“Survivor” is a game that ends with one person claiming the life-changing $1 million prize, but sometimes the winner is not the one people expect. The title of Sole Survivor is the result of taking out the biggest competitors, being likable in the cast, and appealing to the jury, all while arguing the case of why you’re the most deserving of the win. While many of the champions are well-deserved, at least according to the passionate fans at home, others spark massive debate when Jeff Probst reads their names out loud. Scroll through our photo gallery above (or click here for direct access) where we detail the Top 10 biggest “Survivor” upset winners of all time.
Tina Wesson (Season 2 — “Survivor: The Australian Outback”)
Back when “Survivor” was watched by almost 50 million people, Colby Donaldson was the young, fit, charming cowboy who the public wanted to prevail — and he almost did, making it to the Final Two.
Tina Wesson (Season 2 — “Survivor: The Australian Outback”)
Back when “Survivor” was watched by almost 50 million people, Colby Donaldson was the young, fit, charming cowboy who the public wanted to prevail — and he almost did, making it to the Final Two.
- 5/24/2023
- by Christopher Tsang and Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Two episodes into Survivor 44, and the drama has already begun! Fans rarely hold back when sharing their thoughts on the new castaways after meeting them in the first episode, but one Survivor 44 cast member is taking some former players’ hurtful words to heart.
Carson Garrett | Photo: Robert Voets/CBS Carson Garrett is a part of the ‘Survivor 44’ cast
Survivor fans met the 18 new players in the season 44 cast during the first episode, which premiered on March 1. They are:
Brandon Cottom, a 30-year-old security specialist from Newtown, Pa Bruce Perreault, a 46-year-old insurance agent from Warwick, Ri Carolyn Wiger, a 35-year-old drug counselor from Hugo, Mn Carson Garrett, a 20-year-old NASA engineering student from Atlanta, Ga Claire Rafson, a 25-year-old tech investor from Brooklyn, NY Danny Massa, a 32-year-old firefighter from Bronx, NY Frannie Marin, a 23-year-old research coordinator from Cambridge, Ma Heidi Lagares-Greenblatt, a 43-year-old engineering manager from Pittsburgh, Pa Josh Wilder,...
Carson Garrett | Photo: Robert Voets/CBS Carson Garrett is a part of the ‘Survivor 44’ cast
Survivor fans met the 18 new players in the season 44 cast during the first episode, which premiered on March 1. They are:
Brandon Cottom, a 30-year-old security specialist from Newtown, Pa Bruce Perreault, a 46-year-old insurance agent from Warwick, Ri Carolyn Wiger, a 35-year-old drug counselor from Hugo, Mn Carson Garrett, a 20-year-old NASA engineering student from Atlanta, Ga Claire Rafson, a 25-year-old tech investor from Brooklyn, NY Danny Massa, a 32-year-old firefighter from Bronx, NY Frannie Marin, a 23-year-old research coordinator from Cambridge, Ma Heidi Lagares-Greenblatt, a 43-year-old engineering manager from Pittsburgh, Pa Josh Wilder,...
- 3/11/2023
- by Sarah Little
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
When “Survivor: Winners at War” host Jeff Probst reads the final votes of Season 40 (from the comfort of his own home), whose name will you be rooting for to see on the parchment? As of this writing, only nine castaways remain in the running to take home the series-high prize of $2 million, with one more scheduled to join them from the Edge of Extinction at a later date. Vote in our poll below for the person you hope wins “Survivor 40” on May 13, and then be sure to defend your choice in the comments section.
See ‘Survivor 40’ advantages: Who currently has immunity idols, fire tokens in ‘Winners at War’?
Sophie Clarke (“Survivor: South Pacific”) — Sophie was the winner of Season 23 on December 18, 2011, with a 6-3-0 vote over Benjamin “Coach” Wade and Albert Destrade. That season’s location was South Pacific.
Michele Fitzgerald (“Survivor: Kaoh Rong”) — Michele was the winner of...
See ‘Survivor 40’ advantages: Who currently has immunity idols, fire tokens in ‘Winners at War’?
Sophie Clarke (“Survivor: South Pacific”) — Sophie was the winner of Season 23 on December 18, 2011, with a 6-3-0 vote over Benjamin “Coach” Wade and Albert Destrade. That season’s location was South Pacific.
Michele Fitzgerald (“Survivor: Kaoh Rong”) — Michele was the winner of...
- 4/16/2020
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Over the past two decades “Survivor” has given fans their fare share of eye candy, but who are the most delicious hunks of all time? Click through our photo gallery above to see our rankings of the Top 20 hottest guys ever. Do You agree with our picks? Below, we provide a quick tease of #20 through #11.
20. Woo Hwang — He may have made the ultimate bad decision in the Cagayan finale by bringing Tony Vlachos to the final tribal council with him (he lost 8-1 because of it), but can you really deny that hair and the super chill, not a care in the world vibe? The answer is no, you can’t.
19. Dan Rengering (David vs. Goliath) — Dan branded himself as a go-getter, the guy that at one point in his life felt like a David but turned his life and health around to emerge as a Goliath. His values and...
20. Woo Hwang — He may have made the ultimate bad decision in the Cagayan finale by bringing Tony Vlachos to the final tribal council with him (he lost 8-1 because of it), but can you really deny that hair and the super chill, not a care in the world vibe? The answer is no, you can’t.
19. Dan Rengering (David vs. Goliath) — Dan branded himself as a go-getter, the guy that at one point in his life felt like a David but turned his life and health around to emerge as a Goliath. His values and...
- 11/30/2018
- by John Benutty and Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Last year legendary director and composer John Carpenter—along with Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies—unleashed Lost Themes, an album pulsating with synth-infused music that hearkened back to Carpenter's film scores with imaginative modern twists. Wasting no time, the trio will release their follow-up album, Lost Themes II, through Sacred Bones records on April 15th, followed by live performances beginning this summer:
Press Release (via Pressparty): On Halloween 2014, the director and composer John Carpenter introduced the world to the next phase of his career with “Vortex,” the first single from Lost Themes, his first-ever album of non-soundtrack material. In the months that followed, Lost Themes rightfully returned Carpenter to the forefront of the discussion of music and film’s crucial intersection. Carpenter’s foundational primacy and lasting influence on genre score work was both rediscovered and reaffirmed. Lost Themes was also a milemarker in its label’s catalog,...
Press Release (via Pressparty): On Halloween 2014, the director and composer John Carpenter introduced the world to the next phase of his career with “Vortex,” the first single from Lost Themes, his first-ever album of non-soundtrack material. In the months that followed, Lost Themes rightfully returned Carpenter to the forefront of the discussion of music and film’s crucial intersection. Carpenter’s foundational primacy and lasting influence on genre score work was both rediscovered and reaffirmed. Lost Themes was also a milemarker in its label’s catalog,...
- 2/2/2016
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People.com since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach.
"This is like a constant battle for me – good/evil, good/evil – and I really want to do good."
– Brandon Hantz, Survivor: South Pacific
Wednesday's episode of Survivor may have been my least favorite in the show's 13-year history. Brandon Hantz, of the Louisiana Hantzes, had a complete mental breakdown. He threatened people's safety and poured out the tribe's rice. It was gripping viewing, no doubt. But it was also very sad.
Survivor is psychologically...
"This is like a constant battle for me – good/evil, good/evil – and I really want to do good."
– Brandon Hantz, Survivor: South Pacific
Wednesday's episode of Survivor may have been my least favorite in the show's 13-year history. Brandon Hantz, of the Louisiana Hantzes, had a complete mental breakdown. He threatened people's safety and poured out the tribe's rice. It was gripping viewing, no doubt. But it was also very sad.
Survivor is psychologically...
- 3/14/2013
- by Stephen Fishbach
- People.com - TV Watch
Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People.com since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach. "This is like a constant battle for me - good/evil, good/evil - and I really want to do good." - Brandon Hantz, Survivor: South Pacific Wednesday's episode of Survivor may have been my least favorite in the show's 13-year history. Brandon Hantz, of the Louisiana Hantzes, had a complete mental breakdown. He threatened people's safety and poured out the tribe's rice. It was gripping viewing, no doubt. But it was also very sad.
- 3/14/2013
- by Stephen Fishbach
- PEOPLE.com
'Survivor: Caramoan': Returning Favorite Erik on why this season is 'like the Island of Misfit Toys'
For years, the undisputed titleholder when it came to Dumbest Survivor Move Ever was none other than Erik Reichenbach. It was a well-earned (dis)honor bestowed upon the ice cream scooper from Hell (Michigan) after he gave away his immunity necklace on Survivor: Micronesia…only to be voted out moments later. But Erik was a trendsetter as well! Since then, Jt gave his hidden immunity idol to Russell in Heroes vs. Villains, and Brandon Hantz handed his immunity over to Albert in Survivor: South Pacific. In both instances it was not better to give than to receive, as those...
- 2/12/2013
- by Dalton Ross
- EW - Inside TV
Survivor: One World Review, Season 24, Episode 14,
“Perception is Not Always Reality”
Airs Wednesdays at 8pm (Et) on CBS
There have been only a few cases where the Survivor winner has been telegraphed so far in advance. A recent example was Boston Rob’s roll through the Redemption Island season, but his edge as a four-time returning player made it easier. Kim has played front and center since the merge and put a huge target on her back. She’s walked the line between staying loyal to her alliance and removing major challengers. During the two-hour finale, she has several opportunities to take out players who could steal the prize. The surprising part is that she resists that temptation and sticks with Sabrina and Chelsea to face the music. Her confidence in the Final Tribal Council is clear, and the only remaining obstacle is bitterness from the jury.
Strong competitors from...
“Perception is Not Always Reality”
Airs Wednesdays at 8pm (Et) on CBS
There have been only a few cases where the Survivor winner has been telegraphed so far in advance. A recent example was Boston Rob’s roll through the Redemption Island season, but his edge as a four-time returning player made it easier. Kim has played front and center since the merge and put a huge target on her back. She’s walked the line between staying loyal to her alliance and removing major challengers. During the two-hour finale, she has several opportunities to take out players who could steal the prize. The surprising part is that she resists that temptation and sticks with Sabrina and Chelsea to face the music. Her confidence in the Final Tribal Council is clear, and the only remaining obstacle is bitterness from the jury.
Strong competitors from...
- 5/15/2012
- by Dan Heaton
- SoundOnSight
Anyone who watches reality TV knows that the inevitable all-star season of every show is always better than your average run-of-the-mill non-all-star season. (Hence the exciting name.) But at what price? Sure, everyone loves to watch their favorites come back for a second chance to win it all and finally earn the title of TV's best model/chef/designer/apprentice to Donald Trump/survivor/astronaut/canine manicurist, but the downside of every all-star season is that it's a whole season in which no new all-stars are being created. It's like if the Jolly Rancher factory decided, "Hey, for the next month, how about we produce packages with only people's favorite flavors in them?" That would be phenomenal! Except at the end of the month, all you'd have left would be grape flavored Jolly Ranchers. These days, interesting reality TV personalities are a cash crop, and we need to harvest some fun new future all-stars Asap,...
- 12/30/2011
- by Lelia Nebeker
- Aol TV.
Our top moments of the week:
10. Best Silent Killer: When it came time for the jury to have at the final three Survivor: South Pacific contestants, the most vicious commentary of all comes from an unexpected source —Whitney — the sweet Southern belle. "Albert, you're sleazy," she says. "Coach, you used Christianity to manipulate your whole tribe. And Sophie? You're the most condescending person I've ever met." Are you sure about that, Whitney? Because that condescending person managed to snare enough votes to win.
9. Most Biting Remark: Top Chef delivers a Christmas miracle, or perhaps just a case of...
Read More >...
10. Best Silent Killer: When it came time for the jury to have at the final three Survivor: South Pacific contestants, the most vicious commentary of all comes from an unexpected source —Whitney — the sweet Southern belle. "Albert, you're sleazy," she says. "Coach, you used Christianity to manipulate your whole tribe. And Sophie? You're the most condescending person I've ever met." Are you sure about that, Whitney? Because that condescending person managed to snare enough votes to win.
9. Most Biting Remark: Top Chef delivers a Christmas miracle, or perhaps just a case of...
Read More >...
- 12/23/2011
- by Joyce Eng and Kate Stanhope
- TVGuide - Breaking News
Although "Survivor" shifted to a three-person finale back in the "Cook Islands" season, Jury votes turned nearly every season into a two-castaway contest, leaving one finalist suffering the ignominy of a Jury shutout. In the case of "Survivor: South Pacific," the castaway who left Sunday (December 18) night's finale voteless was Albert Destrade, who finished third behind Sophie Clarke and Coach. Throughout the season, Albert never lacked for confidence and he headed into the final Tribal Council convinced he'd trounce his rivals and take the million. Instead, Albert chatted with me on Monday morning still irked at the...
- 12/21/2011
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
Albert Destrade got to the final three on "Survivor: South Pacific," but then didn't get any jury votes for the million dollars. He tells Zap2it who would've had his vote if he hadn't been in the finals and that he kind of thinks Sophie won by default.
Are you glad you did "Survivor"? Was it everything you hoped it would be?
"I'm extremely glad I did 'Survivor.' I love this game, I love the show. I don't know if it was anything I expected it to be because I really expected to come home with the million dollar check. I felt like I played a really, really solid game. But I have no regrets. I know I gave it my all. I made the best decisions that were available for me."
Did you feel like you had a chance going into the final Tribal? Did it surprise...
Are you glad you did "Survivor"? Was it everything you hoped it would be?
"I'm extremely glad I did 'Survivor.' I love this game, I love the show. I don't know if it was anything I expected it to be because I really expected to come home with the million dollar check. I felt like I played a really, really solid game. But I have no regrets. I know I gave it my all. I made the best decisions that were available for me."
Did you feel like you had a chance going into the final Tribal? Did it surprise...
- 12/20/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Sophie Clarke was the youngest finalist vying for $1 million on Survivor: South Pacific, but age played no role in mastering the competition. Clarke, 22, beat out veteran Benjamin "Coach" Wade, 39, veteran Oscar "Ozzy" Lusth, 30, Albert Destrade, 26, and Rick Nelson, 51, on the CBS hit show's 23rd season. "I feel awesome!" Clarke told People on Monday, the day after the show's winner was announced. "I had a good idea I was going to win. But I didn't want to be too blasé about it because you never know. Then I found myself getting more and more nervous leading up to it - but then I won.
- 12/19/2011
- by Dahvi Shira
- PEOPLE.com
Winning six straight duels (and an immunity challenge after that) was not enough for Oscar “Ozzy” Lusth to take home the million dollars on Survivor: South Pacific, but it did win him a cool $100,000 as the winner of the fan favorite vote. The fourth place finisher called in to chat about his final challenge blues, bizarre sprints, living-on-the-edge strategy, and why he voted for “spoiled brat” Sophie to win.
Entertainment Weekly: What’s up with the sprinting out of Tribal Council every time? I love that!
Ozzy: I have no idea. Tribal Council is always taking too long in my opinion.
Entertainment Weekly: What’s up with the sprinting out of Tribal Council every time? I love that!
Ozzy: I have no idea. Tribal Council is always taking too long in my opinion.
- 12/19/2011
- by Dalton Ross
- EW - Inside TV
Sophie Clarke was crowned the winner of "Survivor: South Pacific" Sunday night (Dec. 18). She tells Zap2it that she wasn't surprised she won and who would've gotten her vote if she had not been sitting in the final three.
How do you feel? Is it just overwhelming?
"It is. I honestly haven't slept at all, I've been up for like 48 hours or something. I'm hoping if I go to bed, I'll wake up and everything will make sense and I'll have a better grasp on it. I haven't watched it yet, maybe it'll feel more real if I see the whole thing. It's fantastic, though. I'm just overjoyed."
Were you surprised that you won?
"No, I had a pretty good feeling coming out of Tribal. I felt like I understood what the jury wanted at Tribal. They just wanted some honesty. They're smart people and they wanted to be told...
How do you feel? Is it just overwhelming?
"It is. I honestly haven't slept at all, I've been up for like 48 hours or something. I'm hoping if I go to bed, I'll wake up and everything will make sense and I'll have a better grasp on it. I haven't watched it yet, maybe it'll feel more real if I see the whole thing. It's fantastic, though. I'm just overjoyed."
Were you surprised that you won?
"No, I had a pretty good feeling coming out of Tribal. I felt like I understood what the jury wanted at Tribal. They just wanted some honesty. They're smart people and they wanted to be told...
- 12/19/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
It may have been the Coach and Ozzy show (with a side order of Cochran) for much of Survivor: South Pacific, but in the end, it was the medical student who took home the million dollars and the title of Sole Survivor. Sophie Clarke won challenges when she needed to — including the decisive last one against Ozzy — and handled the bitter jury better than Coach or Albert, leading her to victory and a celebratory chat with yours truly. Sophie called in to discuss how she won (a certain emotional breakdown at Tribal Council certainly didn’t hurt), and don...
- 12/19/2011
- by Dalton Ross
- EW - Inside TV
If anyone understands the importance of an immunity challenge it would have to be Sophie Clarke. As one of the final contestants left on Survivor: South Pacific, the 22-year-old medical student from Willsboro, New York, was no frontrunner. But after winning the last immunity challenge of the season and ousting fan favorite and Survivor veteran Oscar "Ozzy" Lusth at the 11th hour, the game was suddenly Clarke's to win. We caught up with Clarke right after she beat out Benjamin "Coach" Wade and baseball coach Albert Destrade for the grand prize of $1 million to find out what she was thought her chances of winning were after the final tribal council, how the show changed her life and why she would return to Survivor in a heartbeat.
Read More >...
Read More >...
- 12/19/2011
- by Carita Rizzo
- TVGuide - Breaking News
Survivor: South Pacific champ Sophie Clarke has more to thank for her upset victory than just her brains and ass-kickery. "God was on my side this season," she told us after tonight's live finale. So how did her tribe's "prayer-palooza" help her "strategically from day one"? We got the scoop from the million-dollar winner herself right after Sunday's show—along with the personal postmortems of runner-up Coach Ben Wade, Albert Destrade, Brandon Hantz and fan favorite Ozzy "Ozzsome" Lusth… When we asked whether her anointment by Coach as the new Dragon Slayer imbued the new champ with special powers, Sophie said, "That's a good point. I...
- 12/19/2011
- E! Online
Survivor: South Pacific 23.15 "Loyalties Will Be Broken" & Reunion Recap
If you don't know how we arrived at this season's finale episode, take a look at last week's recap.
The final episode of the season begins (after a season recap) on Redemption Island and Brandon's arrival. He says it hurts that he was stabbed in the back by his friends but he stands by his convictions. Ozzy doesn't have much sympathy for a blind faith game. Human beings are greedy and want that money! Back at Te Tuna, Sophie thinks Tribal Council was fantastic. Brandon is gone, and Albert chickened out in front of the Jury by not giving back the Immunity Necklace. Coach rips into Albert for lying to him, declaring he will not be made a fool. Albert, for his part, knows he needs to get back in the good graces of his tribe.
The next morning,...
If you don't know how we arrived at this season's finale episode, take a look at last week's recap.
The final episode of the season begins (after a season recap) on Redemption Island and Brandon's arrival. He says it hurts that he was stabbed in the back by his friends but he stands by his convictions. Ozzy doesn't have much sympathy for a blind faith game. Human beings are greedy and want that money! Back at Te Tuna, Sophie thinks Tribal Council was fantastic. Brandon is gone, and Albert chickened out in front of the Jury by not giving back the Immunity Necklace. Coach rips into Albert for lying to him, declaring he will not be made a fool. Albert, for his part, knows he needs to get back in the good graces of his tribe.
The next morning,...
- 12/19/2011
- by Michael Salerno
- TVovermind.com
The 22-year-old medical student took home the million dollar prize! Are You happy Sophie won the competition? Sophie Clarke, a medical student and New York-native, beat out Benjamin Wade, 29, and Albert Destrade, 26, on the final episode of Survivor: South Pacific on Dec. 18th. Her prize is $1 million -- that should help pay off medical school! Sophie, 22, won 6 of the 9 votes of the jury, which is made up of old contestants. This is the 23rd edition of the CBS reality show where players are forced to survive on an island with limited resources.The next season of Survivor -- Survivor: One World -- will premiere in February. What do you think, HollywoodLifers? Are you happy Sophie is the big winner? Vote and weigh in below. [polldaddy poll=5773608]...
- 12/19/2011
- by Nicole Karlis
- HollywoodLife
Sophie Clarke won six of the Survivor South Pacific jury members' votes and thus the $1 million prize, beating Benjamin "Coach" Wade and Albert Destrade, with Ozzy Lusth taking the $100,000 fan favorite prize in the largest margin in the show's history. Despite her clear victory, however, Sophie was screwed over: by the editing and by host Jeff Probst. Also last night, next season's awesome twist and name, Survivor One World, were confirmed. Sophie played...
- 12/19/2011
- by Andy Dehnart
- Reality Blurred
Each week, host Jeff Probst answers a few questions about the most recent episode of Survivor: South Pacific.
Entertainment Weekly: Considering what an outsider Coach was among his tribe when he first arrived on the beach, he did an amazing job in getting to the end, but what was his fatal flaw? Was it making promises to too many people? Was it not bringing people to the end that would have been easier to beat, like Rick and Edna? Or was it all his double-talk at the final Tribal Council? It seemed like instead of just owning what he had done,...
Entertainment Weekly: Considering what an outsider Coach was among his tribe when he first arrived on the beach, he did an amazing job in getting to the end, but what was his fatal flaw? Was it making promises to too many people? Was it not bringing people to the end that would have been easier to beat, like Rick and Edna? Or was it all his double-talk at the final Tribal Council? It seemed like instead of just owning what he had done,...
- 12/19/2011
- by Dalton Ross
- EW - Inside TV
[Warning: Spoilers ahead from Sunday’s Season 23 finale episode. Read at your own risk!] Survivor fans saw Sophie Clarke named the winner of the CBS reality show's 23rd season Sunday night. Host Jeff Probst presented the 22-year-old medical student with a $1 million check during the live finale. Clarke beat runner-up -- and three-time contestant -- Benjamin "Coach" Wade and third-place finisher Albert Destrade to take home the title of "sole Survivor." Photos: Jeff Probst's 'Survivor' Picture Diary After the finale, the top six finalists -- who also included three-time competitor Oscar "Ozzy" Lusth, winner of
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- 12/19/2011
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
[Warning: Spoilers ahead from Sunday’s Season 23 finale episode. Read at your own risk!] Let's hear it for the ladies! Twenty-two-year-old medical student Sophie Clarke outwitted, outplayed and outlasted the competition to be crowned the champ of CBS' Survivor: South Pacific. The jury voted 6-3 in favor of Clarke against returning Survivor Benjamin "Coach" Wade. Floridian Albert Destrade was the third runner-up. Photos: Jeff Probst's 'Survivor' Picture Diary Clarke -- who won three individual immunity challenges during the contest -- said after she was announced as the recipient of the show's $1 million prize, "I think I
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- 12/19/2011
- by Sofia M. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CBS Sophie Clarke, the winner of CBS’s “Survivor: South Pacific.”
Just like last year, this season of “Survivor” ended up being all about a popular returning player. Like Boston Rob, Coach Wade dominated the game and never seemed in any jeopardy. It was often his vote that determined who would survive and who would go home. But, unlike Rob, Coach was not able to translate that domination and power into a victory.
Instead, Sophie, one of the strongest female competitors in “Survivor” history,...
Just like last year, this season of “Survivor” ended up being all about a popular returning player. Like Boston Rob, Coach Wade dominated the game and never seemed in any jeopardy. It was often his vote that determined who would survive and who would go home. But, unlike Rob, Coach was not able to translate that domination and power into a victory.
Instead, Sophie, one of the strongest female competitors in “Survivor” history,...
- 12/19/2011
- by Jason Evans
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
A common question at the end of reality television game shows is if the right or the best person won the game.
The interpretation of that question is highly personal and often has different definitions, There will certainly be plenty of debate over who won last night’s Survivor: South Pacific finale.
Personally, I’ve always appreciated Jeff’s interpretation of who should win Survivor – the person who did win Survivor. Whether you agree with that or not (I’m guessing most of you don’t) it’s hard to argue that Sophie was an undeserving winner. What you could argue is that someone else was more deserving.
The obvious first candidate for this debate is Ozzy. Unquestionably a fan and game favorite, if he had made it to the finale, he would have won. Does that mean he deserves to win?
In my opinion, it doesn’t. Kind of.
The interpretation of that question is highly personal and often has different definitions, There will certainly be plenty of debate over who won last night’s Survivor: South Pacific finale.
Personally, I’ve always appreciated Jeff’s interpretation of who should win Survivor – the person who did win Survivor. Whether you agree with that or not (I’m guessing most of you don’t) it’s hard to argue that Sophie was an undeserving winner. What you could argue is that someone else was more deserving.
The obvious first candidate for this debate is Ozzy. Unquestionably a fan and game favorite, if he had made it to the finale, he would have won. Does that mean he deserves to win?
In my opinion, it doesn’t. Kind of.
- 12/19/2011
- by tiaradio@hotmail.com (Luke Dwyer)
- TVfanatic
Sophie Clarke has been crowned the winner of Survivor: South Pacific. The 22-year-old medical student from Willsboro, New York scooped the title of 'Sole Survivor' and the $$1m (£645,202) prize in tonight's live season finale of the CBS competition. He beat out runner-up Benjamin 'Coach' Wade and third-placed player Albert Destrade. Ozzy Lusth finished in fourth place, while Rick Nelson rounded out the top five. "I thought I had a good chance. Coach got demolished in the final Tribal Council and Whitney gave me her mind too, so I don't know. But I thought I had a chance [to win]," Sophie said following her victory. "I had my finger on the pulse of the game the whole time (more)...
- 12/19/2011
- by By Jennifer Still
- Digital Spy
Sophie Clarke won Survivor 23,South Pacific tonight in the finale episode 14. Tonight's two hour finale episode kicked off with past scene from the entire season,leading up until tonight's show. Then they showed commentary footage with Brandon and Ozzy at Redemption Island. He told Ozzy about the stupid move he made when he gave the immunity necklace to Albert. Ozzy gave a private interview,and basically said it was a very dumb move too. Meanwhile,Coach blew up and went on a rant about people who lie and stuff. Then they showed the big,final Redemption Island duel between Ozzy and Brandon. The duel was simple. They had to hold their entire body weight up on a pole for as long as they could. The last man to hold on,won. They went for about 36 minutes,and Ozzy pulled it out,again,to return to the main game,while Brandon...
- 12/19/2011
- by Andre
- OnTheFlix
Not even halfway into the night, Oscar "Ozzy" Lusth had made a total turnaround. In one last but not least-grueling duel on Survivor: South Pacific, he outlasted Brandon Hantz, 19 - who, just a week prior, made a lethal decision to yield his immunity necklace - on a challenge that required each competitor to hang onto a pole as long as he could. No longer a resident of Redemption Island, his domination continued. Ozzy, who has competed on the reality show two other times, won the first challenge of the finale, where each castaway had the delicate task of building...
- 12/19/2011
- by Alison Schwartz
- PEOPLE.com
Totem poles were embraced. Houses of cards were erected. Puzzles were solved. Tears were shed. Hugs were rejected. Pigtails were sported (by Ozzy!). And shirtless Tai Chi was practiced on the beach. (Nope, Coach didn’t spare us the horror.) But in the end, only one player walked away with a cool $1 million at the end of Survivor: South Pacific. Here’s how the finale played out:
Final Redemption Island Duel: Ozzy defeats Brandon
Penultimate Immunity Challenge Winner: Ozzy
Penultimate Tribal Council Eviction: Rick
Final Immunity Challenge Winner: Sophie
Final Tribal Council Eviction: Ozzy
Final Three: Sophie, Coach, Albert...
Final Redemption Island Duel: Ozzy defeats Brandon
Penultimate Immunity Challenge Winner: Ozzy
Penultimate Tribal Council Eviction: Rick
Final Immunity Challenge Winner: Sophie
Final Tribal Council Eviction: Ozzy
Final Three: Sophie, Coach, Albert...
- 12/19/2011
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
The Winner of Survivor: South Pacific Is....
The winner of Survivor: South Pacific was just announced. Sophie took home this season's million dollar prize and the title of Sole Survivor. In a vote of 6 to 3 to 0, Sophie defeated Coach and Albert in the Final Tribal Council to take home the win. How did Sophie do it? Be sure to catch my full recap in the morning detailing Coach's victory, the reunion special, and details on where Survivor will be going next season, premiering in February 2012.
The Winner of Survivor: South Pacific Is....
The winner of Survivor: South Pacific was just announced. Sophie took home this season's million dollar prize and the title of Sole Survivor. In a vote of 6 to 3 to 0, Sophie defeated Coach and Albert in the Final Tribal Council to take home the win. How did Sophie do it? Be sure to catch my full recap in the morning detailing Coach's victory, the reunion special, and details on where Survivor will be going next season, premiering in February 2012.
The Winner of Survivor: South Pacific Is....
- 12/19/2011
- by Michael Salerno
- TVovermind.com
After 39 days and approximately 5,274 references to God, a champion was crowned on Survivor: South Pacific. My full recap will be up soon [Update: Dalton's recap is now live!], but if you can’t wait to sound off about the finale and who won, then read along for more. [Spoiler Alert: Read on only if you’re already watched the finale of Survivor: South Pacific.]
After winning three individual immunity challenges — including the most important one at the end — Sophie Clarke endured some hard questions and even harder feelings from the jury, but still emerged the victor, beating fellow finalists Coach and Albert. Ozzy — who won his sixth straight duel to re-enter the game as well as the first immunity challenge to...
After winning three individual immunity challenges — including the most important one at the end — Sophie Clarke endured some hard questions and even harder feelings from the jury, but still emerged the victor, beating fellow finalists Coach and Albert. Ozzy — who won his sixth straight duel to re-enter the game as well as the first immunity challenge to...
- 12/19/2011
- by Dalton Ross
- EW - Inside TV
The endgame of Survivor: South Pacific is here. Ultimate survivalist Ozzy and super crazy Brandon are on Redemption Island while the remaining members of the original Upolu 5 (Coach, Albert, Sophie and Rick) await the results. The finale will pack one duel, two more tribal councils, a final jury vote and a reunion all into three hours, and I'll be here the whole time with my thoughts. I'm just really hoping it's not a repeat of last season where Coach wins using the exact same strategy Boston Rob used.
- 12/18/2011
- by editor@buddytv.com
- buddytv.com
On Sunday, Survivor: South Pacific comes to its conclusion. The season's been full of blindsides, big characters and some of the strangest strategic moves in recent memory (Ozzy asking to get voted out! Brandon handing over his immunity! Everything Cochran ever did!) Now there are six players left, three of whom will face the jury. The phrase "bitter jury" is redundant. All Survivor juries are bitter. They've seen their hopes for a million dollars and reality TV stardom crushed by the three people sitting before them. The question is - what are they bitter about? Juries all make their decisions on different criteria.
- 12/18/2011
- by Stephen Fishbach
- PEOPLE.com
Honestly, I’m kind of surprised it wasn’t pouring rain across the nation Wednesday night, since God had to be openly weeping at the way his name was cynically bandied about on the penultimate episode of Survivor: South Pacific.
In a nutshell, here’s how things went down after Ozzy narrowly beat Edna at Redemption Island: Albert tried to get Coach and Brandon to turn on Sophie; Coach, Sophie, and Rick decided it was better to eliminate Brandon. (Why they wouldn’t want to go in front of the jury alongside the emotionally unstable, socially awkward guy who...
In a nutshell, here’s how things went down after Ozzy narrowly beat Edna at Redemption Island: Albert tried to get Coach and Brandon to turn on Sophie; Coach, Sophie, and Rick decided it was better to eliminate Brandon. (Why they wouldn’t want to go in front of the jury alongside the emotionally unstable, socially awkward guy who...
- 12/16/2011
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
It’s that time of year. The time to start panicking because you have yet to begin your holiday shopping? Well, yes, but it’s also the time when we here at the InsideTV Podcast take a moment to reflect back on the year in television. What were our favorite shows? What good show had a bad season? What series is completely overrated? And which new shows scored and bored? Dan Snierson, Jessica Shaw, and I give our controversial picks, and also peek ahead to 2012 to name the shows we’re most looking forward to watching next year. (Hint: One...
- 12/15/2011
- by Dalton Ross
- EW - Inside TV
by Josh Wigler
Maybe I spoke too soon when I said last week's outing was the best "Survivor" episode of the season, because I think last night took that crown pretty quickly — and with the way things are currently set up, we're looking at an incredibly epic "Survivor" finale come Sunday night (December 18).
With only one episode to go, it's time to make some final predictions. Here's a breakdown of all the people left in the game, starting with who I think is least likely to win (spoiler: it's Brandon) and ending with my pick for Sole Survivor.
» Congratulations, Brandon, you've matched Erik Reichenbach at the very top of the Survivor Hall of Shame! If you didn't watch last night's episode — and I don't know why you'd be reading this otherwise, unless you're MTV Newsroom blog editor John Mitchell and you basically have no choice (sorry John!) — Brandon won the immunity challenge last night,...
Maybe I spoke too soon when I said last week's outing was the best "Survivor" episode of the season, because I think last night took that crown pretty quickly — and with the way things are currently set up, we're looking at an incredibly epic "Survivor" finale come Sunday night (December 18).
With only one episode to go, it's time to make some final predictions. Here's a breakdown of all the people left in the game, starting with who I think is least likely to win (spoiler: it's Brandon) and ending with my pick for Sole Survivor.
» Congratulations, Brandon, you've matched Erik Reichenbach at the very top of the Survivor Hall of Shame! If you didn't watch last night's episode — and I don't know why you'd be reading this otherwise, unless you're MTV Newsroom blog editor John Mitchell and you basically have no choice (sorry John!) — Brandon won the immunity challenge last night,...
- 12/15/2011
- by MTV News
- MTV Newsroom
Survivor: Survivor South Pacific 23.14 "Then There Were Five" Recap
If you missed last week's episode, you know what to do (click here!).
This penultimate episode of this twenty-third season of Survivor opens on Night 32 with Te Tuna returning to camp. The Final Five relish the fact that they have stayed true to each other since the first day. Of course, Brandon wants to pray, and of course, Coach knows that the real game begins now. Albert and Sophie contemplate who to vote out if Ozzy comes back. They toss around Rick and Brandon's names, but then Albert confesses to the camera that although she doesn't know it, Sophie is the next to go.
The next morning, Day 33, Coach tells Sophie that his head was spinning all night. Albert tells the camera that though he planned on going to the end with Coach and Sophie, the latter has been...
If you missed last week's episode, you know what to do (click here!).
This penultimate episode of this twenty-third season of Survivor opens on Night 32 with Te Tuna returning to camp. The Final Five relish the fact that they have stayed true to each other since the first day. Of course, Brandon wants to pray, and of course, Coach knows that the real game begins now. Albert and Sophie contemplate who to vote out if Ozzy comes back. They toss around Rick and Brandon's names, but then Albert confesses to the camera that although she doesn't know it, Sophie is the next to go.
The next morning, Day 33, Coach tells Sophie that his head was spinning all night. Albert tells the camera that though he planned on going to the end with Coach and Sophie, the latter has been...
- 12/15/2011
- by Michael Salerno
- TVovermind.com
Divine intervention and/or incredible self-delusion and/or good strategy sent Brandon Hantz to Redemption Island on Survivor South Pacific, as Ben "Coach" Wade turned on his ally after Brandon shockingly gave up immunity during Tribal Council. That sends us into Sunday's finale with Brandon facing off against Ozzy Lusth during the final Redemption Island duel, and Coach, Sophie Clarke, Albert Destrade, and Rick "Who?" Nelson as our final five. Before we get into the crazy events...
- 12/15/2011
- by Andy Dehnart
- Reality Blurred
Each week, host Jeff Probst answers a few questions about the most recent episode of Survivor: South Pacific.
Entertainment Weekly: Um…wow. I’ve always help up Erik giving up his immunity necklace in Fans vs. Favorites and then being voted out as the gold standard of dumb Survivor moves. What’s so odd about Brandon now doing the same thing is that he doesn’t seem to view it as dumb in the least. How can I call something strategically idiotic when the person doing it actively refuses to engage in anything strategic? Where does Brandon’s act...
Entertainment Weekly: Um…wow. I’ve always help up Erik giving up his immunity necklace in Fans vs. Favorites and then being voted out as the gold standard of dumb Survivor moves. What’s so odd about Brandon now doing the same thing is that he doesn’t seem to view it as dumb in the least. How can I call something strategically idiotic when the person doing it actively refuses to engage in anything strategic? Where does Brandon’s act...
- 12/15/2011
- by Dalton Ross
- EW - Inside TV
After weeks of boredom as the final five contestants slowly eliminated their contestant, despite attempts by producers to try and convince viewers something interesting might happen each week, it was finally time to turn on their own in the penultimate installment of "Survivor: South Pacific" (Wed., 8Pm Et on CBS). The result was one of the most interesting episodes of the season since Cochran first betrayed his own tribe.
!!Spoiler Alert!!
Edna gave it a good effort, and like Cochran before her she nearly beat Ozzy, but it's looking nigh inevitable he'll return, and with no allies. All of the spectators were trying to help Edna beat him as none of them want to face him in the finals. Ozzy hasn't played the best social game to this point, but the final five have played such terrible social games to the existing members of the jury, it might mot matter...
!!Spoiler Alert!!
Edna gave it a good effort, and like Cochran before her she nearly beat Ozzy, but it's looking nigh inevitable he'll return, and with no allies. All of the spectators were trying to help Edna beat him as none of them want to face him in the finals. Ozzy hasn't played the best social game to this point, but the final five have played such terrible social games to the existing members of the jury, it might mot matter...
- 12/15/2011
- by Jason Hughes
- Huffington Post
After weeks of boredom as the final five contestants slowly eliminated their contestant, despite attempts by producers to try and convince viewers something interesting might happen each week, it was finally time to turn on their own in the penultimate installment of "Survivor: South Pacific" (Wed., 8Pm Et on CBS). The result was one of the most interesting episodes of the season since Cochran first betrayed his own tribe.
!!Spoiler Alert!!
Edna gave it a good effort, and like Cochran before her she nearly beat Ozzy, but it's looking nigh inevitable he'll return, and with no allies. All of the spectators were trying to help Edna beat him as none of them want to face him in the finals. Ozzy hasn't played the best social game to this point, but the final five have played such terrible social games to the existing members of the jury, it might mot matter...
!!Spoiler Alert!!
Edna gave it a good effort, and like Cochran before her she nearly beat Ozzy, but it's looking nigh inevitable he'll return, and with no allies. All of the spectators were trying to help Edna beat him as none of them want to face him in the finals. Ozzy hasn't played the best social game to this point, but the final five have played such terrible social games to the existing members of the jury, it might mot matter...
- 12/15/2011
- by Jason Hughes
- Aol TV.
Ladies and gentleman, we have ourselves a villain. Survivor: South Pacific has seen a lot of crazy, betrayal and resentment, but no real Russell Hantz-style rascal. Until tonight. Gather round as we tell this scary campfire story… In Xanadu Did Kubla Khan: As much as we love his bons mots, it was so unfair of Albert—the villain of tonight's tale—to shout directions to Edna during the duel, giving her a clear advantage over Ozzy. Fortunately for CBS' ratings, the Ozsome winning streak continued, and he returned to what Sophie calls Ozzy's Pleasure Dome, feeding and comforting each jury member after they've been voted out. Bubble Boy: After voting out Edna,...
- 12/15/2011
- E! Online
After the opening few moments of Rounders, the now-broke Mike McDermott narrates the scene of him driving a delivery truck by saying:
To Rounders who forget the cardinal f****** rule... always leave yourself outs.
While we likely could write an entire article about how ‘always leave yourself outs’ is an important rule to keep in mind in Survivor, I’d rather focus on those who forget the cardinal rule: as long as it ain’t me.
On the penultimate episode of Survivor: South Pacific, "Then There Were Five," Brandon forgot the cardinal rule. He was so focused on Albert not going home he forgot that there was always a possibility he could go home by giving up his idol. Why Brandon thought he would be safe without the idol while Albert was not safe without the idol I’ll never understand.
Of course, you could easily argue that Brandon...
To Rounders who forget the cardinal f****** rule... always leave yourself outs.
While we likely could write an entire article about how ‘always leave yourself outs’ is an important rule to keep in mind in Survivor, I’d rather focus on those who forget the cardinal rule: as long as it ain’t me.
On the penultimate episode of Survivor: South Pacific, "Then There Were Five," Brandon forgot the cardinal rule. He was so focused on Albert not going home he forgot that there was always a possibility he could go home by giving up his idol. Why Brandon thought he would be safe without the idol while Albert was not safe without the idol I’ll never understand.
Of course, you could easily argue that Brandon...
- 12/15/2011
- by tiaradio@hotmail.com (Luke Dwyer)
- TVfanatic
"Survivor: South Pacific" goes completely off the rails tonight. I don't even know, y'all. Strap in, this is a long recap.
Te Tuna
The final five are quite congratulatory and Coach is going on about "honor and integrity," then Brandon rounds up a group prayer. But then - it's game on. Albert is targeting Sophie in a big way.
In the morning, Albert lays out Sophie's resume and says how dangerous she is as a person to be sitting with at the end. I totally get him. If I were Albert, I'd want to be sitting with Brandon and Rick. Brandon's insane and Rick hasn't done anything, that's money in the bank and Albert knows it.
Redemption Island
It's Ozzy vs. Edna, which would seem like a very uneven match-up, but it's two puzzles split up by a hatchet chop. So Edna has a chance. Ozzy gets his hatchet...
Te Tuna
The final five are quite congratulatory and Coach is going on about "honor and integrity," then Brandon rounds up a group prayer. But then - it's game on. Albert is targeting Sophie in a big way.
In the morning, Albert lays out Sophie's resume and says how dangerous she is as a person to be sitting with at the end. I totally get him. If I were Albert, I'd want to be sitting with Brandon and Rick. Brandon's insane and Rick hasn't done anything, that's money in the bank and Albert knows it.
Redemption Island
It's Ozzy vs. Edna, which would seem like a very uneven match-up, but it's two puzzles split up by a hatchet chop. So Edna has a chance. Ozzy gets his hatchet...
- 12/15/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Brandon Hantz got voted off Survivor 23 in episode 13 tonight after giving away immunity. Tonight's episode kicked off with scenes from last week's episode when Edna got the boot to Redemption Island. Then they showed more commentary footage,and Sophia's name came up for elimination. After the break, they showed more commentary footage. Albert revealed he was worried about taking Sophia to the end because she's got a pretty good resume built up,now. Next ,they showed Ozzy and Edna's duel at Redemption Island. The duel was a 2-part, puzzle maze. Edna gave Ozzy another run for his money, but it was not enough as Ozzy took home the win,again, to stay alive,and Edna took a hike. After the break,they showed more commentary footage. Albert kept bringing Sophie's name up for elimination,while Sophie wanted to get rid of Brandon. Coach got upset with Brandon about butting into his conversations.
- 12/15/2011
- by Andre
- OnTheFlix
History — very sad and very stupid history — repeated itself on Survivor: South Pacific tonight when one contestant did the seemingly unthinkable, and subsequently paid the price. My full recap will be up at midnight, but for those of you who watched tonight’s episode and can’t wait to sound off about it, read on for more. [Spoiler Alert: Proceed only if you’ve already watched Wednesday night’s episode of Survivor: South Pacific.]
Echoing a similar mistake by Erik Reichenbach in Survivor: Micronesia, Brandon Hantz won individual immunity, and gave that immunity away to Albert, only to then be voted out by his tribe. Whoops! (No word yet on if Hantz has been disowned...
Echoing a similar mistake by Erik Reichenbach in Survivor: Micronesia, Brandon Hantz won individual immunity, and gave that immunity away to Albert, only to then be voted out by his tribe. Whoops! (No word yet on if Hantz has been disowned...
- 12/15/2011
- by Dalton Ross
- EW - Inside TV
The Upolu 6 became the Upolu 5 on this week’s episode of Survivor: South Pacific, and the heightened pressure led to crazy promises including but not limited to this wild-eyed doozy: “I’ll eat a piece of his stool.”
Oh, Edna, let’s hope no one holds you to your word, sister!
Anyhorror, before we get to that scatological sound bite, let’s do a brief rundown on how the week in Probstville played out:
* Edna, still smarting from discovering she was her tribe’s sixth wheel, excused herself from morning prayers. (Hey, I’d drop out of any activity...
Oh, Edna, let’s hope no one holds you to your word, sister!
Anyhorror, before we get to that scatological sound bite, let’s do a brief rundown on how the week in Probstville played out:
* Edna, still smarting from discovering she was her tribe’s sixth wheel, excused herself from morning prayers. (Hey, I’d drop out of any activity...
- 12/8/2011
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
Survivor: South Pacific 23.13 "Ticking Time Bomb" Recap
If you missed the "everybody saw it coming, except for Cochran, who should have drawn rocks instead of flipping on Savaii" vote last week, catch up with my recap here.
The episode begins at Redemption Island on Night 30. Cochran rues the fact that he may have been played by Upolu. Ozzy says the way to get back at them is to vote for him (Ozzy) in the Final Tribal Council. But what if Cochran can beat him in a Duel? "He doesn't stand a chance," is Ozzy's quick rejoinder.
The next morning at Te Tuna, Rick toasts his socks. Brandon wants to say a morning prayer, but Edna excuses herself as she's "not really part of the tribe." She feels duped by her tribe, like she's a second class citizen. She continues her rant to Coach, but she's interrupted by Brandon bringing...
If you missed the "everybody saw it coming, except for Cochran, who should have drawn rocks instead of flipping on Savaii" vote last week, catch up with my recap here.
The episode begins at Redemption Island on Night 30. Cochran rues the fact that he may have been played by Upolu. Ozzy says the way to get back at them is to vote for him (Ozzy) in the Final Tribal Council. But what if Cochran can beat him in a Duel? "He doesn't stand a chance," is Ozzy's quick rejoinder.
The next morning at Te Tuna, Rick toasts his socks. Brandon wants to say a morning prayer, but Edna excuses herself as she's "not really part of the tribe." She feels duped by her tribe, like she's a second class citizen. She continues her rant to Coach, but she's interrupted by Brandon bringing...
- 12/8/2011
- by Michael Salerno
- TVovermind.com
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