The Survivor Phenomenon

The reality show known as Survivor first aired on American television in 2000. Many people my age who grew up with shows like Gilligans Island or the Swiss Family Robinson, were immediately drawn to this show. There were two trains of thought back then among the viewers, one was watching to see who would win, the other was watching to see how the contestants would survive.

Divided into tribe the people were given few resources, they were forced to make their own shelters and find food. Often basics, such as rice and fresh water, were given. In the original shows contestants were allowed to bring one luxury item. We saw everything from a Magic 8-ball to an American flag.

Each week saw the Survivors pitted in one or two contests. In the earlier shows these contests were less physical than they are now, and featured more cultural experiences. Such as one older one where survivors had to make an SOS signal or eat the local cuisine, where as in more recent shows the games are often more like a game where people fight for a ball in mud.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Survivor_seasons_countries.PNG  A map showing where the various first 19 episodes of American Survivor were filmed.

Most interesting is what happened in the first American Survivor, something that changed the course of the show forever. One contestant, Richard Hatch, who went on to win the first show, realized the need to form alliances and use strategy in the game. Even the producers claimed they were surprised at how this occurred. Todays shows feature less survival aspects and more of the strategy involving alliances and voting. I cannot even remember the last time I saw somebody catch a fish!

No fewer than 30 nations have their own version of this show, as the American one only allows American contestants. Obviously this helps to control them legally after the show is over.

Some great moments occurred in Survivor, the first was when former Navy SEAL Rudy Beosch, a self admitted hater of homosexuals, found himself bonding with Richard Hatch, on the first series, Richard of course being gay.

A funny and controversial event took place on Survivor All Stars in with Richard decided to go naked and came rather close to Sue Hatch who went ballistic claiming to have been violated. She went on to say it was like being raped. Yet in a clip she was shown laying spread eagle on the beach, not a position a woman who felt violated is likely to take. Clearly there was some bitterness between the two.

One of the best moments was Survivor 17: Gabon. School teacher Bob Crowley, who went on to win, made fake immunity idols out of various things he found. This was truly amazing and I think earned him a spot in the heart of all fans. Everyone was shocked when host, Jeff Probst threw his idol in the fire at tribal counsel (which is where one person is voted off each week). Of course we later learned that this idol was retrieved from the fire and was awarded to Bob at the shows finale.

Survivor 20 is scheduled to be Heroes vs Villains. This is sure to be a passionate game as the fans and contestants have seen everyone on the shows, so it will be very difficult for them to be sneaky.

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