'Man vs. Wild' survives controversy

Bear Grylls hopes his reputation as a bloodand-mud-covered adventurer hasn’t been tarnished since it was revealed he wasn’t totally roughing it during the previous season of his popular Discovery Channel survival series, “Man vs. Wild.”
“I think the new shows will reassure them,” Grylls said of the upcoming season. “Everything is strong and double-checked. Discovery is so cautious of everything. If I so much as break wind on these shows, it’s acknowledged now.”
Last July, British television network Channel 4, which airs the show in the United Kingdom as “Born Survivor,” confirmed that Grylls had stayed indoors during some of his expeditions, although the show had depicted him spending the night in the wilderness.
Discovery Channel later issued a statement acknowledging that some elements of the show, which documents the former British Special Air Service soldier surviving in remote locations, weren’t factual, and began airing re-edited episodes featuring a disclaimer and new narration by Grylls explaining what was staged during production.
“I think a lot of the controversy was fueled by people wanting to know more,” Grylls, 33, told The Associated Press. “They wanted to know how we did stuff behind the scenes.” New episodes of “Man vs. Wild,” which air Fridays at 9 p.m., will have more revelations about Grylls’ survival tactics in desolate places such as the Sahara desert, the jungles of Panama and the Patagonian plains.
“I hope they go down well,” Grylls said. “I think the irony is that people are going to enjoy seeing more behind the scenes. It’s going to make the whole program better.”
Rep: Rape not reason illusionist canceled
LOS ANGELES - A representative for David Copperfield on Thursday denied a promoter's claim that the illusionist canceled shows to avoid media scrutiny over a rape allegation.
Copperfield canceled the overseas tour because the promoters failed to pay him and canceled a segment of the tour without the performer's consent, Glenn Bunting said.
David Copperfield canceled his overseas tour because promoters did not honor their contractual commitments," Bunting said.
Copperfield came under investigation last month after a 21-year-old woman told authorities he raped her in July at his estate in the Bahamas. An attorney for the magician has denied the allegations, and no charges have been filed.
He was sued earlier this week by Viva Art International and Maz Concerts for nearly
$2.2 million after he pulled out of 48 shows in the Mideast and Asia.
The lawsuit claims Copperfield backed out because he didn't want to face questions from reporters over the rape claim.
Bunting denied that allegation. He claimed an e-mail from a Maz Concerts executive indicates that Copperfield had the right to cancel the entire tour after the company had canceled a performance in the United Arab Emirates.
The executive's lawyer said the message was presented out of context.
Attorney Dennis Holahan said the promoters and Copperfield's representatives agreed the magician would be paid a fee for the United Arab Emirates cancellation, but that he would perform in Southeast Asia.
"At no point did my client say 'You have a right to cancel and keep all my money,' " Holahan said.