Can it survive? (Survivor)

Member Name: alirigby

Product:	Survivor
Date:	15/05/02 (43 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Light viewing

Disadvantages: Same old formula

I have been watching Survivor this year, I seem to get drawn into these reality shows, despite desperately wanting to avoid them, and then I just can’t escape them!

When’s it on?
‘Survivor’ is broadcast on Wednesday nights on ITV1 starting between 9.45pm and 10pm (I personally think it should be on earlier, but the footy gets in the way of this), it is presented by Mark Nicholas. The main programme lasts for an hour, then after the news, ‘Survivor: the last word’ is shown – this is where the latest evictee discusses their experiences.
For complete Survivor addicts, if you can bear the appalling (lack of) presentation skills of Charlotte Hobrough (winner of last year’s Survivor) then there’s ‘Survivor RAW’ on ITV2 (shown at various times throughout the week) which basically mixes the main programme with chat and interviews and a few extra bits.

The Idea:
I’m sure most of you are familiar with the concept of the show, however for those of you that aren’t, here’s a quick explanation:
Survivor is a reality TV show, the winner of which can win £1 million. This series features 12 contestants who are stranded on a tropical island where they must work together to survive, each survivor is given basic survival equipment: mosquito repellent, malaria tablets, water purification tablets, sun block, a water bottle, sandals, boots, a pack. The game requires teamwork, cunning and endurance to complete various challenges for rewards and immunity (the chance to avoid being voted off). Every few days the contestants attend a meeting called Tribal Council where they vote on who should leave. When there are 2 contestants left it is down to the Jury (the last 6 contestants) and the public to vote on who should walk away with the money; this will be shown live on ITV.

The Second Series
Last year’s Survivor was a great success, with huge viewing fi
gures; it doesn’t look as if this year will bring the same results the 2nd episode had less viewers than BBC1's Ten O’clock News.
This year the show is set in Panama which doesn’t have quite the same feel as the Pacific Island used last year; the weather is pretty bad and the island is not as picturesque, however the contestants don’t have the problem of rats this year!
The contestants have had to complete various challenges throughout their time on the island, including the ‘log challenge’ where they stood on a log, in the sea for over 24 hours (silly people!). Other challenges have been to eat various grubs, collect spiders from a bat infested cave, assault courses, archery course, standing with hands tied above your head in the midday sun for as long as possible, hang from a bar over the sea, and other tasks designed to test mental and physical stamina. All I can say is ‘rather them than me’! I’m quite happy sitting on the sofa with a cuppa watching other loons do these pointless things (well I suppose there is a million in it)!
I have not found it as interesting as last year, probably because it’s just not new anymore but also because it’s been quite predictable so far. Each week I have worked out who is going to be evicted, and until recently South Island have systematically voted off the remaining members of North Island tribe; perhaps it will get more interesting from now on….
We are now down to the last 4 contestants vying for £1 million, they all come from the same original tribe – South Island:

John: a short physiotherapist-turned-Barrister from Winchester! (I think I want him to win!). Also an ex-marine commando, but he hasn’t told the others this!

Bridget: a shepherdess from Oxfordshire used to hard, outdoor work and likes to take the lead on this, much to the annoyance of some of the others.

Susannah: an English Teacher
from London, she’s confident and looks like she can be quite scheming.

Jonny: Another favourite of mine, he’s a Police Constable from Edinburgh, he gets on well with John.

Contestants who will, so far, make up the jury are: Dave (the lovable Geordie), Drew (the female fire-fighter), Alastair (Scottish Oil Co. director) and Helen (the barmaid who’s pretty friendly with Alastair)!

So who’s going to win?
My predictions are that Bridget will be voted off next, followed by Susannah leaving John and Jonny in the final. Ultimately I would like John to win as I think he deserves it most; he has consistently been strong and a team player.
According to the website 53% think John will win, 30% think Jonny, 9% think Susannah and 8% think Bridget, we shall see….

Conclusion:
I’m not sure Panama has been the best location and I haven’t found the contestants as interesting as last year, I will wait and see what the next few episodes bring before I make a firm conclusion.
Not as good as last year, but worth a look.

Summary: