You'd think we'd be tired of it by now, but we're not. The outplaying, the outwitting, the outlasting... not to mention the whining, the backstabbing, and the manipulating. We can't get enough of it. So, yes, if you're looking for us on Thursdays at 8pm, you'll find us sitting in front of our TV sets, watching Jeff Probst and the latest band of misfit castaways scampering about in barely there bathing suits over obstacle course walls, in mud pits, and on slippery planks.
Sure, we know how Season 19 of "Survivor" set in Samoa is going to go. There'll be an old dude, a new adorable sweetheart, and a jerk who thinks he can use people as puppets to get what he wants (we hear his name is Russell). But odds are the mastermind of reality TV, Mark Burnett, will come up with a twist or two to keep us on our toes, just like when he came up with hidden immunity idols and Exile Island. It makes us miss "Survivors" of days gone by, so we did a little digging to see where our favorite castmembers are now.
[Photo gallery: See what's going on with past "Survivor" stars these days.]
Jeff Probst, "Survivor" Host and Julie Berry, "Survivor: Vanuatu" (2005) 5th place
The real star of "Survivor" is, of course, Jeff Probst. The dimpled host has been the one consistent element in all 19 seasons of the series, overseeing every challenge and tribal council and ultimately outplaying, outwitting, and outlasting celebrities such as Bryant Gumbel and Rosie O'Donnell to MC the coveted reunion show.
And after nine years in the middle of nowhere, Probst made TV history when he became the first reality show host to win a prime-time Emmy. "Survivor" changed his life, so it's not surprising that Jeff found love on the show, too. He contends that his romance with former contestant Julie Berry didn't start until after her "Vanuatu" season ended. But ultimately the fire of their love flickered, and Jeff and Julie's relationship torch was extinguished.
Richard Hatch, Winner "Survivor: Borneo" (2000)
Richard Hatch won the first season of "Survivor," but his luck stopped there. After his win, the former corporate trainer didn't fare as well on "Survivor: All Stars." He was eliminated fourth. And despite making a few more TV guest appearances on such shows as "The Weakest Link" and "Battle of the Network Reality Stars," and landing a local radio show in Boston, he's never really achieved further small-screen success.
Then in 2006 it was revealed that the always naked contestant did not report his $1 million winnings on his tax return (come on, his nationally televised win was so under the radar, surely Uncle Sam would never notice, right?). Hatch was eventually sentenced to 51 months in prison and three years supervised release. After numerous appeals were denied, Richard was released in 2009 to serve home confinement.
Never one to shy away from the spotlight in good times or bad, he filed a petition to be allowed to participate in a tenth anniversary "Survivor" special (isn't Samoa out of ankle bracelet range?), which was denied. Things turned from bad to worse when Richard allegedly violated his parole by giving two unauthorized interviews to "Access Hollywood" and "The Today Show" (the latter he allegedly did have permission to do). He was re-arrested as a result. Richard has said he was being punished because he's homosexual and that the trial judge discriminated against him. The Massachusetts ACLU agrees; they are urging for Richard's immediate release. Richard made his own personal plea on Monday, and a judge is reviewing the case. Who knows? He might be home in time to see the Season 19 premiere.
Gervase Peterson, 7th Place "Survivor: Borneo" (2000)
You probably haven't thought about Gervase Peterson in a long time. After all, he was one of "Survivor's" laziest contestants, and he was ousted in seventh place. So why bring him up? Well, for one, we've always had a soft spot for Gervase (although we have no idea why), and frankly, he's one of the few original castmembers who seem to continue to plug away at maintaining a place in the spotlight. Yes, Colleen Haskell might have starred in "The Animal," but she's all but disappeared since.
Among Gervase's post-Borneo credits are such TV shows as "Battle of the Network Reality Stars," "Son of a Beach," "The Hughleys," and the cult film "Hell's Threshold." Off-screen, he was briefly a co-owner of the United States Basketball League franchise the Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs (the team had financial problems and folded months later). And, most recently, Peterson took to the D-list ring, defeating adult film star Travis Knight in a match for the Celebrity Boxing Federation. If only he had used some of that energy on "Survivor," he might have won.
Colby Donaldson, Runner-Up "Survivor: The Australian Outback" (2001)
Colby was one of the strongest competitors in "Survivor" history, and he also made one of the most damaging decisions in the game. Having won final immunity, he chose to bring the much-loved Tina Wesson with him to tribal council rather than the pretty much universally disliked Keith Famie. As a result, Colby came in second. Still, he walked away with two big prizes. The first was a solid and promising acting career. If you haven't seen the "Curb Your Enthusiasm" survivor episode, rent it today and look for Colby as one of Rachael Ray's buddies on her daytime talk show. And the second is a lasting friendship with Jeff Probst: the pals have a long-standing poker game.
Elisabeth Filarski, 4th Place "Survivor: The Australian Outback" (2001)
Much to the chagrin of Democrats everywhere, Elisabeth Filarski is "Survivor's" greatest success story. Name doesn't ring a bell? Well, that's because after her fourth-place stint in "The Australian Outback," Elisabeth came home and married her college sweetheart, pro-quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. Around the same time came word that Lisa Ling was leaving the morning talk show "The View," and the girls needed a new twentysomething to take her place. Elisabeth beat out the competition (which included fellow Republican reality star Rachel Campos from "The Real World: San Franciso"). Since 2003, Hasselbeck has been the often controversial, always conservative voice at the round table. Yet she managed to outplay, outwit, and outlast her very high-profile co-host Rosie O'Donnell, who left the show after a heated argument with Elisabeth in 2007.
At one point Amber Brkich was perhaps one of the most forgettable "Survivor" contestants of all time. And Rob Mariano was shockingly memorable, considering he had been voted out in 10th place in Marquesas. But something fateful happened in 2003, when Rob and Amber were cast on "Survivor: All Stars." There the soft-spoken and extremely malleable Brkich became Rob's pawn in a master game of "Survivor." Boston Rob was so clever that he helped Amber win the $1 million prize and persuaded her to accept his proposal during the reunion show.
With Amber's cash in their pockets and love in their hearts, the two started a reality road show bonanza, appearing as contestants on "The Amazing Race: Season Seven" (where they were robbed, no pun, intended and finished in second place) and on "The Amazing Race: All Stars." Wanting as much Rob-and-Amber exposure as they could get, CBS aired a two-hour special chronicling their trip down the aisle in 2005. The couple even tried to carry a series all their own, about Rob's attempt to become a professional poker player in "Rob and Amber: Against the Odds." Unfortunately for fans of the controversial competitor, Rob's latest TV project, "Tontine," remains on hold. But with their reality TV shows behind them for now, Rob and Amber started on their greatest adventure. They welcomed a baby girl, Lucia Rose, in 2009.
Ethan Zohn, Winner "Survivor: Africa" (2001) and Jenna Morasca, Winner "Survivor: The Amazon"
Ethan Zohn has to be the most likable "Survivor" of all time (sorry, Rupert). He won a million dollars in the harshest conditions in Africa by playing hard and just being a good guy. And then the former soccer player for the Zimbabwe Highlands Football Club did something truly shocking for a 28-year-old millionaire. He took some of his winnings and started the charity Grassroot Soccer, which raises HIV/AIDS awareness in Africa.
Prior to his TV return on "Survivor: All Stars," he started dating "Survivor: The Amazon" winner, Jenna Morasca. It seemed America was going to get to watch their love blossom on the Pearl Islands in Panama. But after just nine days in the game, "Survivor's" youngest winner learned that her mother's battle with cancer was coming to an end. She pulled herself out of the game and returned home. Ethan was voted out just 12 days later.
Now six years after they first met, Ethan and Jenna are still going strong. These days, when she's not appearing on TNA Professional Wrestling or in films like "End Game," she is standing by her man during his ongoing battle with Hodgkin's disease. Sadly, People magazine reported that his cancer has come back after an initial round of chemotherapy treatments. And all that Ethan's asking from his fans is that they vote for him in GQ's "Better Man, Better World" contest - not because he's vain, but because he wants to donate the prize money to HIV/AIDS, soccer, and cancer charities. He's got our vote.
Rob Cesternino, 3rd Place "Survivor: The Amazon" (2003)
Not only was Rob Cesternino the best player on "Survivor: The Amazon." He was also one of the best players of all time. Even Jeff Probst, who's seen them all, called Rob, "the smartest player to have never won 'Survivor.'" Not surprisingly, after coming in third in the Amazon, his "All Star" opponents voted him off fourth because he was just too big of a threat. Rob's proven to be pretty savvy back in the real world, too. He spun his "Survivor" fame into a mini-reality bonanza: creating his own Website called The Rob Show, co-founding the reality-based Web radio station "The Fish Bowl," and co-writing and producing the film "The Scorned," which itself was captured on a reality show and starred a who's who of reality regulars, including fellow "Survivors" Ethan Zohn, Jenna Forasca, and Jenna Lewis. The Rob Cesternino media blitz continues with Rob's new podcasts on topics like summer movies, Twitter, and fantasy football.
Rupert Boneham, 8th Place "Survivor: Pearl Islands" (2003)
Bearded, burly, tie-dyed Rupert Boneham is the only "Survivor" contestant to win a million dollars but NOT outwit, outplay, and outlast his fellow castaways. America's favorite "Survivor" won the cash prize after receiving 85 percent of the country's vote on "Survivor: America's Tribal Council." In fact, Rupert came in tenth on "Survivor: Pearl Islands" and fourth on "All Stars." But the mentor for troubled teens and Hagrid lookalike became viewers' most unlikely sweetheart. Not surprisingly, Rupert is using his winnings to give back. He formed the non-profit group Rupert's Kids, which gives aid to troubled teens.
Jonny Fairplay, 3rd Place "Survivor: Pearl Islands" (2003)
Wrestling promoter and talk show host Jon "Jonny Fairplay" Dalton pulled one of the most dastardly but brilliant moves in "Survivor" history when he received "news" from his visiting buddy that his grandmother had died - duping his fellow contestants and draining them of all their sympathy. Genius. Unfortunately, he also became one of the most hated castaways of all time. So his fellow contestants weren't sure if he was crying wolf again when he asked to be sent home first on "Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites" to be with his girlfriend (former "America's Next Top Model" hopeful Michelle Deighton) and their unborn child. Regardless, they believed him and off he went.
Still, being a reality villain can be a profitable business, and Fairplay has made a career out of it. He's parlayed his bad boy antics into appearances on "Celebrity Poker Showdown," "Fear Factor," "Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge," and, most infamously, a bloody smack down with Danny Bonaduce on the 2007 "Fox Reality Really Awards."
He hasn't turned his back on his wrestling roots either. He was signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, and among his many achievements in and out of the ring, he defeated "Mr. Terrific" Tim Lawler and Billy Garcia in a tag-team match with fellow "Survivor" alum Coach Dodson in 2008.
Tom Westman, Winner "Survivor: Palau" (2005)
"Survivor: Palau" winner Tom Westman was a stud. Not only was he a dashingly handsome New York firefighter, the dude also caught a shark to feed his tribe (need we remind you that many past survivors had to live on rats and slugs?). After his victorious stint in Palau, Westman returned to the fire department, but he retired later that year with plans to become a motivational speaker. With that, he joined a long list of reality stars who are available for live appearances, including Kwame Jackson from "The Apprentice," Adam Mesh from "Average Joe," and William Hung from "American Idol."
Danni Boatwright, Winner "Survivor: Guatemala" (2005)
Former Miss Kansas Danni Boatwright had competed in both the Miss Teen USA and Miss USA competitions before she washed off the makeup, traded the evening gown for the swimsuit, and went to Guatemala to complete on "Survivor." Proving she was more than just a pretty face, Danni used her smarts to become the sole survivor and win the million-dollar prize. These days, Danni hosts the Kansas City radio shows "610 Sports" and "Sports Rap." Her husband, Casey Wiegmann, must love being married to a girl who shares his passions: he's the center for the Denver Broncos.
Aras Baskauskas, Winner "Survivor: Panama" (2006)
A member of the season's initial "younger man tribe," Aras Baskauskas was an early standout, for his incredible good looks if not for his mental and physical prowess. The grandson of actor Macdonald Carey from "Days of Our Lives" went on to take home the cash prize, defeating "young woman tribe" member Danielle DiLorenzo. Since leaving Panama, Aras founded the floppy-eared fur hat franchise Tundra Gear; he's also a yoga instructor and dedicates his spare time to the non-profit organization The Cheshire Project, which helps people with disabilities. As if that weren't enough, he's a budding musician, too. L.A.-based Aras groupies can see the "Survivor" in person, when he plays at local night spot The Hotel Café on September 18.
"Survivor: Cook Islands" was not Ozzy Lusth's first foray into reality TV. In 2006, he appeared on the Playboy TV adult dating show "Foursome." But "Survivor" was probably the first reality show his family wanted him do. Charmingly savvy and a physical powerhouse, he won challenge after challenge and seemed destined to be dubbed Sole Survivor. But he came in second to the Terminator-like "ringleader" Yul Kwon.
Ozzy returned for another go at the grand prize on "Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites." Once again he didn't win the cash, but he did get the girl: "Survivor: China" runner-up Amanda Kimmel.
Post "Survivor," Ozzy launched a Website where he sells "Ozzy inspired hand screened t-shirts," and he started the organization Mexico Skate Project where he shares his dream: "To see skateboarding flourish in Mexico. To see a skate park in every puebla, in every ciudad..." Apparently, his dreams of love with Kimmel crashed and burned. He has since been linked to "Big Brother" star Daniele Donato.
Yau-Man Chan, 4th Place "Survivor: Fiji" (2007)
Chinese-born, Malaysian-raised Yau-Man Chan was an unlikely contestant to make it to fourth place on "Survivor." The scrawny 54-year-old chief technology officer at UC Berkeley's College of Chemistry definitely played on brains more than brawn. Unfortunately, Yau-Man also proved the old adage that book smarts don't always equal street (or in this case island) smarts, when he made one of the worst deals in "Survivor" history (trading a car for immunity only to be voted out during the deal). To add insult to injury, Yau-Man learned that had he made it to the final tribal council, his castmates would have voted him the winner.
After a disappointing 18th place showing in "Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites," Yau-Man focused his energy on developing a new reality show with some other science-minded buddies called "The Skeptologists," which takes a skeptical look at paranormal events.
Robert "Bob" Crowley, Winner "Survivor: Gabon" (2008)
Maybe he did it in memory of Yau-Man, but "Survivor: Gabon" was rocked by another old guy/science geek when 57-year-old Bob Crowley became the oldest "Survivor" to outplay, outwit, and outlast. The bow-tied Bob, the fake immunity idol making physicist, made it to the final three when Sugar Kiper forced a tie, and the rest was history. January 6, 2009, was dubbed "Bob Crowley Day" in his hometown of South Portland, Maine, and Bob seemed on top of the world. But if you were hoping to hear more behind-the-scenes "Survivor" dirt in Bob's self-published autobiography ("Making Waves: The Stories of Maine's Bob Crowley"), you're out of luck. The retired high school teacher said the series' producers wouldn't let him mention the show at all.
Tamara "Taj" Johnson-George, 4th "Survivor: Tocantins" (2009)
R&B fans might have recognized "Survivor: Tocantins" hopeful Taj right away. She was, after all, a former member of the multiplatinum-selling girl group SWV (Sisters with Voices). After leaving her music career behind her, Taj earned her B.A. in marketing from Belmont University in Nashville before going off to a fourth-place showing in Brazil. Besides her stint on "Survivor," Tamara still has a lot going on. She's an active member of the non-profit group Visions with Infinite Possibilities (VIP), which raises awareness about domestic abuse. She is the co-author of "Player HateHer: Why Can't Women Just Get Along?" And she's married to former NFL running back Eddie George, with whom she had her own reality show, "I Married a Baller."
Talk About It: Who is your favorite "Survivor" castaway?
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