Next Time On Survivor
Survivor has always been pretty hokey in the way that it tries to incorporate “traditional” and “historical” elements of the area into its challenges, but I don’t think I ever appreciated just how hokey until this season.
Survivor is in China this season. I was pleasantly surprised last night when it was revealed that poker player Jean-Robert speaks just about the best Mandarin that I’ve ever heard a waiguoren speak. Jeff Probst should take a few lessons from J-R, as I keep wondering who the hell Faye Long and John Hoo are supposed to be.*
But the challenges! I feel like the producers hung up a dartboard covered in Chinese stereotypes and tried to put together whatever got hit into a single challenge. Last night, contestants had to maneuver pairs of giant chopsticks to transport a flaming ball to a fire pit, where it would set off some fireworks.
I suppose in future episodes we might see:
- Giant acupuncture needles
- Chinese medicinal herbs (hey, it’s been a while since the last gross food challenge, speaking of which, how about some fish eyes and chicken feet?)
- Being judged on the feng shui of your camp
- Writing “HELP” in Chinese with a giant calligraphy brush (it’s been a while since the last SOS signal challenge too)
- Giant Chinese yo-yo
- Beijing opera
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*The tribe names this season are Fei Long (flying dragon) and Zhan Hu (which literally translates to “warring tiger,” but the show translates as “fighting tiger”).
Chipanglish
CogKnition
Gustatory Circuit
According to the zodiac some personalities (animals) are more compatible than others. Have people dress up as incompatible animals and do a wrestling style challenge, since this season has had its fair share of wrestling style challenges.
Hee! Thanks for the Faye Long shout out!