After a 21-year hiatus, the BBC tried to revive the reality TV show *Survivor* with a hefty £30 million investment. The reboot, hosted by Joel Dommett, was filmed last summer in the Dominican Republic and aired in October.
Unfortunately, it didn’t resonate with audiences.
With an average viewership of just 2.7 million, it fell short of expectations, especially considering it followed *Strictly Come Dancing* on BBC1. In contrast, *I’m A Celebrity* on ITV drew 8.5 million viewers the previous month.
A source close to the show revealed that despite the extensive effort and changes made to the format, the new version of *Survivor* struggled to captivate viewers, mirroring the lackluster reception of its previous runs in 2001 and 2002.
The BBC even sought out potential contestants for a second series, but casting has been paused, with a note on the Survivor UK website indicating no further applications are being processed at this time. The show’s staff have already moved on to other projects.
The failure of *Survivor* in the UK, despite its global success, is puzzling.
Paul Osborne, who had previously brought *Big Brother* to Channel 5, was in charge of the BBC’s reboot.
He consulted with international experts to refresh the show, which included survival challenges like foraging for food and building shelters. Osborne had hoped the new version would appeal to modern audiences with its strategic gameplay.
BBC’s head of entertainment, Kalpna Patel-Knight, had high hopes for the show, likening its return to a ‘renaissance’ rather than just a reboot.
Sixteen episodes were filmed in 34 days with a large crew, and the top prize was £100,000, a significant drop from the £1 million offered in the original series. Though the show was not officially canceled, its future remains uncertain.
Richard Osman, known for his role on *Pointless*, has become a literary sensation with his *Thursday Murder Club* series. Following in his footsteps, Alexander Armstrong is set to release a children’s novel titled *Evenfall: The Golden Linnet* this September.
Described as a mix of *Indiana Jones*, *Harry Potter*, and *His Dark Materials*, Armstrong’s book promises an adventurous read.
Armstrong’s career has spanned comedy, acting, TV and radio presenting, and singing. This new venture into children’s literature adds another impressive feather to his cap.
Frances Barber is working hard to perfect her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher for Radio 4’s new drama, *When Maggie Met Larry*.
To capture Thatcher’s voice authentically, Barber is taking lessons from Steve Nallon, who famously impersonated the former Prime Minister on *Spitting Image*.
The drama, set to air in February to mark the 50th anniversary of Thatcher becoming Conservative Party leader, will also feature Sir Derek Jacobi as Laurence Olivier.
Barber, also known for her role as Dolly Nolan in *Whitstable Pearl*, is determined to get Thatcher’s voice right, admitting that it could be career-defining.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Venice Plans
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are both set to be in Venice next month, but they’re taking steps to avoid an awkward encounter. Jolie will be promoting her film *Maria*, while Pitt will be there for his movie *Wolfs*.
The schedules have been arranged so they won’t cross paths, though they’ll be staying at the same hotel, the Cipriani.
This separation strategy mirrors their previous attempts to avoid each other at Hollywood events since their split, with Jolie often skipping red-carpet occasions in LA.
Liam Gallagher and his fiancée, Debbie Gwyther, are experiencing some trouble with their new villa in Provence, previously owned by Noel Edmonds. Their gardener has voiced complaints about being dismissed by their manager, expressing frustration on an expat forum.
Gwyther has yet to respond to requests for comment on the situation.
Tom Cruise’s Summer Health Regimen
Tom Cruise has been spotted all over this summer—at Taylor Swift’s concert, Glastonbury, Wimbledon, and the Paris Olympics.
Despite his busy schedule, the 62-year-old star adheres to a strict health regimen, requesting steamed white fish and vegetables without any sauces or butter, and avoiding alcohol.
Cruise credits his success to his relentless work ethic and early morning gym sessions.
Harrison Ford’s Comic-Con Outburst
At Comic-Con, Harrison Ford, now 82, had a memorable moment of candidness.
While promoting *Captain America: Brave New World*, Ford quipped about his long history of answering questions, expressing disdain for some inquiries while maintaining a sense of humor about it.
His straightforwardness, while humorous, highlights his decades of experience in the public eye.
The BBC’s *A Question of Sport* Revamp
In 2020, the BBC revamped *A Question of Sport* with new host Paddy McGuinness and different team captains, which led to its cancellation in 2023.
Sue Barker, who was let go in the overhaul, is now planning a sports quiz show tour with her former team captains, Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell. They aim to create a theatre show with a quiz element, despite not having the rights to the original format.
Barker has also ruled out joining *Strictly Come Dancing*, feeling she’s not flexible enough compared to her friends on the show.
Jeremy Clarkson’s Pub Venture
Jeremy Clarkson’s new venture, a Cotswolds pub he bought in June, will feature prominently in the fourth series of *Clarkson’s Farm*. Contrary to earlier rumors, there won’t be a spin-off show titled *Clarkson’s Pub*.
Instead, Clarkson is integrating his pub renovation into the existing series, aiming to stock it with produce from his farm.
The pub is expected to open later this month, and Clarkson’s experiences with it will be documented in the upcoming season.
He detailed his search for the perfect pub in a recent column, noting challenges like the pub’s proximity to a dogging site and issues with its facilities. Despite these hurdles, Clarkson’s efforts have been well-received, with nearly 11 million viewers for the latest series of *Clarkson’s Farm*.
TDPel Media
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!