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'Raw Nature' Gives Animal Planet A Break From Warm And Cuddly Wildlife Shows

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By WALT BELCHER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 6, 2008

If killer snakes, giant South American stinging ants and roasted rats don't get your attention, you've been watching too much mondo bizarro television.

Animal Planet, which hasn't been the same since The Crocodile Hunter died in a freak accident, is pumping up the freaky factor with a new series, "Raw Nature," which debuted last week and continues at 8 tonight.

Forget those cute, fuzzy little critters one often sees on this network. "Raw Nature" gets up close and personal with some of the planet's deadliest creatures. It also tracks down some of the weirdest animal-human encounters.

From Komodo dragons, whose spit can kill, to white rhinos that almost trample the cameras to big, ugly giant anacondas - it's a jungle out there.

The program is a joint effort from the producers of "Deadliest Catch" and "The Amazing Race," so it's not your grandfather's nature series.

Tonight's thriller episode travels to India, where a nationwide snake infestation is so heavy that cities have snake hot lines and snake wranglers, who round up deadly cobras from bedrooms, bathrooms and washrooms.

In one city, the Snake Helpline has relocated more than 3,000 snakes during the past three years.

Another stop in rural India introduces viewers to the most impoverished outcasts, Musahars, or "rat eaters." They survive by catching and cooking rodents from rice fields.

And in Brazil, "Raw Nature" looks at a tribal ritual in which young boys come of age by getting intentionally stung by giant bullet ants.

Hundreds of these ants are placed in large "gloves" made of leaves. The boys slip them on their hands and try to endure the painful stings for 10 minutes. The ant's venom can temporarily paralyze hands and arms and even cause convulsions.

Animal Planet officials say the goal of the series is to promote conservation because it profiles "dedicated wildlife professionals working to help animals survive human encroachment."

"HSM" AUDITIONS: Auditions for "High School Musical: Summer Sessions" will be held Wednesday at Champion Stadium in Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

The line forms at 8 a.m., and the doors open at 10. The series, hosted by Nick Lachey, is looking for talented folks, ages 16 to 22. Those selected will attend a summer music program in which they will compete "to become part of 'High School Musical' history." The reality series premieres at 8 p.m. July 20 on ABC.

Those younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Download an application and view eligibility requirements at www.abc

.com before attending the auditions.

VIDBITS: CMT has ordered eight episodes of "Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling," on which Hogan will train and coach 10 celebrities to compete in elimination matches. The series debuts in the fall.

•ABC has canceled the offbeat romantic drama "Men in Trees," starring Anne Heche. The network will air a season finale this summer.

•Look for Barbara Walters to talk to Oprah Winfrey today (4 p.m.; WFLA, Channel 8) about an affair she says she had in the 1970s with former Sen. Edward Brooke, now 88. Walters has written a memoir, "Audition," which is why she's on Winfrey's show.

•"American Idol" is still the hottest thing on TV with an average of 28.7 million viewers, but that's down 7 percent from last year's 31 million. Also of concern for producers is the rise in the median age of viewers from the mid-30s to an ancient 42. Among women 18 to 34, the audience has slipped 18 percent, and there are 12 percent fewer teens watching.

TUNE IN TONIGHT

Dancing With the Stars

Special: Judges' All-Time

Top 10, 8 p.m., ABC

Here's a walk down memory lane featuring clips of past celebrity performances.

Hell's Kitchen, 9 p.m., Fox

The 10 remaining chefs have their work cut out when a picky teen comes to the kitchen wanting a perfect birthday party.

For more listings, go to TBO.com,

keyword: TV.

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