For the thirty-first season of Survivor, CBS has decided to let the public vote for their favorite previous castaways that they think deserve a second chance at the game. CBS took the liberty of narrowing the field to 32 castaways, 16 men and 16 women, that have only played the game one time, and who they deem “worthy” of a second chance at a million dollars. While the pool of potential castaways has some noticeable omissions, at least there is a wide range of castaways eligible. Unlike many “All-Star” Reality TV seasons whose cast is mostly contestants from recent seasons, there is a strong likelihood that Survivor: Second Chances will include castaways that haven’t been seen on our screens since 2000-2001, which is a lifetime by Reality TV standards.
The following are the sixteen men, ranked in order of least to most likely to return, competing for your votes to play the game one more time.
16. Jim Rice, Survivor 23: South Pacific
Jim Rice, a Medical Marijuana Dispenser, from Denver, CO, has his work cut out for him, if he plans on returning to the game. With a strong batch of male contestants to choose from, Rice, likely did not make enough of an impact on his season, and fans will have a difficult time remembering who he is. His best bet will be to have some sort of open house night at his marijuana dispensary, in which free samples will be distributed if you log on to cbs.com and throw a vote his way.
15. Troyzan Robertson, Survivor 24: One World
With 4 men in their 50’s, and 3 men in their 40’s, the older guys are going to have a tough time competing for the 3 or 4 spots they are likely competing for. Troyzan is up against some tough competition in his age bracket, and will likely not beat enough of them to make it back on the show. If this season took place immediately following his original season, he may have had a chance, but it is likely that too much time has passed, and the public will not give him their support.
Plus, the fact that he look like this (below) in his “Second Chance” photo, is doing him absolutely no favors.
14. Max Dawson, Survivor 30: Worlds Apart
Fearing that Max did not last long enough this season to have made enough fans to vote for his return, (besides me) it does not look good for Professor Dawson. If anyone should know how to win this game, it is Max, as he has taught college courses on Reality TV, and Survivor. It would be interesting to see what he has learned from his first-hand experience, and what changes he would make. Would he still walk around naked? Probably. Would he still talk incessantly about his Survivor knowledge? Doubtful. Would he stick his wart covered feet in the pot used for boiling water? 0% chance.
You live, you learn.
13. Woo Hwang, Survivor 28: Cagayan
Woo Hwang was very well liked by his tribe mates, and the general public, back on season 28, and finished in 2nd place. While Woo may have played a decent game, it was a very boring game, and it is doubtful he would do anything different if he was given a second chance. Woo may have a lot of fans, but whether or not his fans are dying to see him play the game again, remains questionable.
12. Stephen Fishbach, Survivor 18: Tocantins
Much like fellow Survivor: Second Chance candidate, Sabrina Thompson, from Survivor: One World, Stephen Fishbach played a near flawless game. And like Sabrina, his one flaw was allowing himself to go to the final two with someone that was all but guaranteed a win. Stephen did not ditch JT, much like Sabrina did not ditch Kim.
But Fishbach knows how to play the game, and has since been writing about the show, and studying for this opportunity. The only question is if America will think they will get anything new from JT’s right hand man, or have we seen everything he has to offer, and fail miserably without the southern charmer by his side.
11. Vytas Baskauskas, Survivor 27: Blood Vs. Water
The older Baskauskas brother may have an uphill battle if he wants to make a second appearance on Survivor, the way his younger bro, Aras, winner of Survivor:Panama, did when they played Survivor: Blood Vs. Water.
Luckily for Vytas, he was surprisingly likable on season 27, and should be right on the cusp of returning to the game. If his brother’s supporters show Vytas some Baskauskas love, don’t be surprised to see to see him this fall.
Predicted Male Cast.
10. Keith Nale, Survivor 29: San Juan Del Sur
Keith Nale has one very important thing going for him; he was a fan-favorite just last season. It is likely that Keith is still fondly remembered by most Survivor fans, and many people should be throwing votes his way. He was humorous, likable, and a surprisingly great challenge competitor. There are a good amount of older men in contention for the cast, but Keith may very well be able to sneak in to snag one of the ten coveted spots.
9. Brad Culpepper, Survivor 27: Blood Vs. Water
Love him, or hate him, you probably remember Brad F’ing Culpepper from Survivor: Blood Vs. Water. Brad’s game was mainly focused on protecting his wife, Monica, who finished the game as the runner-up.
Now, Brad is vying to play the game as an individual, and is sure to bring a boatload of drama and controversy with him, which is precisely the reason why he has a good chance of being voted back by the public.
8. Jeremy Collins, Survivor 29: San Juan Del Sur
Jeremy Collins dominated the first half of season 29, and his closest ally, that he was not married to, ended up winning the game. Jeremy gained the respect of Survivor fans around the country, and played the game as hard as he could. CBS had no choice but to invite him back, and it is doubtful the American public will deny him his second chance that he deserves.
7. Terry Deitz, Survivor 12: Panama
There is no question as to why Terry Deitz has been asked back for Second Chances. The question is, why has it taken 19 seasons to ask him back? Terry Deitz is a stud, and at 55 years old, will be able to compete against any of the younger guys in any physical challenge.
Terry is arguably the most deserving final three, non-winner, of all time. If season 12 had a final three, rather than a final two, Deitz would have won, hands down.
If this vote is based on who deserves a spot on next season, Deitz should be the number one choice. That is, if people can remember what a powerhouse he was, and hopefully, still is.
6. Shane Powers, Survivor 12: Panama
From the same original season, and tribe, as the aforementioned Terry Deitz, is Shane Powers. Powers may be one of the most memorable cast members of all time, for his over the top outbursts, epic meltdowns, and monumental confrontations.
Apparently going cold turkey with cigarettes was a major factor behind Shane’s erratic behavior. And rumor has it that he is back on the smoking kick, and will, therefore, have to go cold turkey again. That is reason enough to vote for this casting gold.
5. Jeff Varner, Season 2: The Australian Outback
Jeff Varner has had some of the worst luck of any past Survivor. His tribe was days away from merging with the advantage, when his tribemate, Mike Skupin, fell into the fire and was evacuated from the game.
Varner was then the first person voted out at the merge due to the fact that he had one vote cast for him at a previous tribal council, because his former tribe member, KIMMI KAPPENBERG (!) blabbed her big mouth to the opposing tribe.
Jeff Varner is a pure entertainer, gives amazing confessionals, and deserves a second chance at winning Survivor. And the thought of him and Kimmi on the same tribe 15 years later, is almost too much to handle.
4. Andrew Savage, Survivor 7: Pearl Island
If Andrew Savage does not make the cast of Survivor: Second Chance it will be the biggest Reality TV casting tragedy of all time. This guy had the game won, until Survivor: Pearl Islands revealed its “Outcast Twist”, which brought back two previously voted off contestants. Jeff Probst himself has said that Savage deserves a second chance because of the awful twist. In a 2012 interview with Gordon Holmes, when asked which former contestants Probst would like to see return, Probst says…
“Andrew Savage (“Survivor: Pearl Islands”) because I still think we screwed him with our poorly thought out “Outcast” twist. “
If you are a true Survivor fan, you will probably agree, that Andrew Savage’s return to the game has been 24 seasons in the making.
3. Spencer Bledsoe, Survivor 28: Cagayan
Spencer Bledsoe was so loved by fans that I would have bet my bank account that he would be back within a few seasons of his Survivor: Cagayan appearance. Spencer was a fan favorite since the premiere of his first season. He will be on Survivor: Second Chance. And he will be a fan favorite yet again.
2. Joe Anglim, Survivor 30: Worlds Apart
The fact that Joe Anglim is a favorite on Survivor:Worlds Apart, coupled with the fact that he is one of only two guys in their twenties eligible for season 31, he will be back, guaranteed.
Hopefully, for Joe, he will be able to quickly bond with the Survivor family that has been gathering for years before his Survivor debut, and will be able to get in some alliances that will keep him safe until the individual portion of the game.
1. Mike Holloway, Survivor 30: Worlds Apart
There are two possibilities here:
1. Mike garners more votes than anyone else, gets voted into the cast of Survivor: Second Chance, and plays back-to-back seasons.
2. Mike garners more votes than anyone else, gets voted into the cast of Survivor: Second Chance, but wins Survivor: Worlds Apart, and becomes ineligible to play the Second Chance season.
Who I will be voting for, in case anybody cares.
1. Andrew Savage
and because I am forced to vote for nine more people…
Max Dawson
Jeff Varner
Shane Powers
Terry Deitz
Stephen Fishbach
Brad Culpepper
Jeremy Collins
Spencer Bledsoe
Mike Holloway
