Best.Survivor.Ever

[Carol C]

Am I the only one on TUG who still loves "Survivor"? (Heather in Canada, where are you?) Anyone else from the good old days when we used to debate and predict the winner in a TUG thread? This entire season was so full of twists, the challenges seemed more inventive and tricky, and frankly the Boston Rob/Sandra mentoring was a thrilling surprise for die-hard fans like me. Plus, the issues they dealt with that reflected on societal ills... and the way they discussed it last night in the finale... was thought-provoking and made the show newly relevant. I can't wait til February for the next season...that will be the ultimate show that will crown the greatest Survivor yet! ... Carol C.

P.S. Why does Jeff Probst never seem to age?

P.P.S. Congrats to Sia for gifting $ to three non-winners. They would have been my picks as well! Very lovable, caring contestants who played well but weren't deceptive enough to go the distance...but they touched many hearts, including mine.

 

[clifffaith]

I thought it was nice Sia (whoever the heck that is beyond giving money out on finale night) gave the first player $15K, until she picked two more to give $100K to -- how about 40-60-100? 15-100-100 seemed mean! I figure there will be no rehabilitating Dan, "Mr Handsy". It's obviously so ingrained in his behavior he can't help himself. I'm looking forward to seeing the all winners season, and seeing Rob play again with Amber -- their four little girls were adorable last night.

 

[Brett]

I watched the first season of survivor primarily because I knew one of the contestants
https://www.pilotonline.com/news/ob...0191102-cpntpcsutbdapapuqfyrl3slje-story.html

but I haven't watched it since ... 20 years !

 

[TUGBrian]

I was really disappointed in this season with how things went down with the whole "inappropriate touching" deal. (not that I want to get into it as this is not the place).

havent watched the finale yet...so hopefully no spoilers! =D

 

[DaveNV]

Carol, I watched the season with renewed interest. The players were actually interesting to watch. The challenge twists were good ones, and at the end I couldn’t disagree with two of the three finalists. The third one constantly got on my last nerve all season. Glad that one didn’t win.

Looking forward to seeing next season. Only previous winners, where everyone knows how to play the game? Should make for a very interesting season. Too early to pick a favorite, so we’ll wait and see how it goes.

And notice how nobody ever mentions Richard Hatch? He kind of burned his bridges, I guess.

Dave

 

[Brett]

Carol, I watched the season with renewed interest. The players were actually interesting to watch. The challenge twists were good ones, and at the end I couldn’t disagree with two of the three finalists. The third one constantly got on my last nerve all season. Glad that one didn’t win.

Looking forward to seeing next season. Only previous winners, where everyone knows how to play the game? Should make for a very interesting season. Too early to pick a favorite, so we’ll wait and see how it goes.

And notice how nobody ever mentions Richard Hatch? He kind of burned his bridges, I guess.

Dave

yes, that and being in jail and his non-payment of taxes
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyp...rvivor-richard-hatch-speaks-out/#7da4e6901859

 

[clifffaith]

Carol, I watched the season with renewed interest. The players were actually interesting to watch. The challenge twists were good ones, and at the end I couldn’t disagree with two of the three finalists. The third one constantly got on my last nerve all season. Glad that one didn’t win.

Looking forward to seeing next season. Only previous winners, where everyone knows how to play the game? Should make for a very interesting season. Too early to pick a favorite, so we’ll wait and see how it goes.

And notice how nobody ever mentions Richard Hatch? He kind of burned his bridges, I guess.

Dave

Right off the bat with Richard you'd have the nudity issue! But I think it would be interesting to see him come back.

 

[Sandy VDH]

I don't watch much TV, as i only watch about 3 shows regularly, Outlander, Curse of Oak Island, and Survivor. I do still enjoy Survivor, from a game perspective. I find the skills required to navigate to the end are challenging and every changing as group dynamics are always different from season to season.

This past year I got to visit one of the islands used in Season 37 or 38. I will have to go back and check. It was because they were not filming when we were in Fiji on Tradewinds, so we were allowed to stop of one of the few islands that are used. Glad to have just visited a survivor island camp, staying there for 39 days as a contestant, not in the least interested.

 

[Carol C]

I thought it was nice Sia (whoever the heck that is beyond giving money out on finale night) gave the first player $15K, until she picked two more to give $100K to -- how about 40-60-100? 15-100-100 seemed mean! .

The $ amounts were weird, but hey, it's her money, and Sia always does things her own way. You can google her name to see her picture...I am sure you will know you've seen award shows and such where she appeared and perhaps performed. She's written alot of songs for other artists, and she is probably most known for the song "Chandelier". (I am not all that "hip" but I first heard of her as a supporter of the Beagle Freedom Project.)

Any longtime fans interested in Richard Hatch, Sue Hawk, MeToo issues and more, I just found this interesting article, linked here: https://www.goldderby.com/article/2019/survivor-metoo-flashback-sue-hawk-naked-richard-hatch/

 

[Patri]

I used to love the show but haven't watched in years. I don't know what turned me off to it. Maybe that in my mind it ran its course. I should try to pull up the finale.

 

[DaveNV]

I used to love the show but haven't watched in years. I don't know what turned me off to it. Maybe that in my mind it ran its course. I should try to pull up the finale.

I don’t know if the finale would be very good without knowing the characters involved. The most interesting bunch were on the jury, and some of the things referenced played out over a few weeks during the season.

I’d suggest giving next season a watch. The contestants are all former winners, and the grand prize is doubled. That should really change the dynamic. It starts in February.

Dave

 

[bluehende]

I still enjoy the show but am frustrated with all the returnee seasons. I know that they can manage the "characters" and therefore get bigger ratings, but many have had their 15 minutes already.

 

[DaveNV]

I still enjoy the show but am frustrated with all the returnee seasons. I know that they can manage the "characters" and therefore get bigger ratings, but many have had their 15 minutes already.

I’m sure it’s all about ratings. Jeff Probst is always talking about the amount of viewer feedback they get on assorted topics. Popular (or unpopular) contestants generate viewer interest, but when the season’s over, that person falls off the radar. Bringing back notorious former contestants satisfies a certain amount of that curiosity, and keeps ratings up. Simple TV math.

If they didn’t change it up, the dynamic would get very predictable. Kind of like that stupid “Naked and Afraid” series. It is beyond ridiculous, and is so predictable, it isn’t worth watching. Survivor keeps changing, while keeping the main premise the same, trying to generate/keep viewer interest, to keep the brand alive.

It must be working for me, as I keep watching.

Dave

 

[Carol C]

I’m sure it’s all about ratings. Jeff Probst is always talking about the amount of viewer feedback they get on assorted topics. Popular (or unpopular) contestants generate viewer interest, but when the season’s over, that person falls off the radar. Bringing back notorious former contestants satisfies a certain amount of that curiosity, and keeps ratings up. Simple TV math.

If they didn’t change it up, the dynamic would get very predictable. Kind of like that stupid “Naked and Afraid” series. It is beyond ridiculous, and is so predictable, it isn’t worth watching. Survivor keeps changing, while keeping the main premise the same, trying to generate/keep viewer interest, to keep the brand alive.

It must be working for me, as I keep watching.

Dave

Me too...I can't resist watching. First, there's the stunning cinematography and editing. It's a virtual vacation to a tropical island for me. Then there are some of the memorable players who still have a place in my heart...Rupert and Rudy come to mind. Richard Hatch...not so much...but he sure had his place in the history books. I am looking forward to February for the next season of all-stars competing for TWO MILLION DOLLARS! Dave, let's one of us start a topic here on TUG and see if we can get some predictions going!

 

[Carol C]

Me too...I can't resist watching. First, there's the stunning cinematography and editing. It's a virtual vacation to a tropical island for me. Then there are some of the memorable players who still have a place in my heart...Rupert and Rudy come to mind. Richard Hatch...not so much...but he sure had his place in the history books. I am looking forward to February for the next season of all-stars competing for TWO MILLION DOLLARS! Dave, let's one of us start a topic here on TUG and see if we can get some predictions going!

P.S. A long time ago, here on TUG, I suggested that they should have a season where the contestants battle the elements in a frigid location. Somebody posted that would never happen, because folks want to see sexy bodies in speedos and bikinis. Well, those formerly sexy contestants have gotten older...and new players are often flabby, reflecting the American population at large. So...let's try to get Jeff Probst's ear to stage a Survivor season in...hmm, Alaska in dead of winter, or, Greenland (in a place not totally melted yet.) Ice fishing challenges, toboggan challenges, etc...they can borrow ideas from Winter Olympic games!

 

[DaveNV]

P.S. A long time ago, here on TUG, I suggested that they should have a season where the contestants battle the elements in a frigid location. Somebody posted that would never happen, because folks want to see sexy bodies in speedos and bikinis. Well, those formerly sexy contestants have gotten older...and new players are often flabby, reflecting the American population at large. So...let's try to get Jeff Probst's ear to stage a Survivor season in...hmm, Alaska in dead of winter, or, Greenland (in a place not totally melted yet.) Ice fishing challenges, toboggan challenges, etc...they can borrow ideas from Winter Olympic games!

Interesting idea, but as you said upthread, it's stunning scenery and such. The contestants need to be easily identified visually. Having people bundled up in parkas and such would tend to obscure the easy identity. If they were going to "survive," how could they deprive them of food and clothing in a frigid climate? I totally see why it'd be interesting, but I don't know if it'd work as well as the tropical locations do. I could see a thing like the old "Battle of the Stars," made up of teams of Survivor well-knowns, doing competitions and such, as you suggest. But a season of "Survivor vs. Frozen" would get a little tedious, I think.

Dave

 

[Carol C]

Interesting idea, but as you said upthread, it's stunning scenery and such. The contestants need to be easily identified visually. Having people bundled up in parkas and such would tend to obscure the easy identity. If they were going to "survive," how could they deprive them of food and clothing in a frigid climate? I totally see why it'd be interesting, but I don't know if it'd work as well as the tropical locations do. I could see a thing like the old "Battle of the Stars," made up of teams of Survivor well-knowns, doing competitions and such, as you suggest. But a season of "Survivor vs. Frozen" would get a little tedious, I think.

Dave

Well, I disagree! Put the contest in a frigid locale and let's see if Boston Rob can make fire. Give them all challenges they can really boast about later! And give them meat and rice...or better yet make them hunt for their own meat and ice fish for protein. Start them off with some MREs they would have to eat or ration. Of course give them warm clothes and maybe even sleeping bags. We wouldn't want to see people die!

P.S. Re: stunning scenery...there's beautiful scenery in landscapes with glaciers, geysers, northern lights, etc. Get your mind out of the tropical gutter, Dave! And btw contestants can look sexy in parkas and also be recognizable (BUFF-COLORED NAME TAGS, SPECIAL BUFF-COLORED KNITTED HATS)

 

[DaveNV]

Returning people like Rupert and Rudy and even Ozzie never did as well later as they did earlier on. They were great to watch in the first season, but something was missing after that. And poor Ozzie, never did win anything, despite trying time and again. Eventually I'm sure he decided enough was enough, and he stopped coming back.

Dave

 

[DaveNV]

Well, I disagree! Put the contest in a frigid locale and let's see if Boston Rob can make fire. Give them all challenges they can really boast about later! And give them meat and rice...or better yet make them hunt for their own meat and ice fish for protein. Start them off with some MREs they would have to eat or ration. Of course give them warm clothes and maybe even sleeping bags. We wouldn't want to see people die!

You should pitch this to CBS. It's definitely an intriguing concept.

Although I do wonder about the insurance costs for something like that. I'm sure they have policies to cover accidents and such for contestants.

Dave

 

[Carol C]

You bet they're insured, the last thing they want is litigation. The contestants have to sign all kinds of waivers and give up all their rights...probably akin to the military. Well, if I knew somebody with CBS or Jeff Probst's "people", I would pitch it. Maybe they read TUG! Gnite...time for "Jeopardy"!... Carol

 

[RX8]

I haven’t missed a survivor season. Having a DVR certainly helps. Heck, I just finished watching the finale 10 minutes ago. It was hard the last two days trying not to see who won. I didn’t read this post until just now in case there was a spoiler.

 

[Sandy VDH]

They have a deal with Fiji Government, which is why they have been there for so many years now. They get 50% of their expenses reimbursed as credit. The crew love it as they have a hotel just an island away when they are not on duty. Better location all around.

Jeff has discussed this on interviews and we chatted to our Fiji hosts about it while we were there this fall. They both view it as a win-win situation.

Besides Hypothermia is way too deadly.

 

[mdurette]

I think it is crazy that I still know the names of players from "way back when". Rudy....dang, was I routing for him. Richard Hatch...a local guy that made a name for himself after (for good or bad, it was still his claim to fame).

 

[TUGBrian]

I thought they said a long time ago that they would never do another "hostile" environment because Australia taught them its just bad for the game as viewed on TV.

when its stupidly hot or cold, contestants just dont do anything but sit in the shelter/shade/etc...albeit that was what...20+ years ago.

as for the finale...I wasnt unhappy with the choice...i just thought the other individual who came in 2nd (so as not to spoil) easily played the best game to survive that long and make it to the finale!

 

[JudyH]

I’m here too. Still watching every episode after all these years. Love the photography and scenery. It’s mindless relaxation. I always looked forward to just vegging out Wed. nights after working late.