Racially Segregated Survivor

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 2:14pm

The next Survivor is to be divided into four tribes by race; caucasian, asian, hispanic, African-American (or white, black, red, and yellow, if you are ethnically challenged). Sounds like a mess in the making. But I can't wait to see if they have color-coded buffs!
New 'Survivor' Cast To Be Racially Segregated

[jasonf]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 2:16pm

Actually, I think it's an interesting idea. We all try to hide behind PC crap all the time pretending we're all the same - well, we're not, and if any show should be trying something like this, it's Survivor since the whole point of the show is the social experiment. They've pretty much "outplayed" their original concept, and this is definitely an interesting twist. They tried male/female, and they tried age, so this is the next step. They just need to be REALLY careful that the contest remains 100% on the level and fair or all hell will break loose.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 2:17pm

I read about this earlier and I just can't see what good could possibly come of this. Part of the dividing into teams based on a particular asset is to create a healthy sense of competition. The last thing this society needs at this particular point in time is competition between the races.

[Calvin]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 2:17pm

Rush Limbaugh has already weighed in (it's on Media Matters -- I'm too lazy to look for the link right now), saying the black team is going to have trouble in the swimming challenges, the Asian team will be the smartest and that the Hispanic team will win because it's willing to do tasks none of the other tribes will do. Ah, the predictable barrage of stereotypes. Survivors ready? Go!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 2:22pm

I think it's interesting as well, but we all know it's going to get major backlash, which is probably what they want in order to generate more publicity and boost ratings.

colleen lee - No doubt it will follow the usual format and start mixing the tribes. With four tribes at the beginning, they usually start merging after the first couple of episodes and then the big merge halfway into the season, so the segregation is just at the beginning. It will illustrate, however, how heavily race will factor into the alliances, if at all, since some people tend to jump into alliances within the first couple of days (never a good idea) and claim tribal allegiance.

[jasonf]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 2:29pm

I think even more than that, what it will ultimately show is that the groups end up being more or less equal. If Burnett finds that one of the groups is simply being decimated I'll bet that he joins tribes SUPER fast. However, if they stay balanced, he might keep the split up longer than in the past...

[wexy]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 2:58pm

Next season there wiill be the Jews,Moslems, Christians and Buddhists.

[wexy]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 2:59pm

Followed by the Gays,Straights Bisexuals and the transgendered.
Followed by...............

Updated On: 8/24/06 at 02:59 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 3:01pm

Here's the link for Limbaugh and I'm speechless:

http://mediamatters.org/items/200608240003

[Calvin]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 3:02pm

He forgot to mention how overhyped the black team will be because the media has a desire to see a black survivor tribe do well.

[DG]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 3:06pm

"He added that "the white tribe," "if it behaves as it historically has," will "bring along vials of diseases" and "will wind up oppressing" the other tribes by "deny[ing] them benefits" and "property," but will later "try to put [the other tribes] on some kind of benefit program." He further asserted that if CBS "allows ... cheating" and "oppression," "then of course the white tribe is going to win."

I'm surprised Rush actually said this - but it made me laugh.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 3:06pm

We won't be able to see anything come out of this. The editor will edit the show according to his/her agenda.

[wexy]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 3:07pm

There was a big article in the Times two months ago about blacks and swimming. Even the Black press believed in the "buoyancy" thing.
which is probably why the black transsexual band I saw at The Pyramid Club back in 84 did a song "Black Girls Can't Swim.'

The Times article is interesting
http://select.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=F70616FE35550C7A8DDDAF0894DE404482

Updated On: 8/24/06 at 03:07 PM

[jaesdare]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 3:14pm

i don't know who to root for, i'm all of those races put into one...this is show sad, what is the world coming to.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/24/06 at 3:20pm

somebody needs to use the search feature.....from yesterday

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=off&thread=908700#2440555

[neomystyk29]

Posted: 8/25/06 at 10:22pm

I for one think this is a great idea. It's high time reality shows to start exploring real diverse casting. I'm an avid Big Brother fan and there are 2 black people this season, one was black and gay. Kill two birds with one stone I guess. 3 Asian Americans have appeared in the type of Big Brother show that is produced today. I think, edited or not, the show will prove to people that America is ready to accept racial diversity on popular television programming, particularly reality shows.

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/25/06 at 10:27pm

If someone can point out any reasons that make sense for doing this, then maybe I'll give it some more thought, but as of now, I see no good coming out of it. Right now I think it's a stupid idea.

[Marlene]

Posted: 8/25/06 at 10:46pm

So does that rule out the possibility of biracial contestants?

I haven't tuned into Survivor in a long, long time...

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/25/06 at 10:52pm

I for one think this is a great idea. It's high time reality shows to start exploring real diverse casting. I'm an avid Big Brother fan and there are 2 black people this season, one was black and gay. Kill two birds with one stone I guess. 3 Asian Americans have appeared in the type of Big Brother show that is produced today. I think, edited or not, the show will prove to people that America is ready to accept racial diversity on popular television programming, particularly reality shows.
'

bull&*^t....the way NOT to do that is to have segregated teams.....that's what this country did up until the 1960's......the way NOT to have diversity it TO have racially segregated teams.
Neither of us are watching this season as we feel so strongly about this.

Segregation in ANY form, in ANY group of people is just wrong.

[jasonf]

Posted: 8/25/06 at 11:21pm

This is not an involuntary segregation. Those who are involved in this CLEARLY have the option to not participate, and my guess is Burnett would ask any of them to return another season if they choose not to participate this season (since in the past he HAS had contestants return who couldn't do it in a given season - ie Kathy from a couple of years ago). Knowing the game the way it is, the segregation won't last long if it's not going well (see my post above). I think it's an interesting experiment -- and I will be watching.

[neomystyk29]

Posted: 8/25/06 at 11:24pm

Well I think the point has been made that the segregation will only last a few episodes as there will be small merges early because 4 tribes means only 5 people to the tribe. Also, regardless of what ACTUALLY happens, editing will show equality between the races, and people will choose to like who they like and hate who they hate regardless of race. THAT is the point of this show. I think on a broadway message board understanding, diversity, and acceptance are commonplace themes. We forget that that's just NOT the case with much of America, even today. I seriously doubt that this show will do anything but break down racial stereotypes. It SURELY will not revive and perpetuate segregation. If it does in any way, I'll pick up my pitchfork and join the million minority march on CBS. I'm not going to pass judgment because I just don't see anything but positive stuff coming from the actual show. The negative media surrounding the show, well...we'll see.

[jasonf]

Posted: 8/25/06 at 11:53pm

neomystyk -- nicely put :)

[Funny Face]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 12:01am

jasonf, you are 100% right. I'm sos ick of everything being whitewashed over with PC. I commend the producers for having the courage to do something like this, that will probably shed a lot of light on and disprove certain sterotypes.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 12:05am

It's totally politically incorrect, but at the same time, it'll probably be the first time I tune into Survivor in years.

[jasonf]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 12:11am

Thanks Funny Face -- and it's interesting how divided already THIS board is over this...