I want to preface by saying: Rest in peace Cliff Robinson. A beautiful human gone too soon, Cliff made up part of one of Survivor’s greatest casts. Cagayan will live on in Survivor infamy, and so will Cliff. God bless.
Last time, we ranked the top 51-60 contestants (Victoria, Courtney, Andrea, Cydney, Tom Westman, Nick, James, Tai, Coach, and David) and you had to guess for the next batch. Today, we’re gonna look at the 41-50 ranked contestants on my list. I said it once, I’ll say it again, this is COMPLETELY subjective, but being on the list in any facet is an honor and I made sure to include the people I thought shaped the game’s history best. You will disagree, and that’s okay, just be polite, kind, and respectful in your comments and healthy discussion. I cannot wait to hear what you think. Here we go!
*Number 50: Terry Deitz (Panama; Cambodia)- Terry is one of Survivor’s OG challenge beasts, and he deserves to be on the list due to his challenge performance alone. However, I think Terry deserves much more merit beyond just being good in challenges. He was able to find one of the first hidden immunity idols that the game has seen, and was able to go the whole game without having to play it. I also think it was so endearing because he was an older guy. He wasn’t an athlete like Culpepper. He was everyone’s Captain America. I do think he stays higher on the list because his second time out, he actually made a pretty good impression. His edit was smaller (due to how early he goes out), but I do think it showed that he was actually learning fast in how to adapt to the game. He was on the outs of the first vote, but managed to use that to befriend Abi-Maria, improving his social standing within the tribe, allowing him to partake in a split vote between Shirin and Spencer. We don’t know how Terry would’ve done had he got to the merge, but I do think he was likable enough to truly blend in with the majority in any given scenario. It’s a shame his time was cut too soon, but he is the example of someone who truly deserves a return in the future because he really never got to see his second game through to the end. Maybe not the best strategist, but he rolled with the punches like no other, and the five wins is something you HAVE to admire, even with the security of an idol in your back pocket.
*Number 49: Colby Donaldson (The Australian Outback; All-Stars; Heroes vs. Villains)- Colby, like Terry, won five immunities, and given how early on in the show’s history he did it, it’s even more impressive. I think Colby earns his way on the list because of his first game. He plays an amazing game, aligning with Tina and really capitalizing on the alliances made on the first season to evolve strategy in the second. On All-Stars, he’s sort of a marked man from the top of the season, being such a big threat, but he still manages to survive a tribal council (where Hatch is eliminated). In his third game, he plays pretty poorly, but oddly survives longer than any other hero. It must be a testament to Colby’s game that the villains wanted to pick off the other heroes first. In reality, Colby is probably a better speaker than Amanda in final tribal, and well-liked by the jurors more than someone like Rupert or Candace, yet he outlasts them all. He knows his challenge prowess isn’t the same, so he utilizes that to play a more low-key game. He did what Tom Westman couldn’t, in that he was able to bounce back and survive as long as possible despite being on the outs. That being said, it was a bit of a shame to see Colby, one of the old school greats, fail so miserably in challenges. His All-Star placement and his poor performance in challenges in HvV put him lower on the list, though I think you can’t look much further (in terms of legends) than Colby Donaldson. A legend indeed.
*Number 48: Kass McQuillen (Cagayan; Cambodia)- Kass is such an underrated player, and I think it’s because her villainous ways are dominant in the edit. She really is a key part to so many moves out on the island, ending the Survivor journeys of both Spencer and Sarah (who I have higher on the list) in the process. Of course, the issue is, Kass can never win the game. Against Tony or Woo, she loses, but I do think her path in getting to the end in Cagayan was quite impressive. She knew when to flip flop, and created…well..Chaos! But in that Chaos, she actually got some power, and she wasn’t seen as expendable, but rather needed her for a number. In Cambodia, she actually learns from her gameplay and tries to be more likable. The only issue is that she has a reputation that others can’t see past, and she goes home right away in the merge. Regardless, I do think she’s a great player and it makes sense why people would be threatened by her and try to get her out. I do appreciate Kass’ ability to switch up her gameplay the second time around, and if only she had made it one or two votes past in the merge, she may have been able to make a heroic victory lap. But it sadly didn’t happen. A great villain for tv’s sake, and an underrated strategist that really led a lot of the strategic play of Cagayan in the pre-merge, and even in the post-merge along with Tony.
*Number 47: Jon “Jonny FairPlay” Dalton (Pearl Islands; Micronesia)- I mean, it’s FairPlay. He’s an icon. He did go out first in Micronesia, so there’s your explanation as to why he’s so low on the list. Even then, top 47 ain’t bad for the show’s most recognizable Old School villain. He brought a truly cutthroat nature to the game that makes Hatch, Cesternino, and Brian Heidik seem soft. He was ruthless, but made his moves with a charm and comedy that allowed viewers to actually root for the guy. His grandmother lie is the most famous moment of his season, on a season with so many iconic fights, blindsides, and moments. If he wins the final challenge, there’s a good chance he wins in the end, beating Lill in a landslide. He was that close, and that good. When his closest ally, Burton, was blindsided, FairPlay was able to save himself another week, planting a riff between Darrah, Lill, and Sandra, and allowing for himself to slip by. He was strategic, unrelentless, and just so much fun to watch. An undisputed Survivor legend that only drops down the list due to his treacherous Micronesia game.
*Number 46: Aras Baskauskas (Winner of Panama; Blood vs. Water)- Aras is an interesting winner, because his whole mission was “beat Terry” “beat Terry” all season, but could never actually beat Terry. Even in the end, it was Danielle who voted Terry out. So why is Aras so high? Well, he simply capitalized on the “Outlast” portion of the game. He was able to Outlast the others, and that’s because he aligned with a bunch of huge personalities that he could always outlast. Courtney, Shane, and Danielle were all very vocal, extroverted players, and Cirie, while likable, was always a bigger social threat that couldn’t win many challenges. Aras set himself up perfectly to beat everyone except Terry. But with Terry out of the way, Aras is the clear choice. Cirie outwit everyone…Terry outplayed everyone….but Aras did what Terry couldn’t…outlast. I do think Aras’ more impressive showing may honestly be in Blood vs. Water. He played an impressive game, especially given the fact that he was one of two winners. I think, having another stronger component in Vytas, hurt his game for sure, but it’s impressive to see how far Aras went in the game, and that he really was a large portion of the strategy talk of the season. I’m a big fan of Aras’s, and I think he is certainly an underrated winner, even if he was overshadowed by much bigger personalities in his initial season.
*Number 45: Jonathan Penner (Cook Islands; Micronesia; Philippines)- Penner. What to say! Penner is an icon. I think his worst game is strangely his first game, but every time he goes out onto the island, he seems to be more and more comfortable and strategic within the game. The thing is, even in Cook Islands where he’s not very well liked by many, he still makes a huge impact. He is seen strategizing with Yul about the idol, and we see him make a mutiny, which showed just how risk-taking and daring Jonathan was. He was always willing to take every opportunity, which is a casting director’s dream. Along the same lines, he also knew how to deliver confessionals well, which gave him great screen time. Sure, it’s not all about character, but when you’re playing 110% of the time, and have great confessionals on top of it, you’re a sure-fire returnee. Upon return, Penner actually took some control in Micronesia. While there were almost two sides emerging on the Favorites tribe, Jonathan was the leader of his side and almost got Cirie’s vote in a crucial swing position. Even after losing Yau-Man, the tribe swap allowed him to regain control of the numbers again. But by that time, his knee injury had taken him out. I do think he really had great potential to truly run the board, as many were coming to him as he was calling the shots that season. In Philippins, he comes back and does an amazing job in the pre-merge, winning four immunities in a row and controlling Dawson and Katie’s eliminations. Yes, he was a huge target come merge, but he was able to avoid the elimination well. He negated votes with an idol, won an immunity, and helped vote out both Aras and Pete. By the time he went home, his luck had run out, but on a season with three returnees, one who went out super early, and one who made it to final tribal and lost with zero votes, I think Penner’s game is the most impressive. Penner hustled and actually made it much further than he had any right to. He’s a great personality, and I think he always has a great impact on every season he’s on.
*Number 44: Brian Heidik (Winner of Thailand)- Brian is a pretty crappy human being, from what we’ve seen post-Survivor, so I’ll keep it brief. I think Brian plays a pretty dominant game, with a few glaring asterisks. He treats it like a business deal, which is a great approach for anyone to have in Old School survivor when everyone is still figuring out the game. He came in with an agenda, and got it done, and was in control pretty much the whole time. The issue: Brian’s competition was weak. Aside from Shii Ann and Helen, everyone else was pretty bad at the game (which is why Thailand is regarded as a pretty bad season). Shii Ann goes out because of the fake merge twist, and Brian ends up knocking off Helen, who he almost loses a final vote from! Helen gives Brian his vote eventually, but Brian only wins in a 4-3 vote. He is one vote away from LOSING to CLAY! CLAY JORDAN! A 4-3 vote isn’t bad, but when it’s against someone as bad as Clay, I don’t think that’s a good showing for Brian’s game. Brian’s game should’ve earned him a 7-0 vote, but his poor jury management shows. Regardless, he gets the job done, and played a dominant game. Gotta give him credit.
*Number 43: Tommy Sheehan (Winner of Island of the Idols)- Tommy played a pretty clean game, was targeted a few times, but was in pretty much everyone’s good graces. He seemed to get along with nearly everyone! In a season full of some pretty foul human moments, I think Tommy always kept his composure, and was a likable guy by the end of the day. His alliances with Lauren, Janet, D*n, Dean, and Elaine had him involved with so many plans and strategy talk throughout the season, allowing for him to take control without every seeming like the biggest threat. Noura takes him to final three without needing him to even partake in fire making. It’s truly impressive. The most impressive thing about Tommy’s game is that he played with no advantages, idols, or immunity wins. He doesn’t even go to the Island of the Idols until finale night. He didn’t need a twist, but let everyone else take out one another because of their advantages, letting him stroll to the end of the game. I think Tommy does have a close call in the Missy vote out, when he was so close to being the one eliminated, but after that, he really didn’t have any worry for the rest of the game. He plays just such a clean game. My biggest qualm is that, if Dean doesn’t flip the right side of the coin and get that nullifier, I think Janet steamrolls him in the end. But luck was on Tommy’s side, and he’s able to take Janet out at 5 (unfairly so), giving him the easy path to victory. A commendable winner.
*Number 42: Rupert Boneham (Pearl Islands; All-Stars; Heroes vs. Villains; Blood vs. Water)- Rupert is on this list because he’s a great character. He really doesn’t play the strategy well, but he’s so iconic, I couldn’t not include him. His iconography is why Survivor is as successful as it is. He was unlike anyone we’ve ever seen before. In his first season, he steals shoes, gets into arguments, and goes out earlier in the jury, yet America still ADORES him. He’s the only Pearl Islands returnee on All-Stars, and makes it all the way to final four. This is honestly the most impressive game of Rupert’s, because his tribe does pretty poorly early on, but he and Jenna are able to make good bonds, and ultimately side with Rob and Amber, getting them all the way to final four. Of course, he should’ve cut Rob or Amber earlier when given the chance, but in terms of longevity, Rupert goes a long way. In HvV, his gameplay is sloppy once again (especially socially), but he is able to fit in with the core alliance of Amanda-Cirie-James-JT, and never really feels vulnerable until the merge. Even at the merge, he knows when to flip on Candace, getting himself a week further, and manages to make final six. Not the most impressive game, but considering how iconic he is, it’s great how he’s able to outlast so many others. His BvW game is so short, it barely counts. But I really do think his sheer iconography gets him a spot on the list, as well as the fact that he makes both 4th and 6th place, which is an impressive stat on any season.
*Number 41: Jerri Manthey (The Australian Outback; All-Stars; Heroes vs. Villains)- Jerri impresses me because on her third go, she proved she was more than just a great character, and that she had potential to actually be a Survivor winner. Her rivalry with Colby on all three seasons is great to see, but because she’s such a threatening, flirtatious presence, she is taken out on her first season by him. On her second go, she ends up getting revenge on Colby, only to be taken out because of a deal Rob and Lex made. But on the third go, she doesn’t play up the Black Widow role, instead trying to make genuine, kind relationships, and it actually works. Jerri is able to be friends with so many people that Rob and Russell are both vying for her vote, and she ends up flipping to join Russell’s side. If she wins the final immunity, Jerri has an incredible shot of winning the game, and that is an awesome merit to her game. She changes her game from villain to hero, and ends up being one of the most likable on the season. I am blown away by her gameplay, because, while she flops on her old alliance, I think she’d still garner respect from the jury, as she found the place she knew she could advance best in, and did, but did so respectfully. On a season where she is playing as a “Villain,” it was great to see her take the high road most of the time. Jerri has one of the greatest character arcs in the history of Survivor. I know I didn’t talk much about her first two appearances, but I think her first two appearances rally built up her iconography so that she could come back a third time and really play the game for real, with no gimmicks, and make a lasting effect on her (and Colby’s) legacy. Her third go proved that she (in my opinion) may just be a better player than Colby in that she did better as she played more and more. Love Jerri.
That was my top 50-41. So here are some clues for the next batch of contestants on the list. Let’s see if you can guess.
40. This player tied both Colby AND Terry’s record, but did something neither could do: win the game.
39. This player only had a few seasons between their first and second appearance, but managed to make it to the finale both times, sporting a green buff on their starting tribe both times.
38. This runner-up didn’t get any votes in final tribal council, but on their second season, they helped vote for someone who ended up also winning their vote unanimously.
37. This player is one of only three contestants to spend time on both Exile Island and Redemption Island, and was the first to do so.
36. On this player’s return, they shared a first name with another contestant. But they went by their last name, which would hold iconography within Survivor’s history.
35. This winner outlasted three returning players on their original season, and went on to outlast 14 returning players on their second go.
34. This runner up went from final three to post-merge juror to pre-merge juror on their three-season arc.
33. This winner didn’t make it to final tribal council on their second go, but still never got voted out of the game of Survivor at any point.
32. This player gave away an idol and got voted out with an idol, but still became an idol for many, playing a fantastic game their first time around.
31. This winner is one of the Old School greats, despite having a tough go on Winners at War, but still earned so much respect for their merits in and outside the game.
If you have any guesses for the next installment of the list, please drop them below. What do you think of numbers 41-50 on the list? Looking forward to sharing 31-40 next time.
SmoothStalker12 I am! Thank you so much for the kind words. I figured I would have some time on my hands, and wanted to talk about the legacy of Survivor in some way. Glad you enjoy it
I want to preface by saying: Rest in peace Cliff Robinson. A beautiful human gone too soon, Cliff made up part of one of Survivor’s greatest casts. Cagayan will live on in Survivor infamy, and so will Cliff. God bless.