Hear that?  It’s the sound of someone changing his mind.  It sounds like ... um ... well, to be frank, it sounds like tribal drums, forest chants, and, strangely, didgeridoo.

They got me again.

I called the first “Survivor” “the crack cocaine of television.  The first hit is free.  After that, you’re jonesing, bad, waiting for the next week.”

I’m addicted again.

Because, after all, on the continent, fire does represent life.

Yes, it’s terrible.  Yes, it’s shameless.  Yes, it’s everything that is wrong with television, America, and society in general.

Yes, I can’t get enough of it.

You may recall my somewhat earlier, how shall I say, less than flattering assessment of the prospects for this show?  I take it all back.

I think what I’ve learned is, this format, this game, with all its attendant cheese and hokum, is just damn fascinating, no matter who you put in it.

Now, will any of these Survivor’s take the place of the original bunch?  Again, a prediction – probably not.  But a continent full of scheming snakes has already provided plenty of thrills, chills, and “Aha, the plot thickens” moments.

Remember in the first “Survivor,” when the evil Tagi alliance (Richard, Kelly, Rudy, and Susan) first revealed itself?  It wasn’t until after the combination of the tribes, when poor Gretchen got chased off the island, that I realized just what was going on.  What fantastic editing, and, to call it what it is, great storytelling.  Out of nothing had come high drama.  Now, we all knew a “train wreck” was coming for the Pagong tribe members, and we watched in morbid fascination as they slowly came to realize they were outnumbered, and outplayed.

Then, there was the epic betrayal of Kelly, and how her attempt to play both sides of the fence cost her the grand prize.  (On another note, remember how Kelly just about made it through, winning a string of immunity challenges that provided delicious twists and turns as the Tagi Alliance consumed itself?)

Now, in the new show, the betrayal of Maralyn and Tina, both of whom left Kel hanging out to dry, is proving that while these tough old dames may say they’re out for “fair play” (witness Mad Dog’s telling her tribes-mates they should apologize to “Cal” for their illegal and unjustified search of his belongings), they want to win the game at any cost.

And how about the Vegas bookies, who installed Kel as the 6 to 1 favorite to take home the big bucks?

Jerri, I think, fancies herself the “Richard” of this group.  She seems to be a little too “in control” if you ask me, especially when she curtly turned down Maralyn’s “apologize to Kel” request.  Her saying, “I’ve got a few more tricks up my sleeve” also tends to make me think she’s working hard on the mental aspect of the game.  On the other hand, this seems a sure way to get voted off – be the one with “tricks” and answers for the group, and pow!  See you on The Early Show with Bryant and Jane.

That’s why I think Jerri, Michael, Keith, and Kimmi aren’t long for the game.  Quiet, productive tribe-members like Elisabeth, Nick, Amber, and Colby seem, in my book, to be the front-runners.  But then again, I’ve been plenty wrong before.

Okay, if most, or all, of that didn’t make any sense to you, I don’t know what to say, other than I didn’t watch my first episode of the original “Survivor” until about five weeks in, but was still able to pick up everything and enjoy the rest of the show.  If you haven’t watched this show because you think it’s dumb, it’s stupid, the people are stupid, or you’re more interested in “Friends,” well, then, that’s okay.  But hey, take my word for it, this is television drama quite unlike any other.  And it’s a whole hell of a lot of fun to watch.

For example, in this week’s episode, could you possibly script that whole sequence with loudmouth vegetarian Kimmi?  First, she “passes” eating cow brains during the Immunity Challenge (the most important part of the show) because she’s a strict vegan.  Um, Kimmi?  This may not be the show for you.  But after her sobbing breakdown as a result of putting her team at risk, she gets a chance at redemption in the “sudden death overtime eat-off,” and pulls through, downing a worm faster than her Ogakor competition.

Corny?  Sure.  But damn fun to watch.

The tribe has spoken.

Link:

http://tvgames.yahoo.com/survivor -- Join my group with Group Number 7566 and Password 1234