Reality TV Thoughts

The Survivor 50 casting process was a bloodbath. So many iconic players like Jerri Manthey, Abi-Maria Gomez, and Carolyn Wiger were cut from the cast despite seeming like obvious locks for the season. These players were not only cut, but were very vocally upset and disappointed online. These legends were cut despite Survivor 50 having the largest cast size ever for a US season of Survivor at 24 players! So, what did the 24 selected players do on their prior appearances to be chosen for a spot that so many legends craved? Do they have incomplete storylines that a return could satisfy? A completely new approach to the game? Or do they just make for entertaining television? Well, on this post I will be attempting to create a storyline for every single player on this season based off their preseason interviews with Mike Bloom and their short player intros on the official Survivor account’s Instagram and TikTok accounts.

Jenna Lewis-Dougherty (Borneo, All Stars)

Jenna Lewis now holds the record for the largest gap between seasons played, having last played on season 8, All Stars, an over 20 year gap! And she is coming into this season hungry to play again. In her interviews, she is coming off strong, wanting to target huge threats like Cirie Fields right off the bat. She is willing to adapt to New Era gameplay, something she did on All Stars, immediately targeting the winners and making alliances. She’s going to give Survivor 50 her all and seems to have a lot of people wanting to be friends with her preseason. The question is, will she play too hard too fast and burn all of those potential relationships?

Colby Donaldson (Australian Outback, All Stars, Heroes vs Villains)

Colby Donaldson, once the Golden Boy of Survivor. The first challenge beast and an honorable player, giving up the million by taking his close ally Tina to the end. However, diminishing returns on All Stars and Heroes vs Villains gained him the reputation of “Superman in a fat suit.” Heading into 50, Colby is ready to redeem his image. He has kept up with recent Survivor seasons, something he infamously hasn’t done in the past, and is willing to adapt. Although this is his first season without his rival turned friend, Jerri, I believe this could be his most interesting run yet. He will prove on 50 that he’s not an out-of-touch grouch from the early days and that he still has it.

Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick (Palau, Guatemala, Heroes vs Villains)

Most known for being the only Survivor player to ever be on a tribe of one, Stephenie disappeared from the reality TV scene after her lackluster appearance on Heroes vs Villains. However, she recently sprung back up, competing on Snake in the Grass and The Traitors not that long ago. She’s played both of those shows alongside Cirie Fields, who has outplayed her on both. Now, she’s back to Survivor, also with Cirie. Will she work with Cirie, or try to be the one to outplay her this time? And how will she approach the game now that her life is so radically different from the last time she played?

Cirie Fields (Panama, Micronesia, Heroes vs Villains, Game Changers)

Cirie is widely considered the best player to never win in Survivor. Famously, she has never been naturally voted out of the game with a majority of the votes: losing a fire-making tiebreaker in Panama, being voted out with 1 vote due to a surprise last-minute final 3 in Micronesia, getting idoled out in Heroes vs Villains, and being voted out with 0 votes on Game Changers. And despite having a Traitors win under her belt, Cirie is still itching for the Survivor crown. She still has lots of people on this cast willing to work with her and her natural skills for the game should get her far. Will she finally get that victory or heartbreakingly fall short yet again?

Ozzy Lusth (Cook Islands, Micronesia, South Pacific, Game Changers)

Ozzy, the ‘Jungle Boy,’ of Survivor, has had a wild Survivor journey. Falling one vote short of winning on Cook Islands, getting brutally blindsided in Micronesia by the Black Widow Brigade, and falling one immunity challenge away from winning on South Pacific. However, his lackluster Game Changers performance leaves many worried he’ll just do more of the same on 50. Be a provider in the pre-merge, only to be voted out early in the merge as a physical threat. This time around though, Ozzy seems to be aware that that kind of gameplay doesn’t work. He and Cirie seem to be locked in allies from day 1, even starting on the same tribe. The question is, will he actually adapt and change up his game or just fall into his same old ways?

Benjamin ‘Coach’ Wade (Tocantins, Heroes vs Villains, South Pacific)

Coach, the Dragonslayer, is someone who needs absolutely no introduction. One of the most entertaining and whacky people to ever be on Survivor. He’s had a tumultuous Survivor journey, with nobody really taking him seriously on his first two appearances only for him to completely dominate the game on South Pacific. This time around, almost everyone wants to befriend the Dragonslayer. He has potential to win the game this time around, but will he actually try to play strategically, or is he just back out on the island for a good time?

Aubry Bracco (Kaoh Rong, Game Changers, Edge of Extinction)

Aubry by far has one of the most interest trajectories out of anyone in this cast. She was a star on her first season, controversially losing the game to Michele Fitzgerald. She was quickly brought back two more times, but was not able to live up to her first appearance. Her appearance on Edge of Extinction was especially difficult, as she describes herself as being on ‘autopilot’ during it. Her early blindside and overall poor showing on that season ended her Survivor experience on a sour note. She never thought that she would get another opportunity to play Survivor again. She was surprised to get a call for 50! Now that she’s here though, this appearance is about healing her relationship with Survivor. She’s coming into the game with a completely new outlook and a much more positive mindset. She is looking for redemption and closure.

Chrissy Hofbeck (Heroes vs Healers vs Hustlers)

Chrissy was famously one of the first victims of Final Four Firemaking. While she still made it to final tribal council, FFF allowed for the huge jury threat Ben to survive the final 4 round and win. After her season, many fans believed that Chrissy should get another chance to play. However, after 40 was revealed to be Winners at War (which she wasn’t eligible for) and more time passed without any returnee seasons, fans worried production would forget about her. Luckily, she’s here. and after a huge health scare and worry that her body wouldn’t be able to handle Survivor anymore, she’s more ready to play than ever. She will make the most out of this second chance and have a great time doing it.

Mike White (David vs Goliath)

Mike White has a very successful life outside of Survivor. He is a famous, prolific writer and the creator of the hit show ‘The White Lotus.’ Yet, he is still ecstatic to play this game as a ‘vacation’ from his busy career. Mike White is aware that he has little chance of winning, and is instead determined to make the season as entertaining as possible. While it unfortunately is looking like many people are itching to target him because of his out-of-game success, he should provide a fun time no matter how short his stay could be.

Angelina Keeley (David vs Golliath)

Angelina provided some of Survivor’s most entertaining moments on her first appearance. Asking for Natalie’s jacket before her exit, starting rice bargaining in Survivor, and risking her life by climbing a ladder for an idol. While she is looked at similarly to how Coach was on his first return, a whacky player who’s not a serious threat, Angelina is looking to shock people. She is coming into this game as a literal mother with more life experience and maturity than her first time around, ready to play strategically. She could become a serious threat to win if it works out. However, will her reputation be too much to overcome?

Christian Hubicki (David vs Goliath)

Christian was one of the breakout stars of David vs Goliath. A lovable underdog who became a threat for being too likable. He seemed like a lock for the next returnee season immediately after DvG ended. He also seemed like an immediate target on whatever season he was on next. However, now that 8 years have passed since David vs Goliath, much bigger targets have emerged. That doesn’t mean that Christian isn’t prepared to become a huge target again, though. Christian is well aware of the perception he has and has played the preseason optimally, with an innovative strategy for the season. He hid the news of his newborn baby from everyone in the Survivor community, even his close friend and interviewer, Mike Bloom. He created a theory on the way the season was casted and wants to create ‘narrative warfare’ to avoid being targeted. He is doing everything he can to set himself up well in the game. Will his amazing mind for the game allow him to outrun his threat level?

Rick Devens (Edge of Extinction)

Rick Devens was the main character on Survivor Edge of Extinction. His underdog run after coming back in the game and his advantage plays were grappling to watch. However, instead of being the hero who takes it all, Devens was the final boss, as Chris Underwood swooped in after returning from the Edge of Extinction to take down Devens at final 4 fire-making and snatch the victory. After his incredible run, Devens seemed like a lock to return on a future season. To the shock of everyone though, Devens revealed to Mike Bloom that he was originally an alternate for 50 and only made the cut late into the casting process. Almost not even having this second chance put a fire under Devens to play as hard as he can. He’s going to take all of the risks he can to make a splash. He’ll either go down in flames or give us one of the most chaotic winning games of all time.

Jonathan Young (42)

Jonathan’s most memorable moment came early in Survivor 42. During the pre-merge, he carried an entire ladder and his teammates all by himself despite ocean tides so heavy Jeff had to call off the water portion of the challenge. Beyond that, he also proved himself to be somewhat of a competent strategic player, having a solid alliance that got him to the final 4. However, he had little win equity. It seems that for 50 almost everyone wants Jonathan on their starting tribe for his challenge strength. He seems practically guaranteed to make the merge at least. The question is, will he prove that he is more than just muscle or become the new Ozzy?

Dee Valladares (45)

The first of 3 winners on 50, Dee is widely considered the best winner of the New Era. She was in a dominant position the entire game, with her alliance, the Reba Four, managing to make it to the final 6 together. She consistently betrayed her closest ally Austin yet he was still loyal. Her decision-making and strategy got out the biggest threats to her game (Kellie, Kendra, Emily). And when the Reba 4 did turn on each other, she was the one in control, plotting Drew’s demise. However, on 50, Dee is likely to start off the game with a massive target on her back. She will have to adapt her gameplay and play from the bottom. If Dee is able to make it deep despite her massive target and somehow find herself in another strong alliance, she could become one of the best Survivor players of all time.

Emily Flippen (45)

Emily had one of the greatest one season arcs of the New Era. Before the marooning challenge even began, she had already called out Bruce for having an advantage over everyone else and “talking with authority.” She was almost the first boot of her tribe but ended up coming into the merge as one of its only two survivors. She then became a serious contender, orchestrating the Bruce blindside only to be idoled out the next round. Coming into 50, Emily wants to completely rewrite how her story ended. The reason she is ever out on the beach again after notably saying she didn’t want to play again is because she hates that she left the game describing herself as having softened. She’s ready to cause some chaos on 50 and not shy away from her abrasive personality. Her Survivor legacy will drastically change, one way or another.

Charlie Davis (46)

Charlie is coming into Survivor 50 similarly to how Rob Cesternino came into All Stars or Aubry came into Game Changers. He is the guy who many people believe should have won his season. Coming one vote away from winning 46 and that vote being from his closest ally throughout the entire game must have stung. He is definitely coming into 50 seeking redemption for that. However, coming into a returnee season shortly after nearly winning has spelled disaster for players in the past. Unfortunately, it seems Charlie is not aware of how much of a target he is coming into the season and that could spell danger for him. He will either come out of 50 having proven himself as one of the greatest players of all time or an early casualty like Rob C.

Quintavius ‘Q’ Burdette (46)

Q is one of, if not the most entertaining and chaotic players to come out of the New Era. He was such an entertaining and unique personality that Jeff called Q a lock for 50 before the casting process even properly began. However, because of how whacky of a character Q is, he is coming into 50 similarly to how Coach came into Heroes vs Villains. He’s an erratic player who most won’t want to work with or take seriously. Luckily for Q, he is fully willing to lean into his personality and already has in the preseason, saying he’ll target Emily for “eating beef, drinking coke, and being left handed.” He wants to have people joining the ‘Q wagon,’ whatever that means. No matter how long or short of a stay Q has, he will provide for an entertaining time.

Tiffany Nicole Ervin (46)

Every Survivor returnee season has at least one confusing, seemingly random pick on the cast, and Tiffany seems to be that person for Survivor 50. However, many questionable returnee picks like Amber Brkich in All Stars, Kelley Wentworth in Cambodia, or Sarah Lacina in Game Changers have cemented their spot in Survivor history on their returns. Tiffany has the potential to follow in this line of players. She is a very capable strategic player from the mess of Survivor 46 and doesn’t seem to have anyone wanting to target her early on. She has tons of potential and a lot to prove.

Genevieve Mushaluk (47)

The sole representative from Survivor 47, a player with one of the most interesting arcs of all time, and Twitter’s favorite player, Genevieve is coming into this season with a lot of hype and a huge threat level. Genevieve proved herself early on in Survivor 47, orchestrating Kishan’s blindside in the pre-merge. However, she encapsulated the emotions and feelings that come with playing a ruthless game when she opened up about purposefully closing herself off from everyone else so that they wouldn’t be as hurt as Kishan or Teeny were when she betrayed them. She helped orchestrate one of the best New Era moves with Operation Italy and became the eventual winner, Rachel’s, biggest rival. Coming into 50, Genevieve is just as willing to lie, backstab, and betray people. She’s leaning into her image of being a ruthless strategic player to have people come up to her whenever they want to backstab an ally. She’s not going to close herself off this time, instead forming those connections with others until she needs to vote them out. Lots of people are after her because of her ruthlessness. Will she be able to outsmart them?

Kyle Fraser (48)

Mere days before everyone flew out for Survivor 50, the cast members had just watched Kyle win Survivor 48, having outwitted Joe Hunter and Eva Erickson alongside his secret partner in crime Kamilla Karthigesu. Now that he’s on 50 with Joe and Kamilla, he is in deep danger early on. At least one of him or Kamilla will not survive the pre-merge. Already having that victory under his belt means that Kyle is willing to take more risks on 50 than 48. He’ll have to take those risks if he wants to survive.

Joe Hunter (48)

For most of Survivor 48’s run, people had assumed that Joe would easily run away with the million. He was seemingly the biggest threat in the game yet not enough people wanted to target him. His gameplay style of ‘honesty and integrity’ shaped the strategy of the season, for the better or worse. However, he shockingly lost and was actually a final tribal goat. Coming into 50, that mantra of honesty and integrity is still attached to him. He’s seemingly not going to change up his strategy that much, calling practically everyone on the cast a friend. People definitely want to work with him, knowing he would be a loyal ally. It could get him far yet again, but it could also fail to gain him any respect from a potential jury.

Kamilla Karthigesu (48)

On a season with a mantra of honesty and integrity, Kamilla was one of the few players actively willing to lie and deceive. Her snarky confessionals and refreshing strategic talk compared to the rest of her cast made her a fan favorite on Twitter. On a season like 50, which is much more likely to incentivize strategic, cutthroat gameplay, Kamilla could have a chance to play the game she wanted to play in 48. However, being on the season with Kyle puts a huge target on her back, as does the fact she almost won. In her interviews, she is notably pissed that Kyle is also on 50, knowing it could sink her game. She has lots of potential to blossom as a strategic force if Kyle leaves early, but if he survives long enough, he could become a burden that sinks her chances.

Savannah Louie (49)

The first ever winner to play on back to back seasons, Savannah has potential to become the first back-to-back winner. Unfortunately, her chances are not looking great. Practically no one trusts her or wants to work with her. People are already suspecting her to be a winner in their preseason interviews, forcing her to come clean about it. She could be an easy first boot if her tribe loses a challenge early. Savannah has a lot going against her on 50, quite possibly the biggest target on the entire cast. If she is somehow able to survive even to the merge, it will be a miraculous performance.

Rizo Velovic (49)

A player who is willing to take risks and never take the easy route, Rizo is a dangerous strategic force. However, the only impression the Survivor 50 cast has of him is him calling himself ‘Rizgod’ in the Survivor 49 trailer. While that alone is already causing many people to look at him as a target, it is also something that he can and is willing to play to his advantage. He wants to create a perception of himself as just a goofy guy with a silly nickname. He will have an easier time hiding his strategic ability than Savannah. If he succeeds, he could make another deep run and force people to start seriously considering the ‘Rizgod’ as one of the greatest players of all time.