Survivor Cook Islands

[ConleyKE]

This quote is from www.realitytv.about.com

 

Aug 29 2006

A controversial twist has America buzzing about Survivor: Cook Islands

 

The Controversy

For the 13th season of the CBS reality show Survivor, producers decided to do something different. They decided to divide the show's contestants into four groups -- a White tribe, an African-American tribe, an Asian-American tribe and a Hispanic tribe.

 

Why Producers Went There

Critics are calling the twist a publicity stunt to boost the show's declining ratings. The Washington Post wrote: "A ratings plunge like the one the show suffered this past spring in its 12th edition -- fumbling nearly one-quarter of its audience compared with just two springs back -- called for something...Something that would whip the press into a frenzy amounting to millions of dollars worth of free publicity.

But Survivor host Jeff Probst told CBS' Morning Show: "I think at first glance, when you just hear the idea, it could sound like a stunt.

 

Especially with the way reality has gone, it wouldn't be unusual. But that's not what we're doing here. The idea for this actually came from the criticism that Survivor was not ethnically diverse enough. Because, for whatever reason, we've always had a low number of minority applicants apply to the show. So we set out and said, 'Let's turn this criticism into creative for the show. I think it fits in perfectly with what 'Survivor' does — it is a social experiment. And this is adding another layer to that experiment, which is taking the show to a completely different level."

 

The Backlash

Though many fans of the show have no objections to the new twist, others are speaking out against Survivor and producer Mark Burnett. They have been posting to blogs and message boards voicing their disgust about the controversial twist. And, taking the controversy to another level, members of the New York City Council's Black, Latino and Asian Caucus are calling on CBS to pull Survivor: Cook Islands from its fall schedule. Robert Jackson, co-chair of the caucus, was quoted as saying "Is this going to help to bring people together? I don't think so."

 

CBS Responds

In a statement, the network said "CBS fully recognizes the controversial nature of this format but has full confidence in the producers and their ability to produce the program in a responsible manner. Survivor is a program that is no stranger to controversy and has always answered its critics on the screen."

 

 

 

I have only been a fan of Survivor since I got hooked this time last year before it's 11th season. I believe that this really shouldn't be such a huge controversy. I enjoy the show and agree that this twist is making the show more diverse, instead of just having a minority of other races. Besides, in the last season, the contestants were divided by age and sex, and this shouldn't be much different.

 

I was just wondering what everyones thoughts and opinions were about this situation. Fans (or even nonfans), do you believe the show should be cancelled, and will you be watching this season of Survivor?

[Hercules]

My opinion is that Survivor is one of the good things that has outstayed it's welcome for me. After the first one, I lost interest. The only thing that interests me is the racial issues that this is bringing up. It will not cause me to actually watch it, but just dig me deeper into a hole of dislike for the show. I believe in ways to stir up a little controversy and to try to get some viewers, but this is just going a little too far.

[BeemerBoy]

Wait, this show's still on?

[AndrewCT]

It's just another twist to the show. The tribes will all merge into two teams by the third episode.

[Vekoma Fan Boy]

^ probably.

 

 

But i also think that the white/asian/black/hispanic is kind of racist.

 

and if he (^) isn't right watch the whites win.

[pvcoasterguy]

It reminds me of when the Amazing Race was coming out of a great season... ratings were high, and everyone was talking about it. Then they decided to do the family edition, and ratings nosedived after about the first two episodes because it was so dumb.

 

The ratings only became marginally better for this past season (with the hippies).

 

It'll flop.

[bigboy]

So what's going to make this so much more of a failure than when they divideded tribes by age or sex or both?

[steel]

Survivor should be cancelled for this, IMO.

All it's going to do is put races against each other. As if we don't have enough of that already. They'll be using demeaning words referring to race about the other teams.

 

It's just a downright bad idea, and a complete gimmick.

[the_rock401]

I'm surprised this show is even on the air. I watched the very first one religiously, and I haven't watched an episode from start to finish since.

[stingrock23]

I don't get what all the uproar is about. It's not racist, it's just something they did to try to grab ratings. The show is still pretty steady, but not what it once was. I dont' think there's any racism behind it, just an idea to get more ratings and publicity.

[easytoremember]

Wheres ArchFiend? He is always one to know when somthing "jumps the shark" (refer to that stupid TTD coming down thread, or CP thread.) After all stars it was clearly the end of it. The race thing is them clinging on for dear life.

[Screamomatic]

Hmm, how about Survivor: North Pole They would all die pretty soon...

[map2]

I don't get what all the uproar is about. It's not racist, it's just something they did to try to grab ratings. The show is still pretty steady, but not what it once was. I dont' think there's any racism behind it, just an idea to get more ratings and publicity.

 

Yeah all of this is just a publicity stunt. But in fact, they will probably make their ratings even worse because of the divided teams. To me, this idea will make stereotypes amongst different races more stronger. I don't really think anyone is going to watch it anyways.