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 'Survivor' host Jeff Probst. (Photo: Courtesy of: CBS.) |
It is hard to believe but with the debut of the 'Fiji' edition tonight, it has been 13 seasons since Richard Hatch stunned the world and took home that million dollar cheque. Since that time, the CBS reality series has had its definite ups and its definite downs. Taking everything into account, here is our rating of each installment of 'Survivor'.
’Survivor’ Seasons Rated
13. Survivor: Guatemala
Except for the return of ‘Survivor’ superstars Stephenie and Bobby Jon and the harrowing trek to start off the game, the series was as boring as watching wallpaper dry. Like Africa, most of the action took place at camp due to the surrounding environment and that made for not so good TV. Although there were some outstanding personalities, they didn’t really have any room to shine.
12. Survivor: Thailand
From start to finish, the Brian ‘The King’ Heidik ruled Thailand with little or no opposition in his way. While Brian’s manipulations and interviews were delightful; the way the game played out was not. Shuffling along to its inevitable conclusion, the gameplay (or lack thereof) was some of the worst ever seen on the CBS series. The Ted-Ghandia spat, the chokeslam of Clay by Robb, Penny’s betrayal of Jake and Shii Ann’s tactical blunder all provided drama fans crave but it just wasn’t enough to propel the series along.
11. Survivor: Vanuatu
Beyond Twila, Scout and Chris flipping the game in Episode 11 and Chris’ against all odds win, the boots were predictable with the women in the Alinta Alliance having such a stranglehold on the entire game. Pretty lame and subdued players in a borefest of a season.
10. Survivor: Cook Islands
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Last season was dead on arrival before it even came out of the gate. The racial twist forced the producers to fill quotas and in doing so, they didn’t find the best personalities for the show. Things really took off when a mutiny left Atiu as underdogs but it was too little too late for most viewers. Yul finding the Hidden Immunity Idol early on and not using it, accentuated the fatal flaw in the Exile Island twist. Even the close finish couldn’t pull
9. Survivor: Amazon
Only a few standout cast members when the producers pitted the men versus the women. One of the oddest pair of finalists, Matthew and Jenna engendered more yawns than excitement as they battled it out in front of the jury.
8. Survivor: Panama
No shortage of outstanding personalities, that’s for sure. Who will forget crazy Shane, ‘Sensei’ Bruce or the much-maligned Courtney? Once the whole Pagonging strategy came into play, there was a lot of waiting around until the Casaya Tribe turned on one another but in the end, it was well worth waiting for.
7. Survivor: All-Stars
The series angered many purists but the return of familiar faces, the Machiavellian gameplay of ‘Boston Rob’ and real life friendships entering into the equation, pushed All-Stars beyond the average benchmark. Mucho drama and mucho serious backstabbing.
6. Survivor: Marquesas
One of the biggest game shifts in ‘Survivor’ history as the dominant Rotu Tribe fractures and a whole new game emerges with the meek outmaneuvering them. A gaggle of aggressive and ruthless players made for a great season barring the emergence of the Purple Rock of Doom fiasco.
5. Survivor: Africa
The setting rules the happenings and the contestants rarely venture outside their camps. The series rises above the dilemma with many heart-felt moments including one of the most memorable ‘Survivor’ segments ever when the players deliver supplies to an AIDS orphanage. An emotional and unforgettable installment.
4. Survivor: Palau
Tom Westman leads his tribe to a prevailing win as the Ulong Tribe is whittled down to just Stephenie and Bobby Jon. A multitude of engaging players that provided drama, romance, comedy and resolute gameplay. A satisfying season.
3. Survivor: Australian Outback
Unforgettable in every sense of the word. The best cast next to Pearl Islands with so many tremendous players and personas. The Outback remains as the best location ever employed as it provided so many natural twists and turns.
2. Survivor: Borneo
The first is still among the best. With people playing the ‘Survivor’ game for the very first time, there is a whole different tone to all of the happenings, inside and outside of the true game. What is now considered cliché was fresh and new at the time. The producers should thank themselves lucky to this day that the Borneo chapter was the one that introduced viewers to the ‘Survivor’ phenomenon.
1. Survivor: Pearl Islands
The blueprint of how to make a successful ‘Survivor’ season. This one had everything including the most important element: an engaging and imaginative ‘pirate’ theme that really made ‘Pearl Islands’ a standout. Apparently, the inclusion of some dudes named Rupert Boneham and Johnny Fairplay helped out too.