http://www.usatoday.com/life/enter/tv/2002/2002-02-28-survivor4.htm'Survivor' goes back to the South Pacific
By Robert Bianco, USA TODAY
By Monty Brinton CBS
Producer Mark Burnett, left, and host Jeff Probst get nostalgic.
Survivor hopes to win you back by going back.
Ever since its first, phenomenally popular South Seas installment, Survivor has endured a decline in ratings and a rise in critical drubbings. Now, after two increasingly fun-free games in Australia and Africa, the show seeks to recover its lost appeal by returning to its more idyllic roots.
And so with tonight's premiere of the fourth run, Survivor: Marquesas (CBS, 8 p.m. ET/PT), producer Mark Burnett returns to the South Pacific — specifically, to the island paradise of Nuku Hiva. That means a welcome return of sand and surf and swaying palms, not to mention bikinis, bathing suits and bandanna halters.
That also means, from what we can tell, an abundant supply of clean water — a blessed relief after watching the African crew strain dung before they could drink. And while they've been given no food rations this time (the show's latest twist), the islanders don't have any trouble finding something to eat, at least not in the early going. I fear that means we're in for some repeats of Australia's bloody pig escapade, but for tonight, the islanders harvest rather than slaughter.
Best of all, after three games, the survivors finally have learned how to make fire. (It apparently helps to have someone along who knows yoga.) And you thought these people had no learning curve.
But they're not the only ones who have wised up. Though it's too soon to be sure, it seems possible Survivor has learned that while we may want to see the contestants struggle, we don't want to see them tortured. If so, thank you.
Though CBS made only a portion of tonight's premiere available for preview (the tape cuts off at the immunity challenge), the set-up is familiar. As the 16 new players swim their way to the island, we're introduced to the two tribes: Rotu and Maraamu.
For whatever an early impression is worth, the players seem more likable than the crew in Africa, or at least less hateful. Even so, they know their roles, and they begin sniping at each other almost instantly. I'm just curious: Would it be impossible to find 16 Americans who might be willing to spend one full day together before they start complaining about one another?
Still, as insults go, give credit to Maraamu's Vecepia Towery for one of Survivor's all-time nastiest and best-delivered blows: "Sarah has a very cute body. She paid a lot for it."
Despite the improvements, the show still suffers from the been-there/done-that vapors that pervade the entire reality game show genre (which is why it might have been wiser to wait a while longer between installments).
Marquesas may not provoke the fury and disdain that greeted Survivor: Africa, but it's also unlikely to inspire the fervor that greeted the original.
Some things, you just can't get back.
Bebo Notes:
- We have proof that both tribes make fire - confirming our prior speculation.
- Is Peter actually useful for the fire endeavor, given the yoga comment? Adds an interesting question to the boot mix. If he proved useful, would he be voted off for grossing everyone out? Or would they decide that they already got what they needed out of him and he could go? (sorry for the double meaning)
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