Wipeout

Who says summer television has to be crappy? When ‘Wipeout’ aired two seasons ago as fodder for the traditionally vacant summer months, we were there to take it like a boxing glove to the groin. Admittedly, it has become one of our family’s guilty pleasures. If you’ve never sat through this hour-long comedic game show, it’s a bit like ‘American Gladiators’ meets ‘Takeshi’s Castle’. Contestants make their way through some zany obstacles to advance to the final round where, if they complete the ‘Wipeout Zone’ in the time alotted, they will walk – or limp – away with $50,000.

Part of what makes this simple formula work is the constant puns and ribbing done by the hosts John Anderson (ESPN’s straight man anchor) and comedian John Henson (of ‘Talk Soup’ beginnings). The contestants that sign up to endure the pugilistic punishment of this show are usually interesting enough in their own special way (think Wal-Mart people-watching) which makes their uncoordinated, tendon-snapping, whiplash-inducing acrobatics all the more humorous to watch. Like Roman citizens at the Coliseum we are entertained by the physical misfortunes of these hapless victims. Of course, having the Johns voice-over sophomoric innuendos with the phrase ‘Big Balls’ certainly helps.