The Road to the Extreme Arena

**Behind the Scenes of Global GUTS: The Road to the Extreme Arena** is the 160th episode of *Nickelodeon GUTS*; it was a behind-the-scenes special on the making of *Global GUTS* during the 4th and final season.

## 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 host Mike O'Malley in voiceover talking about how *Nickelodeon GUTS* gave the fantasy of action sports, such as guest stars and all stars, but now the show will give viewers the world, leading into the opening sequence of Season 3 in 1994; but this time without the audience cheering. After the Season 3 opening sequence, we arrive at the backlot of Nickelodeon Studios in Orlando, Florida, surrounded by security guards (played by Neal Brennan and Heath Seifert); where Mike has the catering table set up that is made out of food. Meanwhile. the security guards interrupt Mike that they never get any donuts, so Mike tells to leave the security guards allowed, and then, the security guards leave. Mike then takes a tour of the Extreme Arena to introduce co-host and referee Moira Quirk in the GUTS pool, where she's napping in the raft used for the White Water event. She explains that she goes over the rules in her head to admire Mike's energy, which is even higher this year because the show has 96 players originating from 12 countries, all competing to win the Crag trophy.

We meet Bem "Mr. Big" Gar from Cincinnati, Ohio, auditioning along with thousands of other players hoping to appear on *Global GUTS*, fellow players 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 being 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 broadcast the action to an audience of over 250 million people all over the world. We even get to see a clip from 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, consisting of 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 30-foot-tall Super Aggro Crag, which 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 along with 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 players, their families, producers, spotters, stunt coordinators, along with Mike and Moira. On Wednesday, they explore Orlando, then they have Practice Day afterward, starting at 8:00 AM, meeting with their coaches to discuss strategies. On the 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 players finetune their skills to have a performance in each event, with the exception of the Crag. During the breaks, Mike and the international hosts interview the players after the fourth and final event. Mike has a conversation with the players, then sends them home, and runs through Basic Training after hours, dressed as the "Maniac". The next day, the players arrive at the Extreme Arena, and Mike and Moira get ready to shoot the episode. Mike has another conversation with the three players, then he leaves to let them get psyched for the episode. The last scene of the special shows the crew getting ready to go on the air in the production truck; showing an episode of *Global GUTS* with the opening sequence.