Survivor Fans Hot Down Under

Australian fans of Survivor American style will soon be experiencing withdrawal pains. Channel 9, which carries Survivor in Australia, has decided to film its own version of the media juggernaut. Instead of brazen publicity hounds like Jerri and Silas, and in-your-face extroverts like Alicia and Lex, Australians will see their own more laid-back countrymen. Unfortunately for Australia’s hard-core fanbase, this version will air at the same time as Survivor: Marquesas. Channel 9 wasn’t even going to carry Survivor: Marquesas, but fans raised such an outcry that the station backed down and decided to run it in May. Viewership for Survivor 3 dropped sharply after Channel 9 cut back on promotion. Fans complained that they only knew it was on when they read the TV listings in the local newspapers.

And Australian Survivor won’t be confining their players to rat-infested islands or parched savannahs. Contestants in this series will be living in the coastal resort town of Port Lincoln, but referred to by Channel 9 as “stranded on the edge of the continent.” The prize money is also lacking in drama, rumored to be around 50,000 U.S. dollars.

What do the fans think of all this? Message boards on survivorsucks.com and ninemsn.com.au/survivor are ablaze with irate postings. A few Survivor fans are willing to give Australian Survivor a chance, but the vast majority want to see American contestants with their “big, loud, and interesting personalities,” according to Australian fan Andrew Teague. “There is no question that the U.S. version will be better in both production and entertainment value,” says another fan. “No one can beat the Yanks for entertainment, bitching, backstabbing, and general ridiculousness,” says a third.

Survivor fans are taking action on two fronts. One set is calling for a boycott of the series and its sponsors. But others are taking a more pro-active approach, conducting a letter writing campaign to Channel 9 and establishing an on-line petition. But what most Australian fans really want is for Channel 9 to air both Survivor shows at the same time. One huge objection to running Survivor: Marquesas in May is the obvious one. “What is the point of showing it later in 2002 when everyone will know who won!,” protests one fan. “We don’t care if you screen it at 2 a.m.; we just want it!” demands another.

So here’s your chance, all you Survivor fans. Other countries should not be deprived of the right to watch the likes of raging egomaniacs like Lex, would-be Mata Haris like Jerri, and all-American cutie pies like Colleen and Elisabeth. (Channel 9 actually had to run subtitles under Tom!) Show your support for our brethren down under and sign their petition! After all, says fan Andrew Teague, “There’s no such thing as too much Survivor!

Also, see Charlie Reneke's article and interview with the petition's originator.

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