Mistake On Immunity Challenge?
From allyourtv.com
Mistake On Immunity Challenge Of “Survivor: Africa” Reportedly Leads To Cash Payout
Written By Rick Ellis, Febuary 15th, 2002
While viewers of “Survivor: Africa” might not have experienced the same adrenaline rush they found in the first two installments of the reality series, the final two hours leading up to the announcement of the winner were as compelling as everyone had hoped to see. Ethan took home the $1,000,000 prize, thanks in part to Kim winning the next-to-last immunity challenge. That competition–which led to Tom being voted off the show–was notable for the razor thin margin of her win. It all came down to one question, and her final correct answer allowed her to survive another round.
As it turns out, that immunity challenge was even closer than it first appeared. Sources tell AllYourTV.com that after the show aired, it was discovered that one the answers was wrong. That mistake, and the timing of when it happened, apparently led to several of the contestants receiving a cash settlement.
The problem, according to sources, came during the eighth (and final) question of the next-to-last immunity challenge.
Question 8: Which female Survivor does not have anything pierced, including her ears?
Answers:
Kim: Kelly
Ethan: Linda
Lex: Lindsey
Tom: Jessie
Only Kim gets it right, thereby granting herself immunity.
It’s then time to vote one of the other three contestants off the show, and Kim, Lex and Ethan all vote for Tom.
Unfortunately for everyone involved with the segment, it appears that the answer to the final question was incorrect. Apparently more than one female Survivor fits the description, although that fact wasn’t discovered until after the broadcast.
At this point, it’s not clear which other female Survivor could have been the correct answer, but the result was that everything after the challenge was thrown into doubt. If Lex had won the challenge, he presumably would have booted Kim off the show, leading to a new winner for “Survivor: Africa.”
Faced with this scenario, and the uncomfortable prospect of a public relations meltdown unfortunately timed to happen just before the launch of Survivor: Marquesas, the decision was reportedly made to offer a cash settlement to at least two of the contestants included in the final group of four.
As you might expect, getting anyone involved with the show to comment publicly on this story has been an exercise in frustration. Thanks to the contract all of the contestants signed before they went to Africa, none of the people most affected by the problem are able to talk publicly. And at the time this story was posted, officials at CBS have not responded to a request for comments regarding the alleged settlement.