This American Life: Hands On A Hard Body
Hands On A Hard Body is a 1997 documentary film, now viewable on Google Video, about an annual endurance contest in Texas where contestants see who can keep a hand on a pickup truck the longest. The winner wins the vehicle. This American Life just re-aired a remarkable interview with previous contest winner Benny Perkins who paints a vivid picture of how sleep deprivation can turn this simple game into a very strange, intense experience of sleep deprivation and psy-ops. "You're standing next to the devil," Perkins once told a competitor. Hands On A Hardbody (This American Life), Hands On A Hard Body (Google Video)
UPDATE: Bummer. Looks like the film was yanked from Google Video.
UPDATE: Bummer. Looks like the film was yanked from Google Video.
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wasn't this the same type of competition that killed that person hoping to win a Nintendo Wii, due to toxoplasmosis or something because she held urine in her bladder for more than 20 hours?
do you just wear a diaper to this kind of thing and just hope for the best?
No, they get restroom and food breaks...
I live in Longview, Tx where this is held, (have actually done advertising for the dealership that hosts the contest) The future of the contest is in doubt since a couple years ago, one of the finalists (who's strategy was just to keep chugging Monster drinks for a couple days straight) was called out. He immediately walked across the street to the K-mart, broke in, went straight to the shotguns and proceeded to first threaten the officers who had followed him in, and then to take his own life. I do business with some of the event coordinators, and they were all very shaken up by the whole business.
#1 - I THINK you may be referring to a woman who died after a water-drinking contest? Seems a bit different? But could be something else.
On a side note - This American Life is one of the greatest shows of any media type ever. That is all.
They also discontinued the competition in 2005.
I heard this the other week and Benny Perkins is the Hannibal Lecter of car-stamina-standing-contest. It's a very specific kind of Lecter.
The whole thing reminded me of a great novella by Richard Bachman (Stephen King in disguise) called "The Long Walk". Down to the weird little alliances and games within the game that people play, very reminiscent.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Long_Walk
#4
you are correct, yes. My mistake.
MGFARRELLY @5, The Lecter comparison is perfect. Hahahahhaa.
It certainly would be more interesting without the breaks. If they got rid of the 5 minute break every hour, and 15 minutes every 8 hours, maybe the contests wouldn't drag on for 200+ hours. You'd only eat things you can hold in one hand because the other needs to be on the truck. Not sure you'd want to wear a "used" diaper for 24 to 48 hours though. Maybe wear a skirt / kilt without underwear and use a bucket?
there was a show that ran on channel 5 in the uk, real early on in its infancy called touch the truck hosted by dale winton,that was based on this competition.
If memory serves me correctly, it was psychedelicly charged filler.
I just feel the need to point out that toxoplasmosis is the disease you get from cleaning the kitty-litter box (or directly eating cat feces).
11 percent of Americans and 30 percent of people in the world have it right now, and most don't even know it. It has nothing to do with holding urine in your bladder.
Interestingly, some studies show that people infected with Toxoplasma gondii become more loving towards cats. And that mice and rats infected with the protozoan lose their fear of cats. Thus, it is a wonderful symbiotic relationship between feline and parasite that has evolved over millennia.
And yes, that story on TAL was a good one. I like the part about the tight jeans.
This great news for a truly fantastic movie that's been out of print for almost 10 years. Anyone know why?
I saw it in the theater when it came out and then managed to grab a promo copy used so I didn't have to drop $85 for it.
Great movie, then later, great TAL bit. But I have to ask, isn't it weird for a movie to be OPTIONED BY RADIO??!?!!?!?!?!!
Did Google take the video down?
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It doesn't see to be on Google Video:
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Boo! The video is down and I hadn't even had a chance to watch it yet!
There is a DVD available, dont know if its still in print though. I am curently living in Alabama and have gone to witness a few of this type of event, the best one being hands on a pontoon boat sponsored by the local classic rock station. The event was held in one of the local malls parking lots and drew a pretty impressive crowd. Anyway if you live in the Southern US keep your eyes and ears open, usually during the spring season to make sure not to miss out on the most ridiculous and surreal events/sports? that exists.
Hey,now I don't feel so bad if its out of print...
http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4219578/Hands_On_A_Hard_Body.avi
We own this on DVD -- totally worth it. Now I want to watch it again...
A snicker bar and an orange...
I own the DVD of this movie as well. I saw it at The Dobie (UT Austin) during my honeymoon! It also happens that I grew up in Kilgore (a few miles from Longview). Benny Perkins is a local celebrity and what could best be described as a zen hick. This movie is so great and so epic. It really must be seen. "It's a human drama thang."
Never fear, see it here: http://www.scribblevillage.com/?p=1624