Over the last 26 years, 50 seasons of “Survivor” have captivated CBS audiences nationwide.
During that time, 48 individuals – soon to be 49 – have managed to outwit, outplay and outlast the competition well and long enough to eventually claim the coveted title of “Sole Survivor” and the $1 million grand prize that comes with it.
On the flip side, 49 castaways also had the unsavory honor of being the first person voted out of their respective seasons. One player in particular, Francesca Hogi, has the unique experience of being the only player to be voted out of the game first twice, getting eliminated in the premiere episodes of both “Survivor: Redemption Island” and “Survivor: Caramoan.”
She also remains the only player who was eliminated first on their debut season to be invited back on a subsequent installment.
Unlike Hogi, the vast majority of so-called “first boots” have never had the opportunity to return to the competition a second time. As “Survivor” prepares to enter an all-new “era” with Season 51, however, the cast of the currently-airing 50th season have called on the show’s producers to revisit the possibility on a future season.
‘Survivor 50’ Stars Claim First Boots Have ‘So Much More to Give’
Speaking with Entertainment Weekly’s Dalton Ross during the red carpet premiere of “Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans” in New York City this February, the milestone season’s cast debated whether they’d rather see a returnee season featuring all former first-eliminated contestants, or all former Final Tribal Council losers.
The latter is fairly on-par with most of the franchise’s returnee seasons. In fact, more than half of the cast of Season 50 know what it’s like to plead their case to the jury during Final Tribal Council, with three of them – Dee Valladares, Kyle Fraser and Savannah Louie – being former champions.
While the cast was pretty evenly split in their opinions, a number of players welcomed the idea of an all-star season entirely composed of first boots.
Getty“There’s such a huge luck element – and I mean bad luck element – when you are the first one out,” said “Survivor 47” alum Genevieve Mushaluk. “And so, that placement is not indicative of what those players could bring into the game. So, like, let’s get them out there and see what they can do.”
Getty“Survivor 45” winner Dee Valladares echoed Genevieve’s statement, telling EW that first-eliminated players often aren’t granted enough time on the island to “showcase their games.”
“Maybe in a different scenario, some legends could come out of that,” she added.
GettyDee’s Season 45 co-star Emily Flippen agreed, telling Ross, “I was almost the first boot on my tribe, and I think you got to see so much more of my gameplay. If that had been my reality, I would have loved to see other people who were victims of being the first boot of their tribes that still have so much more to give.”
“Survivor 48” winner Kyle Fraser added that he’d like to see what returning first boots “are capable of.”
Not Every Castaway Wants to Watch ‘Survivor: First Boots’
All that being said, not everyone on the “Survivor 50” cast was as excited about the possibility of an all-star season featuring all first-eliminated castaways.
Getty“I don’t necessarily want to see the first ones out because a lot of times in the new era, a lot of people quit,” explained “Survivor 42” star Jonathan Young. “I don’t wanna see that. That’s always bothered me. I’ve always hated to see people play the game that people would cut their left arm off to be on to just leave.”
“To leave ‘Survivor’ is a slap in the face to the franchise,” he added.
CBSYoung is undoubtedly referring to Season 45’s Hannah Rose, who begged her tribemates to send her home during the first Tribal Council of the installment.
Getty“Survivor 49” star Rizo Velovic also didn’t have much interest in the concept, telling EW, “Truthfully, when I think about first boots, the only iconic one that comes to my mind is Zane [Knight] from ‘Philippines.’ And I don’t know if I really want to see a season of Zane and Francesca [Hogi].”
CBSWhile Knight was well-liked on his season, his abysmal challenge performance in the premiere ultimately led to his last-place finish.
What do you think? Should “Survivor” give its first-eliminated contestants a second shot at glory? Or would you prefer to see former runner-ups who fell just short of the “Sole Survivor” title return on a future all-star season?
I would like to see just the very first voted out people get a chance to play. The cast should only include people who Gordon voted out with out asking their team mates to vote them out. Any one who asked to be voted out should never even be asked to return to the show. Love the show and have watched since the first installment.