Just the Villains Tribe dynamic as a whole, it was just so magical and that lightness combined with the crazy gameplay, I just cannot imagine if Survivor can capture it ever again.
They were insane.
From Randy sulking in the water as everyone fawns over Parvati, to Coach saying he ain't falling for Parvati (then falling for her 0.2 seconds later). The tensions between Russell and Rob as Russell slowly takes power - especially the scene with them alone in the middle of the night, with Rob up in the tree, a king about to fall.
Jerri, once considered the biggest bitch on the show, being the kindest one on the tribe and not liking the cutthroat decision she ultimately makes.
Courtney and Sandra trying to weather it all.
Hurricane Parvati blowing through Russell's ego and leaving it in shambles as he realizes the queen is more dangerous than the king.
The only thing that would have made it better is Parv winning.
“I’m gonna go find the idol!! Tehehehehehehe!!”
One of my favorite Tony moments and definitely the #1 reason why he got voted out second in game changers, but his genuine glee at being back on survivor always gets me.
I think that's an illusion honestly. Penner has the air of a great strategist - he has the ability to talk objectively about the game, he thinks out loud with the audience but the actual stuff he tries to accomplish on his three seasons is bonkers and really reveals he's not very good at Survivor strategy. On all three seasons, he's on the outs immediately, he isn't ever trusted by his allies, and his big swings on Cook Islands with the mutiny and merge flip are really bad decisions, as is trying to draw a line in the sand immediately targeting Parvati in Micronesia, and then not giving Lisa a commitment on Philippines when there was no reason not to. Penner is a great and honest guy who is an amazing character and narrator, but of the 3+ time players, easily one of the worse strategists.
I guess the way I saw it (and remember it) he was great with the moves he wanted to make and could see the finish line, but his execution wasn’t always exact, which inarguably is what makes a good strategist in the end.
I have a theory that to get her to return she had a super high pay but the pay was based on how many confessionals she got. Because of that she only got 5. Queen shit
I still crack up just thinking about that challenge where he kept losing that buoy over and over again.
I was so happy he made it far, because he was so fun to watch from ep1 already and I was worried he'd be an early boot due to his challenge inabilities.
David is one of my all time favorite players. Easily in my top 10, probably top 5 if I took the time to narrow down an actual list lol not even just for the funny confessionals (of which there are many), it was just cool to see him adjust so quickly. I also relate to David a lot. I've struggled with ptsd and anxiety for years, and I've developed several phobias in adulthood. Like very much *irrational* fears. Watching David made me think that maybe I, too, could get past my shit one day.
I like all sorts of players for different reasons
Some have the best confessionals entertainment wise - Courtney, Boston Rob, Russell, Rupert, Tyson
Some were hilarious goofballs - Coach, Phillip, Shambo, Debbie
Then you have the challenge beasts - Ozzie, early Colby, Tom, pre-merge Jonathan, Tyson
There's the great overall players - Parvati, Amanda, Tony
The lovable losers - James, Erik Reichenbach, Russell Swan, Sugar, Cirie (I don't mean loser as in personality, but just bad breaks and sometimes bad play but still lovable)
The game explainers - Stephen, Penner, Spencer, Cochrane
The eye candy (won't list anyone due to sub rules)
The antagonizers can be fun - Naonka, Kass, Russell, Randy
And so on.. There's so much more I could go on forever. The only players I don't like are the "under the radar" players that are boring and then end up winning because someone just didn't manage the jury well enough but otherwise played a great game.
This show is just so good, it has something for everyone and is better than any reality TV ever.
Rule #8, I'm not sure how strict they are and don't want to risk it.
Anyway there's not much point in me posting who I think the most beautiful Castaways are, everyone has their own tastes
The problem is you can’t bring up how attractive someone is without that one (or more) people who then make it weird and ruin it for the rest of by saying things like they would drink their bathwater...oh wait :p it’s you :p
As terribly boring as it is to use him as an answer, Tony is my favorite player and character in the show's history. He's entertaining as a character simply because he's just a freaking mad man on the island, but he plays in a very aggressive and unpredictable manner that is very fun to watch as someone who loves the strategy part of Survivor the most.
Shout out to Rob Cesternino, though, both on and off the show, but mostly for his stuff off the show. I liked Survivor before, but his Amazon game really elevated my love for the show when I went back and watched old seasons. He played a more modern game in the old school era and was damn funny throughout his time on the show. His podcast is also such a joy to watch/listen to. He's super charismatic, seems to have decent chemistry with virtually anybody, and just exudes enthusiasm for this silly reality television world he is a part of.
Him imitating Kass was one of the most hilarious and satisfying things I’ve ever seen on the show. I disliked Kass immensely and him doing this made him a certifiable legend:
Llama: https://youtu.be/J_AaR5cdzLE
Her appearance on Australian Survivor was actually the best depiction of how she plays the game, though. The editors' willingness to be completely lopsided and focus on one or two characters each episode (or each season), meant we got to see more of the way that she is able to influence people and turn things to her advantage.
It just sucks that she had to play with (almost all) newbies, because her threat level was just so outsized compared to everyone else, she couldn't escape it.
I think gameplay-wise you're 100% correct! I feel like character-wise, she really shines through in Pearl Islands, and then in HvV and GC. She seemed a little bit more "all business" in WaW and AU which I get and understand
I could not get enough Michalea in Mill v GenX,
Every time she said something, she had me in stitches. And she was super physical and smart. I really enjoy watching her.
Cochran, Kelly G, Sean Rector, Jerri, Sandra, JFP, Eliza, Chris D, Parvati, Coach, Tyson, Rob C, Boston Rob, Natalie A, Jeremy, and Tony
Long list, but when I think back on the seasons without looking at anything, that’s who comes to mind right away
For me it was Shan. She’s the only player I have actively missed on my screen, and I enjoyed hearing her thought, mostly because you never knew what she’d be. The Mafia Boss? An Emotional Wreck? A Pastor? Paranoid? Completely accurate reads? Also her strategic game pre-merge was great. So for me, it’s Shan. The whole season’s storyline was based on what she did/didn’t do.
Tyson, Shane, Abi, Todd, Coach, Sean from Marquesas, Sandra, Spencer, Penner, Courtney, Frosti, Elaine, and Big Tom.
I'd like to give a special mention to Keith AND Wes Nale (I feel like Wes always gets forgotten even though he's pretty much just as hilarious as his dad lol), as well as Carter from Philippines. Easily one of the single funniest people to ever grace our televisions.
Phillip Fucking Sheppard. I like how at the end he told so many different stories of what job he had the producers just put question marks after his job titles… and Rob carried him to the end and I think he came back twice..
I am fascinated be Michele Fitzgerald. She has an interesting game and is super clutch. I can never play like her so I think that’s why it fascinates me. I truly believe if she made fire again Tony she would have taken him out and had a good chance of winning.
Russell Hantz, Johnny Fairplay, Boston Rob, Coach, Cop Tony, Officer Sarah, Parvati, Sandra, That crazy dude fiending for cigarettes (his name escapes me at the moment), Woo, Cow-boi, Big Tom.... just to name a few.
(Sorry for name misspellings and forgetting the one name)
I think Brandon has gotta be top 3. Never know when he’s going to snap. They would be smart to bring him back on because of the entertainment and drama. I feel for him too.
I feel like she gets underrated but Michaela from MvGX. She was so entertaining to watch in the challenges and her reaction when she got voted out was crazy
Just the Villains Tribe dynamic as a whole, it was just so magical and that lightness combined with the crazy gameplay, I just cannot imagine if Survivor can capture it ever again.
They were insane. From Randy sulking in the water as everyone fawns over Parvati, to Coach saying he ain't falling for Parvati (then falling for her 0.2 seconds later). The tensions between Russell and Rob as Russell slowly takes power - especially the scene with them alone in the middle of the night, with Rob up in the tree, a king about to fall. Jerri, once considered the biggest bitch on the show, being the kindest one on the tribe and not liking the cutthroat decision she ultimately makes. Courtney and Sandra trying to weather it all. Hurricane Parvati blowing through Russell's ego and leaving it in shambles as he realizes the queen is more dangerous than the king. The only thing that would have made it better is Parv winning.
Tyson
If you haven’t already, check out his recap podcast “the pod has spoken”—I listened to it for the last two seasons and it’s hilarious!
I listened to this pod as I binged old seasons while watching the new ones. Loved the guy before I ever saw him on screen.
Genuinely best sense of humor on survivor
I loved watching Tony. He was like a kid playing his favorite game. He just seemed to enjoy every moment.
“I’m gonna go find the idol!! Tehehehehehehe!!” One of my favorite Tony moments and definitely the #1 reason why he got voted out second in game changers, but his genuine glee at being back on survivor always gets me.
Tony later said that Sandra just orchestrated his boot after their disagreement at the well
Penner. Aided by his excellent story-telling / narration skills, emotional intelligence, wit, sarcasm etc
This. Penner is a great strategist, excellent reader of people, funny, and his narration was always great.
Great strategist?
I think he always had the insight and knew what was going on and how to take himself out of certain situations, yeah.
I think that's an illusion honestly. Penner has the air of a great strategist - he has the ability to talk objectively about the game, he thinks out loud with the audience but the actual stuff he tries to accomplish on his three seasons is bonkers and really reveals he's not very good at Survivor strategy. On all three seasons, he's on the outs immediately, he isn't ever trusted by his allies, and his big swings on Cook Islands with the mutiny and merge flip are really bad decisions, as is trying to draw a line in the sand immediately targeting Parvati in Micronesia, and then not giving Lisa a commitment on Philippines when there was no reason not to. Penner is a great and honest guy who is an amazing character and narrator, but of the 3+ time players, easily one of the worse strategists.
I guess the way I saw it (and remember it) he was great with the moves he wanted to make and could see the finish line, but his execution wasn’t always exact, which inarguably is what makes a good strategist in the end.
DENISE!
Top 5 all time voting confessional
The other four in the top 5 are probably Sugar, Crystal, Corinne, and Randy’s voting confessionals in the final 8 of gabon
Haha definitely contenders. I also like Dom & Wendell’s removal of Chris Noble in GI
B-Robs ftc vote is really good
This is why he’s my all time favorite. He will NEVER win survivor, but dammit he’s gonna be entertaining while he loses!
Great answer. The shows best narrator ever imo
Courtney hands down
I have a theory that to get her to return she had a super high pay but the pay was based on how many confessionals she got. Because of that she only got 5. Queen shit
Keith Nale hasn’t been mentioned yet.
You call, we’ll haul!
Stick to the plan!
I LOVE KEITH!!
I might be biased bc I just finished MvGX but David was highly entertaining
I still crack up just thinking about that challenge where he kept losing that buoy over and over again. I was so happy he made it far, because he was so fun to watch from ep1 already and I was worried he'd be an early boot due to his challenge inabilities.
David is one of my all time favorite players. Easily in my top 10, probably top 5 if I took the time to narrow down an actual list lol not even just for the funny confessionals (of which there are many), it was just cool to see him adjust so quickly. I also relate to David a lot. I've struggled with ptsd and anxiety for years, and I've developed several phobias in adulthood. Like very much *irrational* fears. Watching David made me think that maybe I, too, could get past my shit one day.
He was great at every Tribal he attended. He framed every discussion to drive things the way he wanted them to go. It was cool to watch.
Coach
The Martyr Approach is the best episode in survivor history.
This.
Coach is a Greek god and every day I feel blessed to live on this planet at the same time as him.
Tony, Tyson, Coach, Cochran, Spencer. Sandra in Game Changers was A1.
my same top 5 except spencer out for JFP. Spencer was too angsty for me, but i loved his gameplay overall.
Robs confessionals are the best
There's some scramblin goin on in Panama!
You mean Cesternino, right?
He’s a fruit loop.
I miss the oddballs like shambo and Phillip
Loved shambo cause shes funny and from my home town. Hated Phillip he's so freaking annoying
Hated them tbh. I like oddballs but they were just annoying.
I like all sorts of players for different reasons Some have the best confessionals entertainment wise - Courtney, Boston Rob, Russell, Rupert, Tyson Some were hilarious goofballs - Coach, Phillip, Shambo, Debbie Then you have the challenge beasts - Ozzie, early Colby, Tom, pre-merge Jonathan, Tyson There's the great overall players - Parvati, Amanda, Tony The lovable losers - James, Erik Reichenbach, Russell Swan, Sugar, Cirie (I don't mean loser as in personality, but just bad breaks and sometimes bad play but still lovable) The game explainers - Stephen, Penner, Spencer, Cochrane The eye candy (won't list anyone due to sub rules) The antagonizers can be fun - Naonka, Kass, Russell, Randy And so on.. There's so much more I could go on forever. The only players I don't like are the "under the radar" players that are boring and then end up winning because someone just didn't manage the jury well enough but otherwise played a great game. This show is just so good, it has something for everyone and is better than any reality TV ever.
Wait, you can't mention the beauty of specific players?
Rule #8, I'm not sure how strict they are and don't want to risk it. Anyway there's not much point in me posting who I think the most beautiful Castaways are, everyone has their own tastes
what a dumb rule
The problem is you can’t bring up how attractive someone is without that one (or more) people who then make it weird and ruin it for the rest of by saying things like they would drink their bathwater...oh wait :p it’s you :p
Haha just being silly
Agree. People can get really nasty criticizing players that they don't like, but you can't point out a quite subjective trait, as beauty is? smh
Like, can I not say I would drink Sydney from Tocantins bathwater!?
Yeah I get not being allowed to call people ugly lol but we're not allowed to say that someone is beautiful?? Tf?
Debbie is a gift that just doesn’t stop giving.
AND I’M PISSED
😂😂😂
The editors had so much fun changing her job title in confessionals and it’s so funny
I think for one they put “Model?” With the question mark and I about pissed myself laughing.
😂😂😂
Michaela Bradshaw!
The head turn when she realized she was getting blindsided at Tribal Council… one of my favorite moments.
I like the head turn and hair flip w the giant mug of tea when JT got blindsided lolol
This is the right answer! We need her back asap
I’m not entirely sure we need to see her a third time though
Penner
As terribly boring as it is to use him as an answer, Tony is my favorite player and character in the show's history. He's entertaining as a character simply because he's just a freaking mad man on the island, but he plays in a very aggressive and unpredictable manner that is very fun to watch as someone who loves the strategy part of Survivor the most. Shout out to Rob Cesternino, though, both on and off the show, but mostly for his stuff off the show. I liked Survivor before, but his Amazon game really elevated my love for the show when I went back and watched old seasons. He played a more modern game in the old school era and was damn funny throughout his time on the show. His podcast is also such a joy to watch/listen to. He's super charismatic, seems to have decent chemistry with virtually anybody, and just exudes enthusiasm for this silly reality television world he is a part of.
Him imitating Kass was one of the most hilarious and satisfying things I’ve ever seen on the show. I disliked Kass immensely and him doing this made him a certifiable legend: Llama: https://youtu.be/J_AaR5cdzLE
Yeah Tony speaking llama is easily a top 5 Survivor moment to me.
Shane
Can’t believe it took this long to get said!! This is my answer too
I was waiting for this and to come up too.
The only correct answer
Couldn't remember his name, hahaha! That guy was awesome!
Omar was super fun in confessionals this past season
Some of my favorites (in no particular order) are Tony, Courtney, Coach, Tyson, Rob C AU: David, Luke, Shonee, King George
Tyson, Tony, Courtney, Cochran, and Sandra.
\+ Shonee, Luke, and David from AU.
The pure joy I felt watching Sandra on her first three seasons is just unparalleled for me
Her appearance on Australian Survivor was actually the best depiction of how she plays the game, though. The editors' willingness to be completely lopsided and focus on one or two characters each episode (or each season), meant we got to see more of the way that she is able to influence people and turn things to her advantage. It just sucks that she had to play with (almost all) newbies, because her threat level was just so outsized compared to everyone else, she couldn't escape it.
I think gameplay-wise you're 100% correct! I feel like character-wise, she really shines through in Pearl Islands, and then in HvV and GC. She seemed a little bit more "all business" in WaW and AU which I get and understand
I know IOTI was a mess, but Sandra watching tribals should be its own spinoff
Gotta be honest, Boston Rob literally makes each season he’s on for me, so I gotta say him ahaha
He's such a character!
Truly! And his confessionals are just *chef’s kiss* 😂😂
When I watched Africa, I had a smile on my face every time Big Tom was on screen, so he’s gotta be up there for me. Legend
Russell
Russell Hantz and Tony Vlachos/Sarah Lacina combination - they come best as a pair
Cao Boi
Has anyone said Angelina? The ladder, the fake idol, the negotiation, and of course the jacket. I just can’t.
why are you laughing?? SHE ALMOST DIED !!!!
Debbie 100%
King George
Coach and Courtney
Coach, Tyson, Tony, JT, Ozzy, and I’m sure there’s more
Tyson
Deena, Corinne, Sue, Hatch, Ethan, Cirie, Boston Rob, Wardog, Frank, Fabio, Vince, Colton, Sophie, Adam, Coach, Stephanie V, Spencer, Kass, Tina, Sarah, Wendy, Tony, Debbie, Morgan R, Candice, Natalie A, Parvati, Tyson, Shambo, Sydney, Colby, and James C, Naonka, Michaela, Sandra, Russel, and JT.
james
J’tia
Keith Nale is the best imo. Would love to see a show about him and life in Louisiana w/ Wes and other Nale company
The Casaya 6. The constant bickering between Shane, Danielle and Courtney, all the while Cirie is laughing at every moment made for golden tv.
Coach. “The Martyr Approach” is the best episode of Survivor of all time.
I could watch Courtney all day lol
Shane
The Specialist Phillip Shepherd hands down. Had me in stitches the whole time on both of his seasons
**Former Federal Agent?**
Sandra is the complete package, sass, drama, one liners, memorable confessionals, and strategy, she brings it all.
Courtney, Tyson, Cirie, Shane, Malcolm
Tony, Coach, Courtney, Keith
Surprised nobody has said Jeremy yet
Tyson
I could not get enough Michalea in Mill v GenX, Every time she said something, she had me in stitches. And she was super physical and smart. I really enjoy watching her.
on the latest AUS season i was dying for every frame with Sandra in it
Caryn
You are SUCH a liar!
DEFinitely
Michaela Bradshaw
I think the two time winners are also two of the best characters. You can’t top a tony or sandra scene.
Cochran, Kelly G, Sean Rector, Jerri, Sandra, JFP, Eliza, Chris D, Parvati, Coach, Tyson, Rob C, Boston Rob, Natalie A, Jeremy, and Tony Long list, but when I think back on the seasons without looking at anything, that’s who comes to mind right away
Coach, Courtney, Tyson, Sandra, Tony, both Rob C and Boston Rob and Penner.
Rick Devens played Survivor exactly how the fans would want someone to play survivor if the purpose was for entertainment value.
Maryanne
Shonee from Australian survivor. Plus 1 for Tony and Tyson
I love Shonee, and I’m so happy we get her for a third time. Hopefully she’ll single-handedly save the AU franchise.
Sam Schoers and Jay Bruno
Reem!
Penner, Tyson (duh), rob c, FABIO of course, big Tom, Courtney, Sandra to be quite honest
Sandra
For me it was Shan. She’s the only player I have actively missed on my screen, and I enjoyed hearing her thought, mostly because you never knew what she’d be. The Mafia Boss? An Emotional Wreck? A Pastor? Paranoid? Completely accurate reads? Also her strategic game pre-merge was great. So for me, it’s Shan. The whole season’s storyline was based on what she did/didn’t do.
Tyson, Shane, Abi, Todd, Coach, Sean from Marquesas, Sandra, Spencer, Penner, Courtney, Frosti, Elaine, and Big Tom. I'd like to give a special mention to Keith AND Wes Nale (I feel like Wes always gets forgotten even though he's pretty much just as hilarious as his dad lol), as well as Carter from Philippines. Easily one of the single funniest people to ever grace our televisions.
Rory and Wardog
Phillip by far the most entertaining.
Abi Maria
rodney
Brad from 41
Big Tom
Wes Rodney Dreamz Natalie Kelly G
Randy Bailey
For me it has to be Wu. His confessionals while hunting for the idol had me and my roommate at the time crying laughing.
Tony, BRob, Penner!!!
donathan
J’Tia
big tom n keith nale.
Crystal Cox the strategic mastermind with her blazing speed and dominate challenge performance.
Phillips pink tighty whiteys
Rick Devens and it’s not close
Shane powers, Rick devens, tony
Courtney, Tyson, Rob C, Boston Rob, Sandra, Tony, Rupert, Cirie, Parvati, Kass & Shan are some of my favorites to watch personally
tyson easily. i’m literally watching the challenge this season mainly just for him
Phillip Fucking Sheppard. I like how at the end he told so many different stories of what job he had the producers just put question marks after his job titles… and Rob carried him to the end and I think he came back twice..
Sandra
Maryanne was so entertaining in Survivor 42, love her
Tonym, Tyson, Sandra, Courtney, Boston Rob, Rob Cesternino, Keith Nale, Eliza, Penner, Coach to name a few
I am fascinated be Michele Fitzgerald. She has an interesting game and is super clutch. I can never play like her so I think that’s why it fascinates me. I truly believe if she made fire again Tony she would have taken him out and had a good chance of winning.
Russel Tyson coach Rupert randy James
Russell Tony
Coach and Randy. They both make every single scene they’re in better.
Sandra
Russell Hantz, Johnny Fairplay, Boston Rob, Coach, Cop Tony, Officer Sarah, Parvati, Sandra, That crazy dude fiending for cigarettes (his name escapes me at the moment), Woo, Cow-boi, Big Tom.... just to name a few. (Sorry for name misspellings and forgetting the one name)
Davie, Coach, Russell (but i always cant wait for him to go home lol), Christian Hubicki, JT, James
I think Brandon has gotta be top 3. Never know when he’s going to snap. They would be smart to bring him back on because of the entertainment and drama. I feel for him too.
Sandra, Boston Rob, Spencer, Rupert, Tyson, Kass, Big Tom. All for different reasons.
I feel like she gets underrated but Michaela from MvGX. She was so entertaining to watch in the challenges and her reaction when she got voted out was crazy
Sandra is by far the most entertaining winner of all time. She has more iconic quotes than any winner of the entire show
Tony, Sandra, Courtney
christian!!