Alone is a reality show on The History Channel where contestants compete for a cash prize. The goal? Survive in the wilderness, completely on their own, for an unforeseen amount of time. The last man or woman standing receives $500,000. Each season of the survival competition takes place in a new location, from the icy tundra to a forest. The show provides viewers with impressive feats of survival, and fans have loved every season of Alone.
As with any reality show, however, viewers wonder how real Alone really is. Online, fans question how isolated contestants actually are, and if the show is staged as opposed to contestants truly being left to their own devices. Let’s get into the details of The History Channel’s Alone and if the show is actually real.
8 Are Contestants Actually Alone On Alone?
The short answer is yes. Contestants competing on Alone are not given any real aid while participating on the show. Building shelters, making fire, and finding food are completely on the individual contestant. They are given a satellite phone for emergency cases and to tap out of the competition.
That being said, The History Channel markets Alone as being much more isolated than it actually is. In order to keep contestants safe and for quick emergency extractions, contestants on Alone are typically dropped within an hour radius of some type of civilization. They do not have access to this civilization, however, so they are about as alone as they can be.
7 Does Alone Have Camera Crews With Contestants?
This is one aspect of The History Channel’s Alone that is very different from regular reality and survival shows. There are no camera crews surrounding the contestants while they are in the wilderness. This aspect not only sets the show apart, but also speaks to the true isolation contestants experience while on Alone.
The fact that there are no camera crews, however, does mean that each contestant is in charge of capturing their own footage. So, while Alone is not staging anything for viewers, that does not necessarily mean contestants are not dramatizing some moments to give themselves more screen time.
6 Alone Provides Medical Supervision
To prevent any medical emergencies or future lawsuits, Alone has put rules in place to maintain a semi-safe experience for contestants. Executive producer Shawn Witt spoke about this, saying “I can assure everyone that it couldn’t be more authentic” and the only interference with contestants are the “necessary safety precautions.” This includes medical check-ins for contestants and having a BMI threshold of 17.
A lot can happen in between these medical check-ins. Since medical staff are not constantly by contestants’ sides, real illnesses and injuries are still a risk for anyone choosing to compete on Alone.
5 How Long Are Contestants On Alone?
The show’s structure provides little sense of relief for contestants. Since the show revolves on the ‘last man standing’ mentality, contestants have no sense of how long they will be in the wilderness. They are also not given any sort of inclination of how many contestants are left. Theoretically, contestants could be stranded for up to a year.
In season 7 of Alone, more rules were set in place to dictate a winner. The initial cash for the last contestant standing was $500,000. Season 7 was set in the arctic, and if a contestant lasted more than 100 days they were awarded $1 million. Seasons 8 and 9 have returned to the original format of the show.
4 What Tools Do Alone Contestants Bring?
Participates of Alone are not allowed to bring items such as matches, sunscreen, maps, or bait. As previously mentioned, each contestant is given a satellite phone incase they choose to exit the show. They are also given a GPS tracker, bandages, a head lamp, and several other items to make filming easier and for safety purposes.
On top of the guaranteed items they are given, contestants are able to select ten items to bring with them from a pre-approved list. Some items contestants have brought include pots, trapping wire, a sleeping bag, and a bow and arrows.
3 Are Alone Contestants Paid?
Considering The History Channel’s Alone is a survival competition, viewers may expect contestants to not see any money until the winner receives their large sum. What viewers do not see is the fact that contestants are actually paid to be on Alone, just like any other reality show on television.
In a now archived reddit thread, past contestant Sam Larson of season 2 explains how “participants get a stipend weekly, so we’re compensated for the time we spend working on the production, as well as any pre and post show work.” Unfortunately for those who do not win the final cash prize, “the pay isn’t amazing, but it’s better than a lot of reality shows.”
2 Alone Shows Impressive Physical Efforts
Since participants have to film themselves, viewers are able to see up close the physical efforts and toll surviving in the wilderness requires. Building a shelter and hunting your own food is no small task. Viewers witness the physical consequences contestants experience, specifically through dehydration and lack of nutrition.
One contestant in season 5 actually passed out from dehydration. Larry blacked out while holding his camera, and later woke up on his back to explain he was experiencing head rushes due to dehydration. Every contestant on Alone ends up losing a great deal of weight, and putting one’s body through that is extremely difficult.
1 Alone Pushes Contestants To A Breaking Point
Though the physical feats accomplished on Alone are very impressive, that is not the only aspect contestants must prepare for when entering the show. Being so alone and isolated also takes a toll on participants’ mental states as they are lacking the support systems they are used to at home.
Many contestants on Alone have actually tapped out due to loneliness. Being so far away from family and friends creates a stressful situation, and even those who are well-prepared for the wilderness feel these affects. Killing animals has also been a source of mental deterioration on the show. While other reality shows are clearly fake, this aspect speaks to Alone’s authenticity.
