Tickled and Everything That Really Happened to David D’Amato

Tickled and Everything That Really Happened to David D'Amato

Quick Links

  • The Strange ‘Sport’ Documented in Tickled
  • A Sudden Confrontation at the LA Screening
  • The Tickling Never Stopped After the Documentary

As a film enthusiast who has followed the bizarre and intriguing story of “Tickled” since its release, I’ve been deeply captivated by the twists and turns this documentary has taken. Having watched both the original film and its sequel, “The Tickle King,” I can’t help but be in awe of the complexities of human nature that this story unravels.


In April 2014, David Farrier, an unconventional journalist at New Zealand’s TV3 news network, received a Facebook link from a friend. This page showcased numerous bizarre videos. A peculiar activity known as “competitive endurance tickling” was featured. Young, robust men were involved, subjected to prolonged tickling sessions by other young men.

After being refused an interview in a harsh and unexpected way by Jane O’Brien Media, the suspected creator of the controversial videos (Tickled clips), Farrier enlists the assistance of producer Dylan Reeve to delve deeper into the mystery. The pair soon discovers that the situation is far more complex than they initially believed, leading them on an investigative journey that ultimately results in the production of a thought-provoking and groundbreaking film titled Tickled, which was released in 2016.

The Strange ‘Sport’ Documented in Tickled

Tickled and Everything That Really Happened to David D'AmatoTickled and Everything That Really Happened to David D'AmatoTickled and Everything That Really Happened to David D'Amato

One intriguing aspect of the story in Tickled lies with the elusive mystery surrounding Terri DiSisto, who dominated the tickling industry in the ’90s. After uncovering information about DiSisto, filmmakers David Farrier and Dylan Reeve obtained digital records linking this figure to Jane O’Brien Media. Already suspected of having ties with David D’Amato, a former school administrator, these findings started to make sense – yet the real revelations were just getting started.

Despite Farrier and Reeve having their suspicions about D’Amato’s intentions apparently validated by his stepmother through a phone call, the encounters between the filmmakers and D’Amato are depicted in the less-known sequel of “Tickled.” In this sequel, we witness the heated exchanges between the parties. However, I cannot provide information on where David D’Amato is currently as that detail is not mentioned in the text.

A Sudden Confrontation at the LA Screening

Tickled and Everything That Really Happened to David D'AmatoTickled and Everything That Really Happened to David D'Amato

After hearing warnings from those once intimate with the mysterious figure D’Amato, Ticked offers some resolution for spectators when Farrier encounters him at a Starbucks in Garden City. Farrier merely seeks dialogue, but D’Amato reacts with more legal intimidation. This is the outcome most observe until further investigation unfolds.

In February 2017, HBO broadcasted a 20-minute short film titled “The Tickle King,” which is now accessible on YouTube at no cost. This short version, released earlier than the initial documentary, creates an intriguing atmosphere in some aspects. At the Los Angeles premiere screening, representatives from O’Brien Media, such as Kevin Clarke, confronted Dylan Reeve. The exchange between them took place for an extended period in what seemed to be the lobby area. To his surprise, Reeve discovered that the most renowned figure in competitive tickling was present at the movie theater, eagerly awaiting him – none other than David D’Amato himself.

I was amazed as I watched the man who masterminded this intriguing empire, with a shadowy past, make an appearance on camera for the final 10 minutes of “The Tickle King” documentary. Although he expresses his hope for the film’s success and compliments the music and choreography, he strongly advises Reeve to consult a lawyer.

Reeve and D’Amato engage in a heated argument which spills out onto the cinema sidewalk. At this very moment, D’Amato mentions the upcoming anti-discrimination bill. Reeve responds positively, surprising D’Amato. Before disappearing from view with his detective, D’Amato issues a final warning to the producer, implying that he may have taken on more than he can handle.

The Tickling Never Stopped After the Documentary

Tickled and Everything That Really Happened to David D'AmatoTickled and Everything That Really Happened to David D'AmatoTickled and Everything That Really Happened to David D'Amato

According to “Tickled King,” the Nassau County Courthouse had the power to prevent D’Amato from harassing and intimidating others, yet no action was taken. Sadly, D’Amato met an untimely end on March 13, 2017 – approximately a year following the documentary’s premiere.

I’ve been a die-hard fan of “Tickled” for years now, and the sudden passing of D’Amato left me in shock. While Farrier and Reeve, the filmmakers behind the documentary, asked for respect and privacy in their statement, the community of fans couldn’t help but be skeptical. With D’Amato’s history of creating new aliases, some speculated that this could just be another one of his elaborate hoaxes. As someone who has followed the enigmatic figure closely, I can understand why fans would question the circumstances surrounding his death. However, it is important to remember that respecting the privacy of the deceased and their loved ones should always be a priority. Let us wait for more information before jumping to conclusions.

In June 2017, the two directors wrote an article on The Spin-Off (a New Zealand news site) addressing those questions. Farrier and Reeve revealed that despite the original Facebook page for the competitive endurance tickling group, Jane O’Brien Media, remaining active and posting content, a new person was now in charge. They also displayed D’Amato’s death certificate to disprove the rumors. D’Amato’s tickling legacy and recordings were being preserved by his close friend and associate, Louis Peloso. The world of tickling continues to be intriguing. By the way, you can now stream Tickled on Netflix.

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2024-07-20 05:31