The Return of ‘Survivor Palisades’

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Several shows with a loyal viewership have had multi-year gaps between seasons.

Fans of Marquez Knolls resident Bill Hader’s “Barry” had to wait almost three years between season two, which ended May 19, 2019, and season three, which premiered April 24, 2022.

“Curb Your Enthusiasm”—created by and starring Palisadian Larry David—just concluded its 12-season run, which was spread out over nearly 25 years, with its biggest gaps between September 2011 and October 2017, then December 2017 until January 2020.

The wait was worth it for Alphabet Streets resident and Palisades Charter High School senior Emmett Whitaker, who, after a nearly four-year break, just released the fourth season of “Survivor Palisades.”

“‘Survivor Palisades’ is a backyard version of the television show ‘Survivor’ that I started at 11 years old, where I bring together various teenagers from across LA County to play the game of ‘Survivor’ in the urban jungle of LA,” Whitaker explained to the Palisadian-Post. “Seven years later and four seasons, I’m still producing my own version of the show I fell in love with at 11.”

The Post last featured Whitaker in 2020, alongside the launch of the third season of the show. Citing the COVID-19 pandemic and being busy with high school commitments, Whitaker said the fourth season was “a bit stalled,” but was released on April 5, following a live premiere with the cast on March 22.

“Viewers can definitely expect the highest level of gameplay we’ve seen thus far in ‘Survivor Palisades,’” Whitaker promised. “So many backstabs, blindsides and big moves. More than that though, we have an extremely personable, passionate cast that are both going to be entertaining to watch navigate through the game and root-able for as they fight to stay alive.”

Season four features “11 brand new castaways,” Whitaker said. They were divided into two tribes: David and Goliath, which was based on “how they believed others often perceived them.” Originally there was meant to be 12 contestants, but Whitaker explained that one got sick, so they had to proceed without her.

“The David tribe is composed of underdogs used to proving themselves and facing adversity in their day-to-day lives, while the Goliath tribe is made up of teens with high levels of success at a young age—competitive athletes at the top level, nationally recognized students, business-starting teenagers,” Whitaker explained.

Production days started filming around 7 a.m., wrapping at about 6 or 7 p.m. Filming for the season was meant to start in March 2020, but had to be delayed due to the pandemic.

“As a full-time high school student involved in a varsity sport, when I got back to in-person school, it became challenging to prioritize editing the fourth season on my own,” Whitaker explained. “So, I took some time off from my childhood project and came back to ‘Survivor’ after finishing college apps. I’m super glad I’ve gotten back into creating this series, as it has really been the passion project of my childhood.”

Whitaker said he felt it was “essential” to finish editing the fourth season, as the show “is really one of the most defining parts” of his childhood identity. As he finishes up high school, Whitaker shared plans of going into film production professionally, with hopes of one day becoming a writer/director.

“After finishing college applications, I knew I had to finish off my series right, to both the viewers, the cast and crew who participated, and to my 10-year-old self who fell in love with ‘Survivor’ and just wanted to create it,” he added.

A fifth and final season of the show is in the works, Whitaker said. It will feature the return of 14 All-Stars: “The best of the best to ever play, coming back for one final battle,” Whitaker said.

When it comes to his crew, Kira Prudente has been a member for seven years, while Brian Chanes, Stratton Chanes and Sammy White have been a part of it for six years.

“I really couldn’t thank anybody more than the Cudzil family, however, who, year after year, have lent me their house to be the set of ‘Survivor Palisades,’” Whitaker said. “From tribal council to challenges to camp life, everything happens there, and without Jerry, Lorie, Sean, Abigail and Emily Cudzil, I’m unsure if this series would even exist.”

Whitaker also said his family has been “unbelievably helpful throughout the series,” that them allowing him to pursue this interest “really speaks to how great they are.”

“Part of the reason why ‘Survivor Palisades’ functions is the family that’s been created around it, as, year after year, I’ve been lucky enough to have the same cast and crew members come back to assist and play in the game,” Whitaker said. “‘Survivor’ fans from all over Los Angeles County have come forth to help, and it’s created an atmosphere … passionate for elevating the show as much as possible.”

For more information, including a link to watch season four and the previous episodes, visit instagram.com/survivor_palisades.