Survivor 13: Spics vs. Chinks???

Ghoulish Delight · 08-23-2006, 10:31 AM

Ummm, so Mark Burnett has unveiled that the next survivor season wil start with 4 tribes...divided along racial lines ("White" "African-American" "Asian-American" "Hispanic"). Wow. Just...wow.

I think this commentary does a good job of pointing out the pitfalls of this decission.

Quote:

Start with the fact that it smells like an attempt to "represent" everyone, and expecting five people to be representative of millions or billions is begging for trouble. Consider what happens if, for reasons unrelated to race, four of the first five people to leave are Asian? What if the final four are all black? Or all white? What do those headlines look like?

Quote:

But does "ethnic pride" really mean the same thing to all people, such that we assume a contestant whose family is Korean automatically feels some special pride on behalf of someone whose family is Japanese? That is not to even consider the enormously sticky issue of whether someone whose great-grandparents are Russian is supposed to have shared "ethnic pride" with someone whose great-grandparents are Irish. It's a big jump to go from understanding that ethnic pride exists to believing it allows everyone to be divided into four teams.

Well, at the very least, Burnett has once again succeeded in creating buzz and print for Survivor. Whether he's created entertainment or not remains to be seen.

Gemini Cricket · 08-23-2006, 10:40 AM

It seems like a premise to draw press to the show. Yikes.

The Jets vs. The Sharks

(All I know about that is that The Sharks dance better.)

flippyshark · 08-23-2006, 10:42 AM

Gads! I've disliked this show (and the whole enforced competition "reality" genre) since the beginning, but this idea is truly loathsome. My TV is staying off.

Moonliner · 08-23-2006, 10:46 AM

Oh great, so now if I want to root for one tribe I'm essentially being raciest against all the other tribes.

Great.

I think that rather than watch this season, I'll just take the dog for a long walk each week.

DreadPirateRoberts · 08-23-2006, 11:39 AM

Is Survior jumping the shark?

Mousey Girl · 08-23-2006, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadPirateRoberts

Is Survior jumping the shark?

It just may be. I think this is a huge mistake. I truly hope there is a major backlash and no one watches.

AllyOops! · 08-23-2006, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadPirateRoberts

Is Survior jumping the shark?

Whether it's jumped or not is beside the point. I just need to know if the shark is a "spick" or "chink".

(edited to add: the filter bans "spick" without a "k". What if I want to post that I do my household cleaning with spick n' span? Just curious..)

Okay, all tasteless kidding aside on my part, I don't find this premise to be clever or interesting. In fact, it's rather despicable. I do agree with GD, however, in that it definitely will create buzz. It already has me discussing it, and I don't even watch the show!

It just seems for every step forward, this is taking us a step back, even if it is supposedly in the light-hearted vein of entertainment. This isn't maddening to me, just silly. I wouldn't watch, but that's because I don't watch Survivor as is. It could be naked firefighters vs. naked actors that Ally drools over, and I still wouldn't tune in. Okay, maybe I would. Okay, definitely would. But that isn't the point!!

Here's my main concern and question: So, a hispanic takes the title or prize. Maybe an african-american. Perhaps an asian. Or caucasian. WHAT DOES IT PROVE?!?! Is the message that is being conveyed simply, "look! (Insert race here) are far superior and beat the other ethnicities! Nice message. I'd like to think the person that wins has won based on his/her performance. We all know that to be true, but this premise begs for people to celebrate the skin color rather then the person. I find that gross.

FEJ · 08-27-2006, 10:40 PM

nevermind...I can't read

Disneyphile · 08-23-2006, 11:41 AM

Great. One of my fave TV shows turns into crap.

Moonliner · 08-23-2006, 11:56 AM

And perhaps next season they can break the tribes up by religion.

Christian vs Jews vs Muslims, vs Buddhist.

Personally I think the buddhist tribe would get their asses kicked but that's just me.

08-23-2006, 10:40 AM	#2
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	It seems like a premise to draw press to the show. Yikes. The Jets vs. The Sharks (All I know about that is that The Sharks dance better.)
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08-23-2006, 10:42 AM	#3
flippyshark Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 2,852	Gads! I've disliked this show (and the whole enforced competition "reality" genre) since the beginning, but this idea is truly loathsome. My TV is staying off.
	Submit to Quotes

08-23-2006, 10:46 AM	#4
Moonliner 8/30/14 - Disneyland -10k or Bust. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,022	Oh great, so now if I want to root for one tribe I'm essentially being raciest against all the other tribes. Great. I think that rather than watch this season, I'll just take the dog for a long walk each week. __________________ - Taking it one step at a time.
	Submit to Quotes

08-23-2006, 11:39 AM	#5
DreadPirateRoberts Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,483	Is Survior jumping the shark?
	Submit to Quotes

08-27-2006, 10:40 PM	#8
FEJ Living Now Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 563	nevermind...I can't read
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08-23-2006, 11:41 AM	#9
Disneyphile SQUIRREL! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: On the curbside. Posts: 5,098	Great. One of my fave TV shows turns into crap.
	Submit to Quotes

08-23-2006, 11:56 AM	#10
Moonliner 8/30/14 - Disneyland -10k or Bust. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,022	And perhaps next season they can break the tribes up by religion. Christian vs Jews vs Muslims, vs Buddhist. Personally I think the buddhist tribe would get their asses kicked but that's just me. __________________ - Taking it one step at a time.
	Submit to Quotes