When it's live television, anything goes.
The unpredictability of broadcast television was proven once again Tuesday night when an engaged pair of daredevils nearly escaped death on America's Got Talent. AmberLynn Walker and Ryan Stock took the stage armed with a handful of props, including a curved sword and an arrow, ready for Stock to...swallow. However, when it came time for Walker to shoot a flaming arrow at a target stamped on the base of a lamp in Stock's mouth, she narrowly missed and shot his neck by accident.
The live snafu was a grave reminder to all watching, including the visibly shocked judges, that just because it's on television does not mean it will go seamlessly. In fact, instances like this one prove why that constant on-air reminder exists: do not try this at home, kids!
However, Tuesday's mishap is not the first of its kind. Here's a look at a handful of other public stunts gone horribly wrong. Warning: these are not for the faint of heart—or stomach.
In this magic trick gone wrong on live morning television, a co-host became the victim of an unintentional stabbing after accidentally slamming her hand down on a bag containing a large, sharp nail.
One reporter tried to launch a morning broadcast alongside a man attached to a jet pack. However, the show suddenly went off the rails when the man barely got off the ground and immediately plummeted into the water. The failed stunt was met with awkward laughter from the hosts sitting back in the studio.
While conducting an interview, this reporter become the victim of a failed stunt after he was accidentally stabbed with a knife during a demonstration. He was wearing a vest meant to be knife-proof, but the demonstrator accidentally struck an area of the reporter's back not protected by the material.
Thankfully, this failed stunt did not prove harmful to anyone involved. Former homeless woman Leah Gremanis appeared on Today attempting to break the world record for heaviest vehicle pulled in high heels. While she tried to pull a 15,000 pound truck in 3-inch pink pumps, the truck unfortunately did not budge. However, everyone remained safe and Walmart donated $25,000 to Women in Need, a charity organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness for women and their children.
As a publicity stunt for Virgin America, British investor Sir Richard Branson leapt from the top of the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. While he successfully made it to the ground, Branson lost a portion of his pants in the process.