Beneath the sparkling surface of reality TV, not all is as it seems. This couldn’t be truer than in the case of the Animal Planet show “Tanked”, where lavish aquariums are constructed for celebrities.
One such star, Chris Jericho, had a firsthand experience that was anything but glamorous. In a rare behind-the-scenes revelation, the wrestling legend pulls back the curtain on the so-called “money trap” that left him – and his fish – high and dry.
Brace yourself as we dive into the murky depths of Jericho’s turbulent experience on “Tanked”.
Who is Chris Jericho?
Chris Jericho, born as Christopher Keith Irvine, is a Canadian-American professional wrestler, musician, author, and actor, who’s best known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
Born on November 9, 1970, in Manhasset, New York, Jericho was raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. With an illustrious wrestling career, he’s won many titles, including being the first-ever Undisputed WWF Champion.
Beyond wrestling, Jericho is the lead vocalist of the rock band Fozzy, an author of several books, and the host of the podcast “Talk is Jericho”.
Why was Chris Jericho on “Tanked”?
Jericho made his appearance on the season premiere of “Tanked,” where he received a custom aquarium from Acrylic Tank Manufacturing. The tank was supposed to be a tribute to his career, and Jericho had only one request: it needed to be better than the one made for fellow wrestler Titus O’Neil the previous year.
However, his experience on the show was far from pleasant. Jericho described it as a “money trap” and a “scam,” expressing his dissatisfaction in an interview.
While the show made for an hour of great television, it turned into a nightmare as soon as filming wrapped up.
He explained how after the crew left, they sent someone over to drain the tank to half and start acclimating the fish. To the wrestling star’s surprise, the fish started dying, causing distress to his children. In addition, there were problems with the tank itself, like a pipe bursting.
Jericho also mentioned that he wasn’t the only one with issues with the show, citing other celebrities like Howie Mandel who also had problems. The tank was supposed to be worth around $40,000, but after the fish died and multiple cleaners quit because they weren’t paid, Jericho had to get rid of the tank.
He ended by saying that the show should have been called “Tanked Nightmare” instead and that he’s glad it’s off the air, concluding with the statement, “Tanked sucks”.
Jericho’s ordeal reveals a stark contrast between the glitz and glamour presented on television and the reality of what goes on behind the scenes. As viewers, it’s important to remember that there’s often more than meets the eye when it comes to reality TV.
