"Survivor: One World" yields one for the record books

Colton takes part in slingshot challenge

/ CBS Photo

(CBS NEWS) For 24 seasons, the cardinal rule for pre-merger "Survivor" players was to avoid Tribal Council.

That ended in Wednesday night's episode of "Survivor: One World," when Colton persuaded the men's team to give its immunity idol to the women and go to Tribal Council to deal with what he saw as a serious problem. (SPOILER ALERT)

Pictures: "Survivor: One World"
Read More: Dumbest "Survivor" moves ever

It will undoubtedly go down as one of the craziest moments in "Survivor" history. Whether it is one of the dumbest remains to be seen.

It is, after all, not terribly different from "throwing" an immunity challenge to go to Tribal Council, something that has been done a few times in the past, with not very effective results.

What was even more shocking than the Tribal Council play was the way in which Colton has apparently seized control of the men's team. It seemed unthinkable when the season started just a few weeks ago.

But it was Colton's dislike of stand-up comic Bill that fueled the decision. Animosity between the two became even worse after Leif told Bill that Colton wanted him gone. Bill confronted Colton to talk it out, Colton refused to talk, which made Bill even more determined to get the grievances aired.

Colton - and the careful editing - made it seem as if Leif was destined for ouster because he told Bill he was in trouble but the impetus behind the decision to give up the immunity idol was always the desire to vote out Bill.

The discussion of Colton's dislike of Bill at Tribal Council did a lot to cement Colton's standing as one of the more provocative villains in "Survivor" history. The openly gay man from Alabama displayed a lot of elitism, class snobbery and - despite all his protests to the contrary - racism.

In pointed questioning from host Jeff Probst, Colton admitted there were no blacks in the schools he went to but insisted that he has had "African-Americans in my life." After sharper questionin he conceded he was referring to the housekeeper, whom he called a member of his family.

"A paid member," Probst pointed out.

In the end, Colton prevailed and Bill was gone.

Oh, and the women. We learned that they - especially outspoken Alicia - are not terribly good at puzzles.

What did you think? Will this go down as one the most bone-headed moves in "Survivor" history? Is Colton racist and can he keep his hold on the men's team? Share your thoughts in the comments below, take our poll on who will win and return here next week for more commentary.

[pammydeb]

As the parent of a special needs child, having experience bigotry first hand, I was disgusted with Colton's comments. As a gay man and as a human being he should be very ashamed of himself. I taught my children that they are no better than anyone else in the world, but that they were just as good. Too bad Colton's parents didn't do the same.

[Beyoncca]

I will never watch another episode of this season. Because I wish nothing but the worst for Colton and that guy that said I have a black president, so I think were beyond race". Spoken like a true white person. What did having a black president have to do with Colton's comments about that bi-racial guy being "ghetto trash" when that guy was obviously bi-racial in addition to the bi-racial guy growing up around whites you can tell when he talks that he's preppy like those white kids that say "DUDE" and "BRO" where as black men tend to call another black man "BROTHA". Not Bro. I can tell that guy has never been around blacks by the way he talks so Colton's comment was simply reflectant of the guys color not his behavior.
Racist Much?

[IAMJudylynn]

Beyoncca...I agree that Colton is a Bigot and his behavior was horrible. I am a white woman and your just as much a Bigot as he is with your statement "Spoken like a true white person" Besides the racist remarks, he was so nasty to Christina or were you just intent on the racist part. I think you are a racist, what a shame.

[SwatcherNoMore]

erasmus111; You must be one of those people who should also be on this crummy show.

[erasmus111]

I like watching the idiots, but I'm not one of them.

[achememnon]

Yep I am done with survivor also, the ignorant racist spoiled colton has completely surpassed russell as the worse person that will have ever been on survivor. A person who is gay and racist like this, will support the premise of people being homophobic.

[west43]

Come on..I'm done with Survivor. I don't believe it's reality tv any more I think it's scripted. Nobody could be as dumb as those people,male and females. It has really insulted my intelligence this year. If it is in fact real what a cross section of whiney,lazy ,bigoted and BORING cast!!!!!!!

[Bestgran3]

Colton is a creep. If I see him roll his eyes and run his tongue across his lip one more time...I'm going to puke. I wonder what is going on over there at night that those men are all a sudden submitting to his manipulations. I hope he is poor one day.

[erasmus111]

I don't know why people are condemning Survivor. It's a reality show and they are showing REALITY. And the reality is that there are people out there like Colton. You want to condemn someone, condemn HIM. If you can't take reality, then don't watch. Stay in denial like most of you do anyways.

Maybe this will open the eyes of people around Colton, at home. Maybe people will see him for what he is, if they don't already know. I'm quite sure his life isn't going to be too pleasant once he does go home. Cross your fingers. : )

[SwatcherNoMore]

If this is REALITY, who needs it!

[erasmus111]

by SwatcherNoMore March 8, 2012 7:25 PM EST
If this is REALITY, who needs it!

I know. People just hate seeing themselves. Is it like looking in the mirror for you?

[waswo]

I beseech CBS to set a standard for barring hate speech. Colton's comments about little people and African Americans should not be acceptable as gambits to win a million dollar prize. If CBS develops a "hate speech" policy right now and makes the contestants on Survivor abide by it, it would require people to think more about the serious issue of not just societal bullying but hatred and bigotry.

And yes, CBS, I am going to boycott you for your giving such bigotry a free open forum. And your advertisers!

[erasmus111]

I hate to tell you this, but it's a REALITY show. You aren't watching something that is censored and has to be politically correct. We are seeing people for who they really are. If you don't like it, don't watch it.

[ssporleder]

Colton is a creep.


He should be on the receiving end of the photo with this article.

[erasmus111]

Yes, he is a creep. But what I find absolutely amazing is how he went from nobody wanting him, to being in control! How the hell did that happen?

[shamsoreilly]

I am done. I have threatened to boycott due to bad seasons - but this is the ultimate low. Jeff Probst and the producers used the race issue for d*mned ratings - they are all culpable and pathetic. Until I read that the racist Colton and the racist old guy are voted off - I am done. There is plenty of other television on to enjoy without this trash. Bad job out of CBS, Mark Burnett, and Jeff Probst.

[erasmus111]

Get a grip.

I may not like what Colton said, but I do find it an eye opener as to what some people are like. Perhaps you should look on it as a learning experience. People like to deny that racism exists, so it's hard for them to face it when they see it.

And I doubt that Jeff and Mark are using it for ratings. The ratings are fine without that.