As a fan of Survivor, I was anxiously awaiting its post-Covid return. However, imagine my disappointment when I realized that Survivor 41 was turning out to be the worst season ever. Here are 6 reasons why.
As soon as that well-known and well-loved music started to play, I got excited. Survivor was FINALLY back! As a late-bloomer when it comes to Survivor (I only started watching about 6 or 7 years ago), I have become an ardent fan. So much so, that I went back and watched nearly every season from the very, very beginning.
I love the challenges, and the chance to get to know random strangers as they try to outwit, outplay, and outlast each other.
Sure, there have been some frustrating seasons in the past. Sure, there have been plenty of occasions when the cast was less stellar than others. Sure, there were twists in the previous seasons that ended up costing my favorite players their spot in the game. But that’s all part of Survivor.
This year, however, there are very few redeeming qualities to a season that is packed full of annoyances and frustrations.
Is It Just Me Or Is Survivor 41 the Worst Season Ever?!?!
I’ve done some reading of my own, and many online review sites are still bestowing many virtues on this season. They are awarding strategic gameplay where I think it is completely lacking, and favoriting players that are beyond terrible.
Perhaps it is just me? Perhaps I have just become jaded by some of the past seasons where things were awesome. But here is my list of the top 6 reasons (there are actually more) why Survivor 41 is the worst season ever.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
If you haven’t watched this season yet, don’t keep reading (and maybe don’t bother watching, but that’s your call).
The (Mostly) Unlikeable Tribes
This year, there are slightly fewer cast members than normal, and they were divided into 3 tribes.
The Luvu Tribe (blue buffs), a dominant tribe that is doing well so far, which is probably one of the reasons we know hardly anything about them. They are the tribe with the athlete, the mom, and some other people. Who remembers?
The Ua Tribe (green buffs) has been an absolute disaster since the very beginning, which is one of the reasons they have been absolutely decimated already.
The Yase Tribe (yellow buffs) had some strong players, but inner turmoil (which they are calling “gameplay”) has hurt them. The tribe also includes one castaway who will likely go down as one of the worst Survivor players in the history of the show (I’m talking to you, Tiffany).
And who are the favorite players in each tribe? Which ones do I watch with bated breath, hoping that they survive tribal council? Nobody. Maybe Xander, but that’s only because he reminds me of a lost puppy.
On the plus side, it is – by far – the most diverse cast I have ever seen on Survivor. I applaud the diversity, even if it was mandated by the studio. Only about 60% of the US population is classified as “White” so it is about time that shows like Survivor better reflected the cultural makeup of the audience.
The Too-Fast Pace
When the season started, they promised a “New Era” for Survivor. The pace would be faster, the challenges would be harder, the rewards fewer, and so on. Even the Survivors don’t have to survive as long as they had to in the past. This year, they will need to keep their torches lit for 26 days, instead of the typical 39. That’s a 33% reduction in goodness.
However, this cannot be blamed on the producers, as this is a restriction that was placed on them by the Fijian government. In order to put the castaways through as much grueling pressure as one would find in a normal, 39-day, season, they have been stripped down to beyond the basics. Rations, food, and flints are in short supply and can be taken away at any time.
And they also lived up to that “faster pace” promise when the very first tribal council featured the two losing tribes each having to vote a player off.
Beyond the pace of the game, there seems to be a sense of haphazard urgency in the editing as well. Tiny glimpses of random moments are all that we’re given in order to get to know this group of people.
A perfect example was a recent reward, where the winning tribe was gifted a personal guide who would be able to show the tribe members how to survive and thrive on the island. Cut to this talented individual climbing up and then hanging upside down from a tree as he retrieves coconuts (nobody on the tribe is going to be able to do that). The next shot shows him cracking open that coconut with his forearm coconuts (nobody on the tribe is going to be able to do that). Then, as quickly as it started – with absolutely no valuable information being imparted (that we get to see) – the visit is over.
Then there were a couple of quick cast interviews, where they talk about how amazing the moment was. I’m pretty sure one of them cried.
And maybe that’s one of the reasons that I (and perhaps others) are not connecting with the tribe members as much as normal, as you simply don’t have enough time to get to know anyone before the next tribal council.
The Lackluster Challenges
There is nothing wrong with the challenges this year, per se. But it just feels like they didn’t put much effort into them, except mixing up a couple of elements from challenges that they have run over and over and over again. Get your tribe over, under, or through the obstacles, then tackle this puzzle or skill game.
And, of course, there is the loss of that all-too-familiar “Come on in, guys!” that started every challenge for many, many years.
Don’t get me wrong, I fully support diversity and inclusion. And I probably wouldn’t have even noticed if Jeff had simply stopped saying “Guys” at the end of that sentence. I’m just not sure why they felt the need to make an entire production out of it. And I do mean production.
It seems exceptionally obvious to me that they did not get the response that they wanted when they originally posed the question to the cast “Does that bother you?” Because it was all-to-convenient (and I’m fairly certain coaxed by the producers of the show) that one of the castaways (Ricard) had second thoughts about it before the first challenge.
And, to add insult to injury, I couldn’t help but feel the hypocrisy when I heard “Let’s go, guys!” being yelled out by the cast members at least two or three times during the next challenge. And I’m 99% sure it was Ricard who did the yelling.
Personally, my own jury is still out on if the term “guys” has morphed enough over the past few years to become gender-neutral. I know that many words have changed their meanings over history, and this feels like one that was on its way to no longer exclusively meaning “males”. But, as a male, it’s hard for me to understand or judge how a female or non-binary person would feel being grouped in with a bunch of “guys” for the half-a-second it takes to say the word.
The Survivor producers, in their ever-so-wokeness, jumped at the opportunity to retire that phrase, and I believe it is gone forever. It’s no big deal, really. It doesn’t impact the game to any great extent. The only reason it feels like a big deal is because they insisted on making it a big deal. Twice.
The Terrible Votes
This is a typical struggle with a show like Survivor. When it comes to tribal council, particularly in the early stages of the game, do you vote to maintain tribe strength, or do you vote along your alliance lines to support the relationships that you’ve built?
And it almost always goes the wrong way. But that has been especially the case this season.
The Survivor 41 tribes are far smaller than normal (6 people each, although we have seen smaller tribes like this in the past) and a promise of a “New Era” which means nobody can rely on the traditional tribe swaps or merge points. That means it is important – if you don’t want to be a terrible Survivor player like Tiffany – to balance personalities with competitive capabilities.
Nowhere was this more evident than the Yase Tribe, which was quickly divided into 2 groups. In one group, you had David (a young, fit doctor), Xander (a very young, fit, but naïve player), and Evvie (a smart and sassy Ph.D. student). In the other, you had Evvie (playing double-agent between the groups), Liana (a college student), and Tiffany (the one most likely to get voted “That Survivor Player” for how terrible her gameplay has been).
So, you can imagine – before tribal council – that Evvie has a strategic choice to make. Stick with the stronger side of the tribe, as she had developed a strong relationship within that threesome. Or stick with the girls. She stuck with the girls on the first vote and got rid of the older, but still strong, male.
During the next episode, her alliance member – Tiffany – practically lays down to take a nap halfway through the immunity challenge. When they (SHOCKER!!) lost, Tiffany then went on to have an epic meltdown that showed exactly how little strategic gameplay lived inside her.
“What if he has an active idol?” Tiffany asks.
“He doesn’t, he showed me the paper and so I know exactly what needs to happen for his idol to be activated, and that hasn’t happened yet,” replies Evvie.
“But what if he has an active idol?????” Tiffany asks.
That exchange goes around and around and around in circles for at least 10 minutes. Ok, perhaps I’m exaggerating.
But Evvie then starts to question her alliance. Tiffany is not strong in competitions. Tiffany does not understand how to play the game. Tiffany is irrational and emotional. Perhaps it was time for Evvie to side with the stronger, seemingly more stable players who trust her implicitly. She sides with the girls instead.
And all of this because she has this vision of an imaginary world where a tribe-swap happens and all three of their alliance members end up shifting together to the same tribe. When that happens, in her mind, they will have a tight 3. And how often, exactly, does THAT happen? And what are the chances that this “tight 3” will implode as soon as that does happen?
But you never know, in the worst season of Survivor ever, it could actually happen. Twice.
The Survivor 41 Crying Game
Next, let’s get down to some of the cast interviews. Yes, Survivor is an emotionally charged game and people do break down on occasion. But please, please, please, can we have at least one episode during Survivor 41 where 3 or more different people don’t start balling their eyes out on camera.
You’ve been on the island for 3 freaking days, it’s not time for a cry-fest quite yet.
Perhaps this is an attempt to humanize an otherwise unlikeable cast. But it’s not working. Instead, they are coming off as whiners.
I have also not, yet had a “You’re terrible, Muriel!” (a callout to one of my favorite older movies – do you know which one??) where someone plots something absolutely devious and I’m all for it.
Don’t get me wrong, there has been plotting. There’s been deceiving. There’s been treachery. But, somehow, most of it comes off as contrived and unnecessary at this point during Survivor 41.
The Crazy Idols & Advantages
Survivor is always packed with twists and turns, many of these coming in the form of idols and advantages. So far, during Survivor 41, we’ve seen a slew of unique game-changing powers, including:
- The Three Way Immunity Idol – Once found, the idol has no power and the idol-holder has no vote until someone on the other two tribes also finds the idol, and all 3 people say their respective phrase during an immunity challenge.
One phrase had something to do with butterflies, the other was related to broccoli, and the other was about a goat on astroturf. Sounds fun. By challenge number 4 (or so), hearing those phrases being said over and over again was getting tiresome.
- The Shot in the Dark Twist – If a castaway feels like they are in danger, they can roll the dice (literally) for a one-in-six chance at safety. They have to trade in their vote for the chance, so nobody has done it yet.
The value of this twist? For one, it forces everyone to lie to the person who is being voted out, even if there is an obvious majority and no chance that they have an immunity idol. Granted, it’s Survivor, they likely would have done that anyway.
- Prisoner’s Dilemma (aka The Risk / Protect Your Vote Twist) – Each episode, people are sent to another island where they have a choice of risking or protecting their vote. If they risk their vote, they might get an advantage. They might not.
This twist is a nice addition, as it gives castaways from different tribes a chance to get to know and test the waters with members from other tribes. This could come into play later with a merge or tribe swap. - Beware Advantages – This is more of a precursor to the advantage than the advantage itself. If a castaway finds one of these advantages, they will not know the contents of the advantage – or the consequences – until they open it. But, once opened, they have no choice but to accept what the advantage has to offer (or take away).
- The Knowledge is Power Advantage – Basically, this advantage lets a person steal someone else’s idol (or advantage), which has never been allowed in the past. Like the idol nullifier, this means someone who might think they have a small amount of protection going into Tribal Council could lose it at the last minute. But the idol nullifier had some risk, because you had to guess IF the idol was going to be played and WHO it was going to be played for.
This advantage legitimizes the outright theft of an idol, taking all of the power away from the person who earned that advantage.
Granted, in order for the advantage to work, the person has to know who has what advantages in the game. But in a season where nobody can seem to keep a secret, that isn’t much of a challenge.
Maybe, when that happens, the Shot in the Dark will finally get played!
(UPDATED TO ADD) Although I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed how Xander played with the fake idol and made Liana waste her advantage. The fact that she fell for it was another testament to the sad gameplay. If she had any doubt that Xander was still holding the idol (which she should have) she could have stolen Naseer’s idol instead. She was far too focused on targeting Xander.
But it was a joy to watch the smug look on her face crumble into absolute defeat when he answered her “Do you have an idol, Xander?” question with “No, but you can have this fake one.”
Survivor 41 Ratings Drop
One indication that I am not alone in my feelings towards Survivor Season 41 is the ratings. According to TV Series Finale, the ratings for the iconic show have dropped by 10% since the season began and are down a whopping 20% (nearly) compared to Season 40. Unlike Season 40, which actually saw an increased audience between the premiere episode and the second, Survivor 41 saw a 5.6% drop-off immediately following the season premiere and a whopping 29% who dropped off and didn’t bother watching the reunion episode after the final vote was cast.
And the ratings have continued to decline each episode since.
| Episode | Season 40 Viewers (Millions) | Episode Drop Off | Season 41 Viewers (millions) | Episode Drop Off | Season 40 vs 41 (% Change) |
| 1 | 6.688 | 6.249 | -6.6% | ||
| 2 | 7.160 | 7.1% | 5.902 | -5.6% | -17.6% |
| 3 | 7.148 | -0.2% | 5.795 | -1.8% | -18.9% |
| 4 | 7.082 | -0.9% | 5.675 | -2.1% | -19.9% |
| 5 | 6.906 | -2.5% | 5.625 | -0.9% | -18.5% |
| 6 | 7.830 | +13.4% | 5.317 | -5.5% | -32.1% |
| 7 | 8.185 | +4.5% | 5.471 | +2.9% | -33.2% |
| 8 | 8.235 | +0.6% | 5.556 | +1.6% | -32.5% |
| 9 | 7.855 | -4.6% | 5.765 | +3.8% | -26.6% |
| 10 | 8.137 | +3.6% | 5.544 | -3.8% | -31.8% |
| 11 | 8.163 | +0.3% | 5.631 | +1.57% | -31.0% |
| 12 | 8.081 | -1.0% | 5.697 | +1.17% | -29.5% |
| 13 | 7.575 | -6.3% | 5.623 | -1.3% | -25.8% |
| 14 | 7.575 | -0.0% | 3.995 | -28.95% | -47.2% |
| 15 | 7.492 | -1.1% | No Episode | ||
| 16 | 7.942 | +6.01% | No Episode |
Yes, Survivor 41 is The Worst Season Ever (IMHO)
And there you have it. My opinion – so far – of Survivor 41 and why I think it is (by far) the worst season ever. The season isn’t over yet. In fact, there have only been 5 episodes aired as of the writing of this article. So there is hope that, by some miracle, the game can shake things up and fix itself.
But I think that’s about as likely as finding a hidden immunity idol by simply laying in the shelter all day. Or that Tiffany will suddenly become a strong and strategic player.
Your Turn! Do you also think Survivor 41 is the worst season ever? Or are you enjoying the hot mess? Let me know in the comments below!
I agree survivor 41 is the worst. I have watched all 40 seasons over and over several times mainly because of the players. It is interesting to watch Survivor evolve but 41 evolved into something unpleasant and difficult to watch because of certain players. Your right about too much time spent on gender and racial issues. The worst player was Shan the evil pastor who lost her job after the show. Her pastor said it was ok to do what she did, won’t go to that church. God told her to not be a pastor( her words) which I am surprised she could hear with that childish song playing in her head. She probably used God as the reason for losing her job after breaking every bible commandment. I could not watch her and muted the show whenever she spoke or that stupid song would play as she was stealing and lying and backstabbing. Can’t stand to rewatch season 41. 42 looks like it might be a better season but only because there is a wonderful young black woman that reminds me of my daughter-in-law.
Horrible annoying season, left me so disappointed. So let down by the cast, I don’t know if they just have a lack of people signing up to be on survivor or if their staff picking just pulled random names. I literally only liked the football player and Xander. Everyone else was either trying to hard or boring. I like the new twist and advantages but I think they threw too many at one time. Very let down and I hope that they really go back to real survivor for season 42.
Im just glad to see the traction this has. I’ve watched survivor since i was a kid with my mom. Survivors production team has clearly learned to manipulate the outcome of survivor to a high degree. The players arent even playing survivor anymore theyre playing a drama show. and its because of survivors production team at the end of the day.
So, so, so incredibly disappointed in this last and final season of what I was hoping was Survivor but turned out to be a heavily production influenced, pre-selected winner giveaway and 26 days of social justice/virtue signal shill. I’ve had some pretty frustrated moments watching 41 seasons of this show, but MY WORD, what happened to this?!?!
Diversity; great. Super. It’s TV, I can see it and appreciate it by formulating my own thoughts, I don’t need it emotionally dialogued through almost every episode ad nauseum. It was like going to watch a play, and watching people wear costumes that are pretty cool, but instead of the characters relaying the story of the play, they just describe their outfits THE ENTIRE TIME. example:
Me: oh wow, the characters are starving and trying to build fire on a desert island
Characters: I AM WEARING A 45903 THREAD COUNT CAPE IN THE COLOR OF NAVY AND IT IS MADE OF SILK SPUN IN THE ORIENT
The most horrifying thing after all the social justicing was the fact that four black people tried to band together in order to encourage the community, but then one of the males gets selfish, screws the others over and conspires to eliminate the strongest woman of the four. Then they get picked off one by one immediately, with the only one remaining in the end being the guy who SOLD OUT his “community” BOTH in the show and outside of it only to ultimately fail by being an emotional man-baby who used his culture to manipulate and deceive people the whole way. Deshaun is a disappointment to all black people, everywhere we are. Disgusting and dispicable example of black men and black culture.
The only wonderful part was when Evvie and Xander totally kicked ass and defeated Lianas advantage at tribal. That was well and truly epic and was just one of the many, MANY, ENDLESS reasons Xander should have won. It was pure butthurt and production manipulation that caused him to lose and it is the reason I won’t be watching anymore. His gameplay was all around the best from the relationships to challenges to competing. His only mistake was not stepping down from Immunity at final tribal and beating her at fire to be rid of her. She only made it to the end when honestly, the producers realized no black people would win because of the one who sold them out, that all the gays would be out because they were the best players with huge targets, and that they could NOT allow a white male to win their “diversity season” at any cost. That sound support horribke to say, but that is exactly what it is. She was provided for amicably from the beginning in the most obvious production interventions of all time.
There is so, so much more I could complain about here but what is the point. The show is over, it is nothing more than a garbage reality show were people are a little more hungry and dirty. Thats it. I will always miss this show and loathe what I have watched it devolve into.
I totally agree with you. I have watched every episode of Survivor since it first began. Was always my favorite. Well now I’ve had it. I stopped watching it in the middle of the episode last week and will never watch it again. Play the game and leave out the woke politics.
A few years ago, they solicited ideas for the game. I sent a note saying to do a “retro survivor” like season 1. Instead they went the polar opposite. It has been appointment TV for me for 20 years, but this may have been my last season.
If I was Ricard, I would have been salty too!
I mean survivor handed Erika two gifts because they felt sorry for her . This was fixed all the way , they planted that advantage before she arrived there , last one to solve the puzzle prior to looking for it . Cmon man! You know they have helped her out big time . Ricard would have won that immunity challenge , it’s stupid stuff like handing players advantages because they feel sorry for her and they want a good storyline.
Ugh this was the f**king worst. I mean, the horrible gameplay, to basically handing Erika the million dollars for no reason. Ricard being a b8tch even in the jury. Everything feels so forced. The never-ending crying on camera, and the stupid backstories which don’t weigh anything to the audience. And Jeff Probst being overly expressive on camera is so creepy. On the Ricard part, I remember Tina (from Australia) saying the jury needing to be kept separate till the jury vote makes so much sense. Ricard basically got salty and poisoned every other jury member
Jury management is part of the game, and bad players have been known to poison the jury against one of the remaining cast members. The part I find ironic is Ricard stating how he considered himself to be one of the “best players ever” and then turns around and does a “worst player ever” move out of bitterness because he didn’t win. You absolutely know that if he had kept Ricard around, everyone’s comment would have been “why the heck did you keep Ricard??” Players who behave that way will never, in my book, be seen as good players.
Agree with everything you said .
So Erica just happened to stumble on that immunity advantage , it seemed like the crew of survivor wanted her to win so they planted it in an easy spot , it wouldn’t surprise me they planted it there before she came by.
The jury got the vote wrong Again ! As usual .Xander made a big mistake , he should have licked heather , let Erika and deshaun battle it out . Horrible move !
Come on in guys should have never been taken out ; cancel culture and social bullshit have taken over this game .
I won’t be watching the next survivor , I’m sticking with naked and afraid , too much politics. CBS can continue drinking the George Soros kook aid , who sponsors crap like this.
Survivor 42 is starting out fairly good only 2 episodes so far. Check it out but if it becomes like season 41 I may not even watch. I liked Naked and afraid also but believe people should not go on show with out some survival skills… leafs could work for covering body, make shoes out of bark and vines, find objects to collect rain water, cover body in mud to prevent insect bites, make snares out of vines and sticks, know how to make fire, learn about edible plants and wild life, know enough to get off the ground and away from stagnant water which breeds insects.
I’ve only watched the first episode of Season 42, but already the cast seems more likable (in general).
I am delighted to see this article and every single comment! When a perspective is truthful, you can tell immediately because all the comments are the same and hit all the relevant points. I can not add much more as I feel like everyone else here. However, I will hit on what I hated.
26 DAYS (regardless of alleged extra hardships,..Survivor Samoa rained almost every day) is absurd!! I was bummed when #2 S. Australia went from 42 to 39. Does anyone really think, anyone, but X, would have made TWO more weeks? Also how about actually possessing some survival skills while playing on a show called survivor? Shelter bldg., fire,. FISHING (ozzy and maybe penner, who was taught by ozzy), getting food etc.? Wokeness/Pc was nauseating-barf? Cirie couldnt believe these people Could NOT keep their mouths shut,..Rob M must have gotten sick every week watching it? I watched S 13 Cook Islands this week and as I look on the women and men there, Ozzy, Yul, Candice, Parvati, even old Penner,..I was like, these 41 survivors couldnt hold the sandals of the legends,….I mean tiffany,..really, trying to compete vs Parvati,…haha! Ricard (is that Mr or Mrs, as they said he had a pregnant Husband at home, wtf) trying to stay with Ozzy or even Sundra?
Erika now joins Sophie and Natalie as the absolute pathetic rock bottom winners ever!
So long survivor 41 and survivor 4-ever,…im out to GUYS!!
I wholeheartedly agree that Erika should not have won, but I read in an article recently that Xander saw it coming because Ricard was truly bitter about being voted out. Bitter jurors often work hard to poison the jury against one finalist in favor of another, and that could be what happened to Xander. Jury management and the negative impacts of a bitter jury member is part of the game, but “Great Players” – as they claimed to have been – would have known better. The jury did have a fair point that Xander didn’t have a great read on some people that he thought were allies, but he managed to survive all the way to the end (despite being repeatedly targeted) nonetheless.
In Survivor’s defense, the 26 days was not their decision. That was a restriction placed upon the production crew by the Fijian government.
Also, a couple of clarifying notes regarding Ricard:
1) It would be Mr. as I don’t recall at any time during the show that he stated that he identified as female or non-binary (although perhaps I missed it).
2) I agree that the production team could have spent more than the 2 1/2 seconds that they allocated to Ricard’s pregnant husband. From what I gather, Ricard’s husband is transgender (female to male), so he is biologically capable of getting pregnant and carrying a child. Hence a pregnant husband.
Normally, I do like the chance to eavesdrop on the social and cultural impact of people that I might not have heard from in the past, but this season it was all too single-minded. I would have loved to have heard a little bit more about Ricard’s transgender relationship and how having a pregnant husband impacted him and the people around him. I would have loved to have heard more about Xander’s transformation from the chubby kid to the athlete he became (we got the tiniest bit of that at the very end). I would have loved to have heard more about Erika’s battles in the corporate world (another thing they touched on for about 10 seconds).
Lastly, although I really love all of the feedback on this post, I think it is important to note that we can’t quite consider the fact that all of the comments are in the same theme as a point of truth. Since the entire theme of my post was how Survivor 41 was the worst season ever (in my opinion), it likely ranks for people searching for “Survivor Worst Season” or “Survivor Sucks” and therefore it’s unlikely that those who truly enjoyed this season would stumble upon my little blog.
Although, from what I can tell, there are PLENTY of people searching for “Survivor Sucks” this year! 🙂
The players are coddled big time , go back to old survivor 40 plus days , you had to cook , hunt , fish, boil water , get wood , build shelter , today they are coddled big time ; kudos to the old survivor contestants , I know they are shaking their heads saying how easy can it get.
Replying to below (or above?) comment by ArtAndHome:
fyi — just now got to your blog by searching for S-41 ratings as I knew they were down … and for a few similar reasons to dump this season — JP dismissed the value of Come-on-in-guys; and, for my gag response to LLL-woke-PC-b.s.-by-CBS etal.
I did watch the opening show, and the Finale. Left me with questions so thanks to you ‘guys’ for answering some of those Q’s via the comments. I’ll continue to watch Survivor to see if it evolves-better-back (sorry… L o L ) … doing only the first&last did free up more of my time and I still got the ”hit” off of Survivor.
Up until 2020-41, I had only missed the first 3 of S-1, the “Fabio” 2009? Finale ( We’re Going To Disney World !! ).
Also tonight caught up on online recaps of Seal Team S5, E-7–10 since CBS screwed with that show too. Damit Jim, I’m only a TV viewer!!
Happy & Safe New Year to all you Loyal & Dedicated viewers. 2022 will also be an interesting experience I’m afraid.
/Thanks to Art**
Survivor 41 was definitely one of the worst. Clearly a biased and bitter jury selected a “winner” who broke an hourglass and stumbled upon a last-minute advantage that led her to being in the final three, when she otherwise would not have been. For Xander not to have received a single vote is utterly insane – plus, notice how once again, they did not show all the votes? No show of hands vote of who would have won if Erika wasn’t warming the seat?
The woke nonsense of no more “Come on in guys,” the forced and contrived “cultural” makeup of the cast, the insertion of devices that make winning more a matter of luck than anything else and the constant ramming of CBS’s unpalatable political views down viewers’ throats are just a few reasons why this is the end of the road for Survivor for us. We have quit Big Brother for the same reason. We used to watch and enjoy these shows as an escape, and now they are nothing more than distasteful political diatribes. We’ll use the time to read more and get off the couch and get more active. Adios CBS, it was fun while it lasted.
Xander didn’t win because the jury wanted to change the “usual picture” of the winner…heterosexual white male. I think the producers decided to keep the episodes away from the cast so they did the vote and finale on the island…they didn’t want Xander to see how he was played by the females in his tribe, and then come to the realization that no votes meant more than normal. I thought he was somewhat in Survivor “shock” after the vote…didn’t we all think it was between Xander and Ricard, then Xander’s biggest ploy was to blindside his friend???
Worst outcome ever!! I’ve loved survivor for 20 plus years and the fact that Erika Won being a pawn due to players who didn’t know how to play the game baffles me. Xander clearly was the best player, the jury didn’t want him to win and can’t face facts he played the better game so they gave her a million dollars.. worst ending of Survivor by far!! Jeff knows who really won, we all do and all on the jury should be ashamed cuz they all had some of the worst play I’ve seen in 20 years .. Ricard was good in a couple physical challenges but is nowhere near as good as the greats and it’s laughable he even would consider himself on their level.. Xander deserves another chance, he reminds my wife and I of a younger joe from the past and I’m strongly disappointed in this season and how it played out as well as the black/white/Asian kinda precedent that was presented!! May the best player win and clearly jury got it dead wrong this season. Shame on Yall
When I was a kid, Mom bought this store brand puffed rice cereal instead of the at the time popular Sugar Smack’s. It looked similar and my hope was that it would taste the same. But alas in the end it was like a bowl of mini Styrofoam balls. Season 41 was the store brand puffed rice season, if ever there was one. Boring, angry for all the wrong reasons and completely anticlimactic would be another way to describe it.
Here’s to hoping they pull it together for 42 ????
Worst season ever, with one of the most undeserving winners ever
I am one of those who never tire, it’s THE best show, that never lets down. Watched almost all seasons, plus the aussie and new zealand versions as well. But survivor US is nr 1. Jeff Probst and the whole production is so good.
Until season 41, that is. I stopped watching after episode 1 actually, I could only stomach so much.
Survivor is about exclusion, until there is just one player left. Season 41 attempted to replace that with a woke sense of inclusion, and it just does not work in this show.
I’ll pretend season 41 never happened, like star wars after episode 3.
Ditto.
I think I associate Shan with the downfall since there were a couple of episodes that really focused on her a lot. And it was during that time that I realized how much I hated this season. I kept thinking I would find somebody to pull for. But I never did and I have now stopped watching it. And I have considered myself a huge fan of the show until now. I’m hoping before next season that Jeff says something like “Ok, we tried some things in season 41 and you (fans) hated it. So no more of that!”
One can only hope!!!!
Will Shan be remembered as the person who killed survivor? To be fair, the show didn’t get any better after she got voted out. They did still manage to show her blubbering in the jury after she got voted out though. I can’t watch any more. Someone tell me when season 42 starts. Yes, this is the worst season ever.
I don’t think Shan deserves that honor on her own. The entire cast has been particularly lackluster this year. Sure, there are always those “meh” characters in any season, but Tiffany, Heather & Danny all seemed rather “blah” to me (and there are others, I just don’t remember them), and Evvie, Deshawn, and Ericka all give me the “What the heck are you thinking?” mind spins. LOL
I just don’t think 26 days is even close to the original 39. I’ll watch one more season of 26 and if they don’t switch it back I’m out.
I agree with you .
I’ll have to watch survivor Australia , ive heard from others that it’s pretty good .
Yea , the come on in guys was a regular for probst , some sensitive people out there .
This may be the last season for me watching survivor as it’s turning into big brother , which I stopped watching several years ago.
Just one note regarding Survivor Australia that there were a couple of failed incarnations before the recent one. You can tell it’s the newest version of Jonathan LaPaglia is the host.
As someone who has watched Survivor from the beginning, I watched the first few episodes of Season 41 and decided that I am done. The whole “Come on in, guys” thing was so stupid and contrived. I was screaming at the TV that “guys” has become a gender-neutral term depending on the context in which it is used. Of course, we now live in a world where context seems to mean so little. The cast is unlikeable and everything, including the immunity idols are so convoluted. I recently found Survivor Australia on Paramount +. It is much better.
Shawn, I couldn’t agree with you more! As a viewer who has seen every episode, Season 41 will be the last one my husband & I will ever watch! We will not be watching the finale.
We’re out “guys”!
Thank you producers for a lousy season!
This is a truly pathetic season of survivor and likely the last i will ever watch. The fact that they force supposedly want a more diverse cast that reflects american society then they load the cast with 33% bloack when only 17% of the US is black. Then Shan forming a all black alliance thinking it ‘reflects’ american society and does not think that is being racist or baised in any way. None of the other monorities on the show past or present push this narrative but CBS loaded the show to do just that. Then to have Jeff try to bring in these WOKE issues mid show when they do not naturally occur and the statistaics of the population do not support the narrative shows this is not reality or even close to reality any longer. What about all those other applicants that qualified that dont get on the show now because they are not the right color or sexual preferance? How is it appropriate EVER in any setting to talk about your sexual preferance. I dont go up to people in any conversation and say Hi im hetroosexua and yet we get to hear it ever other sentence from the cast memebers who get preferance for this reason. WHERE ARE THE SWIMMING CHALLENGES? Really, with 33% blacks on the show hmmmm, come on CBS this is so biased and planned against anyone not in your woke narrative that this show has seen its last and deserves to be cancelled.
Why do those of you that say the show sucks keep watching???? Survivor series died in 2021 Covid. “RIP Survivor 2021”
That’s a really good question! I guess some of us (at least me) are hoping that a miracle will happen and this season will redeem itself… but that isn’t looking likely. Although it would seem, based on the ratings, that millions of other people have simply stopped watching.
WORST…SEASON…. EVER….
Muriel’s Wedding..one of our faves also.
I’m done “guys”.
Me too!
Hate, hate, hate this season – which is the reason I found this post in which I take solace in that it’s not just me. I found myself screaming at the TV tonight – something I never do. I have watched Survivor since the beginning and this is not Survivor. I’ve hated it since Jeff started talking to us in his over exuberant manner into the camera and then when he took a vote on the word ‘guys’ – which was ridiculous. I’ve hated the moving parts of the idols that I found, either impossible to keep up with, or just through a lack of interest. I am all for diversity, but sick to my back teeth of reality shows transmogrifying into being all about social issues that are spilling over from the real world – I watched it with Big Brother, The Bachelor/ette and now Survivor. I want escapism when I watch these shows. ESCAPISM. I don’t need speeches at tribal council about what it is to be black, and I don’t need personal stories of parents dying and people becoming better people through certain life experiences… and whatever else…. On a basic level, the Survivor cast, whether through diversity or not, for me, has not provided any eye candy, ZILCH, ZERO, neither male or female – which, again for me, and most I know, is part of the enjoyment of watching. Plus, I haven’t got to know the personalities of this whiny, bland cast whatsoever, if any actually have a personality. 41 is a MASSIVE fail. Did I say as a long time fan I absolutely effing hate it?
I feel like we’ve always had the backstories as part of getting to know the cast members, but this year it all feels so overwrought as if they are desperately trying to make a connection between the cast and the viewing audience… but failing.
I don’t mind a bit of social awareness being mixed into my escapism, and Survivor has a history of raising some of these social issues (it is a social game, after all). But – yes – it feels like that balance is more than a little bit off-kilter this season.
And, yes, Jeff breaking the 4th wall every episode is starting to annoy me too!
Although I will say that I enjoyed the discussion during this week’s tribal council.
Very bad, very sad. This is the first season since the series began that I have stopped watching. Never before have I missed an episode, but the torch has been snuffed for me.
Yea how many times do survivor contestants plan to stick together and theirs always somebody not sticking to the plan. Now Erica and heather will float into finals .
They are still getting fed with food , what happened to actual hard work , such a joke !
And, of course, nobody can keep a freaking secret this season!
“We can pull off an epic blindside, here’s the plan…. but don’t tell Shan.” – Immediately runs and tells Shan.
“They’re planning an epic blindside, here’s the plan… but don’t tell Ricard.” – Immediately runs and tells Ricard.
“They’re planning on blindsiding you, Ricard. Here’s the plan…. but don’t tell anybody.” – Immediately runs and tells everybody.
YES! I’m hating this season! It is horrible gameplay. Everyone thinks they’re being smart and I just end up hating them all. Getting so annoyed I want to quit watching.
Omg! Yay!! I’m so happy that there is a group of people that are hating this season as much as I am! My biggest concern is that this is the way the show will be from now onwards. And then I’m not sure ill watch :/
I think this “new era” has hindered the game too much and I don’t think people gave been properly afforded the chance to play it. Starting off tribes with 6 players per tribe was shit. The tribes felt too small to begin with and because things moved so fast, I don’t think they have actually had a chance to play.
I hate that it’s a shorter game with fewer people to begun with (although if this was because of the Fijian government then I totally understand and it’s no one’s fault) – but I the other hand, thank God it’s fewer people and a shorter game because I’m not sure I’d be able to watch a “long” season. I hate the cast. I think everyone is either boring or annoying or both. And we literally don’t know any of them!! They are all still strangers to us and we are 10 episodes in. I do love Xander though. Hate Liana and hate Shan. I think Shan is selfish and her stubbornness to not let anyone else make a decision should have gotten her voted out long ago.
Ugh I could go on and on and on about how much I hate this season and about how boring it is. Like I don’t look forward to watching it. And watching it out of some kindve necessity makes it even more of a slog to get through. And I think they are trying way too hard to make the show interactive.
Here’s hoping this format doesn’t stuck!!
Oh!! Can’t believe I forgot to say this in my previous comment but I absolutely loath the editing this season. Hate it
My biggest beef is that it is no longer a family show. This fact should be acknowledged and the show should be moved to a later time slot.
Probst used to do interviews with kids in the earlier shows, relating to them about the true survival aspects. The concept of families and friends gathered together on Wednesday nights was definitely part of the hype. We rooted for people because we came to know them.
But the producers insisted that the show had to constantly change to stay fresh. Past contestants lament the loss of adventure and the educational benefits of exotic locales. Most of them, and viewers also according to other blogs, do not appreciate hidden immunity idols, advantages and all the twists that detract from actual survival skills (or lack thereof), character development and the aforementioned locales’ unique reward opportunities.
Lately and particularly in this season the show has actually been about how anything is acceptable behavior if a million dollars is the prize. The end justifies the means; the best manipulator wins. Villains are celebrated, and the new format really enforces that premise: we have a pastor that is the biggest schemer of all. So the message to kids and adults in the viewing audience is how to mislead, manipulate and strip yourself of any morality in pursuit of the almight dollar.
Disgusting, disappointing, and definitely not fit for prime time.
Well no ! I don’t mind diversity but they don’t have any straight White people on the show which tells me they really hand picked them . This way cancel culture won’t affect the show and you won’t have protests from the .1116% of people .
I want to mention they baby them so bad , give them water and food , all it is nowadays is social survivor . Don’t matter if you provide for the group . Your done , you are awesome in physical challenges , your gone !
Too many immunity idols and bull that go with it . Here , let me hide this piece a paper by your foot which happens to be the idol, how stupid is that ! Like I said before that have next season to change this crap or fans won’t watch it , it will become big brother which nobody watches anymore
Yea I stopped watching big brother awhile ago , surprised it’s still on.
Survivor 41 is joke , , if the producers don’t clean it up , next season may be my last .
It’s been dreadful so far this year . Hopefully jeff probst can grow some balls and speak up . I’ll just stick with naked and afraid since they don’t baby the survivors.
CBS made a fateful decision at some point to climb into bed with the BLM justice marchers, CRT, the 1619 Project and just about anything else they want to force down the throats of their viewers. If they were a YouTube feed that might make sense. But in no way do they or their shows now appeal to the national audience as opposed to certain coastal audiences. And Survivor and Big Brother are lame and limping as a result. And Jeff Probst instead of defending his franchise looks like he donated the rope for the show to commit suicide with. Really sad because I liked the idea that these two shows were built on. As someone once memorably said the rats and snakes have taken over.
I fully support diversity and inclusion, and I don’t think you can blame the show’s lacklustre performance on the diversity of the cast. But I do agree that the show has definitely lost some of its “ooomph” lately and seems to be relying on gimmicks rather than the strength of the individual characters. Usually, there is a mix of people that you love (or love to hate). This year, they all seem so “meh”.
This is absolutely the worst survivor ever. Way too much immunity annoyances, they practically place these immunities next to the players . Completely annoying , gotta have 3 players from each tribe find the immunity idol before you can use it . If you find these , they are a curse . The sound is terrible this year , not sure why . Camera is terrible. I know survivor wants such a diverse group but this season is insane and boring. Gay , bi , Chinese , black , all different kinds of people from everywhere but they are kind of boring. You need some hot people on it. Jeff probst losing his voice and looking frail . Also , still feeding the survivors , they don’t look like they are hungry at all. They don’t have to boil water , it’s just a terrible season and survivor executives should be fired . It’s now all about the social game, if you can provide for your group around camp or your good at physical challenges , you are gone. It’s really a boring season and they are over doing it with idols lately , bring back old survivor.
I’m with you! My family has been faithful to Survivor from the days where Richard Hatch refused to wear clothes. But I simply do not remember a season with a more unlikable cast than this one. They may as well call this Villain vs Naive (to put it nicely)! Besides the cast, there is lots to not like. Jeff’s speaking to the camera! So weirdly forced. Love Jeff and the show he and Mark Burnett have built – but he is inserting himself in too much this year. Taking their flint if they don’t win immunity plus the complete lack of food! It is tough to watch people who are having no fun whatsoever. This is not Squid Games – we watch to have some fun. This is not fun. We too fell in love with Australian Survivor over the pandemic. The most recent season was played during COVID and it was lots of fun compared to this train wreck. Yet, we still watch! I suppose we are hopeful that one of these episodes we will start caring!!!
I have LOVED survivor and watched it religiously from season 1 until season 40. I have watched the seasons over and over again. NOT NOW!!! I HATE it!!! OVER IT!!! I have now turned to watching Survivor Australia. At least they are still saying “Come On In Guys”! I am a really BUMMED fan.
I also really enjoy Survivor Australia! And I think Jonathan LaPaglia does a really nice job as the host! But have you noticed that they sort of pretend that the first two seasons don’t exist? I know there was a gap, and the earlier seasons were on a different network, but I do find it a bit funny that they simply refuse to acknowledge that they ever existed. 😀
It’s so bad this year , the characters are boring, sound. Is not good , too many idols and then some are not even hidden , I like the old survivor, theirs no villains on here and you can’t even plot a strategy because they have all these surprises , I can’t keep up