Warning: The following post contains discussions of suicide.
Each week on CBS, fans tune in to see who outwits, outplays, and outlasts as alliances shift, tempers flare, and one castaway edges closer to the million-dollar prize. But Survivor is not just a hit. It’s a global phenomenon.
Created by Brit TV producer Charlie Parsons, the first televised adaptation of the show debuted in September 1997 with Sweden’s Expedition Robinson, where it was an immediate success and helped shape the modern reality competition genre. Today, with more than 50 versions commissioned worldwide and dozens currently airing, the format has grown far beyond its flagship edition.
The American version of Survivor, hosted by Jeff Probst, premiered in 2000 and has since aired for over two decades, becoming one of the longest-running and most influential reality series in television history. However, fans of the American version might be surprised to find out that the show is missing key elements that make the international versions just a bit spicier.
Below is a look at a few game elements and key differences that distinguish the international versions of Survivor from the U.S. version.
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or dial 988. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.