TV series starring Boutte outdoorsman is canceled

Kip Benoit hopeful that he will be featured in another TV show

After only one season, Boutte-resident Kip Benoit’s reality TV series about hunting and living off the land has been canceled.

“American River Renegades,” which aired on Animal Planet, featured Benoit and lifelong friend Ward “Big Ward” Martin and their adventures hunting alligators, turtles and trapping lizards, amongst other outdoors activities, in the Grand Bayou area of Boutte and other St. Charles Parish wetlands.

In addition to Benoit and Martin, other pairs of hunters from Alaska, South Carolina and Wisconsin were bundled into the series.  Given the response he received, Benoit said he was surprised by Animal Planet’s announcement.

“Doing the show was great. As far as it goes I hope it is going to open up some big doors. It was a top-notch production, we got good reviews and local people liked it,” he said.

Benoit said he was very thankful to the local community who rallied behind him and Martin.

“I want to thank every fan and anyone who read the paper and complimented on the show. I really do appreciate all of the personal support from the people we had on this show. The show did not flop because of St. Charles Parish. They were definitely there,” he said.

The series’ only season was filmed back in the summer of 2013 and was not aired until June. Benoit, who got the news of the cancelation two weeks ago, said the experience was a great one for him and his friends and family.

“It kind of almost seems fake…it is almost surreal. I was able to watch every episode and I would have a get-together at the house where we’d have gumbo and jambalaya,” he said. “To see the Facebook page lighting it up and getting 100 comments or so was great.”

However, a big difference was becoming a minor celebrity and people noticing him in public and while doing promotional events around the area.

“I stopped and got ice yesterday at Majoria’s and a guy stopped and asked if I was on the show. It was no doubt you could see we were on the threshold of celebrity,” he said. “I went down to the air base at Belle Chasse and I went to talk at a school…the fanbase was definitely growing.”

Benoit said although Animal Planet has announced the show’s cancelation, they do consider public input on such decisions.

“Even though they are telling you it is over, it is canceled, public opinion can change their mind. They said they do it all the time, people will change their mind,” he said.

Also, the show has just started its overseas run and Benoit thinks that success abroad may make Animal Planet reconsider.

“The show was showing in Ireland and a lady posted on the Facebook page and it aired in the Netherlands. If things go well overseas, who knows?” he said.

Although “American River Renegades” is unlikely to be picked up from the dustbin, Benoit said he and Martin have been considering other options, which could include their own show.

“I am still under contract with Animal Planet, just not filming anything yet,” he said.  “Hey, I still am going to catch alligator, turtles, catfish and lizards when I get a buyer. On TV, it was reality and it is real. It is what I do,” he said.

If you would like to contact Animal Planet to let them know you would like to see a second season of “American River Renegades,” you can do so by calling (240) 662-8909.

 

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