'Survivor' Goes To China

CBS Reality Show Is First American TV Program To Be Filmed There In Its Entirety

(CBS)  "Survivor" has taken its audience to almost every corner of the world -- from Thailand to Africa and Guatemala to Panama -- but this season is sure be different.

Not just for the viewers, but for the record books.

The 15th season of the hit reality show will be the first American TV series to be filmed entirely in China, its host, Jeff Probst, told The Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith. After years of rejecting the CBS program's efforts to film inside the country, China officials at long last said yes, though Probst does not know why the country changed its mind.

"We've been trying to get in there," Probst said. "I don't know why they finally said yes. I don't know if it's because the Olympics are coming up and they want to open their arms or if they've watched 'Survivor' and thought we've always treated other countries well."

More surprisingly, China officials did not hang over the show's shoulder during production, Probst said, aside from one minor incident involving a cultural difference.

"They had a rule that any representative at any time could look at any tape they wanted to make sure we were portraying China in a positive light," Probst said. "We did a gross food-eating challenge and they heard it and thought gross food-eating? This is not gross, this is our normal everyday lunch (China said). We had to explain that it's a cultural thing we (Americans) don't eat."

The difficulties that the cast confronts in the upcoming season, including fishing for food, moldy rice and extreme heat, has generated positive reviews from critics, Probst said.

He also had a few things to say about some members of the cast, which has also been praised by critics:

On Jean-Robert Bellande, a profession poker player: "He thinks just because he was a poker player, he can read anybody. That guy is gold. He's the guy you go to tribal council every time because he'll give you something."

On Todd Herzog, a flight attendant: "(He) is a 'Survivor' fanatic. He was like 13 when the show started. He knows everything about 'Survivor' and it comes into play. He can tell you, merges always happen on this day and this always happens here."

On Frosti Zernow, a Parkour student-athlete: "He's hardcore … He jumps over things and he's very aerobatic."

On provocatively-clad Ashley Massaro, a professional WWE wrestler: "She was the girl in with the knee-high boots, fishnet stockings. This is 'Survivor' and you won't forget her."

On waitress Courtney Yates: "From New York City, a girl after my own heart."



© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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by mo3gmo2 September 22, 2007 2:09 PM EDT

I was so looking forward to SURVIVOR CHINA: the location, the competition, the location. I''m not going to watch the show now after what was presented on the first episode. The editor''s choice to highlight breasts and pecs over and over again is such poor regard for the fans. The show has lost this viewer this season.

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by likeitis5050 September 21, 2007 4:35 PM EDT

I''m still digesting Big Brother''s last episode...too early to get into Survivor or Top Model. It''s either turn the tv off and experience reality for myself for awhile or just attach the Lithium drip and have a seat.

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by ralan40 September 21, 2007 8:49 AM EDT

...don''t eat the dog food...

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by vo2maxed September 20, 2007 5:39 PM EDT

Can''t you stop beating this dead horse...

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by mitch0927 September 20, 2007 5:31 PM EDT

ow can this possibly be the fifteenth season? It''s only been on the air since 2000, shouldn''t it be the seventh season?

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[mo3gmo2]

I was so looking forward to SURVIVOR CHINA: the location, the competition, the location. I''m not going to watch the show now after what was presented on the first episode. The editor''s choice to highlight breasts and pecs over and over again is such poor regard for the fans. The show has lost this viewer this season.

[likeitis5050]

I''m still digesting Big Brother''s last episode...too early to get into Survivor or Top Model. It''s either turn the tv off and experience reality for myself for awhile or just attach the Lithium drip and have a seat.

[ralan40]

...don''t eat the dog food...

[vo2maxed]

Can''t you stop beating this dead horse...

[mitch0927]

ow can this possibly be the fifteenth season? It''s only been on the air since 2000, shouldn''t it be the seventh season?