TV challenge for ‘old but still bold’ adventurers only

Nancy and Baz Ashmawy of “50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy”

TV shows that present their hosts or participants with a series of physical challenges have become popular, by way of programs featuring Bear Grylls, Dani Blanchard and Duncan Penn.

Their small, exclusive club of hyper-adventurous risk-takers has been joined by Baz Ashmawy, whose signature show, “50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy,” has tickled viewers’ interest and fancy. With a title like that, how could it not?

The Discovery Channel show’s resident guinea pig or “willing victim” is Baz’s own mother, Nancy. She may already be in her 70s, but she’s “game” when it comes to taking risks of all sorts. Anything to make her beloved son’s show a hit!

Nancy is a retired nurse from Dublin, Ireland. In early telecasts of the daunting show, she jumped out of a plane, went “barehand” fishing in Peru—and sat on a crocodile!

The challenge series for seniors was so successful that it’s been expanded in subsequent seasons to include other “old but still bold” adventurers, whose joint exploits include “edgewalking” around a really tall skyscraper—and paragliding in Dubai!

The risk-taking seniors hope that their dynamic and antic example will convince other retirees to be similarly open to new adventures and challenges.

As long as you’re in good health, why settle for falling asleep in an armchair while stroking a cat and watching TV nonstop—when there’s a whole world of new experiences just waiting for you to get off your lazy butt and sample them?

What’s up next for the “senior adventurer” TV concept? A viewer suggests that the show or a spinoff could get seniors to tackle unusual jobs and not just feats of derring-do. And, what about a local version of the program?

We have many spunky seniors who would be open to pushing their limits and taking on new challenges—like clambering up a coconut tree, riding on top of a speeding passenger jeepney in the province—or going on a hot date with Anne Curtis or Piolo Pascual. The sky’s the limit!

Host-adventurers and “guinea pigs” for the local show could include Manny Pacquiao and his feisty mother, Dionisia. What an antic pair they would make, as they engage in daredevil adventures and challenges that would daunt other tandems.

And, they could top their special episode off with a frenetic ballroom dancing showcase, with Mommy Dionisia dancing dervish circles around her nonplussed son!

Aside from its diverting comedy component, the unique strength of the “Mammy” senior-adventure format is the proof positive its challenges proffer that age is really just a number.

As long as your doctor gives you the A-OK, you can push yourself past the usual limits and cautions, and surprise yourself with excitingly new tests and challenges!

The fact that you’re doing them with your son or daughter only makes them—twice the thrill and fun!