Man to be 'eaten alive' by an anaconda on TV

In a controversial trailer for its new television special, Discovery Channel suggests that the show orchestrated and filmed an event in which a man was eaten alive by a humongous anaconda snake. Take a look below.

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The program, Eaten Alive, follows self-described naturalist and wildlife filmmaker Paul Rosolie as he treks through the Amazon on a mission to find an anaconda and have it swallow him alive. The trailer suggests that Rosolie wore a protective suit of armor before being swallowed. The TV special is scheduled to air December 7, as part of Discovery's annual "Mega Week" programming.

The trailer has stirred some controversy, with many believing Rosolie's antics could be a form of animal cruelty, putting the anaconda at unnecessary risk. Others simply believe the entire program to be a hoax, completed by special effects, animatronics and creative editing. Discovery Channel's reputation was heavily called into question last year after the cable network released an entirely fictitious documentary, Megalodon: The Monster Shark Lives, alleging that the prehistoric Megalodon shark was still in existence.

Shorter version of the same promo.

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"I don't expect anyone to believe us, until we show it," says Rosolie in one of the trailers.

After allegations of a hoax, Rosolie defended the idea that snakes will still consume live prey via Twitter, posting a video of a python swallowing an alligator alive.

Discovery has since made the shorter version of the trailer for the episode unlisted on YouTube, and others removed from public view entirely. At this time, ABC has not yet confirmed that the episode will still be aired.

Would you allow yourself to be eaten by a giant snake? Let us know in the comments below.