In an interview earlier this week with Entertainment Weekly, Jeff Probst opened up the possibility of there being a "what if?" season, one where previously contestants who left under unfortunate circumstances return for another shot. Jeff listed two specific examples: Mike Skupin from "Australia" (who fell in a fire) and Hunter Ellis from "Marquesas" (who was voted out early on).
By that criteria, I've decided to play "casting director" and make my own prospective list as part of my massive "Survivor" extravaganza leading up to the "Heroes vs. Villains" premiere Thursday night.
While Jeff called this the "what if?" season, I'm going by what some folks are calling it on the popular forum Survivor Sucks: "Survivor: Second Chance." I'm not considering anyone who made the jury for this season -- nor am I looking at anyone who has already received a second chance (like Shii Ann from "Thailand"). I'm also not considering whether or not they would actually do it again -- I'm throwing them on regardless.
Who would you like to see return to the game? Here are my zany picks that will probably never happen.
Tribe 1:
Kimmi Kappenberg (Australia): One of the most memorable early boots of the show's early years. Her fight with Alicia was epic, and if it earned Alicia a spot on "All-Stars" it should give Kimmi a place here. (I don't actually think she'd do it again, though.)
Silas Gaither (Africa): The original victim of the "tribal swap," Silas seemed to have it all going on before a shocking twist sent him home. He's a physical player, and this season will need those like any other.
Hunter Ellis (Marquesas): An alpha male in every sense of the word, Hunter was probably too much of a leader the first time around. He's older now, and should be able to fit in better on a tribe.
Robb Zbacnick (Thailand): Robb may easily be one of the scariest people I've ever seen on the show. The years may have calmed him down, but for our sake let's hope not.
Wanda Shirk (Palau): Wanda was one of two people eliminated before tribes were even assigned in "Palau." The show should at least give one of them another change, and Wanda was the more memorable of the two. (Sorry, Jonathan Libby.)
Tina Scheer (Panama: Exile Island): Tina was still going through a rough time in Panama, as she was coping with the death of her son. She's a hard worker, and you need a more down-to-earth personality in this game from time to time.
Billy Garcia (Cook Islands): I want this season to be entertaining, and for that reason alone you have to put Billy on it. Cook Islands aired a while ago, but Billy managed to have one of the most memorable moments in spite of being the second guy off.
Tracy Hughes-Wolfe (Micronesia): An underrated player, and someone who could fly under the radar considering how many "big characters" are out here.
Michelle Chase (Gabon): Considering that many of the other contestants are much older now than they were in their first appearance, you need some younger, athletic people. Michelle fits the bill, and she also managed to stir things up quite a bit in just three days in Gabon.
Russell Swan (Samoa): Russell's seemingly near-death experience made a dramatic impact on his season. It's to be seen if he would even be medically cleared to return, but you have to at least consider him.
Tribe 2:
Mike Skupin (Australia): The original "Survivor" injury, we all held our breath when Mike's skin started to fall off. He could've lasted long in the game, so he is probably the most deserving of anyone of a second chance.
Gina Crews (Marquesas): While some people may prefer to see "Cleopatra" Sarah Jones again, Gina was a great character that Jeff Probst has been practically begging to see again for quite some time. She just fell victim to being on a depleted tribe.
Andrew Savage (Pearl Islands): Savage was one heck of a player, but like with some others on here he fell victim to a twist. In his case, it was the Outcast Tribe that did him in.
Dolly Neely (Vanuatu): I admire people who try to play the game, even when they fall flat on their face in the process. You can't dispute that Dolly tried her best out there; unfortunately, she just fell victim to doing too much.
Angie Jakusz (Palau): If only Angie was on a tribe that wasn't named Ulong, she would have a shot. She was a great character, though, and could be fun to watch again.
Bobby Mason (Panama: Exile Island): If it wasn't for that whole incident with the Casa de Charmin, it's hard to say what would've happened to Bobby. The guy was a blast on the show, and his passion for it since has to be recognized.
Cao Boi Bui (Cook Islands): Cao Boi was nutty, strange, and he got on the nerves of most of his tribe. He'd probably be an early boot again, but let's enjoy him while he's on the show!
Ace Gordon (Gabon): Like with Robb Z on the other tribe, every season needs their villains. Ace is wicked, ridiculously funny in a weird sort of way, and he would make for a perfect person to return.
Candace Smith (Tocantins): Candace was a pretty dominant physical player, but she was also on the wrong side of Coach. Since nobody was willing to vote His Wackiness off, Candace left the game a little earlier than she should have.
Marisa Calihan (Samoa): In many ways, Marisa is similar to Candace. She was voted out due to someone's fear of strong women (in her case Russell Hantz). However, Marisa is nurturing while Candace is sassy.
Honorable mentions: Sarah Jones ("Marquesas"), Rory Freeman ("Vanuatu"), Amy O'Hara ("Guatemala"), Dave Cruser ("China"), Michael "Mikey B" Bartone ("Micronesia"), Betsy Bolan ("Samoa")
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Who do you want to see? Let me know your thoughts below! Also, check back Thursday prior to the premiere for my full "Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains" predictions.
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Comments
we have got to see Skupin again. he would have won that year. killed a friggin wild boar.
Mike Skupin is a dead beat dad ........
http://detnews.com/article/20110421/METRO02/104210345/Paper-chase--%E2%8...
He deserves nothing but a pair of hand cuffs....
http://download.gannett.edgesuite.net/detnews/2011/pdf/0421paperchase2.pdf
definitely Mike Skupin!!!!
Kelly C from Gabon. very entertaining, fun to look at, never know what shes gonna do or say next!
I would LOVE to see this type of season. I've always hoped for one of these. It'd be the most interesting to watch in my opinion getting to know people we sorta thought we knew before. Who knows, one of them may have become the best strategist ever but never got the chance to show it.
Mike Skupin is a shoe-in. He is the ultimate "What if" question. Russell Swan would be on my list too without a doubt. Both great characters and both had great potential. I'd love to see more of them.
I would loooove to see Marisa and Betsy again! They were the first casualties of Russell Hantz and I think they both could've done well if it weren't for him.
Other people I'd have:
-Gretchen from season 1 for sure. First casualty of Richard Hatch's alliance after the merge. She was a threat.
-Sekou: Could've made it far if there hadn't been 3 girls on his tribe of 5.
-Angie: Liked her a lot. Poor Ulong tribe. Plus she got voted out because of a twist, Ibrahim was going to go.
.. to be continu
cont'd
-Andrew Savage: Good player, good leader, kicked out because of a twist. My only problem with inviting him back is that he made it to the merge. He didn't make it to the jury though.
-Jeff (Palau): hurt his ankle on a coconut. Should've tried to stick it out though. I'd still be interested to see him again.
-Erica from Fiji. Looked like a good worker, got voted out cause supposedly she freaked out during challenge.
-Ace Gordon (Gabon) : good character. Seemed to be a good player.
Tracy (FvF) : so underrated. She was great at manipulating. She'd be one of the big surprises coming back so strong.
-Spencer (Toca) : youngest ever, got off early but had potential. I'd like to see him again.
-Jacquie (Gabon) : Such a sweet heart. She was off so early but still made me soooo sad when she left. Doesn't usually happen when you're only a couple eps in. She could go far.
-Mikey B. (FvF)
-Joel (FvF) huge guy. definitely memorable. made some mistakes. he'd have to play completely d
Gotta give Mike Skupin another chance! He was an awesome player before his injury! A must for Survivor fans and entertainment sake!
cont'd again!
I still haven't seen every season but there are lots of other possible contestants who would be really good.
-JP (Cook Islands) : super strong guy, voted out as a surprise. Plus he's come out since the show so that's interesting.
-the guy that got off first in Amazon.
-Sandy: only cause she's freaking hilarious. I bet she'd get more serious about actually winning the game too which would be funny.
all in all I WOULD LOOOOVE to see this season. Please do it, Survivor team! season 22 2nd chance , seems to make sense.
Men
Michael Skupin
Hunter Ellis
Silas Gaither
Andrew Savage
Rory Freeman
Ahn-Tuan "Cao Boi" Bui
Ace Gordan
Bobby "Bob-Dawg" Mason
Women
Lindsey Rictor
Angie Jakuz
Margeret Bobonich
Tina Scheer
Jessica "Flika" Smith
Tracey Hughes-Wolf
Gretchen Cordy
John from Samoa got screwed by a weak tribe. Brett, Dave, and Monica committed suicide by voting him off. He was super strategic and insightful. Put him in with some real players and watch him win! And he's HOT!
Mike Skupin
I like the idea of Hunter, Ace, Mikey B, Skupin, However one of the most under rated players had to be Jeff varner season 2. He was really sarcastic and funny and everyone liked him he would have made it final 3 if Skupin did not get burned he needs to be on again he was very entertaining
OMG, you have got 2 put Bobby Mason and Billy Garcia on the same tribe. Those 2 would be a riot 2gether. Rita from Fiji is a MILF! Sarg from Vanuatu was good 2.
quit bringing people back so much!!
I thinx bringin the same people, namely James Amanda n Parvarti back over and over reeks of behind da scenes brown nosin. But bringin back people who we seen but for a hot minute is a'ight. All da people on this list is a'ight 2 me. Just no moe James Amanda n Parvarti.
Skupin,Bob Dawg,Jonathan Christ & Billy Garcia
This article SUCKS.
Absolutely Billy Garcia, Cao Boi, Bobby Mason, Wanda Shirk and Mike Skupin. Billy Garcia is a must!!! ^_^
Kimmi would do it again in a Heartbeat !!!!!!!!
What about Twila-- if anyone deserves a second chance - she does.
I agree with Tanya-- we all love Twila and she got screwed in the end. She should have been on the fans vers favs.
Twila got screwed buy her girls at the end -- she should have one the mill. If it wasn't for Twila Vanuatu wouldn't have been worth watching.
Twila should have been on FvF over Eliza. Kimmi's dad, o snap. Go Kimmi. Her tribe looks good 4 her 2 get far with cause of people like Tracy n Billy on it. Mike Skupin would B like Terry n Ozzy on 2nd chances. a'ight.
Does it have to be before the jury ?? There are so many that could make the show very interesting that have only played the game once. No one that one a mill but the runner ups would love to have a second chance. I agre , Twila got screwed and deserves a second chance.Put her back on there-- would be very interesting!!!
Vivicious, straightforward, HARD working, clever, should have won in Vanautu. Needs a second chance and would be FUN to see her back on a Survivor episode!
I'd like to see TWILA TANNER back on a show! Sorry---I thought the "Name" window was to put the person I wanted to see on the show (not my own name). Are we confused yet?
I like your ideal Jeff - but do not think you should hold back from the ones who got on the jury or who didn't win the mil. Why don't you half and half it. I to , being a man of 57 would like to see Twila have a second chance. She is a down home girl that people enjoyed watching and isn't in it for the fame of it all. We want to see true blue people , they all do not have to be in there 20's with a hot body. Give Twila another chance, a second chance like you are asking.
Varner, without a doubt.
Thanks for all of your support. I love my fans . I don't know if anyone at cbs reads this site or not but just would love to say that they would not find anyone willing to play the game with as much heart as I would. I have been laid of for 6 months now and would give it my all to win the million. Would love to have that second chance. So if Jeff would reconsider-- and let the runner ups have a second chance to play again-- I would give it my all.
I thought Twila played an awesome game! I never watched Survivor until the season she was on. Now I am hooked. She kept the game exciting for me. Love the show and Love, Love, Love Twila!
I would Love to see Twila Tanner get a Second chance in Survivor... She Definitely has a lot of Heart and She is a Super Good person...
there are sum good people on dis list. so john ur idea of a half n half is really a'ight or how bout a fan vs 2nd chance season? that would b mo fair for da fan tribe than micronesia wuz. U feel me? my list for a 2nd chance tribe of 10 for either of those ideas would be mike skupin, bobby mason, billy garcia, russell swan, ace gordon, kimmi kappenberg, tracy wolfe, wanda shirk, candace smith, n marisa calihan. twila should come back like stephanie did in guatemala. no twist, just come back. a'ight.
Twila Tanner, Twila Tanner,Twila Tanner, WE WANT TWILA......Home town girl needs another shot. She is not after fame and glory just wonderfull person trying to get by. The Twila you saw on the show was the REAL THING, no acting.I want to see more.
Billy goes to all of the reality charity events and sends out autograph pictures to fans unlike the so called All-Stars. He's an ambassador to the game despite the fact that he got screwed worse than maybe any Survivor ever has. He's also a really sweet and funny guy when you meet him. Don't know if posting here helps but I'm a fan that wants to see Billy back.
I don't really understand why anyone would want to watch the people who lost come back and compete, I mean they weren't good at the game in the first place. It's like having the choice to watch an NHL game with pros or the 5 year olds sliding across the ice on their asses.
pete, thats cause da real fans know all da real stories behind da boots n don't go by da censored edited versions. most early boots look lazy cause they being kept out of da loop by someone targeting them. hardcore fans have gone 2 events n gotten da inside scoop by talking 2 da majority of da people in a season. survivor is da playoffs. win n move on, lose n go home. thats da playoffs format. those that go early still earned they spot. da only people dat should never come back are da quiters. plus if ur gonna compaire survivor 2 sports den not every a'ight player in sports is a allstar in they rookie year. a'ight.
Why would anyone want to see the one that didn't make it far in the game come back. They didn't have what it took the first time around ,what makes you think about giving them another chance. I think that CBS has lost the focus of what Survivor started out to be and what the people want to see. FOr one thing , they are getting soft. James with a brace- come on. I think they are over thinking !!! Get down home people (doesn't mean the half to be a size two) Yes I think Twila is one and also Bobdawg and I would like to see you bring Wanda back-- what you did to her was just wrong. So take my comment for what it is, and maybe CBS will here the message.
I sure hope they do give some of these guys another chance. I mean being seleected 2 or 3 times wow, but you can't blame Survivor for asking them to come back, because the FANS love them. Fans if you want to see others play just say so, I'm sure they'll hear you and respond. Susie :)
I am so all for watching Billy Garcia, Bobby Mason, Cao Boi and Mike Skupin getting a second chance at the $1,000,000 prize. Those of you who have complained about the idea don't realize that there was a lot of editing invovled in these shows. You never saw the whole story. There is soooo much more than meets the eyes. Put Billy Garcia back in!!!! ^_^
There are a few people I would love to see return. Billy Garcia, Twila Tanner, Michael Skupin, Rita Verreos and Ryan Osprey. Each of these people deserve a shot again for a variety of reasons. Billy Garcia was an early ouster who would just be fun to watch again. He also was injured during a challenge which I feel impacted his stay there and caused his ouster so a second chance for Billy would rock! Another brilliant man who may have won but was injured is Skupin. He may have won if not injured. Twila changed the game in Vanuatu and was just fun to watch! She would be GREAT to see again. Rita Verreos was also out early but was one that was fun to watch. She is cool and loved by so many people. Seeing her again would be cool! Plus last but not least Ryano. He was amazing to watch on Pearl Islands. I would love to see Ryano again.
The dumbest argument I read here is they left early and that somehow means they were not worthy the first time. No mater how good everyone is, they can't all last 39 days. Someone HAS to be eliminated after the first 3 days, then second after 6 days and so on. How about Rob C? He was one of the best ever on Amazon then was second out the next time. He even looked lazy that second time. If his second time was his first, you haters would say he should never come back. What was CBS thinking? Blah blah blah. We would never know he is as great of a player as he is. The argument of early boot = bad player is near sighted and weak. Bring back Garcia, Verrios, and Camacho. Viva La Raza! Death to the haters.
So much bull about this site-- do matter who we want to see, CBS will do exactly what they want to do . They do not leason to the fans , they do what they want. SO why have this site?? Are they even reading ?? I dout it. But for some odd reason that they are , I want to see Coby back on , Coby, Twila, Bobdawg, Rita, Billy,and Wanda. Hope someone is actually lessoning to the fans.
Just like fans vs Favs-- who the hell picked the favs-- it wasn't the fans or there would have been 3 or 4 that would not have been there.
bring back andrew savage.... i've been on a survivor tear and have probably watched 5 seasons in the last month.... he's the best i've seen and that stupid outcast thing was tough to watch, i just watched the reuniun after he was gone to see what he had to say
Jeff or CBS-- ARE YOU LESSONING TO THE FANS?????????????
I would love to see Bobby John come back from Palau.
So far there has only been one allstars. Fans vs Favs was not an all stars and Heros vrs villians is not an All stars. All stars is for the one who made it to the end , the ones that played there heart out-- so when are they going to have another Allstars???? No one that has played twice should be concidered. Pick two tribes out of the top 5. There have been plenty of shows now so ther are enough to pick two teams. The top five -- they are the all stars.
bring back sydney wheeler from season 18.
Please bring back Andrew Savage from Pearl Islands. He got totally screwed by the Survivor brain trust with that stupid Outcasts experiment. I wouldn't mind if some of the contestants made it to the jury. Could be an interesting story line to see if these people learned their lessons. I'd also like to see Mike Skupin, Twila from Vanauatu, Heidi from Amazon, Coby from Pulau, Monica from Samoa (she would not go out without a fight against Russel Hantz), Erik from Micronesia (so he can redeem that dumb move.) And, Gina Crews from Marquesa. She could win it all or Andrew S.
How about we go back to the original premise: No models, no actors, no recruiting, no stars, no previous players!!! Pick players from real people who submit an application and a tape!! A real fan who had watched the show and know the game. I could scream when I see these players who have never watched an episode, were recruited, their "AGENT", got them the gig, they are professional athletes, know someone from the show, etc....I'd like an opportunity to play!
Marisa (Samoa), Amy (Guatemala), Brooke (Vanuatu), Spencer (Tocantins), Dave (China), Ace (Gabon), Rita (Fiji). These people would not only go far but they would also make great TV!
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