This Saturday, May 31, 2025 marks the 25-year anniversary of the premiere of CBS’s Survivor.
This series changed the United States broadcast networks—and other forms of television—with what has been identified by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which administers the primetime Emmys, as Reality–Competition Programming.
Created by Mark Burnett, the series is hosted by Jeff Probst, and casts at least 16 “Castaways” who live on an island, in a real location (filmed on location), in efforts to “Outwit. Outplay. Outlast.”
The first edition of Survivor, which premiered on May 31, 2000, was titled Borneo. (Below picture is of its participating castaways.)
I was late to the series. I started with the second edition, which was broadcast in Spring 2001, titled The Austrian Outback.
Survivor won a top Emmy in 2001. Probst won four Emmys for Outstanding Reality-Competition Host.
I stopped watching Survivor after the Fall 2019 edition included a participant who inappropriately touched at least one woman, and wasn’t timely pulled from the game, but was finally taken out late in the game. That did it for me.
During the time I regularly followed, it was an intriguing concept to have people from different areas of the U.S. live together on an island, struggle, participate in competitions, and strategize to stay in the game to go all the way to the end. And win. That is Survivor.
I will be taking several weeks off from writing and publishing specific political topics in order to cover some entertainment and milestone anniversaries. This will apply to the last two weeks in May and throughout most or all of June.
This week addresses two of my latest television picks which I find entertaining and enjoyable. The first is a new series. The second is a nearly 125-year-old professional sports team returning to greatness.
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Open Gates
On February 24, 2025, CBS debuted Beyond the Gates, the first daytime soap launched in over twenty-five years by any of the traditional broadcast networks in the United States.
Beyond the Gates comes from the imagination of Sheila Ducksworth, who co-executive produces the series. The production boasts a cast of characters who are dominantly Black. It is the first such daytime soap on a U.S. broadcast network.
As one who took in plenty of the daytime dramas in decades past, it is not a genre which turns me off. Involvement in following such productions is more than what I usually want to give of my time. So, for the time being, I am giving Gates a chance.
I applaud Ducksworth, series creator and co-executive producer and head writer Michele Val Jean, and the production as whole for a very good reason. Most of the new daytime soaps I checked out, throughout many years, and just as they premiered, were not good. They were not in shape. They were not interesting. It would take at least a year to come to fruition. Sometimes more. Beyond the Gates is already strong.
Nicole is married to surgeon Ted (first played by Maurice Johnson; now played by Keith D. Robinson). Their adult children are Martin (Brandon Claybon) and Kat (Colby Muhammad). They also have adopted adult son Andrè (Sean Freeman). Revealed early in the series is that Ted years ago had an affair with a dangerous woman named Leslie (Trisha Mann–Grant), who has used aliases, and they produced daughter Eva (Ambyr Michelle).
Dani is divorced, after 30 years, from unethical attorney Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett). They have adult daughters Naomi (Arielle Prepetit) and Chelsea (RhonniRose Mantilla). Established from the first episode is Bill, divorced from Dani, engaged and newly wed to the young woman with whom he had an affair. She is Hayley (Marquita Goings), seemingly naive, who used to have a friendship with Naomi.
Martin, who is gay and a congressman, is married to journalist Bradley “Smitty” (Mike Manning). They have adopted children. Kat, who isn’t given a profession (but is analytical), has an antagonistic connection to Eva. They both seem interested in the same man, Tomas (Alex Alegria), who works for Bill at his law firm. Andrè, a photographer, is interested in unavailable nurse Ashley (Jen Jacob), who is in a relationship with fireman Derek (Ben Gavin).
Naomi, an attorney who helps her community, is married to police detective Jacob (JibreHordges). Chelsea, a former model who is launching a clothing design business, is bisexual and exploring. (One scene had Chelsea asking Martin about threesomes. That isn’t often on Network TV.)
The community, named Fairmont Crest, is also connected to realtor Vanessa (Lauren Buglioli). She is married to a surgeon with a gambling addiction. Vanessa has friendships with Nicole and Dani. She has the respect of Anita and Vernon.
The series, as I mentioned, has started out well. Ball is rolling. It does need to more effectively integrate Ashley and Derek, who are also friends with Naomi and Jacob, as their relationship is spiraling. I would recommend the same with the background of “Smitty.” I noticed actors Jacob and Manning look physically like they can play family members—cousins is more likely—while sending Derek to lonely and unfulfilled real-estate wife Vanessa can create surprising story.
The action with Beyond the Gates, with what especially works, is with the Duprees. Dani is a fiery. Nicole is regal. They have experienced cheating husbands. But the bedrocks are Anita and Vernon, wise and relatable parents and grandparents, who lead and protect their family whenever necessary.
This is a fine cast. Three performances already stand out as meriting Emmy nominations in 2026: Tunie, whose role was specially created for her, is divine. Also recognized for her work as a medical examiner on NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Tunie is an actress who does not come across acting. … Mosley, at times bitter and other times alluring, has stood out right from Episode One. … Mann–Grant is terrific and fearless, and not over the top, as her character is clearly deranged.
Three of the Gates cast members have had major awards recognition. Though she was never Emmy-nominated for her work on the former CBS soap As the World Turns, Tunie won a 2007 Tony Award as one of the producers for Best Musical Spring Awakening. Davis was recognized, in 1972, with nominations for both a Grammy (1971 R&B Song for “Never Can Say Goodbye” recorded by Jackson 5) and a Tony (Best Actor in a Musical for Best Musical winner Two Gentleman of Verona).… Manning, who has been with other daytime soaps, won two Emmys—his first as a producer; his second as a performer—for the Internet-based serial The Bay.
Last week, and in time for this publishing date, CBS renewed Beyond the Gates for a second season.
Following is an interview with Ducksworth, Duplaix, and Tunie from The Paley Center for Media.
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Roaring Tigers
Last year was not just luck.
After clawing their way into the 2024 Major League Baseball postseason, the 2025 Detroit Tigers are leading not only their American League Central division. With the games of Sunday, May 18, 2025, Detroit Tigers leads the entire AL with a record of 31–16 and .660. If that isn’t enough…Detroit Tigers also have the best record in all of MLB. Currently in battle for the best record in the National League, and tied 29–18 and .617, are the NL East New York Mets and the NL West Los Angeles Dodgers.
So I am now into following Detroit Tigers. I am watching via the FanDuel Sports streaming app.
I was amazed by last week’s three-game sweep, at Detroit’s Comerica Park, of Boston Red Sox. It was due to one player from Game #02, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. In extra innings, bottom of the 11th, centerfielder Javier Báez hit a three-run, walk-off homer that won Tigers the game with 10 to 9 runs. It was not just that moment. The 32-year-old Baez (who won the 2016 World Series with Chicago Cubs and was co-winner of the 2016 National League Championship Series MVP) had another three-run homer earlier in the game. He alone drove in 6 of his team’s 10 runs.
The pitching is excellent. Last November, 28-year-old ace Tarik Skubal, above, won the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s 2024 AL Cy Young award with unanimous No. 1 votes by all 30 of the AL sportswriters. He also won the pitching triple crown: Wins-vs.-Losses (18-4), Earned Run Average (2.39) and Strikeouts (228). The left-hander is a pleasure to watch. Tigers are lucky to have him.
Following is “Game Highlights: Javier Báez Three-Run Walk-Off Home Run | 5/13/25” published to YouTube by the channel of Detroit Tigers.
Music legend Stevie Wonder turns 75 on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
He was born May 13, 1950.
Wonder was born in Saginaw, Michigan. (Side note: Given most of the content here is about politics…Saginaw is the county seat and most-populous city in Saginaw County, a state-level bellwether county in bellwether state Michigan.)
My favorite Wonder album is 1976’s Songs in the Key of Life. The LP, one of his three Grammy winners for Album of the Year, includes “As,” “I Wish,” “Isn’t She Lovely,” “Sir Duke,” and “Summer Soft.” And I am partial to “Knocks Me Off My Feet.”
I will post, in the Comments, some music I like from Stevie Wonder.
It is now a full three-plus months since Donald Trump returned to the office of President of the United States. (This week’s publishing date also marks six months since Election Day 2024.)
There has also been an acknowledgment that 100 days have passed.
I will give my two-cents on his performance.
In the 2024 United States presidential election, the No. 1 issue—for most people—was Inflation. It still is. This is the No. 1 issue to deal with.
Trump is avoiding Inflation.
That, right there, and before delving into even more issues, is enough for me to write off Trump Part II.
I write off the second term of Trump because—given the wasted time on DOGE and the inappropriate involvement with Elon Musk, the tariffs, the censorship, the continued deference to a foreign country—there isn’t a thing which has me impressed.
On the [Wednesday,] April 16, 2025 episode of The Post Duopoly Show, there was discussion of the efforts of Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio–Cortez to sell people on the Democratic Party. Yes, to say that Donald Trump is horrible. But to also get people motivated, and wanting, to #VoteBlue.
The Revolutionary Blackout guests have a sense there is a push for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination to go to Alexandria Ocasio–Cortez. The group, with concern for actual progressives and their political movement, does not welcome this. I understand. I also understand that what one wants or does not want…things will play out regardless. (I certainly include myself with this.)
One guest’s take on this which stood out for me came from Due Dissidence co-host Keaton Weiss. In fact, I will quote the parts which should resonate. (Which is why I have inserted some ellipses.)
“From the standpoint of the Democratic Party leadership, AOC is the perfect sheepdog…she has enough star power, and enough celebrity, to get millions of people excited about joining the Democratic Party. She is big enough and famous enough and progressive enough to do that. However, unlike Bernie Sanders—who probably would have won the primary if it had been a fair fight—AOC has no chance to actually win the primary. No chance at all.…”
I agree with the first half. The second half—not quite.
I consider the following as well…
On Due Dissidence’s Election Night 2024 livestream, on which I participated with analyses of the electoral map, recurring guest Tusker had an interesting observation. She expressed it at a point (06 hours 21 minutes) in which it was clear Donald Trump would win a non-consecutive, second-term re-election. It was Tusker reflecting on the Democratic Party’s behind-the-scenes powerful who made sure the 2016 and 2020 nominations did not go to Bernie Sanders.
“I’m telling you: There’s going to be a section of the ruling class that is going to, really, legitimately be kicking themselves over not backing Bernie in 2016; because it’s been totally clear that they can put their hand up his ass and make him talk.…”
This!
This speaks to a possible 2028 Democratic presidential nomination for Alexandria Ocasio–Cortez from the state of New York.
I think, from behind the scenes, and after losing not once but twice to Donald Trump…the Democrats will focus on brand image. (With and following Election 2024, the Democratic Party brand has become tarnished.) If any current officeholder can be their ticket back to the White House…to go with someone who is looked at like a star—but one who is also controlled enough—it may be AOC.
The Democratic Party knows they are in a position of weakness with a key demographic given those exit polls from Election 2024: people in the youngest voting-age group of 18–29. This is the voting-age group base when Democrats are the prevailing party for U.S. President. They cannot win without 18–29.
In 2024, Kamala Harris won 18–29 voters nationally by +11 percentage points (54% vs. 43% for Trump). In Elections 2012, 2016, and 2020—re-election for Barack Obama, losing nominee Hillary Clinton, and winner Joe Biden—the Democrats carried this age group nearly +20 points above their national margins. Obama won the U.S. Popular Vote by +3.86 and 18–29 by +23. Hillary won the U.S. Popular Vote by +2.09 and 18–29 by +19. Biden won the U.S. Popular Vote by +4.45 and 18–29 by +24.
When it comes to this voting-age group, a 2012 Obama received 11.40% of his national 51.01%; a 2016 Hillary received 10.45% of her national 48.02%; a 2020 Biden received 10.20% of his national 51.26%; and Harris received 7.56% of her national 48.24%.
Who among today’s Democratic Party officeholders—and ones not currently in office—can move the 18–29 vote, to carry them nationally in excess of +20 (or more) percentage points above the party’s U.S. Popular Vote margin, better than AOC?
Take a look at these tweets from X.
My No. 1 rule for figuring out which major U.S. political party is likely to end up the prevailing party with a given election cycle—midterm and presidential—are the circumstances. The conditions.
Suppose Election 2028 ends up a Democratic pickup for U.S. President. I don’t know, for fact, that this will happen. Not here in April 2025. Suppose it anyway.
There is plenty to consider.
We have had three consecutive party switches for U.S. President with 2016, 2020, and 2024. Historic record, as established in two separate periods during the 19th century, was four.
One can also think of Trump’s presidency, in his second term, and whether what is being experienced—and with what more may come—will result in voters allowing the 2028 Republicans to win a party hold and have the next four years for U.S. President.
One can also observe, as I have, that since the 1950s—the first full decade of television here in the United States—there has been only one year on record in which The People had to elect a new president and chose someone from the incumbent White House party. That was in 1988 with Republican George Bush. All others were party switches.
Again…suppose Election 2028 switches the White House party from Republican to Democratic.
Who on or not on that list, other than AOC, is a star who would sufficiently and efficiently move the 18–29 voters and get Team Blue back to electable level also with the demographics of people who are Black and people who are Hispanic? (Biden nationally carried Hispanic voters by +33; Harris won them by +5.)
Who, other than AOC, appears to fit the profile?
It is not wise to say that someone has “No chance at all!” The United States has had plenty of presidents who, as initially perceived, had no chance. One such U.S. president is now in the White House.
Since the 1950s, the Republican and Democratic presidential pickup winners were: Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden. Both of Trump’s wins were pickups. The next party switch will go from Republican to Democratic. All those winners were stars—some a little less so—who stood out.
AOC’s path to the nomination would likely meet with the approval of those who have the power in the Democratic Party. The Loyal Democratic Party Voters—perhaps all stripes—love and abide by the party establishment and would proceed to vote the 2028 presidential nomination to AOC. Pre-Super Tuesday. Super Tuesday. Post-Super Tuesday. And I get the sense, here in 2025, these recent rallies with Bernie and AOC are coming from the people who have the power in the Democratic Party. I think the people who yield the power in the Democratic Party also know, and this has been played out in history, that their party’s next pickup of the presidency is most highly going to be with a “change” candidate.
This week marks two milestone Flashback anniversaries of past historic events which had impact on many people here in the United States.
The calendar was the same in 1975 as it is here in 2025. On Tuesday, April 15 exactly 50 years will have been reached since New Jersey resident Karen Ann Quinlan, born March 29, 1954, and at age 21, went to a party and never returned.
Quinlan mixed alcohol and Valium. Friends found her unconscious. Karen remained that way.
In a vegetative state for months, her parents, Joseph (1925–1996) and Julia (b. 1928), brought legal action to have Karen removed from life support. They and their case did not succeed, at first, but in 1976 the New Jersey Supreme Court sided with the parents.
Karen Ann Quinlan did not die until June 11, 1985. So, this present year 2025 marks 50 years since she effectively died, yes, and it is 40 years since she legally died.
This tragedy brought to the conscious of United States citizens the matter of dying with dignity and not being artificially kept alive on life support.
This Saturday, April 19, 2025 will mark 30 years since the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
This occurred on Wednesday, April 19. 1995, at approximately 09:00 a.m. CT.
More than 150 people were killed. There were several hundreds injured.
Responsible for this crime of terrorism was Timothy McVeigh, a former U.S. Army soldier, with co-conspirator Terry Nichols.
McVeigh was born April 23, 1968, in Lockport, New York. This was the birth month of my sibling. At age 33, he was executed June 11, 2001 in Terre Haute, Indiana. That was sixteen years to the date following the death of Karen Ann Quinlan. (Coincidence, here and there, with the calendar.)
Nichols was born April 1, 1955 in Lapeer, Michigan, Now age 70, he is serving life in prison at the United States Penitentiary Florence Administrative Maximum Facility (ADX Florence) in Fremont County (near the city of Florence) in Colorado.
I will leave this with more recommended reading: but any related videos—about Karen Ann Quinlan and the Oklahoma City Bombing—will be posted by me in Comments. (Next week’s blog topic will get publish according to normal schedule.)
