Title: Worst-Case Scenario: Episode 102
Host: Mike Rowe
Executive Producer: Craig Piligian
Running Time: 46 minutes without
commercials
Media: TBS Superstation Original
Television Series Episode (NTSC VHS Screener)
Premiere: Wednesday, July 17, 2002, at
9pm (ET)/ 8pm (PT)
Network: Turner Broadcast Superstation
(Check your local cable/satellite listings for channel)
TV Rating: PG 14
Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera
TBS Superstation’s new original
series “Worst-Case
Scenario” tackles surviving on a deserted island and repelling down a building
using only bed sheets in the latest episode airing Wednesday, July 17, 2002 at
9pm (ET)/ 8pm (PT). The series is
executive produced by “Survivor” producer Craig Piligian and is based in
part on the best-selling “The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook.” The
show airs as a part of a two-hour “Unbelievable Wednesdays” on TBS with
“Ripley’s Believe It Or Not.”
In this episode viewers will see
competitors on a cross island hike in Costa Rica coping against the elements
while completing various tasks like spear fishing within an allotted time
period. There’s a scary motorcycle stunt under a semi and a guy with a phobia
of flying lands a plane in 45mph winds with his wife and kid watching from the
ground. The guy was a volunteer! There’s footage of a river rescue and a
demonstration on how to escape a fire by climbing down an apartment building
window with bed sheets tied together, and there is also a demonstration of a
webshot netgun used to catch a thief.
The series is compelling and
entertaining and I liked the data supplied for every aspect of the stunts
performed on the show, but I must admit that I am not a fan of “reality”
shows and while I was entertained, I also found the premise a bit disturbing.
Yet I couldn’t keep my eye off the TV and I’d be a liar if I did not say
that the show aroused my own fears with suspense, but it is a double-edged sword
anyway one looks at it. I mean whether it is real or staged we watch to suspend
our disbelief and be entertained and hopefully educated, but does this cross the
line to the exploitation of our fears to a distasteful level? I would say
“no,” but something like this could and should be viewed with an
individual’s mind kept open and then you “the viewer” should decide.
“Worst-Case Scenario” is airing now
and this particular episode premieres this Wednesday, July 17, 2002 at 9pm (ET)/
8pm (ET) only on TBS.
© Copyright 2002By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.