Survivor is one of the most iconic reality television shows in the game, and really helped put the genre on the map since its premiere in 2000. It has inspired countless shows since, including being the reason for Big Brother's massive shift in format that has kept that show on the air as well. The show has never needed to change up the basic premise, even as it has added new twists and developments.
Another pride of the show has been their casting. In the end, the cast is what makes or breaks a season, above any other element of the game. In fact, this is something Jeff Probst is most proud of about Survivor. Indicative of this is the fact that so many other shows, including The Traitors, The Challenge, Snake in the Grass, and even The Amazing Race, have repeatedly cast former Survivor players on their own seasons.
Reality television is changing up casting expectations
Some of the most popular reality competition shows today pride themselves on the premise that their casting is all former players or celebrities. The Traitors, The Challenge, and House of Villains have made their entire marketing strategy around this fact. Even shows like Big Brother, The Amazing Race, and The Mole, though, have had seasons of either celebrities or casting players from other popular reality television shows, including The Amazing Race's upcoming all Big Brother season.
Survivor is one of the only shows in the genre that has not even attempted this kind of casting. In their 48 seasons and counting, they have cast a total of two Big Brother players, and a small handful of fairly well-known celebrities/ people, but never once has it been done as any sort of theme or special season.
Perhaps it is finally time for Survivor to take a page from other series' playbooks and do a celebrity season. The Traitors has taken the world by storm for Peacock, in large part due to the familiar faces that fans get to see duke it out against each other, from all different walks of life. They could approach it like Big Brother, with true celebrities, or like The Traitors, with all reality stars.
Bringing in new viewers could be a great way for Survivor to expand its reach. This does not have to replace their regular lineup, but rather could be a shortened season that fits somewhere in between their mainline games. The question is, what would actually work, especially on a show such as Survivor?
There are two directions that Survivor could go with casting in this celebrity scenario, to capitalize on the recent celebrity reality show boom. That said, Survivor has a unique situation compared to others. Their setup involves, in part, survival. Even in a shortened season, players would have to live on the island, with little supplies and braving the elements and food shortages.
In many of the other versions of celebrity shows, there are some additional comforts to help them out, except possibly World's Toughest Test. Moreover, on many celebrity versions of reality shows, most notably Big Brother, celebrities are very reluctant to make strategic moves, and those who do can often easily run the game or become immediately villainized. Despite a good number of celebrities loving Survivor, these factors make it hard to see an entire season filled with them.
The Traitors offers the best option for the casting path. Survivor, while they may pride themselves in their own casting, could easily benefit from casting players from other shows for a season. Many of these players would be more readily prepared for gameplay, have been in competition before, and know how to play the game. They would be more willing to be on the island, and hopefully, offer a more exciting and compelling game to watch.
Survivor has taught reality show genres a lot about being successful in the industry. But with iconic players sprouting up on countless other shows, maybe it is time for Survivor to stop being the teacher and try being the student. They have a lot to learn and could find some incredible success in doing so.
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