Survival of the (Racially?) Fittest: CBS Gets Big Buzz

Aug. 25, 2006 — -- The CBS plan to launch this season's "Survivor" pitting four teams against each other divided along racial lines -- blacks, whites, Latinos and Asians -- is enraging city officials in New York, who are demanding the show, scheduled to premiere Sept. 14, be scrapped.

The network has issued a statement saying, "CBS fully recognizes the controversial nature of this format but has full confidence in the producers and their ability to produce the program in a responsible manner."

Critics are unsure what "a responsible manner" would be, even as CBS defends its plan.

But if CBS was looking for a storm of free publicity in the press, they've got it.

"What's Next? Germans vs. Jews?" the New York Post asked in a headline today.

"Racism does bring out the worst in us and, unfortunately, in that ['Survivor' producer Mark] Burnett is not entirely wrong," the Post says.

Indignation in the press is not always echoed by people in the street, as ABC News' questioning of random passersby in front of New York's Lincoln Center showed this morning:

"I wouldn't mind or be offended by the whole race division. I'd be more interested to see what the competition is like," said Mike, a African American assets administrator in his late 20s. "I mean, unless it's stereotyping any group in a way that's offensive, I'm okay with it."

"I think it's a good idea," said Ashley, a white woman in her mid 20s who designs wardrobes for TV shows. "It gives people extra incentive to watch the show, now, out of sheer intrigue. I wouldn't have watched it before, since it seemed kind of dull, but this adds new flavor."

The show's host, Jeff Probst, is quoted by The Associated Press as saying CBS is well aware that the show may be offensive and that "it's very risky because you're bringing up a topic that is a hot button. … There's a history of segregation you can't ignore. It is part of our history."

But the network's claims that it is trying to be creative, to "try something new," were only met by derision from New York City Councilman John Liu.