• All
• Entertainment
• Pets
• Recreation
• Food
• Gardening
• Travel

• All
• Arts
• Books
• Dining
• Calendar
• Movies
• Music

Do you think you have what it takes to outwit, outplay, and outlast the rest? Are you willing to suffer the trials and tribulations of cut-throat politics while living in a top-secret, uninhabited, tropical locale?
You may not be, but apparently, many are willing.
On Wednesday, July 11, 300 area residents poured through the doors of the South Attleboro Cardi's Furniture to audition for CBS's upcoming Survivor 16.
The auditions are a new addition to the area. CBS Survivor producers in the past have only accepted pre-made audition tapes by mail. Recently, WPRI volunteered to provide cameras, camera operators and access to CBS, as a means of allowing more people, in more diverse areas, to audition.
Cardi's Furniture stepped in to provide the location. "We heard [WPRI] was interested in offering local auditions," said Nick Cardi, co-owner of Cardi's Furniture. "We got in touch with the people at CBS and offered our stores for the auditions."
"South Attleboro is a great location," said Benjamin Decastro, Cardi's Furniture Promotions and Events Coordinator. "We get people from south of Boston and the Worcester Area. We tried to make it an accessible location. It should be safe. Safe and fun."
Applicants on Wednesday were given two minutes on film, to discuss their lives. They mentioned personal battles with illness, rare hobbies, travel abroad, awards, achievements, and plans for if they are accepted on Survivor. They came for a variety of reasons. Some were there with their hopes set on a million dollars; others, for the chance at stardom. Most claimed they were applying for the opportunity to test their abilities.
Kori Bainton, a 22 year-old North Attleborough resident, completed the Boston Marathon this year, and is ready for her next thrill. "I need some more adventure in my life, and this could be it."
For Taylor Mechlinski, 23, of North Attleborough, acceptance as a Survivor contestant could provide an answer: "I'm interested, one, because I want a million dollars. Two, because it would be fun, and, three, what else could I do?"
Mechlinksi, a second degree black belt in Kempo, has experience with roughing it. He's lived in Costa Rica and China. Currently, he teaches at a school in New Bedford dedicated to working with juvenile delinquents. He's physically fit, and with his devilish good looks, he could make it on Survivor 16 as the season's requisite heartbreaker.
If accepted, Mechlinski would be a cast member of the most controversial television show in the US.  He would be filmed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for two months. He would have no contact with friends or family. He would be expected to be cunning and dubious. To win, he would need to lie, cheat, and persuade.
Survivor contestants in the past have suffered poisonous bites, famines and dehydration. Contestants have been sued for animal cruelty and fined for the destruction of conservation property.  They have been grouped by gender, age, and race. Their emotional baggage has been aired worldwide, while their romances have been lampooned by comedians everywhere.     
But for some, that's just part of the excitement. It's an opportunity to quit the job and camp for two months. Like any other game, there could be victory and prizes.  And, at the end, there could possibly be a million dollars.
"This could be a personal accomplishment in my life," said Alan Herman, 22, of North Attleborough. "I like the wild. I like nature, and I want something in my life to be proud of."
Producers will be inviting 800 contestants, from the 19 local audition venues, to major cities for interviews sometime in September. From among the 800, 16 finalists will be chosen.
If all goes well, Mechlinski, Bainton, or Herman may be among that 16 chosen, and around this time next year, we may be able to watch them build a hut and avoid creepy-crawlies, all from the comfort of our homes.