I expected a degree of backlash when Netflix announced “Skyscraper Live.” The live broadcast, held over the weekend (Jan. 24), saw one of the world’s best climbers, Alex Honnold, attempt to scale Taipei 101, a 101-floor skyscraper completely unaided. It’s a stomach-turning feat; one momentary slip and Honnold would fall to his death. I figured some viewers might feel uneasy about turning a daredevil stunt into a live spectacle.
What I didn’t expect was “Skyscraper Live” to be controversial, not because of the ethical question of whether a platform should broadcast an event that could have ended in tragedy, but rather because of the streamer's chosen commentary team. After being delayed 24 hours due to weather conditions (climbing wet steel is a no-go!), Honnold’s climb went off without a hitch in “Skyscraper Live.” He reached the top in around 90 minutes, even showboating along the way. In fact, his biggest obstacle turned out to be technical issues robbing him of his in-ear rock music.
