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Worst-Case Scenario is the name of a series of merchandise based on a 1999 book written by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht and published by Chronicle Books. The series first entry, The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook, sold over 10 million copies worldwide and prompted a series of related books, games, calendars, and two television series. Later works have been published via Quirk Books and have been credited with giving the company enough funding to expand.

Concept

A worst-case scenario is the most severe possible outcome that can be projected to occur in a given situation. Conceiving of worst-case scenarios is a common form of strategic planning to prepare for and minimize contingencies that could result in accidents, quality problems, or other issues. The books provide instructions for situations like landing a plane and surviving a shark attack.

Television series

There have been two television series that have been loosely based on the book series, a 2002 TBS reality show and a 2010 survival skills television series on the Discovery Channel. Both series ran for only one season.

TBS (2002)

The show Worst Case Scenarios ran on TBS from July 10, 2002, through November 13, 2002, and had a total of 13 episodes. It was narrated by Mike Rowe and featured demonstrations by stunt men and stunt women. Each episode was hosted by new experts on how to survive worst-case scenarios. It also aired clips of real life situations, tips, volunteer challenges, and gadgets shown by Gear Girl (Danielle Burgio).

Discovery Channel (2010)

Worst-Case Scenario ran on the Discovery Channel beginning on May 5, 2010, and had a total of 12 episodes. It was hosted by Bear Grylls, who was shown using skills he learned in the 21 SAS, which included self-defense, evasive driving, parkour, urban survival, and wilderness survival.

Books

• The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht
• The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Travel by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht
• The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Parenting by Joshua Piven, David Borgenicht, and Sarah Jordan
• The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Weddings by Joshua Piven, David Borgenicht, and Sarah Jordan
• The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: College by Joshua Piven, David Borgenicht, and Jennifer Worick
• The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Dating and Sex by Joshua Piven, David Borgenicht, and Jennifer Worick
• The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Golf by Joshua Piven, David Borgenicht, and James Grace
• The Worst-Case Scenario Book of Survival Questions by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht
• The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: LIFE by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht
• The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Holidays by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht
• The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Work by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht
• The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Paranormal by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht
• The Complete Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht
• The Complete Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Man Skills by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht

Cards

• The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Cards
• The Worst-Case Scenario Holiday Survival Cards: Stuck in Chimney
• The Worst-Case Scenario Holiday Survival Cards: Unwanted Elves
• The Worst-Case Scenario Holiday Cards: Reindeer Attack

Calendars

• The Worst-Case Scenario 2001 Survival Calendar: A Week-by-Week Guide to Surviving a Year's Worth of Peril by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht ISBN 0-8118-2960-X
• The Worst-Case Scenario 2006 Survival Calendar: A Week-by-Week Guide to Surviving a Year's Worth of Peril by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht
• The Worst-Case Scenario: Golf 2006 Daily Survival Calendar: A Day-by-Day Guide to Surviving a Year's Worth of Peril on the Green by Joshua Piven, David Borgenicht, and James Grace
• The Worst-Case Scenario 2007 Daily Survival Calendar: A Day-by-Day Guide to Surviving a Year's Worth of Peril by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht
• The Worst-Case Scenario 2007 Survival Calendar: A Week-by-Week Guide to Surviving a Year's Worth of Peril by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht
• The Worst-Case Scenario: Golf 2007 Daily Survival Calendar: A Day-by-Day Guide to Surviving a Year's Worth of Peril on the Green by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht

Other media

• Worst-Case Scenario: Sticky Situation Notes by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht
• The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Journal by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht
• The Worst-Case Scenario Dating & Sex Address Book by Joshua Piven, David Borgenicht, and Jennifer Worick

In popular culture

• Artist Justin Sane wrote a song called "The Worst Case Survival Handbook" on his album Life, Love and the Pursuit of Justice.

References

1. McKissack, Fred (April 27, 2003). "NOW WHAT? 'WORST-CASE SCENARIO' AUTHORS HAVE ADVICE FOR MOST ANY SITUATION, FROM FLYING LEAPS TO ETERNAL MEETINGS.(DAYBREAK)". The Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI) (subscription required). Archived from the original on 2017-03-12. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
2. Anonymous (February 9, 2011). "Be prepared for the worst!". Worst-Case Scenario. Philadelphia, PA: Quirk Books. Featured Post. Retrieved January 26, 2012. With over 10 million books sold worldwide, it's clear that the desire to be prepared is universal.
3. Van Allen, Peter (May 16, 2005). "Quirk books its wares in odd places". Philadelphia Business Journal. Retrieved 2017-03-10.
4. Piven, Joshua. "About". Joshua Piven. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
5. "DStv.(Entertainment)". The Star (South Africa) (subscription required). September 14, 2010. Archived from the original on 2017-03-12. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
6. Grego, Melissa (March 20, 2002). "TBS will bow 'Worst Case'.(reality show 'Worst-Case Scenario')(Brief Article)". Variety (subscription required). Archived from the original on 2017-03-12. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
7. Gallo, Phil (July 10, 2002). "Worst Case Scenario. (Television Review)". Variety (subscription required). Archived from the original on 2017-03-12. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
8. McDonough, Kevin (July 10, 2002). "Tune in tonight: Estrange yourself from this 'Big Brother'; 'Worst Case Scenario' is bad adaptation of book". Charleston Daily Mail (subscription required). Archived from the original on 2017-03-12. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
9. "Bear Grylls' Worst Case Scenario : Discovery Press Web". Press.discovery.com. 2010-01-14. Retrieved 2012-11-12.
10. Wineke, William R. (February 13, 2000). "MALFUNCTIONING PARACHUTE GOT YOU DOWN? AUTHORS ARE THERE TO HELP.(Showcase)(Review)". The Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI) (subscription required). Archived from the original on 2017-03-12. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
11. "PREPARING FOR THE WORST". Boston Globe (subscription required). November 5, 2000. Archived from the original on 2017-03-12. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
12. Hageman, William. "Dating: The survival handbook". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2017-03-08.
13. "Nonfiction Book Review: The Worst-Case Scenario Book of Survival Questions by Joshua Piven, Author, David Borgenicht, Author, Brenda Brown, Illustrator". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2017-03-08.

External links

• Official website
• Scenario at the University of Pennsylvania's The Pennsylvania Gazette

• Series of books
• Survival manuals
• Chronicle Books books