Lawsuit against Fear Factor - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

*MIBabe03* · 01-07-2005, 11:49 AM

Viewer Sues Over 'Fear Factor' Rat Episode
Jan 6, 5:13 PM EST

Associated Press

CLEVELAND -- Apparently nausea was a factor for a "Fear Factor" viewer who is suing NBC for $2.5 million, contending an episode in which contestants eat rats made him vomit.

Austin Aitken said he watches "Fear Factor" often and had no problem with past episodes in which the reality show's contestants ate things like worms and insects in pursuit of a $50,000 prize.

But the Cleveland man said showing people eating rats mixed in a blender was degrading to the contestants and the viewers.

"These networks are going too far.

(Story Continues Below...)

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Period," Aitken said Thursday. "They need to check themselves, clean up their own acts. It's barbaric, some of the things they ask these individuals to do."

Aitken's handwritten lawsuit contends the rat-eating made his blood pressure rise, making him dizzy and lightheaded.

"I didn't see the doorway on route to my room," his lawsuit reads. "I ran into it causing suffering, injury and great pain."

Asked why he didn't shut off his television before the rat-eating segment, Aitken said he couldn't do it quick enough.

NBC responded with a brief statement: "We believe that the claim is completely without merit."

Aitken, 49, said he wants to send a message to NBC and other networks with the lawsuit. He said he isn't concerned with winning a cash judgment in court.

"I just put any figure. You really think I expect to get 2.5 million?" he said.

Court records show Aitken, who works as a paralegal, filed two lawsuits against tobacco companies in the late 1990s. Both were dismissed.

wolf paws · 01-07-2005, 01:32 PM

I think some of the stunts done on Fear Factor are outrageous, but the people agree to try any stunt, and they can walk away if you wish...they don't force them to do a stunt. I didn't see this episode of this Fear Factor, but me as a viewer seeing that stunt would've probably changed the channel. It's one thing to state your opinion about something, but to sue over a show for that amount of money was outrageous! He as the viewer should've changed the channel as soon as it started to bother him instead of suing! He could've stated his opinion about some of the outrageous stunts on this show instead of suing the show.

TJL · 01-07-2005, 03:17 PM

Gimme a break.

Does this mean I can sue NBC over "Father Of The Pride?" There's a few hours of my life I'll never get back.

bossradio93 · 01-07-2005, 03:42 PM

I heard about that on "The Howard Stern Show" today and eventually the suit's going to be thrown out. If the show makes her or anyone sick, don't watch it. Simple? Doesn't bother me. I know it's a sometimes sick show but it's a big hit. I don't mind anyone doing it for the $50,000 top prize or whatever amount the show sets as long as it doesn't involve me!

bossradio93 · 01-07-2005, 03:47 PM

It's in the Reality Show section:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=129114

*MIBabe03* · 01-07-2005, 04:08 PM

Okay thanks.

*MIBabe03* · 01-07-2005, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

Gimme a break.

Does this mean I can sue NBC over "Father Of The Pride?" There's a few hours of my life I'll never get back.

Good one! That show was pretty dumb.

SBTB Geek · 01-07-2005, 04:09 PM

Sometimes I think that 75% of the world's population is ********.

EricIdlefan · 01-07-2005, 05:07 PM

When they eat very disgusting stuff on FF, I either want to throw up or turn off the tv. Sickening!

¤I Love Clay Aiken¤ · 01-07-2005, 05:21 PM

We dont have remotes for display purposes only.

Janet McFarland · 01-07-2005, 05:31 PM

The idiot should have changed the channel when he started to get bothered by it.

Superstar · 01-07-2005, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janet McFarland

The idiot should have changed the channel when he started to get bothered by it.

I agree.

Kristina · 01-07-2005, 05:37 PM

Lame. He IS looking for money, because he could have easily changed the channel. Dizzy? What a little wimp. And they don't make the contestants do anything, there are contracts signed I'm sure. They also have the choice to refuse to participate if they don't want to, if money hungry enough then they will do it.

People like this annoy me. This guy probably thought, instead of having to do all those stunts I could just lie and file a lawsuit so I can get the money anyway. It's like that person that sued McDonald's for getting fat.

Hollow · 01-07-2005, 05:57 PM

lolllll what a *****.

David · 01-07-2005, 06:22 PM

He should have just changed the channel. But, blending rats is pretty disgusting.

01-07-2005, 11:49 AM	#1
MIBabe03 Loving Swingtown! Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 28, 2002 Location: TX Posts: 4,646	Lawsuit against Fear Factor Viewer Sues Over 'Fear Factor' Rat Episode Jan 6, 5:13 PM EST Associated Press CLEVELAND -- Apparently nausea was a factor for a "Fear Factor" viewer who is suing NBC for $2.5 million, contending an episode in which contestants eat rats made him vomit. Austin Aitken said he watches "Fear Factor" often and had no problem with past episodes in which the reality show's contestants ate things like worms and insects in pursuit of a $50,000 prize. But the Cleveland man said showing people eating rats mixed in a blender was degrading to the contestants and the viewers. "These networks are going too far. (Story Continues Below...) Sponsored Sites Perfume Store Save up to 80% on all name brand perfume. No gimmicks, just great prices. Check out our clearance department. (www.scentiments.com) Discounted Perfumes Red Jeans 2.5 - $19.95. We'll beat or match prices. Order online or call toll-free. (perfumesmart.com) Genuine Perfumes - Imagination Perfumery Save on brand name perfumes. Buy at wholesale prices. Free shipping for orders over $75.00. Free samples, free extra gift, free gift wrapping, same day shipping. Satisfaction guaranteed. (www.imaginationperfumery.com) Period," Aitken said Thursday. "They need to check themselves, clean up their own acts. It's barbaric, some of the things they ask these individuals to do." Aitken's handwritten lawsuit contends the rat-eating made his blood pressure rise, making him dizzy and lightheaded. "I didn't see the doorway on route to my room," his lawsuit reads. "I ran into it causing suffering, injury and great pain." Asked why he didn't shut off his television before the rat-eating segment, Aitken said he couldn't do it quick enough. NBC responded with a brief statement: "We believe that the claim is completely without merit." Aitken, 49, said he wants to send a message to NBC and other networks with the lawsuit. He said he isn't concerned with winning a cash judgment in court. "I just put any figure. You really think I expect to get 2.5 million?" he said. Court records show Aitken, who works as a paralegal, filed two lawsuits against tobacco companies in the late 1990s. Both were dismissed.
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01-07-2005, 03:17 PM	#3
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	Gimme a break. Does this mean I can sue NBC over "Father Of The Pride?" There's a few hours of my life I'll never get back.
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01-07-2005, 03:42 PM	#4
bossradio93 Game Show Fanatic! Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2004 Location: Bellflower, California Posts: 2,392	Fear Factor Lawsuit I heard about that on "The Howard Stern Show" today and eventually the suit's going to be thrown out. If the show makes her or anyone sick, don't watch it. Simple? Doesn't bother me. I know it's a sometimes sick show but it's a big hit. I don't mind anyone doing it for the $50,000 top prize or whatever amount the show sets as long as it doesn't involve me!
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01-07-2005, 05:07 PM	#9
EricIdlefan USA 250th! Forum Addict Join Date: Oct 12, 2003 Location: East TN Posts: 68,236	When they eat very disgusting stuff on FF, I either want to throw up or turn off the tv. Sickening!
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01-07-2005, 05:21 PM	#10
¤I Love Clay Aiken¤ MISS APRIL Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 19, 2001 Location: Parsonsfield ME Shaws - Screwing my way up the employment ladder! Posts: 68,780	We dont have remotes for display purposes only.
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01-07-2005, 01:32 PM	#2
wolf paws college student Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 04, 2003 Location: Nebraska Posts: 235	I think some of the stunts done on Fear Factor are outrageous, but the people agree to try any stunt, and they can walk away if you wish...they don't force them to do a stunt. I didn't see this episode of this Fear Factor, but me as a viewer seeing that stunt would've probably changed the channel. It's one thing to state your opinion about something, but to sue over a show for that amount of money was outrageous! He as the viewer should've changed the channel as soon as it started to bother him instead of suing! He could've stated his opinion about some of the outrageous stunts on this show instead of suing the show.

01-07-2005, 03:47 PM	#5
bossradio93 Game Show Fanatic! Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2004 Location: Bellflower, California Posts: 2,392	It's in the Reality Show section: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=129114

01-07-2005, 04:08 PM	#6
MIBabe03 Loving Swingtown! Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 28, 2002 Location: TX Posts: 4,646	Okay thanks.

01-07-2005, 04:09 PM	#8
SBTB Geek Smooth Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 21, 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,004	Sometimes I think that 75% of the world's population is ********.

01-07-2005, 05:31 PM	#11
Janet McFarland Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 09, 2004 Posts: 4,344	The idiot should have changed the channel when he started to get bothered by it.

01-07-2005, 05:37 PM	#13
Kristina Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 27, 2001 Location: CaLiFoRnIa, UsA Posts: 8,890	Lame. He IS looking for money, because he could have easily changed the channel. Dizzy? What a little wimp. And they don't make the contestants do anything, there are contracts signed I'm sure. They also have the choice to refuse to participate if they don't want to, if money hungry enough then they will do it. People like this annoy me. This guy probably thought, instead of having to do all those stunts I could just lie and file a lawsuit so I can get the money anyway. It's like that person that sued McDonald's for getting fat.

01-07-2005, 05:57 PM	#14
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	lolllll what a *****.

01-07-2005, 06:22 PM	#15
David mcphee. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 30, 2003 Location: jacksonville, FL. Posts: 28,115	He should have just changed the channel. But, blending rats is pretty disgusting.
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