Bernstein's Big Move

The idea of spring being a season of new beginnings may be horribly cliche, but for television host Josh Bernstein, it's reality.

After three seasons making history look hip by investigating archaeological mysteries in some of the planet's most exotic locales on Digging for the Truth, he's packing up his trademark cowboy hat and moseying along. As of April 2007, he officially moves from The History Channel to the Discovery Channel.

The announcement may have seemed sudden, but it was actually a decision in the works for awhile. An exhausted Bernstein pondered the opportunity while filming his final season of DFT last year (his contract was for 39 episodes), even as the show's numbers held steady. Of course - as any good host will tell you - half the trick of learning how to throw a really good party is knowing when to end it.

He barely hesitates when asked if he is entering into the Discovery zone as a fan of the channel.

"A few years ago, Discovery had a special called 'Walking with Cavemen' hosted by Alec Baldwin. I still watch it with awe and wonder. And I thought the 'Lost Tomb of Jesus' special that was just on was fascinating. Oh, and the new Planet Earth special. How amazing does that look?!

For series, I like Mythbusters and Dirty Jobs a lot. And, of course, as a survival instructor, I enjoy Survivorman and Man vs Wild, too. Discovery's got some great shows and some incredible hosts. I'm honored to be the newest member of the family."

After logging hundreds of thousands of miles worldwide for DFT, the CEO of the Boulder Outdoor Survival School, anthropologist and staunch environmentalist is hoping he's found a way to bring all his interests together and have a personal life at the same time.

"I think it finally came down to my wanting a little more control over my life -- professional and personal. After three years of non-stop travel, production, and publicity, I felt the need for both a rest and a change. Discovery was willing to give me that."

The appeal of his new digs is pretty clear-cut; figuring out his official job description...well, not so much. But he's working on it.

"Hmm, I don't know that I have one. 'To host and produce compelling, award-winning, record-breaking, and amazingly entertaining programs?' [laughs]. Probably something like that, but it's early and we're still getting to know each other."

Will his new schedule be as grueling as his old one? Well, being able to say no to that question is kind of the point of the move, but Bernstein doesn't plan to rest on his laurels either.

"Ask me again in about three months. I'm sure the new series will involve travel and some exotic destinations, but nothing like 'Digging.' I plan to maintain a better balance between production time and personal time from now on. Not that I'm shirking my duties as host – I expect to be on the move and to work very hard. I just won't be flying 120,000+ miles to over a dozen countries for 9 months every year, forcing myself to work through continuous jetlag. Been there, done that."

Not that he didn't love crawling around in Egypt's pyramids, tracking down Genghis Khan (who knew it was pronounced 'chain-gus' until that episode?) and searching for Atlantean artifacts. Heck, he even got a book out of it.

Details are still a bit sketchy as to when exactly Bernstein will be in front of the camera again, but both he and the Discovery Channel powers-that-be won't partake in major media bombardment until the time is right.

"Beyond the initial announcements that were made, I think we're keeping our powder dry until we have an official show or series to announce. My best guess is that I'll spend the next few months working out which programs and series I'll be hosting and when. Long-term, I'll be getting my production company off the ground so I can be involved in more than just hosting a single program. I also plan to create features for film festivals. Like I said, I've got big plans. But trust me, when the time is right, you'll hear about it."

With his vast array of interests, the Discovery Channel slipper does seem to be a perfect fit. Both his background and his personality seem right at home amongst his new lively cohorts. In fact, if you're having a raucous visual of the outgoing host kickin' it with Adam and Jamie of Mythbusters and/or Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs, you're not the only one.

Bernstein may not be suiting up with the hilariously charismatic Rowe in a sewage lake rowboat built for two any time soon, but there are other ways to get to know DC's seasoned veterans.

"Well, I wouldn't want to intrude on any other host's "turf," you know? So I don't think I'll be visiting any other shows right away. But I'd love to stand on the sidelines at some point and watch other production teams, just so I can see how they work. We all have different techniques and it'd be fun to exchange ideas. Although...perhaps that would be better with beers and cigars instead of with cameras around. Maybe we could have a 'Host's Roundtable'."

Whether you think Bernstein is suited or not to his new job, the Cornell grad has forever shaken up the be-speckled, bookwormish world of edutainment (education + entertainment) and there is no turning back. Savvy viewers accustomed to him "going to extremes" on DFT aren't likely to settle for a flickering candle over a blazing bonfire. They will no doubt expect a lot from DFT's new ringleader and following up a crowd-pleasing act is just never easy no matter how prepared you are. Just ask George W. Bush.

So, what does the future hold for a generation's favorite show about history? It's unclear, but the prognosis is positive. Though somewhere in the world a collective moan from Digging for the Truth fans must have resonated with the intensity of a million car alarms when Bernstein gave up his post, they can at least be comforted in the fact that The History Channel has formally announced it will continue the show with another host.

In the meantime, Bernstein may still have to commute between his apartment in his native New York City and his school in small town Utah, but the sense of relief he already feels is palpable. His organic, health-conscious reputation may prevent him from being compared to a kid let loose in a candy store, but you don't have to squint to see him eying all the enticing new flavors and neon colors suddenly before him.

"All I can say for sure is that I plan to give Discovery everything I've got, both as a host and now executive producer. And, amazingly, Discovery has been 100% supportive of my bringing in other areas of personal interest beyond history and archeology. It's going to be great."