Is Survivor surviving?

From doing a bit of internet surfing, I gathered that Survivor -- which, in my opinion, is the greatest reality show of all time, the one that nearly all the other reality shows shamelessly copy from -- might only last for 20 seasons. And they just wrapped up their 18th. And I missed the finale!

A friend of mine got me hooked on the show in 2002 during Survivor: Thailand. It's a fairly simple, predictable format -- 2 "tribes" of otherwise perfect strangers coexist in fairly primitive conditions while they compete in "challenges" for "rewards" and "immunity" in order to keep from getting "voted off," and the last one remaining gets a million dollars. (See? I've just described nearly every other reality show out there.) Where it gets hairy is when the players form alliances with each other during the game and make promises to each other that they often have to break, and then they often take it personally later as they often explode at the end and make the final contestants cry. It's great television.

But maybe it's started to get a little old. Even my friend who introduced me to it has stopped watching. Maybe the format has gotten too predictable, no matter how many exciting twists they add to it, and maybe the contestants have gotten too boring, no matter how colorful they are. I've noticed that I haven't watched as religiously every week as I used to. Thursday nights have gotten kind of busy for me with errands, etc., and I've even slacked off on setting my VCR to tape episodes so I can watch them later. (And now Survivor's time slot even has to compete with Amy Poehler's hilarious new comedy on NBC at 7:30!)

A few years ago, I missed the finale of Survivor: Palau, the one where Tom won after competing with that tall dolphin-trainer guy, I think because of my crazy work schedule. And now I missed the finale of Survivor: Tocatins because this past Thursday night was grocery night, and I forgot to check online to see if the finale would air on the following Sunday, and I wasn't at home Sunday night because I was at a church meeting. I read online that J.T. won -- whoo-hoo! -- and I bookmarked a YouTube video of a segment of the finale so I could watch it later... But I haven't even gotten around to THAT yet. Man, what gives? The finale/reunion show is usually the best episode, and after it's all over, there's a hole in my Thursday nights.

But this Tuesday night, I noticed a different hole... now that the finale of The Biggest Loser is over and done with. And I was at home for that -- all 3 hours of it! And I watched almost every episode this season pretty religiously! And I'm not even on a weight-loss program!

So, what is it about this 2-hour show -- yes! a 2-hour show that airs on TUESDAYS! -- that appeals even to people like me who couldn't care less about counting calories or sweating in a gym? Maybe I didn't realize how much TV-worthy drama there was with people who are trying to shed pounds. Maybe I'm already used to the "immunity challenge" format. Maybe it's nice to watch a TV show where people's lives are changing right before your eyes, and there's less back-stabbing and more back-patting. Or maybe I just like to watch Jillian kick people's butts.

Whatever it is, Survivor sure tapped into something that made me -- a chick who has almost zero interest in camping or the outdoors -- a loyal fan from Survivor: Thailand until now. Well, I don't plan to stop watching just yet. I'll probably keep watching Survivor until the network finally votes it off the air.

But until then... Come on in, guys! Let's get to today's challenge. Wanna know what you're playing for? The title of Greatest Reality Show of All Time.

Yes, if I were on the jury, Survivor would have my vote to win.