It’s Official: All-Star Survivor
From zap2it.com
It was a celebration of “Survivor” past and present until it was revealed that the reality show’s past could soon become its future as well.
For nearly fifteen minutes, CBS’ upfront presentation at Carnegie Hall became a “Survivor” love-fest. After a long montage of clips for the show’s successful sixth installment in the Amazon (featuring the now-icon image of Jenna and Heidi stripping for peanut butter), two-thirds of Destiny’s Child (minus, naturally, Beyonce) took the stage to sing their originally-unaffiliated hit “Survivor.”
As the ground sang and danced, the final six from “Survivor: The Amazon,” Christy, Butch, Rob, Butch, Matt and winner Jenna came out to extensive cheers. They were joined by host Jeff Probst and producing guru Mark Burnett.
Probst and Burnett had little to add about the show’s seventh season, which will head to the Pearl Island off the coast of Panama. Probst promised more challenges in the water, an ongoing theme involving piracy and the biggest and most impressive tribal council area yet. He noted that the casting was already complete.
The day’s big announcement was left to Burnett, who said that in response to the ongoing clamor of fans, the show’s eighth installment (presumably airing in early 2004) will be an all-star “Survivor” tournament of champions, bringing back many favorites. As if to prove his point, he summoned Richard Hatch, Rudy, Susan, Tina and Ethan from the wings.
Burnett did give a final list of returning contestants, but said that the stakes would be raised for the all-star event.
CBS Chairman Les Moonves promised a two million dollar prize, but joked, “That’s if Mel lets me,” referring to Viacom President Mel Karmazin.