
Say what you will about the intentions of Survivor creator Mark Burnett, but the man knows how to generate attention. His controversial split of this year's Survivor contestants into racially-oriented teams is not only garnering notice from media members who have essentially forgotten about the show, but it's also getting attention from some other unexpected groups. For example, white supremacist message boards are abuzz about the new season, according to TV Week. Some groups are looking at this season with some hope that the White or Caucasian or whatever they're calling that team will come out on top this year, while others are thinking that the show will show their "own kind" in a bad light.
Either way, this activity worries the civl rights group Southern Poverty Law Center, which thinks that this is evidence that the split is already encouraging these groups: "[The format] plays into the hands of many people in this country who have racist feelings," says a group official. Here's what I wonder, though: what's going to happen once they mix the tribes in the second or third episode, which is what many people think is going to happen? Will the buzz from these groups die down or get worse? However it turns out, it'll be fascinating to watch.















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-04-2006 @ 10:23AM
Angel said...
Of course it encourages these types of groups. It also encourages people to look for some type of reinforcement of certain stereotypes attached to different races in this country. No matter what the naive and sheltered people think, this country still has huge problems with racism and these types of actions are not really needed, especially since the attention will encourage other publicity-desperate TV show creators.
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9-04-2006 @ 11:01AM
Tarasik said...
It is really interesting theme for discussion
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9-04-2006 @ 5:02PM
erroneous_nick said...
I think it's another case of making a mountain out of a molehill.
Burnett's smart enough to know that almost everyone today seems to be looking for a reason to get offended, so he just gave them one. Now all he has to do is sit back and watch both the publicity, and his bank account, grow way out of proportion to the significance of this little event.
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9-04-2006 @ 7:35PM
khia213 said...
Given how many sponsors have pulled their advertising, Burnett better hope the ratings go through the roof.
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11-08-2006 @ 6:59AM
SamDamnit! said...
The racists are grasping at straws. The racial division of this trite reality show, has no bearing on proving any of the misguided racial theories that the hate mongers cling to. No matter which group dominates, the racist troglodytes will continue to stew in their own venomous juices.
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