The ‘Survivor 48’ Comment That Sparked a Firestorm

Few reality shows have had as much of a cultural impact Survivor. Created by Charlie Parsons, this hit CBS series has astounded viewers for more than two decades with not only its jaw-dropping game of cutthroat strategy but an uncanny ability to reflect the world its audience lives in. The show has always been a platform for real topics; from homophobia to racism, the program has always featured discussions about the dangerous discriminations people face every day (sadly, this is often because somebody was enacting them onscreen). Unfortunately, the show previously didn't know how to handle these harmful social mechanisms, leading to many seasons where people were not only blatantly discriminated against but the winner was determined more by people's own biases rather than actual talent in the game.