Austin Stevens: worrying snakes in a jungle near you
TV // Steve // 20th February 2006
Over at Filth and Saving the World, our compatriot and lyrical postman Howe2 discovers Austin Stevens (...not Steve Austin), the South African photographer and renowned snake molester, currently doing roaring business on UK TV on Channel 5. Howe2 says:
> He bounds through dense, humid jungle upsetting various brands of reptiles by picking them up sometimes with tongs and almost certainly with a big stiffy...
...so what does this involve?
> All of this involves gripping the snake by the tail and using a set of litter pickers to grip the furious, highly dangerous snake behind the ears and froth to the point of explosion about it's fabulous scallyness and large pointy, serrated fangs, that i'm confident will smart if he sticks his face within striking distanced.
And it's great stuff. Less relentlessly chirpy than that other reptile-fancier, Steve Irwin, Stevens goes about his task with absurd relish, springing from on high to surprise a snake which is clearly not expecting a fondling from a crazy South African.
Emma the cynical wife looks quizzical all the way through, while I'm just grinning like a fool. She's thinking - how does the camera crew get there? Our crazy Austin is all on about being almost out of food, and being really lost - what are the camera crew doing? Are they just laughing at him inbetween mouthfuls of Kit Kat and Monster Munch?
Austin Steven's Adventures is on UK TV on Friday nights at 8pm, Channel 5. Here's a link to the Austin Stevens fansite, with the oddly homoerotic Flash animation (Austin, wet and dripping, shirt half-off, man-handling a whopping snake - I ask you...).
Comments
the guys a fraud. he has no photos anywhere. except in the early 80’s. he has none to give anyone if they ask for them. He say’s he doesn’t keep them. When asked where to find them gives on reference and they only have 3 pictures from the guy and there all from the show. about the so called 150 published articals. Where are they? Have not been able to find one. Anyone have any answers?
nancy : 02/10/2006 01:36:26
Nancy, I’m gutted. I didn’t know any of this. We need to know more...?
steve : 08/10/2006 21:25:11
When is Austin Stevens going to be on channel 5 T.V.
Elizabeth : 23/02/2007 19:51:19
Fake photographer or not, we rather enjoy the daft South African’s mental antics - and we’d like to know when he’ll be back too.
You could always e-mail Channel 5 (http://www.five.tv) - let us know how you get on.
Although having said that, maybe Austin has abused every single living frog/snake/lizard now, and they have developed some sort of jungle early warning system for when he’s in the area.
stevepaperjam : 24/02/2007 12:34:03
Saw it for the first time the other day, absolutely hilarious and fantastic. Even if he may be a fraud, his passion is unquestionable. It’s entertainment after all, and with the dramatic music, ‘matrix’ camera-work, and his death wish antics, it’s fine by me. If I wanted to be further educated I’d get down the Zoo and have a guided tour with one of the experts over there. Also, pleased to know that the discovery channel and him promote cultivation in endangered areas so many of these species remain protected.
jj : 20/03/2008 02:39:36
Steve started photography last 10years.He is a good herpetalogist and a good person.
Gaurav : 03/08/2008 05:50:54
Good News Hes Back this Sunday 21st September 2008 on channel 5
Eric Woods : 15/09/2008 14:39:57
why would you say he is a fraud? the tv show is definately edited to make it more entertaining but i dont think its done in a deceiving way.
perhaps he has sold his photos with the copyright, i’m sure they’d be worth a bob or two.
Keith : 13/10/2008 13:25:43
Well I switch on to his programme. I was entertained, his photography seemed a little bland although his approach did amuse me the way he gripped hold of a snake with that snatch thing device.
Would like to meet with him and have a chat. Advice: Don’t wear bright orange in the bush!!
Jeannine Nicod : 20/10/2008 17:14:09
Saw Austin Stevens last night for the first time in Canada with the Grizzly Bears, it was brilliant and what a great personality. I hope he is on next week, great viewing!
Emma Parker : 10/08/2009 19:32:40
sou brasileira, me amarro nas aventuras de austin stevens. se possível, gostaria de obter o e-mail dele. obrigado.
magda s. jana de sá : 12/08/2009 18:45:11
love u austinnnnnnnnnnnn
majd : 01/10/2009 00:47:05
I have his book, it’s full of pictures. Look for it on Amazon.
Jeff : 07/12/2009 07:55:45
your program is very impresionant i love you de ecologi life and the exotics animals congratulations
ana iris : 23/03/2010 02:39:07
clearly the snakes have been sedated
Dan : 30/03/2010 07:37:41
i know i just.. love you...and admire you...i would love to meet you once...i was so happy when i saw you in my place,kerala in India .i really want to see you
jis sebastian : 24/05/2010 11:09:54
my inspiration
anup shrestha : 19/07/2010 14:26:40