Survivor is one of the longest-running and still popular reality TV series. Despite the formulaic approach, fans love tuning in every season to see a new group of players, new setting, new challenges, alliances, rivalries, and lots of controversies.
But like any reality show, fans have questions about how things work behind the scenes. Particularly in a show like Survivor, where players are on a remote island left to fend for themselves, it's easy to wonder how things truly work.
Whether players can shave or not, are really left to starve, and how bathroom breaks work, are all questions inquiring fans wonder about.
9 Can Players Shave?
Survivor players are given a kit that includes essentials (see below). But what about razors? After a few weeks in the wild without a razor, many of the guys would probably see their five o'clock shadows turn into full-grown beards while the women might start to see a lot of growth under their arms and on their legs.
But apparently, the players do not get access to razor blades or other hair-cutting devices. How do they manage to look so smooth? That can be attributed to waxing or laser procedures done prior to getting to the island, or simply your television's resolution not showing all the hairy details.
8 Yes, Players Must Find Their Own Food
While it might appear like players are desperately trying to catch fish or contemplating killing and eating their prize chicken instead of keeping it alive for eggs for the sake of entertainment, it's all true. The players aren't handed cheeseburgers and fries once the cameras stop rolling.
Part of the game is that the players really do have to find their own food, whether it's coconuts from trees or fish caught in the water. They are, however, provided with a bag of rice to get going and can win food through reward challenges. And producers will step in if medical personnel advises as such for any player. This could explain why players are willing to eat some of the grossest foods featured in the food challenges.
7 Water Doesn't Have To Be Boiled
It's true that players have to walk to a well in order to get water and transport it back to camp daily. However, they don't actually have to boil it before drinking. The crew does fill the wells with clean water that is totally safe to drink.
The players might want to filter out dirt or bugs before gulping down some refreshing aqua, but that's about it. However, suggesting it has to be boiled adds an element of drama and authenticity to the series.
6 Their Clothing Is Chosen For Them
While it might seem like each player brings a favorite piece of clothing from their own wardrobe to wear on the show, that isn't always the case. Most notably, fan-favorite player John Cochran revealed that he doesn't actually wear sweater vests in real life, but was given one to wear on the island to fit his on-screen persona.
Producers, however, say the clothing is selected beyond just to fit with the "characters:" it's to make sure the players wear items that will work for television, without logos or distracting stripes, for example.
5 They Are Given Certain Amenities
Anyone watching the show has to wonder: what happens when a player has their period? The players can access a kit that includes some necessities, including things like menstrual products, basic first aid products, contact lens solution, birth control, sunscreen, insect repellent, and any critical medications.
They do not, however, get items like toothbrushes. Thus, while the players are truly living in the wild, they do get a few more luxuries than what the show might let on to.
4 Players Get A Survival Handbook
Not everyone who appears on the show was a boy or girl scout and not everyone has a natural knack for survival skills. They are all given a bit of help, however, in the form of a guidebook that provides handy tips and tricks about living in the wild.
The book advises on how to do things like hunt for food, how to build shelter, and even photos and descriptions of plants so they know which are safe to eat and which aren't.
3 Sometimes Scenes Are Re-enacted
This is television, after all, and not every camera angle is going to be the best one to capture a particular moment. Given this, sometimes, a scene might have to be re-enacted in order to get the proper angles and the best footage possible.
It could be a conversation between two people, including a heated discussion between bitter rivals, or even part of a challenge. So, while the scene did indeed happen as shown on the series, it might have been done a second time, and fans might not be seeing the original cut.
2 Do They Get Toilet Paper?
Bathroom visits are a regular, unavoidable part of daily life that doesn't stop just because the players are on an island as part of a reality show about survival. But where do they go to do their business?
The players typically have two options: dig a hole in the dirt and go or swim into the ocean, find a private spot, and release. Needless to say, they don't get toilet paper.
1 They Can't Hunt For Everything
Player contracts expressly forbid them from hunting for anything on the island beyond plants and animals producers give them permission to seek out for sustenance. This prevents players from using rare or endangered species as dinner.
Not only could killing an animal they aren’t supposed to result in immediate expulsion from the game, but the player could even face criminal charges. It's a wonder how the contestants are able to complete some of the most difficult physical challenges on the show when they are often lacking proper nutrition from the very limited supply of nutritional options.
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April 25, 2021 at 05:30AM
