Slow Start for Season Premier of Survivor: China

A diverse group of individuals gathered at a Buddhist temple in China for a greeting and welcome to their country for the season premier of Survivor: China. The greeting ceremony appeared spiritual, but was described by host Jeff Probst as a welcome. Participants were asked to kneel before idols of Buddha, with their hands folded in praying position, while incensed burned before the idols. As I predicted, Christian Leslie Neese politely bowed out of the welcome ceremony. She said she just couldn't do it because her spiritual beliefs prohibit her from bowing before idols.

Immediately, they were divided into teams and sent to their islands with only the clothes on their backs. This didn't go over well with Ashley Massaro, the WWE Diva; she complained that her boots weighed too much. Was this a cursory sign of whining that is yet to come from the tough-mouthed wrestler?

The Fei Long Flying Dragon tribe is made up of Aaron, Courtney, Amanda, Jean-Robert, Leslie, Denise, Todd, and James.

The Zhan Hu Fighter Tiger tribe includes Peih-Gee, Dave, Erik, Ashley, Frosti, Sherea, Jamie, and Chicken (Steve). In the first episode the Fighter Tigers lost in a close, but boring race against Flying Dragons.

Courtney, a waitress from New York, acted childish during the initial ceremonies. Rolling eyes and sighs were just the beginning of her complaints. Once on the island she complained about her teammates, explaining that she would never be around these kinds of people in New York. Courtney said she felt like she was marooned in her own personal hell of flight attendants and Sunday school teachers. She emits an aura that she thinks she is better than everyone else. I cannot see her bonding with her team, or lasting long as a Survivor.