The Road to the Extreme Arena

**Behind the Scenes of Global GUTS: The Road to the Extreme Arena** is a behind-the-scenes special on the making of *Global GUTS*, airing on September 4, 1995.

## Synopsis

Host Mike O'Malley and co-host and referee Moira Quirk go behind the scenes at the making of *Global GUTS*.

## Extended Overview

The special begins with Mike O'Malley in voiceover talking how *Nickelodeon GUTS* gave the fantasy of action sports with guest stars and all stars, but now the show will give the viewers the world, leading into the opening sequence of Season 3 in 1994, this time without the audience cheering. After the Season 3 opening sequence, we arrive at the backlot of Nickelodeon Studios in Orlando, Florida, where Mike set up the catering table made out of food. Meanwhile, the security guards interrupt Mike that they never get any donuts and takes a tour, meeting up with co-host and referee Moira Quirk in the GUTS pool, who's napping in the raft used for the White Water event. She explains that she was going over the rules in her head, and admires Mike's energy, which is even higher this year because the show has 96 contestants originating from 12 countries, all competing to win the Crag trophy.

We then meet Bem "Mr. Big" Gar, hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, auditioning along with thousands of other kids hoping to appear on Global GUTS; unbeknownst to him, fellow kids his age are also trying out at Paramount Kings' Island Parks across the nation, along with the NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix, Arizona. Bem talks about watching the show for the obstacles, the Crag, the pressure and he wants to be on the show. At the GUTS office, Mike is having a phone conversation with Bem about being on the show, showing reactions from Team USA contestants Marie, Brooke, Paul, Kelly and Chicago on being selected.

But around the world, more than 10,000 kids are auditioning to represent their countries in *Global GUTS*, and with those athletes, come a team of international hosts broadcasting the action to an audience of over 250 million people all over the world. We even get to see a snippet of a music video-themed around the show, which is quickly becoming popular in Israel.

In preparation for this season, 150 people undertook 6 weeks to build a new Extreme Arena in Soundstage 21, now featuring 21,000 gallons of water in the Global GUTS pool, 18,000 feet of elastic cord for aerial events, and the arena is complete with the new Super Aggro Crag; in Season 1 (1992) and Season 2 (1993), it was the Aggro Crag, then in Season 3 (1994), it was the MegaCrag, and finally, the Super Aggro Crag. This Crag requires the players to begin at Boulder Canyon, followed by Switchback Bend and Avalanche Ledge, culminating in a hard solo up the Ice Wall to lock in first.

We follow Bem and his competitors Christopher "Dodger" Lynn of the UK Team, and Michal "Hammarite" Green of Team Israel from the airport to their arrival at the Global Village, where they register, pinpoint their hometown and pick up their IDs and equipment. The next day, they film their "Spill Your GUTS" segments outdoors, and have a party night with the other contestants, their families, producers, spotters, stunt coordinators, along with Mike and Mo. On Wednesday, they explore Orlando, then they have Practice Day afterward, starting on Thursday at 8:00 AM, meeting with their coaches to discuss strategies.

On practice days, the international hosts film their segments introducing the events to be dubbed and aired later. With the help of their coaches and stunt coordinators, the three competitors finetune their skills so they can have a nearly flawless performance in each event, with the exception of the Crag. During breaks in practicing the events, Mike and the international hosts interview the players after the fourth event. Mike has a conversation with the three competitors, then sends them home, and runs through the Basic Training event, dressed as the "Maniac" after hours. The next day, the contestants arrive at the Extreme Arena at 8:00 AM, and Mike and Moira get ready to shoot the episode. Mike has another chat with the three competitors, then he leaves to let them get psyched for the episode, and the special ends with the crew getting ready to go on the air, showing how an episode of *Global GUTS* is made.