I don't normally watch Survivor

[kayrharris]

but I may have to this time.

From Opelika-Auburn News
Published: January 16, 2009
As the principal of J.F. Drake Middle School in Auburn, Debra Beebe is tasked with keeping a watchful eye on more than 900 students.
Next month, Beebe, 46, will become the one being watched as millions tune in to the premiere of the 18th installment of CBS’s “Survivor.” Beebe will be one of 16 contestants vying for the title of “Sole Survivor.”
This season, “Survivor” takes place in Tocantins, Brazil.
Beebe, who was named Alabama’s 2007-2008 middle school principal of the year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, said she’s always wanted to be on the show.
“If there was ever a reality show that I hoped to participate in, ‘Survivor’ is it,” said Beebe, a married mother who was recruited by a group that selects the cast for the show.
The show divides contestants into groups called tribes that perform a series of challenges involving endurance, problem solving and teamwork skills.
Beebe was selected last fall and began training locally at a gym in September 2008. She took leave from her school duties to compete.
“As a principal you deal with hundreds of people, all from diverse backgrounds, and that flexibility will hopefully work to my advantage on the show,” Beebe said. “Everyone will just have to watch and see how things play out.”
Auburn City Schools Superintendent Dr. Terry Jenkins said he will be watching.
“I’ve watched ‘Survivor in the past.’ When you think of some of the conditions the contestants are in and the types of foods they eat as they compete, it looks really challenging,” Jenkins said. “But Mrs. Beebe has always marched to a drummer’s beat a little different than the rest of us.”
Beebe, who is now done with the taping of the show and is back on the job, said she’d like to be thought of as a down-to-earth, genuine person, despite the celebrity that comes with being on a network television show.
“I’m sure there will be a lot of fun things that come out of my experience on ‘Survivor,’ but other than learn more about myself through this competition, I’m not changing a bit,” she said.
The show premieres Feb. 12.

The paper included a photo. She's a very attractive blonde. The online article didn't include the photo.

[ulysses5019]

but I may have to this time.

From Opelika-Auburn News
Published: January 16, 2009
As the principal of J.F. Drake Middle School in Auburn, Debra Beebe is tasked with keeping a watchful eye on more than 900 students.
Next month, Beebe, 46, will become the one being watched as millions tune in to the premiere of the 18th installment of CBS’s “Survivor.” Beebe will be one of 16 contestants vying for the title of “Sole Survivor.”
This season, “Survivor” takes place in Tocantins, Brazil.
Beebe, who was named Alabama’s 2007-2008 middle school principal of the year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, said she’s always wanted to be on the show.
“If there was ever a reality show that I hoped to participate in, ‘Survivor’ is it,” said Beebe, a married mother who was recruited by a group that selects the cast for the show.
The show divides contestants into groups called tribes that perform a series of challenges involving endurance, problem solving and teamwork skills.
Beebe was selected last fall and began training locally at a gym in September 2008. She took leave from her school duties to compete.
“As a principal you deal with hundreds of people, all from diverse backgrounds, and that flexibility will hopefully work to my advantage on the show,” Beebe said. “Everyone will just have to watch and see how things play out.”
Auburn City Schools Superintendent Dr. Terry Jenkins said he will be watching.
“I’ve watched ‘Survivor in the past.’ When you think of some of the conditions the contestants are in and the types of foods they eat as they compete, it looks really challenging,” Jenkins said. “But Mrs. Beebe has always marched to a drummer’s beat a little different than the rest of us.”
Beebe, who is now done with the taping of the show and is back on the job, said she’d like to be thought of as a down-to-earth, genuine person, despite the celebrity that comes with being on a network television show.
“I’m sure there will be a lot of fun things that come out of my experience on ‘Survivor,’ but other than learn more about myself through this competition, I’m not changing a bit,” she said.
The show premieres Feb. 12.

The paper included a photo. She's a very attractive blonde. The online article didn't include the photo.

Here she is lucky #13:

http://www.cbs.com/collections/survivor ... layvid=5#5

[kayrharris]

Thanks for the link! I hope I look like her when I turn 46.

[silvercamaro]

The article says she "was recruited by a group that selects the cast for the show."

If accurate, that makes me wonder whether most contestants, if not all, are recruited, while the solicitation of tape submissions by prospective wannabes is nothing more than a PR gesture to build viewership and audience loyalty.

Does anybody know a previous Survivor contestant well enough to ask if they were "recruited" by the show staff?

[ulysses5019]

The article says she "was recruited by a group that selects the cast for the show."

If accurate, that makes me wonder whether most contestants, if not all, are recruited, while the solicitation of tape submissions by prospective wannabes is nothing more than a PR gesture to build viewership and audience loyalty.

Does anybody know a previous Survivor contestant well enough to ask if they were "recruited" by the show staff?

I met a schoolteacher who was on a few years ago. He said he applied. Don't know if he had a "hook" or not. He was black and an inner city grammar school teacher.

[Rafferbee]

The article says she "was recruited by a group that selects the cast for the show."

If accurate, that makes me wonder whether most contestants, if not all, are recruited, while the solicitation of tape submissions by prospective wannabes is nothing more than a PR gesture to build viewership and audience loyalty.

Does anybody know a previous Survivor contestant well enough to ask if they were "recruited" by the show staff?

According to this article, most are recruited. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26726792/

Why does the show cast models or actors or people who've never seen the show?
Because they don't receive enough quality applications. Lynne Spillman, who's in charge of casting for "Survivor" and "The Amazing Race," has said in interviews that the show regularly receives tens of thousands of applications, but most aren't from what the show considers to be good candidates. Thus, the show recruits, often models or actors (dubbed "mactors")although those people still go through the casting process. That's become more common recently; everyone except one person on "Survivor Fiji" was recruited, and while that may give us unmemorable mactors, recruiting has also given us unlikely but popular contestants such as Yau-Man Chan.

[kayrharris]

The article says she "was recruited by a group that selects the cast for the show."

If accurate, that makes me wonder whether most contestants, if not all, are recruited, while the solicitation of tape submissions by prospective wannabes is nothing more than a PR gesture to build viewership and audience loyalty.

Does anybody know a previous Survivor contestant well enough to ask if they were "recruited" by the show staff?

I know several teachers who teach at Drake Middle School. I don't know how much they really know, but I can
snoop around. I googled her name and there is a website called suvivorfever.net with bios on all the
contestants. I dunno where they get or how accurate their info is, but this is a snippet from Debra's:


Education: Master's degree in Physical Education from Chicago State University, Bachelor's degree in Physical Education from Eastern Illinois University

Credits: Attended high school and college in the Chicago area

Has applied for Survivor many times. Was repeatedly turned down because she didn't have enough body mass. After seeing all of the ridiculously skinny people on the last few seasons, she contacted SEG and told them she wanted to play. Has been missing for several months

[silvercamaro]

Thank you, Uly, Rafferty, and Kay. All those responses tell me the kinds of things I find interesting. I especially liked the article linked by Raff.

[peacock2121]

How interesting and fun!

That's quite Iraq.

[littlebeast13]

Thanks for the link! I hope I look like her when I turn 46.

Great! My eyeballs just did a 180 and I can't get them back on the right side.....

lb13

[jaybee]

Doesn't surprise me at all about the casting. I know that I've said it before but I've been involved as one of "them" for hundreds of reality shows. While we get thousands of applications and tapes, I would say that 75% are chosen from being friends of friends of somebody in the production company who knows them (granted, from knowing them they feel that they have the right kind of personality needed). The other 25% are totally demographically driven based on the mix of people that we already have. I've been in meetings and seen the memos straight from the network - If our canidates are not "ethnic" then do not even bother following through on their application.

On the plus side though, to my knowledge we've never declined anyone because they were wearing a blue shirt.

[tlynn78]

Does anybody know a previous Survivor contestant well enough to ask if they were "recruited" by the show staff?

My cousin was not 'recruited' - she did the audition tape thingie. That was earlier in the show's life - the first Africa one - season 3? maybe?

t.