Thom Beers, producer of Deadliest Catch has done it yet again. 1000 Ways to Die premiered February 8, 2009 on Spike TV and is a fascinating combination of macabre, science and the occasional random act of stupidity.
1000 Ways to Die centers around some of the most outlandish, yet true stories of those who met their demise in the oddest of ways. Each story is true and is reenacted in a fast-paced segment laced with eyewitness testimonials, odd scientific or medically related facts and expert reasons for the death. The show uses screenshots reminiscent of old comic books and the Sin City” font displays a humorous nickname for the death.
Though not a comedy, 1000 Ways to Die is sarcasm’s answer to the age old “that could never happen to me” statement that makes people laugh and grimace at the same time. True, the odds may be against it happening, however, it does and the Grim Reaper is always waiting around the corner for someone.
1000 Ways to Die was originally a two-part special that rated well enough to be brought back and placed in full line up. Although people don’t like to admit it, there is a morbid fascination with death that draws people, particularly if all the gory details are shared. 1000 Ways to Die satisfies that morbid fascination without going overboard.
Strange Ways People Die
The ways people die on the show are some of the most bizarre and almost seem unreal – however strange they may seem, they are true. As the narrator so aptly puts it, only the names have been changed to protect the families of the victims." A few of the more peculiar cases showcased are:
· Man jumps in back of truck outrunning farm girl’s father, truck is filled with manure and another load is dropped on him, dies from methane gases before he is found. Humorous title:Dung For
· A sword swallower needing money bets he can swallow an umbrella. All goes well until the umbrella opens and he suffocates. Humorous title:Dumbrella
· Razor cut on model’s leg turns to flesh-eating virus, she dies. Humorous title:Face-Offed
· A man is cut in half by a semi-truck, two ambulances arrive and each go to different hospitals, otherwise he could have lived. Humorous title Semi-cide
These are just a few of the bizarre episodes that are shown each week. The show’s last segment is a real-life survival story that is as bizarre as the stories of those who died.
1000 Ways to Die appeals to the side of human nature most people don’t want to admit exists; however, the popularity of the show is evidence that it does. The truly ironic part is that the show has to include a warning statement, “Do not attempt to try ANY of the actions depicted. YOU WILL DIE! " The scary part is that somewhere out there is someone who will try one of the scenes.
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