News: Fear Factor Live at Universal Studios

Posted at 1:03 PM EST (1803 GMT)

Jan. 17th, 2005 -- Guests at Universal studios' theme parks will get to test their courage and strength this spring as they perform pulse-pounding stunts in new Fear Factor live shows opening at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood.

Based upon the award-winning NBC program "Fear Factor," Fear Factor Live marks the first time a reality television show will be transformed into a theme park experience.  It is also the first NBC television product to be fully integrated into Universal's theme parks.

Audience members will experience the thrill of the blockbuster series in a way they could not before: live. In each show, park guests will compete against each other in a progression of extreme stunts. The stunts - details of which will not yet be released -- have been developed with help from Fear Factor's creators and are designed to test the physical and emotional limits of each contestant.

Members of the audience will play an interactive role by blasting contestants with water and air and controlling obstacles on stage.  In addition, audience members can spin the "Wheel of Fear" and confront their own phobias

"The odds are more in your favor for getting into Harvard than being chosen to appear on Fear Factor," said the show's executive producer, Matt Kunitz. "With Fear Factor Live, people will now have the chance to participate in some of the same stunts we've done on the show."

With the attraction opening at both Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Parks & Resorts continues to build upon the merger of NBC and Universal Studios, integrating the entertainment content of the new company.

 "Our theme parks are known for thrilling, cutting-edge, entertainment," said Tom Williams, chairman and CEO of Universal Parks & Resorts. "Creating an extreme experience such as Fear Factor Live is perfect for us - and a perfect way to fit our brand within the NBC brand."

"I've always referred to Fear Factor as an extreme theme park ride," said David Goldberg, President of Endemol USA.  "It has become a self-fulfilling prophecy now that Fear Factor Live will be a permanent attraction at two of the world's greatest theme parks."

 The Universal Orlando resort destination (www.universalorlando.com) includes two dramatically distinct and adjacent theme parks, the Universal Studios motion picture and television theme park and Universal's Islands of Adventure, Orlando's next generation theme park.  Universal Orlando also includes CityWalk, a 30-acre dining, shopping, club and live-entertainment venue as well as premier on-site Loews hotels and world-class film and television production facilities.

Universal Studios Hollywood (www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com <http://www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com>) is a world-class theme park and entertainment destination.  Situated upon 415-acres, Universal Studios combines an authentic working movie and television studio with cutting-edge thrill rides and attractions, offering guests a uniquely immersive entertainment experience that employs the latest in state-of-the-art technologies. Universal Studios Hollywood includes Universal CityWalk, featuring an eclectic variety of dining, shopping and live entertainment venues, an 18-screen movie complex and the 6,200-seat Universal Amphitheatre

NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates the No.1 television network, the fastest-growing Spanish-language network, a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.

"Fear Factor" is produced by Endemol USA, the leading producer of television programming specializing in reality and non-scripted genres for network and cable television. David Goldberg is President of Endemol USA. The series is executive produced by Matt Kunitz ("Real World," "Dog Eat Dog") and David Hurwitz.

ThrillNetwork brings you news and information about amusement parks, theme parks, roller coasters and thrill rides. Here you will find up-to-date news and travel discounts on your favorite parks including, Six Flags, Cedar Point, Cedar Fair, Disney World, Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and Paramount Parks.