A similar show (except that the contestant are people somewhat known) have been around here for quite a long time, so I think I understand what you’re talking about.
Certainly, there is no real risk. But nevertheless, a lot of people have fears and phobias to various degrees, and knowing that there’s no actual danger won’t help. The fear will be real.
You can ask me to catch as many snakes as you want as long as I’m sure they won’t bite me. But there’s no way you’ll make me jump from a 5 stories building, even strapped, with a helmet, a net and a 6 billions $ insurance…
I think that many posters here have the right idea- they’re playing with common phobias (heights, snakes, the dark, enclosed spaces) in the hopes that it will ferret out one or two people with a preexisting fear. Apparently the contract they make you read and sign doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in the safety precaustions they’ve taken.
I have to admit I watch the show when it’s on, but more out of a sense of “That looks like fun” than anything else. The bug eating kind of sucks but I don’t think it’s that out of line. I’d eat anything if I were hungry enough.
What bothers me a little is that these people are whoring themselves for this fifty grand. Eating bugs? Sure, it’s not gonna hurt you, but it’s ridiculous behavior and I feel a pang of guilt watching them.
But I still want to know what one of those bugs tastes like. And I could use the money…
I agree, “Fear Factor” is far too tame. Change the show’s title to “Room 101.”
“Tonight’s challenger is Comrade Winston Smith from Oceania. Will you enter Room 101 or as our lovely hostess is showing, take a 20 percent increase in your weekly choclate ration?”
Some of the episodes I watched they had people in a glass box with rats and large spiders. I personally hate spiders and would definately fear for my life on that one.
Another thing about that show, the middle task is always the most horrible one, and the last one is always easy and nobody ever looks fearful…
And I don’t think eating a spider or rat is worth 50 grand!
I’ve somehow watched most of the Fear Factor episodes, for lack of better alternatives, and I was struck by two thoughts - first, some of the stunts had as much to do with physical strength as they did with conquering fear, which meant that this wasn’t a fair contest between the players. I was especially offput at the stunt where the contestants had to climb around on a wet, suspended taxi cab. The women, who were almost guaranteed to not have the same level of upper body strength as the men, were completely unable to complete even half of the stunt – they were terrified, but it was because they didn’t have the physical ability for the task, not because it was “oooh, scary.” That’s very different. I’d say that the horse-dragging task was similarly biased.
The other thing that struck me is that the nature of some of the gross-outs. By design they exclude those who have an ethical or religious imperative to refrain from eating insects, worms, pork and so forth. Refusal to do so on those grounds is, again, not about fear but principle. Apparently, though, in the eyes of NBC, one is unworthy of a chance to win $50,000 if they’re an observant Jew, Moslem, Hindu or vegan. That’s very troubling.
It’s less a show about scary shit than a show about what pretty-but-stupid people will do for money. Please, just buy a lottery ticket! Don’t eat insects on television!
That said, the episode where they put people in a tank of rats gave me the heebies - the contestants had to get tetanus shots the day before, and most emerged with bloody rat bites on their bodies and faces - what kind of fucking idiot gets bitten by rats on purpose for a chance to win money? Again, just buy a freakin’ lottery ticket! Your chances of winning are greater, not to mention the absence of rat bites on your face!
Jarbaby, I think you misunderstood the title.
“Fear Factor” actually is in reference to how scared the executives of the show are that you’ll get sick of reality TV and want to go back to quality dramas that take effort to produce.
For a real Fear Factor, do what was done in The Boondocks: have White people go into a prison filled with burly prisoners, especially one filled with majority Black people. The test is whether or not you come out as someone’s girlfriend, or dead.
Actually ModernRonin2, your fear of hieghts is very rational. Gravity kills. Your skydiving adventure could have been a disaster. Happens to pros all the time.
Fear is purely a survival mechanism which we sometimes choose to ignore just to have a good time.
I think those of us who engage in extreme sports can identify with the contestants, but armchair quarterbacks think it’s all a piece of cake.
fear of something doesn’t necassarily always have to to with death. I fear spiders yet the spiders here in AK aren’t gonna kill you. I work pretty high off the ground (50-200 ft). If I use the safety gear properly and follow the safety methods.it would pretty much be a freak accident if I fell to the ground. unless I wanted to. yet there is still that bit of fear when i am 200ft off (although you couldn’t tell just by seeing me work, my co-workers think i’m loco) the ground.and there is nothing but a small pipe to walk on. there are people I work with who WILL NOT do what I do. even though the chances of falling to your death are very slim. also watching it on the boob tube and actually doing these things are not the same. dont believe me?? come to my work. I’ll fit you in a harness. you’ll be perfectly safe. I guarantee you’ll go home. then you can follow me as I work. I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THIS- YOU WILL HAVE FEAR IN YOUR HEART…