David Blaine is known for his astounding feats of endurance and magic that leave audiences on the edge of their seats. In 2006, he undertook one of his most dangerous stunts - Drowned Alive. The show aired on ABC in May 2006 and was met with mixed reactions from fans and critics alike.
The premise of the show was that David Blaine would be submerged in a water-filled sphere in front of a live audience for seven days, with no food and limited water. The sphere was said to be eight feet in diameter and filled with 2,000 gallons of water. The audience was allowed to watch Blaine 24/7, and he was also monitored by medical professionals around the clock.
The show was highly anticipated, with many people wondering how Blaine would survive such an extreme stunt. Blaine himself claimed that he had trained for two years leading up to the show, preparing his body for the intense physical and mental strain that would come with being submerged for such a long period of time.
The first few days of the show were uneventful, with Blaine spending most of his time sleeping or meditating. He would occasionally swim around the sphere or perform magic tricks for the cameras, but for the most part, he seemed to be in good spirits.
Around day four, things started to take a turn. Blaine began to experience severe cramps and muscle spasms, likely due to the lack of food and sleep. He also complained of difficulty breathing, and his skin began to show signs of water damage.
Despite these issues, Blaine soldiered on, refusing to give up or quit the stunt. He continued to swim and perform tricks, even as his physical condition deteriorated. The audience watched in horror as Blaine's appearance grew more and more haggard with each passing day.
One of the most controversial aspects of the show was the way that Blaine was treated by the media. News outlets camped outside of the theater where the sphere was located, filming Blaine's every move and speculating on his mental state. Some critics accused Blaine and ABC of glorifying and sensationalizing his suffering for the sake of ratings.
Despite the controversy and the physical toll that the stunt took on Blaine, he successfully completed Drowned Alive on the seventh day. He emerged from the sphere looking pale and weak but still standing. He was immediately taken to a hospital, where he was treated for dehydration and other medical issues.
Overall, Drowned Alive was a divisive and controversial show that left many viewers feeling uneasy. While Blaine's endurance and dedication to his craft were impressive, some felt that the stunt was too dangerous and that the media circus surrounding it was exploitative. Regardless of one's opinions on the show, it remains one of David Blaine's most memorable and daring feats.
David Blaine, Drowned Alive is a series that ran for 1 seasons (1 episodes) between May 8, 2006 and on
