There's something wrong with Thursday nights nowadays. There's something missing in the TV-land today. Survivor isn't as intruiging and as exciting as before. For the season-to-date ratings, Friends is at number 2, while the once-unbeatable Survivor is so beatable at number 8. (Click here for the ratings.)Even the new show CSI:Miami is beating the best reality show right now. What's more bothering is the fact that even the fans themselves have something to complain about with Survivor this season. Even Lex from Africa has nothing but bad words for the fifth instalment of the reality show that changed the landscape of television.

    Of course, even before this all began, this website has wondered whether Survivor can regain the popularity it once had. The answer? If it will, it sure isn't now! Hell, even the message boards are empty nowadays!

    There are some things which one may look at (i.e blame) in finding out why this season sucks. First, one may point out the fact that there's no one to root for. Helen and Jan are the closest one can get, but even them have their flaws. In Helen's case, she was (is?) abrassive and workaholic - reasons why she got 2 votes in Tribal Council number 2. All that recipe talks don't help much either. The only thing that can perhaps make Helen worth rooting for right now is if she starts (seriously) talking about strategy in the camera and if she will put that into action, just like what Kathy did in Marquesas. Jan, on the other hand, is very sensitive and funny. She just need to sttart REALLY playing the game if she is to become a favourite this season. She also has to stop all those funerals simply because they are over-the-top.

    Ironically, though, there's no one to hate either. Clay is talkative and evil- but hey, he is yet to confront anyone about anything! Ted rolls his eyes at EVERYONE - but it's not like he's insulting them everytime. The absence of a villain- a completely hateable character such as Jerri from S2 or Rob from S4- is really hurting this season.

    Also, there's simply a lack of human touch this season. Real friendships also do not exists. The Ted & Bryan 'friendship' for example, is not pure because they are both in the game to win; they are not willing to sacrifice for each other. The absence of intimate conversations also makes this season as dull as it can be.

    The bottom line through all of this is poor casting. Somehow, Mark Burnette, the executive producer of the show, managed to get 16 people who always wear their game face in the show. For the next season, casting will be critical. There are rumours that Canucks (i.e. Canadians) may be considered for the line up - an action which won't hurt because Survivor is the number 1 show in Canada. It is also important that Orientals, like Shii-Ann, remain in the cast because (for god's sake!!!), the show has been shot in Asia for at least 2 times. It may also help to put up people who never watched the show before (or watched it only on tape or DVD) because this people are more prone to making mistakes (which are interesting than not making anything at all). It is about time that Burnette shakes up his "formula" and try a new set of people.

    Survivor 6 - which rumours persists will be shot in the Amazon- should have a great cast for the Survivor 'franchise' to continue to exist. Thailand is clearly a disappointment and the producers should have learned their lessons by now. If not, expect Friends to continue to dominate Thursday nights while Survivor continue to slip out. The consequence? CBS voting off Survivor and the people telling Jeff Probsts, "the ratings have spoken..."

This article was written by Calvin. He's a student from Canada. He's the editor-in-chief of this website.