"Fear Factor"

O.K, I know most of the folks at DU don't go in for these "reality shows", although quite a few of you do "come out" as fans when there is a post about one. Anyway, "Fear Factor" has become a guilty pleasure of mine recently. I've been watching for about two months. However, last night I saw something on the show that I don't think could possibly have been safe. It was one of those challenges where the contestants have to eat really gross and grotesque stuff. One of the "food challenges" was a plate of rotten squid covered with live flies. Rotten SEAFOOD!!! This was the first time since I've been watching that someone has refused the challenge and forfeited the chance to win. I didn't blame her. As I looked at that plate of crap all I could think about was hepatitis. I know that the producers confront the contestants with the nastiest things they can conceive of but this seemed to be particularly dangerous. Any thoughts?

and to think that they cancelled "Just Shoot Me" in favor of "Fear Factor" is pretty pathetic.

-- Allen

Not that "Just Shoot Me" was a prize... but that just speaks VOLUMES about the so-called quality of "Fear Factor". Disgusting.

Stop watching that crap!!!

...post on a different thread if you think this one is about crap.

that probably have it covered by waivers and health care guarantees. Did you ever notice that all the females have large breasts on that show?

Hepatatitis comes from food preparation, from body fluids. I can see your point, though. I'd be more concerned about salmonella or, what's the other one i always forget. Anyway, I dont watch the show, but I understand they have a huge prize. The one time I watched they ate lamb eyeballs, and I found myself gagging.

...from some seafoods. It seemed to me that rotten seafood would be especially risky.

seems to always be associated with a busted sewage treatment plant or something like that...I'm no scientist, but that's my take...

For what is's worth, my nine-year-old son just loves that program...and I can understand why. Gross!

It is gross as hell. Actually, I think I'd enjoy the show more without the food, or rather "food" challenges. The physical challenges are fun enough and I like the fact that women compete and often do as well and better than the men.

I don't think $50,000 is all that much for the stuff they have to go through. I guess the prize is small relative to the other reality shows because the contestants don't have to spend months away from home like in Big Brother or Survivor;still, the dangerousness and grotesqueness of the challenges more than make up for that.

That they run that stuff past a whole host of experts and people. In fact most of the stuff are actually delicacies somewhere in the world.

I enjoy that show watching people who want to be stars or actors or actresses lower themselves in the process.

TV free for many years now!

I also, listen to music, I also watch movies, I also post on DU and I also watch TV. What is it with some people? If these shows are not your cup of tea, then fine. Please stop your kneejerk preaching to those of us who like some of them. There is only so much reading anyone can do in a day.

Aren't they so cool because they watch no TV at all?

No, they are not.:evilgrin:

They squish out their ends when you chomp on them.

And will admit to being a Survivor fan. But Fear Factor just grosses me out. Even the ads make me nauseous.

skypilot, your stomach is stronger than mine!

Actually, it probably isn't. I usually turn away when the contestants start chowing down on some of that stuff. I've even left the room altogether only to come back once they return to one of the physical challenges. I can be a wimp, too.:)

I don't watch much TV at all actually. And I'm usually at work when Fear Factor is on, so I don't watch regularly. I really got into it when I was on medical leave. It is one of my low-brow favorites. But, yeah, I think you're right, how could that not be dangerous?

I always wonder what kind of release these people have to sign.

Anyway, I had to have a colonoscopy last week and I had to drink the most disgusting shit I've ever had to drink in my life. To get through it I pretended to be on Fear Factor.

;-)

Did they surround you with hunky guys shouting obnoxious stuff at you?:evilgrin:

But he didn't shout at me.