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Blue Men Stuck a Camera Down My Throat!

Posted Jan 24th 2008 11:45AM by TMZ Staff

An audience member at the Blue Man Group show is suing, claiming they stuck a dirty camera down his throat during their show. What?

TMZ has obtained a lawsuit in which James Srodon claims while he attended a 2006 show, he was "forcibly restrained" in his seat while the blue men shoved an "esophagus cam" into his mouth. According to the suit, the esophagus cam is routinely dragged on the floor during the show, which could contaminate it with food and liquid. James claims he now suffers from nightmares.

Srodon is seeking over $50,000 in damages.

UPDATE: Blue Man Productions issued the following statement: "We are shocked and surprised to learn of the allegations made in reference to one of our comedic pieces, "Esophagus Video." At the time of this statement, we have not been served any legal papers.

"Our well-known audience participatory pieces, such as "Esophagus Video," have been performed for over 15 years, in over 50,000 performances, to the delight of over 12 million audience members around the world. We are disappointed that this false claim forces us to reveal the truth behind one of our most popular theatrical devices.

"'Esophagus Video' is simply an illusion. A camera is held in an actor's hands, the actor's hands are placed near an audience member's mouth (not on or in). The live-feed video screen then switches to a pre-recorded medical video, resulting in the hilarious and absurd illusion that the audience is peering down an individual's esophagus. Because the camera never enters the mouth, the execution of this illusion could not possibly put anyone at risk of injury."

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61. This is a joke. I had this done to me when I went to the show. This guy is an idiot. It is all in fun and the camera does not go down your throat. They make it look as if it is going down your throat but it is just a prepared video. People will sue for anything.

Posted at 2:24PM on Jan 24th 2008 by mikec

62. Anything for a buck. Ever hear of getting a job?? LIKE I HAVE?? That I go to everyday??? So I don't have to file ignorant and bogus lawsuits??? Try it, someday. Your sense of self-worth may drastically improve.

Posted at 1:50PM on Jan 24th 2008 by Mike

63. This is a bit unbelieveable. I know some of you are saying you've seen it happen at their shows, but if that's so why hasn't anyone made a fuss about it until 2008? Your telling me that in the sue-happy country we live in only one person has found it so vile that they needed to sue?!

Posted at 1:55PM on Jan 24th 2008 by lalala

64. This is absolutely absurd. I did the exact same thing and im fine. some people are just to sensitive. this is an extreme case. they are blowing COMPLETY out of proprotion

Posted at 7:13PM on Jan 24th 2008 by What a wierdie

65. Speaking as someone who's been to this show MANY times, and even had the "cam"in question placed in my "throat". Here is a clue to all of you (especialy "Yup" who claims we're all "stupid, stupid, people"). Surprise, the camera doesn't even go completely in your mouth.

Not to spoil the fun for all you who enjoy the show, but for those too ignorant or who will never see the show but feel have an opinion.

They gently hold your head in place and have you open your mouth wide. They move the camera to the center of your open mouth. The moment the camera focuses to the inside of your mouth the monitors cut to a "pre-recorded" footage of the inside of someones throat and internal organs. This lasts about 14 seconds. All the while the stand there with their hands on either side of your mouth (to cover that the camera isn't really in your mouth or down your throat). Then at a timed moment in the footage they cut back to the camera being removed. You are UNHARMED, UNTOUCHED by the camera, AND here's the kicker...you get your 15 seconds of fame.

So, to those who think a show like this would forceably shove a camera down your throat causing harm and that's worth suing for a whopping $50 grand...deserve the legal costs and your a$$ handed to you.

Geezus.

Posted at 6:39PM on Jan 24th 2008 by DaBlueManFan

66. Oh, PUH_Leeeeese! I have seen the Blue Men 3 times and that 'stunt' is a pre-taped thing NOT involving any audience members. He's an idiot looking for cash. He will loose. Think of it logically, you can't be scoped without mild sedation.....uh, the gag reflex, anyone? It's a load of crap.

Posted at 2:24PM on Jan 24th 2008 by DancingCat

67. How dumb can someone really be? I went to 2 of these shows, the camera does not go into your mouth, its an illusion. And if it bothered you so bad why are you waiting 2 years to say something? And the beginning of the show also includes a disclaimer that if you are sitting in certain sections of the audience you may get things on your clothes so they offer ponchos or offer to move your seat so anyone who got anything on their clothes and are upset about it obviously did not read the warning before hand. And if you got their actual blue pant on your clothes then you had to have hugged them either before or after the show and then it's your fault for hugging them while they are still in costume. Give me a break people.

Posted at 2:31PM on Jan 24th 2008 by people are stupid

68. I'm most people here, unlike many of the earlier posters who believe anything they read, see that this guy is just trying to make a quick buck. I am a fan who has seen multiple shows in multiple places. The "throat cam" bit is one of the oldest Blue Man Group skits, so thousands of people before this man have been selected to be the "throat cam" person. The camera makes NO CONTACT with the mouth. It goes close, then the pre-recorded segment plays on screen. How would this guy possibly have injuries to his "mouth, throat and dental work."?

As for the claims that the camera is dragged on the stage and floor of the theatre, I can positively say this is false. The camera is always placed on a holder on the PVC instrument on stage. It never touches the ground, so there's no way it could have been as dirty as he claims.

Posted at 3:10AM on Jan 25th 2008 by Phillip

69. They should sue him for slander, and legal fees.

Posted at 2:50PM on Jan 24th 2008 by KSwheels

70. I would like to know how the hell someone could FORCE a camera down your throat, in such a manner as to "cause damage to the teeth and throat", without causing you to puke all over them!?!?

This screams BS

Posted at 5:26PM on Jan 24th 2008 by Tony

71. The Blue Man group is the STUPIDEST show ever. I hated it and I can't figure out what the attraction is. It's not in the least bit funny. The show I saw, I left half way through and demanded a refund when they started eating twinkies on stage with a knife and fork with some poor sap who got dragged up to 'participate'. IDIOTIC.

Posted at 3:12PM on Jan 24th 2008 by Jedicowgirl

72. This is a typical scam artist working a get-rich-quick scheme. It also is a total abuse of what our legal system is devised to do. Anyone can make a claim such as this, for virtually anything. It does not however mean that it is ethical, or even fall in the bounds of the law. To me, this falls in the category of the judge who sued for millions when the dry cleaner lost his pants. An utter abuse.

And if you get messy at a show, tell someone who works there. It is a better way to resolve a problem than to let it fester or bring to court. We actually have real cases to try and this garbage just clogs the system.

Posted at 11:40PM on Jan 24th 2008 by J.Brady, esq

73. Ok seriously, ive been to their show 2 times. the first time they did this stunt, and thats exactly what it was! A stunt!! at no time does anyone actually have a camera shoved in their mouths. ive had 2 endoscopys (where they actually do put the camera in your throat. Both times i had to be partially put under b/c of gag reflex. If this guy actually had that happen, he'd have been chuckin everywhere when it got down his throat! Its just another loser trying to make a quick buck. As for those of you who havent seen the show, stop acting like you have a clue, cause guess what... YOU DONT.! ;)

Posted at 4:09PM on Jan 24th 2008 by Alderon

74. Interesting that this is filed under Hot Vegas, when the incident actually took place in Chicago...

Posted at 5:14PM on Jan 24th 2008 by G

75. They did this to my husband too.....they just stuck the camera by his mouth, not down it.

Posted at 6:03PM on Jan 24th 2008 by Amanda

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