|
Fear Factor
NBC’s Fear Factor may be the meanest series ever on a major
network. USA Today TV critic Robert Bianco calls the reality game
show the "most vile." Its rules are simple: Three women
and three men attempt a trio of stunts in each episode, battling
for a $50,000 purse. In the first activity, some sort of adrenalized
feat warms up the audience. Players get dragged behind a horse
or jump from one speeding semi to another. Then viewers gawk at
gross-out behavior designed to horrify and repulse (such as submerging
contestants in live rats, worms or snakes). The third and final
assault is typically a timed, high-intensity test of strength
and nerve, often taking place high above ground.
"Just because some people are willing to do anything for
money doesn’t mean society should allow it, or networks should
program it," Bianco writes. "[Do] we think so little
of our fellow men, we’re willing to have them subjected to
any humiliation for our entertainment?" Evidently.
Humiliation is precisely the right word for what happens on Fear
Factor. Host Joe Rogan (NewsRadio) alternately cheers and jeers
the participants, futilely attempting to coax some sort of larger
meaning out of their senseless activities. "Feel free to
mess with each other’s minds, play off each other’s
fears," he tells each group. "These are not your friends,
these are your opponents." Opponent may be too lofty a designation.
These people are not competing; they’re mice in a maze, hapless
dupes in a network ratings scheme. Their only commonality is a
willingness to do anything to be on TV and possibly win a few
bucks.
Occasionally, a player will back away from a stunt, too nauseated
or scared to proceed, usually weeping. The producers must love
that—a pretty girl reduced to tears at the thought of writhing
around in 300,000 worms, then swallowing one. Sadly, if it was
only the producers who enjoyed her agony so much, Fear Factor
would not have survived the summer. And now NBC has already ordered
up another season's worth of episodes. Adolescents are eating
this stuff up, and the case of moral indigestion sure to follow
is going to be a doozy.
more tv shows...
|
