Survivor 50 Cast Announcement: Favorites and Flops
The Survivor 50 cast was announced today — granted, a few days after it was leaked — but we now officially have 24 (!!!) former castaways ready to hit the beaches in Fiji.
And I know what you’re thinking, the question everybody wants the answer to: What do I think about the cast? Lucky for you, I have some thoughts. And, of course, my opinions are the correct ones, so let’s dive in.
Favorite
24 Players
The more players the better. We get more returnees, more boots, more backstabbing, and more social dynamics to play with. If the season is still 26 days, this is going to be Survivor in overdrive. Buckle in and get ready to enjoy the ride.
Flop
50/50 Old/New Era Split
I get it, we haven’t had a returnee season in the new era, and a lot of players in the 30s haven’t had a chance to return at all either. That being said, if this is really a “celebration” (per Jeff) of Survivor, we’re missing some legends. The new era makes up about 20% of Survivor history, but it’s getting 50% of the spots. I get it might not be exactly proportional, but we aren’t really celebrating the whole history of Survivor with 12 new era players and zero players from the 20s.
Even if we wanted to leave off winners for the old era seasons, we’re missing some notable names like Malcolm, Natalie Bolton, Jerri, Amanda, Courtney, Rob Cesternino James, and Penner just to name a few. Obviously, I’m not advocating to have all these players on, that’s not possible. But some of these players — plus other fringe inclusions in the 20s and early 30s — could have carved out a more compelling spot that at least six of the new era players.
Favorite
Q
It’s not all bad with the new era. Q is probably my favorite new era player simply due to his ability to throw a wrench into everything. It’s reality TV, we want drama, we want spectacle. Q gives us everything. Just imagine Survivor 48 but there was a Q on the season — completely different (and much more enjoyable) season. He will be pure entertainment, and I can’t wait.
Favorite
New Era Mothers
No, not literally. One thing the casting department did do well for its new era casting was the women they did choose. Tiff stands out to me as a bold choice that wouldn’t have been considered a lock who I am super excited to see again. Financial Analyst Emily Flippen falls into that category too of players who I think can really show out on a second season and bring strategic and entertainment value. Dee and Genevieve were both layups and slam dunks at the same time. Kamilla is not the most inspired pick, but I loved her confessionals, so hopefully we can get a more bold Kamilla for 50.
Flop
Ozzy and Aubry
These are the old era players I want replaced. With who? Doesn’t really matter, but I’d probably go with Jerri Manthey and a young-ish man from the 20s (Malcolm, perhaps?). I mean there’s so many choices (my sleeper favorite pick would be Todd Herzog), and they’re all better than seeing either of these for yet another season.
What is old Ozzy going to do? His entire appeal of his challenge performance, and frankly his hotness, is practically gone. For Aubry, we’ve seen enough. There are other women who are more entertaining and more fit for a narrative return.
Favorite
The White Lotus
MIKE WHITE
Yeah, that’s it. Speaks for itself.
Just kidding, to offer some perspective beyond Mike probably being the most famous person on this cast, he is a great Survivor player. He’s smart, strategic, and aware, and he’s going to be great TV.
Flop
Season 48 and Taylor Swift
OK, we’re finally done with the drudgery of Survivor 48 and we can look forward to 49 and 50. Wait, what? Say that again. How many are on Survivor 50? No way, that can’t be right. THREE?!
Picking three players from one of the most boring seasons of Survivor I’ve ever seen is devastating. There are old era players who could take those spots, as discussed, or old new era (41-44) that are deserving in Shan, Jesse, Carolyn, Omar, and more. This was super disappointing to see with three players whose stories I feel are well contained within their season and don’t really need any more.
And sorry, Charlie, as a boring white guy I really don’t need a boring white guy to return. The story is Charlie was robbed, but it ends there. His confessionals weren’t all together great, and his gameplay was milquetoast, hiding in Maria’s shadow and letting bad strategic players eat themselves up. I loved Charlie on 46, but is it crazy to say I’d even rather have Bhanu from that season for entertainment value?
Favorite
Loyalty and Integrity
I know, I know. I just said Joe was a flop casting, and I’m not excited for him to come back. And while that isn’t true, I am excited for some of the interactions and dynamics he can bring through relationships with other players. Coach is one of my favorite players ever; not because he’s good, not because he’s likeable, but because he is TV gold. The more Coach Benjamin Wade, the Dragon Slayer, graces my screen the better.
I think there’s a contingent of “loyalty and integrity,” for lack of a better word, buffoons, on this season that their alliance could be hilarious. There are enough great strategists and chaos agents for said alliance to not be able to last for more than a tribal council or two, but the attempts to make it happen will be great. I see Coach, Joe, Colby, and Kyle being the possible drivers of this, but I could see Q getting in on it just for the bit and even Mike to study some psychopath behavior for the next season of “The White Lotus” before tearing them apart.
Favorite
Pagong
I’m so glad we got a Borneo cast member on the season. It’s not easy to find people from the original season who are:
a) able-bodied enough to play
b) entertaining
c) not deplorable
d) capable of punching with the new era strategists
Jenna has to be one of the only people who fulfills all four of those requirements. Gervase, maybe, as well. I think Jenna will be great, and I’m super excited for her return.
Final Thoughts
I think people complain a lot. There are things to complain about, which I have done, but the majority of this cast is great. There’s a lot more to like than dislike, and I think the interactions are going to be fascinating to watch play out.
I see it as a classic case of overpromise, underdeliver, and CBS getting some heat because of it. They made 50 out to be grander than this cast feels on paper. People wanted Parvati, Sandra, Tony, etc. and just a small select group of new era players. That’s just not the case, and it feels a bit off the mark as a result. However, this season will be good. The personalities, regardless of boot order in my opinion, will make this thoroughly entertaining.