What would you do for a Klondike bar?

How about $50,000? Would you make an ass of yourself on national TV by jumping onto giant red balls and falling facefirst into a mud pit?



I'm talking about the ABC show Wipeout. It may sound like I'm slamming the show but I'm not-- I actually find it pretty damn funny. People tune in (me included) to laugh at other people's misfortune. That sounds pretty terrible but nobody is forcing any of these folks to run this obstacle course which is so obviously built to make them look as stupid as possible. And I didn't even mention the contestants that apply to get on. Good grief, what are some of these people thinking? The athletes going on this show fine, I get it-- you're agile and strong and this represents a challenge to you. But the couch potatoes and average joes? Come ON! Why in the world would you go on this show? Have you exercised at all lately? No? Then what makes you think that you'll be able to complete the obstacle course faster than the 20 year-old, 6'0", 175lb personal trainer from Van Nuys? Because you're going to have to beat him in three different courses to win the money.

That's right-- only one person out of 24 wins $50,000. It'd be one thing to get paid $50,000 for making an ass of yourself on TV. But to make an ass of yourself, not make it past the first round and not get paid? No thanks.

But I enjoy watching it. I'm a bad person.