For Luis

[Chantel]

Survivor: China


The long-running reality show has an all-new setting, but the castaways playing for the $1 million are still the same old types.


After seven-and-a-half years on the air (yes, it really has been that long), Survivor desperately needs new gimmicks to keep it fresh. Producers have come up with a good one for season 15: it was produced entirely in China, a country where Survivor has never set foot before now.

The lush mountainous scenery provides a refreshing break from the usual white-sand beaches and palm trees; the Chinese setting also gives producers a chance to randomly insert pandas and the Great Wall of China between scenes, instead of the typical shots of skulls and pirates.

But the castaways, while an engaging bunch, are still the usual types who fans have come to know. Tonight, host Jeff Probst introduces us to castaways including the odious poker player Jean-Robert, skeletally thin New Yorker Courtney, muscle-bound gravedigger James, flight attendant Todd, and Christian radio host Leslie, who's so devoted to Jesus that she bursts into tears when she's given the chance to sit in on a Buddhist ceremony.

If you've never been a fan of reality TV you probably won't find much to entertain you here, but Survivor fans will find plenty to enjoy. In this season there are two hidden immunity idols in the game, which play a crucial role in future instalments.

Survivor: China premieres on the Nine Network on Saturday, December 8, 7:30pm.

[Hitman]