Fear Factor "Couples - Round 1" 01-12-04 recap

[JR.]

Fear Factor 01-12-04

Welcome once again boys and girls to the beginning of something special. No, there will be no “amazing journey” or “connection”, save those for the sissy shows. This is about cast-iron stomachs, nerves of steel, and big brass balls. Over the next 7 weeks, 9 couples will fight for a million dollar prize. And knowing this show, it won’t be easy. Who will win? Who will break up? I’ll just go with the abbreviated intro:

Adam (23) & Meg (21) Status: Dating One Year

David (33) & Simone (30) Status: Married Two Years

Tommie (33) & Gina (30) Status: Married Nine Years

Jackson (27) & MONICA! (24) Status: Engaged

Ty (28) & Jen (24) Status: Married Four Years

Meghan (23) & James (23) Status: Dating Two Years

Melissa (26) & Jim (23) Status: Dating Two Years

Nafisah (27) & Gichi (32) Status: Engaged

Rachael (26) & Todd (27) Status: Engaged

The couples make their way along a beach and meet host Joe Rogan. He gives the usual welcome/rules speech, and unveils the first stunt:

Sand Surfing…Sort of
The men will be tied by their ankles to the back of a dune buggy as it races down the beach. They will also be holding onto a rope which their women will be holding as well. The couples will race compete in groups of 3. Out of the 3 heats, the couple that let go after the shortest amount of distance will be sent home.

The first 3 are: Rachel & Todd, Adam & Meg, Meghan & James. Ok, it’s 5 minutes in and I’m already pissed off. Rachel lets it be known that her man Todd previously bought her “the wrong ring”, and goes on to complain about how small and ugly it was. I have 1 question for Todd. Why are you still there with that ungrateful bitch? Run. NOW! Meghan makes me feel a little better by announcing that she likes getting tossed around. Meg & Adam argue, a lot.

They get hooked up and get underway. All 3 are hanging in just fine until about the halfway point when the buggy speeds up. Rachel lets go of the rope as the others make their way past the finish line. She claims she was losing her pants when she let go, and Joe cracks “maybe it was your extra heavy ring”. They’ll have to wait through the next 2 heats to learn their fate.

Up next are: Melissa & Jim, Tommie & Gina, Jen & Ty. None of these folks upset me, so all is well here. Mel & Jim seem like cool people. He works in construction and she’s a teacher, so they could definitely use the money. They get going and have a run similar to the first group. This time, it’s Jen that lets go early. The official measurement comes up a little shorter than Rachel & Todd.

The final group: Jackson & MONICA!, David & Simone, Nafisah & Gichi. Oh. My. God! Monica is a tiny girl with really really BIG…um…eyes. It turns out that she asked him out, which is a beautiful thing. I hope you’re paying attention ladies. Joe asks Nafisah if she feng shui’ed her hair, it really looks like something on her head exploded. They get the countdown and take off. All three couples tough it out and manage to cross the finish line, sending Jen & Ty home.

The group head to an empty warehouse on day 2 for the next stunt. Joe is waiting for them in front of a table that has 2 big bowls filled with earthworms:

…Think I’ll Just Eat Worms
Couples will face off 2 at a time, with one person under the table with their head sticking up in a clear box. The other person will have to transfer the entire bowl of worms into that container using only their mouths. There will be no elimination, but the fastest couple will win a 22 day vacation in Africa, complete with whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, and a safari.

It’s Mel & Jim vs. Dave & Simone, with the ladies will be in the boxes. They get into position and get going with Jim taking an early lead. Jim sticks his whole face in there while Dave acts as if he doesn’t want to get his pretty face dirty. Jim almost gets Joe to reach for the Official Fear Factor Chuck Bucket by spitting up into the worms and then going right back in and sucking them up again. It’s not even close as M&J finish in a time of 1:58.2.

Tommie & Gina vs. Adam & Meg, and once again the ladies are in the box. A&M are shown arguing again, while all of a sudden I break into song:
Tommy used to work on the docks
Union's been on strike
He's down on his luck...it's tough, so tough
Gina works the diner all day
Working for her man, she brings home her pay
For love - for love -Livin' On A Prayer
J. Bon Jovi, R. Sambora, D. Child
Sorry about that, and yes, I grew up in the 80’s. Anyhoo, they get underway and Adam comes out strong, even whacking his teeth on the box. Tom is way behind, and is having trouble. A&M finish with a great time of 1:50.3, taking over first place.

Rachel & Todd vs. Nafisah & Gichi, and staying true to form, the ladies are in the box. They get going and are pretty even throughout. Towards the end, Todd starts to take the lead and keeps it to finish in 1:54.

Jackson & MONICA! vs. Meghan & James with the guys eating again. Jackson gets out to a lead, and easily beats James but comes up just a bit short for first overall with a time of 1:51.2. Adam & Meg win a trip to Africa.

The gang makes their way back to the water, where Joe greets them and shows them the next stunt:

You Know What’s Coming
Couples will compete 2 at a time. One person will hang from the skid of a helicopter as it flies over the lake, drop into the water, and swim towards their partner who is waiting next to a kayak. Once the swimmer is in the boat, the other person must tow the boat to shore. Once on shore, the couple will race to a finish line and each remove a flag from a post. The clock starts when both swimmers are in the water and the clock stops when both flags are released. The slowest couple will be sent home, and the fastest couple will win 10 thousand dollars.

First up are Jackson & MONICA! vs. Nafisah & Gichi, and both guys choose to tow the kayak. A&M are shown arguing again, I sense a pattern here. I damn near pass out when MONICA! removes her clothes to reveal a cute blue camouflage bikini. She wins! The guys are dropped off at the kayaks and the girls head to the chopper. They grab onto the skids and take off. MONICA! lets go first, and Nafisah takes the plunge a few seconds later. Nafisah is not a good swimmer, and falls way behind. J&M are almost halfway to shore by the time Nafisah makes it to the boat. On shore, it’s a tough sprint to the flags as both J&M are exhausted. They finish with a time of 5:36.2. Seasons change as N&G struggle to finish, but they do eventually in 9:09.3.

Todd & Rachel vs. Meghan (wearing a lovely pink and white bikini) & James, again, the guys will be towing. Everyone gets into position, and the ladies take off. They both drop at the same time, but Rachel pulls out to a slight lead. Todd is able to keep that lead, and they finish in 5:58.1 M&J are not too far behind and finish in 6:42.2.

Tommie & Gina vs. Meg & Adam, guys are towing again. Gina’s wearing a beautiful blue and white 2 piece, while Meg is sporting a sexy brownish snakeskin looking bikini. Things get underway with Gina dropping very early, she’s got a long way to swim. Meg reaches the boat with a lead, as Gina struggles to catch up. M&A hit the shore and cross the finish line in 5:06.3. T&G make it in at 6:19.2, not bad considering the rough start.

David & Simone vs. Melissa & Jim, and to keep with the norm, the guys tow again. Simone is wearing a flowered bikini, and Melissa counters with a black and red 2 piece. M&J are determined to take this event today, seeing as how they were so close yesterday and they don’t like Meg & Adam. They get going and both ladies drop at about the same time but Melissa is a very good swimmer and takes a lead. Once in the kayak, Jim takes over and swims like a machine. They hit the shore and race up to the flags in a time of 4:45.3 to take the lead and win the 10 Gs. D&S follow that up with a time of 5:38.2. It’s time to say good bye to Nafisah & Gichi.

With that, this round of the couple’s challenge comes to an end. Come back next week for more insanity where we’ll see a special 2 hour show and a promise to see something we’ve never seen before!

To contact the author send mail to jr@fansofrealitytv.com

[Google]

 

[Paulie]

Great recap, JR! I wish I could tell which woman you liked best, though. There's really no way to determine your opinion.

(She's my favorite, too!)

[Maveno]

Excellent recap JR!! It's refreshing to see a guy take notice of a woman's fashion sense for once!!

[Zhora]

Originally Posted by JR.

Fear Factor 01-12-04...

You Know What’s Coming

Well, I thought about it for a few seconds, (having seen the show and all). Then I came to the conclusion that it didn't matter whether I had seen the show or not, the answer was plain as day...boobies in bikinis!

Great job JR. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that MONICA! goes far. Oh, and that there are a few underwater challenges.

[realityluver]

Originally Posted by JR.

Seasons change as N&G struggle to finish, but they do eventually in 9:09.3.

Great Recap.

[cali]

I have 1 question for Todd. Why are you still there with that ungrateful bitch? Run.

MONICA! MONICA! MONICA! MONICA! MONICA! MONICA!

Loved it! Thanks JR! You do a great job recapping JR! Can't wait to read the one for next week JR!

[JR.]

Thanks again guys, this looks like it will be a lot of fun. Plenty of time to up the torture.

I guess my MONICA! love is showing

[leenetworx]

Originally Posted by JR.

Fear Factor 01-12-04
The first 3 are: Rachel & Todd, Adam & Meg, Meghan & James. Ok, it’s 5 minutes in and I’m already pissed off. Rachel lets it be known that her man Todd previously bought her “the wrong ring”, and goes on to complain about how small and ugly it was. I have 1 question for Todd. Why are you still there with that ungrateful bitch? Run. NOW!

While I completely understand how she would come off that way to anyone watching the show, I can vouch for her and say she is not like that in person. You have to know the two of them - they have a weird sense of humor and they egg each other on alot of the time (like Rachael saying crap about the ring, etc.) They are both really cool people and alot of fun to hang around with (they are 2 of our best friends). Also, they both work hard and neither is ungrateful for what they have in life (including each other).

Just thought I'd throw that out there. On another note, can't wait until tonight to see the next 2 hours of the event. We'll be watching it with Todd and Rachael at Todd's parents' house.