Six reasons why 'Survivor' will outlast 'American Idol'

Russell Hantz was one of the most colorful "bad guy" characters ever on "Survivor." CREDIT: CBS

Credit: Rodney Ho

Credit: Rodney Ho

Russell Hantz was one of the most colorful "bad guy" characters ever on "Survivor." CREDIT: CBS
"My Word is My Bond" - Mike Holloway during the thirteenth episode of SURVIVOR on the 30th season, Wednesday, May 13 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Screen Grab/CBS ©2015 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Friday, May 15, 2015

'With "American Idol" set to end its 15-year run next year, another reality show that preceded "Idol" on a rival network has managed to quietly outwit, outplay and outlast the venerable but greatly shrunken singing competition.

In 2000, CBS's "Survivor" was a groundbreaking program featuring starving people on a beach scheming their way through alliances and blindsides at tribal councils in hopes of being the last person standing with $1 million in their pocket.

Two years later, "Idol" stole its thunder, courtesy of Simon Cowell's putdowns, cheesy theme nights and small-town singers seeking a shot at stardom.

But "Survivor" was the patient tortoise to the speedy "Idol" hare. "Idol" peaked at 30 million plus viewers a week by season five, then slid over the next decade into obsolescence. The "Idol" season finale last week, featuring New Jersey pop-rock singer Nick Fradiani as the winner, drew a mere 7.7 million overnight viewers, its worst season finale ever.

Nick Fradiani has picked up his performances the past couple of weeks. CREDIT: Fox

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

"Survivor," which once drew 20 million a week itself, thrashed "Idol" head to head in overnight ratings with 9.4 million viewers in its penultimate episode. Its two-hour finale airs tonight, followed by a live post-finale show where the cast for season 31 will be revealed based on your vote. ( Teresa "T Bird" Cooper of Jackson from season 3 is in the running.)

And despite airing two seasons a year to just one for "Idol," "Survivor" has been less prone to burnout.

We talked to several experts and fans of both shows and here are six reasons why "Survivor" is going to outlive "Idol":

THE VOICE -- "Live Show" Episode 713C -- Pictured: (l-r) Taylor Brashears, Craig Wayne Boyd, Reagan James, James David Carter, Jessie Pitts -- (Photo by: Tyler Golden/NBC) THE VOICE -- "Live Show" Episode 713C -- Pictured: (l-r) Taylor Brashears, Craig Wayne Boyd, Reagan James, James David Carter, Jessie Pitts -- (Photo by: Tyler Golden/NBC)

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

1) Less competition. Amazingly, no other network has been able to replicate or steal "Survivor's" unique position. "Idol" in 2011 began facing competition on its own network with "The X Factor" in the fall. What's worse, the show featured "Idol's" former signature judge Cowell. That show was a failure, lasting only three season. NBC really clipped "Idol" with a flashier, more judge-oriented show in "The Voice," which now soundly beats "Idol" in ratings despite the fact it hasn't created a single superstar. "They effectively diluted the singing show market and accelerated a fatigue," said MJ Santilli, who has run MJs Big Blog focused on "Idol" for nearly a decade and has since expanded to a variety of TV shows. "Only one show was bound to survive, and it turned out to be the celebrity-stuffed, shiny-chaired 'Voice.' "

"Actions vs. Accusations" - John Rocker during the third episode of Survivor 29, Wednesday, Oct. 8 (8:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2014 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. "Actions vs. Accusations" - John Rocker during the third episode of Survivor 29, Wednesday, Oct. 8 (8:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2014 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

2) Smarter adjustments. It seems the changes creator Mark Burnett has made to "Survivor" over the years have worked better than those tried by "Idol" producers. For instance, "Survivor" added the popular immunity idol season 11, has salted in past contestants and a celebrity or two (John Rocker anyone?), had family members compete against each other and hosted two all-star editions. "Idol" cut back on showcasing "bad" audition singers, added a judge's save, permitted singers to use instruments and broadened its weekly music themes to no avail.

Russell Hantz was one of the most colorful "bad guy" characters ever on "Survivor." CREDIT: CBS

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

3) More compelling storylines. While "Idol" would occasionally milk a good storyline (Kellie Pickler is a country bumpkin! Danny Gokey's wife died!), the focus has been on the singing. And contestants rarely clash on air. "Survivor" by design thrives on drama generated by opposing personalities, divergent agendas and bickering conflated by fatigue and lack of food. " 'Survivor' can be more like a scripted show because it's shot and edited and they know at the beginning of editing how it's going to end. They can create storylines," said Michael Slezak, a TVLine journalist who has been following "Idol" since day one and hosts a weekly videocast about the show with season 6 finalist Melinda Doolittle called "Reality Check." "It's almost a serialized drama based in reality. It's not as dependent on the success or popularity of the cast as 'Idol.' "

"Million Dollar Decision" - Jeff Probst talks with Julie McGee during the seventh episode of Survivor 29, Wednesday, Nov. 5 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Screen Grab/CBS ©2014 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. "Million Dollar Decision" - Jeff Probst talks with Julie McGee during the seventh episode of Survivor 29, Wednesday, Nov. 5 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Screen Grab/CBS ©2014 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

4) Jeff Probst. As host since the beginning Probst has become the affable, comforting father figure on "Survivor." You could say the same for Ryan Seacrest as the host of "Idol," but that show is just as tied to its shifting judges' panel. "Jeff is very likeable and keeps people interested in the show," wrote Jenn Terry Humphries on the AJC Radio and TV Facebook fan page. "The constant shakeups at the judges' table was bad for Idol. After Simon, Paula [Abdul], and Randy [Jackson] left, it was never the same."

Even in its 14th year, "Survivor" managed in 2014 to create one of its best seasons ever. CREDIT: CBS

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 01: Musician Phillip Phillips attends the Bud Light Hotel on February 1, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images) Phillip Phillips comes to Atlanta's Chastain with O.A.R. July 26. CREDIT: Getty

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