Survivor is not an easy game. Producers dump castaways on a deserted beach with minimal resources and force them to compete in brutal physical challenges. They are starving, suffering from bug bites and other ailments, and are subject to harsh weather conditions. So it doesn’t come as a surprise that numerous players have quit over the show’s 44 seasons. But do the Survivor contestants still get paid if they forfeit their spot in the game?
Colton Cumbie | Photo by Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Images ‘Survivor’ castaways get paid for being on the show despite their placement
Every Survivor fan knows that the Sole Survivor gets paid $1 million (before taxes) for winning their season. But what the CBS reality competition series doesn’t disclose on air is that producers pay the other contestants just for being on the show.
CinemaBlend reports that the first boot receives $3,500, and the total rises as the placement increases.
Colton Cumbie | Photo by Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Images ‘Survivor’ castaways get paid for being on the show despite their placement
Every Survivor fan knows that the Sole Survivor gets paid $1 million (before taxes) for winning their season. But what the CBS reality competition series doesn’t disclose on air is that producers pay the other contestants just for being on the show.
CinemaBlend reports that the first boot receives $3,500, and the total rises as the placement increases.
- 4/8/2023
- by Sarah Little
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
“I do get recognized a lot,” Christian Hubicki confesses to Gold Derby when we proclaim him to be the face of “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” on the morning after he was eliminated. “I try to keep the changes as small and as manageable as possible,” he continues. “I started my new job. I’m teaching a class. I don’t talk about ‘Survivor’ during the class. I just kind of do my business. I try to sort of treat it like it’s normal.” Listen to our exit interview above.
See‘Survivor’ Ponderosa video: 7th jury member jokes ‘the challenges were less murderous than I thought’ [Watch]
One “jarring” story, Christian tells us, is that he recently went out to eat with his girlfriend on his birthday and only four other patrons were in the restaurant. “What are the chances that I’ll be seen?” he recalls thinking. “Approximately 1 in 40 Americans watch ‘Survivor.
See‘Survivor’ Ponderosa video: 7th jury member jokes ‘the challenges were less murderous than I thought’ [Watch]
One “jarring” story, Christian tells us, is that he recently went out to eat with his girlfriend on his birthday and only four other patrons were in the restaurant. “What are the chances that I’ll be seen?” he recalls thinking. “Approximately 1 in 40 Americans watch ‘Survivor.
- 12/13/2018
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
“I don’t have any regrets,” Gabby Pascuzzi tells Gold Derby the morning after she was eliminated in Wednesday’s loved ones episode of “Survivor: David vs. Goliath.” After Gabby decided to betray her nerdmance partner Christian Hubicki, Christian got wind of the plan so he used his hidden immunity idol to save himself. Thus, Gabby was eliminated with only two votes cast against her (from Angelina Keeley and Mike White). Listen to our exit interview above.
See‘Survivor’: Top 20 sexiest females ever, ranked — Did your faves make our list?
Gabby continues, “I think it’s way too easy to second-guess yourself when you watch everything back, but in the moment that’s what I felt that I had to do in order to win the game.” She then adds, “I think I would regret it way more if I waited too long, missed my opportunity and came in second place.
See‘Survivor’: Top 20 sexiest females ever, ranked — Did your faves make our list?
Gabby continues, “I think it’s way too easy to second-guess yourself when you watch everything back, but in the moment that’s what I felt that I had to do in order to win the game.” She then adds, “I think I would regret it way more if I waited too long, missed my opportunity and came in second place.
- 12/6/2018
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
“That’s a good nickname to have,” Carl Boudreaux tells Gold Derby about being dubbed the “Godfather” by his fellow “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” tribe mates. “Not very many people can be labeled as the ‘Godfather,’ you know? Who wouldn’t want that to be their nickname?” Carl reveals that he had no idea they were all calling him by that moniker and that he only found out by “watching the episode” in which he was eliminated. Listen to our exit interview above.
See‘Survivor’: Top 20 sexiest females ever, ranked — Did your faves make our list?
Carl will go down in “Survivor” history as being the first person to find and properly play an idol nullifier, something he takes great pride in. “It was definitely not the easiest advantage to have,” he states. “Out of all of the advantages that’s ever been in the game of ‘Survivor,’ in...
See‘Survivor’: Top 20 sexiest females ever, ranked — Did your faves make our list?
Carl will go down in “Survivor” history as being the first person to find and properly play an idol nullifier, something he takes great pride in. “It was definitely not the easiest advantage to have,” he states. “Out of all of the advantages that’s ever been in the game of ‘Survivor,’ in...
- 11/29/2018
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
“I had hope, but I knew I was going home 100%,” Alec Merlino tells Gold Derby about being eliminated in Wednesday’s double-length episode of “Survivor: David vs. Goliath.” Despite having a close relationship with his fellow Goliath tribe members, Alec was sent to Ponderosa by a unanimous vote — in part because he was a physical threat and in part because the Goliaths wanted to show the Davids they could work together. Listen to our “Survivor” exit interview above.
See‘Survivor’: Top 20 sexiest females ever, ranked — Did your faves make our list?
Alec reveals, “Right before tribal I knew because my closest allies came to me and basically just gave me the eyes, gave me the nod. [They] shook their head no like, ‘Not gonna happen, bro. Not this time.’ We just couldn’t get Christian Hubicki and Gabby Pascuzzi on board to swing the vote in favor of me. So I got the boot,...
See‘Survivor’: Top 20 sexiest females ever, ranked — Did your faves make our list?
Alec reveals, “Right before tribal I knew because my closest allies came to me and basically just gave me the eyes, gave me the nod. [They] shook their head no like, ‘Not gonna happen, bro. Not this time.’ We just couldn’t get Christian Hubicki and Gabby Pascuzzi on board to swing the vote in favor of me. So I got the boot,...
- 11/29/2018
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
“It was a little frustrating,” Dan Rengering tells Gold Derby about being eliminated on “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” after Carl Boudreaux used his idol nullifier to make Dan’s hidden idol worthless. “You think when you have an idol you’re golden, you’re gonna be good to go. I’m gonna have another couple days on the island at least to make some relationships, continue playing the game, possibly win immunity. So it was frustrating, surprising, all those different bad feelings that you don’t want to feel in the game of ‘Survivor.'” Listen to our exit interview above.
See‘Survivor’ 37 Final 10 power rankings: It’s once again Davids vs. Goliath, but fractures could cost Carl Boudreaux his seat at the top
“All the props to Carl for playing it,” Dan concedes. “He’s a great player. He’s a cool guy. He was awesome to play it.
See‘Survivor’ 37 Final 10 power rankings: It’s once again Davids vs. Goliath, but fractures could cost Carl Boudreaux his seat at the top
“All the props to Carl for playing it,” Dan concedes. “He’s a great player. He’s a cool guy. He was awesome to play it.
- 11/26/2018
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
John Hennigan has a successful career as a pro wrestler and a writer/producer, so why did he decide to audition for “Survivor: David vs. Goliath”? As John tells Gold Derby the day after his shocking #BrochachoBlindside in Season 37, Episode 8 aired, “The idea of doing something where I’m completely unplugged — no phone, no internet — and spending time with people that I probably wouldn’t otherwise cross paths with and working on myself was very appealing.” Listen to our “Survivor” exit interview above.
See‘Survivor’ Ponderosa video: [Spoiler] explains what went wrong and that he feels ‘really guilty’ about his vote [Watch]
“I was a huge fan of ‘Survivor’ in the early ‘Survivor’ era,” John readily admits. “I sent audition tapes in for Seasons 2 and 3. They’re horrible. I can’t believe that I thought it would be a good idea to talk in a German accent on those tapes, which I did for some reason.
See‘Survivor’ Ponderosa video: [Spoiler] explains what went wrong and that he feels ‘really guilty’ about his vote [Watch]
“I was a huge fan of ‘Survivor’ in the early ‘Survivor’ era,” John readily admits. “I sent audition tapes in for Seasons 2 and 3. They’re horrible. I can’t believe that I thought it would be a good idea to talk in a German accent on those tapes, which I did for some reason.
- 11/15/2018
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
“Carl Boudreaux was definitely my nail in the coffin,” Elizabeth Olson revealed to Gold Derby in our exclusive exit interview the morning after her “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” elimination. Elizabeth’s plan at tribal council was to try to convince the Goliath tribe that Angelina Keeley had betrayed them when she told Elizabeth she was going home, and that’s when all of the whispering started. Things were looking good for Elizabeth’s chances, until “I came to Carl and Carl was like, ‘I don’t even want to hear you, Elizabeth!’ He said that very loud. And so that really shot me down.” Listen to our “Survivor” exit interview above.
SEEWill Angelina’s ‘Survivor’ mistake come back to haunt her? ‘I wasn’t trying to be sneaky!’ [Poll]
Elizabeth explains further, “[Carl’s comment] took the wind out of the sails from the Goliaths that were considering voting for Angelina. They were like,...
SEEWill Angelina’s ‘Survivor’ mistake come back to haunt her? ‘I wasn’t trying to be sneaky!’ [Poll]
Elizabeth explains further, “[Carl’s comment] took the wind out of the sails from the Goliaths that were considering voting for Angelina. They were like,...
- 11/8/2018
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
After so much jacket drama on “Survivor: David vs. Goliath,” we just had to ask Lyrsa Torres whether she left her coat behind for Angelina Keeley after Jeff Probst snuffed her torch. “Are you crazy? I took that jacket with me, honey,” Lyrsa tells us the morning after her elimination in Season 37, Episode 6. “That jacket is here with me. I use it quite often actually because it’s getting cold here [in Boston]. I didn’t know the jacket was gonna be this big. I feel like it’s the 21st cast member of the show.” Listen to our “Survivor” exit interview above.
See‘Survivor’ medevacs: See all 15 medical evacuations through the years, from Michael Skupin to Pat Cusack
Lyrsa continues, “If [Angelina] would have approached me and told me, ‘Hey, you’re leaving. Can I keep your jacket because, you know, it’s cold?’ I would have been like, ‘Yes.’ I have...
See‘Survivor’ medevacs: See all 15 medical evacuations through the years, from Michael Skupin to Pat Cusack
Lyrsa continues, “If [Angelina] would have approached me and told me, ‘Hey, you’re leaving. Can I keep your jacket because, you know, it’s cold?’ I would have been like, ‘Yes.’ I have...
- 11/1/2018
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
After last week’s shocking episode of “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” in which two people were sent home, only 15 players remained in the game at the start of the fifth hour. The Davids and the Goliaths were no more following the tribe swap that divided them into three groups: Tiva (green), Vuku (orange) and Jabeni (purple). The orange tribe lost immunity and eliminated Natalia Aroqa last week, meaning that Carl Boudreaux, who was exiled and tribe-less after the mix-up, took her place at Vuku. How did Carl make due with his new tribe in “Jackets and Eggs”?
Below, check out our minute-by-minute “Survivor” recap of Season 37, Episode 5 to find out what happened Wednesday, October 24 at 8/7c. Then be sure to sound off in the comments section about your favorite castaways on CBS’s reality TV show, who annoys you the most, and who you think will ultimately join the “Survivor” winners list.
Below, check out our minute-by-minute “Survivor” recap of Season 37, Episode 5 to find out what happened Wednesday, October 24 at 8/7c. Then be sure to sound off in the comments section about your favorite castaways on CBS’s reality TV show, who annoys you the most, and who you think will ultimately join the “Survivor” winners list.
- 10/24/2018
- by John Benutty and Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Wednesday night the castaways of “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” saw a second player leave the game prematurely due to injury before dropping their buffs and being sorted into three all new tribes. In the random draw, former Goliaths maintained their supposed dominance by lucking into a 3-2 majority on all three tribes. Shockingly, however, Alec Merlino gave power to the former Davids of the Vuku tribe when he flipped on Natalia Azoqa, voting her out and making room for exiled Carl Boudreaux to assume her spot and give the Davids the 3-2 majority at that camp.
How will Alec’s bold stupid move shake up the game going forward? It’s all a matter of how the Goliaths on the other tribes react to the news that one of their own flipped and whether that encourages them to do the same in their own new tribes. Below I take a...
How will Alec’s bold stupid move shake up the game going forward? It’s all a matter of how the Goliaths on the other tribes react to the news that one of their own flipped and whether that encourages them to do the same in their own new tribes. Below I take a...
- 10/19/2018
- by John Benutty
- Gold Derby
“I think I foreshadowed my future for sure,” Natalia Azoqa tells us the morning after her “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” blindside was shown on TV. Following the dreaded tribe swap, Natalia had a numbers advantage with her, Alec Merlino and Kara Kay being former Goliaths and Elizabeth Olson and Davie Rickenbacker being former Davids. But when Natalia made the comment to Jeff Probst that she’d still be happy even if she went home “guns a-blazin,” it may have sealed her fate in Season 37, Episode 4. Listen to our “Survivor” exit interview above.
See‘Survivor’ medevacs: See all 15 medical evacuations through the years, from Michael Skupin to Pat Cusack
“I was like basically telling a prophecy and it came to life in that moment, you know?” Natalia laughs. “There’s a part of me that thinks if I didn’t said that would that have all transpired? Like, did I will my fate?...
See‘Survivor’ medevacs: See all 15 medical evacuations through the years, from Michael Skupin to Pat Cusack
“I was like basically telling a prophecy and it came to life in that moment, you know?” Natalia laughs. “There’s a part of me that thinks if I didn’t said that would that have all transpired? Like, did I will my fate?...
- 10/18/2018
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
After spraining her McL during “Survivor: David vs. Goliath,” Bi Nguyen had a big decision to make. Should she continue on with the show and potentially ruin her Mma fighting career, or should she call it quits? In the end, Bi made the tough choice to leave the game and announced her decision in front of both tribes during Season 37, Episode 4. “Looking back, I don’t regret it because it would have been a bigger regret to tear it and not be able to fight anymore,” Bi tells us the morning after her ouster was shown on TV. Listen to our “Survivor” exit interview above.
See‘Survivor’ medevacs: See all 15 medical evacuations through the years, from Michael Skupin to Pat Cusack
As Bi explains, “After the challenge the doctor looked at it and said it was sprained, but it was not a tear. So we wrapped it up and I...
See‘Survivor’ medevacs: See all 15 medical evacuations through the years, from Michael Skupin to Pat Cusack
As Bi explains, “After the challenge the doctor looked at it and said it was sprained, but it was not a tear. So we wrapped it up and I...
- 10/18/2018
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
While the underdogs lost the first two immunity challenges on “Survivor: David vs. Goliath,” they rallied last week and forced the over-achievers to send home one of their own: Jeremy Crawford. But all of this talk of Davids versus Goliaths came to an end in the fourth episode, as host Jeff Probst told the remaining 17 players to all “drop their buffs” in the first tribe swap of Season 37. Which castaways used the mix-up to their advantage and who was eliminated in “Time to Bring About the Charmpocalypse”?
See‘Survivor’ medevacs: See all 15 medical evacuations through the years, from Michael Skupin to Pat Cusack
Below, check out our minute-by-minute “Survivor” recap of Season 37, Episode 4 to find out what happened Wednesday, October 17 at 8/7c. Then be sure to sound off in the comments section about your favorite castaways on CBS’s reality TV show, who annoys you the most, and who you...
See‘Survivor’ medevacs: See all 15 medical evacuations through the years, from Michael Skupin to Pat Cusack
Below, check out our minute-by-minute “Survivor” recap of Season 37, Episode 4 to find out what happened Wednesday, October 17 at 8/7c. Then be sure to sound off in the comments section about your favorite castaways on CBS’s reality TV show, who annoys you the most, and who you...
- 10/17/2018
- by John Benutty and Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
“We are screwed!” Mike White complains in CBS’s deleted scene from the Season 37 premiere of “Survivor: David vs. Goliath.” Mike and Jeremy Crawford, who was voted out in the third episode, are seen battling over the building of the shelter as one of Fiji’s storms approaches. “The fact that I was the one who finally came up with an idea for how to build a shelter should be terrifying to all of us on the Goliath tribe. The sun is going down [and] the clouds are on the horizon.” Watch the deleted scene above.
SEESelf-described ‘Survivor’ ‘nerds’ Christian Hubicki and Gabby Pascuzzi tie for who’ll win ‘David vs. Goliath’
Mike and Jeremy ended up being close friends during their nine days on the island, but back on the second day they disagree on Shelter Building 101. “I don’t ever go out and camp,” Mike reveals in a confessional.
SEESelf-described ‘Survivor’ ‘nerds’ Christian Hubicki and Gabby Pascuzzi tie for who’ll win ‘David vs. Goliath’
Mike and Jeremy ended up being close friends during their nine days on the island, but back on the second day they disagree on Shelter Building 101. “I don’t ever go out and camp,” Mike reveals in a confessional.
- 10/15/2018
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
So far during “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” the Davids have lost both immunity challenges while the Goliaths continue proving their dominance. Did the Davids’ losing streak continue in the third hour, titled “I Am Goliath Strong,” or were they able to come together to pull off a victory? According to our exclusive racetrack odds, the castaways most in trouble of being voted out heading into the episode were Goliath’s Natalie Cole and David’s Carl Boudreaux. Were we correct?
SEESelf-described ‘Survivor’ ‘nerds’ Christian Hubicki and Gabby Pascuzzi tie for who’ll win ‘David vs. Goliath’
Below, check out our minute-by-minute “Survivor” recap of Season 37, Episode 3 to find out what happened Wednesday, October 10 at 8/7c. Then be sure to sound off in the comments section about your favorite castaways on CBS’s reality TV show, who annoys you the most, and who you think will ultimately join the “Survivor” winners list.
SEESelf-described ‘Survivor’ ‘nerds’ Christian Hubicki and Gabby Pascuzzi tie for who’ll win ‘David vs. Goliath’
Below, check out our minute-by-minute “Survivor” recap of Season 37, Episode 3 to find out what happened Wednesday, October 10 at 8/7c. Then be sure to sound off in the comments section about your favorite castaways on CBS’s reality TV show, who annoys you the most, and who you think will ultimately join the “Survivor” winners list.
- 10/10/2018
- by John Benutty and Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
No dish is quite as stale and boring as white rice, but Alec Merlino finds a way to make it exciting and fun in CBS’s deleted scene from “Survivor: David vs. Goliath.” “We have white rice, nice and fluffy, cooked in a cast-iron skillet over that wood-burning fire,” jokes “Chef” Alec to his fellow Goliath tribe members as the girls all giggle excitedly. “A little bit of coconut broth, some coconut chunks, low-medium heat to let it really absorb all that coconut juice.” Watch the deleted scene from “Survivor” Season 37, Episode 2 above.
See ‘Survivor: David vs. Goliath’ predictions: S.W.A.T. officer Dan Rengering has early lead to win Season 37
“When I presented the rice to my tribe, the past waiter skills definitely came into play,” Alec later explains in his confessional. “I just do it as a joke, but they’re like, ‘Explain the dish,’ and we’re all surrounded by this disgusting cast-iron pot.
See ‘Survivor: David vs. Goliath’ predictions: S.W.A.T. officer Dan Rengering has early lead to win Season 37
“When I presented the rice to my tribe, the past waiter skills definitely came into play,” Alec later explains in his confessional. “I just do it as a joke, but they’re like, ‘Explain the dish,’ and we’re all surrounded by this disgusting cast-iron pot.
- 10/5/2018
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
If you’re worried that “Survivor’s” upcoming biblical battle focusing on a “David vs. Goliath” theme might be unfair by design, don’t be. Longtime host Jeff Probst promises that the show will be an “equal opportunity game” and that both tribes — the underdogs (Davids) and the over-achievers (Goliaths) — have their own distinct advantages. Watch Probst dish “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” in CBS’s preview video above. Season 37 debuts Wednesday, September 26 at 8/7c.
See‘Survivor: David vs. Goliath’ Season 37 Cast Photos
“You could argue that Davids have an advantage because they’re used to overcoming obstacles,” notes Probst. “So sleeping out in the rain or having to build a shelter, this isn’t going to get to me. You have no idea what I’ve overcome.” The 10 David tribe members are: Jessica Peet (19), Gabby Pascuzzi (25), Nick Wilson (27), Bi Nguyen (28), Davie Rickenbacker (30), Elizabeth Olsen (31), Christian Hubicki (32), Lyrsa Torres (36), Pat Cusack...
See‘Survivor: David vs. Goliath’ Season 37 Cast Photos
“You could argue that Davids have an advantage because they’re used to overcoming obstacles,” notes Probst. “So sleeping out in the rain or having to build a shelter, this isn’t going to get to me. You have no idea what I’ve overcome.” The 10 David tribe members are: Jessica Peet (19), Gabby Pascuzzi (25), Nick Wilson (27), Bi Nguyen (28), Davie Rickenbacker (30), Elizabeth Olsen (31), Christian Hubicki (32), Lyrsa Torres (36), Pat Cusack...
- 9/25/2018
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
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