Survivor - General Discussion

[JirinPanthosa]

I definitely also considered Kim, Denise and Todd. I also almost considered Chris, except that I remembered he came very close to going first.

Also I only considered people who won. I'd have to think a bit to give a list of people who didn't win I think could win if they played again. Sabrina, Chase, Amanda, Ozzy, Ian, Stephen, Rafe, a whole lot of the people who just wound up in the minority after the merge or a tribe swap, like Jeff (Australia), Brian (Guatemala). Also, I have a really good memory of the first three seasons and the last couple seasons, the rest of the seasons I can only remember the people who made it to the end or the people who played more than once.

If I could rewatch the series without buying DVDs on Netflix or Hulu I'd think about it.

Also now that I think about it I have an unexpectedly good memory of season 7, even though I can't remember anyone who finished lower than 5 in seasons 4-6 other than Rob.

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

Amanda is certainly one of the most memorable players ever and she's one of my all-time favorite players, but she's so bad at representing herself in final tribal councils that by any objective measurement - and I'd love to measure Amanda! - it prevents her from being listed right at the top as one of the best players.

Richard Hatch is in my Top 10, probably my Top 5, greatest players. He's the player who set in place the foundations of basic strategy needed to win the game - form an alliance, control the alliance, get yourself to the end against someone you can beat - that's been followed ever since, with adjustments in the face of new rules and tougher competition, when most of those first season players went in having given the game no real thought.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Richard Hatch is definitely the most important player in the game's history just because he set the tone for the entire series. I just don't think he could stand a chance in any other season, which is why I didn't include him. Being the best player in the first season is like being the best NBA team in the Atlantic division.

I suppose he gets historical influence points.

 

[Toxteth O´Grady]

I'd LOVE to see Richard Hatch play again. But his legal troubles have prevented him from coming back as he can't leave the country. Supposedly he hasn't missed one single episode of the show, even after he was arrested.

Does anybody else watch the Ponderosa videos on CBS.com? I just discovered the Cagayan ones last night and have been watching the ones from past seasons on YouTube. They are great! It's almost like a spinoff of the show. I like seeing the reactions from the bootees mere seconds after they are voted off and then they are treated to a bag of goodies on the ride to medical to check their weight. Then once more people arrive they're either welcomed with open arms or are ignored. But it seems for the most part that the jury members quickly get over their boot once they are comfortable at Ponderosa. It's very nice seeing these people who are no longer on the actual show and the fun that they have in between Tribal Councils.

 

[Timewalker]

I'd LOVE to see Richard Hatch play again. But his legal troubles have prevented him from coming back as he can't leave the country. Supposedly he hasn't missed one single episode of the show, even after he was arrested.

Meh. They brought him back, and he got voted off. He might have been the original alliance-maker, but by no means has he been the most devious player. And he was pretty damn obnoxious the last time (not that he wasn't the first time, but the last time was just so disgusting).

 

[Spot's Meow]

Does anybody else watch the Ponderosa videos on CBS.com? I just discovered the Cagayan ones last night and have been watching the ones from past seasons on YouTube. They are great! It's almost like a spinoff of the show. I like seeing the reactions from the bootees mere seconds after they are voted off and then they are treated to a bag of goodies on the ride to medical to check their weight. Then once more people arrive they're either welcomed with open arms or are ignored. But it seems for the most part that the jury members quickly get over their boot once they are comfortable at Ponderosa. It's very nice seeing these people who are no longer on the actual show and the fun that they have in between Tribal Councils.

I watched Ponderosa for a number of seasons, though I haven't or the last four or so seasons. Mostly because I just forget about it, don't have the time, or don't care as much about the particular cast. I do really enjoy it though, it gives you a different perspective on what they are experiencing out there.

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

I just discovered the Cagayan ones last night and have been watching the ones from past seasons on YouTube. They are great!

The Ponderosa videos can be a lot of fun. Be sure to check out the ones from Heroes v Villains - they're generally considered the best to date with lots of good humor and the eliminated contestants entertaining each other with music sessions.

 

[Toxteth O´Grady]

Meh. They brought him back, and he got voted off. He might have been the original alliance-maker, but by no means has he been the most devious player.

That's why I'm so interested in seeing him come back. The game has changed so drastically from even his second appearance. In his original season he was surrounded by people who didn't want to play dirty and that's why he made it so far. But in the modern age of Survivor I'd like to see if he has what it takes to make it to the finals again. Gervase returned after a really long time and he made it to the finals. I actually love seeing people from the really early seasons come back and seeing how they handle such a different game.

 

[Pegaritaville]

I would add Cirie to the list of top players. I didn't expect her to last a week her first time out, but she learned the game quickly. And considering some of the nut cases she had to play with, she was a master of the social aspect of the game.

 

[Toxteth O´Grady]

It's been a while since I've seen Exile Island, but I do remember being surprised by Cirie. The main thing I remember from that season is Shane. Crazy, crazy Shane.