Survivor-esque reality show ‘Castaways’ ordered by ABC

Ever felt that Survivor has less and less an emphasis on survival elements? ABC’s upcoming show, “Castaways,” may be more your speed.

When Survivor headed to Cambodia for Second Chances and Kaoh Rong, production left scrambling for a much better place to film. A contestant almost died digging sandbags in a reward for salt, someone was medevaced with an idol in their pocket and someone got removed from the game in fifth place. Since then, filming seasons in Fiji (excluding one typhoon) have made things easier on the players.

The show has become less about survival tactics and the hardships of the game and more about strategy, a select number of bombastic characters, and gameplay. ABC will go their own way with a new reality competition program called Castaways, combining elements from Survivor and their own ABC program, LOST, to show 12 castaways fighting to survive in the South Pacific.

This new series will take a look at 12 different people as they are scattered across several islands, trying to fend for themselves. They will find pieces of luggage, survival equipment and shelters throughout the landscape, and will need to survive until a rescue team arrives to save them. Otherwise, if they can’t make it through, they can quit.

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It’s unclear if there’s any money to be won, how long they will need to stay out there or if there are any incentives beyond more airtime in Castaways, but what I find intriguing about the show is the emphasis on character. Because 12 people will start out alone, 12 different stories need to make it to air, and we’ll see flashbacks to their past lives to see their struggles to overcome personal problems.

Another interesting wrinkle in Castaways is that they will learn that other players are out there, yet don’t know where they are or how many there will be. Just like in Survivor, it may be that you can’t win by yourself, drawing people to work together and survive as a team. However, some might never find another person on the show.

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Castaways will air starting Tuesday, August 7 at 10 p.m. ET on ABC, and will likely serve as a leadup (if not, some overlap) to Survivor: David vs. Goliath, airing in late September or early October.