What Everyone Should Understand About 1,000 Ways!
I'm a huge fan of this series. Can't wait for Season Three to begin on 12/09/2009 that will have a whopping 13 episodes to 10 for last season and only two, yes a mere TWO, for Season One (come to find out those two were initially going to be the ONLY ones aired before SpikeTV became pleased with the ratings and kept it until its current point now). It's educational and fascinating to view these re-enactments of "the most amazing real deaths ever died".
Which leads me to my point regarding this series. No one knows for sure if these deaths actually occurred as the show claims these demises DID happen. What we're seeing here are RE-ENACTMENTS of what their interpretation was of what might've actually happened to these poor (and occasionally stupid) souls. In other words, you're not seeing their ACTUAL demises. Based on the comments here, everyone seems to be under that impression. The presentation for each is a combination of science, detail, humor, & Darwinism. Remember, their disclaimer also states that the names of the deceased were changed to protect the ACTUAL IDENTIDY of the person who died.
Two examples: the arrogant P.E. teacher who eye-gouged himself to death by the javalin had his deceased body photographed by a student. Camera phones didn't exist at the time this occurred. That should be a clue right there that the series was adding its own touch as to what really happened. Secondly, the guy who was dumb enough to use his feet to push a stuck branch through the woodchipper & ended up the main course for the "Wrong Turn (1,2, & 3)" hillbillies? His name wasn't really Dale! Nor was the guy who actually went through this carnage. Again, Spike being playful on the events.
Maybe the series may have some truth to these. There is a detailed section of UNUSUAL DEATHS that can be found on Wikipedia as well as a breakdown of this series so far. While the portrayals here weren't listed there (the name changes?), it showed me, at least, that the deaths seen here may have just happened or were pretty damn close to it. So "1,000 Ways To Die" may have some merit. Bottom line, the show is just an INTERPRETATION of what MAY HAVE occurred.
Something to consider the next episode you view. If not, just check Wikipedia under Unusual Deaths through the series biography and decide the merit for yourself.