Why Survivor Beats Out Other TV Shows Year After Year

Photo Credit: Survivor Wiki

There are some great tv shows out there these days, however, Survivor, the reality show that’s been running for 36 seasons now, beats out your regular tv show for these reasons.

1. Hardly ever the same cast-Except for Jeff Probst and the occasional reunion special, you get to see brand new, exciting (or not) faces every season. When was that the case on the tv show you like the best? I mean, one of my favorite tv shows besides Survivor is Grey’s Anatomy, yet they still have the same (mostly) characters every season. Other reality shows may have new faces every year, but they don’t have half the cool features that Survivor does.
2. Inventive new games/challenges that keep your interest piqued. Ok, some games get repeated, but that’s because they know they’re your favs, right? How many people watch just to see what kind of gross things they might have to eat, (not me, but that’s another story). To me though, most of the time, I’m surprised at the ingenuity of whoever dreams these games up because, well, they’re just awesome! This past season had one of the biggest mazes, for instance, in Survivor history. They just keep on doing what they think will bring us back to watch, and it works!
3. Exotic locations that make you want to visit there too. Who wouldn’t want to go to Fiji, or Borneo, even Cambodia? These are not places your typical American will ever get to go on vacation. They are almost always on an island, (except for Survivor Africa), the scenery is beautiful, and the rewards are so cool, that’s how they get new people wanting to be on the show. Not to mention the million dollar prize, but hey, that’s just an aside, right? It’s all about becoming the sole survivor and having those bragging rights. Ok, it’s the money- ya got me on that one.
4. Speaking of money, they actually give other prizes as well, cars, cash for America’s favorite player, a second and third place cash prize, and viewers sometimes get to make these decisions based on the popularity of certain cast members. What other tv show does all that? In Survivor’s 23rd season, Ozzie won $100,000 as the “Spirit Player of the Season,” earning the fans’ vote over John Cochran.
5. The same theme music, awesome logo (Outwit, Outplay, Outlast), and host with the most, Jeff Probst, draw viewers back season after season. (He even won his own award for being the Outstanding Host for a Reality Competition Program 4 times) and the show has been called one of the best TV shows of all time (by Time magazine) and one of the best series of all time (TV Guide).
6. Basic rules that never change, although there have been variations some shows. Usually it is 16 or more players that get split up into opposing tribes, taken to a remote location and forced to live off the land with meager supplies for 39 days. (Except for the Australian Outback show, they had to stay 42 days). Those basic ideas are what people want to watch take place each season, some of us can’t deal with change, OK? Each show someone is voted off during “tribal council”. Then, at the end, the players who were voted off, make up the jury, and they are who ultimately chooses the winner and sole survivor. Somewhere around the middle of the game, there’s a “merge,” which is another thing fans look forward to.
7. Hidden immunity idols and immunity idols. Us fans can’t wait each season to see what the new idols will look like. These are what you covet, search for and fight each other over every season. They seem to try to make them more desirable to “own” each show. Some can be worn, some are like a statue, either way, no other show has anything like them. Also “buffs” and other merch that can be purchased later through Amazon. Does your show have all that?
8. Controversy. This series has it’s fair share on and off the show. The tone was set early on when outrageous behavior by Rich and Susan set a high bar, one for always walking around camp nude, and the other for being particularly nasty during the final show of her season (season 5). Then there are the times the show has caused controversy itself, like race relations (or lack of diversity), players being jailed or fined for infractions during or after the show, accidents showing player’s genitalia, spoiler alerts and more. On what other series do you have this much excitement and intrigue?
9. The chance to see love bloom, eye candy, (both male and female), plot twists, and other surprises. Of course, Probst is easy on the eyes as well. There have been several marriages and other close relationships form because of this series, Probst himself dated former contestant Julie Berry…alas, it ended after 4 years, Boston Rob Mariano married winner Amber Brkich, and winner of $100,000 as Spirit Player of the Season on Survivor South Pacific, Ozzy Lusth dated Amanda Kimmel (Survivor China). Although that relationship eventually bit the dust, at least Ozy finally won a chunk of change. Even villain Russell Hantz supposedly dated Mikayla Wingle for a brief time.
10. The chance to root for your own fav you pick at the beginning of each season. Unlike other reality shows such as American Idol and The Voice, your fav has to stick around for about a month, whereas on those other shows, they may not make it through the first round of judging. Of course, there is a chance that you pick someone that gets voted off at tribal council, but you’re a better judge of character than that, right?! :)