I never watched Survivor.... What's it about ?

[RethugAssKicker]

Acutally, I have never watched a Reality show...

but with all the controversy surrounding Survivor... I'm curious.... but won't watch
because of the racial separations.

[ComerPerro]

1. Two "tribes" are suppsoedly isolated at a desolate location

and have only first-aid medical teams and a production crew to comfort them.

You know, "roughing it"

[NYCGirl]

3. Good thing those medical teams were there — they've been needed a few

times.

[soothsayer]

5. That skin hanging off that burnt dude's hands---grim!!

[NYCGirl]

8. And then poor Bruce last season! NT

[LostinVA]

15. Ugh -- I know...

[LostinVA]

14. They actually do rough it

They roughed it so badly on the Outbacks season (The one Elisabeth from The View was on), they they were literally starting to starve to death -- their hair was falling out, they could barely unction on a basic level, one person was seriously burned, etc.

I personally enjoy the show, but even if you don't... the contestants do have a rough time of it. No one comforts them, feeds them, etc.

[NYCGirl]

2. Info at Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivor_(TV_series)

Tribes and Immunity

At least 16 strangers (18 or 20 in some seasons) are stranded in a remote location and divided into equally sized teams called "tribes". They compete against each other in competitions called challenges. There are two types of challenges: reward challenges and immunity challenges. Both types consist of endurance, problem solving, teamwork, dexterity, and/or will power. In reward challenges, the contestants compete for luxuries that are not essential for survival but make their lives easier and/or more enjoyable. Examples of rewards have included food, flint, matches, rain gear, and even short vacations. In immunity challenges, the contestants compete for immunity, meaning they get to stay in the game until at least the next immunity challenge. After the immunity challenge the losing tribe must vote to remove one of their own members from the game at the Tribal Council. When there are 10 players left in the game (9 in All-Stars and Palau, 8 in Thailand), they merge into a single tribe. From this point, challenges are won on an individual basis. Rewards are given to only one player, and sometimes that player has the option of sharing the reward with one or more other players. In some cases, the post-merge reward challenges are won by teams that are randomly selected beforehand.

Tribal Council


Tribal Council is held at the end of each episode. Here, the tribemates vote one person out of their tribe. Jeff Probst, the show's host, questions the players, often provoking revealing details from them of events and interactions since the tribe's previous tribal council. The players then vote in secret and explain their vote at the voting confessional, and the player who receives the most votes must leave the game. That player takes his or her torch to Probst, who extinguishes it, and declares "The tribe has spoken." The player then exits the Tribal Council area and delivers some final words that air at the end of the episode.

[RethugAssKicker]

7. Thanks......

but sounds kind of unreal.... They're not really stranded, and the players know it... so that discounts it as a REALITY show.... Don't ya think... Or am I missing something?

[NYCGirl]

10. All reality shows are not really reality, since they depend on a

manipulated concept — what it basically means is that they are "unscripted."

In this case, on-air "talent" (referring to Jeff Probst) and technicians are prohibited from helping in any way — they have to sign legal affidavits.

[soothsayer]

4. It's a good show, and this will be a great season! In this case, 4

'tribes' will be stranded on separate beaches with minimal or no supplies and just a bit of clothing and a comfort item, and each tribe will work together to build a camp, find food, and compete in games (some physical, some mental) against the other tribes to win rewards and to win immunity from having one tribe member sent home every 3 days. Eventually, when the tribes get small enough, they all merge.

I honestly do not see why this particular season is so upsetting to folks. In the sports books, the whites are the longshots at 8-1, and the Hispanics are the favorites to win. I think it's cool that we're longshots! Good for the other tribes.

[RethugAssKicker]

9. So when that "RACIAL" group wins

knowing how America is... (all will be secretly hoping their tribe wins)..

Won't that make them feel superior ?

[NYCGirl]

11. The "sole survivor", the WINNER of the game is always one individual —

a while in, tribes are merged. Sometimes this happens in a couple of weeks.

[soothsayer]

13. Yeah, but if it's non whites, so what? 75% chance it will be someone

other than yer run of the mill caucasian

I feel it's racist to FEAR this because it means you really, deep down think that your 'tribe' is better or worse than another. In reality, it's a contest of individuals, not races. But I think it might offer up interesting cultural differences---or not. That's what will be so interesting!

[LostinVA]

16. THey'll only be separate teams for2-3 shows tops

Then, probably two teams, maybe one... then, it'll either go men against women or younger against older -- like it always does. Then, the teams all m erge and it's e ery person for themselves.

I'm actually looking forward to MB's latest little experiment... I'm already betting I know how it;s going to break down (the two dynamics above -- NOT race... it never does).

[xmas74]

18. Or a round of schoolyard pick 'em.

Remember those lovely moments?

[LostinVA]

20. I'm hoping MB isn't that provocative

But who knows. I'm guessing a "pick a buff" or "pick a stone" thing.

[xmas74]

21. I would hope he wouldn't go for pick'em again

unless they've cast Wanda 2.0.

No one should have to put up w/ that much cheeriness.

[LostinVA]

22. giggle

[xmas74]

23. I knew you would remember Wanda.

I don't know if I would have picked her for my team either.

[LostinVA]

25. I wished she had been chosen

I would have LOVED to have seen what happened when she tried to lead everyone in a camp song right after they lost a challenge, the chance for a flint, and had to eat bugs for dinner.

THAT'S the genius of the show: people are only able to play to the cameras for about 12-36 hours... and that's it. Then, their true colors come out.

[xmas74]

29. She would have been our first Survivor death.

Put her on the same tribe w/ Stephanie and she would have become dinner.

[LostinVA]

32. I'm betting she would have been on the same tribe as Steph

MB would have maneuvered it somehow. OMG... it would have been soooo much fun to watch!!!

[xmas74]

34. You know she would have.

At first, she would have been annoying. They would have lost (Wanda wouldn't have made a difference) repeatedly until it was just Wanda and Steph left on their tribe. Then they would have lost again and, instead of the race to build a fire, Steph would have eaten her. (Boy could Steph eat!)

She didn't give a damn about the chicken on Guatemala so why would she care about crossing the line of the biggest taboo of all?

[Hissyspit]

6. Bored complacent America.

(And UK) But, hey, that's just my interpretation, and I've got a bad attitude.

[NYCGirl]

12. And even when the human interactions are dull, the scenery is always

breathtaking!

[Neoma]

17. I've never watched a reality show ether.

I'm not about to start.

[Mike03]

19. First Season of "Survivor"

For some strange reason I actually did watch the first season of "Surivor", and it was totally engaging from the psychological standpoint of individuals who desperately want to win a large sum of money trying to out-maneuver each other. But after the first season, the participants figured out the game, and I couldn't stand the second season and never watched it again. That first season had real charm, and I say this in spite of the fact that I detest most television and have not even owned a TV in five years (other than for watching DVDs and videos).

[casaloma]

24. Survivor is fascinating

I think Survivor has been good at re-inventing itself season by season. I'm also one of those people who don't quite get the outage at separating them by race. Actually, I usually watch Survivor with my oldest son, who is married to a black woman, and none of us get what the uproar is about. The retired association people didn't get upset when there was an "older" women's tribe and "older" men's tribe. Must we be so *prickly* about race? I think Survivor is fun to watch because it shows people trying to adapt to an ever changing dynamic. In almost every season you can see someone make a fatal error through overthinking it, choosing the wrong allies, believing the wrong person. And isn't that sort of a reflection of life? That said, however, the casting, setting, challenges, etc. must make a difference b/c I recently tried to watch an ep of Big Brother and thought it was dreadful.

[LostinVA]

26. One of th main things that fascinate me:

PEOPLE DO THE SAME STUPID STUFF EVERY SEASON. EVen if they faithfully watch the show. Even those who had already done it once (All-Stars). And, the other thing that interest me is how people try playing to the cameras, but it only lasts a day or so... oh, one of the best things? How the people who have quit have ALWAYS been the young, buff alpha males.

[Jewels]

27. I've watched most of the seasons! Rudy was my favorite!

The strategy that I think works best on Survivor is voting out the person who perceives that he/she is the swing vote.

Get rid of the fence sitters, because they are the dividers of the tribe. The divider deciders have more power than the strongest ox, or the craftiest puzzle solver.

Rudy (the tie-dye kid) was my favorite because he was like a big kid. He was very mischievous when he stole those shoes in Panama. Like a pirate. I just saw him on a show the other day. He looked happy as ever.

[LostinVA]

31. Kathy O'Brien was probably my favorite

[Hand]

28. Lying, cheating, backstabbing, greed...

Basically, how to be a Republican. :evilgrin:

[gizmo1979]

30. Thus reality.nt

[u4ic]

33. I've watched about 5 minutes

of reality tv, in total.

About 4.5 of the very first Survivour; it was the season finale and there was a lot of publicity surrounding it. I couldn't stand any more of it, it was dreadfully boring.

The rest of the time was a reality show about models; I was waiting for the news to come on, and flicked one channel up. I checked out of that pretty quick; I would describe it as trash.

They're supposed to be entertaining? :crazy: :shrug: