Manuel Mendoza

As social experiments go, the decision by Survivor to divide tribes along ethnic lines is pretty mild. But you couldn't tell by the reaction from some politicians and pundits. They've gone nutty, charging that the stunt exploits racial tensions. It's just what the aging reality giant needs: free publicity and a conceptual jolt.

Thursday night's premiere of the 13th edition, Cook Islands, revealed what anyone who watches reality TV already knows. These theoretically controversial ideas usually have the opposite effect of educating viewers, even if that's not why the producers do it.

Most of the contestants saw it as an opportunity to challenge stereotypes, not reinforce them, and then proved the point by showing that they're more than their broadly defined ethnic backgrounds.

"We're a mixed group ourselves," observed real-estate agent Jenny Guzon-Bae of Puka, the Asian-American tribe, pointing out that a couple of members are of Korean descent, another Vietnamese, another a mix of ethnicities.

Nail salon manager Anh-Tuan "Cao Boi" Bui, the oldest tribe member at 42, felt less of a bond with his fellow Asians and more of a generation gap. "I need to be with the hippies," he said.

Alas, they're not represented.

Instead, the five Pukas are joined by Hiki, the African-Americans, who lost the first challenge and had to vote out a member, Sekou Bunch, an LA jazz musician; Aitu, the Hispanics, who also come from diverse backgrounds; and Raro, the whites, who had bigger problems to deal with when their two chickens escaped.

A few ethnic jokes flew. Billy Garcia, a New York heavy-metal guitarist, kidded that his people are usually paddling away from an island not toward one. And Cao Boi (pronounced "cowboy") said the Asians should have an easier time maneuvering their boat because they're smaller.

"Yes, black people do swim," said Rebecca Borman, a makeup artist. "Yes, black people do know how to paddle a boat. We don't just run track."

Rebecca pointed out that the more important common ground in Hiki was that they were all city folks, not that they were African-American.

But not all stereotypes were avoided. "Black people don't like to be told what to do," said Nate Gonzalez of Los Angeles.

The discussion of race gave Survivor a little more content than in recent seasons as the show grew stale. Otherwise, the usual non-ethnic issues emerged: who can build a fire, who's a threat to win, who's cute. Within three days, Raro was sleeping in a "cuddle puddle" to keep warm, and blond romance bloomed between Adam Gentry of San Diego and Candice Woodcock, a pre-med student.

Almost half the cast is involved in show business, from writer-producer Jonathan Penner to performance artist/rollergirl Jessica Smith.

Cao Boi emerged as one of the early characters. Using a head massage technique that leaves a mark, he cured fellow tribesman Brad Virata's headache, which he said was caused by "bad wind."

The first immunity challenge, involving fire and puzzles as usual, was as convoluted as ever. In the end, the ethnic divide fell aside as Hiki split along other lines – the guys against the gals.

What will the alarmists think of that?

B+

7 p.m. Thursdays, CBS (Channel 11). Executive produced by Mark Burnett and Tom Shelly. Hosted by Jeff Probst. 1 hr.