In the show Survivor, the game is played to see who can outsmart and outlast everyone the longest. To be successful, the player either needs to be the absolute best and win every challenge and gain immunity each round or sit back and not say too much and hopefully slip under the radar of the other players. Is someone is seen as too strong, but fails to win the immunity challenges; it is possible that person will be voted off the island and out of the running for the million dollar prize. This is probably the shortest way to summarize the show Survivor, but it is simply to be familiar with the idea of the show that dominates prime time television.
There is so much appeal to this show because of the simplicity behind it. The cast is packed full of everyday people from all walks of life that come to compete for a $1M grand prize. This season alone there is an ex-CIA agent, two ex-football players, a girl from Acton, CA, and a farmer. This eccentric cast proves that anyone can land a spot on the show and win 15 minutes of fame; all someone needs to do is submit an audition tape and hope to get picked. The challenges for immunity from being voted off the island are simple enough that the viewer at home sees the challenges as something that he or she could do (usually better than the players) but tricky enough to actually be a challenge and create entertaining television.
The venue for the show changes each season, but the one thing that is held constant is the fact that the competition is held on an island. This is most likely due to the fact that viewers (males) would like to watch the female contestants run around in bikinis rather than parkas and hoodies if the show was filmed in a colder climate. The location of each season is selected carefully to make sure that there are places to make adequate shelter for both the contestants and the crew, food is somewhat plentiful, usually fish and small game, and there aren’t too many natural or native dangers waiting to overtake the people involved in the show.
Americans love to watch the show because of the challenges for immunity, the locations, and the drama, for some reason, we love drama. The challenges are interesting to watch, as there are usually multiple plans of attack that would work to complete the task, but it is interesting to watch the different ways contestants play the game. The locations, as I have mentioned before, are beautiful, the beaches, the wildlife, the natural beauty of the whole thing can be breathtaking. And then there is the drama. This season alone there have been attacks on intelligence, and physical capabilities, and non-racist remarks taken as racist. None of this talk and drama is off-limits though, as it is part of the game; it’s even right in the slogan of the series: Outwit, Outplay, Outlast, this is Survivor.
I believe the birth of reality television shows came from the writers strike they had some years ago. Have they run out of ideas or what? With the introduction of television we became a viewing audience watching with anticipation and awe. Now with reality shows we supposedly see everyday folks getting the opportunity to be on television. Is that the new American dream? As the years have passed we have graduated from the t.v. screen to the computer screen. We have become a serious voyeuristic community and I do not think it is healthy. Desensitized completely by the imagery we saturate our brains with everyday how much of it is “reality”? Most of the shows are scripted with a small amount of realism so they aren’t technically lying. Do you think they are going to take that chance and let it just “happen". No! They got to much money riding on it, it is scripted. We are able to view many things that we should not be viewing and we don’t even think twice. Pornography for example. Is that a picture of reality when in fact the people are diseased, addicted, and suicidal? That is the real reality about it and it is nothing sexy, a very incorrect portrayal. However, being voyeur’s we are disconnected from reality and it has become all about fantasy. There is an element to the human nature that is as disturbing as these truths. We idolize but yet we criticize and condemn. I only understand it in the context of God’s love because it is not love at all. To say these practices are wrong and I will not watch is considered extreme. I suppose Survivor does teach survivor skills right? Just what are we taking away from these shows and what are these shows taking away from us? Should we give it our time and attention? Casting down every vain imagination is what God tells us to do. Fantasy, what is it and where does it belong? Well, if its unhealthy then it doesn’t belong in you. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. The fine line that is drawn is that of truth versus lies. Most “fantasy" is lies. It destroys love and kills. We have to have our fantasies when the reality is a bunch of dead babies. We want sexual fantasy not babies. Everyday we kill 1000‘s of Americans to support a fantasy world and our realities are suffering. And the success rate of a relationship that does not remain exclusive but embraces fantasy is zero. No success. So in the future think twice and do not let there be a disconnect unless it’s you unplugging from the garbage.
ReplyDeleteVery good post, Michael. I don’t watch Survivor, I used to when I was little. Your comment on how viewers would prefer women in bikinis is hilarious, but also very true. I digress, however, the fact will always remain as is- sex will sell. It’s always important to keep in mind the safety of the contestants. It’s the same with all those “man versus wild” shows. No matter how realistic they try to make their situations, they always have some sort of protection or crew waiting on standby to save them. While this is obvious, one can understand that they can’t have someone dying in the middle of the show, it wouldn’t be moral to have that happen.
ReplyDeleteTrue to what you say, we LOVE drama as human beings. The appeal of both the contestants and the drama that goes with them attracts many viewers. The show is amazingly interesting despite its obvious set-ups. I’m sure some of the contestants get really emotional over everything, it’s only natural. Attacks on other people can be hurtful, but ultimately necessary in order to win the game. It makes you wonder though, are they doing this for the fame or the money?
I stopped watching Survivor a long time ago but one of my best friends "the girl from acton CA" Natalie was chosen to be on it this season so I started watching again and I forgot how intriguing it is. I mean, yes I love to watch her on the show its exciting to see her thrive and last so long but it is also very interesting to see how people can end up acting as result of little food, little shelter, and a bunch of unfamiliar faces. To be so isolated from the outside world can be scary and lonely. Natalie is a really nice girl and I have always seen a strength in her but I think she has surprised a lot of other people that knew her with how strong she's stayed throughout the game. Being left with very little resources can force people to resort back to their basic human instincts. Its entertaining to see how far people will go to "survive." At the end of the day Survivor is a televised game but its amazing to see how much one can really take away from a life changing experience such as that.
ReplyDeleteMichael, it's funny that you commented on my blog which was about my favorite show and your blog is about my second favorite show. I agree that they obviously always chose warm climates to get the attention of viewers with people running around all tan with minimal clothes. However, the mental aspect to this game is just crazy! It toys with peoples minds so much. You dont realize how fragile sanity is until you see people tested even just a little bit. But I guess that is the draw to this reality tv because although its not realistic to get thrown on an island to battle out in duels over an idol that grants them a day closer to winning a million dollars, it still very much shows human condition. The stuff these people come up with on the show just can't be faked. I think this is another reason that it lasts so long, because its one of the few reality shows were things aren't "thrown" by the network airing the show. Awesome blog and awesome show! Also, I'm skeptical about whether or not he was even a CIA agent. Even the caption had a question mark. "Phillip: Ex-CIA Agent?"
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