Inside Move: 'Survivor' carries torch for Guatemala

'Maya Empire' host country battles the elements

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

'Survivor' producers are trying to decide how to best address their host country's recent devastating mudslides.

The producers behind CBS' "Survivor: Guatemala -- The Maya Empire" were mulling Monday how to acknowledge on-air their host country's suffering in the wake of devastating mudslides.

Production on "Survivor: Guatemala" wrapped months ago. But with the show shining a spotlight on the Central American country, a message or tag at the end of the show could help jumpstart relief efforts for the ailing nation -- particularly as most news orgs focus on the earthquake devastation in Pakistan.

A CBS spokeswoman said plans were still in the "discussion stage" over how "Survivor: Guatemala" may handle the news.

Almost 700 are already confirmed dead in Guatemala; local officials expect the toll to rise to more than 1,500, as mudslides triggered by Hurricane Stan caused widespread damage and wiped out the entire village of Panabaj.

Coincidentally, part of this week's "Survivor: Guatemala" deals with torrential rain. Although the show is available only on cable or satellite in the nation, the "Survivor" presence in Guatemala was well documented locally, with the country hoping to see a tourism boost as a result.

Now, according to Daily Variety's Bill Higgins -- who's in the country, close to where the mudslides occurred -- there's a dark joke making the rounds locally: "Everybody's now a 'Survivor' in Guatemala."