SURVIVING SURVIVOR FROM AN EASYCHAIR
Are you a fan of this avant-garde reality series?

We've watched them all and are fanatical about tuning in Thursday nights even when we're on the road. When checking into a room, a working TV with CBS is our first priority - a king-size free of bed bugs is second. When looking for a topic of conversation with strangers, we like bringing up "Survivor" and found the responses break down into 2 Columns: A firm "No" or an enthusiastic "Yes!" We get mostly Column 1.

Most 'Nos' believe that CBS manipulates the contestants. Yes, 'tis true. CBS might dress 'em up or dictate how they string along the beach for max camera angle or edit the hell out of the interaction and dialogue but, waddaya want? You might learn some valuable survival tips from disoriented, unprepared people.

And, yes, CBS pays very close attention to the T&A element - string bikinis, cleavage, tight pecs, and bulging ceps are of the essence. But what you also get to see is humanity bordering on Neanderthal - people eating people - who, all the gnarly, grueling while are driven by the bottom line: Big Bucks for Outwitting, Outplaying, Outlasting. If you're a Column 1...hey, Lighten Up, Tune In, Get Hooked.

Survivor 12: The current 9th-day contingent in Panama, Exile Island, includes a former astronaut, a yoga instructor, a former Navy jet pilot, and 2 trekster-type gals, one of whom is a Marathon Des Sables completer.

Wanda Shirk, AKA: Wacky Wanda, sent home early in Palau, writes a weekly column offering her deep insight into the 'game' with good people-observations. Reality Shack - Articles or PlatypusBen The #1 Place for TV!.