I got to thinking about Survivor and how many viewers (and participants) get so outraged by the manipulation, lying and backstabbing that goes on. I'm going to present an alternate Survivor series to Mark Burnett and I think properly executed will provide everyone with a Survivor they can really appreciate.
My working title will be "Sweet Survivor".
The premise will be the same: a group of men and women, thrown together in a remote location, being voted off by their tribemates one by one at tribal council. But here's the difference: No lying, no dishonesty, no bad behaviors at all.
Think about it! They will all work together, fishing, scavenging for food, sharing the workload. But several times each day they'll also be required to sit in a circle and face one another and discuss honestly and openly what's on their minds...you know, get out any buried feelings or minor irritations BEFORE they can get out of hand.
It might go something like this. "Bob" would say to "Sally", "Sally, I appreciate that you cooked our rice gruel this morning...it was absolutely delicious. No one does rice gruel like you do. But one thing...and please, this is not personal by any means...perhaps you'd consider washing your hands before sticking them in the gruel pot...? I know the problem is probably mine, because I'm the first to admit I'm a little fastidious! (Gentle laughter.) But it would really mean a lot to me if you'd consider that. So Sally, is that doable?"
And then Sally could say something like "Thank you Bob for bringing that to my attention. And it's a very good suggestion! I'm only sorry I didn't recognize it before now. I will certainly do that for you...for ALL of us! Thank you again, dear!"
Then they rise and hug one another and everyone else looks on and claps.
Now, because one person has to be voted out at each Tribal Council, it's always better to make this happen without blindsiding your tribemates - who have become after all your family, your friends - and deserve respect and consideration. So right before Tribal Council, everyone sits in their "friendship circle" (as I propose it is called) and takes turns going around and stating who their vote will go to. Example:
"Mary, you're the best. Honestly, sweetie, I think of you as my own mother. The way you gave me shoulder rubs after we fetched the water, and the way you spooned me during the cold, wet nights...no one could have cared for me any better and I love you for it. But this is a game. And I have to choose someone. So I'm casting my vote for you - not because you don't deserve to win Sweet Survivor, but because I know your family is at home, miserable without you...your husband desperate for your love and shoulder rubs and spooning and all the other wonderful things I know you do...and so I'm doing this for you. Yes, you and your family...because I just love you all so very much."
And Mary and Billy rise, hug one another, everyone claps, some tears fall, and everybody just feels SO GOOD! I also propose a song to be developed for the Friendship Circle...sort of like Cum ba yah (yeah, I know that's not how it's spelled) which could be sung repeatedly throughout the game to further bond the tribemates and alleviate any possible hard feelings during the votes.
Of course, human nature being what it is, no matter how kindly or well-explained the votes may be, some people are simply unable to accept criticism without hard feelings and may retaliate with anger, lies, or other unsavory behavior. Because this type of behavior offends many of the viewers it cannot be tolerated in the game of "Sweet Survivor". Therefore, those participants who are caught saying unkind words about their teammates will be dealt with appropriatly...I'm thinking something along the lines of having to wear duct tape across their mouth for 24 hours of something like that, maybe mouth-washing with soap, fairly innocuous punishment that would not offend the viewers.
So, what do y'all think?
-frolix