Malaysia to be first regional 'Fear Factor' center

Malaysia to be first regional 'Fear Factor' center

The daredevil reality television show Fear Factor has launched its first Asian production center in Malaysia, where episodes for its debut Asian version are being shot.

The center was set up this month, and episodes targeted for Malaysia, India and Indonesia are being filmed at locations around Malaysia's central city and its surrounding areas.

The only other production centers for Fear Factor are in Argentina and South Africa.

Two of the stunts to be performed on the Asian show will involve the 421-meter-high Menara KL building in Kuala Lumpur.

Demonstrating one daredevil act at the Menara KL on Thursday, Fear Factor stuntman Francois Grobbelaar crawled over a metal flag pole jutting out of the building at a height of 300 meters. He inched his way along the 6-meter pole, untied the Fear Factor flag fluttering at the end, and replaced it with the Malaysian flag.

To add drama, he "fell" off the pole, but was winched up by a safety harness.

Tourism Minister Leo Michael Toyad welcomed the local production center, saying it would promote Malaysia as a filming location for Hollywood and other foreign movie makers.

Reality shows were berated recently by political and religious leaders in mainly Muslim Malaysia because some programs showed contestants from opposite sexes hugging or living together.

Religious officials had also criticized stunts on Fear Factor that involved eating unusual items, some of which were forbidden in Islam.

In the local version, contestants will likely be spared from eating bugs, worms and animal organs -- common tasks on the international version -- because this may go against religious dietary rules. -- Associated Press