Survivor 31: Time for the Votes

So much hype already.
HOLY SHIT!

As of last night, Jeff Probst has announced that America will pick 20 of the 32 eligible one-time players to compete in Survivor: 31. This is amazing. The cast pools are fantastic, the location is new in Cambodia, and as Survivor: 30 moves on to the final six, the entire show and community is only getting more exciting.

Today, I'll be discussing who my votes will be going toward for the next two weeks! The list will be in order of who I want to see back most.
THE MEN:
SHANE MOTHERFUCKING POWERS
1. Shane Powers - Season 12 - Survivor: Panama (Exile Island)

Shane is my top pick to come back into this game. The man has "good TV' written all over him. His first time around, he tried to type on a rock he thought was like a blackberry, went through withdrawal on the island, and was one of the most unlikely final players of the entire season. Should he be allowed to return, it will be fascinating to see what he does. A person stays the same person no matter what, so I expect more ridiculousness out of him, but after growing much older since season 12, watching the show develop, and understanding the strategy of the game more, Shane will either be great TV and a great strategist, or just the first one. Whatever the case, Shane MUST return to Survivor.

2. Stephen Fishbach - Season 18 - Survivor: Tocantins

 Stephen Fishbach is a voice I hear quite often when I listen to the Survivor Know-It-Alls on RHAP. Thus, I suppose I have a bit of a bias. Also, much like myself, Fishbach is a skinny New York Jew. Besides that, Stephen is the definition of what this season is about: second chances. The first time around, he never axed his chief ally, J.T, and allowed himself to lose the game to the charming southerner. This time around, after talking, blogging, and being involved in the game ever since Tocantins, it's time for Fishbach's redemption. If he truly has learned from his experience in the past, Stephen could be a force of nature in this game the second time around.

3. Jeff Varner - Season 2 - Survivor: Australian Outback

 Jeff was someone I totally forgot about until this announcement. However, when it was announced he would be returning and I watched his video, I wanted Varner back on my TV all over again. He's got a charm that kind of reminds me of the great Jonathan Penner, and after literally fifteen years since Australia, it'll be great to see one of the true old school legends to return to the game. He's obviously been watching the show intently since his exit, quoting Tony Vlachos in his video, and based on his intelligence back in season 2, it wouldn't be at all surprising to see a refined strategy coming out of the now middle aged Jeff Varner. Bring him back!

4. Jeremy Collins - Season 29 - Survivor: San Juan Del Sur (Blood vs. Water II)

 Survivor: San Juan Del Sur sucked. However, it was good for three reasons. Number one: Jeremy, Number two: Natalie, Number three: Keith. That's basically it. On top of that, the Ponderosa videos involving Jeremy were truly glorious. The guy is pompous, making for good entertainment, the guy is a good strategy, making him worth paying attention, and the guy is actually root-for-able, based on what we already saw out of him in 29. We know his wife, we know what he's playing for, and above all, we know that Jeremy is going to come out swinging. Surround and drown baby!

 5. Terry Deitz - Season 12 - Survivor: Panama (Exile Island)

 To me, Terry Deitz is Tom Westman lite. He played a very similar game under very different circumstances, and just ended up losing one critical immunity challenge that cost him the game. Seeing him come back at an advanced age will be fascinating to see A - whether he's still the beast he once was, B - if he aligns with Shane, and C - if, with less erratic players, Terry either dominates or is seen as a threat and immediately booted. Whether or not he does well is almost irrelevant - it'll just be the glory of seeing Deitz strategize with real strategists and dominate challenges again.

6. Mike Holloway - Season 30 - Survivor: Worlds Apart (White Collar vs. Blue Collar vs. No Collar)

 Mike Holloway is, without a doubt, the best and most entertaining player in the current season of Survivor. He's so great, that I think almost for sure he will win the game. That would sadly disqualify him from this list. However, should he miss an immunity challenge and give the game up to Carolyn or something, it'll be great to watch him play again. From his ostensibly moralistic mind compared to his nearly villainous gameplay to his hilarious personality even while being hyper-religious, Mike undoubtedly deserves a spot in the next season should he fall through this time around.

 7. Spencer Bledsoe - Season 28 - Survivor: Cagayan (Brain vs. Brawn vs. Beauty)

 Spencer is one of the trifecta of must-be-brought-back-at-some-point players from Cagayan. Yes, he is number three behind Tony and Kass, but after a season of playing from the bottom, watching Spencer come back and just maybe have some numbers would be great. He's obviously got a mind for strategy, and without being outplayed by someone like Tony or outnumbered due to a terrible tribe, Bledsoe is sure to either be voted out very early or truly cause waves in this game.

8. Troyzan Robertson - Season 24 - Survivor: One World

 Much like some of the other players on this season, Troyzan is perhaps the only reason that One World is at all watchable... unless you enjoy Kim ripping helpless villagers apart. Troyzan seemed to be the only person that season that could actually give Kim a run for her money. Unfortunately for Troy, he played with mindless zombies following the Lich Queen Kim, so he was unable to turn the tide in his own favor, but with a new cast full of working minds, perhaps Troy will find success! Add to that the alpha male fights that Troy is bound to get into with people like Jeremy, and the Ponderosa suddenly also becomes must-watch TV.

9. Keith Nale - Season 29 - Survivor: San Juan Del Sur (Blood vs. Water II)

 I love Keith. He is not the best strategist or the most nostalgic like some of the other players above him, but god damn do I want to see him return. Just imagine the beauty of someone like Spencer or Stephen's well-constructed plan being blown to smithereens by a Keith comment. Or the idea of Terry and Keith being the two best physical players in the game while also being the oldest. Or almost any other combination involving the man named Keith from Keithsville. I am a Nale Male to the end.

10. Yung Woo Hwang - Season 28 - Survivor: Cagayan (Brain vs. Brawn vs. Beauty)

Much like Stephen Fishbach and Natalie Tenerelli (who we'll get to,) Woo was the runner up to a better player. However, while the other two had much more risk of voting out their ally and winner, Woo literally had the option to win the game and turned it down. All he had to do was write Tony's name down, and Woo became the winner of season 28. He didn't do it, and of course, lost. However, Woo trained under Tony's wing, Woo is good in challenges, and Woo may just go Ninja Stealth Mode again. Has he learned from his fatal mistake last time or is he still just as oblivious? We need Woo back to answer these questions!

Help, RHAP Nation! 
THE WOMEN:
Kass, back to flip over her alliances!
1. Kass McQuillen - Season 28 - Survivor: Cagayan (Brain vs. Brawn vs. Beauty)

 Speaking of Cagayan... KASS MUST RETURN! She, aside from Tony, is the second reason why 28 may just be the best season of all time. She flipped at the most critical point of the game, played the villain all season, and despite being the ultimate goat, was voted out so that Tony could win the game. She needs to come back for whatever she brings to the table in her second go. Will she be a villain again? Learn from mistakes and become more sociable and not flip? Will she be in a final situation with Woo and/or Spencer again? I NEED ANSWERS! Bring her back.

 2. Peih-Gee Law - Season 15 - Survivor: China

 PG was fantastic in China. Her evolution throughout the game, her challenge skill despite weighing about 40 pounds, and her epic fights with other castaways made her awesome TV. Coming back a second time, PG has a legit shot to win the game. She can refine her social game, she can continue challenge dominance (maybe,) and she can play a similar game to China, only with the finishing touches to make her a winner instead of a finalist. Plus, she's the only representative of China! Speaking of which... where the hell is Jean-Robert?

3. Kelly Wiglesworth - Season 1 - Survivor: Borneo

 The rat! She was eaten by the snake, Richard Hatch way back at the beginning of this whole phenomenon. Coming back fifteen years later, I cannot wait to see Kelly adapt to the new game of Survivor. Can she make it back to the final two and lose again? Will she learn from the Father of Strategy, Richard Hatch, and actually win? Whatever the case, Kelly was great the first time around and should hopefully continue to be great even after a fifteen year hiatus.

4. Abi Maria Gomez - Season 25 - Survivor: Philippines

 You're a moron and an idiot if you don't vote for Lisa Lampenelli's unknown Latin child: Abi-Maria. She was the chief villain of 25, and her constant lambasting of her fellow castaways was almost unreal. She was however, fantastic TV. Watching Abi and Kass potentially feud would be a thing of beauty; something that could place in the best rivalries with Russell and Rob or Sundra and Becky. I would love to see the Queen of Survivor Mean return to criticize everyone and blame it on race.

5. Natalie Tenerelli - Season 22 - Survivor: Redemption Island

 Redemption Island sucked. Boston Rob dominated from the get-go, Russell was immediately voted out, and the season was about as dry as possible. Natalie T was a boring player for the most part. Yes, I loved her for eye candy, but aside from that, what did she really bring to the table? Well, the nature of the season is second chances. Natalie T now gets the opportunity to show us that when she played as a 19 year old, she just wasn't old enough to get the game. She learned from one of the best, and the second time around, much like Woo, it'll be interesting to see if she makes the same mistakes or if she steps out of the shadows and plays the game. Remember guys - Parvati 1.0 just flirted a lot and placed 6th. Maybe Natalie will follow in her footsteps and dominate as a 2.0 player?

6. Kimmi Kappenberg - Season 2 - Survivor: Australian Outback

 Kinda like Varner, I forgot about Kimmi. She was fun back on season 2, but she isn't really a part of the community or a particularly interesting prospect before she's brought up. However, watching these old school players is kind of novel, and Kimmi in her video was obviously still a fan of the show. Observing the change in strategy and adaptation to the game after 15 years is always a fascinating idea, and it'll be great to not only see how her game has changed, but how Kimmi has changed after almost half her life ago she played Survivor.

7. Carolyn Rivera - Season 30 - Survivor: Worlds Apart (White Collar vs. Blue Collar vs. No Collar)

 I wouldn't have ranked her so high until last night. However, by booting her biggest ally in the game, keeping her idol secret, and flushing Mike's idol all in one night, Carolyn skyrockets up the ratings from a possible tenth or out-of-the-running place. Assuming she doesn't win, Carolyn would be great to have back without as many enemies and erratic goat-like players as are in season 30. We see her willingness to cut allies and make big moves already, and in an all-star type season, this would only get better.

 8. Tasha Fox - Season 28 - Survivor: Cagayan (Brain vs. Brawn vs. Beauty)

 Tasha was not the most interesting character from a confessional standpoint, but her strategy and challenge skill was undeniable. Watching her play a second time, much like Spencer, perhaps she'll get to play from the top instead of the bottom. This way, it'll be quite interesting to see if her strategy shifts at all. In addition, we saw a bit of an edge from Tasha in Cagayan, when she voted for Woo over Tony, so whether or not that unseen anger comes out to play in 31 would be an intriguing subplot moving forward.

9. Ciera Eastin - Season 27 - Survivor: Blood vs. Water I

 Ciera voted our her Mom. No, it wasn't super crazy of a move judging by the circumstances, but just the fact that the vote was cast showed Ciera to be more of a player. I'm not really expecting greatness out of her, but that only makes her more of a possibility to come back and prove me wrong. If she's willing to vote out her Mom, she'll vote out anyone. Ciera could prove to be a real wild card in this game, assuming she isn't voted out too early.

10. Kelley Wentworth - Season 29 - Survivor: San Juan Del Sur (Blood vs. Water II)

 I would never have put Kelley on this thing before I listened to her RHAP interview with Dale. After that, I saw that despite her rather under-the-radar edit on season 29, Kelley has a lot of game in her. The first time around, she was weighed down by her father who made many angry waves, so watching her play her own game will be either highly disappointing or extremely rewarding. Kelley could really make good TV... but we gotta vote her in to find out!

PG back to wreak havoc on a nonexistent James
ALL IN ALL:

I cannot friggin wait for this season. Much as I'm enjoying season 30, this one just can't come fast enough. With these 20 contestants vying for their first win on their second go-around, we're bound to see some cutthroat gameplay, some awesome campaigning, and hopefully an all time great season. Before I leave though, here are those that really should have been on this list, yet have been snubbed and/or said no to returning!

Give me your idols... now

1. Natalie Bolton - Season 16 - Survivor: Micronesia (Fans vs. Favorites I)

 Bolton, much like Roose and Ramsay Bolton, was a true villain. She was the true manipulator behind the Erik Reichenbach immunity scandal, and for that moment alone deserves a spot.

2. Brice Johnston - Season 28 - Survivor: Cagayan (Brain vs. Brawn vs. Beauty)

 The freakiest freak should come back, especially when we have pre-merge boots like Max Dawson or Stephanie Valencia on board. He had real game, and in the three episodes he played, made me remember him very clearly.

3. Greg Buis - Season 1 - Survivor: Borneo

 Greg was an asshole to the first degree, and was the first truly erratic player in the game. He made a hard time for Jeff Probst and pushed even Hatch to the limit before his inevitable boot.

4. Jean-Robert Bellande - Season 15 - Survivor: China

 What's better than a million dollars? A million dollars and some ass! Words to live by as spoken by the season 15 villain: Jean-Roberre! Bring him back!

5. Hali Ford - Season 30 - Survivor: Worlds Apart (White Collar vs. Blue Collar vs. No Collar)

 For weird American History references, for eye-candy, and for being the No Collar girl who didn't quit the game, Hali deserves to come back! I would MUCH rather see her again than Shirin to be perfectly honest.

6. Eddie Fox - Season 26 - Survivor: Caramoan (Fans vs. Favorites II)

 Dog Bar. Nuff' said.

7. Twila Tanner - Season 9 - Survivor: Vanuatu

 She was the old, villainous, ally of Scout who managed to make the final two and lose to the great Chris Daugherty. For that, she deserves to come back and make people hate her all over again.

8. Lisa Whelchel - Season 25 - Survivor: Philippines

Lisa's entire narrative was going from a naive player to a cuthroat one. However, she never actually became that cuthroat one. If she returned, would she finally do it?

9. Jeff Kent - Season 25 - Survivor: Philippines

Jeff is really the only pro sports player worth a lot of money to come back to the game and play well. He stayed under the radar with his profession, and aside from hating Penner weirdly, played a pretty solid game.

10. Marty Piombo - Season 21 - Survivor: Nicaragua

 Solid strategy, fun personality, overall good TV! Plus, he's recent enough for most to remember him!

11. Ian Rosenberger - Season 10 - Survivor: Palau

 He dropped out of the challenge to allow Tom Westman a win - controversial as hell! Supporting my fellow skinny Jews to come back and make waves once again!

12. Alexis Maxwell - Season 28 - Survivor: Cagayan (Brain vs. Brawn vs. Beauty)

 She really seemed to have game, only to be voted out way too early pre-merge. If some of these Survivors are given the call, why not Alexis?

PURPLE PANTS BRIGADE!

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