Johnny Knoxville is bringing back the punishment in a new Fear Factor special that asks six contestants to stay awake for 48 hours while they battle through horror-themed challenges for a $50,000 prize. The two-part event, titled Fear Factor: 48 Hours of Fear, begins Thursday, May 14, at 9 p.m. ET/PT, with the second part set for Thursday, May 21, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

The contestants are kept awake with shock collars as they take on tasks that include carrying beetles in their mouths, dealing with tarantulas and walking around in the collars while exhaustion builds. By day two, the pressure turns even harsher, with electrocution and a gross sushi contest added to the mix.

The special is not just about fear in the usual stunt-show sense. It is built around sleep deprivation, and that makes the challenge feel less like a one-off dare and more like a test of how long the body can keep functioning once rest is stripped away. Knoxville’s role as host gives the franchise a familiar face, but the hook this time is how far the competition pushes ordinary limits over two days instead of a few minutes.

That is where the warning from sleep expert Sammy Margo lands hard. She said that after 24 hours without sleep, concentration, reaction times and decision-making can become impaired in a way similar to being under the influence of alcohol, along with irritability, stronger cravings and trouble regulating emotions. After 48 hours, she said, the effects can become much more severe, with memory lapses, confusion, increased anxiety and, in some cases, hallucinations. She added that simple tasks such as driving, working, exercising or holding conversations can become much harder because the brain can no longer process information and react normally.

That context gives the special its edge. The show may be built for spectacle, but the countdown to 48 hours is also a reminder that the contestants are being asked to perform while their judgment, reactions and memory are all under strain. The first half airs Thursday night, and the second installment will reveal whether any of them can make it through the full ordeal with the prize money still in reach.