Dual Survival Season Seven update: Grady Powell meets with Matt Graham as new host controversy continues

The latest Dual Survival Season Seven update sees the popular Discovery franchise continuing to deal with the fallout from its surreptitious replacement of Joe Teti and Matt Graham, the hugely popular hosts from Dual Survival Season Six. It looks like plugged-in co-host Grady Powell is starting to win a considerable number of fans, though, as the second episode of the new season gets set to air–in part because of his easygoing, fan-centered approach–and a recent meetup with Matt Graham himself!

Though there’s been at least one Dual Survival Season Seven update regarding Matt and Joe’s departure, former host Joe Teti took it upon himself to address some of his fans’ questions (and concerns) during a recent Q&A on his Facebook page. Joe was gracious regarding new hosts Grady Powell and Bill McConnell, urging fans of the show to give the two new guys a chance and reminding everyone how difficult it is to film Dual Survival in the first place.

Nonetheless, some of the show’s more ardent fans have taken to Twitter to vent their frustrations:

@DualSurvival bring back joe and matt. New hosts are boring

— matthew hart (@ian6644) January 20, 2016

@DualSurvival give us a full explination as to why both previous hosts have been fired please or i wont watch this show any more #tv — David Bongo (@chained) January 20, 2016

@DualSurvival Your show had an excellent duo in Joe and Matt. These two new hosts are just not the same. I’ve followed since the shows……

— Iamcilli (@Theericcilli) January 19, 2016

@DualSurvival the new hosts, especially Bill are awful. Bring Matt back! #wasntbrokefixeditanyway — Dave Helmka (@DHeezy81) January 17, 2016

Used to enjoy #DualSurvival with Matt Graham. They changed the hosts to two new goons – off my DVR list now – too bad

— Doc Hubbard (@HubbardJeff) January 15, 2016

@DualSurvival not impressed at at with the new hosts of your show — Justin Janszen (@JustinJanszen) January 15, 2016

Grady Powell, undeterred, took to his Facebook page to simultaneously welcome fans who were hearing about him for the first time, and ask for his own welcome into the Dual Survival fold:

 

For those of you who are new to the crew, first of all… WELCOME!
Discovery posted a pretty good bio if you’re interested. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
I know Dual has some controversy surrounding it, and a lot of strong opinions about past cast. I just hope that with this new season, those of you who have qualms with the show, or are upset with the changes… please just give Bill and I a chance, if you don’t like what you see, I apologize, I think Honey BooBoo could use a few more viewers. But just give us a chance.
Would love to get to know and become part of the Dual Family.

 

Speaking of Grady: in perhaps the silliest Dual Survival Season Seven update (or “subplot,” if you like), the host’s somewhat controversial Man Bun is gone. Grady debuted his freshly shorn look this week, at the ShotShow Expo in Las Vegas:

#TriumphSystems Great KickOff Party 2016 SHOT. @skullboundtv @TriumphSystems @gradylpowell pic.twitter.com/YRdpgHjPkP

— Jerry Hebert (@JerryHebert7) January 19, 2016

And the Gradester himself took to Instagram to post a couple of updates featuring his new look… 

@krissanne is such a trooper! Put up with her first event with me. Gotta lover her. @shotshow @triumphsystems A photo posted by grady powell (@gradypowell) on Jan 19, 2016 at 7:25pm PST

DAMN I love how my Machete Turned out. This thing is better than I thought! @camillusbrand @shotshow keep your eyes open, they will be available soon!

A photo posted by grady powell (@gradypowell) on Jan 19, 2016 at 6:38pm PST

…and to share one very special missive featuring his meetup with Matt Graham himself:

FINALLY got to meet #MattGraham at #shotshow what a wonderful human being. @discoverychannel @dual_survival A photo posted by grady powell (@gradypowell) on Jan 19, 2016 at 2:34pm PST

As for the show itself, Discovery has just released a brand-new preview for tonight’s episode, which features a couple of particularly harrowing rainforest escapades: