LogFAQs > #944392278

Frankly, I still blame Russell. That was the point where both the producers and the players decided they had to one-up themselves every single season instead of just making minor tweaks and letting the characters drive the season. This James/Amanda talk has prompted me to rewatch China again and it's amazing how stark the contrast is to modern Survivor. There's still strategy talk but it's got substance. We learn what makes these people tick and what their approach to the game is instead of just going on and on about alliances and advantages and blindsides. It's really jarring watching this coming out of the 30s.

That being said I also blame the fact that people know the shoes they've been cast to fill. Go read Maddog's 40 Casting Archetypes. A really fascinating read. But now more than ever, people seem to be aware that they are cast to fill that role. Ryan, Bradley and Gavin know they're cast to be "the new Spencer." Joe and Wardog know they're cast to be "the new Tony." And so they try to play exactly like those people and it just gives us a more repetitive and overall lesser experience.

---

darkx