Survivor

The Survivor series, is a reality television game show that is credited for popularizing reality TV by enthralling millions through its beautiful lush locations where ordinary people are chosen to serve a season as castaways and put to test through various situations and struggles.  The original idea was crafted by a British producer, Charlie Parsons and was drawn into a Swedish television show known as Expedition: Robinson after being struck down many times by many channels. It’s success inspired UK and Australian versions but failed to catch any attention; however in the US it was an instant hit under the leadership of Mark Burnett.

The first season was shot in Borneo where sixteen to twenty strangers were chosen and taken to an island. As it progresses, they were divided into two to four tribes limited in tools necessary for survival like machetes, pots and water canteens. The tribe members can be easily identified with a band worn of a special color individual to the tribe.

In the initial season the well from which water was drawn had brackish water which had to boiled in order to be fit for consumption therefore forcing the tribes to create fire on their owns as an initial challenge. Further challenges had the tribes to take care of themselves by using survival tactics and instincts like building rudimentary shelter and foraging for food. Several seasons are noted for stranding the participants without any preparation leaving them with just their clothes and shoes, basic tools and their wits all essential for survival. It is noted that tribes are merged at time, or the participants are redistributed to create the drama and flexibility to incur the curiosity of the audience.

As the show carried on, a number of challenges were introduced where upon a victory would reward the tribes with a much needed relief. Challenges were shaped to test in terms of endurance, team-work, problem-solving abilities, aptitudes and courage. A common challenge noted is the obstacle course race where the challengers are to collect puzzle pieces which upon assembly leads to a dramatic change. The challenges are classified in Reward Challenges and Immunity Challenges.

Reward Challenges: The contestants compete for luxuries which often include food, tools (matches, rain gear) and short trips far from camp.

Immunity Challenges: In these challenges, the contestants compete for immunity against elimination which takes place periodically as the Tribal Council where the losing tribe has to banish a member from their own tribe. The banished individual is selected through silent votes taken by all. Only those individuals who have won the immunity strafe free from banishment for a week or two.

The series gained the interest of a wide range in audience and the second season was shot with much fanfare which led to its immediate filming under the title “Survivor: The Australian Outback” and was broadcasted during October 2001 to January 2002. The Australian Outback was followed by the “Survivor: Africa” in the same year. The later seasons were shot in destinations in Thailand, the Amazon, the Pearl Islands, Guatemala, Panama, and the Cook Islands.