Producer Mark Burnett expected a hit when he sent 16 contestants and a then-unknown 38-year-old host named Jeff Probst to the Borneo island of Malaysia for an adaptation of the Swedish competition show Expedition Robinson. What he got instead was a cultural phenomenon. Survivor instantly became a ratings juggernaut, and viewership for the first season finale reached north of 50 million. Reality TV existed before Survivor, but the show’s low overhead and potential for mass appeal single-handedly ushered in the reality-competition boom.
In the 24 years since it hit airwaves, Survivor has morphed from a “social experiment” into television’s most complex and grueling competition, with players practically raised on the show elevating it to new heights of strategy. Its motto—“Outwit. Outplay. Outlast.”—speaks to the complex permutations of physical strength, mental acumen, and social skills that can produce winners as diverse as season 30’s Mike Holloway, who got himself to...
In the 24 years since it hit airwaves, Survivor has morphed from a “social experiment” into television’s most complex and grueling competition, with players practically raised on the show elevating it to new heights of strategy. Its motto—“Outwit. Outplay. Outlast.”—speaks to the complex permutations of physical strength, mental acumen, and social skills that can produce winners as diverse as season 30’s Mike Holloway, who got himself to...
- 1/3/2024
- by Jake Cole
- Slant Magazine
“Survivor” is a game that ends with one person claiming the life-changing $1 million prize, but sometimes the winner is not the one people expect. The title of Sole Survivor is the result of taking out the biggest competitors, being likable in the cast, and appealing to the jury, all while arguing the case of why you’re the most deserving of the win. While many of the champions are well-deserved, at least according to the passionate fans at home, others spark massive debate when Jeff Probst reads their names out loud. Scroll through our photo gallery above (or click here for direct access) where we detail the Top 10 biggest “Survivor” upset winners of all time.
Tina Wesson (Season 2 — “Survivor: The Australian Outback”)
Back when “Survivor” was watched by almost 50 million people, Colby Donaldson was the young, fit, charming cowboy who the public wanted to prevail — and he almost did, making it to the Final Two.
Tina Wesson (Season 2 — “Survivor: The Australian Outback”)
Back when “Survivor” was watched by almost 50 million people, Colby Donaldson was the young, fit, charming cowboy who the public wanted to prevail — and he almost did, making it to the Final Two.
- 5/24/2023
- by Christopher Tsang and Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
As the old saying goes, once you reach the top, the only way to go is down. Perhaps that’s a part of the reason why so many “Survivor” winners never returned to play again. There have been 39 winners over the past 41 seasons, and of those a whopping 27 played multiple times. Thus, over the past two decades, 12 “Survivor” champions took home the 1 million check and never looked back — or were never asked back. See the full list below.
Several winners found success on their second go-around, like Amber Brkich (“All-Stars”) and Parvati Shallow (“Micronesia”). For others it took a long while to get there, like Rob Mariano (“Redemption Island”), who didn’t prevail until his fourth season.
Some of the most recent champs like Chris Underwood (Season 38), Tommy Sheehan (Season 39) and Erika Casupanan (Season 41) haven’t had a chance to return to the game quite yet, but we’re optimistic...
Several winners found success on their second go-around, like Amber Brkich (“All-Stars”) and Parvati Shallow (“Micronesia”). For others it took a long while to get there, like Rob Mariano (“Redemption Island”), who didn’t prevail until his fourth season.
Some of the most recent champs like Chris Underwood (Season 38), Tommy Sheehan (Season 39) and Erika Casupanan (Season 41) haven’t had a chance to return to the game quite yet, but we’re optimistic...
- 5/25/2022
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Over the past 40 seasons of “Survivor,” men have won 25 times while women have only prevailed 15 times. (See the “Survivor” winners list.) The past six cycles in a row have all resulted in male champions, with the most recent woman winner being Sarah Lacina in Season 34. With the Season 41 finale set for Wednesday night, all eyes are on whether one of the last two females on the island (Erika Casupanan or Heather Aldret) can break the curse this year. Or will one of the three men prevail instead?
See ‘Survivor 41’: Jeff Probst surprises Final 5 with twist none of them expected (or wanted)
According to Gold Derby predictions, Erika has the best chance to pull off a win for the girls as she comes in second place, behind only front-runner Ricard. Erika’s big claim to fame was smashing the hourglass at the merge, reversing time and changing the results of...
See ‘Survivor 41’: Jeff Probst surprises Final 5 with twist none of them expected (or wanted)
According to Gold Derby predictions, Erika has the best chance to pull off a win for the girls as she comes in second place, behind only front-runner Ricard. Erika’s big claim to fame was smashing the hourglass at the merge, reversing time and changing the results of...
- 12/14/2021
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
One of the most memorable villains to ever play the game of “Survivor,” Russell Hantz, is not happy about host Jeff Probst‘s decision to stop saying the “guys” part of his iconic “Come on in, guys” catchphrase. In Hantz’s 13-minute video response (watch above), he explains, “It’s a big deal when you take tradition out of things. That’s a huge deal.” Probst initially asked the “Survivor 41” cast members in the season premiere whether they were still okay with the word “guys” in today’s climate, and they responded in the affirmative. Later at the immunity challenge, Ricard Foye spoke up about the need to retire the phrase and Probst stated, “I’m with you. I want to change it. I’m glad that was the last time I will ever say it.”
See‘Survivor’ controversy: 89% of fans want ‘Come on in, guys’ to remain Jeff Probst...
See‘Survivor’ controversy: 89% of fans want ‘Come on in, guys’ to remain Jeff Probst...
- 10/2/2021
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
In a recent Cameo video, “Survivor” host Jeff Probst praised one of the most iconic villains to ever play the game, Russell Hantz. Probst claimed that after re-watching “Heroes vs. Villains” (which is now on Netflix), he found himself newly “impressed” by Hantz for the way he helped to “reinvent” the show. The manipulative baddie came close to winning twice — he was the runner-up to Natalie White in “Samoa” and the third-place finisher to Sandra Diaz-Twine and Parvati Shallow in “Heroes vs. Villains” — but never claimed victory due in part to poor jury management. Many “Survivor” fans now find themselves rolling their eyes at Probst’s comments (see below), with mscoutm simply writing, “Noooooooooo.”
SEEJeff Probst ‘optimistic’ about filming ‘Survivor’ in 2021: So far it ‘just was impossible’
“It’s easy to forget, but Russell really did reinvent a couple of things,” Probst explained. “Maybe most significantly, [he’s] the first guy who ever said,...
SEEJeff Probst ‘optimistic’ about filming ‘Survivor’ in 2021: So far it ‘just was impossible’
“It’s easy to forget, but Russell really did reinvent a couple of things,” Probst explained. “Maybe most significantly, [he’s] the first guy who ever said,...
- 1/1/2021
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Apparently it’s not just the fans who are going through “Survivor” withdrawals due to the coronavirus-induced hiatus, but also the former players. Russell Hantz, the three-time legend from “Samoa,” “Heroes vs. Villains” and “Redemption Island,” recently angry-tweeted at host Jeff Probst over the extended delay for Season 41. Russell’s argument? Since “The Bachelorette” can produce new episodes during a pandemic (with contestants even “exchanging saliva”), then “Survivor” should find a way, too. “Let’s get it figured out! Everyone else is,” he wrote.
hey @JeffProbst If they can do the bachelorette! where half the time they’re exchanging saliva! They surely can do Survivor! Let’s get it figured out! everyone else is… @survivorcbs
— Russell Hantz (@russellhantz) October 14, 2020
See Everything to know about ‘Survivor 41’
To be fair, Russsell has a point. Many other reality TV shows have proceeded with new seasons despite the various complications brought on by Covid-...
hey @JeffProbst If they can do the bachelorette! where half the time they’re exchanging saliva! They surely can do Survivor! Let’s get it figured out! everyone else is… @survivorcbs
— Russell Hantz (@russellhantz) October 14, 2020
See Everything to know about ‘Survivor 41’
To be fair, Russsell has a point. Many other reality TV shows have proceeded with new seasons despite the various complications brought on by Covid-...
- 10/16/2020
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
“Survivor: Winners at War” may purport to decide the best winner of all time, but 18 former champions could plausibly dispute that. While Season 40 does have “Survivor” legends like Rob Mariano, Parvati Shallow and Sandra Diaz-Twine, it does not include every past winner. For instance, the first two winners, Richard Hatch and Tina Wesson, are missing from the “Winners at War” cast despite being from two of the most-watched seasons in the show’s history. Check out our photos above of all 18 “Survivor” winners not on the Season 40 cast.
SEERuthless Sandra Diaz-Twine proclaims, ‘I’m gonna vote out every single female’ in ‘Survivor: Winners at War’ [Watch]
Richard and Tina join a number of winners from the first 20 seasons who are not playing in “Survivor: Winners at War.” The others are: Vecepia Towery (“Marquesas”), Brian Heidik (“Thailand”), Jenna Morasca (“The Amazon”), Chris Daugherty (“Vanuatu”), Tom Westman (“Palau”), Aras Baskauskas (“Panama”), Earl Cole...
SEERuthless Sandra Diaz-Twine proclaims, ‘I’m gonna vote out every single female’ in ‘Survivor: Winners at War’ [Watch]
Richard and Tina join a number of winners from the first 20 seasons who are not playing in “Survivor: Winners at War.” The others are: Vecepia Towery (“Marquesas”), Brian Heidik (“Thailand”), Jenna Morasca (“The Amazon”), Chris Daugherty (“Vanuatu”), Tom Westman (“Palau”), Aras Baskauskas (“Panama”), Earl Cole...
- 2/23/2020
- by Kevin Jacobsen
- Gold Derby
“Survivor” fans are buzzing with excitement over the reality TV show’s landmark 40th season, “Winners at War.” For years, superfans have been clamoring for a season with all winners competing against each other to determine the ultimate champion. The Fiji-set installment will see the return of old school favorites like Ethan Zohn and Amber Brkich, newer champs like Wendell Holland and Sarah Lacina and enduring icons like Rob Mariano, Sandra Diaz-Twine and Parvati Shallow. But with 39 seasons of winners and only 20 slots to fill, there are some glaring omissions we won’t see on the island this year. Scroll through our photo gallery above to see the 18 “Survivor” winners who aren’t returning in Season 40.
SEERob Mariano and Yul Kwon top fans’ list of who should win ‘Survivor: Winners at War’ for the men [Poll Results]
While each era of “Survivor” is represented in the “Winners at War” cast, it is...
SEERob Mariano and Yul Kwon top fans’ list of who should win ‘Survivor: Winners at War’ for the men [Poll Results]
While each era of “Survivor” is represented in the “Winners at War” cast, it is...
- 1/15/2020
- by Kevin Jacobsen and Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
With “Survivor: Island of the Idols” being such a tumultuous season, many fans are buzzing with excitement to move forward into the show’s landmark 40th season: “Survivor: Winners at War” (watch the trailer). For years and years, longtime superfans have been clamoring for a season with all winners competing against each other to determine the ultimate champion. Season 40 will see the return of old school favorites like Ethan Zohn and Amber Brkich, newer champs like Wendell Holland and Sarah Lacina and enduring icons like Rob Mariano, Sandra Diaz-Twine and Parvati Shallow. But with 39 seasons of winners and only 20 slots to fill, there are some glaring omissions we won’t see on the island this spring.
See‘Survivor’ 39: Was it the worst season ever? Let us count the ways [Poll]
While each era of “Survivor” is represented in the “Winners at War” cast, it is undeniably lopsided in favor of newer winners.
See‘Survivor’ 39: Was it the worst season ever? Let us count the ways [Poll]
While each era of “Survivor” is represented in the “Winners at War” cast, it is undeniably lopsided in favor of newer winners.
- 12/20/2019
- by Kevin Jacobsen
- Gold Derby
“Survivor” Season 39 doesn’t debut until the fall, but that’s not stopping fans from getting excited about a potential all-winners edition for Season 40. In our recent poll that asked viewers to vote for their favorite Female winner of all time, these five earned the highest support: Parvati Shallow (“Fans vs. Favorites”) at 29%, Sandra Diaz-Twine (“Pearl Islands” and “Heroes vs. Villains”) at 17%, Tina Wesson (“The Australian Outback”) at 9%, Jenna Morasca (“The Amazon”) at 7% and Natalie Anderson (“San Juan del Sur”) at 7%. Do you agree or disagree with our readers’ poll results? Sound off down in the comments section.
Many fans consider Parvati to be the most savvy castaway to ever play “Survivor,” thanks in part to the effortless way in which she convinced Erik Reichenbach to give up his immunity necklace in “Fans vs. Favorites.” Parvati and her fellow femme fatales then promptly voted him out. Parvati ultimately won the...
Many fans consider Parvati to be the most savvy castaway to ever play “Survivor,” thanks in part to the effortless way in which she convinced Erik Reichenbach to give up his immunity necklace in “Fans vs. Favorites.” Parvati and her fellow femme fatales then promptly voted him out. Parvati ultimately won the...
- 6/5/2019
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
With an overwhelming number of “Survivor” fans voting that they’d like to see an all-winners edition for the reality TV show’s 40th season (due out in early 2020), our fingers are crossed that it’s finally going to happen. If so, which castaways do you hope return for the long-awaited battle of the champions? Over the past 38 seasons of “Survivor,” 15 were won by women while men accounted for 23 victories (see all winners in our photo gallery above). Vote in our poll below to tell us which Female champ must be a part of this potential all-winners season.
SEEThe fans have spoken: 89% want ‘Survivor’ to bring back the hour-long reunion show [Poll Results]
Of course, no discussion of “Survivor” winners can happen with mentioning Sandra Diaz-Twine, the show’s only two-time champ. Queen Sandra won the first two times she played — “Pearl Islands” and “Heroes vs. Villains” — and then returned for a...
SEEThe fans have spoken: 89% want ‘Survivor’ to bring back the hour-long reunion show [Poll Results]
Of course, no discussion of “Survivor” winners can happen with mentioning Sandra Diaz-Twine, the show’s only two-time champ. Queen Sandra won the first two times she played — “Pearl Islands” and “Heroes vs. Villains” — and then returned for a...
- 5/26/2019
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Will ‘Survivor’ celebrate its 40th season with an all-winners edition? And should they do it? [Poll]
Richard Hatch vs. Sandra Diaz-Twine vs. Boston Rob? Oh, my.
For now, such a showdown is just a dream. However, there are rumbles in the “Survivor” jungle about what might be store for CBS’ reality show’s landmark 40th season. And it is quite an epic mind-blower: an all-winner cast pitted against one another. Inside Survivor and Reality Blurred both suggested that it is being considered for the series’ 20th anniversary next year.
The one blip that suggests that this isn’t quite a done deal yet derives from an interview that host Jeff Probst gave “Us Weekly” last summer during filming of Season 38. “We can’t do all winners. As a producer, I would never suggest it. I would say it’s not a good idea.”
What? Why not? “We have 10 great winners that you’d want to see play again. We don’t have 20. We don’t have...
For now, such a showdown is just a dream. However, there are rumbles in the “Survivor” jungle about what might be store for CBS’ reality show’s landmark 40th season. And it is quite an epic mind-blower: an all-winner cast pitted against one another. Inside Survivor and Reality Blurred both suggested that it is being considered for the series’ 20th anniversary next year.
The one blip that suggests that this isn’t quite a done deal yet derives from an interview that host Jeff Probst gave “Us Weekly” last summer during filming of Season 38. “We can’t do all winners. As a producer, I would never suggest it. I would say it’s not a good idea.”
What? Why not? “We have 10 great winners that you’d want to see play again. We don’t have 20. We don’t have...
- 4/15/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
“Survivor: Edge of Extinction” is now four episodes in, so we are starting to get a sense of who will be the main players of this season and who are destined for elimination. The overall edit of this cast has been somewhat lopsided considering the same group of people has gone to Tribal Council every single episode, which means we don’t really have a sense of half the cast’s gameplay quite yet. With the original Manu tribe getting so much focus, there hasn’t been much room for original Kama to shine, though we have seen highlights from a handful of them. Below you will find my ranking of the seven “Survivor” castaways with the worst edits so far, whether that means they haven’t been shown much on the show or they have been seen in a negative light.
1. Julia Carter
Starting things off is the one...
1. Julia Carter
Starting things off is the one...
- 3/20/2019
- by Kevin Jacobsen
- Gold Derby
This post contains spoilers for Sunday’s fall finale of Quantico.
After weeks of Quantico‘s mystery and misdirection, we can happily report that at least one pressing question is resolved this week: Agent Vasquez’s first name is spelled Natalie (as some of you suggested), not Nathalie (the way TVLine has been spelling it).
We’d been writing her name that way because that’s how it was in all the press materials when the show started, but then the show made a change and… oh wait, that‘s not the giant revelation from the fall finale you want to hear about?...
After weeks of Quantico‘s mystery and misdirection, we can happily report that at least one pressing question is resolved this week: Agent Vasquez’s first name is spelled Natalie (as some of you suggested), not Nathalie (the way TVLine has been spelling it).
We’d been writing her name that way because that’s how it was in all the press materials when the show started, but then the show made a change and… oh wait, that‘s not the giant revelation from the fall finale you want to hear about?...
- 12/14/2015
- TVLine.com
Pre-credit sequence. It's Night 35 and the Top 5 castaways return to camp. Carolyn is giddy. Mike is incredulous. Rodney is offended that Carolyn didn't tell him about the Idol, which is funny since Carolyn's offended that Rodney voted for her. They agree that without Idols or advantages remaining, everybody wants Mike out, which is especially funny since Mike was the only person to support Carolyn at the previous Tribal. But loyalty doesn't go very far when you're this deep into "Survivor." Mother-Lover. Tonight's Reward is an individual challenge and it's really only worthwhile if Rodney loses. No Rewards for Rodney! It's a complicated challenge involving tiles, a number puzzle, shuffle board and other stuff. Wanna know what they're playing for? Love! Carolyn's husband comes out and she cries. It's a fairy tale marriage. Everybody cries. Mike's mom comes out and he cries. It's a fairy tale mother-son relationship.
- 5/21/2015
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
Rather than selecting returning players unilaterally and listening to fans complain about the latest return for Rupert or a confusing return for a castaway even superfans don't remember, "Survivor" has left the decision somewhat up to America to determine the 20 castaways for Season 31. On Wednesday (May 6) at the end of the latest episode of the less-than-lackluster "Survivor: Worlds Apart," CBS formally announced what had long been rumored across the Interwebs. There are 32 candidates up for the "Second Chance" season. As the word "second" implies, this season will only be open to one-time former players who didn't win, so all of your Hantzes and Ruperts are out. Thank God. Instead, this group of 32 includes contestants going back to original "Survivor: Borneo" runner-up Kelly Wigglesworth. And then there are five candidates from the current season, including two who haven't been eliminated yet, which is either an annoying spoiler or not, but I'm...
- 5/7/2015
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach.
"My whole goal coming into this game was to play the underdog, be underestimated and just kind of slide through, which is what I've done, and it's gotten me this far." –Natalie White, winner of Survivor: Samoa
What do you do on Survivor when nobody seems to like you?
What kind of moves can you make when you're an outcast from your tribe?
Every season it seems to happen to somebody. For whatever reason, the groupthink...
"My whole goal coming into this game was to play the underdog, be underestimated and just kind of slide through, which is what I've done, and it's gotten me this far." –Natalie White, winner of Survivor: Samoa
What do you do on Survivor when nobody seems to like you?
What kind of moves can you make when you're an outcast from your tribe?
Every season it seems to happen to somebody. For whatever reason, the groupthink...
- 4/16/2015
- by Stephen Fishbach, @stephenfishbach
- People.com - TV Watch
We've reached the end of our "Survivor: San Juan del Sur" exit interviews. Natalie Anderson began this "Survivor" season in a defensively position. Not only did she enter the game with a certain reputation from her two seasons on "The Amazing Race" -- "I know we have a lot of Twinny haters. There's no middle. It's either you love us or you hate us," she says -- but sister Nadiya was voted out first by her tribe. That left Natalie with notoriety and without a loved one in the Blood versus Water season. What followed was a "Survivor" run that stood out both for Natalie's sturdy combination game -- She made big strategic moves, performed well in challenges and also found and used an Immunity Idol effectively -- but also for her major image overhaul. Coming into the season facing derision from some CBS reality fans, Natalie ended the season a very popular winner,...
- 12/24/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
For only the third time since "Survivor" switched over to a Final 3, all three remaining castaways received votes at the Final Tribal Council. So kudos to Missy Payne, even if her lone vote came from her daughter Baylor. In retrospect, it's pretty impressive that Missy was even able to stand at the Final 3 at all. The owner of a Dallas-based cheerleading gym hurt her ankle in a late-season Reward Challenge and resisted Jeff Probst's insinuations that she might want to leave the game. Told by the "Survivor" medic that she could stick around if she could stand the pain, Missy refused to quit, even if it meant sitting out several of the season's most important challenges. Perhaps that injury explains why the Jury took Missy so lightly, even though she tried to emphasize her importance in many key early votes. In her exit interview, the season's third place finisher...
- 12/22/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
Last night, I posted my interview with the "Survivor: San Juan del Sur" fifth place finisher, Baylor Wilson, who admitted that even though she voted for her mother at Final Tribal, she'd vote for Natalie now if she had the chance. One Jury member who voted for Natalie, but who was a question-mark in my early guesses, was Keith Nale, a 53-year-old firefighter from Louisiana. Keith, who became something of an Immunity machine post-Merge, protecting himself from several possible vote-outs, knew that Natalie had spared him at at least one Tribal, but he also arrived at Final Tribal with some frustration at the remaining Twinie, accusing her of lying to him. In the end, Keith explains that he just thought Natalie was more deserving than the other two finalists, which is a pretty legitimate reason to cast a vote, I suppose. A fan favorite for his "Awww shucks" approach to the game,...
- 12/21/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
"Survivor: San Juan del Sur" finished its season on Wednesday (December 17) night with a terrific finale that trimmed the field down from the episode-opening Top 5 of Baylor, Missy, Keith, Jaclyn and Natalie down to four and then three and then a very deserving winner. Over the next five nights, I'll be posting the five exit interviews I did all before 10:15 on Thursday morning, counting down from fifth place. It happens that the fifth place elimination was one of the season's most shocking, as Natalie bucked with a long-established plan to go to the finals with Baylor and Missy by playing an Immunity Idol for Jaclyn, turning a shocking vote against the totally blindsided Baylor. The season's youngest player at 20, Baylor got a bit of a negative rap through the season for being wishy-washy, for being a brat, for being carried along by her mother Missy. But if you look at certain moments in isolation,...
- 12/20/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
A new Survivor has been crowned and Et got the scoop on Natalie Anderson's post-victory plans.
Host Jeff Probst revealed the winner of Survivor: San Juan del Sur on Wednesday night at a special reunion taping in Los Angeles. Though it was a close call between Natalie and Jaclyn Schultz, Natalie ultimately came out victorious.
News: 'Survivor: San Juan del Sur' Names Sole Survivor
"I've been envisioning this since we wrapped up," she told Et moments after the taping. "I don't think it's hit me yet."
After leaving the Nicaraguan locale months ago, Natalie revealed that her first post-show meal was a big bowl of ice cream with Nutella and peanut butter. Now $1 million richer, Natalie admits she'll be spending the money on her family.
"I'm going to Vegas with my family," she said. "I guess we'll ball out a little bit while we're out there. [I'll] treat my parents to a vacation for once so...
Host Jeff Probst revealed the winner of Survivor: San Juan del Sur on Wednesday night at a special reunion taping in Los Angeles. Though it was a close call between Natalie and Jaclyn Schultz, Natalie ultimately came out victorious.
News: 'Survivor: San Juan del Sur' Names Sole Survivor
"I've been envisioning this since we wrapped up," she told Et moments after the taping. "I don't think it's hit me yet."
After leaving the Nicaraguan locale months ago, Natalie revealed that her first post-show meal was a big bowl of ice cream with Nutella and peanut butter. Now $1 million richer, Natalie admits she'll be spending the money on her family.
"I'm going to Vegas with my family," she said. "I guess we'll ball out a little bit while we're out there. [I'll] treat my parents to a vacation for once so...
- 12/18/2014
- Entertainment Tonight
Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach.
"So I did what I had to, I made huge moves, I dug around for the idols to make sure nobody else had them, and I won challenges when I absolutely had to. Everything I did was strategic, nothing was out of malice, and I'm here – day 39 – because Rachel made that sacrifice." – Tyson Apostol, Winner of Survivor: Blood vs. Water
In a humdrum season, we actually have a great winner.
On Survivor's season finale Wednesday,...
"So I did what I had to, I made huge moves, I dug around for the idols to make sure nobody else had them, and I won challenges when I absolutely had to. Everything I did was strategic, nothing was out of malice, and I'm here – day 39 – because Rachel made that sacrifice." – Tyson Apostol, Winner of Survivor: Blood vs. Water
In a humdrum season, we actually have a great winner.
On Survivor's season finale Wednesday,...
- 12/18/2014
- by Stephen Fishbach, @stephenfishbach
- People.com - TV Watch
Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach."So I did what I had to, I made huge moves, I dug around for the idols to make sure nobody else had them, and I won challenges when I absolutely had to. Everything I did was strategic, nothing was out of malice, and I'm here - day 39 - because Rachel made that sacrifice." - Tyson Apostol, Winner of Survivor: Blood vs. WaterIn a humdrum season, we actually have a great winner. On Survivor's season finale Wednesday,...
- 12/18/2014
- by Stephen Fishbach, @stephenfishbach
- PEOPLE.com
After 39 days in San Juan del Sur, Natalie Anderson was finally crowned the sole "Survivor" of Season 29 Wednesday night. But she had to get her hands dirty in the process. In the two-hour finale, Natalie used her hidden Immunity idol to save Jaclyn Schultz, thereby ensuring that her Bff Baylor Wilson got the boot instead. Then, Natalie helped convince Jaclyn that Keith Nale was the biggest threat with the jury, so the Louisiana firefighter was sent packing. -Break- Psst: Here's how to predict reality TV shows and win bragging rights And prizes! Natalie, Jaclyn and Missy Payne were the Final 3, with Natalie earning five jury votes, Jaclyn receiving two and Missy nabbing only her daughter's vote. The final jury proceedings mostly went off without a hitch, except for one moment when Reed Kelly called Missy the "Wicked Stepmother" and attacked her gameplay. That outburst resulted in cheers from the live...
- 12/18/2014
- Gold Derby
After 39 days in San Juan del Sur, Natalie Anderson was finally crowned the sole "Survivor" of Season 29 Wednesday night. But she had to get her hands dirty in the process. In the two-hour finale, Natalie used her hidden Immunity idol to save Jaclyn Schultz, thereby ensuring that her Bff Baylor Wilson got the boot instead. Then, Natalie helped convince Jaclyn that Keith Nale was the biggest threat with the jury, so the Louisiana firefighter was sent packing. -Break- Psst: Here's how to predict reality TV shows and win bragging rights And prizes! Natalie, Jaclyn and Missy Payne were the Final 3, with Natalie earning five jury votes, Jaclyn receiving two and Missy nabbing only her daughter's vote. The final jury proceedings mostly went off without a hitch, except for one moment when Reed Kelly called Missy the "Wicked Stepmother" and attacked her gameplay. That outburst resulted in cheers from the live...
- 12/18/2014
- Gold Derby
Well that was fun! Particularly the past few weeks of this season of Survivor have been filled with some awesome twists and turns, often engineered by the clever two-time reality competition alum Natalie, so for many, tonight's result was perfectly clear. Keith easily won the first reward challenge, and then was the only person who even got close to winning immunity after his reward was to practice the immunity challenge. That seemed kind of unfair, Things didn't get interesting until the first tribal council, when Natalie geniusly brought out her immunity idol and saved Jaclyn, who was just about to be voted out. Instead, it was young Baylor who headed to the jury, leaving mom Missy to probably also...
- 12/18/2014
- E! Online
Pre-credit sequence. Poor Jaclyn is all alone and there's a scary creature in the trees. "You've gotta do what you've gotta do," Natalie tells Jaclyn, who also praises her fellow castaways for their acting and being fake. "I'm loyal to a fault in my life," Missy replies. Natalie and Jaclyn get into a shouting match about who does or doesn't know Jon. Jaclyn is particularly angry, which I guess makes sense. This, of course, is exactly what Natalie wanted, because she wants people to be wary about aligning with Jaclyn. She knows it'll take effort to maintain her ties to Missy and Baylor in the short term. "You've gotta put in work if you want to win this," Natalie says. 3-and-2. It's the morning of Day 36 and Baylor and Missy are talking about their shared dream of being in the Final 3. Baylor's currently still planning on going to the...
- 12/18/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
A tense, treacherous season of Survivor: San Juan del Sur came to a close Wednesday after weeks of scraping by in the exotic Nicaraguan locale. After a series of nail-biting challenges and manipulations, a new Survivor was crowned.
This season, the cast was made up of nine pairs of loved one, from family members to romantic partners, meaning the voting, backstabbing and underhanded alliances cut deep. As the final episode approached, only four contestants remained: Keith, Missy, Jaclyn and Natalie.
Video: Survivor Nadiya Talks Reality Show Curse
After a difficult Survivor challenge -- one that involved climbing up and down a massive tower and navigating an obstacle course to collect puzzle pieces that would reveal a code needed to win the immunity idol – Jaclyn snagged the coveted idol and was safe from elimination.
During the last tribal council of the season, Jaclyn, Missy and Natalie were united in their decision to eliminate Keith – a result that the...
This season, the cast was made up of nine pairs of loved one, from family members to romantic partners, meaning the voting, backstabbing and underhanded alliances cut deep. As the final episode approached, only four contestants remained: Keith, Missy, Jaclyn and Natalie.
Video: Survivor Nadiya Talks Reality Show Curse
After a difficult Survivor challenge -- one that involved climbing up and down a massive tower and navigating an obstacle course to collect puzzle pieces that would reveal a code needed to win the immunity idol – Jaclyn snagged the coveted idol and was safe from elimination.
During the last tribal council of the season, Jaclyn, Missy and Natalie were united in their decision to eliminate Keith – a result that the...
- 12/18/2014
- Entertainment Tonight
There are good seasons of Survivor, and there are seasons that just never get off the ground. Survivor: San Juan Del Sur looked like it would be the latter, until a run of solid episodes near the end redeemed it.
After the first Blood Vs. Water was a critical and ratings success in 2013, the show returned to the same format this season – only to find that lightning hadn't struck twice.
Even Jeff Probst, Survivor's biggest cheerleader, acknowledges the struggle of San Juan Del Sur. "We came off of four fantastic seasons in a row: Philippines, Caramoan, the first Blood vs.
After the first Blood Vs. Water was a critical and ratings success in 2013, the show returned to the same format this season – only to find that lightning hadn't struck twice.
Even Jeff Probst, Survivor's biggest cheerleader, acknowledges the struggle of San Juan Del Sur. "We came off of four fantastic seasons in a row: Philippines, Caramoan, the first Blood vs.
- 12/17/2014
- by Steve Helling, @stevehelling
- People.com - TV Watch
There are good seasons of Survivor, and there are seasons that just never get off the ground. Survivor: San Juan Del Sur looked like it would be the latter, until a run of solid episodes near the end redeemed it. After the first Blood Vs. Water was a critical and ratings success in 2013, the show returned to the same format this season - only to find that lightning hadn't struck twice. Even Jeff Probst, Survivor's biggest cheerleader, acknowledges the struggle of San Juan Del Sur. "We came off of four fantastic seasons in a row: Philippines, Caramoan, the first Blood vs.
- 12/17/2014
- by Steve Helling, @stevehelling
- PEOPLE.com
"Survivor San Juan Del Sur" heads into its two-hour finale and one-hour reunion tomorrow night with a final five that will go down in "Survivor" history as, well, a final five. While this season has had some big moves and some particularly satisfying episodes, such as when Drew accidentally orchestrated his own exit by throwing a challenge, it has not been notable for amazing strategy. If anything, the season and its cast might be most notable for how much they wanted to share: giving up rewards to be nice to each other and even ending a challenge in the middle because they'd already decided on its outcome. The final six players actually had a shocking plan for the final three that involved sharing it, basically: Baylor and Jaclyn were going to give up their chances to allow their partners, Baylor's mom Missy and Jaclyn's boyfriend Jon, to make...
- 12/16/2014
- by Andy Dehnart
- Hitfix
In our new "Survivor" predictions slugfest, Gold Derby Senior Editor Matt Noble and I lay out the plan for how Natalie Anderson should be this season's sole Survivor. She has everything going for her: friends on the jury, challenge wins and impressive game moves. However, Matt warns of a possible scenario that could see Natalie's torch snuffed at the Final 4. Time is running out to make your finale predictions. Do You think you know who'll win Season 29? Be sure to cast your votes right now in our "Survivor" prediction contest. -Break- Psst: Here's how to predict reality TV shows and win bragging rights And prizes! The last time Natalie can use her hidden Immunity idol is at the Final 5, meaning she's 99% going to make it through the first vote-off in the two-hour season finale. (We allow 1% in case she foolishly doesn't use her idol and gets blindsided.) At the...
- 12/16/2014
- Gold Derby
I've said it before and I stand by it: For six or seven votes in this "Survivor: San Juan Del Sur" season, Jon Misch and girlfriend Jaclyn Schultz had more power than any pair of castaways in "Survivor" history. Tribal Council after Tribal Council, the week's vote hinged on what the recent Miss Michigan and the former Michigan State Spartan decided, as they flipped back and forth taking out powerhouses and threats, often in blindsides. This past week, Jon & Jaclyn's "Survivor" run came to an end, fittingly, with a blindside and it was, fittingly, an act of revenge, as Natalie targeted Jon for taking out her only strong non-Blood ally in the game, Jeremy. As we saw things play out, Jaclyn seemed to be warning Jon that Natalie might come after him, but Jon dismissed the idea. This came one week after a fight between Jon & Jaclyn seemed to derail the season's strategic momentum.
- 12/14/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
"No hard feelings" were the last words Jon Misch uttered to his tribe mates shortly before his (nearly forgotten) torch was snuffed on Wednesday's episode of Survivor: San Juan del Sur — Blood vs. Water. But, Misch says, the longer he thought about his ouster, the more it started to irk him.
"Initially, I actually had no problems with it," Misch tells TVGuide.com. "As soon as I was voted out, I was like, 'Alright, well, I came as far as I could,' and I pretty much accepted it. The order that [my emotions] went in [was] acceptance, not acceptance, anger. It was all over the place. It wasn't until I talked with some of the guys that I kind of got a little frustrated. I knew it was more Natalie than Missy, but I just couldn't believe that Missy actually did vote for me."
Read More >...
"Initially, I actually had no problems with it," Misch tells TVGuide.com. "As soon as I was voted out, I was like, 'Alright, well, I came as far as I could,' and I pretty much accepted it. The order that [my emotions] went in [was] acceptance, not acceptance, anger. It was all over the place. It wasn't until I talked with some of the guys that I kind of got a little frustrated. I knew it was more Natalie than Missy, but I just couldn't believe that Missy actually did vote for me."
Read More >...
- 12/11/2014
- by Liz Raftery
- TVGuide - Breaking News
"I had no clue that Natalie was setting up a blindside on me for so long. She did an impeccable job setting that up," admits the latest "Survivor" castoff Jon Misch during his chat with Gold Derby. All of our users who correctly predicted Jon's blindside earned game points based on the odds they locked in throughout the week in our "Survivor" prediction contest. In our new Q&A (listen below), Jon also talks about what we didn't see on TV and he sizes up all of the remaining castaways. What does he really think about the Final 5? -Break- Psst: Here's how to predict reality TV shows and win bragging rights And prizes! Jon on Jaclyn Schultz: "Love of my life ... I'm pulling for her." Jon on Missy Payne: "Now that I see how hard [voting me out] was for her, it changes things a little bit. I think I would still say 'trustworthy'.
- 12/11/2014
- Gold Derby
Wednesday night’s Survivor: San Juan del Sur was a nail-biter to see if Missy would be able to continue in the game with a possibly broken ankle. Medical staff ultimately allowed her to stay, but what goes into a decision like that? Survivor host and Executive Producer Jeff Probst is giving us an inside look at the true all-stars of the game – the medical personnel that ensure the health and safety of the cast and crew.
Just In: The 2014 Golden Globes Nominees in Pics
From hardships including minimal shelter, living off rice, bugs and fish, dealing with the elements and local wildlife, and performing extreme physical challenges, to say it’s a challenge to keep everyone safe in the show’s harsh tropical environment is a major understatement. But Jeff reveals a surprising factoid -- although medical evacuations are dramatic and hard to forget, only 11 contestants have been medically evacuated during the show’s 29 season...
Just In: The 2014 Golden Globes Nominees in Pics
From hardships including minimal shelter, living off rice, bugs and fish, dealing with the elements and local wildlife, and performing extreme physical challenges, to say it’s a challenge to keep everyone safe in the show’s harsh tropical environment is a major understatement. But Jeff reveals a surprising factoid -- although medical evacuations are dramatic and hard to forget, only 11 contestants have been medically evacuated during the show’s 29 season...
- 12/11/2014
- Entertainment Tonight
Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach."I'm not gonna trust anybody. But to a certain point, you have to." - Jeff Varner, Survivor: AustraliaTrust is a mysterious thing - in Survivor, as in life. Watching the game from home, you can't believe Jon Misch would be so stupid as to trust Natalie. Doesn't he know he's playing a game for a million dollars? Did he really believe her outrageous lie that she accidentally screwed up her tribal council vote? But for...
- 12/11/2014
- by Stephen Fishbach, @stephenfishbach
- PEOPLE.com
Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach.
"I'm not gonna trust anybody. But to a certain point, you have to."
– Jeff Varner, Survivor: Australia
Trust is a mysterious thing – in Survivor, as in life.
Watching the game from home, you can't believe Jon Misch would be so stupid as to trust Natalie. Doesn't he know he's playing a game for a million dollars?
Did he really believe her outrageous lie that she accidentally screwed up her tribal council vote?
But for contestants...
"I'm not gonna trust anybody. But to a certain point, you have to."
– Jeff Varner, Survivor: Australia
Trust is a mysterious thing – in Survivor, as in life.
Watching the game from home, you can't believe Jon Misch would be so stupid as to trust Natalie. Doesn't he know he's playing a game for a million dollars?
Did he really believe her outrageous lie that she accidentally screwed up her tribal council vote?
But for contestants...
- 12/11/2014
- by Stephen Fishbach, @stephenfishbach
- People.com - TV Watch
Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach."I'm not gonna trust anybody. But to a certain point, you have to." - Jeff Varner, Survivor: AustraliaTrust is a mysterious thing - in Survivor, as in life. Watching the game from home, you can't believe Jon Misch would be so stupid as to trust Natalie. Doesn't he know he's playing a game for a million dollars? Did he really believe her outrageous lie that she accidentally screwed up her tribal council vote? But for...
- 12/11/2014
- by Stephen Fishbach, @stephenfishbach
- PEOPLE.com
Pre-credit sequence. When we left things, Jon was confused. Upon returning to camp? Jaclyn is confused, going so far as to suggest that Alec might have voted for himself. Amidst this disarray, Natalie has decided that she's going to pretend that she blew the communication and thought she was part of the block voting Alec, not part of the Keith block. Baylor is impressed with Natalie's acting skills and Jon has accepted Natalie's line about not being talked to enough. The worry, at least for Jon, is that Keith could win Immunities and screw things up. The next morning, Natalie makes it clear to Keith that she saved him and he needs to stick with her and with Missy and Baylor. The plan is to target Jon. Again. The quality of mercy is not sprained. Reward time. It's a very elaborate set-up, perhaps an apology for last week's lame challenges.
- 12/11/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
After injuring her leg during Wednesday's "Survivor" reward challenge, Missy Payne decided to stay in the game to fight another day. And it was a good thing too, because Missy's alliance -- led by daughter Baylor Wilson and mastermind Natalie Anderson -- needed her help to turn on Jon Misch and vote him out of the game. All of our users who correctly predicted Jon's blindside earned game points based on the odds they locked in throughout the week in our "Survivor" prediction contest. Only five castaways are left heading into next week's two-hour season finale: Missy, Baylor, Natalie, Jaclyn Schultz and Keith Nale. -Break- Psst: Here's how to predict reality TV shows and win bragging rights And prizes! If you want to join in our contest next week, simply click here or scroll down and make your first prediction using our easy drag-and-drop menu. You have until 4 p.
- 12/10/2014
- Gold Derby
With only six castaways left on "Survivor: San Juan del Sur," Gold Derby Senior Editor Matt Noble and I sat down to make our Final 3 predictions. Are Missy Payne, Natalie Anderson and Baylor Wilson unstoppable at this point? Watch out new "Survivor" slugfest below. Also discussed in our new webchat: Does Jeff Probst have a second job calling on the horizon as a couples therapist following Jon Misch and Jaclyn Schultz's fight? Did Natalie make the right decision by going against her alliance to vote out Alec Christy instead of Keith Nale? And why did superfan Reed Kelly make that "brat" comment to Baylor? -Break- Psst: Here's how to predict reality TV shows and win bragging rights And prizes! If you want to join in our weekly "Survivor" prediction contest, simply click here or scroll down and make your first prediction using our easy drag-and-drop menu. You have until 4 p.
- 12/9/2014
- Gold Derby
When Alec Christy was voted out in the second of two "Survivor: San Juan Del Sur" episodes this week, he was disappointed, but took solace in at least outlasting his older brother Drew. Indeed, he can take added pleasure in the relative simplicity with which he went out: The dominant alliance was supposed to split votes, but take out Keith. Instead, Natalie flipped and voted Alec out, figuring Keith might be a better ally to keep around. That beats Drew's exit, which involved throwing a challenge in order to target an all-female voting conspiracy that never existed, subsequently alienating all of the women his his tribe, creating a female conspiracy and getting himself voted out. Of the brothers, Drew was the "Survivor" fan and Alec told me in his exit interview that he had only watched two episodes before going into the game. And while he understands that he made certain beginners' mistakes,...
- 12/7/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
With only six castaways left on "Survivor: San Juan del Sur," Natalie Anderson is now the odds-on favorite to win the season according to Gold Derby's exclusive racetrack odds. Natalie has topped our winner's chart two weeks in a row, surpassing the previous frontrunner Jon Misch. (To make your own predictions in our "Survivor" contest, click here.) This show of support for Natalie is a long time coming, as the former "The Amazing Race" all-star began the season with a huge reality TV target on her back. Can she continue to outwit, outlast and outplay all of the remaining castaways? Below, see our five reasons for why we think Natalie deserves to win Season 29. -Break- Psst: Here's how to predict reality TV shows and win bragging rights And prizes! 1. She's survived the longest as a single Natalie's twin sister Nadiya Anderson didn't make it past the first vote-off,...
- 12/6/2014
- Gold Derby
"Survivor: San Juan Del Sur" has been losing a lot of its biggest personalities and most aggressive strategic players in recent weeks. No, I'm probably not talking about Wes, but in Josh and Jeremy, the season lost its two biggest ringleaders and this week the game lost Reed, whose was forced to scramble in Josh's absence and was, if nothing else, trying very hard to move the pieces around the chessboard. That's the thing with the recent eliminations. Were Josh and Jeremy and Reed the best "Survivor: San Juan Del Sur" players? Apparently not, but all three seemed to know what they were doing out there, which can't be said for many of the castaways still in the game. That makes it a little bittersweet to talk to players as affable and into the game as those three. In his exit interview, Reed talks about Keith's "Just stick...
- 12/6/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
"I have to tip my hat to Natalie because that was a great move," admits the latest "Survivor: San Juan del Sur" castoff Alec Christy to Gold Derby about Natalie Anderson's last-minute decision to vote him off. "I was confident that it was Natalie that switched her vote, but I was not positive at the time." Only some of Gold Derby readers saw Alec's vote-off coming, as the young Florida student had 7/1 odds of going home according to our exclusive "Survivor" racetrack odds. All of our users who correctly predicted Alec's elimination earned game points based on the odds they locked in throughout the week in our "Survivor" prediction contest. -Break- Psst: Here's how to predict reality TV shows and win bragging rights And prizes! If you want to join in our contest next week, simply click here or scroll down and make your first prediction using our easy drag-and-drop menu.
- 12/5/2014
- Gold Derby
“Real Housewives of New York’s” Aviva and Reid Drescher and “Bad Girl’s Club” alum Natalie Nunn also join Season 2 of the We tv show
We tv’s “Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars” has cast four new couples for the show’s second season, including “The Hills” stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, who have been doing the reality show circuit since the MTV show wrapped in 2010.
See photos: 11 TV Shows Canceled by Controversy - From 'Honey Boo Boo' to 'Politically Incorrect' (Photos)
The show focuses on couples struggling to keep their marriages together as they try and work...
We tv’s “Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars” has cast four new couples for the show’s second season, including “The Hills” stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, who have been doing the reality show circuit since the MTV show wrapped in 2010.
See photos: 11 TV Shows Canceled by Controversy - From 'Honey Boo Boo' to 'Politically Incorrect' (Photos)
The show focuses on couples struggling to keep their marriages together as they try and work...
- 12/4/2014
- by Itay Hod
- The Wrap
Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach.
"It's always that same question: Who can I trust the most?"
– Russell Hantz, Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains
You guys, help me make up my mind. What do we think of Jon Misch?
Do we like him? With his upbeat temperament, devotion to Jaclyn and truly heartrending story about his father, Jon seems like such a solid guy.
As Natalie points out, he's also played a decent game. He's used his canine sense of smell to sniff out two idols.
"It's always that same question: Who can I trust the most?"
– Russell Hantz, Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains
You guys, help me make up my mind. What do we think of Jon Misch?
Do we like him? With his upbeat temperament, devotion to Jaclyn and truly heartrending story about his father, Jon seems like such a solid guy.
As Natalie points out, he's also played a decent game. He's used his canine sense of smell to sniff out two idols.
- 12/4/2014
- by Stephen Fishbach, @stephenfishbach
- People.com - TV Watch
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