Survivoris 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 forBig Brother'smassive 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 ismost proudof about Survivor. Indicative of this is the fact that so many other shows, includingThe Traitors, The Challenge, Snake in the Grass,and evenThe Amazing Race,have repeatedly cast formerSurvivorplayers 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, andHouse of Villainshave made their entire marketing strategy around this fact. Even shows likeBig Brother, The Amazing Race,andThe Mole, though, have had seasons of either celebrities or casting players from other popular reality television shows, includingThe Amazing Race'supcoming allBig Brotherseason.
Survivoris 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 twoBig Brotherplayers, 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 forSurvivorto take a page from other series' playbooks and do a celebrity season.The Traitorshas 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 likeBig Brother, with true celebrities, or likeThe Traitors,with all reality stars.
Bringing in new viewers could be a great way forSurvivorto 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 asSurvivor?
There are two directions thatSurvivorcould go with casting in this celebrity scenario, to capitalize on the recent celebrity reality show boom. That said,Survivorhas 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 notablyBig 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 lovingSurvivor,these factors make it hard to see an entire season filled with them.
The Traitorsoffers 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.
Survivorhas 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 forSurvivorto 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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