When the revamped version of classic fright-fest "Fear Factor" returned to NBC, the promos promised a show set to rival its former incarnation — the scares would be scarier and the gross-outs would be grosser. Now, after having seen contestants bathe in bovine blood and chomp down live scorpions, it's safe to say the show fulfilled that promise.
But if those stunts left viewers wondering if there's a limit to just how far "Fear Factor" can go, rest assured the answer is yes.
That became evident when "Fear Factor's" intended finale episode recently vanished from TV listings. Monday night's primetime lineup originally included "Hee Haw! Hee Haw!" a season sendoff said to feature a challenge in which contestants were asked to consume -- brace yourself -- donkey semen, but alas, it's no longer on the menu.
The move to cut the episode, which was first reported by TMZ, will come as no surprise to host Joe Rogan, who was already well aware that NBC had reservations about the stunt.
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"They’re not even sure if they’re going to air it," Rogan told Entertainment Weekly weeks ago. "It’s so over the top and ridiculous. When they told me, I really thought they were joking at first. I don’t know where the debate is, but NBC is not sure if they’re going to air it.”
In lieu of the "Hee Haw" hijinks, fans will be treated to a rerun of the creepy-crawly-filled "Snake Bite" episode on Monday night. But that's not all for upcoming "Fears." On Feb. 12, a two-hour special is set to air -- at least for now.
Do you think the network made the right move by pulling the potentially offensive finale episode, or should viewers have had the chance to tune in or tune out for themselves? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.
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