Bigger -- But Maybe Less Shocking -- Fear Factor to Return to NBC
Fear Factor
Fear is not a factor for NBC when it comes to resurrecting one of its reality competition shows.
The network is rebooting Fear Factor, its classic game show in which competitors conquer gross or daring challenges in the hopes of winning a cash prize, EW reports.
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NBC's head of alternative programming Paul Telegdy was watching reruns of the show -- which originally ran from 2001-2006 -- on sister cable channel Chiller when he realized that ratings were pretty strong and that the action felt timeless. Comedian Joe Rogan hosted the show in which contestants had to eat live bugs, perform stunts atop skyscrapers or get a really unflattering haircut as seen in this clip below:
"No one has come close to doing what they've done on that show," Telegdy said. "You go back and they've stood the test of time. It always had this incredible spectacle to it."
With today's advanced technology, Fear Factor producer Endemol USA plans to "make it even bigger" visually but does not "need to do the stuff with maximum shock value."
The show's casting site is currently seeking teams of two to compete for up to $50,000. A host for the reboot has not been named.