Survivor Controversy, Big Brother Changes

March 28, 2001 -- As if pig-killing and on-air accidents aren't controversy enough for Survivor: The Australian Outback, the CBS reality show is now being attacked by its host country for wasting local taxpayers' moola.

Australian defense minister Peter Reith has reprimanded his country's air force for giving Survivor contestants a free ride to the Outback, USA Today reports.

"I'm not too happy about it. It's a waste of taxpayers' money," Reith said. The reported cost for the plane ride was $150,000 in fuel and operational costs.

In other CBS reality TV news, the network is revamping the lackluster Big Brother series for its planned return this fall.

According to the CBS site, the voting scheme will now more closely resemble that of its more successful counterpart, Survivor. Votes will now come only from inside the group, not from the general public, in what appears to be a move to generate more aggressive game-playing.

"The house guests will now play by new rules and face new challenges," the site says. "Now, Big Brother is an exciting, cutthroat, dramatic competition that will require players to use brain, brawn, and charm to win." Exciting? Dramatic? That would be a change of pace from the first go-round last summer.

Casting for the series has just begun, with applications being accepted through April 20.

Big Brother is expected to return this fall, unless industry strikes prevent it.