A pair of combat veterans are combining 20 years of military experience into a new military-themed TV show on “The HISTORY Channel.”
Army Reserve Sgt. Ronnie Adkins and Marine veteran Rudy Reyes are co-hosting “The Proof Is Out There: Military Mysteries,” a nonfiction series making its debut on Monday, April 22 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Throughout its five episodes, the series will probe the world’s most intriguing military mysteries, including ghost planes, MIA service members, propaganda hoaxes and exploding battleships.
“It’s an exciting show with a myriad of reasons why people should watch,” said Adkins, an all-source intelligence analyst with multiple deployments to Afghanistan. “We’re covering things that are truly mysterious. What are those weird sounds in the jungle?”
Reyes, an actor, martial artist and co-founder of a military-focused nonprofit called Force Blue, connected over Adkins’ podcast. That podcast comes from Adkins’ role as the director of strategic partnerships at Funker530, an online veteran community. Reyes liked Adkins’ military analysis of real-world footage, leading to a screen test around two years ago for “The Proof Is Out There” while Adkins was on a cruise.
“We get along like peas and carrots,” said Reyes. “It’s fantastic.”
It was “The HISTORY Channel,” in fact, that gave Reyes his first hosting gig in 2010, a survival show called “Apocalypse Man.” Since then, he and producers had been looking for a way to work together again. That opportunity finally showed up on “The Proof Is Out There,” but he needed a dynamic co-host. That’s where Adkins came in.
“Ronnie is very sharp and astute and really believes in honor, courage and commitment,” said Reyes, who is 18 years Adkins’ senior. “He’s a young, fired-up talent who’s really going places.”
Adkins and Reyes both gave input into the show’s creation, offering suggestions on which mysteries to study, spanning from World War I to conflicts from this century. Filming — including of relevant military experts — took place in Brooklyn, New York, over 10 intense days lasting 12 to 14 hours each.
“I’ve spent a lot of time on YouTube, but the production level of ‘Military Mysteries’ and how all the different pieces fit together for TV, that was a big surprise for me,” Adkins said. “And that energy you see on camera from Rudy, that’s real. Sometimes, I want to give him a Nyquil or something.”
The premiere starts off with a bang, covering a missing Desert Storm fighter pilot shot down over Iraq, a secret U.S. Army unit that tricked Nazi forces before the D-Day landings, and a half-dozen WWII pilots who fought for their lives in Libya. Personally, Adkins would love to solve a military mystery surrounding dolphins as a secret weapon, while Reyes wants to know what really happened to a certain female Russian cosmonaut.
“It was challenging and I’m very proud of my work,” said Reyes. “What I really like about this show is it has a lot of Cold War stuff, since I grew up with that culture, and I think the audience will find it fascinating as well.”
Both men are hoping to get picked up for a second season of “The Proof Is Out There.” Or, if you ask Reyes, at least five more. Either way, nearly two years of work has gone into the show, and its hosts are excited to see the result.
“I’ve spent a lot of time on camera, but this is definitely a different path and direction,” said Adkins, whose family will host a premiere watch party. “I’ve briefed generals and spoken to rooms of people, but I can’t help but have a few butterflies for this one.”
“The Proof Is Out There” will air through May 20, with streaming offered the day following. Learn more on The HISTORY Channel’s website.