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Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

post #1 of 312
9/8/08 at 9:27pm
Thread Starter 
The next season of Survivor starts September 25th @ 8pm.

I don't know if anyone else has noticed the ads/teases on CBS...but they have been extensively promoting the fact that, for the first time, Survivor will air in high-def!

Except...that all the ads for the show I've seen have aired in standard-def--even during HD programs.

Crazy.

I am really looking forward to seeing this show in HD!

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post #2 of 312
9/8/08 at 9:44pm

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

HD is long overdue, and I am extremely excited about the new season!! Lets hope there is lots of good eye candy.
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post #3 of 312
9/9/08 at 4:26am

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

Yeah, I've been complaining to my wife with each new season, "It's STILL not in HD?!"

Better late, than never though!

Now, if we could just get the people behind Amazing Race to follow suit!!!
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post #4 of 312
9/9/08 at 5:48am

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

Yes indeedie! I'm counting the days.

I usually watch SURVIVOR streaming off cbs.com. Hopefully they'll have the same quality as ABC has with LOST in HD streaming. Beautiful stuff!
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post #5 of 312
9/9/08 at 8:38am

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

While I’m glad the show is in HD – there are certain things I am not looking forward too…

Such as…

There is always at least 1 contestant who comes up with strange bites/sores that just seem to get infected and/or extremely gross. Last year there were two contestants who were removed from the game due to disgusting infections. I don’t want to see these in Hi-Def, or any def for that matter.

For every hottie, there is someone who you just don’t want to see in a swim suit. Hi Def will just make this worse.

The famous “gross food” challenge – close ups on things that should never be eaten will look all the worse.

Don’t forget, these people go days without any hygiene at all – and there are lots of comments on how bad they all smell….well, with the HD image, we can see all of this smelly grime…
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post #6 of 312
9/9/08 at 9:10am

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by Martino
....
The famous “gross food” challenge – close ups on things that should never be eaten will look all the worse.

.…
I. Can't. Wait.
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post #7 of 312
9/9/08 at 6:50pm
Thread Starter 

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

The beautiful exotic scenery (and, yes, the eye candy) should more than make up for any of those potential problems!



Here's where you can see/read-about all the cast.
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post #8 of 312
9/10/08 at 5:00am

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

Lovely. I'm excited.

*cold showers*
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post #9 of 312
9/10/08 at 7:40am

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

They definitely loaded up on the eye candy for their first season in HD.

By the way, is it just me or does the second girl on the top row look EXACTLY like Karen Allen in her "Raiders" years?
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post #10 of 312
9/10/08 at 8:05am

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brent M

By the way, is it just me or does the second girl on the top row look EXACTLY like Karen Allen in her "Raiders" years?

I dunno, I haven't made it up that far yet!! (jk)
Yes, she does.
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post #11 of 312
9/10/08 at 8:38am

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

I see that Karen Allen! Good call. They could be sisters.

Bottom right girl looks a little like Diane Lane...God, how I love Diane Lane!

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post #12 of 312
9/10/08 at 9:23am
Thread Starter 

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

Hey, hey! This ain't no "tribute" thread!

Anyone who gets the "TV Guide Network" can watch a one-hour Survivor: Gabon preview show hosted by Pavarti Shallow.

On the one hand, the video quality sucks and it is sandwiched between the top of the screen and the scrolling TV Guide listing for your local cable company. OTOH, you get a little head-start on learning the cast members and there is more than the occasional shot of tribe activity in which you see cameras, boom mics, etc. Those are the most interesting moments. A lot of Jeff Probst material is included--including a tour of the tribal council set. Pavarti sucks as the host(ess) of the piece. She is as wooden as can be. They stuck her at the LA Zoo to give the impression of "wildlife" behind her as she taped the stand-ups.

All in all a worthwhile hour if you are into the show.

it is scheduled to air once a day at least for the next week.
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post #13 of 312
9/10/08 at 1:29pm

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by Radioman970
I see that Karen Allen! Good call. They could be sisters.

Bottom right girl looks a little like Diane Lane...God, how I love Diane Lane!

You confused me, sir. I assumed this was a shot of the contestant, and I thought, "by God, she looks EXACTLY like Diane Lane! Dead Ringer! Ohh...."

Yet more fake boobs (in hi-def, no less). Is Hef driving the casting decisions with MB? "I'm looking for slightly fug women with obviously fake boobs. That's my type."



I can't watch TVG channel. They could show news read by topless women, and I still can't handle the guide taking up the screen. The worst. For masochists only.
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post #14 of 312
9/10/08 at 1:46pm
Thread Starter 

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hanson Yoo
I can't watch TVG channel. They could show news read by topless women, and I still can't handle the guide taking up the screen. The worst. For masochists only.

You forgot the mention the VHS-like video quality--bleeding colors, auras, diagonal video noise (in TWO directions!) and such. Really ugly. But the content was interesting.
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post #15 of 312
9/10/08 at 2:06pm

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hanson Yoo
You confused me, sir. I assumed this was a shot of the contestant, and I thought, "by God, she looks EXACTLY like Diane Lane! Dead Ringer! Ohh...."...
I gave you that nice little fantasy.... Bright side! Bright side!
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post #16 of 312
9/11/08 at 8:26am
Thread Starter 

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

Here are short video interviews with each castaway from Entertainment Weekly.

They seem to be really pushing "Sugar" (real name Jessica Kiper) the "pin-up" model with ties as an actress to Gilmore Girls. She's the first girl posted above (in the leopard skin bikini).

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post #17 of 312
9/14/08 at 9:27am

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

I've just returned from Denver (CEDIA 2008) and will be putting up a Survivor:Gabon - Season 17 HTF Top 10 Challenge in the next couple of days. Same format as in years past (as soon as I can find a copy of last season's rules). Look for the thread (it will be a "sticky") and add your own placeholder if you wish to compete.

Stay tuned....

Edit: The contest thread is up and running HERE (if you missed the link in the text above)
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post #18 of 312
9/14/08 at 5:33pm
Thread Starter 

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

Robert: When you get things set up...share a link to your thread here!

=======================

I finally saw a Gabon promo last night...in HD. I thinking I was watching a DVRed episode of CSI.

BUT...the video was anything BUT HD! The promo was 16:9...but the video containing interview snippets from the Survivors was stretched and crappy.

I don't get it.
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post #19 of 312
9/14/08 at 7:38pm

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

Mike,

The contest thread is up and running HERE. In addition, I've provided a link from that site back to this thread for general Survivor (non-contest) related discussions.

Take care.
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post #20 of 312
9/14/08 at 7:51pm

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Frezon

I finally saw a Gabon promo last night...in HD. I thinking I was watching a DVRed episode of CSI.

BUT...the video was anything BUT HD! The promo was 16:9...but the video containing interview snippets from the Survivors was stretched and crappy.

I don't get it.

Mike,

A lot of stations really cheap out on the promos. They use pseudo-HD or just plain 16:9 SD to give the illusion of HD in commercials. Let's hope that the "real" thing is in the type of HD that CBS is capable of (I'd venture a guess that it will be).

Some day marketeers will realize that HD really sells. I often find that the SD commercials in HD shows are a real turn off and I routinely skip them with a DVR "zip-zip" whereas I have to admit that I'm often captivated by some of the beautiful HD ads that crop up on occasion. In an industry where the medium is truly the message why don't the execs realize this? HD has brought a new level of viewing sophistication to the public and this should not go unnoticed by Madison Avenue. The ones who don't get it will probably be working elsewhere before too many more seasons in my opinion.

Sidebar: My brother is an executive at Showtime and I've pointed out to him on several occasions that Showtime routinely shows promos for their programs in the wrong aspect ratio whereas the shows themselves are correctly displayed and actually quite well done (technically). He has mentioned this to those involved in such matters more than once and has been greeted with either blank stares or a lack of understanding of the issue. As you would say...


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post #21 of 312
9/14/08 at 9:28pm
Thread Starter 

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

Robert: I specifically made the point that it was just the interview portion of the promos that were MAR'd non-SD...because the rest of the spot (specifically the final graphics page--with the Gabon & HD logos superimposed over a lush green location shot) looked gorgeous. I had already noted up in Post #1 that all of the promos i had seen up to this point (all trumpeting the addition of HD) had been SD up to this point.

On the one hand, they must think "no one will notice." But, then, on the other hand, they want to promote the HD perspective.

So, the promo was indeed in HD...but some of its key video of the contestants was very SD.

I think we need a few more of these:

And, one of these:
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post #22 of 312
9/18/08 at 8:32pm

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

For those interested, CNet.com has an exclusive--the first three minutes of the premiere (including the theme song)...plus some insight from Jeff Probst on all the contestants as well as a brief behind-the-scenes look into the transition to HD.
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post #23 of 312
9/18/08 at 9:41pm
Thread Starter 

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

Excellent, Anthony! Thanks!

36 HD Cameras!

Some of those wildlife/scenery shots are breathtaking!
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post #24 of 312
9/21/08 at 2:29pm

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

Almost all of the ads that I have seen for Hi def Survivor have been pixilated and freeze up. Anybody else having this problem.
Best
Greg
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post #25 of 312
9/25/08 at 1:54am

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

2-hour premiere is on tonight in high-def.
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post #26 of 312
9/25/08 at 4:11am

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

I wonder how quickly these will be available streaming at CBS.com? A Friday afternoon viewing is what I'm shooting for!
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post #27 of 312
9/25/08 at 6:59am

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

I cannot believe this is the 17th season of Survivor.
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post #28 of 312
9/25/08 at 8:35am

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by todd s
I cannot believe this is the 17th season of Survivor.

A "season" in Survivor doesn't equate to a year in real time. As I recall, Survivor #1 debuted in the Summer of 2000. It looks like these "seasons" happen at a rate of approximately 2 per year (this being the start of the ninth year of Survivor.)

Reminder: If you are interested in our HTF Survivor:Gabon Top Ten Challenge (DVD prize package to the winner) check it out and indicate your interest in this thread.
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post #29 of 312
9/25/08 at 9:51am

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by RAF
A "season" in Survivor doesn't equate to a year in real time. As I recall, Survivor #1 debuted in the Summer of 2000. It looks like these "seasons" happen at a rate of approximately 2 per year (this being the start of the ninth year of Survivor.)

I know. I am just shocked that its still the 17th "season".
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post #30 of 312
9/25/08 at 10:48am
Thread Starter 

re: Survivor: Gabon - Season 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by RAF
A "season" in Survivor doesn't equate to a year in real time.

I wonder how old I am in "Survivor years?!"


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