This is one of those crazy shows that you never thought would have existed… and yet it does. But then again, people will literally watch anything.
Why would two men get bit by some of the most deadly and painful animals in existence?
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Let’s find out!
1. Justin O. Schmidt
We can’t talk about Kings Of Pain without talking about Dr. Justin O. Schmidt .
Dr. Schmidt was an entomologist (someone who studies bugs) and the creator of the Schmidt sting pain index.
2. The Schmidt sting pain index
So what is the Schmidt sting pain index , you ask?
Well, one day Justin O. Schmidt decided he’d make a scale to show how painful insect bites and stings are.
The Schmidt sting pain index (CONT)
So, for a while, he sat around getting stung by various bugs and recording how painful their bite was on a scale from 0 to 4.
0 being ineffective, and 4 being super painful.
3. The Point Of The Show
The reason that we talk about The Schmidt sting pain index is that the point of Kings Of Pain is to expand upon Schmidt’s pain index.
They want to show the world how much it sucks to get stung by various bugs.
4. The Factors
So while they’re making this pain index , there are a couple of factors they keep in mind.
Mostly:
Intensity Of The Pain
Duration Of The Pain
And 3. The Amount Of Damage Inflicted.
5. The Self-Experimentation
Considering this is a human pain index , the boys on the show can’t really use rats or monkeys to test these bites out.
So, they do it on themselves… as mad people would.
6. The Boys On The Show
The show stars two men, the first being Adam Thorn, who is a wildlife biologist. The next is Rob “Caveman” Alleva, who is a trained animal handler.
Together, they go through some intense pain.
7. The Formula
These two dudes don’t just go into the jungle willy-nilly and dive into a pile of fire ants, oh no.
There’s a formula for each episode, just like a lot of other TV shows.
The Formula (CONT)
So at first, they need to track down the target creature. Then, they capture it. After that, they experiment on it (let it bite them) while a medic watches.
Usually, the medic will explain what is happening to the stars, who are usually writhing in pain.
8. The Fact Checking Never Stops
Even though they make a lot of their own facts for the show, according to Senior Vice President of The History Channel Mary Donahue, they’re constantly fact-checking on set.
From pre to post-production.
The Kinds Of Things That Bite These Guys:
Alright well, keep in mind the next part of the article isn’t for Insectophobes or people who have weak hearts when it comes to these things.
We’re going to be talking about some bugs and a whole lot of pain.
1. The Warrior Wasps
The very first episode of this twisted show featured some Warrior Wasps .
Now, most people have trouble handling the stings of regular wasps, but apparently the barbed stingers of these insects are much worse.
2. Reticulated Python
Yes, you’re looking at an actual moment from the show where one of the fellers like a huge snake bite his arm.
The first thing he said about it was: “Worst-case scenario, we could die”.
The last thing he said was: “AHHHH!”
3. Lionfish
Snakes, insects and fish , these guys will get bitten by just about anything!
And yeah, as you expected, getting stung by this poisonous fish was, in two words: not fun.
