The Hungry Games’ Ari Mark

The all-new competition-natural history crossover The Hungry Games: Alaska’s Big Bear Challenge debuted on Peacock earlier this month. Produced by AMPLE Entertainment for Peacock and Love Nature and distributed by Blue Ant International, the quirky and creative series follows Katmai National Park and Preserve’s brown bears as they feverishly prepare for hibernation. Over 150 days, the meaty bears are tracked by cameras while being ranked and scored reality-style based on how much weight they are able to gain before the winter sets in. Actor and comedian Rhys Darby (Our Flag Means Death) provides snappy voice-over commentary throughout. Ari Mark, executive producer and co-founder of AMPLE, delves into the series with TV Real, touching on what makes this innovative hybrid genre appealing, the logistics behind producing The Hungry Games and the show’s franchise potential.

TV REAL: Talk to me about The Hungry Games. What gave you the idea to create the program, and how did it come about?
MARK: During Covid, we were depressed, like everyone else. One of the few things that brought us joy was animals. Natural history programming has always been a space I have loved, particularly for its cinematic quality. It also tends to be extremely traditional in tone. I wanted to make something that was true to the natural world and epic but also new. Once I started experimenting with crossing other genres with nature content, it came together quickly.

TV REAL: Let’s discuss the crossing of the natural history and competition genres. What makes this hybrid genre so intriguing?
MARK: To be honest, I think this Frankenstein of competition with nature is the first of its kind, but I hope it becomes popular.

Logistically, all natural history shows are challenging [to make]. First, you must find the animals. Luckily, Katmai [National Park and Preserve] has been following their bears for a long time, so we had a head start there. Second, you are faced with much longer production periods because you have to be embedded in their environment for a season or more. And last, the conditions can be brutal. Our crew barely escaped a flash flood while filming.

TV REAL: With all that in mind, what were the logistics of budgeting, shooting and producing The Hungry Games?
MARK: The fun part about nonfiction is that the logistics are very different for every show. So, we’re used to going into challenging situations knowing we will have to be ready for anything. We have an experienced team at AMPLE Entertainment, but what makes our team especially rare is that they are unusually nimble. Our slate is so varied that we have production experience producing shows in South Africa, the Philippines, Alaska, China, Australia, Israel and beyond.

The Hungry Games was not easy, but none of these shows are in the end. Luckily, the competition element is completely real and organic to the world of these bears. They literally must compete to survive every single day. The stakes are life and death. I can’t imagine any better prize than living another day.

TV REAL: What did you draw upon from your previous programs and partnerships to inform your decisions here as executive producer, considering how fresh The Hungry Games is?
MARK: Every show is unique. Every partnership is a collaboration. We choose our partners very carefully. In this case, Peacock and Love Nature worked hard with us to find a tone that struck the right balance for a series that’s trying to do something new.

TV REAL: What has that partnership between AMPLE and Peacock looked like?
MARK: Peacock was very hands-on. They weren’t afraid to jump in and help shape the edit, style, etc. The nice thing about Peacock is that most of their executives have deep backgrounds in cable and/or broadcast television, so they get it. They have experience across many genres. It was terrific fun.

TV REAL: What was behind the decision to have Rhys Darby narrate and attach that star power to the show?
MARK: We went to Rhys’s amazing team and Rachel Artmont at United Talent Agency right out of the gate because he has a brand. He’s not just funny; he’s smart, and his humor knows itself. There’s no audience confusion. When you hear his voice, you immediately think of someone you like and want to laugh with. There’s an earnestness too, but it comes with a big wink.

TV REAL: What’s next for The Hungry Games?
MARK: My hope is that it resonates with audiences. I want to be able to do The Hungry Games for many years to come across a wide variety of species and landscapes. It has real franchise potential.