Viewer sickened by \'Fear Factor\' sues for $2.5 milJanuary 7, 2005CLEVELAND -- A viewer is suing NBC for $2.5 million, contending that he threw up because he saw a \'\'Fear Factor\'\' episode in which contestants ate rats mixed in a blender.Austin Aitken said he watches \'\'Fear Factor\'\' often and had no problem with past installments where the reality show\'s participants ate worms and insects in pursuit of a $50,000 prize -- but eating rats went \'\'too far.\'\'\'\'It\'s barbaric, some of the things they ask these individuals to do,\'\' Aitken said Thursday.Aitken\'s handwritten lawsuit contends the rat-eating made his blood pressure rise, resulting in dizziness and vomiting. Because he was disoriented he ran into a doorway, \'\'causing suffering, injury and great pain.\'\'Asked why he didn\'t shut off his television, Aitken said he couldn\'t do it quickly enough.NBC responded with this statement: \'\'We believe that the claim is completely without merit.\'\'AP
