Over the weekend I had nightmares about being a contestant on ABC’s Wipeout. They were at first terrifying but ultimately harmless because I ended up using my powerful sense of reason (which clearly does not translate to daylight hours) to decide to just jump into the water immediately. Think about it. The contestants clearly aren’t required to “complete” in any of the tasks in the early rounds. The subtitles to your right don’t lie. It doesn’t hurt when you fall into a refreshing pit of muddy water. It would definitely hurt to get punched in the face by a reverse Whack-A-Mole board or have your spine tapped by a big fat ball that looks like a stranger’s gut swathed in a tight red tee. Why even try? You know what will happen if you try.
Serious question. If by some stroke of evil you became a contestant on Wipeout, would you even try?
That’s what I keep thinking. My wife thinks that they have to at least try, as in they can not get past the obstical if they don’t at least step up to it. Otherwise I would just jump in and swim, I know I can swim faster if I jump in rather than take the time to navigate, wait for timing, then fall in and have to re-orient myself to swim over.
I recently saw a repeat where the contestant went around the first two obstacles, and John Henson said on air she was disqualified for going around. Why would you go on Wipeout if you not going to at least try!!
I’ve seen contestants get eliminated if they don’t attempt obstacles, so you have to try.
And what would be the point of going on if you’re not going to try? You know what you’re getting in to, so why take the easy way out?
I’m pretty sure that as soon as you fall off, you have to get back up where you fell off from. If you don’t get back on, you’re just quitting the show.
They just edit it to show only the parts we’re interested in (the hilarious falling and wiping out) in the beginning.
That being said, if I was ever somehow forced to go on this show, I would jump into the water immediately and not get back on, yes. Haha
I actually think if you are super athletic and try too hard, you are doomed to fail. A lot of people who make it to the final round are not exactly fit. I say give a good effort but don’t overanalyze things too much.
I’ve seen enough people actually run across the tops of the platforms, bounce from one big red ball to the next, and manuever their way around the punching wall to know that it can be done. Though, I’ve never seen one person complete the entire course to perfection let alone get through it unscathed. With the ratings and money ABC makes off of this fun little show I think they should up the payout to the champions each week. By the way, I hope we get a battle of the Wipeout champions this season for the finale. I’ve been waiting to see all the champions compete against each other for three seasons now. I bet then we would see some athletes get though the CrAzY oBsTaCle CoUrSe with near perfection unless they get the engineers to dream up something wickedly difficult for the all-star championship. But, gosh that would be a fun hour or two hour event.
There was almost one! Run Forrest Run. The only thing was he fell on the last big ball.
My friend Kelly and I had a huge argument about this the other day. She claims there’s no point in trying because you’ll just fail anyway. I personally think it would be fun to actually try.
I’ve only seen a little bit of the show, but has anyone actually gotten through the course? What do you even win?
No offense to your friend, but how can you not even consider trying?!
Better to try and fail spectacularly than to lamely jump into the pool!
Kelly is perhaps the laziest person ever. She gets even less work done than I do (seriously…and this is coming from a person who spends at least half of every workday on EW). And, because her desk is right by mine, she inspires me to procrastinate even more.
Um, Annie? No pool is necessary, someone DID already die. Heart attack while on the course I believe, it was in the news a few months back – maybe when taping the current season.
Ah, yes – here it is…
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/11/12/tom.sparks.death.wipeout/
The most interesting thing about that article is that they apparently built the set close to a hospital. As if they were expecting tons of injuries.
No way would I do that show! I saw some the other week, I thought the girl was going to snap her back in half! That show looks like a lawsuit waiting to happen.
I have always said that I would love to be on wipeout because its winning money without many viewers. I said this in the earlier seasons more than now because this show is too hilarious, and people have figured that out. I think it would be fun to try, even those the motivator on the big balls gives me nightmares.
Maybe.
who dosent love big red balls!!
they’re way better than blue balls, that’s for sure!
I would love to try! It really looks like a lot of fun!!!
In a heartbeat.
I would definitely make an attempt. It would probably be a hilariously awful attempt, but hey…isn’t that the point of the show?
I like the idea of past champions competing, I also think they should include memorable contestants as well, such as a little guy known as “crunch time” !