Chris R
01-07-2005, 07:50 AM
From Canadian Press (http://www.mytelus.com/news/article.do?pageID=cp_entertainment_home&articleID=1810699)
Viewer sues NBC over Fear Factor rat-eating episode
CLEVELAND (AP) - A viewer is suing NBC for $2.5 million US, contending that he threw up because of a Fear Factor episode in which contestants ate rats mixed in a blender. Austin Aitken told The Associated Press he watches Fear Factor often and had no problem with past installments where the reality show's participants ate worms and insects in pursuit of a $50,000 US prize - but eating rats went "too far."
"It's barbaric, some of the things they ask these individuals to do," Aitken said Thursday.
Aitken's handwritten lawsuit contends the rat-eating made his blood pressure rise, resulting in being dizzy and lightheaded - and vomiting. Because he was disoriented he ran into a doorway, "causing suffering, injury and great pain."
Asked why he didn't shut off his television before the rat-eating segment, Aitken said he couldn't do it quick enough.
NBC responded with a brief statement: "We believe that the claim is completely without merit."
Aitken, a 49-year-old part-time paralegal, said he wants to send a message to NBC and other networks with the lawsuit. He said he isn't concerned with winning a cash judgment in court.
"I just put any figure. You really think I expect to get $2.5 million?" he said.
© The Canadian Press, 2005
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Where do the networks draw the line? It's OK to eat bugs, but not rodents. Come on! And it takes about 3 seconds to change the channel with a remote hand unit. Soon as Aitkens saw the tee up, if he felt a bit queezy, he should have changed channels or turned off his television.
Viewer sues NBC over Fear Factor rat-eating episode
CLEVELAND (AP) - A viewer is suing NBC for $2.5 million US, contending that he threw up because of a Fear Factor episode in which contestants ate rats mixed in a blender. Austin Aitken told The Associated Press he watches Fear Factor often and had no problem with past installments where the reality show's participants ate worms and insects in pursuit of a $50,000 US prize - but eating rats went "too far."
"It's barbaric, some of the things they ask these individuals to do," Aitken said Thursday.
Aitken's handwritten lawsuit contends the rat-eating made his blood pressure rise, resulting in being dizzy and lightheaded - and vomiting. Because he was disoriented he ran into a doorway, "causing suffering, injury and great pain."
Asked why he didn't shut off his television before the rat-eating segment, Aitken said he couldn't do it quick enough.
NBC responded with a brief statement: "We believe that the claim is completely without merit."
Aitken, a 49-year-old part-time paralegal, said he wants to send a message to NBC and other networks with the lawsuit. He said he isn't concerned with winning a cash judgment in court.
"I just put any figure. You really think I expect to get $2.5 million?" he said.
© The Canadian Press, 2005
_________________________
Where do the networks draw the line? It's OK to eat bugs, but not rodents. Come on! And it takes about 3 seconds to change the channel with a remote hand unit. Soon as Aitkens saw the tee up, if he felt a bit queezy, he should have changed channels or turned off his television.