September 30, 2004
September 23, 2004
Episode Two Gallery
Episode Three Promo
Episode Two Gallery
Taken September 23, 2004 from CBS's feed in Minneapolis, MN (USA). All photos property of CBS. There are 1000+ video caps from Surviovr: Vanuatu - Islands of Fire. Some of the images may contain spoilers.
Ten secrets about 'Survivor'
Mark Schwed
Cox News Service
Sept. 22, 2004 04:00 PM
PALM BEACH, Fla. - So, you're a "Survivor" fanatic, obsessed with every back-stabbing, machete-whacking, hissy-fit moment of TV's first reality game show.
I'm right there with you, hooked from day one.
"Survivor" 's ninth edition, "Vanuatu - Islands of Fire," has left the all-stars behind and returned to the basics: Men against women in a battle to be the last one standing. (In Thursday's episode, the women chase a wild chicken around with a machete, and one contestant breaks down in tears after finding maggots in the grub.)
Even though reality aficionados now have dozens of other shows to choose from, "Survivor" still draws millions of hard-core fans, many of whom think they know everything there is to know about the granddaddy of reality shows.
They don't. Trust me. I know.
Twice, I flew to faraway locations - Borneo's Pulau Tiga for the first game and Panama's Pearl Islands for the last - to hook up with the castaways and crew.
Along the way, I learned a thing or two about how the game is played and filmed. And I'm ready to pass the info along to true "Survivor" fans.
Here's what you don't know:
1. They have met before.
Contestants run into each other at auditions and, if they make the final cut, wind up spending days together before heading off to the location. For the Pearl Islands show, CBS locked them all up in a Miami Beach hotel, with strict orders not to speak to one another. Handlers would march the castaways in single file down to the restaurant for food or to the beach to pose for publicity photos. But the players communicate without talking: sizing one another up, winking, looking for strengths and weaknesses - in other words, they're already playing the game.
2. Their families know.
Rupert didn't just kiss his wife and daughter goodbye and say, "See you in 39 days." CBS allows contestants to tell immediate family members that they've been selected. But that's it. Many castaways have lost jobs because they couldn't tell their bosses.
3. They have weeks to prepare.
Contestants know up to two weeks in advance that they are probably finalists. Some use the time to get lean and mean. Others daydream about how they're going to spend the $1 million prize.
4. They can be replaced.
CBS makes it clear that if the contestants violate any rules - such as speaking to one another - before they actually begin the game, they will be dumped. Alternates are ready to fill any vacated spot.
5. They get tips from pros.
When they get to the location, medical personnel brief them on local dangers. Even though there have been sharks, snakes and other creepy critters at various "Survivor" sets, the chief concerns are always the same: dehydration, severe sunburn and mosquitos.
6. They talk to Mark Burnett.
The contestants are constantly trying to chat up crew members, but they're not allowed to talk. Only executive producer Mark Burnett and host Jeff Probst speak to the castmates.
7. They can avoid the cameras.
The 300-plus crew members have comfortable housing, a tasty buffet, even a rocking bar. But a small rotating "remote" crew endures much harsher conditions, camping near the contestants and watching them virtually around the clock. Still, there aren't enough crews to keep up with all the contestants if they split into small groups. If they want privacy, all they have to do is sneak off when the crews are busy with others.
8. Producers use stand-ins.
For every challenge, stand-ins are used during rehearsal so the crew can set up shots. Sometimes, the stand-ins actually run the obstacle course or solve the puzzles to give producers an idea of where to place cameras.
9. They may not form pacts.
All survivors plot to create that perfect alliance. But they may not form a pact to split the prize money. Violators face a $5 million fine from CBS.
10. They are bored out of their minds.
In the first two days, they build a shelter. After that, they have absolutely nothing to do but replenish water, prepare food and compete in challenges. Which gives them plenty of time to outwit, outplay, outlast and work on their tans.
September 19, 2004
Episode One Gallery
Episode Two Promo
Episode One Gallery
We were able to capture exactly 1000 images from the first episode here they are for all to enjoy. They will remain un-watermarked for the weekend. Download them, link them, post them, save them ... they're here for all to enjoy.
Caption JP - Episode One
Caption what JP is talking about during this confessional.
September 17, 2004
STUNNED AT TRIBAL COUNCIL: BROOK EATEN ALIVE
Thirty-nine days, eighteen new castaways, two tribes separated by gender and one tumultuous ring of fire. SURVIVOR: VANUATU--ISLANDS OF FIRE has begun. On night three, the newly formed Lopevi tribe was forced to make their first dreaded trek to Tribal Council, where they voted out Brook Geraghty, the 27-year-old project manager from Winthrop, Massachusetts, in a shocking decision.
Convinced the tribe would vote out Chris Daugherty, the 34-year-old highway construction worker from South Vienna, Ohio, for singlehandedly losing a vital Challenge, Brook was blindsided when he realized he was the victim of an early, unseen alliance within the tribe. Leaving Tribal Council, Brook remarked, "I got beat, bottom line. Some of them got me. They got me good."
TRIBAL WELCOME
Aboard a boat in the clear waters within the island nation of Vanuatu, eighteen strangers from different walks of life eagerly awaited the chance to outwit, outplay, and outlast each other in pursuit of the coveted million-dollar prize. The Survivors were awestruck to see hundreds of indigenous Vanuatu tribe members quickly rush the boat while shouting out a fierce battle cry. Host Jeff Probst explained that before the castaways were going to be welcome on these islands replete with black magic, sorcery and tribal rituals, they would first have to pass local initiation rites.
Upon reaching the shore, the castaways were greeted by spear-wielding Vanuatu warriors, who separated the Survivors by gender. It became obvious that the men were getting treatment superior to that given the women. The Vanuatu tribe Chief offered each man a local drink known as kava while the women were left to watch. After the Vanuatu warriors sacrificed a pig in a ritual, they smeared the blood on the faces of the male castaways, and then issued a challenge. If a male castaway could retrieve a spiritual stone from the top of a pole laden with pig fat, it would bring them good luck. If the male castaway were to fail, then the women would receive the stone and the luck. The first male Survivor chosen for this task was Brady Finta, the 33-year-old FBI agent from Huntington Beach, California. Brady took to the task with perseverance as he shimmied up the pole and snatched the stone, thus starting off his journey with much-needed good luck.
TREK TO CAMP
After being divided into two tribes separated by gender, the Vanuatu castaways headed their separate ways through the dark night in order to find their respective camps. The men's tribe was called Lopevi, while the women were now the Yasur tribe.
As the Yasur tribe negotiated the dangerous rocky beach path, factions quickly developed. Scout Cloud Lee, the 59-year-old rancher from Stillwater, Oklahoma, decided she would stop the trek in order to rest until daylight. She was joined by other tribemates while another group of Yasurs, led by Eliza Orlins, the 21-year-old pre-law student from Syracuse, New York, wanted to move on. Tension filled the air. "I didn't want to be too pushy because I didn't want to be the odd person out," confessed Eliza.
As the men of Lopevi worked to find their camp in the darkness, they had problems with navigation. Rory Freeman, the 35-year-old S8 housing case manager from Des Moines, Iowa, attempted to lead the tribe. After he pled his case, it was clear that Rory's efforts were in vain and had alienated him from the rest. "Rory, I don't think he's gonna fit in. There's one in every bunch," complained Brook.
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
After finding their camp and enjoying a good night's sleep, the women of Yasur awoke with the task of building a shelter. It was clear right away that certain members of the tribe thought they had more of a work ethic than others. As Twila Tanner, the 41-year old highway repair worker from Marshall, Missouri, Ami Cusack, the 31-year old barista/model from Lakewood, Colorado, and Scout worked hard to build their shelter, some of the younger members of the tribe, including Eliza and Dolly Neely, the 25-year old sheep farmer from Mercer, Pennsylvania, basked in the sun while enjoying a relaxing swim. "I call all these sorority girls 'bowheads' because they all like to hang together," observed Scout, "They're like cattle."
Meanwhile at the Lopevi camp, the men were in serious need of fire in order to boil their water. John Palyok, the 31-year-old sales manager from Los Angeles, California, vigorously attempted to ignite a flame, but his efforts were in vain. After the tribe worked to set up their camp, Chad Crittenden, the 35-year-old teacher from Oakland, California, stunned his tribemates by revealing he has a prosthetic foot. Chad explained that he had recently lost his foot in a battle with cancer. The rest of Lopevi were surprised and inspired, but not necessarily merciful. "All the power to him, I totally think that's inspirational," confessed Brook, "but if I have to vote his ass out of here tomorrow, I'm still gonna vote his ass out of here tomorrow."
IMMUNITY & REWARD CHALLENGE: FIRE STARTER
As the tribes met Jeff Probst for the first Challenge of SURVIVOR:VANUATU, they learned it would be a combination Immunity and Reward Challenge. Jeff Probst explained that this Challenge would be an obstacle course requiring the use of many skills. The castaways first had to go beneath a mud crawl and solve a box maze. Following the box maze, the Survivors must then cross over a very narrow balance beam to light a fire in order to drop a torch. The torch is needed to light a final wok, which would signify the victory, as well as Immunity from the first Tribal Council of SURVIVOR: VANUATU. As a bonus, the winning tribe would also enjoy the reward of flint to help build a much-needed fire.
The competition got off to a dirty start as both tribes navigated the mud crawl. The men made quick work of the puzzle maze and took their lead to the balance beam, where they struggled to cross it one by one. The men maintained their lead until Chris simply could not cross the balance beam. As Chris tried and tried, his tribe witnessed the women of Yasur overtake the lead and go on to the build a fire. Despite being cheered on by his Lopevi tribemates, Chris still could not cross the beam, and the Yasur tribe ignited the wok and torched their way to the crucial Immunity.
THE WEAKEST LINK MUST GO
After returning to camp from the crushing defeat, most of the Lopevi members deemed it a forgone conclusion that Chris would be the first one voted off because of his balance beam failure. Some members of the tribe had other ideas, however, as Lea Masters, the 40-year-old drill sergeant from Columbia, South Carolina, started to build an alliance on the fly with some of the older members of Lopevi. Lea acknowledged that the younger tribe members might be stronger, but they were also cockier and therefore must be dealt with. As Lea explained, "I'm gonna pick the young ones off one by one until there's only four people left."
In the end, Lea's plan was off to a good start as young Brook was shocked to witness the five out of nine votes that made him the first castaway to be voted out of SURVIVOR: VANUATU.
Join hosts Richard Hatch & Chris Booker for SURVIVOR LIVE: THE INTERNET TALK SHOW, Thursdays and Fridays at 11AM ET/2PM PT, only on CBS.com. Read more about SURVIVOR LIVE.
September 16, 2004
The New 'Survivor': Jeff Speaks
(CBS) The granddaddy of all reality shows returns tonight, Sept. 16, for its ninth season. Of course, we're talking about "Survivor," and this time all of the lying, cheating and backstabbing will take place on the South Pacific islands of Vanuatu.
The host of the show, Jeff Probst, dropped by The Early Show to tell co-anchor Rene Syler about the latest edition of the program.
To begin with, Probst explains, Vanuatu is "near Australia and Fiji in the southern Pacific. A cluster of islands."
This time around, there are 18 players instead of 16, because the producers found during the making of "Survivor: All-Stars" that the larger number gave them more opportunity to "monkey around when we had a tribal council," explains Probst.
Also, this time around, the contestants are a bit younger than usual. "Not by any particular design," Probst adds. "Sometimes we skew a little older and sometimes not. It depends who we get."
Syler, pointing out that the new players "have yet to penetrate the American psyche," named some of the new Survivors and asked Probst to tell her a little bit about them.
Dolly: "A sheep herder for real. She's probably the best-looking sheep herder you will see in your lifetime. Dolly, a young girl for whom snapping the neck of a chicken is not a big deal. She raises animals to slaughter and has a different approach to that."
Bubba: "He is just a blast. He's a father of four and the thing that is going to be tough for him, you ask him why he's in the game, he'll tell you the truth: 'I'm here to win (for) my family and you need to know that about me. I will betray you to win.'"
Twila: "Twila is one of my favorites. She's my long-shot favorite, because this is a woman who, in her real life, works three jobs. She works every single day. Think about this: 365 days a year; whopping total, $35,000 a year. You ask her why she's doing 'Survivor,' she says, 'I'm wearing out. I need the money. I can't do this forever.' She's not socially skilled. She doesn't spend a lot of time with women and girls and getting her hair done."
Probst predicts that, if she can last long enough in the game, Twila will become a favorite among the "Survivor" fans. "I think people might get behind her, because I think you sort of pull for the person who is just doing their best."
By now, Probst has become known for his safari shirts and the chokers he sometimes wears on the show. (He quips that he wears his signature outfit on dates, along with a nametag that says "Jeff.")
Don't forget to check out the premiere of "Survivor: Vanuatu" tonight at 8, 7 central, on CBS. And as always, the first castoff voted off the island will be interviewed Friday on The Early Show.
