Open Source Journalism - Part II
Amazon Sets Up Gift Registry

CBS Survivor

(Mis)Uses of Technology

from the and-you-thought-Fox-had-bad-TV-shows dept

Fri, Oct 8th 1999 11:39am — Mike Masnick
Okay, this one has been up for discussion among friends of mine since we discovered it last night. And, unfortunately, the conclusion from my friends is that, yeah, we'd probably all watch CBS's new show, Survivor. The plan of the show is similar to shows that have been done in Europe, where you basically lock up a number of people with a bunch of cameras, and then make it competitive, by having them all vote people out each week or so. In this case, they're dumping everyone on a deserted Island (a la Gilligan's) and adding things like competitive tests to have access to an additional luxury item. It sounds terrible, but people all want to watch.
Hide this

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

49 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread


  • identicon
    Todd, 8 Oct 1999 @ 12:21pm

    hilarious

    Math issue first: The E! Online post offered an answer to my niggling question: what do they do when there are only two people left? "The castaways are sent packing until only two remain. At that point all the ex-contestants get to vote on which of the final two survivors deserves the loot. "

    (I'd suppose that if there is a tie at any point, they'd use the consensus of the ex-contestants to generate the tie breaker.)

    Marketing issue second: what luxury items would you compete for and at day 48 what might you do to your fellow "survivors" to get it? Keeping it clean, I'd say that at day 48, I would just about kill for caffeine -- literally.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 23 Jun 2000 @ 10:56pm

      Re: hilarious

      If two are left, then they have a contest, duh!

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Jason, 27 Jun 2000 @ 9:12am

        Where do I sign?

        I'd like to take my chances on the island or in any setting where you only have the bare necessities. It would be the greatest test of your ability to adapt and overcome. Awesome.

        [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      MAC, 28 Jun 2000 @ 12:40pm

      Sadly, I'm addicted to Survivor

      I'm a fairly intelligent person and I've never bothered much with TV but something about this show has me hooked. I don't really like any of the people, I don't really care who wins but I'm so happy it's wednesday so I can see what's happening. I've been writing down my impressions here http://www.themestream.com/articles/75749.html

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Dennis, 8 Oct 1999 @ 3:06pm

    interested in applying?

    Interested in applying to be a "Survivor"? Check out the Survivor Site.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    suzanne kelch, 29 May 2000 @ 4:26pm

    survivor show


    Will there be a second survivor show. If so when will they be accepting applications. This sounds like the coolest thing ever and I would like to a chance to participate. Thank you!

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      antoniette Woods, 31 May 2000 @ 12:34pm

      Re: survivor show

      Please let me know when you are accepting applications. My husband is the one who want's to be on the show. His name is Christopher woods. Our home number is (501) 225-0825

      Thank you

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    C. Menzel, 4 Jun 2000 @ 3:16pm

    survivors

    Great show. Has all the ingrediants of the people you love to hate and love. I do I get to CBS to voice my opinion???

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    grannine, 15 Jun 2000 @ 2:34am

    Re: hilarious

    Hi Todd et.al, I'm with you--this show is hilarious!I'm also not quite sure how they'll calculate the winner once the count is down to two castaways.The May 27th TV guide:http://www.tvguide.com in anartical by Mark Schwed entitled

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      grannine cont..., 15 Jun 2000 @ 2:54am

      Re: hilarious cont...

      article by Mark Schwed entitled "And Then There Was One" (Schwed, TV Guide May27-June2, 2000,20.) He writes: "When it's down to two, the last seven kicked off cast the deciding vote." I take that to mean that regardless of team, whoever the last seven exiles are--they get to pick the million dollar winner from the last 2 castaways. Please feel free to correct me if I have this wrong. Cheers!

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Unknown, 25 Jul 2000 @ 8:17pm

      Re: hilarious

      They count the winner by having the last 8 Survivors come back to the show.

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Joe Smith, 16 Jun 2000 @ 12:48pm

    Who won Survivor??

    Does anyone out there know who won Survivor? Also, did you see that Richard was arrested for beating his son?

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Jed, 20 Jun 2000 @ 6:42am

      Re: Who won Survivor??

      Yes, Who won!!! It's been over for weeks.

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 18 Jul 2000 @ 10:31am

        Re: Who won Survivor??


        [ link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          insider, 26 Jul 2000 @ 1:16pm

          Re: Who won Survivor??

          sean wins all of the last physical challenges and is unable to be voted off. the group of 4 (susan, rudy, kelly, and rich) vote everyone off except sean. they are then forced to vote someone from their own group off. it comes down to kelly and sean. seans is voted off by the previous 7 castaways. i have a brother who was a key grip on the show.

          [ link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        dick head, 26 Jul 2000 @ 8:22pm

        Re: Who won Survivor??

        get a life

        [ link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          losers friend, 3 Aug 2000 @ 3:16pm

          Re: Who won Survivor??

          this week, sean win's the immunity challenge. susan disbands with rich because she refuses to vote off colleen. she determines that rich is a big threat. sean, colleen, susan, and kelly vote for rich. rudy and rich vote for susan. bye bye rich! don't ask me how i know, it could put me 5 million in debt.

          [ link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        leslie, 8 Aug 2000 @ 9:52pm

        Re: Who won Survivor??

        i suspect Rudy

        [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Terminator, 29 Jun 2000 @ 10:25am

      Re: Who won Survivor??

      Nobody. They're all losers!

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    allison white, 23 Jun 2000 @ 12:47pm

    survivor, a way to relate

    I think that survivor is a way to conect to something that most of us will never have the chance to do. Most of us will never get a chance to be mr. or miss adventurous, so we can watch this show and relate to the one who is the most like us. I am a teenage girl therefore, I like Colleen, the 23 year old college student who always seems to be cute even after 12 days with no makeup. While others relate to Richard, the 40 or something year old homosexual with excess body fat and a, "listen to me, I need attention," attitude. I think that through this show we can connect wiht our inner adventurer the safe way, by connecting with a character who is actually there.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Trudy, 28 Jun 2000 @ 7:55am

    Re: Where do I sign?


    I sent in my application and video yesterday! I am a 52 year old grandmother of 4 from Northern California. I probably won't be picked, but at least I can say I tried!

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    grannine, 7 Jul 2000 @ 9:43pm

    Re: Where do I sign?

    Brava Trudy! Best of luck to you!

    grannine :)

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    mrs.bojangles, 15 Jul 2000 @ 4:04pm

    i know.........

    gervase wins...

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Pam, 19 Jul 2000 @ 6:12pm

      Re: i know.........

      Where did you get your information? why should anyone believe you, i heard the radio station, too.

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Dennis, 1 Aug 2000 @ 7:47pm

      Re: i know.........

      On TV 7 are still left (8-1-00). What site can confirm the winner (or news article)? How do you know? What order were they cast away? Are you just guessing?

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        dude, 3 Aug 2000 @ 3:20pm

        Re: i know.........

        this week, sean win's the immunity challenge. susan disbands with rich because she refuses to vote off colleen. she determines that rich is a big threat. sean, colleen, susan, and kelly vote for rich. rudy and rich vote for susan. bye bye rich! don't ask how i know, it would put me 5 million in debt.

        [ link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          baybay, 7 Aug 2000 @ 12:09pm

          Re: i know.........


          I thought that Rudy won because nobody sees him as a threat in the physical challenges.

          [ link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            leslie vega, 8 Aug 2000 @ 10:01pm

            Re: i know.........

            Rudy is hilarious.....I love his ultra right wing commentary. I hope you're right and he won!!!

            [ link to this | view in chronology ]

            • identicon
              Joanna, 19 Feb 2001 @ 3:52am

              Re: i know.........

              Hey,
              Is this THE Leslie Vega who knows me?
              married to Hector?

              [ link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 10 Aug 2000 @ 8:57pm

          Re: i know.........

          colleen is voted off the island, she cannot possible vote for rich because colleen is the next to be voted off by Susan, Kelly, Rich and sean. Go look at the cbs's website for survivor and you'll find out who gets voted off-personally i think rudy is too much of a rednek to win-its sad to think that when a group of people get together its the most irritating who manage to win! if anyone kelly should win.

          [ link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Den, 11 Aug 2000 @ 6:22pm

            Re: i know.........

            Kelly broke the alliance, and voted independently against Sean rather than forming an alliance with the girls against Rich, too bad. Sean voted with the alliance & Colleen was out, ouch!
            I believe that the cast away order will still be: Sean (an immunity threat), Susan, Rudy, then Rich, except as altered by immunity, with Kelly winning by jury vote. Unfortunately no one has yet organized the others against Rich. This is consistent with the earlier "Insider" forecast by the brother of the show grip, even though he later falsely said Rich would go (a cover-up dodge?). Hmmmm. Comments?

            [ link to this | view in chronology ]

            • identicon
              Same, 14 Aug 2000 @ 2:07pm

              Re: i know.........

              What other sites openly discuss & predict the outcome of this show?

              [ link to this | view in chronology ]

            • identicon
              Frank, 15 Aug 2000 @ 12:00am

              Re: i know.........

              OK, here's the deal. Wednesday night, Sue is next to go but she dosen't get voted off. Richard decides to run naked again and surprises Sue. Sue has a heart attack and has to be takin off the island by the coast guard. Richard helps load Sue onto the boat and gets bitten by a jelly fish on his pecker. Hold the boat !! Richards leaving too ! Now we're down to three. Sean and Kelly vote Rudy off the island leaving two. The jury votes off Sean. Kelly wins !!!!!

              [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Mrs. BO, 9 Aug 2000 @ 4:33pm

      Re: i know.........

      What show were you watching!

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    radio_rahim, 2 Aug 2000 @ 10:31pm

    Help me PLEASE!!!!!

    Okay I need help. I don't understand the format for the survivors show. Today Aug 2, the tenth episode was aired. There are now six people left on the island. After Episode number 11's tribal council there will be only 5 people left. After Episode number 12 there should be only 4 people left. Episode 13 is supposed to be the last episode of the series and one person will walk away with a million dollars. the way that they are supposed to do this is by narrowing down the field to two competitors and having the last seven castaways voted off the island vote who the winner should be. But following the format used thus far, after the tribal council on the thirtenth episode, there will still be three people left. How do they eliminate that other person? I can't seem to find the answer anywhere and no one else has seemed to ask that question. If someone knows the answer then please share it with me by mailing me at A HREF=

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      radio_rahim, 2 Aug 2000 @ 10:33pm

      Re: Help me PLEASE!!!!!

      Sorry, my e-mail was cut off in the last comment. Please mail me the answer at rdhanani@yorku.ca. Thanx

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 3 Aug 2000 @ 8:46am

      Re: Help me PLEASE!!!!!

      I was wondering the same thing. Have you gotten an answer yet?

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Paula, 11 Aug 2000 @ 2:22pm

      Re: Help me PLEASE!!!!!

      I believe that the final episode is 2 hours long The 3rd and 4th person will be kicked off and then we will see the final winner.

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    grannine, 5 Aug 2000 @ 11:20pm

    Re: Help me PLEASE!!!!!

    Hi radio_rahim,

    I think that in episode 13 two castaways will be voted off instead of just one.

    Cheers!-grannine

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    PAT BAKSA, 23 Aug 2000 @ 4:26pm

    SURVIVOR SHOW - RICHARD

    IF RICHARD HADN'T BEEN ON THIS SHOW THE WHOLE THING WOULD HAVE BEEN A
    BUST! I HATED HIM FROM THE MINUTE HE GOT ON THE ISLAND AND STARTED HIS COMPLAINING WHINNY POUTING COMMENTS,

    I THINK HE IS THE SMARTEST PERSON ON THE SHOW BUT HE WON'T WIN BECAUSE
    HE TICKED EVERYONE OFF!.

    HE IS AS FUN TO WATCH AS J.R. ON DALLAS - OH GIVE HIM HIS OWN SHOW!

    I HOPE HE WINS.

    ANYBODY OUT THERE FOR RICH? AFTER ALL WE HAVE SEEN HIM NAKED!

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    a, 23 Aug 2000 @ 9:19pm

    d


    e

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    b, 23 Aug 2000 @ 9:25pm

    e


    I can't believe Richard "the viper" won. From now on I will form alliances and gang up on every threat to my survival.

    Now I hate this ****ing show and all the greedy mother******* getting rich off of it.

    If I had been on the island, they would still be looking for his fat-assed body.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Heather, 27 Aug 2000 @ 2:31pm

    Women

    On the island....how were women suppose conceal their peroid?

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anon, 8 Sep 2000 @ 12:38am

    Re: Women


    Sanitary products were allowed.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    grannine, 8 Sep 2000 @ 1:00am

    No Subject Given


    Are people looking forward to the next season of Survivor (in the Australian Outback) or are they totally fed up with the show and concept?

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    bruce boyington, 21 Apr 2005 @ 11:25pm

    Im Determined

    I understand the number of people interested in the opportunity to accept this challenge of being on your show, I would like to be considered different than them though. Im a very determined individual who is certainly capable of this quest. I have recently been honarably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps and am sure that I could succeed on your show. I understand its a long shot, but please forward me the opportunity to prove my self. Thank You.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    mahmoud, 12 May 2005 @ 4:19am

    servaivor

    i want to joine how i could be join in

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]


Open Source Journalism - Part II
Amazon Sets Up Gift Registry
Follow Techdirt
Essential Reading
Techdirt Deals
Report this ad  |  Hide Techdirt ads
Techdirt Insider Discord

The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...

Loading...
Recent Stories

Friday

19:39 Important Announcement: Techdirt Is Migrating To A New Platform (0)
More arrow

This site, like most other sites on the web, uses cookies. For more information, see our privacy policy. Got it
Close

Email This

This feature is only available to registered users. Register or sign in to use it.