SURVIVOR. seas. 13, race tribes. Options

[pandamonium]

Originally posted: August 23, 2006
'Survivor' and race

Since it first aired six years ago, "Survivor" has found many ways to change its game.

Last season on the CBS show, teams were split up by age and gender, Exile Island was introduced and a hidden immunity idol altered the game. There have been many other tweaks and twists along the way, all of which have allowed the reality-TV stalwart to show impressive staying power as other once-popular reality shows faltered.

For its 13th edition, however, “Survivor” has gone one step further: Contestants will be divided by race.

When the show kicks off on Sept. 14, the 20 competitors will be divided up into African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic and white teams (Lake Forest resident Jenny Guzon-Bae, a real estate agent, will be one of the contestants).

The four factions won’t always be racially divided -- at some point in the season, mergers will make for diverse teams.

“The idea for this actually came from the criticism that ‘Survivor’ was not ethnically diverse enough, because for whatever reason, we always have a low number of minority applicants apply to the show,” Probst told “The Early Show.” “And I think it fits in perfectly with what ‘Survivor’ does, which is -- it is a social experiment, and this is adding another layer to that experiment which is taking the show to a completely different level.”

On the one hand, decrying this racial grouping of contestants seems to play right into CBS’ hands. The network appears to want to amp up the controversy in order to garner interest in a franchise that is now one of the oldest in the reality-TV genre.

Still, part of me recoils -- to a degree -- from this idea, thinking that racial ugliness and stereotyping, if that’s what we end up seeing on “Survivor,” are hardly in short supply on our TV screens.

Having said that, there’s part of me that thinks this could be quite interesting. Isn’t racial bias better out in the open, exposed, than hidden away and nurtured in secret? And could it be that the racial component in the show won’t really amount to much in the end? I think that outcome is, in fact, highly likely.

Still, race can be a touchy topic in the reality TV world. A year ago, ABC created a show in which several families of varying backgrounds and ethnic identities competed to win a luxury mansion in a white community in Texas.

I’m not sure if we’ll learn anything from this edition of “Survivor,” but when it comes right down to it, the show is a study of human nature at its best and worst. At least in the early going, the new season of the show will be must-see viewing, and no doubt that’s exactly what CBS wanted.

Is it going too far to divide “Survivor” contestants by race? You can vote in this poll and leave your comments below.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Personally I think its different to do it, it will catch a lot of attention, but then again what good is it doing to americans? what are people going to be saying about other races when they lose, how much more will we be seperated?

the players are also going to be facing a lot of pressure. because they are going to be representing their race.

So what do you think about tribes being split into races?
Will you watch it, yes or no?

[RxCore]

i thought it was an intriguing concept. but you make a good point about the fact it might promote more racism. i never watched survivor before though, so i doubt that i'll be tuning in.

[*I Shot JFK*]

That actually explains a lot... I looked at the contestants this morning for the upcoming series and thought 'wow, they are a much more diverse group than usual.' and now i know why...

I dont know... my gut reaction is mild dissapproval, but then, it isnt any different than in the Amazon, when they had a battle of the sexes, or last season, with age and gender... so why not?

I doubt we'll learn anything... if the players have any sense, they'll be more interested in playing the game than in worrying about exactly who they are playing against...

Anyhow, the original tribes will only last 3-4 episodes, as the producers will shake things up before alliances get too solid too early on.

[goodcharlotte]

Ha. It was on Q100 this morning. Apparently it is going to be very controversial. Some people wan't watch it because it is like battle of the races.

[cassjamminx]

i think dividing it by race isn't such a good idea. because who ever wins will think it's a matter of race and not true competition. but either or i don't think it's a good idea. it just sends the wrong message kinda, and race to me is me is something you don't intefere with - seeing as people take things differently, like who finds what offensive and who doesn't.

[*I Shot JFK*]

^ but how is it different from the battle of the sexes idea?

and also, i would observe that it is unlikely to remain divided by race for more than 3-5 episodes ANYWAY, so it's hardly going to come down to a racial battle at the end

[*Kathleen*]

i think dividing it by race isn't such a good idea. because who ever wins will think it's a matter of race and not true competition.

I'm slightly confused. Meh to be honest, I haven't watched the show since the first season (I can't believe it's on its thirteenth! ), but seeing as James seems to be an avid watcher, I'm going to trust what he said before me. I don't know, I personally think it's "just as bad" when they split both gender and age up. I'll admit it's daring, but you have to realize that the executives are probably scrambling for new ways to make it "unique," especially since it's on its thirteenth season. I'll probably see less racial discrimination and prejudice on that show (if I watch it, that is ) than I see on "The Flavor of Love."

[*I Shot JFK*]

in fact, it's unlikely you'll see any discrimination... as they will al be given the same materials to begin with.

[*Kathleen*]

I wonder what's next.. dividing them by sexual orientation?

[*I Shot JFK*]

^ Ooh! there could be a hairdressing challenge, based on the natives of whatever place they go to next.

the gay males would dominate!

[goodcharlotte]

^ Ooh! there could be a hairdressing challenge, based on the natives of whatever place they go to next.

the gay males would dominate!