Each week, whether it’s on Fear Factor or Survivor, we watch.
Whether it turns our stomachs or not, we watch.
Whether projectile vomiting is introduced, we watch.
More and more often, as the reality TV craze approaches ridiculous lengths, viewers are served up a hearty portion of insect-eating that determines which contestants win thousands-and which contestants win indigestion.
Sure, it’s entertaining, but is all this bug consumption dangerous to those who attempt such feats? What parameters are followed in the selection of such meals?
There’s little to fear but fear itself, according to Fear Factor producer Matt Kunitz.
“The bugs are not harmful in any way to the contestants,” Kunitz said. “Safety is the No. 1 priority on our show. We even had NBC Standards and Practices [department] issue a safety pamphlet on the [bug-eating] issue.”
CBS Survivor spokeswoman Colleen Sullivan mirrored Kunitz’s sentiments on safety and professionalism.
“Appropriate individuals are consulted in advance to determine what is safe and edible within the natural environment,” she said. “We consult with local experts.”
These experts actually strive to gather insects that exotic cultures would deem fine cuisine, Kunitz said.
“Everything [contestants] eat would be considered a delicacy in certain foreign countries,” he explained. “For example, sheep’s eyeballs are a delicacy in Iceland.”
In addition, the bugs eaten on Survivor did possess an inherent “nutritional value,” Sullivan said.
Regardless of their apparent dietary benefit, contestants on Factor and Survivor understand the importance of gulping down the insects placed before them. On the threshold of winning a fortune, contestants must simply grin and bear it.
Or do they?
Each contestant has the option to turn down the challenge-as seen in the second season of Survivor, when vegetarian Kimmi Kappenberg refused to consume cow brains. But most persist, money nearly in their grasp.
“None of the [Fear Factor] contestants have refused to eat [the insects],” Kunitz said. “However, in future episodes, some contestants will fail to eat them.”
What could possibly choke up these resilient Factor contestants? According to Kunitz, he found the perfect “delicacy” to do the trick.
“One example would be buffalo testicles,” he calmly explained. “Certain contestants had a big problem with those and couldn’t get through it. They’re actually a delicacy here in the States. They serve [the testicles] at Coors [baseball] Field–they call ’em Rocky Mountain oysters. President Bush has even requested them at the White House, but his staff didn’t quite know what to do about that.”
Ultimately, though-buffalo testicles aside–Kunitz said that fear is the factor that matters most on his show. And although safety comes first, terror comes a close second.
“The whole key is that these challenges appear horrific to the contestants,” he said. “We don’t inform them of exactly how harmless these insects are. We just say, ‘Oh, don’t worry.'”
And the animal activist groups-so far-aren’t worried either, Kunitz said.
“I’m unaware of any complaints, yet. I mean, we’re not out there killing pigs,” he said. “They’re just bugs, and people seem to be okay with that.”
Fear Factor airs on NBC at 8 p.m. on Mondays this summer. Survivor 3 debuts later this fall.
