Apparently first season winner Richard Hatch, who's serving the last three months of his tax evasion incarceration under house arrest, petitioned the court to try and get out early so he could participate in the forthcoming ten-year anniversary cycle of Survivor. While CBS and Richard Hatch attempted to keep their efforts to get Hatch on the show private, apparently the U.S. Attorney's office wasn't so careful as Providence's NBC affiliate got their hands on the request and went public with it.
The "All-Star" seasons of Survivor have been hit or miss with me. Inevitably things get interesting toward the end, because no matter how much I hate the contestants in a season it always comes together by the end.
The big problem is that all-star incentive for being there is never as strong as the first time. The last all-star season we had multiple contestants just quit. It takes the momentum out of the series and belittles the significance of their earlier achievements. First-time contestants usually need or want the money so badly they'd never even consider walking away; and the few that do are chastised by host Jeff Probst and everyone else.
Considering what's at stake, those of us at home who aren't playing can't help but get frustrated when someone just decides to stop trying and quit. Hell, I wouldn't quit, we think to ourselves. And what about the person they cut so this loser could be on the show? So when you have your best of the best walking because they don't really care and they're only there to get more face time with a camera in front of America, we start to lose interest in the whole thing.
It's the same reason I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here was such a train wreck with Speidi quitting over and over again. The stakes aren't as high for someone who doesn't need the money in their day-to-day lives, or for someone who's just an attention whore. Survivor works when your contestants are there because they love the game and/or they desperately need that money to turn their own lives around.
While I fear an "All-Stars: Heroes vs. Villains" theme, as the rumor goes, at the same time I can't help but be intrigued. Cast correctly it could be brilliant. Bring back Jonny Fairplay (so he can quit again) and you might have the next The Amazing Race: Family Edition on your hands. But there are some amazing contestants on both sides of the proposed spectrum from all through the series run. I'm sure Coach would love another chance at a warrior alliance. And if Rudy Boesch is up for it, we'd all love to see him again. Who would you cast in a "Heroes vs. Villains" All-Star Survivor?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-13-2009 @ 3:10PM
Jordan said...
Rupert would have to be back, obviously.
And instead of doing heroes vs. villains, they should do something like a "2nd chance" edition. Pit a select group of those who were voted off first against those who were last voted off before merges and losing out on any monetary reward. Most of the people wouldnt be as memorable as heroes or villains, so it would be kinda like all-new people.
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7-14-2009 @ 11:06AM
Guido said...
That's a pretty good idea.. Survivor: Mulligan.
7-13-2009 @ 3:13PM
Tony said...
Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes please!
I think the important thing though is to keep winners away from losers teamwise. Not necessarily Heroes vs. Villains, this isn't a Disney Channel movie.
The problem with original All-Stars was that contestants who had one previously were targeted immediately and it destroyed a large part of the story. Richard Hatch is truly the most important person to ever participate in a reality TV show and it would be awesome to see him compete again.
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7-13-2009 @ 6:32PM
stephen said...
Agree -
1. First outs - all the people who were voted first out of their tribe.
2. Second Chancers - People who went out for medical reasons, their team didn't have numbers. People who would have done well except for luck...
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7-13-2009 @ 5:00PM
ariannahskye said...
OMG! Please...NO Richard Hatch. That opportunistic, lying, nudist doesn't need any more face or ass time!!!
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7-13-2009 @ 8:59PM
Dan said...
Coach's "heroes' alliance" was pure baloney. He lied as much as anyone else-- more if you throw in his tall tales. His lies, his arrogance and the way he treated Sierra (was that the young blond woman's name?) place him firmly in the villains camp.
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7-13-2009 @ 11:25PM
Joyce N. said...
I've heard some of the cast from the last All-Stars are coming back again. After 19 seasons, you'd think they could come up with people that haven't been there, done that. I, too, hope that Coach won't be there, but Jeff seems to think he's kind of cool, so........
I DO hope to see Rupert again.
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7-14-2009 @ 5:59PM
slutty_whore said...
I don't necessarily mind the Heroes v. Villains theme, but there aren't enough "heroes." I guess with Rupert, you have Earl from Fiji, Yul from the racist season, Ethan from Africa, maybe, but that would be about it.
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7-15-2009 @ 10:03AM
Bill said...
I would prefer an Ultimate Survivor competition. Get all the previous winners back and compete for the title of "Ultimate Survivor"
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7-15-2009 @ 1:01PM
JR said...
That ultimate survivor idea is awesome! They all won before so they wouldn't get targeted because they won.
Having the people who went on on medical reason is good too. Always felt bad for them.
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7-17-2009 @ 8:14AM
allworld said...
I think after the 20th season they should have a world survivor season. they should get the best castaways from other franchises in other countries. but of course they should speak english well. that would be a great ultimate world survivor
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7-20-2009 @ 12:36PM
yui said...
Although an all winners season would be awesome, they would probably have trouble convincing enough of the winners to come back.
If the rumors about a heroes vs. villains season are true however, I hope they bring back Jerri from Australia and All Stars. She is badass
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7-23-2009 @ 1:52PM
survivorfan25 said...
Interesting.......where would someone like Stephenie fit? She was considered, by many, to be a hero in Palau and then a villian in Guatemala. Personally, I liked her in both seasons.
I hope she's back.......Bobby Jon.....not so much......
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7-24-2009 @ 4:57PM
Kristian said...
Jerri, Corrine, Courtney, Fairplay, Twila, Judd, Stefanie, Ozzy, Shane, Dreamz are my villians
Shii-ann, Sierra, Sugar, Ethan, Yul, Paschal, Rupert, Terry, Peih-Gee, and Amanda are my heroes
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7-25-2009 @ 3:56PM
Dylan said...
First comments about yours... I don't know how Ozzy was a villian and Steph is questionable because of Palau. Sugar and Peih Gee weren't heroes either. Sierra is a little weak too.
My Villians would be: Jerri, Tyson, Fairplay, Ami, Dreamz, Judd, Parvati, Kenny (best character ever), Sue, Natalie (for tricking poor Erik)
My heroes would be: Terry, Ian, Ethan, Vecepia James, Yul, Taj, Amanda, Susie (almost won too), Alexis (couldn't think of anyone else)
In the end the villians would reign supreme and Kenny would be named soul survivor.
Please reply
7-26-2009 @ 5:09AM
Ty said...
Villians would include:
S1 - Rich >>> denied permission from judge to play.
S2 - Jerri >>> was upset with being labelled a villian/bad character at the end of All Stars.
S3 - Lex >>> had bitter feeling at the end of All Stars.
S4 - John or Tammy
S5 - Brian >>> Asked for $2million dollars (regardless of winning) to return to play a 2nd time.
S6 - Rob C >>> (I predict he'll be back). Roger a wild card from this season too.
S7 - Jonny Fairplay >>> Asked to be voted out after losing first immunity to be with his family.
S8 - Boston Rob >>> (I predict he'll be back)
S9 - Twila >>> (Good chance she'll be back again, I don't see Ami as a villian. Twila swore on her sons name and all).
S10 - Coby >>> Bitter than he wasn't asked to play again.
S11 - Judd >>> (I predict he'll be asked again)
S12 - Shane >>> Expressed a desire to quit in his season but apparently asked to play again in Fans Vs Favorite season so he is a possibility.
S13 - Jonathon >>> Due to being eliminated due to injury in FVF no doubt he'll return.
S14 - Dreamz >>> He should be back too.
S15 - Courtney >>> was asked to appear on FVF and declined the offer. Jean-Robert another possability.
S16 - Natalie >>> I imagine she would be back mainly to get the female numbers up if nothing else.
S17 - Randy and Corrine >>> Both nasty and bitter people. Atleast one if not both will be back.
S18 - Coach >>> Was annoying as are most villians. Enjoyable to watch especially when things don't go his way. Good chance he'll be back.
Heros (most popular) would include:
S1 - Rudy >>> Said he'll do Survivor until he wins so he should be back. Colleen was also a favorite but doesn't want to do it again.
S2 - Elisabeth and Roger >>> Expecting child so Roger a possability but male numbers might be too high and if an older male like Rudy will be included I don't like his chances.
S3 - Ethan >>> Good chance he'll return.
S4 - Paschal or Kathy >>> Paschal might get a 2nd chance but he has the older male factor which might hurt his chance. Kathy was bitter at the end of All Stars so not sure she'll return.
S5 - Ken >>> Athletic but not much of a strategic player so doubt it.
S6 - Christy >>> Good chance she'll be back. She was very popular as Jenna and Heidi were seen as mean towards her.
S7 - Rupert >>> I'm sure he'll be back. For some unknown reason people love this guy. He has no strategy and cries when things don't go his way. Remember the time he yelled at Jon for voting against him. Sandra could be a possabilty to return as she was very scheming and didn't return to All Stars as it was too soon after her season.
S8 - Shii Ann >>> Everyone finds her annoying so she could spice things up if asked to play.
S9 - No stand out characters this season. I would say Ami but most consider her a villian.
S10 - Steph or Jenn >>> Both were considered sweethearts this season. Jenn however may still be recovering from Cancer. Bobby Jon may also be a candidate but I find him boring.
S11 - Unfortunetly Steph and Bobby Jon stole the lime light this season and both are over rated players. Danni was the under dog this season but she just had a baby so I doubt she'll be back.
S12 - Cirie >>> She is a fantastic player. Terry could also be seen as a hero but he turned down an offer to appear on FVF.
S13 - Yul and Ozzy. Both played decent games and atleast one if not both will return.
S14 - yAU Man >>> He should be back depending on the older male factor. His popularity should earn him a place.
S15 - Denise and James >>> Both well liked and both possible candidates.
S16 - Erik >>> yonger male who people felt sorry for last time. He has a chance.
S17 - Bob >>> I doubt he'll be asked. Too many older males that were more popular than he was.
S18 - Taj >>> Not sure if she will do it again. She appeard to be losing it towards the end of her season.
So that doesn't leave many people left. I think the following people will be possible candidates. The only thing is that most of these people have had 2 shots previously so unless they are good to watch some of them you can scrap off the list.
Males >>> Rudy (1/8), Michael (2), Colby (2/8), Ethan (3/8), Tom (3/8), John (4), Rupert (7/8), Rob M (4/8), Rob C (6/8), Judd (11), Shane (12), Jonathon (13/16), Ozzy (13/16), Yul (13), Dreamz (14), Yau Man (14/16), James (15/16), Randy (17) and Coach (18).
Females >>> Amber (2/8), Kelly G (3), Kathy (4/8), Tammy (4), Christy (6), Sandra (7), Shii Ann (5/8), Stephanie (10/11), Cirie (12/16), Candice (13), Amanda (15/16), Denise (15), Natalie (16), Corrine (17), Sugar (17) and Taj (18).
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7-26-2009 @ 6:07AM
D1d0n said...
I just hope for Chris Daugherty and Yul Kwon.
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8-06-2009 @ 12:05AM
Jen said...
I think that 20 should be a big deal. I would love to see Probst play and let an older Survivor take over for him.
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8-21-2009 @ 2:06PM
rosebud1989 said...
I also like the idea of survivor second chance. My mom and I had the idea for years. Have a season with contestants that didn't make it onto the jury. There are a ton of great players that didn't make it to the second half of the game.
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