He needs to be a survivor of some sort, too, able to look desperation directly in the eye and bargain without flinching, not fearing what kind of an asshole he comes off as on national television. After all, he'll have survived just as long as the last Survivor and will have willingly committed far more questionable deeds than anyone else. Such non-ethical stamina deserves some kind of reward. But humiliation, no matter what its form, has always been a huge draw for Nielsen ratings. What else could account for the trashy Temptation Island, the latest reality show Boot Camp, and the hundreds of talk shows where people reveal their most intimate secrets, most of them dealing with genitalia or their latest sexual partners.
Humiliation is profitable.
Humiliation is entertainment. Perhaps the worst aspect of Survivor lies in its entire setup. We watch them forage for food, build their shelters and fight the elements to establish superiority. Wait a minute, though. But they don't have a choice.