Fear Factor Season 1 Review  7/1/06

Get ready to relive every thrilling, exhilarating, and outrageous moment of the mega-hit Fear Factor’s debut season.  There is never a dull moment in this 2-disc set that also features a bonus preview of season two.  Every stunt is spectacular; it is remarkable that the show’s creators can come up with such a variety of stunts, each one breath-taking.  The feats are always extreme, and the home audience will enjoy watching and wondering whether they would have the nerve to step into the contestants’ shoes.  Because the show is never routine or predictable, contestants never know what to expect until immediately before the stunt, keeping them off balance and raising the “fear factor” to an even higher level.

Equally creative and diverse are the “gross out” exploits.  What will it be this time, crawling into a coffin full of worms, or a pit full of snakes?  Maybe munching on some sheep’s eyes, or perhaps drinking a pint or two of fermented squid guts?  Those brave enough to make it through whatever revolting experience the show has lined up for them must then face an even tougher, more hair-raising stunt. 

Fear Factor adds an entirely new dimension to the reality TV genre.  Contestants must not only face their own fears and repulsions head on, but they must do so in front of the other contestants, many of whom do their best to discourage them.  And it has got to be tough on the big macho guys waiting their turn to perform after watching some tiny female complete a stunt; they can’t give the slightest impression of fear without being humiliated.  It is always fascinating to watch each person face their fear within the dynamics of the group.  The reasons the contestants give for coming on the show are often touching, and sometimes have little to do with the $50,000 prize.

Likeable Joe Rogan is the ideal Fear Factor host.  He never overplays the drama, but instead lets the spine-tingling stunts speak for themselves.  The standup comic turned TV star adds just the right amount of humor combined with perfect timing.  Fans of NewsRadio will remember Rogan as office handyman Joe Garelli.   What fans may not know is that Rogan has also reigned as American Tae Kwon Do Grand Champion.

Fear Factor fans and those who have never seen an episode will love this 2 disc set, which also features attractive artwork on a cover slip that hold both discs in their hard plastic cases.  Specifications and an episode index are as follows:

Region 1
2 - Disc Box Set
Full Frame - 1.33
Single Sided - Dual Layer
Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo - English
Subtitles - English (SDH)

Disc 1: FEAR FACTOR: THE FIRST SEASON
Episodes
1. (air date: 6/11/01): Horse Drag; Rat Pit; Slippery-Car Crawl
2. (air date: 6/18/01): Truck Jump; Worm Coffin; Catapult
3. (air date: 6/25/01):Jet Ski Leap; Beetle Bowl; Rope Crawl
4. (air date: 7/2/01): Net Jump; Wormtinis; Tunnel Crawl
5. (air date: 7/9/01): Dog Attack; Snake Pit; Beam Walk

Disc 2: FEAR FACTOR: THE FIRST SEASON
Episodes
6. (air date: 7/16/01): Sub Dive; Cricket Crunch; Speed Drop
7. (air date: 7/23/01): Hotel Jump; Sheep's Eyes; Water Tank
8. (air date: 7/30/01): Wrecking Ball; Testicles; Baby Rescue
9. (air date: 9/5/01):Trapeze; Pig Feast; Traverse

Additional Release Material:
Preview of Season 2 - Season 2, Episode 19 (air date: 9/2/02): Second Season Highlights