Plot: What’s it about?
Only in America can there exist a show like “Survivor”. I was, at one time, probably one of the biggest fans of the show; enough that I donned an outback hat, drank three or four cans of Fosters Lager and set up a video camera to audition for “Survivor: The Australian Outback”. I didn’t make it, though. “Survivor” is widely considered the godfather of all “modern day” reality shows and for good reason; it made money. I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t hear about who won what show or who has plans for a new reality show, I’m pretty much fed up with most of them – except this one. Now I have to admit that the luster disappeared after this season, sure I watched the first episode of the second season but then pretty much forgot about it until this latest season (“Survivor: All-Stars”). Yes, before Rupert, Boston Rob and Big Tom there were Richard, Greg, Joel and Rudy just to name a few. It’s kind of hard to praise a show that essentially rewards greed, deception and starvation (though it’s cleverly disguised as “Outwit” – “Outsmart” – “Outlast”); but they do reward it and with a cool million in cash no less. Second place – $100,000. That too, isn’t too shabby. So what was it about the show that got us caught up in it? Personally, I don’t know but I do have to confess that I love watching it. As I poured over the first season, I was reminded that this was now four years old. Yes, really! So much has happened since the debut season, yet so little has changed.
“Survivor”, for those who don’t know, was won by Richard Hatch. I trust I’m not giving anything away by saying that, and if that information caught you off guard then it’s time to move out of that cave you’ve been living in. The plot, well it’s really easy…make it the entire 39 days without being voted off by your peers and you’ve got no job problems anywhere in the near future. If you don’t, well you go home wiser and most likely thinner. We hadn’t really seen a show like this, and the closest thing I could compare it to would be a very extreme version of “The Real World” (who some credit as being the first “reality” show). Take away the posh living conditions, throw in some challenges and there you go. “Survivor” inspired countless rip-offs and most aren’t worth their weight, though I have to favor the ones that actually depend on your skill to get the reward as opposed to how good you can deceive others. “The Amazing Race” is one that I enjoy as it takes the contestants all over the map and actually depends on skill, not just blind luck and alliances.
After this initial season, we were introduced to other reality shows, some still with us today “Big Brother”, “The Mole” and “Fear Factor” (which I can hardly watch anymore as it seems to exist so that we can look at fake breasts and gag as we watch the so-called challenges). There’s something about “Survivor” that I can’t really put my finger on, as I wait for each Thursday night to see who gets voted off, I can’t help but wonder what it is that I’m doing. I’m never going to see any of this money, I don’t care who wins or loses yet I actually become excited to see who wins immunity and who might not be on the island the next day. I missed all of the “Survivors” in between this one and the current season (All-Stars, which some say might be the last “Survivor”), so I’m sure I’ve missed out on a number of characters. People like Greg, who talked on an “island” phone and Rudy, the ex-Navy Seal who finished third. Like it or not, there’s no denying that this show had impact and the only reason I’d have liked to see it fail is that maybe we wouldn’t be induced with shows like “The Restaurant”, “The Anna Nicole Show” and “Fear Factor”. In any case, this is the complete first season and for those who couldn’t wait – your wait is over. Of note, a few years back Paramount released a highlight DVD of this season entitled “Survivor: The Greatest and Most Outrageous Moments”; that DVD is also included (case and all) in this set so if you already own it, trade it, sell it on eBay or give it to a friend because it comes in this set as well. For any true “Survivor” fan, suffice it to say…the tribe has spoken.
Video: How does it look?
Survivor is a television show and hence is full-frame, though there are shows that are filmed in widescreen. The colors are rich and bright and adequately reflect the atmosphere, the show looks as good as any others I’ve seen (television-wise). I saw no real compression artifacts, the black levels were dead on and the detail was incredible. This looks as good as I remember seeing it the first time (though I didn’t have my widescreen TV then) and that’s about all we can expect. “Survivor” fans rejoice as the first season is on DVD!
Audio: How does it sound?
Only presented in a Dolby Digital Surround mix, this is nothing that we didn’t hear while watching it on TV. Though it has a bit more depth, as the sound is done in the digital domain (as opposed to TV’s analog), there isn’t a whole lot to the mix here. Dialogue is crisp and you can hear every word of Jeff Probst as if he were right in your living room. Surrounds are used very sparingly as well. This mix is best classified as a good surround mix…which it is.
Supplements: What are the extras?
There are a few supplements on this five disc set and most notably are the commentary tracks by Jeff Probst, Richard Hatch, Gervase Peterson and Rudy Boesch. Now before I get into the tracks, I have to say that Probst has the easiest job of the group. He shows up with his smile, dimples and all, asking how the gang is doing and we’ve no idea what he’s been up to. He’s always showered, relaxed and temps the group with rewards of food and beer. If there’s a job on Survivor don’t be a contestant, be the host. Anyway, the commentary is led by Probst and Hatch, Rudy doesn’t say a whole lot and Gervase tends to only say things that are backhanded. They all agree that Hatch was a good ambassador as a winner, though if the show had gone the way they wanted – Rudy would have won. That’s reality TV for you. Three featurettes are included, beginning with some home footage that shows the new Survivors at CBS studios. They pose for pictures and then take the flight to Borneo. Nothing else, that’s it. I will say, though, that this took place before the terrorist attacks and even in the Los Angeles airport, it was amazing to see how lax the security was. Another reminder of how times have changed. Next up is a segment on The Late Show with David Letterman as he reads the Top 10 of that night with the Survivors present. Don’t close your eyes or you’ll miss a naked Richard Hatch reading number one! Lastly, there’s a “Look Back” with Rudy, Richard and Gervase (I don’t know why these were the only three of the sixteen they could get, but they got their money’s worth out of them) as the wax philosophic about the show, its impact and the way the game was played. Gervase tells how his life changed and of the cultural phenomenon that the show has become since they crowned Hatch the winner. All in all, this is everything a “Survivor” fan could want, hopefully Paramount will keep putting out the seasons one by one, so that people like me (who lost interest) can see them at will.
