A few months ago, teachers at Hollywood Elementary School went Fear Factor-style as they ate dog food and snails to reward students for exceeding a fund-raising goal. But in a few months, one Memphis household will have a chance to experience the real thing when a crew from Fear Factor comes to town to shoot a segment for the show.

Fear Factor, the reality TV show where contestants take on scary or disgusting challenges for prize money, is launching a new segment for its sixth season called Fear Factor Home Invasion. A film crew will travel across the country and stop at one home in 22 major cities. Theyยนll offer the residents a challenge similar to the ones on the show, such as munching on cow eyeballs or nibbling cockroaches. The segments will air as a portion of the regular show next season.

Calling the Fearless

ยณItยนs sort of like the way Extreme Makeover Home Edition will come to your house and build you a whole new house. But when we show up, weยนre bringing something challenging and scary and disgusting,ยฒ says producer Mikey Glazer. ยณAnd weยนre not going to build you a new house.ยฒ

Casting is now open for Memphians on Fear Factorยนs Web site (FearFactor.com) for about a month. The crew will visit Memphis in either July or October to shoot.

Glazer says the producers are looking for a Memphis family or group of roommates who arenยนt boring or shy and are known in their communities for having a reputation ย‹ whether itยนs good or bad.

ยณI have a feeling thereยนs a certain personality and attitude in Memphis families thatยนs different from what weยนd find in say, Providence, Rhode Island,ยฒ says Glazer. ยณYou guys have personality. Youยนre characters.ยฒ

Feasting on Maggots

The show typically includes a few extreme stunts that involve props and elaborate sets, like car launching pads or giant tanks of electric eels. While he wouldnยนt confirm exactly what will be featured, Glazer says the Home Invasion stunts will probably be simpler ones, where people eat gross things, since those are easier to transport from city to city.

Participants will be challenged to complete the stunt within a certain time, and if they succeed, theyยนll be rewarded.

ยณThere will be cash prizes and some amazing opportunities, like a trip for 10 to Brazil or a garage full of new cars,ยฒ says Glazer. ยณItยนll be worth your while and probably better than a Memphis Flyer T-shirt.ยฒ

Glazer obviously hasnยนt seen our T-shirts.