SURVIVOR: Tribes Divided By Race

CBS has made the business decision that it’s wise to divide the “tribes”/teams on the show, Survivor, by race. The new season is getting under way with Black, White, Asian, and Hispanic teams. CBS has stated that they’ve divided the show by gender in the past and this new twist is a way to give the long-running reality series a breath of fresh air.

It sounds like a marketing gimmick to me, especially since CBS also announced that this twist was devised because critics have complained the show lacked diversity among participants. Well, if CBS was only after diversity among participants, they could have created diverse and blended teams. Instead, CBS went for the ratings bonanza that is virtually guaranteed by dividing the teams by race. Look how much free press the show has gotten in all types of media.

I’ve never watched Survivor. And, this twist doesn’t make me any more interested in viewing the show. But, what are your thoughts on the racial twist involving teams? Are you looking forward to watching the new season? Why?

Will you automatically root for the Black team or will you choose a favorite player/individual—regardless of race? (Ultimately, only one person can win anyway.)

Can anything positive come of this? Do you think this twist will do anything to further the discussion of race and racism in America?