Behind The Scenes Of ABC’s “Wipeout”

The crew of ABC’s “Wipeout” is busy preparing for their new summer season. The reality show has seen great success in its previous four seasons, attracting a huge following of avid supporters.

KESQ visited the set for a special behind-the-scenes tour of the facility and a chance to speak to all the masterminds behind the madness. “This is what I love, right? I can hear these people behind me screaming because someone just got wiped out, so I know it was probably a good one,” said executive producer and co-creator Matt Kunitz. “It takes Scott a little while to warm up, so after the first or second contestant, he kind of figures out his groove, and really gets those wipe outs good.”

Matt spoke to us while he watched another hopeful contestant get bashed by one of the many obstacles on the course. The man responsible for creating all the stunts and controlling them is co-creator and the show’s other executive producer, Scott Larsen. “It’s fun to watch people flip and fall into the mud, but you know what, they usually get out of the mud with a big smile on their face, if you watch,” said Larsen. “I’m usually shocked by that.”

Thousands of people apply and try out to be on the popular show, not only to run the course, but also to vie for $50,000 in prize money. The show works to cast unique people for every episode. “It’s great because you’re literally going to get everyone,” said Rich Leist, the producer in charge of contestants. “You’re going to get someone that’s old, someone that’s young, someone who’s fit someone who’s overweight. I mean, you’re going to get everything.”

Regardless of where they come from or how old they are, contestants have a similar reaction to the course. “Oh my gosh, that was absolutely insane,” said Orange County resident Jocelyn Peck. “I can’t believe I just did that, it was so hard.”

“It was horrible. I wouldn’t recommend it to anybody that wasn’t like 18 or 19 years old and was like in the prime shape of their life,” said Todd Inlander.

The show looks seamless on television, but it wouldn’t be possible without a huge crew. “Yeah, I don’t think people realize that this is a crew of about 300 people,” said Kunitz. “They work out here on the ranch, they come out here at 5:30 in the morning, it’s getting light now at 5:30, they work until probably 6:30. Of course they get their breaks and stuff, but they’re working six-day weeks to get this course up and going.”

One very important part of the crew, the aptly named “Black and Blue” group, gets their name from the physical beating they take from the course daily. “We test all the stunts before we give them to contestants, we hone all the speed, the pressure behind the hydraulics,” said Kenny Shackelford. “We also, during shoot days, are the ones that are squirting goofy stuff on people, throwing stuff.”

Despite all the hard work, the show’s not without huge amounts of fun. “This show is so fun that I feel like I should be paying the producers,” said co-host John Henson. “Don’t tell anybody but I would actually do this show for free for the fun.”

“Oh my gosh, it’s great, look at what I get to do all day,” said co-host Jill Wagner. “It’s kind of like … I feel like I’m in the mind of a crazy person, which is fun right? Either that, or a big migraine, I can’t figure it out.”

No matter how fun working on the show is though, the hosts said they’ll never get on the course themselves. “No. I’ve seen far too much footage to ever want to be part of this course,” said Henson. “And with each passing season, I want it even less.”

Wagner agreed, “Do you see what’s going on? Does this look like it’s fun to you? No. So, why would I want to do it?!”

The summer season of “Wipeout” begins June 21 on ABC.