'When they scream like a schoolgirl, that's the beginning of family fun'

Maybe if you're the Addams family, but not where I come from.

That's a quote from Scott Trowbridge, vice president for design and creative development at Universal Parks and Resorts.

It appeared in a story by Nat Ives, in this past Monday's New York Times, about the new new thing: "Fear Factor Live" attractions at Universal theme parks in Orlando, Florida and Universal Studios in Hollywood.

Here's the article.

Putting Some Terror in Family Outings

"Fear Factor" from NBC makes its contestants swallow the unsavory and perform stomach-churning stunts as they chase big cash prizes.

Now the theme parks of Universal in Orlando, Fla., and Universal Studios in Hollywood are planning "Fear Factor Live" attractions that will ask contestants to swallow the unsavory and perform stomach-churning stunts while vacationing with their families.

"No, people aren't going to eat live bugs. Are we going to ask people to eat strange things? Yes," said Scott Trowbridge, vice president for design and creative development at Universal Parks and Resorts.

"Those kind of extreme, over-the-top stunts and challenges we see every week on television - we're going to be able to put ordinary average people into those situations every day."

The attractions, which are scheduled to open this spring, follow a deal, completed last May, that formed NBC Universal by combining the assets of NBC, part of General Electric, with those of Vivendi Universal.

NBC Universal, which is 80 percent owned by General Electric and 20 percent owned by Vivendi, has set about making the most of its sweeping entertainment portfolio, which includes television, movies and the Universal theme parks.

"We always thought of 'Fear Factor' as the ultimate theme-park ride on television," said Jeff Zucker, president of the NBC Universal Entertainment Group.

"What this shows is the capability of the new company to find unique ways of expanding our creative products across all of our businesses."

The "Fear Factor" series, which is produced by Endemol USA, has already survived longer than many of its unscripted prime-time peers, even going into syndication last fall.

" 'Fear Factor' is an incredibly popular show for families to watch together," Mr. Trowbridge said.

"When they scream like a schoolgirl, that's the beginning of family fun."