One critic compared the special to The Mystery of Al Capone's Vaults — a television event that ended with a similarly disappointing outcome that did not meet promoted expectations.

Rosolie was supplied with a captive, 20 foot (6.1 m) anaconda for use in the stunt, and he equipped himself with a specially designed protective suit, which was doused in pig blood as bait.

While the snake would constrict him and attempt to bite his head, Rosolie halted the stunt after an hour, showing concern that the anaconda's wrap would break his arm.

"[3] A teaser for Eaten Alive was first broadcast during Discovery Channel's telecast of Nik Wallenda's high wire crossings in Chicago on November 2, 2014.

He explained that Eaten Alive was intended to draw attention to wildlife conservation, stating: I've seen first-hand how the Amazon Rainforest is being destroyed.

The suit consisted of multiple layers of equipment, including a cooling vest to control his body temperature, a Tychem suit to protect against stomach acid, a mix of carbon fiber and chainmail armor to protect against impact and bites, and an externally supplied oxygen mask covered by a carbon fiber helmet.

[10] Prior to the broadcast, alongside similar concerns for the well-being of the snake, Laura Bradley of Slate argued that Eaten Alive was a further example of Discovery Channel's recent uses of sensationalism and pseudoscience to attract viewers, as opposed to airing content that is legitimately educational.

She compared the special to Shark Week (which she described as the network's "biggest pieces of viewer bait" for "capitalizing on people's fear of sharks while simultaneously misinforming the public about an animal that is actually in danger"), the aforementioned Nik Wallenda specials, and fictitious mermaid documentaries broadcast by sister network Animal Planet.

[1][3] Although promotional material on Discovery Channel's website claimed that Rosolie would enter the anaconda, its press release for the special stated that there was only a possibility that he would.

However, he did praise the style of the remainder of the special, comparing it to a horror movie and describing it as being "much more dramatic and much better than it needed to be, which is a considerable accomplishment.

"[4] In a statement following the broadcast, Discovery Channel re-affirmed that the safety of Rosolie and the anaconda were a top priority, and that he "created this challenge to get maximum attention for one of the most beautiful and threatened parts of the world, the Amazon Rainforest and its wildlife.