Fatal Wipeout:
In what will hopefully become a cautionary tale for future daredevils looking to conquer Japanese game show-inspired challenges, a Wipeout contestant passed away last week during production on ABC’s hit show. Tom Sparks, 33, a recent graduate of USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, complained of knee pain and shortness of breath while completing one of Wipeout’s obstacle courses. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors learned he had suffered a stroke and could not be saved. Sparks had just returned home from his European honeymoon and was competing on the show with his wife of two months. [The Wrap]
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Posted 12 Nov 2009, 2:59 PM
when keepin it real goes awry
Posted 12 Nov 2009, 3:10 PM
Time to reboot the planet.
Posted 12 Nov 2009, 3:15 PM
Are you saying he didn't die on the spot by being punched in the face by a robotic glove as the picture suggests?
Posted 12 Nov 2009, 3:48 PM
Alright, we're getting there.
Now all they need to do is take that next step and find a way to...as they'll insist in a carefully worded press release...'honor his memory' by airing the show where it happens.
Which will open the door to all 'reality' shows that kill someone to air episodes where an accident happens. Which should then pave the way for lethal combat game shows...ala 'The Running Man'. Then, and only then, will we be as bad as the Romans.
These things take time, but it's getting there.