For the thirty-first season of Survivor, CBS has decided to let the public vote for their favorite previous castaways that they think deserve a second chance at the game. CBS took the liberty of narrowing the field to 32 castaways, 16 men and 16 women who have only played the game one time, and have been deemed “worthy” of a second chance at a million dollars. While the pool of potential castaways has some noticeable omissions, (more on that later) at least there is a wide range of castaways eligible. Unlike many “All-Star” Reality TV seasons whose cast is heavy on contestants from recent seasons, there is a strong likelihood that Survivor: Second Chances will include castaways that haven’t been seen on our screens since 2000-2001, which is a lifetime by Reality TV standards.
The following are the sixteen women, ranked in order of least to most likely to return, competing for your votes to play the game one more time.
16. Mikayla Wingle, Season 23: Survivor South Pacific
Mikayla Wingle, the most unlikely returnee for season 31 of Survivor. (photo credit: cbs.com)
It is easy to understand why CBS thinks that Mikayla deserves a second chance. She was placed on a tribe with a less-than-stable Hantz, who is the reason why she was voted off pre-jury in season 23. What is difficult to understand, however, is how the vast majority of the general public will remember who she is. Unless she somehow gets the support from her one-time boss, Hugh Hefner, Mikayla will be watching season 31 from her living room.
15. Stephanie Valencia, Survivor 22: Redemption Island
Stephanie Valencia will likely lose her spot to female castaways that played the villain even better than she did. (photo credit: CBS Broadcasting Inc.)
Stephanie was known for two things during her stint on season 22; being Russell Hantz’s biggest supporter, which ultimately managed to land her in 14th place, and being the female villain of the season. She succeeded at the latter, and was disliked by her tribe, as well as the majority of viewers. While being known as a Survivor villain is generally a lock for getting you on another season, Stephanie is up against two other female villains (see #’s 2 and 3) that would make her look like Little Red Riding Hood compared to them. Therefore, she will not make the cut.
14. Natalie Tenerelli, Survivor 22: Redemption Island
It is likely that Natalie Tenerelli (above) did not stand out enough on her season to receive enough votes for her to return to season 31. (photo credit: cbs.com)
At 19 years old, Natalie Tenerelli is the youngest female to ever have played Survivor, and the youngest player to ever make the final 3. Unfortunately for Natalie, she was so far in Boston Rob’s shadow, that you could barely see her. She defines what it means to ride coattails to the end of the game. Even the jury of her peers didn’t remember her, as she received zero votes to win. She is well liked sweet, and beautiful, but completely forgettable; which is detrimental when you need the public’s vote.
13. Sabrina Thompson, Survivor 24: One World
We know Sabrina Thompson has what it takes to make it to the end of the game, but she may not have what it takes to give it another attempt. (photo credit: cbs.com)
Sabrina played a near flawless game her first time around. The only thing she did wrong is allow herself to go to the final 3 with Kim Spradlin, who is one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. The question is, does the public feel as though we will get anything new from Sabrina, should she be invited back. We saw her game, and it was great, but do we need to see it again? Doubtful.
12. Monica Padilla, Survivor 19: Samoa
Monica Padilla is vying for one of the coveted “young, beautiful woman in a small bikini” spots on season 31 of Survivor. (photo credit: CBS.com)
Monica Padilla was part of one of the biggest tribal collapses in the history of Survivor. Her tribe went into the merge with a 8-4 advantage over the other tribe. They were so disastrous that they ended up finishing 12th-6th, and 4th place. Monica ended up in 6th place, but fought hard until the end, and never gave up. Not many people are remembered from her season, because it was the season of Russell Hantz, but Monica is a surprising but solid choice by CBS. Unfortunately, for her, she will be splitting votes with the other 4 young, pretty brunettes, and she may not gain enough support to return for season 31.
11. Peih-Gee Law, Survivor 15: China
ds/2015/05/peih-gee-l-200x300.jpg" alt="peih-gee l" width="200" height="300" /> CBS decides that Peih-Gee Law (above) deserves a second chance, sixteen seasons after she appeared in season 15, set in China. (photo credit: cbs.com)
Peih-Gee Law became a breakout star in Survivor: China back in season 15. She was outspoken, and confrontational, which was welcomed entertainment in an otherwise boring season. Peih-Gee became an underdog that many people rooted for, and finished the season in a respectful 5th place.
Bottom Line:
If CBS has a significant amount of pull in who gets casted, then expect to see Peih-Gee make the final cut. If, however, the vote is weighed heavier by the public vote, Peih-Gee will likely not receive the public support. The combination of a lackluster, non-popular season, coupled with the fact that it aired eight years ago, may be more strikes than Peih-Gee can overcome.
Predicted 10 Females for Cast of Survivor 31: Second Chances
10. Kelley Wentworth, Survivor 29: San Juan Del Sur
Kelley Wentworth wants to play Survivor again, but this time, without her grumpy father. (photo credit: cbs.com)
Kelley Wentworth was voted out last season, in large part, because of her father with whom she has had quite a tumultuous relationship. Kelley could have been a contender last season, but the Blood vs. Water twist shortened her time, and landed her a pre-jury boot.
Kelley has two things going for her with this vote:
1) She was just on last season and fresh in the minds of even the casual Survivor viewer.
2) She is the only young blonde girl vying for the sexy girl in a bikini spot. As ridiculous as that sounds, it is likely all of her brunette competitors will be splitting votes with each other, (i.e. Mikayla, Stephanie, Monica, Natalie, Ciera) and Kelley will find herself getting all the votes from those that prefer blondes.
9. Teresa T-Bird Cooper, Survivor 3: Africa
Teresa “T-Bird” Cooper may finally get the second chance, 27 seasons in the making. (photo credit: cbs.com)
The idea of T-Bird getting a second chance, is almost too exciting to put into words. Way back in season 3: Africa, she was a great strategic player, and was not given the credit she deserves. Survivor: Africa, while nowhere near as popular as its two predecessors, was still quite a phenomenon, and many members of those casts are still fondly remembered today. Hopefully enough long-time fans can remember how great she played the game the first time around, and will vote for her to return.
8. Tasha Fox, Survivor 28: Cagayan
Tasha Fox, formally part of “The Brains” team on Survivor: Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty, may be smart enough to get people to vote for her to return for Survivor: Second Chances (photo credit: cbs.com)
It was nearly impossible to not root for Tasha Fox on last spring’s Survivor: Cagayan. She was part of “The Brains” tribe, which ended up making more awful decisions than the Beauty and Brawns tribes combined. She was a fierce competitor, winnin
g three individual immunity challenges in a row, which a female has not accomplished since season 7.
Tasha is likable, intelligent, competitive, strong, and a huge fan of the game. Having had her season air just last year, there is a good chance that Tasha will gain enough support to give her another shot at the title of Sole Survivor.
7. Carolyn Rivera, Survivor 30: Worlds Apart
Carolyn Rivera, currently in the final 6 of Survivor: Worlds Apart, could potentially be back on our screens in September. (photo credit: cbs.com)
Being one of only two woman in her fifties that made the top 32, Carolyn Rivera may have an edge on her fifty-something competitor, Teresa Cooper; Carolyn is currently on Survivor: Worlds Apart. This means that Carolyn is at the peak of her popularity, and has plenty of Twitter followers and Facebook fans. Teresa was on Survivor in 2001, WAY before Twitter, Facebook and other social media.
The one caveat with Carolyn, however, is that she is one of two contestants in the top 32 that may actually be ineligible to participate next season. Since this is a “Second Chances” season, if Carolyn happens to win Worlds Apart, she will be disqualified from the poll, and if she finished in the top ten vote getters, the eleventh place female will take her spot on Second Chances.
Bottom Line:
It is likely she will be voted in, as she is a great game player. There is, however, pretty much a 50/50 chance of her winning the game at this point, so we may not be seeing her play again just yet.
6. Shirin Oskooi, Survivor 30: Worlds Apart
Shirin Oskooi, who finished in 8th place on this seasons “Survivor Worlds Apart”, will likely give it another go on “Survivor: Second Chances”. (photo credit: CBS)
The timing of this vote could not have come at a better time for Shirin. She was voted off the current season just two weeks ago, and she has been the center of a lot of the Survivor buzz this season, particularly the past few weeks. If nothing else, she is controversial, and most importantly, memorable. Love her or hate her, she will be remembered.
This bodes very well for Oskooi, as she is still very much a part of the current season, which will surely garner her a magnitude of votes.
5. Ciera Eastin, Survivor 27: Blood Vs. Water
Ciera Eastin ditches her mother, former two time Survivor contestant, Laura Morett, this season, for the opportunity to see what she can do on her own. (photo credit: cbs.com)
Ciera Eastin was an out of nowhere, breakout star in Survivor: Blood Vs. Water. She famously voted off her own mother at Tribal Council, and chose to pick rocks at the final 6, rather than vote with people she no longer wanted to be aligned with. CBS would not be foolish enough to not include Ciera on Second Chances, and the public would be just as foolish to not vote for her every day until the polls close.
4. Kimmi Kappenberg, Survivor 2: Australian Outback
Kimmi Kappenberg appeared on Survivor back in 2001, and has all but disappeared from the spotlight since the show aired. (photo credit: CBS)
A whole new generation is potentially about to experience the loud mouth, over the top, vegetarian from Long Island, NY, and there is at least one person out there that is willing to create hundreds of fake email address every day, just to vote her back on.
If Kimmi Kappenberg is on next season, and we don’t see a challenge where the reward is chickens, there will be hell to pay.
3. Abi-Maria Gomes, Survivor 25: Philippines
Can Abi-Maria Gomes top her evilness from season 25? We will likely get that answer in September. (photo credit: CBS)
Perhaps the biggest female villain in the history of the show, Abi-Maria Gomes will play this game again, that is all but guaranteed. She was so hated by her tribemates, and the American public, that she received the nickname “the demon.”
With that being said, CBS LOVES villains, and I am sure they have been chomping at the bit to get Abi-Maria back on the island, to see if she is still as evil as she was back in season 25.
She may not get the public vote, but will will certainly have CBS’s vote, and that may be all that matters.
2. Kass McQuillen, Survivor 28: Cagayan
Kass McQuillen is a lock for “Survivor: Second Chances” (photo credit: CBS)
If anyone can play a better villain than Abi-Maria, it is this woman, Kass. She is the epitome of a Survivor villain, and that is why she will be back for her second chance. She is unlikable and brutally mean, but is entertaining and buzz-worthy. Not only will she return, but she could be one of the main factors in why this season is happening in the first place. #ChaosKass will be shoved in your face, and the hash tag will be shoved down your throat for as long as CBS can keep their evil queen around. Which hopefully, won’t be long.
1. Kelly Wiglesworth, Survivor: Borneo
After 15 years, Reality TV’s original “rat”, Kelly Wiglesworth will be back on our TV screens in September. (photo credit: CBS)
Prayers have been answered, and dreams are coming true. Kelly Wiglesworth, the original “rat”, is playing the game again after 15 years. It is widely rumored that Wiglesworth has never seen an episode of Survivor, including her own original season. She is just too cool to be bothered.
Kelly “River Guide” Wiglesworth is playing Survivor, 30 seasons after she helped make it a phenomenon, and Survivor fans couldn’t be more excited. She is a Survivor legend, and it is time to see if she has what it takes to finally win it all.
In case you were wondering, I will be throwing my votes to the following ladies.
Kelly Wiglesworth, Kimmi Kappenberg, Teresa “T-Bird Cooper” Tasha Fox, Kelley Wentworth, Monica Padilla, Ciera Eastin, Shirin Oskooi, Carolyn Rivera, and Peih-Gee Law
