binary and feeling like the odd person out throughout their life, that resonated. I’ve seen that happen plenty with others in similar situations … Even though I don’t think being trans had anything to do with this particular situation, when you live the life they have it can be difficult to parse out social situations sometimes which can cause issues in your relationships that you have to work through,” he added.

Link went on to say that understanding where Terra was coming from, it made it easier to understand their reaction and give them “some grace … especially considering, again, that they own up to it all and work through it immediately.”

Terra appreciated the support from a Naked and Afraid legend.

“I love you,” they wrote in response to Link’s post.

Terra Short says ‘Naked and Afraid XL’ was their ‘most difficult challenge’

In the Naked and Afraid XL season finale, which aired June 30, Terra reflected on how special it was to reach the finish line with their seven remaining teammates.

“I’ve been through some really difficult stuff in my life. I’ve been through some really painful stuff in my life. And usually alone,” they said. “But 40 days out here, this is the most difficult challenge I’ve ever had to do.”

“But when you find people that are your tribe and you can feel that love from strangers that you’ve only known for the last 40 days now, that can help you, help me, to survive out here,” Terra added. “I feel like I’ve learned that no matter how bad it gets, it’s better if you keep your morale high and get through the challenge together as a tribe.”

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Will There Be Another Season of ‘Naked and Afraid XL’?

Megan Elliott — Sun, 23 Jun 2024 15:19:00 +0000

Enjoy it while it lasts. Season 10 of Naked and Afraid XL is currently airing on Discovery Channel. But it might be a while before season 11 makes it to TV. The network has hit pause on production of fresh episodes of the survival reality show, according to a recent report.

‘Naked and Afraid XL’ is getting a ‘creative refresh’

Kaiela with a caiman kill in ‘Naked and Afraid XL’ Season 10 | Discovery Channel

Naked and Afraid XL, which premiered in 2015, was the first of several Naked and Afraid spinoffs. It brings together participants who’ve participated in the original show’s 21-day challenge for a super-sized group challenge in locations such as South Africa, Montana, and the Amazon. But after nearly a decade on the air, it’s time to give the stale format an overhaul, according to a recent Deadline report.

“We have paused production on the next season of Naked and Afraid XL for a creative refresh with plans to shoot later this year,” a Discovery spokeswoman said.

The ‘Naked and Afraid XL’ Season 10 finale airs June 30

Lynsey, Nathan, and Terra in ‘Naked and Afraid XL’ Season 10 | Discovery Channel

The success of another Naked and Afraid spinoff, Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing, has apparently allowed producers the time to rethink XL. That show will return for a second season on July 14, and production on a third season is believed to have been moved up, Deadline reported.

Naked and Afraid XL’s currently airing 10th season follows 12 people on a grueling, 40-day survival experience in Colombia. The season finale will air on June 30. Meanwhile, production on the next season of Naked and Afraid is underway through August.

Last One Standing features a group of the show’s toughest survivalists competing for a $100,000 prize. (Other Naked and Afraid shows do not reward a cash prize for completing the challenge.) In season 2, a group of 14 Naked and Afraid alums – including season 1 participants Jeff Zausch, Dan Link, and Gary Golding – will embark on a head-to-head challenge in Africa’s Munzwa Valley. And unlike in season 1, there will be no teaming up. Sharing tools with other contestants won’t be allowed, making this contest truly every person for themselves.

In addition to XL and Last One Standing, Naked and Afraid has spawned several other spinoffs, including Naked and Afraid: Solo, Naked and Afraid of Love, and Naked and Afraid: Castaways.

Naked and Afraid XL Season 10 airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Channel. Episodes also stream on Max.

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‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ Season 2 Will Feature Some Big Rule Changes

Megan Elliott — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 14:11:00 +0000

Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing Season 2 is coming to Discovery Channel. But the competition will look a little different this time around. Rule changes mean that the contest will really be every survivalist for themselves, cast member Jeff Zausch has teased.

‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ returns to Discovery Channel for season 2

Matt Wright and Steven Lee Hall Jr. in ‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ Season 1| Discovery

Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing brings together some of the most experienced participants from past seasons of Naked and Afraid. In season 1, they had to complete a 45-day challenge in South Africa. The three-phase contest involved both solo and group challenges in the Oribi Gorge. The winner of the contest went home with bragging rights and $100,000.

In season 2, which premieres on July 14, things will look a little different, Zausch teased in an June 14 Instagram Story.

“Last One Standing Season 1, it was a good try,” he said. “It was a good try. But people thought it was a group project. They teamed up. They shared resources. And weak links ended up making it to the end. And even ended up winning the thing. Let’s be real.” (Waz Addy was the season 1 winner.)

“Now, there’s new rules in place,” Zausch explained. “Like, people can no longer share tools and share items between people. So everybody is literally on their own.”

The season will kick off with a surprise, head-to-head challenge on day one. That leads to a shocking double elimination before the survivalists even get to camp.

“It’s every man and woman for themselves,” Zausch added. “I absolutely believe the winner of this season will be the greatest survivalist in this entire 10-year Naked and Afraid project.”

Jeff Zausch promises an intense season of ‘Last One Standing’

Stacey, Jeff, Dan, Cheeny, and Gwen in ‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ Season 1 | Discovery Channel

With new rules and new competitors, Zausch is confident that the new season of Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing will be one not to miss. As a contestant, he promises to match his season 1 energy, and then some.

“You guys haven’t seen anything yet,” he declared of the new season, which will also feature Dan Link. Bulent Gurcan, and Patrick French, among other Naked and Afraid alums.

In season 1, Jeff alienated some of the other cast members with his aggressive style of play early on, then complained later when he felt a clique of “mean girl” cast members had turned against him. There won’t be any such cattiness in season 2, he says.

“There’s no room for freaking mean girls,” he said. “Everyone has to bring it. The weak links will be eliminated. And only the true winner will advance to the end.”

“This is what I live for … This is what Naked and Afraid was always meant to be,” he said. “It was meant to be a freaking competition with one winner, with one victor. An opportunity for us to prove who is the greatest in the world.”

Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing Season 2 premieres Sunday, July 14 at 8 p.m. ET on Discovery Channel.

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Jeff Zausch Confirms ‘Revenge Tour’ in ‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ Season 2

Megan Elliott — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 01:28:25 +0000

Jeff Zausch is ready for his comeback tour. After a disappointing finish in the first season of Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing, he’s giving the competition another shot in season 2. And this time, he doesn’t intend to go home a loser.

‘No room for mean girls’ in ‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ Season 2

Stacey, Jeff, Dan, Cheeny, and Gwen in ‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ Season 1 | Discovery Channel

Zausch broke the news that he’d be part of the Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing Season 2 cast in a July 14 Instagram post.

“Revenge tour starts in 3…2…1,” he wrote.

“We all saw how season one turned out…this time there’s no room for mean girls and EVERYONE must come to play!!” he added. “THIS IS WHAT I LIVE FOR RIGHT NOW!!!”

Zausch was a big – and divisive – presence in the first season of the Naked and Afraid spinoff. He came into the competition determined to win, and he didn’t care who he stepped on to do it. But after clashing with many of the other competitors due to his aggressive style of gameplay, the Idaho survivalist failed to advance to the show’s final round. Waz Addy ultimately won the $100,000 grand prize.

In interviews and social media posts, Zausch didn’t hesitate to criticize what he saw as some major flaws in Last One Standing. He accused the other cast members of playing for a “participation trophy” and of unfairly ganging up on him.

In a 2023 chat with Jonny Fairplay on the Reality After Show podcast, Zausch vowed to hold nothing back if he was invited to return for season 2.

“If there’s a season 2, I’m going all in … Season 2, when it comes around, you are going to see scorched earth,” Zausch said. “Like, no one is going to have a shelter because they’re all going to be on fire. I’m done. They’ve mistreated me and now I’m pissed. I guarantee you, season 2, the best man will win. That is my commitment to the viewers.”

‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ Season 2 cast also includes Dan Link, Bulent Gurcan

Cheeny and Dan in ‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ Season 1 | Discovery Channel

So, who will Zausch be facing off against in the new season of Last One Standing? The cast includes 13 other Naked and Afraid vets, including a couple of familiar faces from Last One Standing’s first season.

Here’s the full Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing Season 2 cast:

Dan Link
Russel Sage
Lacey Jones
Fernando Calderon
Kate Wentworth
Trish Bulinsky
Jeff Zausch
Bulent Gurcan
Ky Furneaux
Gary Golding
Darrin Reay
Patrick French
Lindsey Leitelt
Dani Beauchemin

“If there’s anything I can say about this season it’s that you have no idea what you’re in for,” Link, who finished in second place in season 1, teased on Instagram. “Buckle up for a wild ride from hour one to day 45.”

Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing Season 2 premieres July 14 at 8 p.m. ET on Discovery Channel.

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