TV Production Shut Down Over 'Explosive Diarrhea' Outbreak

NBC’s “Ultimate Slip ‘N Slide” just became the ultimate s— show. The upcoming TV competition series, adapted from the classic backyard waterslide by Wham-O, has shut down indefinitely after up to 40 crew members fell violently ill during production on a remote ranch in Simi Valley, California, TheWrap has learned. According to a person with knowledge of the production, the outbreak of “awful explosive diarrhea” left people “collapsing” on set and “being forced to run into port-o-potties.”

At least one person on set tested positive on June 2 for giardia, an intestinal infection caused by a parasite, while multiple individuals reported symptoms, according to Universal Television Alternative Studios, which is producing the show for NBC. Production was shut down on June 2 as the water used on the show’s elaborate set — including a 65-foot-tall slippery yellow slide — was tested for parasites by the L.A. and Ventura County Health Departments as well as a third-party environmental lab. Tests on the location’s well, pond, the slide pool, water truck and the restroom sinks all came back negative, but on Thursday additional testing revealed giardia in the surrounding area, Universal said.

“The health and safety of everyone on our set is our number one priority, so out of an abundance of caution we have made the decision to stop production of ‘Ultimate Slip ’N Slide’ at the current location,” a rep for the studio said in a statement. “We are in the process of determining next steps in order to complete production.”

Many original crew members are reluctant to return to the shoot and blame the production for not ensuring that fresh, clean water was used on set.

https://www.thewrap.com/slip-n-slide-show-nbc-diarrhea-shut-down/