Update about Fear Factor !!!

klorentz · #1 (**permalink**) 01-15-2003, 07:19 AM

Just got a reply from the AHA regarding my query about Fear Factors use and abuse of snakes . I did ask about this when the issue first came up and have and still do feel a continueing contact with the AHA is in order and that they deserve our support . Take a look at the reply I got . Let me know what you think .

Kevin

Dear Kevin:
I do recall our conversations regarding the snake challenge on the episode
of "Celebrity Fear Factor." AHA, after months of frustration, has
successfully contacted the production company, Endemol, and opened up a
dialogue with the producers. As yet, we have no assurances from them
regarding the use of animals, but we understand that they plan to contact us
after they have had a chance to consider some of our concerns. We hope to
hear from them soon with a committment to shift the emphasis of contestent
challenges away from the use of live animals. I look forward to contacting
you with a progress report that will ensure the future welfare of the
animals used on the show.

Thank you for your continuing concern.
Regards,
Karen

Karen Rosa
Communications/Post Production Manager
American Humane
Film and Television Unit

[addsig]

ChrisRezendes · #2 (**permalink**) 01-15-2003, 08:00 AM

Why? What happened? [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]
[addsig]

klorentz · #3 (**permalink**) 01-15-2003, 11:56 AM

From a post on K.com law forum .

They have thrown hundreds of harmless snakes into deep water, along with an adult burm, and drowned several of them. They have thrown snakes around while sorting them causing them to break ribs and suffer from serious internal injuries. It was obvious that those that didn't die on the show died shortly thereafter. If you are tired of seeing them throw non-water snakes into a deep tub of water and seeing several of them drown, or watch them throw around snakes and causing severe injuries, please sign this petition. I'm disgusted every time I see them try to intimidate a player or please the crowd with harmless snakes passing them off as lethal and dangerous. Their show should be taken off the air for doing this, or atleast banned from using animals in their shows.
[addsig]

ChrisRezendes · #4 (**permalink**) 01-15-2003, 12:09 PM

That's pretty bad [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]

Are they trying to pull this crap with any other animals? Somehow I don't think Johnny Law's heart is going to bleed for snakes, although ours will. If they are doing this to other animals, we'd have some serious pull, especially anything fuzzy. Something tells me they aren't scaring people with rabbits and hamsters, though [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]

It's a shame certain people's ignorance and fears has to cause suffering to innocent animals and the few of us who actually care about them. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif[/img]

_________________
Bears and sharks always travel together. Just look at them, walking through the wooded forest, paw in fin. It's on account of their teeth that makes them "Nature's Best Friends"

Ed_r · #5 (**permalink**) 01-15-2003, 01:50 PM

I refuse to watch this show because of this treatment. But i do know they also use spiders (tarantulas not house spiders), roaches, worms. While flipping channels I have seen the episode with the Milksnakes and Cal Kings in the tub of water being flung about being passed as venemous snakes. The show is horrific with some things that they do. In this day and age I can't see how it's even allowed on tv. There are numerous animal abuse scenes, as well as human abuse.
The real bad thing is , if this is whats shown on tv What are they doing behind the scenes that the public doesnt see? [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif[/img]

_________________
Don't forget REPTILE FEST!!! April 5th and 6th 2003 at the UIC Chicago campus. http://chicagoherp.org/fest/main.htm for information.

jpaulson · #6 (**permalink**) 01-15-2003, 01:57 PM

I was a big fan of Fear Factor until I saw an episode using live animals. At first, their challenges involved eating some sort of animal part..i.e cow testicles, brains, etc. My first thought was in how they accquired these parts? Realizing that those parts can be purchased off of slaughtered animals sickened me, but at least you didn't see the animal suffer, and the items were probably purchased from suppliers that would have to slaughter for another reason.

The use of live animals on that show astonishes me. I thought we were past this type of animal cruelty. Just about every movie using live animals now have disclaimers saying "no animal was harmed in the making of..." They also have organizations (such as USHS) that stay with the production crew to ensure that no animal is mis-treated. Does this not go for television shows as well? Do we have no law to cover "television" animals?

It seems that most of the animals that they are using are ones that the general public have a normal fear of anyway...snakes, scorpions, rats, bugs, alligators, etc....all in the name of ratings. This only magnifies the general public's already negative perception of keeping these animals as pets. I can just about guarantee that no one watching that episode using live snakes in the tank of water thought to themselves "oh, what wonderful and interesting creatures...I haven't given them a fair shake...maybe I CAN learn to appreciate them.."

What upsets me the most, is that this could be a great show, very entertaining without the use of these animals. They seem to come up with unique stunts each show...why can't they do that without causing undo suffering to live animals?

I applaud klorentz on his efforts.....you are not alone here.
[addsig]

Ed_r · #7 (**permalink**) 01-15-2003, 02:14 PM

MTVs Road Rules does it too. I saw one where they used a tub of Alligators, the kids ahad to transfer them to a different pool. Mouths were taped shut of course, and the kids were NOT gentle with them, literally throwing them into the other pool like a sack of potatoes.

Unfortunately these shows producers are not stupid. I'm sure they found some loophole to where if the animal is farmed it would be exempt, since it was bred to be consumed. O highly doubt they would leave themselve wide open for multiple animal cruelty charges.

Not saying this would make their actions right. I agree I applaud the effort.
[addsig]

faze · #8 (**permalink**) 01-15-2003, 03:44 PM

...and this is why i very rarely watch tv....
[addsig]

telefrag · #9 (**permalink**) 01-15-2003, 06:26 PM

And if more of us didnt watch or even pay attention to these "type" shows most of them would be out of business.
[addsig]

klorentz · #10 (**permalink**) 01-18-2003, 09:10 AM

For anyone who would be interested I do have the link for the production company ( the executive board ) that makes fear factor and also the Los Angeles DA as he is involved as well since this is an animal cruelty issue . I am really ready to go after these guys if the AHA does not get results .

Some of you may be to young to remember but I do not think NBC wants a letter writeing campaign the size of the one that got Star Trek a third and final season . They do not seem to realize that the herping community could do the same thing to them regarding fear factor . also the production company has a show on CBS . Whats the point you say ? There is what is called a boycott . [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]
[addsig]

Dana · #11 (**permalink**) 01-24-2003, 06:03 PM

What I dont understand is how all these animal rights groups can be all over us for keeping herps as pets (and loving and caring for them) and yet this crap is being shown on TV. I think the man vs beast one looks like trouble too. I guess it shows you how much clout the groups really have--uh, not much.
dana
[addsig]

klorentz · #12 (**permalink**) 01-25-2003, 04:45 PM

Its not an issue of clout but involvment . Its reptiles so they do not care thay much . I think the AHA could do a lot more then they are . One thing they can do right now is right to the Endemol board of directors and tell them ether stop the animal abuse or face court action . The AHA is supposed to oversee any film etc involving animals. They have the power to take it to court . And since a California native species is involved ( Cal Kings ) the Fish and Game Dept can be involved too ( they do not take kindly to native animals being abused ) .

If the AHA does not move further on this then I say the International Herping Community should get involved . Can you just see people writeing in to NBC from all over the world ? Not only that , CBS has an Endemol prodution on their network and Fox is partnerd with Endemol . A general boycott against ALL Endemol productions untill the abuse stops could change their minds with two other networks being threatend with a boycott . Not only that it would embarase the AR groups because they did not get involved and the Herping Community steped up to the plate . We can do it if they wont !!!
[addsig]

#13 (**permalink**) 01-31-2003, 03:00 PM

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE>For anyone who would be interested I do have the link for the production company ( the executive board ) that makes fear factor and also the Los Angeles DA as he is involved as well since this is an animal cruelty issue . I am really ready to go after these guys if the AHA does not get results . </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

And they are ???? links that is....

[addsig]

captainmorgan · #14 (**permalink**) 02-03-2003, 01:01 AM

I hate to be the arguement, god knows I love snakes, but is this the episode people were diving for apples in a snake enclosed tank? I know how tough snakes are, we all do. If they weren't as tough as they are, they wouldn't have survived to present time. If it was the bobbing for apples show, I find it hard to believe that the snakes were having broken ribs by being pushed aside for an apple. I'm not saying I agree to use any animal species for ratings is right, but just to make sure it's not overstated. I know we've all heard of Jill with a broken arm, and by mouth at the end she had a broken back, was on her death bed and wasn't excpected to recover, when in all fact it was just a broken arm. I mean, snakes can swim, they're bodies are remarkable, for healing, and everything else, just don't want everyone to over react to one show, I like fear factor, but I do agree they should do it without live animals. I know we don't complain when they're eating reindeer testicles do we? Or throwing snake food rats into a trash can right? Just another thought. Still love snakes and hear your point, so please don't jump down my throat. Just another thought.
[addsig]

Advertisement