Fans Versus Favorites

I have always shamelessly (though somewhat abashedly) admitted that I am a fan of the TV show “Survivor.”

As of February 7th, the series enters it’s 16th(!) season with another gimmick, and one to which I am, again, shamelessly looking forward. The producers are taking the show to Micronesia and pitting ten uber-fans of the show against ten former contestants, each strong players in their respective seasons. I was one of those who enjoyed season eight’s “Survivor: All Stars,” so the thought of former players returning excites me, especially when it means that people who should have done better in the game the first time around get a second chance.

I like the list of castaways they’ve selected to return. People from last season, like James and Amanda, are back. Yau Man, who really got the short end of the stick the first time around, gets to try again. Parvati and Ozzy from Cook Islands are also returning. There’s even trouble already brewing, with people like Jonathan Penner (who I usually enjoyed watching, but who seemed to annoy everyone else) and Jon Dalton, AKA Jonny Fairplay, whose “Dead Grandma” ruse (cue to 4:40) was so devious that it still has people talking. It also managed to vault Jonny into the spotlight as one of the first “reality show stars”(whatever that means), as he went on to appear in multiple other reality shows before Rob and Amber ever dreamed it up. He’s known for being a bad dude, so whether that will allow him the chance to stir the pot this season or just target him for early ejection remains to be seen.

Whatever the case, I’m looking forward to the show the season. One way or another, it should be intriguing to watch and fun to have some old favorites to root for.