Reality Show ‘Survivor’ to Film in China
CBS announced Wednesday that the 14th edition of Survivor will take place in China making it the first American television show to be filmed here. Who knew this show was still on? The exact location and production date of the new season have not been announced, but Variety reported Tuesday that this will be the first time in 9 years that the reality show will not take place on an island. The Chinese government typically doesn’t allow foreign film crews to shoot in the mainland for fear that foreigners will portray China in an unflattering light. With the Olympics on the horizon, China has actively loosened its policies restricting foreign productions to film in mainland China. While Survivor locales are usually remote tropical settings, maybe it’s time CBS bring the show to one of China’s big cities. Maybe Shanghai. Instead of the old tasks, participants would have to compete in Shanghai-related events. Like the “Subway Sprint” whereby contestants have to get on the first or last car of a Shanghai subway during rush hour and sprint through all the cars. Or maybe a dumpling competition in which contestants have to eat an order of soup dumplings and whoever sprays themselves with the least grease wins. And then there’s “Street Crossing,” invented by me, whereby the contestants must cross a busy Shanghai city street blindfolded. Two hours ago, I didn’t even know this show was still on TV. The only time I ever watched Survivor was back when they had that guy who used to walk around naked. And even with the suspenseful subplot of “whoa, is someone going to make contact with that guys’s dick,” I still thought the show was stupid. CBS hopes the China-based season will attract a more international audience. The location will be kept secret until filming is over.
•E!: Survivor: Made in China