Survivor (U.S. TV series)

Survivor
Genre Reality competition
Created by Charlie Parsons
Presented by Jeff Probst
Theme music composer Russ Landau
Country of origin United States
Language(s) English
No. of seasons 23
No. of episodes 320
Production
Executive producer(s) Charlie Parsons
Mark Burnett
Jeff Probst
David Burris
Running time 43 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel CBS
Picture format 480i (SDTV) (2000–2008)
1080i (HDTV) (2008–present)
Original run May 31, 2000 (2000-05-31) – present
Chronology
Related shows Expedition Robinson
International versions
External links
Website

Survivor is an American version of the Survivor reality television game show, itself derived from the Swedish television series Expedition Robinson originally created in 1997 by Charlie Parsons. The series premiered on May 31, 2000 on CBS. It is hosted by veteran television personality, reporter and one-time game show emcee Jeff Probst, who is also an executive producer, and also executive produced by Mark Burnett and original creator Charlie Parsons.

The show maroons a group of strangers (as one or more tribes) in a desolate locale, where they must provide food, water, fire, and shelter for themselves, while competing in challenges to earn either a reward, or an immunity from expulsion from the game in the next of the successive votes for elimination. While much rarer than elimination by vote, medical conditions, such as injury or infection, have eliminated several contestants. The last two or three survivors face a jury composed of the last seven, eight, or nine players voted off. That jury interrogates the final few, and then votes for the winner of the game, the title of Sole Survivor and a million dollar prize.

The American version has been very successful. From the 2000–2001 through the 2005–2006 television seasons its first eleven seasons (competitions) rated amongst the top ten most watched shows. It is commonly considered the leader of American reality TV because it was the first highly-rated and profitable reality show on broadcast television in the USA, and is considered one of the best shows of the 2000s (decade).[1][2][3] The series has been nominated for several Emmy Awards, including winning for Outstanding Sound Mixing in 2001, Outstanding Special Class Program in 2002, and subsequently four times for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program when the category was introduced in 2003. Jeff Probst has won the award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program four consecutive times since the award was introduced in 2008.

The series has completed airing its 23rd season, with season 24 scheduled to premiere on February 15, 2012. It has been renewed for two more seasons (season 25 and 26) for the 2012–2013 television season, with Jeff Probst confirmed to return as host and executive producer.[4]

Contents

Format and rules

The first U.S. season of Survivor followed the same general format as the Swedish series, but, since then, the show has introduced several twists on the core rules in order to keep the players on their toes and to prevent players from relying on strategies that succeeded in prior seasons. These changes have included tribal switches, seasons starting with more than two tribes, the ability to exile a player from a tribe for a short time, hidden immunity idols that players can use to save themselves at Tribal Council and a chance to return to regular gameplay after elimination through "Redemption Island".

U.S. Survivor seasons

The United States version is produced by Mark Burnett and hosted by Jeff Probst. Each competition is called a season, has a unique name, and lasts from 13 to 15 episodes. The first season of Survivor was broadcast as a summer replacement show in 2000. Starting with Survivor: The Australian Outback, there have been two Survivor seasons aired during each U.S. television season.

In the first season there was a 75-person crew. By season 22 the crew had grown to 325 people.[5]

# Name Location Original tribes Winner Runner(s)-up Vote Notes
1 Survivor: Borneo Pulau Tiga, Sabah, Malaysia Two tribes of eight Richard Hatch Kelly Wiglesworth 4-3 Only season to have the winner revealed on location rather than live and in the U.S.
2 Survivor: The Australian Outback Herbert River at Goshen Station, Queensland, Australia Tina Wesson Colby Donaldson 4-3 First time a contestant was evacuated due to injuries. Filmed for more than 39 days, running 42 days.
3 Survivor: Africa Shaba National Reserve, Kenya[6] Ethan Zohn Kim Johnson 5-2 First season to feature a tribal swap.
4 Survivor: Marquesas Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia Vecepia Towery Neleh Dennis 4-3 Featured the controversial "Purple Rock" tie breaker.
5 Survivor: Thailand Ko Tarutao, Satun Province, Thailand Two tribes of eight picked by the two oldest players, Jake and Jan Brian Heidik Clay Jordan 4-3 First season to have a fake merge and a Mutiny offer where players could change tribes.
6 Survivor: The Amazon Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil Two tribes of eight divided by gender Jenna Morasca Matthew Von Ertfelda 6-1 First time the winner of the immunity necklace gave it to another player. First time the tribes were originally divided by gender.
7 Survivor: Pearl Islands Pearl Islands, Panama Two tribes of eight Sandra Diaz-Twine Lillian Morris 6-1 Featured the Outcast Tribe twist, and a player quitting the game. First time two seasons were filmed back to back at the same location.
8 Survivor: All-Stars Three tribes of six returning players Amber Brkich Rob Mariano 4-3 First and only time a season began with 3 individual tribes. Featured a second million-dollar prize awarded to Rupert Boneham for being voted by the viewers as their favorite contestant. First time that former castaways returned.
9 Survivor: Vanuatu – Islands of Fire Efate, Shefa Province, Vanuatu Two tribes of nine divided by gender Chris Daugherty Twila Tanner 5-2 Featured the first amputee contestant.
10 Survivor: Palau Koror, Palau A schoolyard pick of two tribes of nine, starting with Ian and Jolanda; two eliminated without a tribe Tom Westman Katie Gallagher 6-1 The Koror tribe won all the immunity challenges and Stephenie LaGrossa, the last member of the defeated tribe, was simply absorbed into Koror. First time Exile Island was used. First season to begin the game without separate tribes, with two players, Wanda and Jonathan, being eliminated without ever joining a tribe.
11 Survivor: Guatemala – The Maya Empire Laguna Yaxhá, Yaxhá-Nakúm-Naranjo National Park, Petén, Guatemala Two tribes of nine, including two returning players Danni Boatwright Stephenie LaGrossa 6-1 Introduced the hidden immunity idol. First time new contestants played against returnees.
12 Survivor: Panama – Exile Island Pearl Islands, Panama Four tribes of four divided by age and gender Aras Baskauskas Danielle DiLorenzo 5-2 The first time a season began with 4 individual tribes.
13 Survivor: Cook Islands Aitutaki, Cook Islands Four tribes of five divided by ethnicity: African Americans, Whites, Hispanics, and Asians Yul Kwon Ozzy Lusth Becky Lee 5-4-0 First time the final vote included three contestants. First time contestants (Candice Woodcock and Jonathan Penner) accepted a Mutiny offer to change tribes.
14 Survivor: Fiji Macuata, Vanua Levu, Fiji Two tribes of nine divided by Sylvia, who herself joined Ravu after the first tribal council Earl Cole Cassandra Franklin Dre "Dreamz" Herd 9-0-0 First time someone won in a unanimous vote. Only season to have an odd number of contestants (19)
15 Survivor: China Zhelin Reservoir, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China Two tribes of eight Todd Herzog Courtney Yates Amanda Kimmel 4-2-1 Introduced a twist involving kidnapping players from the opposing tribe to receive clues, replacing Exile Island. The kidnapped player had to share the clue with someone on the opposing tribe. One idol was hidden at each camp.
16 Survivor: Micronesia – Fans vs. Favorites Koror, Palau Two tribes of ten: fans against popular past contestants Parvati Shallow Amanda Kimmel 5-3 Included two contestants, one from each tribe, being sent to Exile Island.
17 Survivor: Gabon – Earth's Last Eden Wonga-Wongue Presidential Reserve, Estuaire, Gabon A schoolyard pick of two tribes of nine, starting with the oldest players, Bob & Gillian Robert "Bob" Crowley Susie Smith Jessica "Sugar" Kiper 4-3-0 First time the show was shot and aired in HD.[7]
18 Survivor: Tocantins – The Brazilian Highlands Jalapão, Tocantins, Brazil Two tribes of eight James "J.T." Thomas Jr. Stephen Fishbach 7-0 Featured two players (one from each tribe) being sent to Exile Island, where one would receive a clue to the location of a hidden immunity idol.
19 Survivor: Samoa Upolu, Samoa Two tribes of ten Natalie White Russell Hantz Mick Trimming 7-2-0 Exile Island was not used; instead, the tribe who won reward sent one of their castaways to accompany the losing tribe back to their campsite, observe them until the next immunity challenge, and receive a clue. One immunity idol was hidden at each camp. Second time two seasons were filmed back to back at the same location and began the trend of filming back-to-back seasons at the same location (19 & 20, 21 & 22, 23 & 24).
20 Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains Two tribes of ten returning players, divided by "hero" or "villain" status Sandra Diaz-Twine Parvati Shallow Russell Hantz 6-3-0 Featured a previous winner, Sandra Diaz-Twine, winning for a second time.
21 Survivor: Nicaragua San Juan del Sur, Rivas, Nicaragua[8] Two tribes of ten divided by age Jud "Fabio" Birza Chase Rice Matthew "Sash" Lenahan 5-4-0 Introduced the Medallion of Power which can be used to give an advantage in an immunity challenge. Once used, it is then transferred to the opposing tribe.
22 Survivor: Redemption Island Two tribes of nine, including two returning players Rob Mariano Phillip Sheppard Natalie Tenerelli 8-1-0 Introduced Redemption Island.
23 Survivor: South Pacific Upolu, Samoa Sophie Clarke Benjamin "Coach" Wade Albert Destrade 6-3-0 First season to have one contestant re-enter the game twice, First season to have one contestant voted out on three occasions.
24 Survivor: One World Introduced both tribes living on the same beach as two different tribes.

U.S. television ratings

Survivor has consistently been of the top 20 most watched shows through its first 18 seasons and from season 20 to present.[9]

Seasonal rankings (based on average total viewers per episode) of the United States version of Survivor on CBS.

Note: Each U.S. network television season starts in late September and ends in late May, which coincides with the completion of May sweeps.

Survivor: Borneo doesn't have a ranking because it aired in the summer of 2000. It would have ranked #2 in the 1999–2000 U.S. television season, assuming it would have attained the exact same viewership numbers as it did in the summer of 2000.

Season Timeslot (ET) Premiered Ended TV season Rank Viewers
(in millions)
Date Premiere
viewers
(in millions)
Date Finale
viewers
(in millions)
Reunion
viewers
(in millions)
Survivor: Borneo Wednesday
8:00 pm
May 31, 2000[10] 15.51 August 23, 2000 51.69[10] 36.70[11] 1999–2000 #2 28.30[12]
Survivor: The Australian Outback Thursday
8:00 pm
January 28, 2001[13] 45.371 May 3, 2001[14] 36.35 28.01 2000–2001 #1 29.80[15]
Survivor: Africa October 11, 2001[16] 23.84 January 10, 2002[17] 27.26 19.05 2001–2002 #8 20.69[18]
Survivor: Marquesas February 28, 2002[19] 23.19 May 19, 2002[20] 25.87 17.89 #6 20.77[21]
Survivor: Thailand September 19, 2002[22] 23.05 December 19, 2002[23] 24.08 20.43 2002–2003 #4 21.21[24]
Survivor: The Amazon February 13, 2003[25] 23.26 May 11, 2003[26] 22.29 17.65 #9 19.97[24]
Survivor: Pearl Islands September 18, 2003[27] 21.50 December 14, 2003[28] 25.23 21.87 2003–2004 #7 20.72[29]
Survivor: All-Stars February 1, 2004[30] 33.541 May 9, 2004[31] 24.76 23.92 #3 21.49[32]
Survivor: Vanuatu September 16, 2004[33] 20.06 December 12, 2004[34] 19.72 15.23 2004–2005 #10 19.64[35]
Survivor: Palau February 17, 2005[35] 23.66 May 15, 2005[36] 20.80 15.48 #5 20.91[37]
Survivor: Guatemala September 15, 2005[38] 18.41 December 11, 2005[39] 21.18 15.21 2005–2006 #8[40] 18.30[37]
Survivor: Panama February 2, 2006[41] 19.20 May 14, 2006 17.07 11.65 #11[40] 16.82[42]
Survivor: Cook Islands September 14, 2006[43] 18.00 December 17, 2006 16.42 13.53 2006–2007 #13 15.75[44]
Survivor: Fiji February 8, 2007[45] 16.68 May 13, 2007 13.63 11.43 #15 14.83[44]
Survivor: China September 20, 2007[46] 15.35 December 16, 2007 15.10 12.22 2007–2008 #8 15.18[47]
Survivor: Micronesia February 7, 2008[48] 14.02 May 11, 2008 12.92 10.84 #11 13.61[47]
Survivor: Gabon September 25, 2008 13.05[49] December 14, 2008 13.77 11.74 2008–2009 #15 13.81[50]
Survivor: Tocantins February 12, 2009 13.63[51] May 17, 2009 12.94[52] 11.59[52] #19 12.86[50]
Survivor: Samoa September 17, 2009[53] 11.66[54] December 20, 2009 13.97[55] 11.68[55] 2009–2010 #26 12.34[56]
Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains February 11, 2010[57] 14.15[58] May 16, 2010 13.46[59] 10.65[59] #25 12.60[56]
Survivor: Nicaragua Wednesday
8:00 pm
September 15, 2010[60] 12.23[61] December 19, 2010 13.58[62] 11.19[62] 2010–2011 #11 13.61[63]
Survivor: Redemption Island February 16, 2011 11.17[64] May 15, 2011 13.30[65] 10.97[65] #18 12.59[63]
Survivor: South Pacific September 14, 2011[66] 10.74[67] December 18, 2011 13.07[68] 9.92[68] 2011–2012
Survivor: One World February 15, 2012 May 2012

^1 The season premieres of Survivor: The Australian Outback and Survivor: All-Stars each aired after a Super Bowl. Survivor seasons (competitions) broadcast in winter/spring have had episodes moved to Wednesdays at 8:00 pm to avoid conflicts with broadcasts of the first two weeks of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship. For Survivor: Marquesas and every competition beginning with Survivor: The Amazon, the finale was broadcast Sunday at 8:00 pm. In addition, for the spring Survivor season (second competition of the television season), this finale has almost always coincided with Mother's Day in the United States (except 2009 onwards).

Locations

The American version of Survivor has been shot in many locations around the world since the first season, favoring warm, tropical climates.

Continent Locations (Season number)
Africa Kenya (3), Gabon (17)
Asia China (15), Malaysia (1), Thailand (5)
Oceania Australia (2), Cook Islands (13), Fiji (14), Marquesas (4), Palau (10, 16), Samoa (19, 20, 23, 24), Vanuatu (9)
Central America Guatemala (11), Nicaragua (21, 22), Panama (7, 8, 12)
South America Brazil (6, 18)

Since The Australian Outback, the final tribal councils have been broadcast live in front of a studio audience; alternating between the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City (home to CBS' Late Show with David Letterman) and CBS Television City or the CBS Studio Center in Los Angeles.

Time of game play

There have been a total of five contestants (Rob Mariano, Parvati Shallow, Amanda Kimmel, Rupert Boneham, Ozzy Lusth) who have played the game of Survivor for 100 days or more. Mariano competed a total of 117 days over four seasons (Marquesas in which he placed 10th, All-Stars placing 2nd, Heroes vs. Villains placing 13th, and Redemption Island placing 1st). Shallow competed a total of 114 days over three seasons (Cook Islands placing 6th, Micronesia placing 1st, and Heroes vs. Villains placing 2nd). Kimmel competed a total of 108 days over three seasons (China placing 3rd, Micronesia placing 2nd, and Heroes vs. Villains placing 9th). Boneham competed a total of 100 days over three seasons (Pearl Islands placing 8th, All-Stars placing 4th, and Heroes vs. Villains placing 6th). Lusth competed a total of 104 days over three seasons (Cook Islands placing 2nd, Micronesia placing 9th, and South Pacific placing 4th). The 15 contestants closest to reaching this accomplishment, the number of days and seasons they played, the seasons they appeared, and the places they earned are as follows:

Rank Castaway Original season Number of days Number of appearances
1 Rob Mariano Marquesas 117 4
2 Parvati Shallow Cook Islands 114 3
3 Amanda Kimmel China 108 3
4 Ozzy Lusth Cook Islands 104 3
5 Rupert Boneham Pearl Islands 100 3
6 Colby Donaldson The Australian Outback 98 3
7 Benjamin "Coach" Wade Tocantins 96 3
8 Jerri Manthey The Australian Outback 89 3
9 Russell Hantz Samoa 88 3
10 Cirie Fields Panama 85 3
11 Sandra Diaz-Twine Pearl Islands 78 2
12 James Clement China 76 3
13 Stephenie LaGrossa Palau 75 3
14 Tom Buchanan Africa 73 2
15 Amber Brkich The Australian Outback 72 2
Danielle DiLorenzo Panama

Post-show auctions

At the end of each U.S. Survivor season from Survivor: Africa onward, various Survivor props and memorabilia are auctioned online for charity. The most common recipient has been the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.[69] Most recently, proceeds have gone toward The Serpentine Project, a charity founded by Jeff Probst, dedicated to helping those transitioning out of foster care upon emancipation at eighteen years of age.[70] Items up for auction have included flags, mats, tree mails, contestant torches, contestant clothing, autographed items, immunity idols and the voting urn.[71]

Controversies and legal action

Merchandise

The wild success of Survivor spawned a wide range of merchandise from the very first season. While early items available were limited to buffs, water bottles, hats, t-shirts, and other typical souvenir items, the marketability of the franchise has grown tremendously. Today, fans can find innumerable items, including computer and board games, interactive online games, mugs, tribal-themed jewelry, beach towels, dog tags, magnets, multi-function tools, DVD seasons, Survivor party kits, insider books, soundtracks, and more.

DVD releases

Best of
DVD name Release date
Season One: The Greatest and Most Outrageous Moments January 9, 2001
Season Two: The Greatest and Most Outrageous Moments September 25, 2001
Full seasons
DVD name Release date
The Complete First Season: Borneo May 11, 2004
The Complete Second Season: The Australian Outback April 26, 2005
The Complete Third Season: Africa October 5, 2010
The Complete Fourth Season: Marquesas October 5, 2010
The Complete Fifth Season: Thailand October 25, 2011
The Complete Sixth Season: The Amazon November 22, 2011
The Complete Seventh Season: Pearl Islands February 7, 2006
The Complete Eighth Season: All-Stars September 14, 2004
The Complete Ninth Season: Vanuatu – Islands of Fire December 5, 2006
The Complete Tenth Season: Palau August 29, 2006
The Complete Twentieth Season: Heroes vs. Villains February 22, 2011
Complete seasons on iTunes
Currently available
Season 9: Vanuatu – Islands of Fire
Season 10: Palau
Season 11: Guatemala – The Maya Empire
Season 12: Panama – Exile Island
Season 13: Cook Islands
Season 14: Fiji
Season 15: China
Season 16: Micronesia – Fans vs. Favorites
Season 17: Gabon – Earth's Last Eden
Season 18: Tocantins – The Brazilian Highlands
Season 19: Samoa
Season 20: Heroes vs. Villains
Season 21: Nicaragua
Season 22: Redemption Island
Season 23: South Pacific

Other media

Video games

In the 2001 Survivor video game for PC, developed by Infogames, it allows players to play and creates characters for the game based on the Pulau Tiga or Australian Outback cast members. The game also includes a character creation system for making custom characters.

Game play consists of choosing survivors' skills (fishing, cooking, etc.), forming alliances, developing relationships with other tribe members, and voting off competitors at tribal council.

The game was very poorly received by critics. GameSpot gave the game a 'Terrible' score of 2.0 out of 10, saying "If you're harboring even a tiny urge to buy this game, please listen very carefully to this advice: Don't do it."[86] Likewise, IGN gave the game a 'Terrible' 2.4 out of 10, stating "It is horribly boring and repetitive. The graphics are weak and even the greatest Survivor fan would break the CD in two after playing it for 20 minutes."[87] The game was the recipient of Game Revolution's lowest score of all time, an F-.[88] An 'interactive review' was created specially for the game, and features interactive comments like "The Survival periods are about as much fun as" followed by a drop-down menu, "watching paint dry/throbbing hemorrhoids/staring at air/being buried alive."[88]

On November 4, 2009, it was announced that a second game based on the show would be turned into a video game. The game would require players to participate in various challenges like those in the reality shows in order to win.[89]

Soundtracks

Various soundtracks have been released featuring music composed by Russ Landau, including soundtracks for seasons 9 through 22 (with the exception of season 14).[90]

Online games

During the first Survivor seasons many online games based on forums were created. These are often referred to as "ORGs" (an acronym meaning Online Reality Games). More specific Survivor online games appeared later, such as Tengaged[91] developed to simulate all the Survivor experiences where several online participants form tribes which will compete with each other. Participants compete for immunity to avoid being evicted while trying to get food, water and supplies for their tribes.

Thrill ride

The Tiki Twirl thrill ride at California's Great America in Santa Clara, California was originally called Survivor: The Ride The ride includes a rotating platform that moves along an undulating track. Riders can be sprayed by water guns hidden in oversized tribal masks. Theme elements included drums and other familiar Survivor musical accents playing in the background, Survivor memorabilia throughout the queue line and other merchandise for sale in nearby gift shops.[92]

See also

References

  1. ^ Shales, Tom (2009-12-27). "Best of the decade: Television". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/24/AR2009122400133.html. Retrieved 2010-01-08. 
  2. ^ Bianco, Robert (2009-12-29). "The decade in television: Cable, the Internet become players". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2009-12-28-decadeTV28_CV_N.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-08. 
  3. ^ Goodman, Tim (2010-01-01). "Decade in review: Television". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/01/01/DDF21B93LU.DTL. Retrieved 2010-01-08. 
  4. ^ Bierly, Mandi (November 17, 2011). "CBS will air at least three more seasons of 'Survivor'". Entertainment Weekly. http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/11/17/survivor-renewed/. Retrieved November 17, 2011. 
  5. ^ Loveline 19 April 2011 with Jeff Probst, 9 minute mark
  6. ^ Lacey, Marc (August 13, 2001). "Shaba National Reserve Journal; TV Adventure Show Ignores the Real Survivors". The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D04EEDA113FF930A2575BC0A9679C8B63. Retrieved May 24, 2010. 
  7. ^ Glen Dickson (2008-04-13). "NAB 2008: Sony Nets Big HD Camera Sales". Broadcasting & Cable. http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/92049-NAB_2008_Sony_Nets_Big_HD_Camera_Sales.php. Retrieved 2008-04-14. 
  8. ^ "'Nicaragua to host two seasons of hit TV series Survivor". PR Log. May 16, 2010. http://www.prlog.org/10682088-nicaragua-to-host-two-seasons-of-hit-tv-series-survivor.html. Retrieved May 16, 2010. 
  9. ^ Martin, Cameron (2011-02-16). "'Survivor,' 10 Years Later: Why It's Outlasted Its Competitors". The Atlantic. http://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2011/02/survivor-10-years-later-why-its-outlasted-its-competitors/71247/. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  10. ^ a b "Variety: 'Survivor' Finale Racks Up Phenomenal Ratings". August 25, 2000. http://groups.google.com/group/alt.tv.survivor/browse_thread/thread/1cc03d896fa831eb/9054cb6ca2952f77?lnk=st&q=%22Survivor+Finale+Racks+Up+Phenomenal+Ratings%22&rnum=1&hl=en#9054cb6ca2952f77. 
  11. ^ "CBS News: The Million-Dollar Man". August 24, 2000. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2000/08/23/entertainment/main227134.shtml. 
  12. ^ "E! Online: "Survivor" Sequel Takes on "Friends"". December 19, 2000. http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b40895_survivor_sequel_takes_on_friends.html. 
  13. ^ "Reality TV World: 'Survivor: All-Stars' to premiere after Super Bowl XXXVIII on Sunday, February 1". November 17, 2003. http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/survivor-all-stars-premiere-after-super-bowl-xxxviii-on-sunday-february-1-1999.php. 
  14. ^ "Zap2It: 'Survivor' Finale Reaches 41 Million". May 4, 2001. http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,271%7C67657%7C1%7C,00.html. 
  15. ^ "E! Online: CBS Wins Season (via WNDU)". May 25, 2001. http://www.wndu.com/entertainment/052001/entertainment_7900.php. 
  16. ^ "Hollywood.com: News Roundup: Carey makes McBeal guest appearance". October 22, 2001. http://www.hollywood.com/news/News_Roundup_Oct_22/1096693. 
  17. ^ "Zap2It: 'Survivor' Finale Draws 27 Million Viewers". January 11, 2002. http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,271%7C73071%7C1%7C,00.html. 
  18. ^ "Media Life Magazine: Mercy, it's a killer of a midseason". January 16, 2002. http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2002/jan02/jan14/3_wed/news1wednesday.html. 
  19. ^ "Zap2It: 'Survivor: Thailand' Debut Draws Tribe of Young Viewers". September 20, 2002. http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,271%7C78114%7C1%7C,00.html. 
  20. ^ "Media Life Magazine: There are finales and, yes, finales". May 22, 2002. http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2002/may02/may20/3_wed/news4wednesday.html. 
  21. ^ "CBS: CBS Unveils The Identities of The Castaways For 'Survivor: Thailand'". August 15, 2002. http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-15-2002/0001784082&EDATE=. 
  22. ^ "Hollywood.com: News Roundup: A Hero Will Rise Again". September 23, 2001. http://www.hollywood.com/news/News_Roundup_Sept_23/1620990. 
  23. ^ "Reality TV World: 'Survivor: Thailand' finale draws big ratings". December 23, 2002. http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/survivor-thailand-finale-draws-big-ratings-822.php. 
  24. ^ a b "E! Online: TV Season Wraps; "CSI" Rules". May 22, 2003. http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b45204_tv_season_wraps_csi_rules.html. 
  25. ^ "Zap2It: 'Survivor' Finds A Way To Beat the Heat in Thursday Premieres". February 14, 2003. http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,271%7C80182%7C1%7C,00.html. 
  26. ^ "Reality TV World: 'Survivor: The Amazon' finale places 3rd in weekly ratings, draws 22.29 million viewers". May 13, 2003. http://www.realitytvworld.com/index/modules.php?file=article&name=News&op=modload&sid=1198. 
  27. ^ "StudioBriefing and WENN: Movie & TV News @ IMDb.com". September 24, 2003. http://www.imdb.com/news/sb/2003-09-24. 
  28. ^ "Reality TV World: 'Survivor: Pearl Islands' finale dominates, draws over 25 million viewers". December 16, 2003. http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/survivor-pearl-islands-finale-dominates-draws-over-25-million-viewers-2089.php. 
  29. ^ "Reality TV World: Donald Trump disses Martha Stewart's 'Apprentice,' blames her for his own ratings problems". October 20, 2005. http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/donald-trump-disses-martha-stewart-apprentice-blames-her-for-his-own-ratings-problems-3770.php. 
  30. ^ "StudioBriefing and WENN: Movie & TV News @ IMDb.com". February 4, 2004. http://www.imdb.com/news/sb/2004-02-04. 
  31. ^ "Reality TV World: 'Survivor: All-Stars' finale averages 24.8 million viewers, over 28 million watch Rob's marriage proposal". May 4, 2004. http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/survivor-all-stars-finale-averages-248-million-viewers-over-28-million-watch-rob-marriage-proposal-2556.php. 
  32. ^ "Media Life Magazine: A new tribe clears its pipes". September 16, 2004. http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2004/sep04/sep14/4_thurs/news6thursday.html. 
  33. ^ "Zap2It: Tepid 'Survivor: Vanuatu' Premiere Still Beats NBC". September 17, 2004. http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,271%7C90723%7C1%7C,00.html. 
  34. ^ "Reality TV World: 'Survivor: Vanuatu' finale averages nearly 20 million viewers, but ABC's 'Housewives' still wins its hour". December 14, 2004. http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/survivor-vanuatu-finale-averages-nearly-20-million-viewers-but-abc-housewives-still-wins-its-hour-3123.php. 
  35. ^ a b "Reality TV World: 'Survivor: Palau' debuts to the show's biggest ratings in years, destroys 'Joey'". February 21, 2005. http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/survivor-palau-debuts-show-biggest-ratings-in-years-destroys-joey-3258.php. 
  36. ^ "Reality TV World: CBS's 'Survivor: Palau' finale averages 20.8 million viewers, but still trails ABC's 'Housewives'". May 19, 2005. http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/cbs-survivor-palau-finale-averages-208-million-viewers-but-still-trails-abc-housewives-3515.php. 
  37. ^ a b "Zap2It: 'Guatemala' Finale Outrates Past Two 'Survivors'". December 12, 2005. http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,271%7C99065%7C1%7C,00.html. 
  38. ^ "Media Life Magazine: So spooky: Sci-fi me-toos start strong". September 21, 2005. http://www.medialifemagazine.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=47&num=221. 
  39. ^ "Reality TV World: 'Survivor: Guatemala' ends with a bang, delivers best finale ratings since 'Survivor: All-Stars'". December 15, 2005. http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/survivor-guatemala-ends-with-bang-delivers-best-finale-ratings-since-survivor-all-stars-3883.php. 
  40. ^ a b "US-Jahrescharts 2005/2006". 2006-06-06. http://www.quotenmeter.de/index.php?newsid=14835. Retrieved 2006-10-26. 
  41. ^ "E! Online: "Survivor" Aligns with "Stars"". February 7, 2006. http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b51621_survivor_aligns_with_stars.html. 
  42. ^ "Series Rankings for 2005-2006". The Hollywood Reporter. May 26, 2006. Archived from the original on July 16, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080716115645/http%3A//www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp%3Fvnu_content_id%3D1002576393. Retrieved May 29, 2010. 
  43. ^ "Mediaweek: The Programming Insider". September 20, 2006. http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003154229. 
  44. ^ a b "2006–07 Primetime Wrap". The Hollywood Reporter. May 25, 2007. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071011091144/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/h/content_display/television/features/e3ifbfdd1bcb53266ad8d9a71cad261604f. Retrieved January 16, 2009. 
  45. ^ ""Survivor" Heads For Fiji". CBS News. January 12, 2007. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/12/earlyshow/series/survivor/main2354911.shtml. 
  46. ^ Kissell, Rick (September 21, 2007). "Sluggish start for 'Survivor'". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117972478?refCatId=14. 
  47. ^ a b "ABC Medianet". ABC Medianet. 2008-09-23. http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=092308_04. Retrieved 2010-05-05. 
  48. ^ ""SURVIVOR: MICRONESIA-FANS VS. FAVES" AND "THE 50TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS" BOOST CBS". The Futon Critic. February 12, 2008. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20080212cbs03. 
  49. ^ "Overnight Nielsen TV Ratings Thursday, September 25, 2008: A Paler Shade of Grey's Boosts ABC - TV Ratings, Nielsen Ratings, Television Show Ratings". TVbytheNumbers.com. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/09/26/thursday-september-25-greys-anatomy-boosts-abc. Retrieved 2010-05-05. 
  50. ^ a b "ABC Medianet". ABC Medianet. 2009-05-19. http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=051909_05. Retrieved 2010-05-05. 
  51. ^ Seidman, Robert (2009-02-18). "American Idol, The Mentalist and NCIS lead weekly broadast viewing". TVbytheNumbers. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/02/18/american-idol-the-mentalist-and-ncis-lead-weekly-broadast-viewing/13031. Retrieved 2009-02-18. 
  52. ^ a b "ABC Medianet". ABC Medianet. 2009-05-19. http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=051909_04. Retrieved 2010-05-05. 
  53. ^ Matt Mitovich (June 24, 2009). "Fall TV: CBS Announces Premiere Dates". TV Guide Online. http://www.tvguide.com/News/FallTV-CBS-premieres-1007227.aspx. Retrieved 2009-06-24. 
  54. ^ Seidman, Robert (2009-09-18). "Thursday night broadcast original final numbers". tvbythenumbers.com. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/09/18/thursday-night-broadcast-original-final-numbers/27689. 
  55. ^ a b Seidman, Robert (2009-12-22). "TV Ratings: New episodes of Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Survivor and NCIS propel CBS to top of charts". tvbythenumbers.com. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/12/22/tv-ratings-new-episodes-of-big-bang-theory-two-and-a-half-men-survivor-and-ncis-propel-cbs-to-top-of-charts/36955. Retrieved 2009-12-22. 
  56. ^ a b "Final 2009-10 Broadcast Primetime Show Average Viewership - TV Ratings, Nielsen Ratings, Television Show Ratings". TVbytheNumbers.com. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/06/16/final-2009-10-broadcast-primetime-show-average-viewership/54336. Retrieved 2010-06-16. 
  57. ^ Kate Stanhope (December 21, 2009). "Survivor Reuniting Former Cast Members for Heroes vs. Villains". TV Guide.com. http://www.tvguide.com/News/Survivor-Reuniting-Cast-1013263.aspx. Retrieved 2009-12-21. 
  58. ^ Seidman, Robert (February 12, 2010). "Thursday Broadcast Finals: Grey's Anatomy, The Mentalist Tick Up, Private Practice, 30 Rock Tick Down". TVbytheNumbers.com. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/02/12/thursday-broadcast-finals-greys-anatomy-the-mentalist-tick-up-private-practice-30-rock-tick-down/41890. Retrieved February 12, 2010. 
  59. ^ a b "TV Ratings Top 25: American Idol Back On Top With Both Viewers and Adults 18-49". TV by the Numbers. May 18, 2010. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/05/18/tv-ratings-top-25-american-idol-back-on-top-with-both-viewers-and-adults-18-49/51797. Retrieved January 28, 2011. 
  60. ^ "CBS Announces 2010-2011 Premiere Dates" (Press release). CBS. July 22, 2010. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2010/07/22/cbs-announces-2010-2011-premiere-dates/20100722cbs02/. Retrieved July 23, 2010. 
  61. ^ Seidman, Robert (September 16, 2010). "‘Survivor’ & ‘Big Brother’ Rise in Finals; ‘Outlaw’ Falls". TVbytheNumbers.com. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/09/16/survivor-outlaw/63866. Retrieved September 16, 2010. 
  62. ^ a b "Sunday Final Ratings: 'Survivor: Nicaragua' Finale; Plus Patriots/Packers Final Numbers". TV by the Numbers. December 21, 2010. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/12/21/sunday-final-ratings-survivor-nicaragua-finale-unadjusted-plus-patriotspackers-final-numbers/76248. Retrieved December 21, 2010. 
  63. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (2011-05-27). "Full 2010-11 Season Series Rankings". Deadline Hollywood. Mail.com Media Corporation. 2010-11 Season: Series Ranking In Total Viewers (in thousands). http://www.deadline.com/2011/05/full-2010-11-season-series-rankers/. Retrieved 2011-05-27. 
  64. ^ "The Premiere of "Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior" Sweeps Time Period in Viewers and Key Demographic" (Press release). CBS. February 17, 2011. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/ratings/2011/02/17/the-premiere-of-criminal-minds-suspect-behavior-sweeps-time-period-in-viewers-and-key-demographics-402010/20110217cbs01/. Retrieved February 17, 2011. 
  65. ^ a b "CBS Places First in Viewers and Adults 25-54 in the Next-to-Last Full Week of the 2010-2011 Season" (Press release). CBS. May 17, 2011. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/ratings/2011/05/17/cbs-places-first-in-viewers-and-adults-25-54-in-the-next-to-last-full-week-of-the-2010-2011-season-129210/20110517cbs02/. Retrieved May 22, 2011. 
  66. ^ "CBS Announces 2011-2012 Premiere Dates" (Press release). CBS. June 29, 2011. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2011/06/29/cbs-announces-2011-2012-premiere-dates-9210/20110629cbs01/. Retrieved June 29, 2011. 
  67. ^ Gorman, Bill (September 15, 2011). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'America's Got Talent' Finale Adjusted Up; Plus 'Up All Night,' 'Free Agents' 15 Min. Rating". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/09/15/wednesday-final-ratings-americas-got-talent-finale-adjusted-up/103734/. Retrieved September 15, 2011. 
  68. ^ a b "Sunday Final Ratings: 'Survivor' Finale Equals Series Low; As NBC Did, Early PR To The Contrary, Top CBS Among Adults 18-49" (Press release). TV By The Numbers. December 20, 2011. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/12/20/sunday-final-ratings-survivor-finale-equals-series-low-as-nbc-did-early-pr-to-the-contrary-top-cbs-among-adults-18-49/114217/. Retrieved December 20, 2011. 
  69. ^ "CBS to Promote New Season with Unique Auction on Ebay" (Press release). CBS. September 7, 2004. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2004/09/07/cbs-to-promote-new-season-with-unique-auction-on-ebay-16854/20040907cbs02/. Retrieved September 5, 2011. 
  70. ^ "Survivor auctions have made $400,000 for Jeff Probst’s charity". Reality Blurred. January 31, 2011. http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/survivor/2011_Jan_31_probst_charity. Retrieved September 5, 2011. 
  71. ^ ""Survivor: Pearl Islands" Props and Memorabilia Up for Bid on eBay December 14–24 to Benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation" (Press release). Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. December 14, 2003. http://www.pedaids.org/Press-Room/Press-Releases/2003/_Survivor_-Pearl-Islands_-Prop. Retrieved September 5, 2011. 
  72. ^ "Colby's Great Barrier Reef coral theft, helicopter flight are being investigated". reality blurred. http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/survivor_australia/2001_Apr_03_colbys_great_barrier. 
  73. ^ "Survivor Scandal Update: Who's Pierced?". Reality News Online. http://www.realitynewsonline.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?mode=1&article=article1619.art&page=1. 
  74. ^ "Hawk And Hatch: Getting Past It: 'Survivor' Contestant Quits Game, Claims 'Violated' By Another Player". cbsnews.com. March 4, 2004. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/04/earlyshow/series/survivor/main604082.shtml. 
  75. ^ "Survivor: America’s Tribal Council – Why Rupert Won". realitynewsonline.com. http://www.realitynewsonline.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?mode=4&article=article4488.art&page=1. 
  76. ^ "Richard Hatch Hit With Tax Evasion Rap". The Smoking Gun. January 18, 2005. http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/crime/richard-hatch-hit-tax-evasion-rap. 
  77. ^ Stanley, Alessandra (September 15, 2006). "Will a Gimmick Help ‘Survivor’ Save Itself?". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/15/arts/television/15survivor.html?ref=arts. Retrieved September 21, 2006. 
  78. ^ "More sponsors dump "Survivor"". AdJab.com. http://www.adjab.com/2006/09/01/more-sponsors-dump-survivor/. 
  79. ^ http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/14589787
  80. ^ "Survivor Fiji debuts tonight; only one cast member applied while the rest were recruited". Reality Blurred. February 8, 2007. http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/survivor_fiji/2007_Feb_08_debut. 
  81. ^ "'Survivor' contestant apologizes for deception". The Boston Globe. December 18, 2007. http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2007/12/janitor_was_pro.html. 
  82. ^ "Survivor: China's Denise Martin to donate Burnett's US$50,000 to charity". realitytvworld.com. http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/survivor-china-denise-martin-donate-burnett-50000-charity-6285.php. 
  83. ^ "PTC Blasts CBS for Nudity on "Survivor" Premiere". Parents Television Council. 2008-09-30. http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/news/release/2008/0930.asp. Retrieved 2008-10-01. 
  84. ^ Dehnart, Andy (2011-01-31). "Survivor Spy Exposed". The Daily Beast. http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-01-31/survivor-spoiler-exposes-russell-hantz-as-his-source/. Retrieved 2011-02-01. 
  85. ^ Deutsch, Lindsay (2011-02-14). "Russell, Rob fight for redemption in new 'Survivor'". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2011-02-15-survivor15_ST_N.htm. Retrieved 2011-02-14. 
  86. ^ "Survivor for PC Review – PC Survivor Review". http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/survivor/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;review. 
  87. ^ "Survivor: The Interactive Game Review". IGN.com. http://pc.ign.com/articles/166/166365p1.html. 
  88. ^ a b "Survivor video game review for the PC". gamerevolution.com. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/pc/survivor. 
  89. ^ Kate Stanhope. "Survivor, Amazing Race and Criminal Minds to Become Video Games". TVGuide.com. http://www.tvguide.com/News/Survivor-Race-Games-1011542.aspx. 
  90. ^ "Russ Landau". iTunes. http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/russ-landau/id2521318. Retrieved August 21, 2011. 
  91. ^ "Tengaged, an online Survivor multiplayer game". tengaged.com. http://www.tengaged.com. Retrieved 2009-03-15. 
  92. ^ "Survivor: The Ride". LoveToKnow Themeparks. http://themeparks.lovetoknow.com/Survivor:_The_Ride. 

External links