Daredevil Reality Programming

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mfunk9786
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Re: TV of 2011

#1 Post by mfunk9786 » Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:21 am

I don't know who (if anyone) has been watching Fear Factor since its return, but it's the same trashy bullshit it always was. I love it. I know that not nearly as much thought has gone into it as I'm giving it credit for, but if reality television is going to exist, why not go all-out carnival geek show with it? It's hard to figure out why anyone would choose to watch a show about a bunch of rich women arguing over hairstyles over a no-nonsense slice of garbage involving a divorced couple fishing around in a pool full of cow's blood for cow hearts and having to toss them into a bin using only their mouth. The show suffers from the first and third segments, giant stunt-based challenges that are littered with harnesses and safety precautions that simply make them feats of strength rather than actual tests of human fear - but the middle portion of the program, as always, makes up for those shortcomings. Just like I've never understood folks who drink decaf coffee or watch softcore pornography, I don't understand the mentality of someone who'd watch The Real World but criticize the existence of this strange piece of insect-consumption pulp. I don't know how the idea ever made it past network brass 10 years ago, but somehow it seems even more culturally terrific in HD, in an age when people actually get outraged over sham TV weddings and sardonic Golden Globes hosts. I recommend it to anyone who can stomach it.

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Mr Sausage
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Re: TV of 2011

#2 Post by Mr Sausage » Fri Dec 23, 2011 2:28 am

mfunk wrote:giant stunt-based challenges that are littered with harnesses and safety precautions that simply make them feats of strength rather than actual tests of human fear
You'd be surprised how easily your animal desire to avoid plummeting to your death tends to override that rational part of you that knows you're in a harness. Even tho' I've been rock climbing a bunch of times, my heart still races every time my hand or foot slips. And people still get nervous and frightened as hell whenever they go bungee jumping or zip-lining.

I haven't seen any of the new Fear Factor episodes, but I remember some of the older ones vividly; and some of them--climbing over cars suspended hundreds of feet up, swimming through a maze of submerged tubes--would definitely inspire irrational fears no matter how many safety measures were in place.

flyonthewall2983
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Daredevil Reality Programming

#3 Post by flyonthewall2983 » Fri Jun 15, 2012 10:31 pm

Anyone watching the wire walk now?

wattsup32
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Re: TV of 2012

#4 Post by wattsup32 » Fri Jun 15, 2012 11:06 pm

flyonthewall2983 wrote:Anyone watching the wire walk now?
I was until they revealed the safety harness. Then it went from a remarkable feat of courage to something I could do.

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mfunk9786
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Re: TV of 2012

#5 Post by mfunk9786 » Fri Jun 15, 2012 11:08 pm

Safety harness? Really? Woof.

wattsup32
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Re: TV of 2012

#6 Post by wattsup32 » Fri Jun 15, 2012 11:10 pm

mfunk9786 wrote:Safety harness? Really? Woof.
In his defense, it is the first time he's ever used one (or so they said). But, it still makes it a non-event to me.

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mfunk9786
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Re: TV of 2012

#7 Post by mfunk9786 » Fri Jun 15, 2012 11:14 pm

Yeah, it turns it into a Fear Factor event.

flyonthewall2983
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Re: TV of 2012

#8 Post by flyonthewall2983 » Sat Jun 16, 2012 9:05 am

I would not be surprised if that was a network suggestion, or maybe even likelier both the U.S. and Canadian government, so not to prevent a fatal plunge that would give the three entities a black eye.

It's still majorly impressive he was able to keep his balance amidst all that moisture.

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domino harvey
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Re: TV of 2012

#9 Post by domino harvey » Sat Jun 16, 2012 9:14 am

I read last night that not only was it a network stipulation, but ABC told him that if he removed the harness mid-walk, they'd cut off their cameras. Sounds like he didn't have a choice

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Re: TV of 2012

#10 Post by flyonthewall2983 » Sat Jun 16, 2012 5:27 pm

How on earth would he have been able to stop what he was doing and take it off?

I seem to remember, from a segment he did on Real Sports that he said it was better for him if there wasn't a safety net (or ostensibly a harness too) as it gives him a false sense of security and is more likely to fail if such things are implemented.

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domino harvey
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Re: TV of 2012

#11 Post by domino harvey » Sat Jun 16, 2012 5:40 pm

His dad apparently designed it so that he could easily disconnect from it at any point he wanted to (thus leaving the decision to follow ABC's orders with his son)

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