I'm a Survivor superfan, but in the 400 hours of my life I've spent watching the show (dear God, someone stop me), I don't think I've ever shed a tear over it. That changed a few weeks ago, during the finale of Survivor's 33rd season. Survivor: Millenials vs. Gen X was full of fun characters, controversial strategy and of course, drama. Drama is pretty much a requirement for reality TV. And while I maintain that Survivor is one of the reality shows with the least manufactured drama, there's no denying producers do all they can to heighten tension.
Adam's win, though, was perhaps the realest moment I've ever seen on television. The 25-year-old homeless shelter manager played an imperfect game, but his victory will go down in reality TV's hall of fame.
Adam originally went out for the show with his mom, hoping to earn spots on the Blood vs. Water themed season a few years back. When she was diagnosed with lung cancer, though, he was emboldened to play alone, as a morale booster for his family. A fan since childhood, playing - and winning - was a dream come true. His mom, though, passed an hour after he returned home.
Watching a person's highest and lowest moments unfold on live television was almost too much to handle.
"This is crazy because this is my life," Adam says through tears, a million dollar check in hand. "It's such a beautiful story, I get that, looking from the outside of this. But this is my life. And it's real."
The comedy and tragedy of the moment is borderline Shakespearean - and it's real. This is why Survivor lives on long after shows like American Idol and Joe Millionaire are canceled. It's why I'll continue to tune in for as long as Jeff Probst continues snuffing torches.
The comedy and tragedy of the moment is borderline Shakespearean - and it's real. This is why Survivor lives on long after shows like American Idol and Joe Millionaire are canceled. It's why I'll continue to tune in for as long as Jeff Probst continues snuffing torches.
RSS Feed