Chasing Mummies (2010– ) User Reviews

Who are they trying to fool??

[merdume · 19 July 2010]

Does anyone believe these people are not actors?? The stupid girl who got "stuck" in the pyramid is soooo annoying as a actor.. and she has a degree in ACTING!!! she can't even deliver her lines believably. But, there should be no line.. this is supposed to be a reality show.. Disgusting... I am also wondering why I can't rate this show yet. How I would like to give this show negative stars. I have seen Dr. Zahi before on other programs and was excited to see that he was a part of this, but I am very disappointed. I am sure some of the show is real and would be interesting by itself, but for some reason the producers seemed to think they needed a gimmick to make it interesting... BIG MISTAKE

Can it get any worse?

[carl-forsyth · 1/10 · 25 August 2012]

This is without a doubt, the worst wannabe-documentary program I have ever seen. It's poorly scripted, the so-called Interns who have flown half way around the world know nothing about the archaeology they have studied so well that they go to Egypt as an Intern. Dr Hawass is a short tempered bully who likes nothing more than to shout and scream at people for even the most simple mistakes. Think of him as the Gordon Ramsay of Egypt. I stopped watching the 3 DVD box set half way through the second episode. Don't be fooled by the History Channel Logo or the professional looking box set packaging because it's a scam. Never buy this. Never, Never, NEVER!

Jersey Shore is better

[cosmospacely · 1/10 · 21 November 2011]

I've never seen such an awful show. I just watched episode 2 where the high point was when one of the actors relieved herself inside the Khufu pyramid.

This is not even a reality show. That may have actually been interesting and we probably would have learned something. Instead, this is a poorly written TV show where some of the characters just happen to use their real names.

Every attempt at 'suspense' is ridiculous. As they are walking up the Grand Gallery, they are short of breath and nervous with their cute little hard hats on, second-guessing their decision to go into the pyramid. I guess it would have been dramatic for us, except that we visited Egypt last Feb/May (couple of weeks after revolution) and my little 4-year-old and her two sisters thought walking up to the king's burial chamber was a blast.

What a waste.

Amazing Show

[colleengrhm · 10/10 · 27 August 2012]

I enjoyed every second of this show, even with the awful female actors (I could not stand their girlish squeals for everything that moved in the sand).

I see that many have bad things to say about this show and even about Dr Hawass, but I think this show reveals exactly what it is like to be in Egypt, and what it is like to go searching for things.

Many think Egyptology is just walking into a Pyramid and finding a Pharaoh, however, as shown by this show, it takes a lot more than just a few digs in the sand to discover something.

I hope to see another season of this show.

I found it fascinating

[indicaraynne · 10/10 · 4 September 2010]

The acting aside, Chasing Mummies still takes you places you will not likely be able to see in person. I was fascinated by the tombs, the bustle and activity in the backgrounds, the sounds, and the sights. I have learned from this show, and entirely enjoyed it. If you are looking for a stern documentary, this is not for you, but if you like some informative entertainment this works. For all of the comments that were blasting Dr. Zahi Hawass, people seem to forget that the rest of the title of this series is The Amazing Adventures of Zahi Hawass. So it seems to me that the show gives exactly what should be expected. Sure, it could be better, but I personally take what I can get when it comes to Egypt and all it's wonders.

Interesting insight

[atsalter · 8/10 · 4 October 2011]

I found this a really useful series to watch. Dr. Hawass is as he is, and I do not say he is a man I would choose to have a pint with, because of the shameful exploitation of Egypt and its history and artifacts in the past. It takes a strong personality who is able to get people shaking in their shoes occasionally to control and organise the chaos that would ensue were his position left to a lesser man. His passion is undeniable, his enthusiasm unparallelled.He would probably not be a comfortable man to work for or live with, but he grabs the headlines, which in turn leads to a high profile for his various works and excavations. Men like this make enemies, but they also make some faithful friends, and he has many who work for him devotedly.The scenes which featured going into areas of the pyramids not usually accessible to film crews were fascinating, and the reactions of some of his interns to the scenarios they were facing showed that real archaeology is NOT for sissies!

Avoidance Alert

[mmustangg · 14 July 2010]

Avoid this program at all costs. That is if you thought it was a real documentary series. I tuned in because I wanted to see a fresh documentary on the subject of Egyptology, but what i got was something that I found hard to believe, literally. It's one of the worst scripted unreality shows to come down the pike since The Hills. I hope that telling you this show is obviously scripted, doesn't count as a spoiler? If you want a real documentary, look elsewhere. If you want to see bad acting from Dr Hawass, tune in. I'm sure i wont be the only one saying this here. The Facebook page for The History Channel, is full of people laughing at how ridiculous this show was.

Best funniest doc series I have seen in years wish there was more.

[zsquared24 · 10/10 · 6 February 2022]

I don't get the bad reviews this shows real life what its like to work for Zahi. It is so hilarious to see him scream at everyone around him constantly. I never review shows but I thought the bad review this one had deserved to be countered. This show is totally worth watching and has lots of rewatchability. I rarely want to re watch todays boring docs with little information but this one is absolutely hilarious.

What a load of CRAP!

[bok602 · 20 July 2010]

I'm not even through to the first commercial break and I can tell that this show is just another pile of faux-reality CRAP! Zawi Hawass is such a ego-maniacal, self-centered publicity whore that I wouldn't doubt for a second that he'd jump at the chance to make himself the action hero center of an alleged "reality" program -even to the point of faking this whole intern,documentary thing in and around these priceless ruins. Notice how in the first minute or two he makes a convenient "discovery" the instant he sets foot inside the tunnel beneath the pyramid? I SEVERELY question whether any serious archaeologist would just pick up such a fragile object in his bare hands and handle it so casually.

The interns and crew are clearly actors (or at least reading prepared lines) and the setup so far is obviously staged.

I have no intentions of following any further episodes and strongly advise others not to waste their time.

this is the worst with one saving grace

[gs20 · 15 July 2010]

This show is probably going to to be valuable in several ways but not in the way you think.......first, it has very little to do with science and everything to do with the personalities including and surrounding a fellow named Hawass who has had a strangle hold on Egyptology in Egypt for the last 10 or 12 years.

Hawass is a pretentious, self centered, quite maniacal blow hard with a penchant for hogging the spotlight for discovery in Egyptology in Egypt for himself whenever possible regardless of who actually did the science.....he is also a scientific obstructionist in regard to new ideas and advanced scientific techniques regarding Egyptology.

Unfortunate as well is Hawss' very public, outrageous anti-semitic tirades and racial slurs against black Africans..........he is the worst kind of representative for science in almost every way.

In order to work in Egypt in Egyptology, one must kowtow and do whatever one has to in pleasing Hawass apparently, in order to be allowed to work there........it is a disgrace.....Of course, some may say, look at all he has discovered.........well, if you are the only one allowed the credit then every discovery is yours alone, right?

Basically, while you will glean very little education with this show, you will get to see Hawass in all his vainglory, which i suppose has some value in exposing the grossly pompous and counter-productive Zahi Hawass.......essentially the show is about how everyone involved has to walk on eggshells to avoid upsetting Mr. Hawass.

In the end i guess their is some value in documenting this unbelievable jerk Hawass but after that, I wouldn't bother watching this show.

Hawas revealed in "Chasing Mummies"

[selket8 · 28 July 2010]

I too looked forward to this show, but couldn't watch more than 10 minutes. Hawas is an idiotic bully who should never work with live people (actors or not). He will destroy archaeological aspirations for many! Most of us are aware of his "taking credit" where it is not due him. Not just in the "finds", but in reading hieroglyphs: reading from left to right although they are written from right to left. His grandstanding could almost be tolerated if not for the deceptive showing to the public of "facts". I'm not just angry but disappointed that such a low-grade show is on the History Chanel. I'm grateful for all the honest, intelligent and hardworking archaeologists who share their love and dedication to Egyptian History. Hawas is NOT one of them.

Plan 9 from Egypt

[pwhitely · 19 July 2010]

I think we all got tricked into watching this show. I can't imagine how the History Channel could think this was going to fool anyone. I'm not sure if this is supposed to be dramatic re-enactments of events that took place throughout his career or just a straight scripted show but it is just awful. The acting is so bad you owe it to yourself to watch part of an episode just to see it.

I find myself calling into question everything I have ever heard the once esteemed Dr. Zahi Hawass speak about. I think the History Channels credibility is going to be permanently damaged by this show if it is on the air for more than few episodes unless it develops some kind of cult following like the films of Ed Wood.

Don't waste your time

[anadama-806-823590 · 31 July 2010]

I loathed this staged platform for a ridiculous narcissist so much that I registered on this site in order to leave the first review of my 50 years.

This program isn't just a waste of time--it's an offense. There's only a fragment of archeology, the vast majority of the show is devoted to providing a stage for a ... I'm kind of at a loss for a description for this pompous, arrogant, self-aggrandizing nincompoop's arrogant tantrums.

I vow to never, ever contaminate my television screen with this excuse for entertaining educational program again.

"'Napoleone did it better."

[vanguard59 · 26 July 2010]

07/26/10

I was hoping for a reasonable series dedicated to the latest "digs" in Egypt.

Five minutes into this garbage, I knew that I had been "suckerpunched" into viewing another really miserable reality show. This time starring "THE THEE", himself, the great, supreme, high exalted ONE--Zahi Hawass,PhD, (everyone kneel face down please)! Mr. Hawass fancies himself to be Khufu, a 4th dynasty pharaoh in a former life. The show features Mr Hawass bullying his way around the Giza complex; yelling at this person and that person in two languages! (If you have to yell all the time, then you really do not have any power).

Zahi Hawass claims to be very fussy about just who can or cannot dig/explore in Egypt and yet "psychic" Mr Derek Acora had full access to The King's Room and KV's tombs, to channel any royal who had been floating around for an interview. Yeah, really fussy, hates the paranormal, yeah sure loathes pyrimidiots!!! After all Hawass is all about science, pure science. Sorry to burst your bubble, but Egyptologists are NOT scientists!! Never have been never will be.

This show does not illustrate scientific method or any thing else for that matter except to cater to Mr Hawass' ego. He did not bring tourists to Egypt; Egypt brings in tourists, and has been doing so long before Mr Hawass. Remember, didn't Herodotus write the first known Egyptian tour guide?

I will say this much for this series, as I have been studying EVERYTHING Egyptian for over 50 years (the music, food, dance, history,etc.), this is the first time that I have lost interest in Egyptology. This series just puts a bad taste in my mouth, I had expected better. Do not get me wrong I had spent a month's vacation in Egypt and grew to love it even more (the beautiful children, sunsets, and kindness of the women in the souks).

This show is an insult to a beautiful country, and its history.

Disappointing is an understatement

[witmergreen · 21 July 2010]

I really had high hopes that this would be a good show, but I have to completely agree with the other reviewers who felt that this is trash. I watched the first five minutes of the first show, couldn't take it and tuned to another channel. Later, I decided maybe I ought to give it a second chance, hoping it would get better, so I tuned back in. Again, about five minutes was all I could take. A final tune-in during a commercial break on another show clinched my opinion, and the commercials for the next episode have done nothing to change my opinion. That's how painful this show was to watch, and I say that as someone that really wanted to give it a chance.

This show claims to be a "reality" show following Hawass and his "interns". The problem is that it is very obvious that the events in the show are staged and at least some of the dialog written or at least coached for maximum drama. Some creative editing is nothing new in reality shows, which often edit footage to emphasize drama and controversy, but here it's forced, the drama too unbelievable, and the result is just plain painful and unpleasant to watch.

Awful, I am surprised this ever got aired!

[steel_arkangel · 11 October 2011]

Lets say I am not the greatest Dr. Zahi Hawass fan - I find he conveniently forgets a lot about what the Egyptians did to their own antiquities (burn mummies for fuel for example), when he talks about how other countries have raped Egypt.

That said, I love Egyptology and am pretty much up for watching anything to do with the subject.

This however was just awful - from the start you could tell it was faked, half the people couldn't act their way out of paper bag, and they just did things that you knew people just wouldn't do.

After the first 20 mins I have to admit I just couldn't watch any more and switched it off.

I know films like Cloverfield, and Paranormal Activity have been very popular (I hated both of these two by the way), so I guess it was only a matter of time before we started to see these mockumentaries

Mixed

[jennrbrew · 30 July 2010]

I don't enjoy the format of the show such as the director's narrating and the annoying interns but as a graduate history major in ancient cultures, I appreciate the show for revealing the dirty world of archaeology. You have to deal with rude people, bureaucracy, preservation, interpretation, etc. The sad truth is that the general public does not want to see Dr. Hawas, an icon for historians and archaeologists, in an unflattering manner because he is the face of Egyptology----a very popular topic for people around the world. Many people do not like his opinions and his attitudes, but have any of you read his research and books? He has contributed a lot to this field and has helped bring Egyptology back to Egypt when was usurped by the British for decades.

If you ignore the B.S. such as the interns, meltdowns, and emergencies and listen to what Dr. Hawas is explaining such as the shawabtis and the "gang" tombs. This is great material! Also, everyone of the crew members and interns were told of the dangers of this assignment. If you have claustrophobia, do not get into a cramped space! If you are uncomfortable, do not do it. Dr. Hawas informs each one of them about these dangers.

Look past the crap and you'll find gold...just like the archaeologist wading in sand before he finds something. :)

useless acting

[rod_field · 1 August 2010]

I read all the reviews about 'chasing mummies' and it lead me to want to find out for myself what others had written about, I have to say the program is as what other reviews say, it's complete rubbish! If I were in charge to make the decisions for programs to be aired on the history channel then 1.I wouldn't have given this program the time of day and 2.If I had (and clearly someone has) then I would expect the powers that be to ask me for my resignation. I lasted more than most with about 15 minutes of viewing time, I found it too scripted and the 'acting' too unbelievable to warrant this program as a 'documentary'. I would have to say the program 'Big Brother' has better actors than in this program, needless to say if you want to take a look and see for yourselves then so be it, be warned though as you'll be disappointed.

Good Show

[FIshOnSand · 22 July 2010]

I disagree with the other reviewers. I think this show displays the idiosyncrasies of dealing with the management of massive quantities of archaeological elements in a part of the world that is used to operating with a generally lesser educated workforce, difficult physical environment,and complex politics in play.

Dr. Zahi is a media hog, no doubt, but without a strong personality and demanding the people around him deliver 110%, the person in his position could not function. There must be a coherent vision and plan in play as Egypt continues to discover treasures. There are over 30,000 workers in Egypt working on excavations, how else could these be managed? It is also important for Egypt (read: Dr. Zahi)to give a united, comprehensive and competent presentation when discussing their national treasures; you cannot have every nut job with a shovel, opinion or doctors degree conveying their opinions of national treasuries in situations where the content may be out of context, inaccurate or just wrong.

I have little doubt the interns or "Fellows" were selected for dramatic effect, and that Dr. Zahi has a pre-planned agenda to push the interns to their breaking points, however, I do not think everyone is reading a script - remember the producers have hundreds of hours of video to edit, and it is easy to target in on one stupid comment made over several days, like "aliens could have built this"; he could have competently discussed intelligent and historic facts all day, but the editors targeted in one one sentence.

Regarding the peeing, if that was really pre-planned and scripted don't you think they could have come up with another more dramatic idea? And regarding Dr. Zahi's reaction, remember that HE brought foreigners into the countries sacred treasures, how would this be viewed from the Egyptian public, or flip the situation as if someone from Egypt pee'd on Mount Rushmore, or other national treasure?

The problem with this show is with the context the editors present to us, if you can see beyond that and read between the lines, it is a good show.