Myrtle Beach native Chris Underwood was celebrated with a Survivor watch party at Dagwood’s in Surfside Beach on Wednesday.
Family and friends gathered to watch his debut in the premiere of the first episode of ‘Survivor: Edge of Extinction’.
It’s the show’s 38th season, but Underwood’s dad, Todd Underwood, says this isn’t his son’s first rodeo with the show. He has auditioned to be a contestant in the past.
“He made it quite far previously, so we had to keep that quiet as well, but it’s just, it’s neat for him to just be able to pursue it over and over again and finally get his childhood dream to come true,” said Underwood.
The watch party was decorated with island-themed decor because Underwood spent the Survivor season filming in Fiji. Dagwood’s also created a Survivor-themed menu for the night.
Underwood’s biggest fan, his grandmother, Merry Underwood, says she’s glad he’s back to spend time with, after having to disappear for 8 months.
“I don’t see him all that much because I don’t drive anymore, but they do come to the beach quite a bit,” she said.
Others, like Greg French, a family friend, told stories about Underwood that he remembers from years ago.
“He was like throwing a balloon and just being generally annoying with the balloon. And so, I had little pocket scissors, so I pulled those out to pop the balloon just as he was reaching up, and I guess I stabbed him in the hand and we ended up in the ER right after graduation, blood everywhere,” said French. “So he survived me.”
Survivor fanatics aren’t the only ones ready to see what the season brings.
“We are on pins and needles to see how the episodes turn out and we don’t know really anything about what’s happened, and so it’s exciting for us as a family to get together and to watch and to see each week how it progresses,” said Underwood.
