The Island with Bear Grylls / Credit: Channel 4

The Island with Bear Grylls premiered this week on Channel 4, putting a group of men on an uninhabited island and leaving them for four full weeks to fend for themselves.

Whilst it was and will most likely continue to be a satisfying and insightful look at how the males of Britain will turn primal when needed, it got me lusting after the reality television competition where competitors would battle it out for £1 million that was shown by ITV for a run of two series.

If you're not familiar with the Survivor format, castaways are put on an island for up to 39 days, split into tribes that fight for immunity and sent home one by one by their fellow tribemates.

Not only this, but around halfway into the game, the people who are sent home begin forming a jury - and will ultimately make the decision over who will win the game at final two or final three.

Survivor USA 28th season cast / Credit: CBS

Still going strong in America and finishing up on its 28th season before the end of the month, Survivor has managed to rally up a huge amount of fans and though those who take part can win food, tools and other things to help them in their journey, it's still a fantastic look at staying alive when pushed to the limit.

What Survivor does also is bring out the manipulative and game-playing side of players, all who want to go home with the massive prize at the end of the game.

Channel 4's Shipwrecked was an interesting take on the format, but ultimately one that didn't do much to impress after a few less than exciting seasons.

One thing this new show is missing and that both Survivor and Shipwrecked included however is the involvement of women. It makes for a brand new dynamic and one that would have sent The Island to a whole other level.

If they now incorporate some of the twists and turns that have taken place in Survivor USA over the years, it could turn into one of the best reality shows on British television.

The Island with Bear Grylls continues on Channel 4 next Monday, May 12 at 10pm.
Survivor USA airs on CBS Wednesdays at 8/7c.

by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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