American Gladiators

So, among the dire predictions from my childhood that have come true (1984, America turning into puritanical England circa 1620, $6.00 cigarettes, and $4.00 gasoline, etc.) SURVIVOR has now become the American version of the deadly gladiator sports of ancient Rome. The prevailing wisdom of the 70's and 80's was that when we started cheering on personal injury and death on TV civilization would be over. Well, last night the reward challenge on SURVIVOR was the most brutal thing I've ever seen on TV, and I watch THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER. Last night insurance industry actuaries around the world were wincing. MY insurance rates went up because of the gross negligence exhibited on SURVIVOR. At least in the UFC there's a trained ref on hand, and both the contenders are in shape. Last night, big beefy Joel was literally dragging poor pathetic sad gay Chet through the mud because Chad just wouldn't stand up an move. Miraculously, Chet wasn't injured (probably because he just went limp while being dragged around). Others were not so lucky, and the injury toll is clearly a new SURVIVOR record. Jonathan Penner punctured his leg and it was deeeep. Amy wrenched her knee. I think it was Eliza who is lucky to have a face after getting slammed into a tree face first. I love SURVIVOR, but just like every other show, they're desperate to "take it to the next level," and now we know that the next level is likely to be death.