I have heard him say thanks to the crew and locals on occasion. He even thanked his camera man for getting him out of a jam. He is an expert, not God. I think he is genuine. Bear vs. Palin Alaska! I would watch that show eating my maggot pizza and skinning a moose.
Bear had one episode where he featured the camera crew. Big kudos to them for doing everything he does AND doing it while wrangling big cameras & gear, and for him for featuring them at least once.
It’s the only episode I watched. The prospects of watching him drink his own piss for no good reason is just revolting.