Downtown L.A. Factor

Here's something the downtown L.A. boosters probably aren't excited to share: The producers of NBC's "Fear Factor" find parts of the area so creepy that they frequently shoot their gross-out and extreme challenges down there.

Popular spots, according to the LA Downtown News, include the old printing annex for the L.A. Herald Examiner. Another episode featured Playboy playmates walking a tightrope across Fifth street, from the roof of the aforementioned (see below) Hotel Rosslyn and Frontier hotel.

Writes the paper: Kunitz said his favorite locale is the Rykoff Building, which features side-by-side structures that allow for rigging to be suspended between the two. "It's half abandoned, half industrial and has great height for stunts," he said.

Kunitz noted that, contrary to many productions that earn the wrath of Downtowners, "Fear Factor" shoots rarely require street closures during the stunts, which typically last two to three days. "There are a lot of great high buildings here and some slightly shady-looking streets."

Many of the buildings are scouted for their creep factor, acknowledges Kunitz. This includes dark corners, decades of grime and dust, and a few resident critters thrown in for good measure - dead cats, roaches and rats to name a few.

The "Fear Factor" story is part of a larger "Best of Downtown L.A." issue that this year uses reality TV as a backdrop. Elsewhere in the issue, a group of "Queer Eyes" suggest how they would makeover downtown; while readers suggest voting off movie crews, the L.A. Mall and the new Caltrans building. Nominated for an "Extreme Makeover"? Pershing Square.