Exploring the World of Live Reality Games

Aged 12, I first discovered the television show Survivor. My mother and I stumbled upon a scene where contestants were quarreling about constructing a shelter. To my fascination, a corporate trainer named Richard Hatch, who later emerged as the champion, tried to manage the group dynamics. However, Sue Hawk expressed skepticism, stating with conviction, “Corporate world ain’t gonna work out here in the bush.”

Survivor was described as a novel show where competitors resided on an island striving to win a million dollars. By the episode’s conclusion, I found myself captivated, a passion that has endured over the years.

Now at 36, my enthusiasm for Survivor remains strong. I have engaged in discussions on forums, listened to podcasts dissecting each episode, and participated in Survivor fantasy leagues, trying to predict the winner utilizing “edgic,” a term used for logic derived from the edit of the show. Despite periodic musings about participating, the idea of enduring 26 days with little sleep and food was daunting.

On January 31, 2023, an unexpected opportunity presented itself as my husband discovered a flyer advertising a four-day live rendition of Survivor, while he was at a café enjoying his drink. Enthusiastically, I submitted an audition video to join the event on its final day of applications.

A few months later, I found myself in Bloomington, Indiana, amidst a wooded backyard alongside my newfound tribe and production crew filming our interactions using iPhones. My participation marked the beginning of a new journey into the world of live reality games (LRGs), an aspect I was previously unaware existed so close to home.

I discovered the nation offered a plethora of LRGs, spanning various TV show formats such as The Mole, Big Brother, and The Challenge. Games ranged from one to ten days, with some being live-streamed or later edited for release on platforms like YouTube. Oftentimes, real show participants would make appearances.

Amongst these, I participated in an LRG enveloped with the theme “Olive Garden of Eden,” where we were divided into tribes named Soup, Salad, and Sticks. Despite my tribe “Order” experiencing a swift setback at a puzzle challenge, I cherished making connections and exchanging personal stories with my fellow participants during our brief tenure in the game.

Afterwards, I immersed myself in another LRG titled The Mole Ohio, which required a different approach. Unlike Survivor, a game relying heavily on alliances, The Mole encouraged individual strategies to add or sabotage collective earnings. The experience was liberating, enabling me to experiment with different personas.

Despite the lower stakes of LRGs, typically offering mere bragging rights, they foster genuine friendships and connections, often continuing in group chats long after the game concludes. While I remain uncertain about enduring a full-fledged Survivor season, participating in LRGs has enhanced my confidence and social interactions.

As the premiere of Survivor 47 approaches, my anticipation is palpable, particularly for a promising contestant, Teeny.