Survivor Spectrum

 I'm a casual fan of the Survivor show, usually watching in my underwear and a t-shirt, enjoying a beer. In fact, several weeks in I'll spot a contestant and wonder: "Where the hell did that guy come from??" That I think would be good TV if they added a rando player every week at the beginning to spook the players and the audience. They just show up after a week or two and see who notices and, when questioned, they reveal themselves as "Smitty- from the Kabuki tribe. I got lost, I think. I'm the washing machine mechanic from Greenfield, Indiana". This would also work on cable TV news when they have the remote panels. Have three journalists that viewers pretty much know, and then a fourth person who just sits in silence at their home, staring into their computer's camera. It would keep everybody on their toes. It would keep me on my toes. 

Because I'm a casual fan, I'm never sure who should win. I kinda think reality shows are all faked, so I don't get too invested in what might be predetermined outcomes. You know, you put people on an island for 30 days or so, and they are on TV and probably had to get SAG cards and all that, and I bet there's some compensation going on that they don't talk about. It's a month outa of your life. These people are usually fairly young. Who has that much vacation time built up in their job? And $1 million or bust? I just don't know about that. 

My favorite castaway this season was a young autistic girl, named Eva. Cute, nice kid who had a lot of social anxiety and didn't read people very well and admitted early on that she didn't pick up on social cues from people like (alleged) regular people might. She sure seemed to be on the wrong show for that. One's 'social game' is a big factor on Survivor. She had a few breakdowns and needed to be calmed down by her friend, Joe the fire captain, but she made it to the final three. As much as I may think I know about autism (more than a certain Kennedy) I know there's a 'spectrum' and that means different degrees of affliction. I think the autism was real, but I was as surprised as anyone when she revealed at final council that she was a college graduate with a PhD in something really smart sounding. And she works with the US Navy on some project. Well, until Whiskey Pete Hegseth finds out, I reckon. 

Well, wow on that! I just wondered if it was wise to reveal to the jury before they voted on you that you had it going on in life. Might they doubt the whole autism thing? She seemed to be taking a big chance at the high school dance with that revelation. The jury was more impressed than feeling duped, I think. Same with Kyle who revealed he was a lawyer, not a schoolteacher. Such duplicity is part and parcel of the game. Certain professions- like cop, psychologist or retired bottomspanker- could put a target on your back, making people think you've got an edge that they don't have. 

I wouldn't go on a show like this. Too much like real life. I've been on survivor island in marriages, family and - oh boy- every commercial painting job I've ever had! I'm not a big fan of duplicity at any price. 

Anyway, the Guyanese lawyer won. According to the comments on Bluesky, had his also Guyanese partner (Kamilla) been in the final three, the jury would have unanimously chosen her. I bet the lawyer knew that.