by Michael Sanibel

Created on: June 05, 2008   Last Updated: June 06, 2008

Why "Survivor" is losing its grip on Reality.

I clearly remember the very first episode of "Survivor" filmed in Palau Tiga, Borneo. It was still summer in the United States and most television shows were running repeat programming before the new fall programs were launched. "Survivor" was a summer replacement series and in many respects was an experiment. Little did we know that it would help to launch a barrage of "Reality TV" shows over the next eight years. Most of them would turn out to be no where near as good as "Survivor" was, especially in those early days.

In that premier show, the contestants were all on a Junk heading for their island getaway when they were suddenly told they would be exiting the boat before they reached their destination. Rounding up whatever supplies they could scrounge on deck, over the side they went into the deep blue sea. I remember how those first few minutes completely captured my imagination as I wondered what it would be like to be one of the players. Would I be able to do as well as they did as this great adventure unfolded over the next several weeks?

What made that initial show most compelling was that no one; not the contestants nor the viewers, had any idea how it was going to play out. Although forming alliances was an obvious strategy to keep oneself in the game, only the Machiavellian Richard had the foresight and deviousness needed to pull it off. As we saw this drama play out before our eyes, we were drawn in by the vulnerability, diversity, and personal appeal of the everyday characters who reminded us of ourselves.

The beach was our center ring and Jeff Probst was the ringmaster of this traveling circus. Jeff was as clueless as we were when it came to figuring out what would happen next. The unpredictability and freshness of it all kept our attention riveted on the action, to the point where you couldn't bear to miss even one episode. My VCR got a workout during that first season as I often had plans that interrupted my Thursday night Survivor ritual. Whenever I taped it, I had to avoid any news sources the following day that might reveal who got booted the night before. That was a continuous challenge, and only once did I accidentally click on an internet page that spoiled the suspense.

Although the show has tried locations other than tropical islands, they haven't worked well, particularly the series shot in Africa. There is something about stranding people on a "deserted" island that appeals to our sense of romance

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