You Can't Deny the Big Balls

Quick! Name five prime time television shows that you would be comfortable watching with four kids under the age of 10. Now, pretend that Idol season is over, ditto So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars. OK, quiz over. I’m guessing your list is as disappointingly short as mine, which is not to say that I advocate watching television every night, but in this economic climate I think it’s plum loco to spend over $75 to take the kids out to the movies.

This summer when I returned from a longer than usual business trip, I watched my four kids pile into bed with their dad to watch ABC’s Wipeout. I was not familiar with show but trusted (probably at my own peril) that my husband had already screened it. As I unpacked I could hear the giggle fits and shouts of “Owww, that’s gotta hurt!” coming from the bedroom. They are now obsessed.

I’ve recently discovered there’s a secret society of Wipeout fanatics all around us. They’re lurking in every corner, old friends, new friends, business acquaintances, co-workers, the postman, my CPA and my gay hairdresser. It seems there is no demographic profile for this show, only the common factor of people enjoying watching other people take huge spills for the chance to win money.

My husband has kidded that he wants to audition for the show. This elicits cheers of, “DADDY! DADDY! DADDY! My daddy is going to win and buy me a pony!” The truth is that my husband cannot spin around three times without hurling so I’m guessing his chances of winning are slim to none. So much for that new pony.