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Swamp People

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Swamp People
Title card of the show (Seasons 1–3). Also used as a commercial intro bumper for Seasons 1–5.
GenreReality television
Developed byDolores Gavin
Narrated byPat Duke
ComposersDon DiNicola
Brian Deming
Bruce Hanifan
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons15
No. of episodes244 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersJay Peterson
Thomas Peyton Brian Catalina
Production locationAtchafalaya Basin, Louisiana
CinematographyAlex Rappoport
Walter Mather
Camera setupMulti-camera
Production companyOriginal Media/Truly Original
Original release
NetworkHistory
ReleaseAugust 22, 2010 (2010-08-22) –
present

Swamp People is an American reality television series that was first broadcast on History on August 22, 2010. The show follows the day-to-day activities of alligator hunters living in the swamps of the Atchafalaya River Basin who hunt American alligators for a living.

Format

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Alligator season in Louisiana begins on the first Wednesday in September and lasts for 30 days. In this time, many of the alligator hunters, following a tradition dating back about 300 years, earn most of their yearly income in a high risk vocation dependent on experience and the whims of weather within strict regulation by wildlife laws. Hunters are each issued a certain number of tags that must be attached to their kills; once they "tag out" (run out of tags), their season is over, and they may no longer kill any more alligators for the rest of the season. During this 30-day window, some of these hunters earn most of their annual income culling alligators; therefore, the ultimate goal for the alligator hunters is to tag out before the season ends. Most of the hunters spend the rest of the year harvesting other species (fish, crawfish, shrimp, crabs, raccoons, turtles, etc.) to augment their yearly incomes and/or holding down full-time jobs in other industries.

Each season, the series focuses on various teams of alligator hunters. Some episodes also feature other aspects of the social and sporting life of the swamp, including fishing and hunting for other animals.

Beginning with the fourth season, the program expanded to venues outside the Atchafalaya River Basin, featuring gator hunting crews in other parts of Louisiana, as well as the swamplands of Texas.

Cast members

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Sources: [1]

Current

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Individual Location(s) Season(s)
Bruce Mitchell Hammond, Louisiana 1–9, 12–present
Jacob Landry Pierre Part, Louisiana 1–present
Troy Landry Pierre Part, Louisiana 1–present
William "Willie" Edwards Bayou Sorrel, Louisiana 1–present
Chase Landry Pierre Part, Louisiana 3–present
Daniel Edgar Pierre Part, Louisiana 7–present
Dorien Edgar Pierre Part, Louisiana 7–9, 12–present
Joey Edgar Pierre Part, Louisiana 7–present
Ashley Jones Belle River, Louisiana 10–present
Ronnie Adams Belle River, Louisiana 10–present
Zak Bagby Pierre Part, Louisiana 10–present
Don Brewer Pierre Part, Louisiana 11–present
"Little" Willie Edwards Bayou Sorrel, Louisiana 11–present
Cheyenne "Pickle" Wheat Pierre Part, Louisiana 12–present
Anthony "Porkchop" Williams Vacherie, Louisiana 13–present
LeRon Jones Vacherie, Louisiana 13–present
Anna Ribbeck Baton Rouge, Louisiana 14-present
Timmy Aucoin Pierre Part, Louisiana 14-present

Previous

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Individual Location(s) Season(s)
Albert Knight Morgan City, Louisiana 1
Anthony Knight Morgan City, Louisiana 1
Clint Landry Pierre Part, Louisiana 1, 3
Joe LaFont Port Sulphur, Louisiana 1–3, 6
Junior Edwards Bayou Sorrel, Louisiana 1–6, 12
Kenwood Knight Morgan City, Louisiana 1
Malcom McQuiston Bayou Sorrel, Louisiana 1–3
Mike Kliebert Hammond, Louisiana 1
Randy Edwards (deceased) Bayou Sorrel, Louisiana 1, 3–6
T-Mike Kliebert Hammond, Louisiana 1
Tommy Chauvin Port Sulphur, Louisiana
Violet, Louisiana (Seasons 8–9)
1–3, 6, 8–9
Tyler (dog) (deceased) Hammond, Louisiana 1–5
Glenn Guist Gonzales, Louisiana
Pecan Island, Louisiana (Seasons 4–6)
2–9
Jay Paul Molinere Houma, Louisiana
Violet, Louisiana (Seasons 8–9)
2–10
Liz Choate Pierre Part, Louisiana (Season 2)
Pecan Island, Louisiana (Seasons 3–6, 12)
2–6, 12
Mitchell Guist (deceased) Gonzales, Louisiana 2–3
Nick Payne Hammond, Louisiana 2
RJ Molinere, Jr. Houma, Louisiana
Violet, Louisiana (Season 8)
2–10
Terral Evans Slidell, Louisiana (Seasons 2, 5–6)
Pierre Part, Louisiana (Seasons 10–11)
2, 5–6, 10–11
Austyn Yoches Bayou Pigeon, Louisiana 3
Blake MacDonald Bayou Pigeon, Louisiana 3
Kristi Broussard Pecan Island, Louisiana 3–4, 8–9
Manneaux (dog) Bayou Pigeon, Louisiana 3
Ron Methvin Hammond, Louisiana 3–9
Harlan "Bigfoot" Hatcher Beaumont, Texas
Pierre Part, Louisiana (Season 4)
4–5, 9
Brandon Hotard Pierre Part, Louisiana 4–6
David LaDart Marion, Louisiana
Raceland, Louisiana (Season 5)
Violet, Louisiana (Season 5)
4–6
Jeromy Pruitt Marion, Louisiana
Raceland, Louisiana (Season 5)
Violet, Louisiana (Season 5)
4–6
Jessica Choate Pecan Island, Louisiana 4–6
Marie Lacoste Pierre Part, Louisiana 4–5
T-Roy Broussard Beaumont, Texas
Pierre Part, Louisiana (Season 4)
4–5
Tom Candies Thibodaux, Louisiana 4
ZZ Loupe Thibodaux, Louisiana 4
Holden Landry Pierre Part, Louisiana 5–6, 8–10
Johnny Banks Slidell, Louisiana 5
Johny Tenner Zwolle, Louisiana 5
Roger Rivers Zwolle, Louisiana 5
Robert "Frenchy" Crochet Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana 7–10, 12
Gerard "Gee" Singleton Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana 7–10, 12
Alvin Plaisance Houma, Louisiana
Violet, Louisiana
8
Dwaine Edgar Pierre Part, Louisiana 8–10
Justin Roy Pecan Island, Louisiana 8–9
Todd Alexander (deceased) Gonzales, Louisiana 8–9
Joseph "Big T" Rogers Richard Pierre Part, Louisiana 9–11
Coy Farmer Beaumont, Texas 9
Jay Foster Beaumont, Texas 9
Dusty Crum Pierre Part, Louisiana 10
Aaron Lee Houma, Louisiana 11
Brock Theriot Houma, Louisiana 11
Destin Choate Pecan Island, Louisiana 12

Mitchell Guist's death

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On May 14, 2012, Mitchell Guist suffered an accident on the Belle River near Pierre Part. According to authorities he slipped and fell while loading items onto his boat. It was initially reported that he suffered a seizure, but it is unclear whether the seizure was a result of the fall or if it was caused by a medical condition. It was later revealed that Guist suffered a heart attack.[2] Guist was pronounced dead at a Morgan City hospital;[3][4] the coroner for Ascension Parish later determined that his death was due to natural causes.[5] Guist was 47 years old at the time of his death.[2] The Voodoo Bayou episode, originally aired on May 17, 2012, was dedicated in Guist's memory.

Broadcast history

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The series premiered on August 22, 2010, and set a ratings record for History.[6] The show was initially broadcast on Sunday nights at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Season Two saw the show move from Sunday to Thursday, again at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The season was met with great success and record breaking viewers for the History channel.[7]

For Season Three, Swamp People moved one hour earlier to 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Thursday nights. The show returned to that night and time for its fourth season, on February 14, 2013,[8] later moving an hour later to 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on May 30, 2013[8] after Pawn Stars moved to Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. ET.[9]

For Season Five, Swamp People moved to Monday nights at 9:00 p.m. ET / PT and will continue in to do so for the beginning of Season Six.

Season Six premiered on February 2, 2015, and ended on July 13, 2015. After the end of Season Six, a majority of the cast members were let go after a new producer was bought in, and only a few of the original cast members remained. It was also announced that Season Seven would be the final season, which was met with much pushback from the fanbase.

Season Seven premiered on February 8, 2016, with the newest episode set to air on May 2, 2016. It was announced on April 28, 2016, via Jacob Landry's Facebook page that History had ordered an eighth season of the series. This season premiered on February 16, 2017.

Later seasons of Swamp People went back to airing on Thursday nights, usually at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT or 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Episodes

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
110August 22, 2010 (2010-08-22)October 31, 2010 (2010-10-31)
217March 31, 2011 (2011-03-31)November 17, 2011 (2011-11-17)
322February 9, 2012 (2012-02-09)July 12, 2012 (2012-07-12)
424February 14, 2013 (2013-02-14)January 27, 2014 (2014-01-27)
523February 3, 2014 (2014-02-03)December 8, 2014 (2014-12-08)
620February 2, 2015 (2015-02-02)July 13, 2015 (2015-07-13)
713February 8, 2016 (2016-02-08)May 2, 2016 (2016-05-02)
817February 16, 2017 (2017-02-16)May 18, 2017 (2017-05-18)
921February 1, 2018 (2018-02-01)June 7, 2018 (2018-06-07)
1016January 31, 2019 (2019-01-31)May 23, 2019 (2019-05-23)
1114January 23, 2020 (2020-01-23)April 16, 2020 (2020-04-16)
1216February 4, 2021 (2021-02-04)May 27, 2021 (2021-05-27)
1315January 27, 2022 (2022-01-27)May 19, 2022 (2022-05-19)
1416January 5, 2023 (2023-01-05)April 27, 2023 (2023-04-27)
1516January 4, 2024 (2024-01-04)April 25, 2024 (2024-04-25)

As of April 25, 2024, 244 episodes of Swamp People have aired, concluding the 15th season.

Reception

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The series opener of Swamp People premiered on August 22, 2010. The series premiere garnered 3.1 million total viewers, 2.5 million adults 25–54 and 2.3 million adults 18–49 – driving The History Channel to #1 in cable within the 10-11 p.m. time period in total viewers and Adults 25–54.[10]

Episode 1 of season 2 premiered on March 31, 2011. The second-season premiere drew 3.9 million total viewers, and increased 26% versus the season 1 average (3.1 million). It was the series' most-watched episode ever. Swamp People captured 2.0 million adults age 18–49 and age 25–50 impressions up +25% and +18% from the season 1 average respectively (1.6 million A18-49 and 1.7 million A25-54).[11]

The final episode of season 2 was met with record breaking viewers and ratings. The final episode drew 5.5 million viewers. It drew 2.8 million adults 25-54 and adults 18-49 – scoring the #1 show on cable for the night and the #2 spot in all of television. The season overall averaged 4.1 million viewers for the season, which was up 32% versus season 1.[7]

Spinoff Shows

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On October 21, 2012, a spinoff of Swamp People, Outback Hunters, debuted on the History Channel. Following the same format as Swamp People, the series focuses on crocodile hunters in the Top End of Australia's Northern Territory. Its first season, consisting of 11 episodes, ended on December 30, 2012.

A second spinoff, Swamp Mysteries With Troy Landry, started airing on the History Channel on June 7, 2018. The spinoff follows Troy Landry collaborating with local experts to capture local problem creatures across the Southern United States. The show consisted of one season with six episodes, the last of which aired on July 12, 2018.[12][13]

A third spinoff, Swamp People Serpent Invasion started airing on the History Channel on March 9, 2020. It features Troy and Chase Landry and Bruce Mitchell teaming with Florida natives Zak Catchem and Bill Booth to eradicate Burmese pythons from the Everglades, where they are an invasive species.[14]

Mobile app games

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Two mobile app games were produced as a tie-in to the show:

  • Choot'Em Angry Swamp (also known merely as Angry Swamp), is an arcade-style game featuring Troy Landry, and is available for Apple,[15] Android Google Play[16] and Kindle Amazon.[17]
  • The self-titled Swamp People (also known as The Swamp People Game), is a hunting simulation game, and is available for Apple[18] and Android-supported devices.[19]

Home releases

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Swamp People Season 1
Set details[20] DVD Layout
  • Bonus Features – Additional Footage
  • DISC 1: Big Head Bites It / Houdini's Last Escape / Troy's Gamble / Cannibal Gator
  • DISC 2: Forces of Nature / Family Feuds / Swamp Wars / Gator Voodoo
  • DISC 3: Final Countdown / The Last Battle / Bonus
DVD release dates
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
May 31, 2011 September 19, 2011

References

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https://kreolmagazine.com/culture/features/edgar-family-making-a-living-in-the-blue-economy/#.XmqOOsBE0lQ

  1. ^ Swamp People Bios, History Channel
  2. ^ a b "Texas Hold 'Em". Swamp People. February 21, 2013. History.
  3. ^ Stegall, Amber (14 May 2012). "Swamp People cast member dies". WLBT-TV via website. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
  4. ^ Mitchell Guist, "Swamp People" star, dies at 48
  5. ^ Associated Press, via nola.com: "'Swamp People' star Mitchell Guist died of natural causes, coroner says", May 17, 2012.
  6. ^ 'Swamp People' Sets Ratings Record for History: Premiere of Louisiana Bayou series gives net best original debut in key demos, Marisa Guthrie, Broadcasting & Cable, 24 August 2010 (retrieved 28 August 2010)
  7. ^ a b History's 'Swamp People' Finishes Second Season with Record Breaking Ratings
  8. ^ a b Per Swamp People's official Facebook page
  9. ^ Entertainment Weekly: "'Pawn Stars' gets new theme song from Lynyrd Skynyrd -- EXCLUSIVE", April 22, 2013.
  10. ^ Swamp People season one premiere by the numbers
  11. ^ Swamp People season two premiere by the numbers
  12. ^ BWW News Desk. "History Premieres New Nonfiction Series SWAMP MYSTERIES WITH TROY LANDRY Following SWAMP PEOPLE Season Finale". Retrieved 2018-10-09.
  13. ^ "'Swamp Mysteries with Troy Landry' Debuting in June on History Channel". 97.3 The Dawg. Retrieved 2018-10-09.
  14. ^ "Swamp People: Serpent Invasion Full Episodes, Video & More | HISTORY Channel".
  15. ^ iTunes: "Choot'Em Angry Swamp"
  16. ^ Google Play: "Choot'Em Angry Swamp"
  17. ^ Amazon: "Choot'Em Angry Swamp"
  18. ^ iTunes: "Swamp People"
  19. ^ Google Play: "Swamp People"
  20. ^ Trapper Joe. "Swamp People: Season 1 DVD SET | Shows Swamp People | History". Shop.history.com. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
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