
- 2007
-
Another Survivor clone from producer Mark Burnett, the CBS reality series Pirate Master was clearly inspired by the extremely popular "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie franchise. Set during its first season on the Caribbean island of Dominica, the series featured sixteen contestants role-playing as 18th century pirates, replete with colorful costumes, archaic weaponry and "arr-matey" dialogue. For 33 days, the contestants sailed on a 179-foot pirate ship in search of a million-dollar treasure which (it says here) was buried by one "Captain Steel." Every episode had its quota of clues both blatant and hidden, and there were also physical and mental challenges to keep thinks lively. Inasmuch as everyone was supposed to be a buccaneer, such intangibles as "honesty" and "fair play" were forced to walk the plank: Indeed, on each episode the players were encouraged--nay, required--to lie, cheat and steal in their quest for treasure. In true pirate fashion, a different contestant was elected as temporary captain each week, and it was up to him (or her) to banish those players who'd been voted off the show, using a prop cutlass to cast those unfortunates adrift. Unlike the somewhat more spontaneous Survivor, the various challenges shown herein were carefully scripted, and most of the contestants seemed to be culled from the ranks of showbiz professionals. Originally titled CBS Pirates Project, Pirate Master was hosted by Cameron Daddo, the series first set sail on May 31, 2007. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Read More
- Starring:
- Cameron Daddo