Survivor is full of "rats and snakes," but also has lovable contestants that you want to root for and hug. Here's the Top 10 most likeable castaways.
Survivor, CBS's groundbreaking reality TV show, isn't the best game for nice people. The aggressive and often mean-spirited contest can drive gentle hearted folks (like Anthony from Survivor: Fiji) to tears. Nonetheless, Survivor has had its share of lovable misfits and kind souls. In most cases, the nicest survivors don't win, but the public is always watching and hoping!
Here are ten of the most lovable Survivor contestants to date:
- Rupert Boneham (Survivor: Peal Islands and Survivor: All Stars). Every so often, someone shows up on reality TV that seems incredibly, well, real. Big, bearded Rupert was an adorable mix of manly provider and sensitive outcast. Rupert came in fourth in the all-star edition, but when audience members were asked to call in and vote or their favorite Survivor, Rupert won by 85% and was rewarded with a million dollars. America loves a good underdog story, and there's never been a more popular Survivor contestant.
- Cirie Fields (Survivor: Panama). After this 34-year-old African American nurse spent a few days as a castaway, she was ready to quit, and told "all you couch potatoes out there watching" to stay on the couch. She was told to her face that she would be going soon. Then something kicked in, and Cirie kicked butt. She ended up in fourth place, and needless to say, she changed her mind about that couch potato thing. America loves a good "overcome your limitations" story, and viewers loved Cirie.
- Kathy Vavrick-O'Brien (Survivor: Marquesas and Survivor: All Stars). This 47-year-old real estate agent was an underdog in Marquesas, but fought hard and wound up in third. She almost certainly would have won if she had made it to the final two. Kathy had a strong sense of integrity and was more than a little upset by the backstabbing antics in the All Star game.
- Tina Wesson (Survivor: Outback and Survivor: All Stars). Motherly 40-year-old Tina, winner of the second season of Survivor, was quite a contrast to Richard Hatch, the thoroughly unlikeable winner of the first Survivor. Tina didn't win on a fluke, though-- she played strategically and quietly propelled herself into the final two.
- Christy Smith (Survivor: Amazon). As the first deaf Survivor, Christy struggled and despaired at first, but then found her strength and earned the favor of the audience. She also earned sympathy due to the general meanness of the "hot girls," Jenna and Heidi, who excluded Christy and eventually backstabbed her out of the game.
- Paschal English (Survivor: Marquesas). Paschal, a gentle 57-year-old Southern judge, was loved by his tribemates and never received a vote at tribal council. He was voted out only because he drew the unlucky purple rock at the tie-breaker. That may have been just as well, because he collapsed a few days later from dehydration. While other tribemates shot biting comments at Neleh and Vecepia during the final tribal council, Paschal told the women that they both deserved to win and that he would be proud to have either of them as a daughter.
- Yau-Man Chan (Survivor: Fiji). Tiny 54-year-old Yau-Man didn't seem to have a chance, especially since he was up against some big lugs like Rocky and Dreamz. Quietly, though, Yau-Man has proved himself to be a very strategic player and a huge threat at challenges-- not to mention the fact that he has the immunity idol!
- Helen Glover (Survivor: Thailand). Helen had the same no-nonsense-woman appeal as Kathy. This 47-year-old Navy swim instructor may have won had she not been outlasted by two of the smarmiest people ever to play the game, Brian and Clay.
- Butch Lockley (Survivor: Amazon). Despite his tough guy name, this 50-year-old middle school principal was a sweetheart. His luxury item was a huge school banner that read, "Believe in Yourself," which he hung at camp. After the men and women merged, he befriended Christy and was the only Survivor to figure out that she couldn't lip read during night time discussions and needed help. He used his final statement to offer encouragement to young people.
- Ian Rosenberger (Survivor: Palau). This 23-year-old student and dolphin trainer was too nice for his own good. After he betrayed Tom (actually, he just thought about betraying Tom) and causing a rift in their friendship, Ian forfeitted the final challenge to make things right between them.
Copyright Naomi Rockler-Gladen. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Naomi Rockler-Gladen - Instructional designer and freelance writer, Naomi Rockler-Gladen writes some of Suite101's most read work.
