Fire up the Tiki torch and pass the jalapenos: Survivor is about to play the race card.
Host Jeff Probst made it official yesterday, announcing that for the next Survivor series, the castaways will be split into four five-member tribes: Blacks, Whites, Asians and Hispanics.
"Just like my high school's cafeteria," cracked U.S. TV Guide blogger Matt Mitovich.
Survivor: Cook Islands debuts Sept. 14. People have gone nuts over the premise. What is this, The Amazing Races? Has Probst been replaced by Archie Bunker? As Rodney King once said, why can't we all just get along?
People, please, it's only a TV show. The whole idea of Survivor is that it is the ultimate social experiment, a show about human behaviour. The series has already pitted men vs. women, young vs. old. If age and sex are fair game, why not race?
The show has been criticized in the past for a lack of visible minorities. Now the minorities are at least on an equal footing. Bring it on, I say.
Where will it end? Tribes split along sexual orientation? Religious or political affiliation? Meat eaters vs. Vegetarians? Like we all wouldn't watch.
Don't rule out the possibility that this might be the most truly illuminating Survivor ever. It will be fascinating to see if race has any real bearing on the outcome of the game.
The bottom line is that these are still all Americans. (Thirteen, in fact, are from California and nine from Los Angeles. Many are actors, recruited for this edition.)
If interest is piqued by this format (and, judging by the reaction so far, look for Survivor to return strong), maybe Burnett and CBS will finally give in to what many of us feel would be the ultimate Survivor: An international edition, featuring a Canadian team competing against several other nations.
Hey, it seems to work for the World Cup.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
- Survivor: Cook Islands divides tribes by race.
- The new season begins Sept. 14 on CBS.
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