BBC News Online: Entertainment

Pig row hits Survivor

The US group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) has complained to the state government in Queensland, where the show was filmed last year, asking it to investigate.

It claims contestant Michael Skupin had "blood-soaked hands" after killing the wild pig.

Australian groups now want to view the episode, screened in the US on 15 February, before it goes out there.

'Slaughter for entertainment'

The Queensland state animal welfare department, alongside the RSPCA, is set to investigate whether the show breached the Animal Protection Act.

RSPCA spokesman Claire Munro said: "What we are concerned about is the treatment of the animal - whether there has been a cruel act.

"We abhor the slaughter of animals for entertainment."

In America, Survivor II pulled in 28.2 million viewers on the CBS network on Thursday, nearly seven million more than the comedy Friends on NBC.

The show features 16 contestants who are placed in areas where they must fend for themselves.

Each week a contestant is voted off, with the ultimate winner picking up a prize of $1 million.

The first series was US television's biggest-ever summer time hit, and a UK version is currently being developed for ITV.