Reality shows are all over TV lately. You have survivor which is all about who can out last and be the sole survivor, there is the amazing race where teams work against the clock as the move around the world but then there is Fear Factor and to me, the meaning of the name is getting blurry. In my mind the purpose of Fear Factor was to face your fears and over-come them but the more the show goes on, the more it seems that the stunts are all about strength, durability, speed and endurance. Many stunts are now based on time and the slowest 2 are eliminated. But, they did complete the event which means they did face their fears. Some of the events belong on American Gladiators where you need to be in pretty good shape to perform the physical demand some of the recent stunts are calling for.
Should a smoker have less advantage in an under water event? Should a heavier person have less advantage in a climbing event?
Like what is with riding a bull. Sure some would be scared of it but to determine who is better by who can stay on the bull the longest. Doesn't seem like a test of fear to me. This isn't a rodeo contest.
If I recall, last night one participant was eliminated because she took an allergic reaction to one of the food stunts. It's pretty impossible to over come the fear of death when the stunt is basically impossible for her to complete.
Another example of why fear factor is not about fear. Tonights first event is about who can climb a ladder the fastest. That is all about strenght.