One of TV’s best reality competition shows returns Wednesday, as Survivor 51 begins. This season brings an entirely new cast of characters to center stage to kick off the Open Era, a new phase of the game that will break away from the more structured format of the New Era and introduce more unpredictability to the equation. Our Survivor experts break down their Survivor 51 predictions below, including who will win, hot takes and more.
Survivor 51 Predictions
Who will be the first vote-off in Survivor 51?
Jeff Pratt: When I think of first vote-offs on Survivor, I think of intelligent, intense personalities who could rub people the wrong way. On paper, that could be Patt Cannaday. Patt is a Navy federal prosecutor. She’s likely going to have a lot to say, and deliver said words in a very direct, blunt way. I could see that putting an early target on her back.
Andy Silva: Carter Krull — In his profile on paramountplus dot com, it says “Carter is a good guy who can read people pretty well and hopes to be the guy people can trust in the game.” He is going to find out nice guys finish last in Survivor.
Bryan Armetta: Christian Chavez – Christian’s passion for the game is obvious, but that could be a crutch. We’ve seen this type of archetype fall flat in recent seasons. Starting with two tribes again should place more emphasis on the challenge portion of the game. That leaves little room for an undersized, overt super-fan.
Who will be the biggest surprise?
Jeff Pratt: Maggie v. On paper, she’s got a lot going for her from a Survivor standpoint. A degree in therapy that will help her read and bond with her fellow contestants, an athletic background, and no fear heading into the game. I could see her establishing strong relationships early, making some noise in challenges and pulling off a massive, unexpected blindside or two.
Andy Silva: Angelica “Jelly” Loblack — She says she’s not outdoorsy, but her experience as a Sociology professor will make up for it.
Bryan Armetta: Rob Antonson – This pick could prove genius or foolish in one month’s time. Rob has massive boom or bust energy; he could go pre-merge or deep into this season. Why I’m backing the latter? The New Englander toes the line between being cocky and honest, something that could sway people to his side. In addition, the airline gate agent prides himself on being socially adaptable. That’s a must in a game such as Survivor.
Who will be the biggest disappointment?
Jeff Pratt: Carter Krull. Everything about this guy just screams J.T. Thomas. He’s a down-to-earth farmer described as being a “good guy”. The problem is, in the new age of Survivor, those type of contestants don’t find as much success as they used to. I could see Carter having a very underwhelming Survivor 51 experience.
Andy Silva: Brady Booker — The former WWE wrestler is welcoming the target on his back as a result of being a physical threat. Be careful what you wish for.
Bryan Armetta: Maggie Nestor – Maggie is going to be a lot of fun this season, possibly earning fan favorite status. However, the “joyful redneck” doesn’t seem long for this game. Big personalities, especially ones that know it, are difficult to envision going far. For every Carolyn, there are a slew of imitators that got bounced pre-merge.
What is your hot take for Survivor 51?
Jeff Pratt: The contestants this season won’t be afraid to get a little ugly! We want to see backstabbing, blindsides, and more. A majority of this group said they hope to play a cut-throat game this season, which makes me optimistic that we’ll see a strong, competitive game down the stretch. Most importantly, I think the jury will be open to rewarding someone for this type of gameplay.
Andy Silva: Danny “Kilby” Kilby is a self-proclaimed Survivor dork, but as Barrett found out on Big Brother, sometimes being a super fan isn’t a recipe for success in these games. It’s easier to watch than play.
Bryan Armetta: Hinted at this before, but the Open Era’s return to two tribes could lead to a different approach to pre-merge votes. Challenge prowess is even more important than ever, which could keep several athletic beasts around longer than usual. With that being said, there’s an upside for everyone else. The undersized, under-the-radar names that do last into the merge will have their pick of big targets later on. Whoever hides themselves the best early has the best shot at winning it all.
Who will win Survivor 51?
Jeff Pratt: On paper, Ori Jean-Charles appears to have all the necessary tools to win this game. He’s smart, an elite athlete, socially savvy, and seems to understand the path to victory. Ori acknowledged in his pre-season interview that six of the last nine Survivor winners have been women, and he knows he’ll need to work with them early and often to further his prospects. Ori sounds like he’s ready to adapt to whatever role he needs to fit to win Survivor 51.
Andy Silva: Aaliyah Puglia — I like her background as a chef, indicating she can thrive under pressure and handle egos. For some reason I also like her line in her profile that she’s not here to find herself. (Note: Apparently she is the former chef for the New England Patriots, so maybe I’m just a homer).
Bryan Armetta: Mike Pinsky – The current Yankees exec will do what Brian Cashman hasn’t done in almost two decades: win it all. He’s got all the prerequisites for a deep run: relatively mild-mannered, socially aware, athletic and competitive. However, he’s not a name that’ll draw attention for an early vote out. Given how little we know about the contestants right now, he has the most appealing profile on paper.
Survivor 51 FAQ
When does Survivor 51 Episode 1 Come Out?
The first episode of Survivor 51 comes out on Wednesday, September 23, at 8 p.m. ET. Episodes will then air every Wednesday night at 8 p.m. ET for the remainder of the season.
Where can I watch Survivor 51 Episode 1?
Survivor 51 Episode 1 will air live on CBS. It will then be available to stream on Paramount+.
Who is on the cast of Survivor 51?
Survivor 51 has an all-civilian cast again after an all-star season 50. To see the entire cast list, click here.