or


[09/27/19 - 06:01 AM]
History's New Nonfiction Series "Kings of Pain" Follows Two Fearless Men Getting Stung and Bit by the Most Dangerous Animals in the World to Create the Ultimate Guide to Measuring Pain
The eight-episode, one-hour series premieres Tuesday, November 12 at 10:00/9:00c.

[via press release from History]

HISTORY'S NEW NONFICTION SERIES "KINGS OF PAIN" FOLLOWS TWO FEARLESS MEN GETTING STUNG AND BIT BY THE MOST DANGEROUS ANIMALS IN THE WORLD TO CREATE THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO MEASURING PAIN

EIGHT-EPISODE SERIES PREMIERES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 AT 10 PM ET/PT

Watch Outrageous Python Bite and Insane, Dangerous Stings Featured in the Series Here

New York, NY - September 27, 2019 - HISTORY's new unscripted series "Kings of Pain" follows wildlife biologist Adam Thorn and professional animal handler Rob "Caveman" Alleva as they get bit and stung by some of the most dangerous animals and vicious stinging insects in the world - from a reticulated python to a rove beetle - to create a complete and comprehensive pain index that will ultimately help save lives. The eight-episode, one-hour series premieres Tuesday, November 12 at 10PM ET/PT on HISTORY.

In 1983 entomologist Dr. Justin O. Schmidt began ranking stinging insects on a scale from 1-4, putting himself in harm's way for science creating the Schmidt sting pain index and authoring the book The Sting of The Wild. Now Thorn and Alleva are taking Schmidt's pain index even further adding venomous bites and more deadly creatures and ranking them on a 30-point scale with new categories including intensity, duration and damage. Their goal is to create history's ultimate and fully comprehensive guide to measuring pain. In addition, they will be consulting with Schmidt as they build this new pain index that is completely new to science to be used as an educational tool showcasing which creatures humans should avoid and what to do in the event they do get bitten or stung.

"Insect and other venoms work magic, and, in a sense, pain makes the world go around as it lets all organisms know that something is wrong or dangerous and needs to be acted upon," said Schmidt. "Rob and Adam are taking the concept of pain and my original pain scale to a higher realm with some of the most impressive stinging and pain-inducing animals we've ever seen. In the process, they are advancing our knowledge of pain and the human experience and ultimately we are going to learn so much from this."

"While the premise of this series may seem crazy, Adam and Rob are wildlife experts on a very important mission," said Eli Lehrer, Executive Vice President and General Manager for HISTORY. "While most people would flee, Adam and Rob go to great lengths safely scouring remote jungles and secluded beaches to test their pain limits in the name of science. We hope 'Kings of Pain' will keep viewers at the edge of their seats during every scream, wince and puncture wound that brings our guys closer to updating history's ultimate pain index."

Each episode will chronicle Thorn and Alleva as they track the animal in its natural habitat, safely trap it and then execute the bite or sting on each other, followed by their ranking of the pain results. An onsite medic is present who monitors the health and well-being of both men and describes to viewers exactly what physical and physiological effects each bite and/or sting is creating within their bodies. Along their journey, viewers will also be learning about the history of each animal featured and its often-uncomfortable relationship with humans. Deadly wildlife featured over this eight-episode season include the Nile monitor lizard, executioner wasp, fire urchin, rove beetle, lionfish, scorpion fish, bullet ant, piranha, tarantula hawk, giant Asian centipede and the reticulated python - to name a few. Audiences will also get the chance to travel the world from the remote jungles of Bolivia, the Amazon and Indonesia to the beaches of Bali, South Africa, Mexico and Baja California.

"Kings Of Pain" is produced for HISTORY by Propagate Content. Ben Silverman, Howard T. Owens, David Carr, Brett-Patrick Jenkins and Laurie Girion are executive producers for Propagate Content. Eli Lehrer, Mary E. Donahue and Max Micallef serve as executive producers for HISTORY.

About HISTORY(R)

HISTORY, a division of A+E Networks, is the premier destination for historical storytelling. From best-in-class documentary events, to a signature slate of industry leading nonfiction series and premium fact-based scripted programming, HISTORY serves as the most trustworthy source of informational entertainment in media. HISTORY has been named the #1 U.S. TV network in buzz for seven consecutive years by YouGov BrandIndex, and a top favorite TV network by Beta Research Corporation. For a deeper dive, visit history.com or follow @history on Instagram, Twitterand Facebook.





  [september 2019]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· KINGS OF PAIN (HISTORY)





[12/17/25 - 09:46 AM]
Netflix Announces Series Adaptation of Liz Moore's "The God of the Woods"
Produced by Sony Pictures Television, the new series follows the wealthy Van Laars as they fight to hold their family together, unearthing devastating secrets in the process.

[12/17/25 - 09:18 AM]
Video: "Paul Anka: His Way" - Official Trailer - HBO
The film follows the iconic, chart-topping songwriter and musician Paul Anka through stardom and reinvention in an ever-changing industry.

[12/17/25 - 09:01 AM]
Netflix and Barstool Sports Announce Exclusive Video Podcast Partnership
The podcasts joining Netflix in early 2026 include "Pardon My Take," "The Ryen Russillo Show," and "Spittin Chiclets."

[12/17/25 - 09:00 AM]
Obsessive Compulsions and Strange Fixations Are Back in a Compelling New Season of TLC's "My Strange Addiction"
The series explores the unfiltered stories of people whose obsessive behaviors have taken over their lives. Each episode dives into bizarre, real-world situations revealing how these addictions shape daily routines and impact the way they navigate the world.

[12/17/25 - 09:00 AM]
Video: Starz Releases "Outlander" Final Season Opening Title Sequence Performed by Academy and Grammy Award Winner Annie Lennox
The eighth and final season of the groundbreaking series will premiere on Friday, March 6, 2026.

[12/17/25 - 09:00 AM]
Comedian and Actor Bert Kreischer and Country Music Star Hardy to Host "New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash," Airing Dec. 31 on CBS and Paramount+
Social media star Haley Baylee will correspond from New York City and count down with the East Coast at midnight ET for New York City's Ball Drop.

[12/17/25 - 08:01 AM]
First Behind-the-Scenes Look at Netflix's "Mercenary: An Extraction Series," with Production Underway
The highly-anticipated series starring Omar Sy recently wrapped filming in Ireland and is resuming production in Morocco.

[12/17/25 - 08:01 AM]
MGM+ and Prime Video Unveil First Look Images and Premiere Date for New Mystery Thriller Series "Vanished" Starring Kaley Cuoco and Sam Claflin
The four-part mystery thriller series will premiere on Sunday, February 1 in the U.S., Spain, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands and Latin America with a weekly release.

[12/17/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Tell Me Lies" Season 3 - Official Trailer - Hulu
The new season follows Lucy Albright (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen DeMarco (Jackson White) as they've rekindled their tumultuous romance in time for spring semester at Baird College.

[12/17/25 - 08:00 AM]
Season Three of the Critically Acclaimed Crime Drama "Gangs of London," Starring Sope Dirisu and Joe Cole, Makes Its Streaming Debut Thursday, January 15 on AMC+
In Season three, ex-undercover cop turned gangster Elliot (Dìrísù)?is now operating as a top-level criminal alongside the Dumanis, but their business is thrown into chaos when their shipment of cocaine is spiked, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of civilians all over London.

[12/17/25 - 07:41 AM]
ID's "The Curious Case of..." Returns with New Season of Bizarre and Unbelievable Stranger-Than-Fiction Stories
The new season will feature eight new episodes tackling bizarre, stranger-than-fiction cases filled with twists, turns, and shocking revelations through unprecedented first-hand accounts.

[12/17/25 - 07:10 AM]
Family of Innovators Breathe New Life Into Rustic Spaces in "Maine Cabin Masters," Premiering December 29 on Magnolia Network
Builder Chase Morrill, along with Ashley Morrill-Eldridge and Ryan Eldridge, his sister and brother-in-law, rebuild cabins in some of the most beautiful areas of Maine.

[12/17/25 - 07:03 AM]
"The Year: 2025" to Air Monday, Dec. 29, on ABC, Next Day on Disney+ and Hulu
This two-hour special brings audiences an expansive look at the moments that shaped 2025 through the stories that sparked conversation, captured global attention, and defined our cultural landscape.

[12/17/25 - 07:01 AM]
Paramount Affirms Commitment to Superior $30 Per Share All-Cash Offer for Warner Bros. Discovery
David Ellison, Chairman & CEO, Paramount said: "We remain committed to bringing together two iconic Hollywood studios to create a unique global entertainment leader."

[12/17/25 - 06:42 AM]
Cricket Celebration Bowl Delivered Double-Digit Increases on ABC
Coverage averaged 2.3 million viewers with a peak of 3.0 million.