Page 56 - Metro

6FUHHQLQJ RQ &KDQQHO 7HQ LQ WKH SULPH WLPH VORWV RI
6XQGD\ 0RQGD\ DQG 7XHVGD\ HYHQLQJV TRSQ@KH@M 2TQUHUNQ
faces the challenge of quenching the thirst of fans of the
original series, such as myself, without alienating a wider
viewership who may be unfamiliar with the strategic complexi
WLHV RI WKH IRUPDW 7KLV , DUJXH LV WKH NH\ GLIĺFXOW\ LQ DGDSWLQJ
an international title for a local media ecology. To explore the
FKDOOHQJHV LQKHUHQW LQ IRUPDW IUDQFKLVLQJ WKLV HVVD\ ZLOO ĺUVW
RXWOLQH KRZ WKH 86 YHUVLRQ RI 2TQUHUNQ GHPRQVWUDWHV QDU
UDWLYH FRPSOH[LW\ 6HFRQG LW ZLOO ORRN DW KRZ WKH $XVWUDOLDQ
SURGXFWLRQpV VHDVRQ ZDV D GLIĺFXOW PDUULDJH EHWZHHQ
textual elements of the original franchise and the demands
RI $XVWUDOLDpV PHGLD HFRORJ\ 7KLV GLIĺFXOW\ LQ UHFRQFLOLDWLRQ
resulted in TRSQ@KH@M 2TQUHUNQ having to cater for ANSG the
fans of the American series and casual viewers newer to the
franchise. Ultimately, I argue that narrative complexity is lost
when a show has to alter its format for new fans.

The Survivor format
2TQUHUNQ ĺUVW SUHPLHUHG LQ WKH 86 LQ DQG KDV UHFHQWO\
ZUDSSHG XS LWV WKLUW\ ĺIWK VHDVRQ $Q DGDSWDWLRQ RI WKH
6ZHGLVK VHULHV $WODCHSHNM 1NAHMRNM, it was created by Charlie
Parsons, an executive producer on the show alongside Mark
%XUQHWW DQG KRVW -HII 3UREVW (DFK VHDVRQ D JURXS RI VL[WHHQ
WR WZHQW\ FRQWHVWDQWV LV VWUDQGHG LQ DQ LVRODWHG ORFDWLRQ WKH\
are divided into two or more teams, referred to as ‘tribes’,
which compete for resources and immunity. The tribe that
loses immunity must vote off a member at a ‘tribal council’
XVLQJ D VHFUHW EDOORW :KHQ DSSUR[LPDWHO\ WHQ WR WZHOYH FRQ
testants remain, the tribes are dissolved and contestants
FRPSHWH LQGLYLGXDOO\ 7KH ĺQDO WKUHH FRQWHVWDQWV PXVW IDFH
D MXU\ RI SUHYLRXVO\ HOLPLQDWHG SHHUV ZKR GHWHUPLQH WKH o6ROH
6XUYLYRUp 7KH ZLQQLQJ FRQWHVWDQW UHFHLYHV 86 PLOOLRQ WKH
UXQQHU XS 86 WKH WKLUG SODFHU 86 DQG VR
on, with the prize money declining the earlier the contestants
DUH YRWHG RXW (DFK FRQWHVWDQW DOVR UHFHLYHV 86 IRU
DSSHDULQJ RQ WKH ĺQDO UHXQLRQ HSLVRGH
$VLGH IURP $XVWUDOLD WKH VKRZ KDV KDG IRUW\ HLJKW RWKHU
international versions, with varying degrees of success. Yet
the mass popularity of the 2TQUHUNQ franchise has slowly waned.
7KH ĺUVW WHQ VHDVRQV RI WKH $PHULFDQ VHULHV DYHUDJHG RYHU
PLOOLRQ YLHZHUV EXW UDWLQJV KDYH EHHQ VWHDGLO\ IDOOLQJ
IURP WKH WZHQW\ VHFRQG VHDVRQ RQZDUGV WKH VKRZ KDV
RQO\ JDUQHUHG DQ DXGLHQFH RI EHWZHHQ DQG PLOOLRQ ,Q
Australia, however, the American 2TQUHUNQ has been moved
WR WKH FKDQQHO *R IROORZLQJ WKH PRGHUDWHO\ VXFFHVVIXO
UDWLQJV RI pV 2TQUHUNQ "@Q@LN@M. The 2016 season of
TRSQ@KH@M 2TQUHUNQ was itself a moderate success (albeit
UHJXODUO\ EHDWHQ E\ WKH 1LQH 1HWZRUNpV 3GD !KNBJ in view
HUVKLS LWV SUHPLHUH HSLVRGH DWWUDFWHG YLHZHUV LQ
PDMRU FLWLHV DQG LWV ĺQDOH RYHU PLOOLRQ
A wide array of paratextual forms of commentary have
developed cult followings among 2TQUHUNQ fans. Once the
ĺUVW MXU\ PHPEHU KDV EHHQ HOLPLQDWHG WKH ZHE VHULHV +HED @S
/NMCDQNR@ EHJLQV WKLV VHULHV IROORZV HOLPLQDWHG FRQWHVWDQWV
DIWHU WKH\ OHDYH WULEDO FRXQFLO DQG UHĻHFW RQ WKHLU JDPHSOD\ DW
a resort dubbed ‘Ponderosa’. There are several dedicated fan
VLWHV DV ZHOO DV IRUXPV VXFK DV 6XUYLYRU 6XFNV WKDW UHJXODUO\
post conspiracy theories and spoilers. Former 2TQUHUNQ 3GD
L@YNM FRQWHVWDQW 5RE &HVWHUQLQRpV 1NA '@R @ /NCB@RS GLV
cusses not just the American 2TQUHUNQ but also other reality
VKRZV LQFOXGLQJ WKH 86 YHUVLRQ RI !HF !QNSGDQ and TRSQ@KH@M

54 • Metro Magazine 195 | © ATOM