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Survivor season 37 may feature School of Rock’s Mike White

By Daniel George

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 06: Writer Mike White speaks at the panel discussion of The Future of Sitcoms at The New Yorker Festival at Directors Guild Theatre on October 6, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for The New Yorker)
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 06: Writer Mike White speaks at the panel discussion of The Future of Sitcoms at The New Yorker Festival at Directors Guild Theatre on October 6, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for The New Yorker) /
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Adding to the growing list of people from California set to compete in Survivor season 37, prominent writer and producer Mike White is the latest rumored.

Though it often feels a bit gimmicky, stunt casting for Survivor has been a pastime since the introduction of the Hidden Immunity Idol. That first season in Guatemala had the first idol found by Gary Hawkins Gary Hogeboom; a former NFL quarterback. Athletes are just one aspect of pop culture to make it to the show, as is writers like David Wright.

For the second time in as many days, I have reminded readers about the existence of David Wright to talk about Survivor season 37, although this time it fits into the “David vs. Goliath” theme either way depending on the team composition. As revealed by Inside Survivor, the latest rumor for Survivor season 37 casting is writer, producer and occasional actor Mike White.

Those who know there’s a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll, he did appear as Ned Schneebly in the 2003 hit film School of Rock. However, his writing and producing work is what has brought him to prominence, working on Dawson’s Creek, Freaks and Geeks, Enlightened, Orange County and Pitcher Perfect 3. 

If you’re a reality television fan, you may also recognize Mike White from The Amazing Race. He has appeared in two separate seasons, first in season 14 with his father Mel and returning for season 18 in the “Unfinished Business” season filled with returnees. Although I won’t say how the team finished, you can guess by the title of the second season how things went in the first.

It’s because of his status as a writer that has me perplexed for where Survivor season 37 will start him out. The “Davids” of that season are underappreciated or underestimated, while the Goliaths have excelled in their fields of work. Mike White certainly has had success in Hollywood for two decades, but how will he fit in on a tribe with a professional wrestler and MMA fighter?

Next: Survivor: Ranking all 35 seasons

More importantly, Mike White will be the third person from The Amazing Race to follow up with an appearance on Survivor. The only question is will he play like a Nadiya Anderson or win it all like a Natalie Anderson?

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