'Fear' in the Headlights

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Fear Factor

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That all depends on whether stars are put off by the sight of Preston's blond locks covered with critter excretions courtesy of superworms and their buddies, the giant millipedes. For participants, it's quite a change of pace. ''Last week I was posing for Playboy in the most glamorous atmosphere you could possibly imagine, and this week I've got bugs all over my ass,'' says Laurer. ''This is all foreign to me. I've never even been camping.''

No, 'Fear Factor' isn't your garden-variety celebrity game show. ''This is a lot harder to book than 'Weakest Link,''' notes exec producer Matt Kunitz. ''There, you show up for eight hours, get abused by Anne [Robinson], and go home. You show up here for three days and you could actually get hurt. We don't make the stunts easier just because they're famous.... This is 'Fear Factor,' baby.''

And that's fine with Preston. ''I'll pretty much try anything once,'' says the actress in her trailer between stunts -- though she admits, ''being covered by the worms was pretty nasty.'' She wants to send a message to Coolio, but it'll have to wait until later. Her husband, John Travolta, has just arrived. He's promised to match whatever amount she wins for the New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund -- although he's making no promises about actually leaving the cool confines of his black stretch limousine.

Back in his trailer, Osmond outlines his competitive strategy. ''I tell them I didn't sleep much the night before so they think they have the edge,'' he says, flashing his 500-watt choppers. ''When they're talking smack at me, that's what I love to hear. It builds the fire.'' He laughs diabolically.

So who actually wins this competition? Host Joe Rogan remains tight-lipped, but he notes: ''In 'Fear Factor,' the smart ones don't give predictions.'' Will someone please tell Donny Osmond that?