Are you kidding me?

Let me preface the following; I dislike reality TV.  I'll admit that I have enjoyed watching some reality programs (i.e. the first season of "The Real World"), but over the years reality TV has lost some of it's reality.  "Who Wants To Marry A Millionare"? "The Swan", "Fear Factor"; the list goes on.

Today I found the following story on CNN.com, about a man in Ohio who is sueing NBC for an episode of "Fear Factor" that caused him to become "dizzy and lightheaded" and hurt himself.  Are you kidding me?   Which is worse: this guy watching "Fear Factor"  or the fact that the show mad him so ill that he hurt himself???  

Exactly what was he expecting to happen on this show?  It's "Fear Factor", not "Masterpiece Theater".  Only in the U.S can someone sue for something as lame as this.  Obvioulsy this person has never heard for a remote, or a book.  Either way, he is a loser, and I hope the judge has the common sense to throw out this case:

 

http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/07/tv.fearfactor.lawsuit.ap/index.html

 

'Fear Factor' sued for rat-eating episode Viewer contends show caused him 'injury and great pain'

CLEVELAND, Ohio (AP) -- A viewer is suing NBC for $2.5 million, 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 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 NBCand 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.