'Survivor' crush

It says something about how far society has advanced that a gay guy on "Survivor" (8 tonight, CBS) having a crush on a straight guy on his team doesn't send the straight guy into a panic or rage.

Marcus (pictured, on the left), a member of the Kota tribe, doesn't seem to have a problem with gay Charlie's obvious crush. Even though Charlie (pictured, on the right) throws himself at Marcus to a degree that makes the show a little uncomfortable to watch, Marcus is completely non-plussed.

"I have a special bond with Marcus," Charlie said in a confessional scene during last week's season premiere. "Ever since I saw him on the mat and he picked me, I just felt a connection with his deep blue beautiful eyes."

Oh, it got worse.

"Marcus is, like, my favorite person out here," Charlie said. "He's, like, funny, he's smart, he's athletic. He's, like, the whole package."

And then this:

"I can't understand why a million girls aren't jumping all over him because I certainly would if I could," Charlie said.

Kudos to Marcus for being mature and secure enough not to get freaked out by Charlie's interest. Of course, the prospect of having Charlie do his bidding also gives Marcus more power in the game.

It's not the gay factor that makes Charlie's crush so uncomfortable, it's the slight air of desperation. A girl throwing herself at a guy (or a guy throwing himself at a girl) in such an obvious way would be just as embarrassing.

But Charlie's crush is also entertaining in the way that uncomfortable TV so often can be (see: "The Office," "Curb Your Enthusiasm"). The potential for another TV "bro-mance" -- not unlike the gay-straight friendship that made Bravo's "Make Me a Supermodel" a minor reality hit -- might add to the entertainment value in "Survivor's" HD-enhanced new season.

We already know the prudish scolds at the Parents Television Council were not impressed with the season premiere, which included a fleeting glimpse of Marcus' private parts. But what do you think of this season of "Survivor" so far? Login (or register to login) to post your opinion.