what would you do for fifty thousand dollars? would you scale an eight-story building all by yourself? would you do a catwalk in front of a live audience completely naked? would you eat ten live slugs and wash your mouth down with a shot of bile, straight from a cow's gall bladder? apparently, there are more people in america than you think who would do these things and so much more for fifty grand. or at least, that's what the producers of nbc think. and i think they're right. american tv has come down to money and those who are willing to do extreme things for the sake of petty cash. of course, money as a lure for entertainment is nothing new. some of the oldest game shows revolve around winning prizes and big cash. but, to reduce a person's worth and esteem to performing what is equivalent to circus acts is a first. so, the next time i watch 'fear factor,' i should be applauding the circus masters who are able to pull such a feat on perhaps unwitting 'contestants.'