New 'Survivor' to group players by ethnicity

[Onlooker]

This is really horrible! --

http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/TV/08/23/tv.survivor.ap/index.html?eref=yahoo

NEW YORK (AP) -- The new season of "Survivor" will be a race among races.

At the start of the reality show's 13th edition, "Survivor: Cook Islands," 20 contestants will be organized into four tribes divided along ethnic lines -- black, white, Hispanic and Asian, CBS announced Wednesday.

The tribes, as usual, will merge later in the season, which debuts September 14, the network said.

Jeff Probst, host of the show, said the network was worried the racial divide might offend viewers.

"It's very risky because you're bringing up a topic that is a hot button," Probst told asap, The Associated Press service for younger readers. "There's a history of segregation you can't ignore. It is part of our history."

[citizen snips]

1. I think I will skip this season of Survivor

if that is his Idea of entertainment.

[Tempest]

2. Why would anyone watch it in the first place?

Or any of the reality based shows?

Survivor was long ago outed as a fraud and a lie.

[citizen snips]

4. It is the only reality show I watch.

But only because my family watches it.

Survivor keeps on getting more redundant every season. I think CBS should have ended the show a long time ago.

[Tempest]

8. I'll have to admit to something

Hell's Kitchen was my guilty pleasure this last season.

Mostly because Jennifer was such a hottie :evilgrin: and I liked watching Ramsey cussing them out.

[LostinVA]

9. Do you mean Virginia?

[Tempest]

11. As you can tell, it was a fleeting fancy

Yup, Virginia.

She was an airhead at times, but a looker.

[Frank Cannon]

44. Hey, my wife and I LOVE Hell's Kitchen

This season wasn't as good as the one before, though, where they had some real competent chefs. They had kind of a motley crew this time. (I mean, "K-Grease"? Come on.)

ON EDIT: I wanted to say that I, too, love it when Ramsay goes on one of his rants. My favorite this season was when he yelled at Sarah for not using a non-stick pan. He went completely apeshit.

[laststeamtrain]

3. Has Pat Buchanan signed on as Executive Producer?

Maybe he was jealous of Lawrence O'Donnell's role in WEST WING...

[Sapere aude]

5. I couldn't really give a holy rats ass about this!

[NightHawk63]

23. Ditto...

I can't stand ANY of that "reality" crap, but as they say, to each his own. Most of my co-workers watch that show and the rest of 'em. We'll be at lunch and they talk about them in very excited ways. I just can't get my mind around how this is entertaining.

[MrCoffee]

49. I thought it was a flying dead rat's ass?

[Maine-ah]

6. ookkkaaay

that's just kinda fucked.

I have watched each season of survivor, I don't know about this one though. I imagine they are going to piss off a lot of people with this one, and lose a lot of viewers.

[kskiska]

7. How about dividing them up according to political persuasions?

You could have the Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Communists, Religious Wackos…

[Tempest]

14. The Republicans would go AWOL

Or ask for multiple deferments.

[Seabiscuit]

52. The Repukes would invade the other tribes in the name of "freedom"

and "democracy" and would "render" anyone who spoke out against it to Skull Island.

[Maine-ah]

16. now, I like that idea!

[Danmel]

10. That is appalling

What would possess someone to think of that? I gotta tell you, this country is being divided in ways I thought we were past already- immigrant vs. native, white vs, back, black v. latino, Christian vs. Jew. Demonizing people. It is not pretty out there at all.

[hughee99]

15. Perhaps their next season will be

four tribes consisting of Christians, Jews, Muslims and Atheists.

[ecstatic]

12. it will get high ratings, but stir up a lot of negativity/ racism nt

[Tempest]

13. Here's a Survivor I'd like to see

Put them on an island with cannibals with nothing but a folding knife and the clothes on their backs.

[wellst0nev0ter]

24. And No Camera Crew, Catering, Medics, Etc (n/t)

[Tempest]

25. We'll need the camera crew

Otherwise we won't be able to watch them get eaten on youtube.com.

[wellst0nev0ter]

31. Hell, Just Give The Contestants Digicams

We'll prolly salvage whatever's left in the aftermath ;)

[Kailassa]

35. And make sure they all have black boxes. n/t

[Demit]

17. If you're a fan (which I am) you will have noticed in all past seasons how

tribal certain people get. They glom onto one other from the get. The youngheads think "eww" about anyone older than they are, and people of color tend somehow not to make it into the kewl kidz cliques at all. This, at least, will take that factor away in the beginning. Viewers won't have to wonder if someone is hmmm, getting voted off because of ethnicity or color. They did this sort of thing last year with older/younger, male/female, and it was interesting.

I see nothing wrong with this. It's at least acknowledging openly that people are different--and we might get to see some interesting conversations amongst the tribes. And some worthy people might get to stay longer than they might otherwise have. Do Not Be Afraid, I say. :)

[LostinVA]

30. I agree with you, Demit

I've been thinking about it today, and I think this will actually even the playing field regarding "Kool Kidz" takeover. I agree -- the way they did it last year really helped shuffle up the "usual suspects" more than usual. Ciree (sic)? I LOVED her! Who would have thought she would have ALMOST won the whole thing? And, if she had been on a team of Alpha Males from the beginning, she would have been cut ASAP.

I think it will be interesting to see how the different tribes treat their older folks and the women.

[ikojo]

43. Last season 36 was considered older

and it was great that the one guy who almost won was well into his 40s.

[marshall]

48. This is the same as last time

To paraphrase Whoopie Goldberg, where were all the complainers last season when Survivor was dividing people up by both age and gender? Race is just another demographic.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

18. It doesn't matter if you're a fan of Survivor or not

This is simply wrong. I fail to see how anyone could have thought this was a good idea on any level.

On a brighter note... this will be the final season of Survivor! :D

[warrens]

19. Making a horrible show worse

What WILL they think of next?

[chelsea0011]

20. Are their ratings falling? Because this is the only reason I see this

happening. And will they have racists in the group to keep it intersting when they put the groups together? Wow! What entertainment. The next Survivor will be the disabled against the nursing home elderly.

[GoldenOldie]

21. The first show was good....the rest all became to scripted.

[LostinVA]

32. No, their ratings are fine -- and I'm sure they are racist on every season

They sure as hell are major sexists and 'phobes.

[Seabiscuit]

53. Next season: skinheads vs. black panthers vs. bikers vs. hippies vs.

Kung Fu Fighters.

Guess who gets exterminated first.

[Solon]

22. How stupid can they be?

I mean, seriously, imagine the Asian group having a Korean, Japanese, and Chinese people in it, do they expect all these Asians to automatically get along? Hell, in the Hispanic group, let's put a Dominican and Cuban in it, just to see the fireworks fly, hell, in the Whites, let's put some Irish nationalists in with some Brits, that should be interesting. Do I even need to mention that in the African group they can put in Animists with Muslims or Christians, that should be really interesting.

[Raine]

26. I love Survivor but

I don't like this at all.x( Races pitted against each other and the one that comes out ahead 'lording it over' the others claiming superiority because of race...BAD idea. :-(

[LanternWaste]

27. As if I needed another reason...

As if I needed another reason to deny any credibility to that show.

I realize that many DUers watch and enjoy it, but to me it's really nothing more than pablum and another incetive to tune out, turn off and crack open the next book on my list.

Not that I'm guiltless mind you-- beginning next month, I'll be in front of the boob-tube for every Cowboy game and every episode of Lost and The Office...

[6000eliot]

28. Can you say "bad idea?"

[AX10]

29. Iraq is the REAL Survivor! This show is pure shit.

Anyone who has anything to do with the production of this damn show is a parasite!

[Karenina]

33. You are what you eat.

[951-Riverside]

34. Just trying to make racism "the norm"

I view this as a ploy to make the public think segregation, racism and racial profiling is "OK" and its not going to end here.

Also it pisses me off this was shoved off into the Lounge instead of either remaining in LBN or being moved to GD :mad:

[rug]

36. Survivor: Mein Kampf

[951-Riverside]

39. Jeff Probst is probably okay with that too afterall....

"It is part of our history." :eyes:

[Ediacara]

37. Worst. Idea. Ever

I think they may have bit off way more than they can chew here, and I think CBS may, in the end, scrap this season.

[951-Riverside]

38. What about mixed races?

This is what a reporter for KTLA aka "The CW" who happens to be half white and asian asked, the entrainment reporter Ross King responded "I guess they won't cast you".

This station has a poll up so you can vote there also you can email their entertainment department, they may read it on their morning show.



Email: http://ktla.trb.com/news/ktla-news-entertainment-email,0,1331679.htmlstory

Poll: http://ktla.trb.com/news/local/eveningnews/ktla-primenews-poll,0,4116652.special

VOICE YOUR OPINIONS If you are offended don't keep it to yourselves, let them know.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

45. This is so outrageous I had to write this

Re: Survivor dividing "tribes" by race.

I assure you, if this ever shows on Brazilian TV, I WILL take very careful notice of who the advertisers are and buy exclusively from their competition.

And I'll tell everybody their products suck. I won't tell the reason. Maybe I'll casually say pizza brand X gave me food poisoning, or cleaner Y can't clean at all, or cars from maker Z break much more than any other.

More: I'll spread this idea so other people (preferably Americans) do the same. Stay tuned.

[Omphaloskepsis]

40. check this out...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welcome_to_the_Neighborhood_%28TV_series%29

[Dogmudgeon]

41. It's a Good Thing

Think about how stupid this is -- like the "dangerous thinker" in college who tried to start the National Association for the Advancement of White People, only to find out it already existed, and is a KKK front organization. This could be a Good Thing as it allows racists to stand up, be counted, and trip over their own dicks.

It will be like Comedy Central, only without an excuse.

All the "political correctness" whiners will come out of the woodwork.

Imagine a "Macaca" scandal once a week -- during Election season.

We'll all get to see how truly craven the media moguls are.

The commentariat will soil themselves with glee.

For those of us who think that Tom Cruise/ Paris Hilton/ Michael Jackson/ SNL/ Woody Allen/ David Hasselhoff is the epitome of Hollywood evil, we'll get to see what the real deal is like.

Racism will no longer be hateful and fascinating -- it will quickly become embarrassing and "icky".

I'm waiting to see who first hangs an effigy and then explains "it was only a joke".

--p!
Did someone say "Bamboozled"?

[JI7]

42. Jeff Probst sounds like an idiot

a lot of things are a part of our history. and the effects of segregation still linger . just look at Katrina which was a real life case of surviving.

sure says a lot that they fired Dan Rather over offending Bush with the truth, but they do this.

[951-Riverside]

46. *bump-o-push-o*

:kick:

[Kire]

47. Anything the white team does to win is racist.

I mean, isn't it?

[philosophie_en_rose]

54. They're definitely being set up, in my opinion.

As are all of the groups.

The fact that they're all on the same team emphasizes the aura of "white power," or "lazy" black men or physically "weak" Asians and all of the stereotypes that Survivor already projects.

The stupidest factor of this so-called "experiment" is the implication that any of these people can or should be expected to represent an entire group of people.

[Seabiscuit]

50. Randi Rhodes (sp) was railing against it on Air America yesterday.

This could sink Survivor's ship. Feeds right into that right-wing racist "Black people can't swim" shit.

[graywarrior]

51. That show is still on? What with such gems as America's Got Talent

and American Idol people still watch Survivor? Sorry, I jumped ship to Rockstar:Supernova.

[Katina]

55. I don't think it's horrible at all

the reality is that this show is based on a lot of different dynamics and has been from day 1. Gender, age & race, as well as common backgrounds have all played a part in the forming of alliances & who gets voted out. They've already divided tribes by age & by gender. It makes sense that they would now divide by race. Over the past seasons, there has always been a predominance of whites. I think this will accomplish a couple of things, it evens out the numbers so no one ethnicity or race has an advantage, and in reality, it will force people to confront the fact that we all harbor stereotypes...and maybe even a bit of latent racism towards other groups. It might just trigger enough discussion about the problems we still have in this country that good can come out of it.
In addition, at some point, all the "tribes" will be mixed when the numbers are reduced so then the people will have to interact on a daily basis. How that will play out will be an interesting social experiment.

[smitty]

56. It's not a social experiment, it's entertainment---of sorts.

I think it's a ploy to reverse falling ratings.

[Katina]

57. it well may be

but anytime you put people in a stressful situation, game or not, it becomes an experiment of sorts..how it will play out is anyone's guess. Again, they've already recognized the bias' that people have with gender, age, and physical fitness. This is no different.