By April MacIntyre Oct 14, 2007, 2:56 GMT
MOJO is the High Def channel marketed to upscale men, but don’t let that fool you; many of their shows are interesting for both sexes, and are well-conceived with crack production crews and compelling hosts.
A Yemeni vendor sells nuts and seeds one day before the holy fasting month of Ramadan in the Yemeni capital Sana'a on 12 September 2007. In Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic calendar and the most sacred of the holy months in Islam, Muslims throughout the world abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
“Dr. Danger” is another example of MOJO programming I recommend to anyone who loves a bird’s-eye view of exotic cultures, faraway places that one may never get a chance to visit in their lifetime.
The show is hosted by Dr. Bob Arnot, an award-winning television correspondent, international traveler, sportsman, and medical doctor active in international humanitarian issues.
“Dr. Danger” for MOJO on INHD is his latest television project, one which is a culmination of his skills, experiences and passions.
Slightly similar in feel to MOJO’s “Three Sheets,” but with substantially less alcohol, this show makes you a participant in adventures that even Arnot himself is surprised to find himself in while the cameras roll.
The one episode I was sent for review was his trip to Yemen, and in the middle of a mountain hike, Arnot suffers a fall and dislocates his shoulder, the subsequent filming is fascinating and not typical scripted reality show artifice.
Yemen is an Arab country with a lost in time feel. The men are everywhere; the women were covered up, non-participatory in any visible social gatherings.
Daily baked bread is a big deal there, they line up clamoring for loaves like people waiting in line for Pink’s Hot Dogs in Hollywood.
According to Arnot, 75-90% of Yemeni men chew on “Khat.”
The leaves of Catha edulis (Khat) have been used for many years in the Arabian Peninsula. The leaves are chewed daily by many, and the plant is a major export of Ethiopia to Yemen and a number of nearby countries. Khat is banned in Saudi Arabia. It is a hallucinogenic leaf that essentially has them tripping all day long.
Arnot claims it is prevalent in these Arab countries, as common and acceptable as a cup of coffee.
Though they’re all Muslims, they rationalize using it despite their strict religion that prohibits alcohol and other mind altering agents. It was fascinating to see the men preparing and sucking on the wadded up leaves like chewing tobacco, and the effects of it hitting them hard while on camera.
Tall, rakish Dr. Bob Arnot looks like Dr. Cox from "Scrubs," and takes you on fearless treks and forays while gamely participating in local customs, eating from communal bowls of food, and disarming wary bystanders with his blazingly American set of perfect choppers.
“Dr. Danger” is a worthwhile half-hour for people interested in adventure and exotic cultures.
"Dr. Danger" premieres October 17 10 PM ET/PTRecommended
View blog reactions
If you liked this story please support M&C and Buzz the site on Yahoo.
There are currently no comments for this article. Be the first to comment! (no registration required)
Advertising
There are currently no comments for this article. Be the first to comment! (no registration required)