When It Was Worth Playing For: My Experiences Writing About the TV Show "Survivor"

It might be hard to believe but Survivor is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year of 2015. The CBS show was revolutionary television and it set the blueprint that other reality competition shows would follow when it first premiered in the summer of 2000. Thirty seasons later, Survivor is still on- still raking in at least some ten million viewers per a season. However, some fans think the show has changed over the years- focusing more on the strategic element of the game instead of the survival aspect. Despite the show’s many changes, the fan base remains fairly loyal. Still, there are just some people who prefer the old school seasons. Author Mario Lanza would be one of these people. In his book, When It Was Worth Playing For, Lanza shares his memories of Survivor during its first three seasons and explains the impact it left on television. Lanza’s name might sound familiar to some Survivor fans (and no, it’s not because he shares the name of a dead opera singer). From 2001 to 2005, Lanza was a Survivor writer for the website Survivor-Central. Lanza is also the author of the Funny 115, a series of two lists that celebrate the funniest moments in Survivor history. Lanza also co-hosts the podcast Survivor Historians, in which he and his co-hosts discuss each season of Survivor from the historical perspective. It’s safe to say that Lanza is well versed in the show. In his book, Lanza shares his memories and opinions of the first three seasons of Survivor- Borneo, The Australian Outback and Africa. Interwoven within Lanza’s memories are stories about what was going on in his life at that point and how he tried to be recognized as a Survivor writer. When Borneo first aired in 2000, people were hooked to all of the characters. Lanza does an excellent job at explaining how people were thinking of the show at that time and what the general consensus of each season was overall. For example, the Tagi alliance of Richard, Kelly, Rudy and Sue were thought to be the bad guys as forming alliances was thought of as cheating. It might sound silly but Lanza tries to give the reader the idea of what people were thinking then. Along with his memories of each season, Lanza gives readers the lowdown of what was going on behind the scenes. Some of the things he touches upon are now somewhat forgotten. In his essays, Lanza makes some good arguments. For example, he has chapters devoted to how each winner was able to winner their season and what it meant for the franchise. He even brings up how much of an impact 9/11 had on the show, which I personally found to be one of the most interesting chapters. If you’ve read Lanza’s Funny 115 lists, you’ll know that Lanza has a great sense of humor. Throughout the book, I found myself laughing at some of his stories- whether it be something that was going on in his life or an interaction he had with a Survivor contestant. The only problem I had with this book was the book’s length. At some 450 pages, Lanza’s book is quite a lengthy read. Sometimes, I felt Lanza probably went on for too long in one chapter or essay. However, I will say this: the length of this book shows the passion Lanza has for Survivor. It’s quite remarkable. With that being said, I would highly recommend Lanza’s book to any Survivor fan. People who watched the show all those years ago might be able to relate with this book. As for people who got into the show later, it’ll give them insight as to what made this show successful in the first place. If you’re a Survivor fan, I’m sure you’ll love this book…but not in a homosexual way, that’s for sure.

Mario Lanza's detailed account of the first year of the phenomenon of Survivor and the beginning of his career as an internet writer is an informative and funny collection of essays which comes highly recommended to anybody with an unhealthy, insatiable obsession with the show. When this book arrived at my house, I opened it up and could not put it down until I was finished. Less than 24 hours later I was brimming with more Survivor insights on the first few seasons than I had ever had. Lanza writes about the show with such passion and truly puts the reader in the time and place, it took me back to when I was eight years old and obsessed with Sue Hawk. There are excellent insights and theories on things that went on at the time, which is really exciting for a Survivor fan. It is also a very motivating and informative tool for aspiring writers, as Lanza gives excellent tips on keeping your writing integrity and making a name for yourself. As somebody who found success as an internet entertainment writer right at the beginning of when that was an option, he is a great authority on becoming a self made author. I cannot recommend When It Was Worth Playing For enough.

Being only 5 years old when Survivor first premiered, I have little memories of what I thought the first season was like when it was on TV. I, like many people, fell away from the show, and only in recent years have I become a fan again. For anyone like myself, or any fan who hasn't been along for the whole 30+ seasons, this book is a must read. Mario Lanza is one of the smartest and most qualified Survivor experts and writers out there, and this book, chronicling the first 3 seasons of the show as they aired, provides amazing and fascinating context for what it was like to live through it all. Mario writes about what public perception of the show and it's players was like during the time, and adds fascinating insight onto how today's fan favorites were viewed so many years ago. He also details the importance of so many long forgotten episodes, players, and moments, and how the show we all love today began. Anyone who has read his other works, such as the Funny 115, knows that Mario is also a hilarious writer, which comes across here as well. Plus, the personal journey of Mario beginning his career as a Survivor writer adds a personal detail to the book, which really rounds the story out into a fully fleshed creation.I simply can't recommend this book enough, and I hope that we will see more like it to come in the years to follow (once Mario has taken 20 years to finish the Funny 115 V.3).

This book is incredible. It is jam packed with behind the scenes details and interesting stories about Survivor: Borneo, Survivor: The Australian Outback and Survivor: Africa. I feel like I just read a textbook on Survivor, and I loved every word. Actually, I started reading it yesterday around 5 pm, and just finished now, at around 930 pm. It was that good. I read it cover to cover, and I am considering starting again! Mario Lanza claims within the book the Mark Burnett's book about Survivor: Borneo is essentially the Survivor bible, and I will argue that "When It Was Worth Playing For" is more like a Survivor bible, because it contains information about three seasons of Survivor, rather than just one. Please, Mario, write a follow up of this book for seasons 4-7. I am dying to hear a first hand account of how the world reacted to those seasons (as well as more behind the scenes stories and opinions that you have regarding those seasons).Thank you for your book. I really, really enjoyed it. Literally cover to cover enjoyed it.

If it was possible to, I would rank this 7.8/10, as there's too much water, especially in the Africa season. Mario's knowledge of writing and Survivor is unparalleled. Smashing book. Certainly better than "Not gooooood". In fact, to quote one of the most beloved Survivor winners, it's "soooooooo goooooooooood". Mario would place above the Ashby Line.

The item is as expected but the driver left the item next door while stating it was handed to me. I am sure the book will give me hours of pleasure. I will say we are all human and thankfully i asked my neighbour. Extra care should be taken. Nice book.

This paired with Mario's "Survivor Historians" podcast is a great way of really reliving the history of Survivor. I was in my mid teens when the series started and was definitely not an Internet fan, so to me, the behind the scenes stories and anecdotes Mario shares are extremely entertaining. The writing style is easy to read and has a nice mix of humour in it. The book is a definite must-read and I hope that Mario receives enough positive responses so that he releases many other books on the history of Survivor.

Just in need of a bit more editing to reduce often repeated phrases and information bits. Interesting look on Survivor in the early days! Great for hardcore Survivor fans.