It's a fact that falling can be funny. Look no further than Charlie Chaplin — or, for a more modern example, all those falling videos on YouTube.
But would you watch a show that was nothing but people falling, over and over again, on purpose?
ABC is about to find out: The network is picking up a reality show called Wipe Out, from the folks behind Fear Factor, that will feature "the most crashes, face plants, impacts and wipeouts ever seen on television." Um, woohoo? Also, instead of that sort of amusing, voyeuristic thing those YouTube videos have going for them, the show's falls will all be carefully designed.
The series will feature 24 contestants working their way through a series of obstacle courses that are "designed to make people crash and burn," with the promise that the wipeouts will begin almost immediately. Four finalists will move on to the even tougher Wipe Out Zone, with each episode's winner taking home $50,000.
Do you think it's true that, as one of the producers said, "there's just something inherently funny about watching someone wipe out"? Does that still hold true if you know the wipeout is coming? Does this show strike anyone else as Jackass without the edge? And really, how long will it be before even the biggest falling fans get really, really bored?
Robe Di Firenze
Luella
Tory Burch
LAME Concept 
1Part of what makes the falling videos funny, IMO, is that the fall is so unexpected - the person is usually just going about their day and all of a sudden they wipe out. A game show in which that's the whole point isn't going to be as funny because we know to expect it and the person "competing" (however that's going to work) knows they're going to fall at some point. It sounds like a REALLY stupid show idea, as far as I'm concerned
2zzzzzz...oh, what? I'm sorry. I fell asleep reading about this terrible idea.
3Bad idea of the week? One of the worst ideas ever.
4If they're giving away 50-grant, how much do you think ABC expects to earn each episode? I'm tired of networks making these awful shows on the cheap so that they can earn millions from advertisers.
5This seems really low for ABC. I could barely even see this being on FOX.
6Maybe one of the worst ideas of the year!
7Wow I didn't really finish reading this, but the show sounds boring and completely dull and the only reason people would be on a show about falling is for that money, but I guess I would fall for $50,000 too, but hey I already do that for free and its not entertaining.
8Sounds so stupid!
9Sounds like another s*** show; I miss Pushing Daisies
, now that is a smart show.
10For those who think its lame,'your weak'...you lack adventure and you must be boring,go back to checkers and the missionary position which seems like your only move.. For those who enjoy a challenge with a little endurance "meaning your not afraid of failure" add some skill, timing, strength and some good ol' fun in the mud this is WIPEOUT. Trust me...ABC has knocked this out of the ball park!
11this show is amazing. you will pee your pants.
12Ok, so I hope you watched the show Buzz and naysayers...you can catch on ABC.com...it isn't the falling that is quite so funny...it's the commentary. They say little things, pause, replay...if you are paying attention to what is said you will laugh your ass off. I watched it last night online just to see what the big deal was, expected to sit there amused but not laughing, but I laughed out loud a few times because of what they were saying about the contestants as they competed...
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