I'm producing a reality show that I hope will be picked up as a midseason replacement. Because the television networks have been cutting costs, I'm putting my detective show on hold.
All the networks have passed on my crime show about an alcoholic bipolar homicide detective and his sexy young female partner who work the streets of South Central L.A. looking for murdered tourists. Even filming in Vancouver would be too expensive, so although CBS likes the pilot script, it's just too expensive to film, especially if I get my first choice, Christian Slater, who commands a high salary. ABC was initially interested. They wanted Pauly Shore for the lead, but he wanted too much money and his own trailer, so they passed.
It's all about the budget, so that's why I'm switching to reality shows. I'm pitching my new show, called "Dumb Factor," a spinoff of "Fear Factor," which ran on NBC from 2001-2006 and is returning tonight on the same network, which promises even scarier and more daredevil stunts. I've been trying to get the networks interested in my show for the last few years, but for some reason, they weren't interested. Now that "Fear Factor" is returning, it is the perfect opportunity for me to promote my show.
For $5,000, contestants will bungee-jump off a freeway overpass with an extremely frayed rope. The cars will run over the contestants until someone is stupid enough to get out and help, also getting splattered onto the pavement in slow-motion. This scenario will keep repeating until the commercial break. All that we'll see after the commercial will be a bunch of dead bodies and a massive pile-up of Camrys. The winners will now compete for the second stunt, jumping out of an airplane with a placebo parachute, after which an Internet poll will be taken for the viewer to guess the winner.
For those wanting to be a contestant, sign-ups will be on our website at www.stupididiot.com . This show will be perfect for NBC's schedule, because they're in the process of canceling all scripted shows.
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I'm hoping this isn't a joke, because I'm definitely going to watch.
ReplyDeleteThe TV networks have sunk to new lows with their cost-cutting reality crap. If its cheap and people will watch, that's all the network executives care about. It will take a few people to be killed or seriously injured for this type of programming to be stopped, although that's exactly what happened on one of those 'housewives' shows, when a husband committed suicide, and they continued with even higher ratings.
ReplyDeleteAs long as people continue to watch these shows there will be no end to them. Obviously, the contestants sign some kind of agreement not holding the shows responsible for injuries and mental problems, but at some point you've got to wonder how far they will go.
NBC is in the process of canceling some of its scripted shows because not enough people are watching. They stand to make a lot of money on the new 'Fear Factor' because it's cheap to make and they promise more exciting and dangerous stunts. Expect more similar shows to follow, with more and more outrageous stunts. 'Dumb Factor' should be a hit.
I can't believe they canceled "Law and Order" after all these years? Pauly Shore in cop show- that I'd like to see.
ReplyDelete"Fear Factor" is old and outdated...but this spinoff is a definite hit!
ReplyDeleteThe fact that people aren't watching scripted shows any more is one reason these reality shows are taking over the airwaves. Christian Slater and other ex-movie stars keep trying to make a TV comeback and keep failing, so we end up with Kardashians and celebrities who are famous for being famous, with no talent. People are willing to do anything to get famous, so we will see more of these shows featuring more outrageous stunts. I hate to say it, but with the new Fear Factor trying to outdo the last version, we are going to see some things that are very close to this fictional account. Wait a minute...Is it a fictional account? Or is this really a new show. I'm not sure Toyota would agree to the product placement...Or maybe they would after all.
ReplyDeleteJust wondering...if all the contestants get splattered to the pavement, who are the "winners" that get to go to the second round? Enquiring minds want to know.
ReplyDeleteTo answer Marc's question, "...if all the contestants get splattered to the pavement, who are the 'winners' that get to go to the second round?":
ReplyDeleteWe are still working out the details, but conceivably a few contestants could survive the first round. Some of the ropes would be more frayed than others, allowing two or three to go on to the next round. The second round winner would be simple: One of the parachutes would not be a placebo, leaving one lucky winner.
To find out when "Dumb Factor" will air, check your local listings.
I bet this would be a big hit...
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