NBC's 'Fear Factor' Sued for Rat-Eating Episode (For $2.5 Million)

[Khephra]

snip........

In a handwritten four-page lawsuit filed in federal court in Cleveland on Tuesday, paralegal Austin Aitken said, "To have the individuals on the show eat (yes) and drink dead rats was crazy and from a viewer's point of view made me throw-up as well an another in the house at the same time."

His suit added, "NBC is sending the wrong message to its TV watchers that cash can make or have people do just about anything beyond reasoning (sic) and in most cases against their will."

He said the show caused his blood pressure to rise so high that he became dizzy and light-headed, and when he ran away to his room, he bumped his head into the doorway.

In a brief telephone interview with Reuters, Aitken said, "I am not at liberty to discuss the complaint unless it is a paid-interview situation."

http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=televisionNews&storyID=7247657

[iconoclastNYC]

1. Great! More amunition for tort reform!

This is silly and no doubt will be laughed out of court but when that happens it will not be reported.

That show is disgusting tho...much more offensive then seeing a breast.

[Orangepeel]

18. if I were a conspiracy theorist, I'd think it was a setup

stories about people suing McDonald's for being fat were played out.

[NashVegas]

32. Maybe We Could Sue *Him*

It makes me queasy and ill to think anyone watches these shows.

[antigone382]

58. Yeah, like I said below, it seems a little Rovian.

The irony is just too obvious to be unintentional. Notice this story is reported the same day that Bush starts his campaign to to limit malpractice awards.

[fishwax]

70. I don't think that's too paranoid at all

not at liberty to discuss the complaint unless it's a paid interview situation?

Yeah, it sounds pretty bogus to me.

[genieroze]

52. I thought the same thing.

My teens love the nasty show and I don't mind the athletic stunts or the lying in bugs etc. Every time they show eating nasty crap I have to leave or I will and I have vomited. One time I choked, am I suing? No, whenever they show eating maggots etc.., I leave the room.

[Worst Username Ever]

2. Maybe he should have changed the chanel?

[BlueJazz]

3. Ok..I'll admit it...

Give ME $10,000.00 and it will be "Ratburger" time!

[GreenArrow]

4. "dead rats..." What's the problem?

Isn't it better to eat dead rats than live ones?

[prodigal_green]

8. better for the rat at least

LOL.

[bluestateguy]

5. Let's take up a collection for him..

to buy a remote control for the TV.

[Johonny]

85. but

he was too dizzy to turn the channel.

Man anyone else thinking of a class action against Faux. I get ill and dizzy every split second that show is on. Some times I glance at it at the workroom cafe and there goes my lunch.

[rinsd]

6. This has absolutely nothing to do with money!

"In a brief telephone interview with Reuters, Aitken said, "I am not at liberty to discuss the complaint unless it is a paid-interview situation."

Won't someone please think of the children!

[Sanity Claws]

7. Why the hell did he watch it?

If you don't like that crap, don't watch it.
Idiot.

[secedeeconomically]

9. Oh, Capitalism its a beautiful thing lol

[seriousstan]

10. So can I sue the evening news?

It has put me straight off my feed for weeks now.

[uppityperson]

11. Give him a lesson in turning off the tv.

[Politicub]

12. What an idiot

So I guess the blended rat did it for him -- not the pig bum, hissing cockroaches or 100 year old eggs.

on edit: I get ill whenever i see Bush on the teevee... does that mean I can sue the news, too?

[-..__...]

46. I've watched "Fear Factor" a few times (not really by choice).

I would have no problem performing any of the stunts... there are some that I'd probably pay them for me to try just for shits-and-giggles. I mean the safety margin, supervision and attention must incredible to pass muster for the legal department. Demonstrate some real fear and take away the rope or safety net.

Downside... I'd be eliminated in a flash if I had to eat anything more revolting than Mrs. Pauls Fish-Sticks. :puke:

[maduroftime]

13. It is going to take some convincing

for me to believe this person was incapable of using the remote control to change the channel...or to believ he/she was tied up in front of the TV with toothpick keeping his/her eyes open:think:

[derby378]

14. Hey...

Last night on The Amazing Race, I got to see a guy eat ultra-spicy soup, vomit it back into the bowl, and eat it again. Gross. I was just glad we both stopped eating long before then.

[Chico Man]

24. Poor Victoria!

That spicy soup challenge was HORRIBLE!

[derby378]

71. Worse than that...she's married to Jonathan

High-strung, emotionally abusive little twerp. What she sees in that guy, I'll never know.

[Ravenseye]

80. Yeah she's seriously abused

She probably doesn't see it but she's so mentally and emotionally abused by Jonathan it's hard to watch. It's harder to watch him being abusive towards her than it was to watch them drink the pigs blood...gulp gulp gulp ok lets go.

[Historic NY]

15. Didn't the tv have an on/off button....stupid lawsuit just to cash in..

No one forces a person to watch this reality crap.

[unpossibles]

16. another reason not to eat hot dogs or other members of the bologna family

or meat at all for that matter.

turn the TV of a$$hole.

I think I am going to sue BullshCo. for making me sick for the last 4 years.

[genieroze]

53. Let's get a class action suit together for mental anguish against *. eom

[neomonkey]

17. Rather comical

He said the show caused his blood pressure to rise so high that he became dizzy and light-headed, and when he ran away to his room, he bumped his head into the doorway.

This guy is a raving dork. I think he deserves his own reality show.

[Maine-ah]

19. "against their will"

I have never once seen them make someone do something "against their will". Contestants have the CHOICE, either you do the "stunt" or you leave. Anyone who has ever watched that show would know that. People watching the show have a choice as well, change the channel. Dipshit. :spank:

[russian33]

20. Who do I sue for the Press Conferences that Scotty has?

White House or Cspan for carrying them, or both? I'd like to know, before I do the paperwork.

[Chico Man]

21. Fear Factor is satanic

How about the episode where people had to "pop" cow eyeballs in their mouth, fill up a glass with the liquid from the eyeball, and then drink it?

IMHO this is satanic, capitalistic, worship. If you want to watch it, by all means, go right ahead. But it is absolutely, 100%, disgusting.

[kevinam]

29. satanic???

Satanic worship?? I don't understand that. I watch it, and I find it entertaining. Is is disgusting?? Sure, but I haven't sacrificed any goats or virgins because of a TV show. The way you are describing it, is just like shrub* calling his air pollution bill "The Clear Skies Initiative". One thing has nothing to do with another. I am curious as to how you would know that much detail about the show if you didn't watch it???
Kevin.

[Chico Man]

30. Of course I've watched it

And I find it to be quite satanic....

How else would one find the sound of popping cow eyeballs entertaining?????

[Divine Discontent]

63. well......

if it sounds like a minion, looks like a minion, walks & talks like a minion, it must be a minion!

popping cow eyeballs and drinking the fluid? if that's true, that does sound like a satanic ritual, what else would it sound like? ENTERTAINMENT? I suppose to some it would, I would have kept turning within seconds of seeing what was going on.

The lawsuit on the same day as "Bush's Tort Reform Crusade" (lol), It sure sounds like a Republican shill..... I wouldn't put ANYTHING, and I mean ANYTHING, past them.


Did I say, ANYTHING?

ANYTHING.

God bless Mr. Wellstone.

[Chico Man]

87. It is true, and here is the link to prove it

http://www.nbc.com/Fear_Factor/gross/403_cow_eye_juice.shtml

[Chico Man]

22. Anyone see amazing race last night?

How about the drinking of glasses of animal blood, and the disgusting force feeding of crazy amounts of super spicy soup?

The contestants just kept puking. They kept showing the puke on TV. I could almost smell it. One puked into his own bowl, but then had to eat his own puke in order to complete the task.

NASTYNESS!!!!

[genieroze]

54. I never watched that show, sounds gross. eom

[Ravenseye]

79. Generally it's a good show.

Maybe once or twice a season they have some 'eating' or 'drinking' aspect, and it's always tied into the local culture where they are. It's not like "hey here...eat a rat"...

0n past seasons they've done things like eat a huge bowl of caviar when they were in Russia, or eat freshly chopped up Octopus still moving, raw, in Korea (a real dish at a real restaurant). More often than not, they have an option...eat the gross thing, or do somethign else. They choose to eat often because it seems like it'd be faster.

Anyway it's a solid show, the pigs blood thing was in Hungary from an old Hungarian 'ritual'...how valid it was I don't know, as I"ve never been there, but only one team had to do it, and it was to skip ahead to the end of the leg of the race. Basically drink this and you can go into first place.

Like I said. It's usually only once a season or so that they have to eat something and the whole vomit issue was because one of the girls doing it was just mentally not with it, and kept puking because of stress, and it made the other people puke. Gross, but not biting the head off a rat.

[LizW]

56. Oh jeez

I usually watch that, but last night I watched the football game instead, thank goodness.

[kysrsoze]

75. I wouldn't call it satanic, but I think this stuff does go beyond decency

The fact that these people submit to such vile stuff is MUCH more revolting to me than any swear word or sexual scene. It's right up there with gratuitous violence. I don't understand why people watch such crap.

Still, if people feel strongly enough about this stuff, they should complain to the FCC rather than trying to sue and make money off of it.

[NYC Liberal]

23. I think a George Carlin quote is in order:

"If you don't like what you're hearing, Reverend, there are two knobs on the radio. One changes the station. And the other...turns it off!"

[Massachusetts]

26. Well said.

[bystnder]

25. Guess they neva' heard of nutria

Shooo, down here during Mardi Gras, nutria (rat like animal) is the new chicken and eaten just as well as fried gator tale and possum stew.

[KTM]

27. Survivor Episode I

Free Range Rat was the main course for 37 days, and I watched every episode... I guess I'll ask for $92.5 million...

Dumbass.

[msanthrope]

28. "officer, I want to report a 20 minute obscene phone call I just heard!"

[SOS]

31. Odd man out on this thread

While the suit may be frivolous, Fear Factor is revolting garbage.
I guess this is what passes for childrens TV these days.
Sure, you can change the channel, but what about the promos?
I'm sitting there, watching Law and Order and suddenly there's a shot of some imbecile filling his mouth with cockroaches.
Although I do change the channel as quickly as physically possible, I can't get to the remote fast enough to get that sh#t off my screen.

[Forkboy]

33. childrens tv?

[SOS]

35. Yes...

“The show is an outstanding ratings performer, particularly in the Kids 2-11 demographic,” said David Goldberg, president of Endemol USA. “We’ve worked hard to find the right type of product that truly captures the essence of the show. We’re delighted to work with category leaders like Hasbro (toys), Mead (school supplies) and Penguin (publishing Fear Factor MadLibs).”
Fear Factor is frequently among the top-20 shows in the Nielson ratings, bringing in as many as 18 million viewers across all major demographics. For the 2002-03 season, it was the 6th most popular show on prime time broadcast television in the Kids 2-11 demographic."

[Forkboy]

37. I gotta see a link for this

The Kids 2-11 demographic has me all a tingle with possibilities :)

[Jesus H. Christ]

41. We shouldn't be teaching kids to eat bugs.

They don't do that on their own, you know!

[Lorien]

38. I agree. It's become the nation's Colosseum

I find it and many other "reality" shows revolting and degrading to the entire human race. And yes, those promos have nearly make me lose my cookies! If it would rein in this type of lowbrow programming, then I say more power to him!

[Jesus H. Christ]

43. I personally can't stand sitcoms with laugh tracks.

I a show is so incredibly unfunny and its audience is so incredibly stupid that they need to have fake laughter for the audience to tell when the right time to laugh is, it shouldn't be taking up valuable airtime for more important things like commercials and static.

But you don't see me advocating censorship.

[Lorien]

61. Censorship vs. good taste

the show is being hawked to kids, and it shouldn't be. Janet Jackson caused an uproar over her bared nipple, which I don't find at all objectionable, but others saw something "damaging" and in extremely bad taste. Eating rats; what's next? Should we show inmates being electrocuted? Sure it's a leap, but by not showing inmates being put to death as a prime time show, is that "censorship"? I'm sure a lot of people would enjoy watching such extreme tastelessness, but that doesn't mean it should be put on prime time.

Edward R. Murrow said that TV could either be used for the greater good, or could deteriorate into a great wasteland. It's done the latter, IMO. And yes, I have decided not to watch. I don't have cable and I choose Netfix-a blue company-for my evening entertainment instead. The public owns the airwaves, and I'm part of the public. You call my distaste for such pablum "censorship", and I say that we deserve better.

[Kinkistyle]

73. What makes eating a rat so horrible, praytell?

It is eaten as a delicacy regularly in places like Vietnam and Cambodia. Tarantulas are roasted over a fire and eaten and sold as as food in Thailand. Koreans eat live octopuses and is considered delicacy. Chinese folks have learned to cook and eat almost anything that moves or does not.

Whats your "beef" with eating rats?

[Jesus H. Christ]

84. Yes, what you're advocating is censorship. Clearly.

"If (a man suing a television station because he didn't like the show) would rein in this type of lowbrow programming, then I say more power to him!"

Frankly, I'd rather have my kids watch Fear Factor than grow up in a society where censorship is considered acceptable.

Have you no sense of decency?

[kysrsoze]

76. It's a stupid lawsuit. People should complain to the FCC instead

[pdxmom]

42. I don't think you're the odd man out

I find it totally and absolutely disgusting, and refuse to watch it. Amazingly, my kids feel the same way. But that's the point. It's disgusting and I just don't watch it. I don't see any way that a lawsuit like this would have merit. If he does, then I want to sue for every time I have to hear "Fair and Balanced -- FOX News". That's what makes me sick!

[fujiyama]

66. The question isn't

whether "Fear Factor" is quality television.

It isn't.

We're debating whether they should be sued over it. This kind of ridiculous lawsuit is great ammo for tort "reform".

I've never seen this show or any of the other reality TV shows. I just don't care for them, but that being the case, I simply don't turn the TV on. And I don't see why it matters if kids see a guy stuffing his mouth with cockroaches in an ad. That can't be more thana few seconds. If you don't want your kids watching the show, unless you have a very old TV, you can most likely block it out.

[alexisfree]

34. what an asshole!!!!!!!

needs to go to a third world country, were having a rat in you plate is a blessing/.....WTF!! """ make or have people do just about anything beyond reasoning" for other humans that is a delicacy..

[GOPBasher]

36. Dumb-ass lawsuit.

[eoberhauser]

39. What I want to know is

Why are ppl grossed out by eating a rat, but not a cow?

This guy is a loser - probably the same guy who called and complained about Janets breast.

Wah
Erin

[Art_from_Ark]

47. Perhaps it's because rats tend to live in filthy places

like sewers and dumps, and tend to carry nasty diseases like rabies

[truebrit71]

77. ..and of course cows don't walk around in their own filth...

..and carry nasty diseases like Mad Cow?

Right?

[Z_I_Peevey]

55. Well, it was rat puree.

The host took a whole rat, put it in a blender, mixed it up and served it to contestants. They then drank the rat shakes. And puked profusely.

I don't watch this disgusting show, but the clip was on "Best Week Ever" last month. I had to turn away.

[dansolo]

40. Shouldn't he have filed an FCC complaint?

That is the real jurisdiction in this case.

[Chico Man]

44. One day soon, I believe someone will die during a reality TV show

The networks will be all over the high ratings. It will surpass Janet Jackson's boob in Tivo replays..

Sadly, even at the risk of death, contestants will be lining up..

Running man, here we come.

[fujiyama]

67. You're probably right

but people are so desperate for even a few bucks so they'll continue to do this kind of crazy shit.

Also my guess is the contestants sign a release form which probably releases the network and producers of any and all responsibility.

[-..__...]

45. I'm not certain whom will need a well deserved fast-ball to the face...

The plaintiff...

The lawyer who will accept the case (I'm dumbfounded that the plaintiff is a "para-legal")...

Or the judge that will allow this case to proceed (there has to be one).

[dflprincess]

48. Hey! Does this mean I can sue all the networks

because I want to throw up whenever they show Bush? Not to mention what it does to my blood pressure when they pander to him.

[VegasWolf]

49. FOX news causes me to vomit and my blood pressure to rise. n/t

[MADem]

50. Ain't rat on the menu in N'Awlins????

Course, they call it NUTRIA, but it's just rat. Hell, the poster, above, who said this is bullshit ammo for tort reform hit the nail on the head.

That lazyass guy oughta sue the company that made the batteries in his remote, too, while he's at it. Obviously, they failed at an inopportune moment and caused him distress. And he should sue the company that made the barcolounger he must have been lounging in, for being too comfortable and rendering him unable to struggle out of it and waddle over to his set to change the station by hand. And the guy who built his house, for putting a door where he could bump his head....!

Oh, the HUMANITY!!!

[wellst0nev0ter]

51. Common Reich-Wing Sensationalism

Have some loser/nutcase exercise his right to bring any type of lawsuit to court, lapdog press drinks it up and blames the "trial lawyers" for allowing this to happen. When the judge finally dismisses the case offhand, the press and propogandists will ignore the judicial process and find some other exotic case to make a mockery of.

[antigone382]

57. Glad I'm not the only one who finds this a little parlocky.

I mean, he mentions right in the lawsuit how the show depicts people who will do anything for money, meanwhile he's

A. Suing for 2.5 million because he puked, had an adrenaline rush, and bumped his head, and

B. refusing to speak to the press unless it is a paid interview situation.

The irony seems a little TOO contrived...

Not to be a conspiracy theorist, but it seems clear this guy is trying to drive home a point, not about the need to control shows like Fear Factor, but about the need for "Tort Reform." Something just seems awfully Rovian.

Edited because I just had to elaborate a little.

[Child_Of_Isis]

59. "that cash can make or have people do just about anything"

That pretty much sums up our society.

[Mike Niendorff]

60. "handwritten four-page lawsuit" filed by paralegal.

In other words : he couldn't find even one attorney that would take the case, so he's bringing it all by his lonesome. Wonder how much Fox will pay him for the interview.


MDN

[daleo]

62. Nothing new about eating rat on TV (Monty Python)

Husband:

What's for afterwards?

Wife:

Well, there's rat pie, rat pudding, rat sorbet or, uh, strawberry tart.

Husband:

Strawberry tart?

Wife:

Well, uh, it's got some rat in it.

Husband:

How much?

Wife:

Six. Rather a lot really.

Husband:

I'll have a slice without so much rat in it.

Female Voice:

One slice of strawberry tart without so much rat in it later.
ONE SLICE OF STRAWBERRY TART WITHOUT SO MUCH RAT IN IT LATER

[NYC]

64. Does this compare to marathon dancing during the depression?

Exploitation of the poor for amusement and profit?

Good movie: They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

[Piperay]

65. What did he expect watching

a show like that anyway, that has got to be the most disgusting show on TV. :puke: :puke: :puke:

[Wabbajack]

68. DRINK a dead rat?

:wtf:

[bleedingheart]

69. How about not watching it???

I don't watch any of this garbage on TV.

Personally I think it is rather disgusting that low/middle income people are willing to debase themselves for money/fame.

[goodboy]

72. good, I hate that show anyhow.

[truebrit71]

74. HEY DIPSHIT!! CHANGE THE CHANNEL!!!!!

What a moran....Oprah Winfrey makes me wanna puke, so you know what? I DON'T WATCH.....

Every single promo gave the viewer a heads-up that the stunt was about dead rats....don't watch if it's gonna make you hurl...

This will get dismissed so quickly it won't even be funny...

[FlaGranny]

78. I've never watched the show

and don't intend to. I've seen commercials and a snippet of the show when flipping channels. That was enough to see the show was meant for teenage boys and those with similar mentality. And who else would get enjoyment out of it?

[peekaloo]

81. The contestants should eat Joe Rogan!

[JPZenger]

82. Why Not Film It in Indonesia

I think they should move Fear Factor to Indonesia. I am sure they could find much entertainment value (satire) in the types of things Tsunami victims are having to eat right now.

[Sterling]

83. These shows are bad for humanity.

IMHO they are much worse than violent movies and movies with sexual content. They promote a very warped view of virtue.

The bachelor, fear factor, I want to fuck a millionaire. are all signs of a culture that is self obsessed and places it's highest value on greed.

This suit is stupid but these shows are certainly a sign of the times we live in. I am not sure if many people realize it but these shows are made in an effort to not pay actors and writers, so in a way they are used to bust up unions and put more power in the hands of the corporations.

It is sad people will actually watch such sub standard productions.

[Chico Man]

86. Yes we are rewarding people for their ability to deceive

As if it is a virtue, a la Survivor..

[jswordy]

88. OH JAY-SUS! Turn the damn TV off, then, idiot!

Katie Curic makes me puke -- I AM FILING SUIT TOMORROW!

$5 MILLION!

That is how this kind of stuff happens...

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20041211-0607-habitualsuer.html