I suspect as well, as least from where the kids stand, that you could have offered a candy bar as the Obstacle #8 prize and the kids would have still been thrilled to playing Double Dare. It seems to me they were just happy to be having fun and getting messy - something they couldn't have likely been allowed to do in their homes to the extent of the show.
As well, Marc has stated on (numerous?) occasion(s) that at least one parent went bonkers when their kid didn't end up grabbing the flag to win the grand prize - greed isn't something that played well at all on any version of DD IMHO.
R.
/side note: Go see "Life and Slimes" before it closes on June 2nd!