<i>Survivor</i> Goes Down Under

The Survivor II search began in the heart of Manhattan's concrete jungle beneath gray and soggy skies.

Wanna-be contestants had to rough it just to audition for the hit television show. Some waited in line for almost 12 hours, having spent the night on the rain-soaked sidewalk for the chance to become one of next season's castaways.

Some lined up with homemade coconut radios and exotic island instruments to prove they were most suited for fighting it out Down Under. Others claimed they were ready to eat anything (yes, even rat) to become a part of the reality show.

Four hundred numbers were handed out on a first-come first-serve basis. Several hundred hopefuls were turned away. Those left formed alliances of their own and passed the time spent waiting in line behind police barricades with a few chosen luxuries like cell phones, umbrellas, and folding chairs.

But would-be contestants must learn to live without such amenities if they are among the chosen few shipped to the remote lands of the Australian outback, the setting for the second round of Survivor.

Those waiting in the lines were as diverse as the city itself. Young and old, men and women, some dressed for survival, others dressed for success -- all waited for their chance to be a part of Survivor history.

While the $1 million prize money was a good incentive for most to stand in the rain, others had ulterior motives. The thrill of the competition and the challenge of the outback topped the list for some. A few cited the chance for personal development. Others were admittedly seeking their 15 minutes of fame.

Even though Survivor has become something of a national phenomenon, there were several waiting who'd never even seen the show. They simply relished the thought of a free trip to Australia that might result in some castaway cash, or had been told by friends and family they were the "Survivor type."

Those who were Survivor faithfuls had strong feelings about the current group of castaways. Rich is the favorite to win, but not the most popular person on the island. Many felt he was too arrogant and manipulative. Others look forward to seeing a final showdown between Rudy and Rich, the combo favored by the crowd to make it to the bitter end.

The auditions have now ended, and all of the thousands of tapes are being reviewed. Videos arrived in Santa Monica, Calif. by the truckload, and are being sorted and screened; casting associates hope that within each new package they will find the next survivor.

Survivor 2 debuts after the Super Bowl on January 28.

By Mandy Savage