What’s this show called … Survivor: Nicaragua?

I’m not a huge fan of “reality” programming. Aside from slugging my way through American Idol every year, I only really watch The Apprentice … and every imitation it has spawned over the years. But that’s about as far as I’ve ever ventured into the genre.

Yet I was kind of excited to check out Survivor; my impression of the show involves lots of intense challenges, gross moments, strategizing, and old-fashioned good times. I expected a group of dirty, physically exhausted “real” men and women slugging it out in some location inhabitable to the rest of us.

The current season of Survivor finds twenty contestants, broken into teams designated as “young” and “old,” vying for the win and some prize money. Included on the old team is Jimmy Johnson, a cast member that comes as a surprise to me. Sure plenty of celebrities agree to shake their groove things on dancing competitions, but a football coach doesn’t necessarily have what it takes to make it on a desert island. Unless this is about leadership … then he’s the favorite.

There was an interesting mix of game playing and survival from the start — lots of time was spent discussing alliances, while the old folks were still working on completing their shelter. I found the latter to be very cool, since I hadn’t realized that the teams really need to “survive” for themselves. The prizes at the end of the challenge — tarp or fishing gear — proved out the point that their survival is on them.

There was also kindergarten nonsense, like the socks and shoes drama that touched both tribes. Something about missing socks, sand in shoes, extra socks … I followed it, but I don’t think it’s worth relating here. I suppose any jumbling together of random people will produce infantile drama … that doesn’t mean it has to be of interest.

The challenge brought up all sorts of discussions related to immunity idols — I understand English, so I get the concept, but there are clearly rules related to the idol that escape someone new. For instance, was there something in the beginning about “if one team used X last week, the other team gets to use it this week?” And is the idol only good for the player (or alliance) that located it?

Jeff Probst’s big moment came at the tribal council, which was kind of just a gossip fest. Again, maybe it becomes more involved as the weeks go on, but in episode two it sounded like a high school popularity contest.

Speaking of, how strategic can the vote be this early on? Meaning, the players only really know aesthetic things about one another — can they really determine now who will be the best partner (or the toughest enemy)? Also, I missed the torch thing until that point, but it’s cool that someone voted off must extinguish their flame.

Overall I was kind of disappointed. Not that the show was bad — it’s certainly far superior “reality” programming than anything else I’ve watched — but it was kind of boring. Whether that’s because I had unrealistic expectations, or I got a quiet episode, I was just not into it.

I wish Jimmy Johnson luck, and guess that I’ll look for my gripping “reality” TV somewhere else.

Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Sep 27, 2010 @ 16:00 EST5EDT