`Survivor' producer wants to make all-star version with past contestants

NEW YORK (AP) _ How would the villainous Richard Hatch do against sweet-talking schemer Tina Wesson? Can you imagine Susan Hawk from the first ``Survivor'' dressing down Rob Mariano from the current

Wednesday, April 17th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ How would the villainous Richard Hatch do against sweet-talking schemer Tina Wesson? Can you imagine Susan Hawk from the first ``Survivor'' dressing down Rob Mariano from the current show?

Such what-ifs could happen. ``Survivor'' executive producer Mark Burnett said Tuesday that he's planning an all-star edition matching memorable players from past editions of the game. He'd like to make the alumni game sometime next year.

Burnett wouldn't be limited just to the players who won. He would have free reign to match his favorite personalities, and said most would love to do it again.

The current, fourth edition of ``Survivor,'' on the South Pacific island of Marquesas, has represented something of a critical comeback for the show. Burnett conceded that the third ``Survivor,'' in Africa, didn't resonate quite as well with viewers.

``I loved it, but clearly from a viewer's point of view, it was a bit harsh, there wasn't enough chemistry, and we could have used the water challenges,'' he said.

CBS is planning to shoot the concluding episode of the current ``Survivor'' in New York City's Central Park, if permissions could be granted. The last two final shows were shot in Los Angeles.

Burnett recently received government approval from Thailand to shoot another ``Survivor'' edition on a tropical island there. He wouldn't confirm that's where ``Survivor 5'' will be, saying he's also scouted locations in the Amazon.

And he said he's continuing to pursue a deal with Russian authorities to shoot a reality show in space. A previous agreement fell through, literally, when the Mir space station fell to Earth.

Burnett's other adventure game, ``Eco-Challenge,'' begins later this month on the USA cable network.