I want to thank the other reviewers. I was afraid the show was real until I read their posts. I can now enjoy it as the comedy it is. The way the "actors" trash talk about what they're going to do to them dadblame poachers and then run away like little girls at the first sign of trouble is actually pretty hilarious. It's kind of like Breaking Bad meets Justified meets the Real McCoys. Maybe the producers are aiming the show at a really ignorant audience that will buy any stereotype thrown at them. It's certainly not intended to be taken seriously by anyone who knows anything about the region or who has half a brain. History it ain't.
13 Reviews
Fictional Production
matthewtessnear24 February 2019
This is an over-dramatized portrait of life of some people in various states in the Appalachian region. NOT A DOCUMENTARY. Not a 'reality' show. More like a dramedy or a mockumentary. Pretty hilarious though, and I'm a Southerner with deep roots in Appalachia myself.
Fun to watch but super fake
arturosais24 March 2020
Seriously, "History" Channel?
slipshadow6 February 2014
Warning: Spoilers
OK, I watched this show because I know some of the guys, it is filmed in my area, and I even happened to be in the area where they were filming and watched them "work" for a bit...
"Appalachian Outlaws follows these unique characters in their quest to acquire this plant that affords many their livelihood. People will fight each other, steal it and risk jail time—or even their lives—to get their hands on it. In Appalachia, 401Ks are built on ginseng, moonshine and fur; feuds last for generations; and every day is a matter of survival."
Seriously, "History" Channel???
No one fights anyone over ginseng (aside from occasional trespassing issues maybe). No one "builds a 401K" on ginseng, moonshine or furs (WTH???). This is ridiculous. If this was on MTV I could (maybe) understand, but I never realized the History Channel had stooped so low.
Just for those that are interested (or those that think this show is in any way accurate), this show is fake. Sengers are not like this. Ginseng is not harvested in the manner they show it (gunshots, arguing, 500lb orders, etc). Most of the guys that are on the show are not even native to the area (or Appalachia for that matter). They are a bunch of yahoos that the show's producers dug up and put in front of a camera.
The bear hunting segment coming up in the future is just as ridiculous BTW.
You are not seeing reality, you are seeing unscripted shows. They tell the people of the show "this is what is going to happen" and then film their antics while "acting" it out. The producers also tell them what to talk about, but don't give them a written script. They would say for instance, "Ok, you two argue about (subject)" and then start filming. IT IS NOT REAL, or even a close facsimile.
No one is really getting shot at (c'mon think about it people) and no one is trespassing (the land owner could just take the film down and charge the trespassers), etc. It's not real.
This allows the producers to get "actors" for nearly free, people who will do anything to get on TV, with the promise of a payday down the road if the show floats and they get a contract. The show's producers get a big payday as they don't have to pay the "actors" much of anything until they negotiate a contract. You don't need script writers, just a general idea of what you want to happen (anyone watch WWE?)
I am a native of the area they are filming in, and have watched them film a few segments, and even personally know some of the guys on the show. In the fall I dug ginseng with my father every time we could get out in the woods. I hunt(ed) and walk (ed) the very places they are showing in this unscripted comedy.
Again, this is not about ginseng, it is about a bunch of idiots play acting in the woods.
If you like this sort of thing, more power to you, but please don't think it is about ginseng, or the people from that area, or anything close to reality.
"Appalachian Outlaws follows these unique characters in their quest to acquire this plant that affords many their livelihood. People will fight each other, steal it and risk jail time—or even their lives—to get their hands on it. In Appalachia, 401Ks are built on ginseng, moonshine and fur; feuds last for generations; and every day is a matter of survival."
Seriously, "History" Channel???
No one fights anyone over ginseng (aside from occasional trespassing issues maybe). No one "builds a 401K" on ginseng, moonshine or furs (WTH???). This is ridiculous. If this was on MTV I could (maybe) understand, but I never realized the History Channel had stooped so low.
Just for those that are interested (or those that think this show is in any way accurate), this show is fake. Sengers are not like this. Ginseng is not harvested in the manner they show it (gunshots, arguing, 500lb orders, etc). Most of the guys that are on the show are not even native to the area (or Appalachia for that matter). They are a bunch of yahoos that the show's producers dug up and put in front of a camera.
The bear hunting segment coming up in the future is just as ridiculous BTW.
You are not seeing reality, you are seeing unscripted shows. They tell the people of the show "this is what is going to happen" and then film their antics while "acting" it out. The producers also tell them what to talk about, but don't give them a written script. They would say for instance, "Ok, you two argue about (subject)" and then start filming. IT IS NOT REAL, or even a close facsimile.
No one is really getting shot at (c'mon think about it people) and no one is trespassing (the land owner could just take the film down and charge the trespassers), etc. It's not real.
This allows the producers to get "actors" for nearly free, people who will do anything to get on TV, with the promise of a payday down the road if the show floats and they get a contract. The show's producers get a big payday as they don't have to pay the "actors" much of anything until they negotiate a contract. You don't need script writers, just a general idea of what you want to happen (anyone watch WWE?)
I am a native of the area they are filming in, and have watched them film a few segments, and even personally know some of the guys on the show. In the fall I dug ginseng with my father every time we could get out in the woods. I hunt(ed) and walk (ed) the very places they are showing in this unscripted comedy.
Again, this is not about ginseng, it is about a bunch of idiots play acting in the woods.
If you like this sort of thing, more power to you, but please don't think it is about ginseng, or the people from that area, or anything close to reality.
Fake and stupid.
13Funbags14 October 2019
If you're gonna make a fake "reality" show, at least make it interesting. Everything thing that happens is impossible to believe and nothing actually happens anyway. They always act like people are going to die and then nothing at all happens. Worst show ever.
FUN SHOW BUT....
rsmock-8470916 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I don't know why some shows are labeled 'Reality Show' when there is little that is real in them. If it had not been on the history channel and not been labeled reality perhaps it would have fared better. It was fun and frequently funny. Of course there are a few (at least I hope few) folks who believe it is not staged. Because of that I will say this review contains spoilers.
Aint Moonshiners! GINSENG'ers???
joujounyc-15 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
That's right you're not reading it wrong this is not China but smack dab in the middle of Appalachians
they're growing Ginseng for generations and killing each other practically! Worse than moonshine or meth they are nuts for Ginseng
Lots of excitement and confrontations. Good reality show . wondering why only one season :(
they're growing Ginseng for generations and killing each other practically! Worse than moonshine or meth they are nuts for Ginseng
Lots of excitement and confrontations. Good reality show . wondering why only one season :(
Greg a hillbilly? Pfft
aerialhunter30 May 2017
Greg is a "hillbilly"? The man looks and talk the part, but,in one episode he pointed out a "5 leaf poison ivy"; the plant he showed is harmless Virginia Creeper... Next episode he had no idea how to steer a canoe using an oar as a rudder and just let the canoe go wherever the current took it. I could go on and on. Pffft
Brilliant! Little-known gem!
vfxartem19 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
So we ate bunch of mushrooms one day and decided to watch some History channel, you know, to have some interesting discussions or what not. By accident we stumbled upon this work of art.
From the first episode this show was absolutely hilarious! Ginseng! These guys are all acting gangsta for a couple of hundred bucks worth of GINSENG!! This is the first 5 minutes of the show and we are already in tears. Next, they go do this crazy drug deal (ginseng deal) in New York Chinatown with a shady character named Mr. Lee! The place is all dangerous AF, crabs and pigeons everywhere. Meanwhile these other ginseng diggers run around with guns in the woods chase each other through caves and rivers! Absolute madness!!
Show keeps introducing new characters and they are all brilliant. This one guy is mad-scientist type, makes explosives and puts glow-stick liquid on ginseng plants so he can see them at night because they glow! Genius! There is a mystery character who just shows up in the background, naked, next to some pigs in the farm. Who knows what he is about?
Each episode gets crazier and more complicated, lots of characters to keep track of. They play with trucks, boats and even airplanes! They sneak up on each other and steal ginseng. They build barricades and blow stuff up!
I recommend this show to anyone who wants to do some indoor shrooms and wants to laugh until it hurts so much you have to look away from the screen.
Dangerously hilarious little-known gem.
From the first episode this show was absolutely hilarious! Ginseng! These guys are all acting gangsta for a couple of hundred bucks worth of GINSENG!! This is the first 5 minutes of the show and we are already in tears. Next, they go do this crazy drug deal (ginseng deal) in New York Chinatown with a shady character named Mr. Lee! The place is all dangerous AF, crabs and pigeons everywhere. Meanwhile these other ginseng diggers run around with guns in the woods chase each other through caves and rivers! Absolute madness!!
Show keeps introducing new characters and they are all brilliant. This one guy is mad-scientist type, makes explosives and puts glow-stick liquid on ginseng plants so he can see them at night because they glow! Genius! There is a mystery character who just shows up in the background, naked, next to some pigs in the farm. Who knows what he is about?
Each episode gets crazier and more complicated, lots of characters to keep track of. They play with trucks, boats and even airplanes! They sneak up on each other and steal ginseng. They build barricades and blow stuff up!
I recommend this show to anyone who wants to do some indoor shrooms and wants to laugh until it hurts so much you have to look away from the screen.
Dangerously hilarious little-known gem.
Asshats
christiana-jensen31 January 2015
Besides what the previous reviewer said...these fools running around with their trendy AR 15 talking about light em up like they are going to with premeditation shoot/kill someone on camera gives responsible gun owners a bad name and also gives ammunition to those that would try and erode our second amendment rights. Total Hollywood bullshit right here. Shame on you. Seems I need more sentences to post this. So. Shame. On . you. Again. Once upon a time there was a great country who let themselves lose sight of where they came from and all the things that guaranteed them liberty and justice for all....so they slowly let their freedoms and their minds be stripped from them until all the citizens became actors in a movie called I D O C R A C Y .....
REAL OR NOT - entertaining
ocseven-144-50622926 May 2018
I understand that some folks don't appreciate this program. And I am sure I won't appreciate everything you watch either. However, if you got nuthin' good to say...keep yer trap shut. Let the rest of us enjoy it. This may not be high grade reality TV...but there are some things to learn. There are some things to laugh. There is no nudity, no sexual content and they do a pretty good job with the BLEEP!s. Most of all, people used to live like this without the luxuries of electricity, running water, cell phones and a McD on every corner to find a job. I can't wait for future episodes!
Another Horrid show by the Dramatic History Channel
leedav-8760429 March 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I watched a few episodes of this show. Wow its dumb. What happen to history channel? Why was it taken over by Ridiculous Drama INC? A cameraman basically follows these people around while they "commit" illegal acts on camera, including, but not limited too, trespassing, theft, armed robbery, kidnapping, etc.
I mean they turned Appalachia into the wild wild west of the 21st century. In fact, compared to this show, the wild west looks as safe as a police station. What happen to shows like "modern marvels" "the universe" "sworn to secrecy"" wwII in HD""wild west tech" etc? If i wanted to watch reality TV i would flip over to E! not watch history.
I mean they turned Appalachia into the wild wild west of the 21st century. In fact, compared to this show, the wild west looks as safe as a police station. What happen to shows like "modern marvels" "the universe" "sworn to secrecy"" wwII in HD""wild west tech" etc? If i wanted to watch reality TV i would flip over to E! not watch history.
It's a show my family enjoys..
Nikkii_G26 November 2015
The shows allows outsiders to see some of the Appalachian culture & means of survival. One being ginseng hunting. Some scenes do seem somewhat far fetched but other than that I believe it gives a good genuine sense of the ginseng season in Appalachia. People are also able to pick up a few tips & such regarding the outdoors. Most of the cast are great my favorite being Greg, he's a southern man following southern tradition & taking advantage of what resources are given to us. I really enjoy the show & characters. Great reality show for those interested in the outdoors, Appalachian/Southern culture & the art of ginseng hunting.
Everyone has their own opinion & like different things but myself & my family really enjoy this show. Fingers crossed for many more seasons.
Everyone has their own opinion & like different things but myself & my family really enjoy this show. Fingers crossed for many more seasons.
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