'Survivor' proves addictive to viewers

by Tim Tevault
Managing Editor

For nearly two years, I have been intrigued by the lives of 64 different individuals. These people are all linked by one particular factor. One factor that sent all of them to various locations around the planet and told them to do three things: outwit, outplay and outlast.

Yep, that's right, I'm talking about the "Survivor" series. The shows that popularized the reality show craze in the new millennium, spawning such spin-offs as "Big Brother," "The Amazing Race" and "Boot Camp."

Now, I know what most of you are thinking; the whole "Survivor" craze is done with-get over it, already!

But I can't! It takes me forever to get over something, especially an intriguing TV show. After all, I was saddened by the recent announcement that both "The X-Files" and "Ally McBeal" were leaving the air after two very successful and creative runs.

I think the ultimate dilemma for me will occur next Sunday, when the series finale of "The X-Files" will be pitted against the season finale of "Survivor: Marquesas." However, seeing as though I've been an X-Phile for six years, I'm going to see my favorite show bow out after nine years on the air.

In addition, the fifth edition of "Survivor" will be back in the fall, but I'm sad that the Marquesas edition is leaving already. It seems like it just recently started.

Watching not only this edition, but the previous ones, which took place in Australia, Africa and a small island called Pulau Tiga in the south China Sea, have provided me with more drama than pioneer shows like "The Real World" or "Road Rules" could ever provide me with in a lifetime.

The producer of "Survivor" should be given some kind of award. I have faithfully not missed an episode-thanks to the remarkable invention of the VCR. There are so many lessons that can be learned from the show. For instance, we all know now not to ever double cross Sue Hawk, the trash-talking truck driver from the first season. She might just leave us dying of thirst in the middle of the desert to let the vultures do what they will with us.

We also learned another lesson from the first season: rats are filled with more protein than you can imagine, let alone big live juicy beetle larvae.

From the second season in Australia, we definitely learned from Kel's mistake to never sneak beef jerky into camp. We also should remember when starting a campfire not to inhale so much smoke you pass out and fall into the flames.

Although not really well-received by the public, the African version of "Survivor" still managed to teach us that-well, we really didn't learn that much from this one. But it did keep with the tradition of a minority winning the prize. This time around it was a Jewish guy (A gay man and a woman won in the first two seasons).

Although last season was not all that great, this season is really sizing up to be one of the better ones. With only two episodes left, tensions are mounting and people will hopefully begin to get more and more cutthroat.

At press time, there were still six people left on the island, by now though, there are five. Unfortunately, this summer, I'll probably go through a "Survivor" withdrawal, like I did in between the other seasons. I guess I'll just have to settle for "Big Brother 3" in the meantime. Hopefully, CBS signs on for a sixth season. If not, I'll have to check myself into a clinic for the reality-show deprived.

Tim Tevault, a sophomore journalism major, is managing editor of the Campus Times. He can be reached by e-mail at zerotearx@aol.com.