Down Under Cast Assessment

This is the Cast Assessment episode of Survivor: Down Under - All-Stars

Story
Jeff If there's anything I like about Survivor, it's All-Star Seasons. The idea to have some of the best players to return to get another chance to achieve their Survivor dreams is always part of Survivor lore. Throughout the past 4 seasons, 80 players went through hard times and lived out their fantasies. In the end, four players have won their seasons. Now, 20 will get a second chance and I really like this cast. It's going to be full of comedy, drama, and I feel the cast will I've up to their expectations.

Amy


Jeff I liked Amy from the beginning of Portland Bight. She seemed to be an early favorite to win the game from the start However, her biggest mistake was that her partner Rudy was just too great of a player and the leadership title fell out of her hands and into his. She made it all the way to the finale, but lost in a 10-0 triumph to Rudy. This time, she feels she can lead again. However, because of her past success on Survivor, she might be in trouble early.

Bill


Jeff Bill is arguably the funniest guy ever to play the game. Last time on Qatar, he formed an alliance with the eventual winner Orlando and they were able to knock off the tight girls alliance at a key point in the game. Even though Bill finished in sixth place, his jury speech was by far the funniest I've ever heard. For a guy at 50 who played hard and laughed his way through the process, he's going to be a good player. But, if people see him as a threat, that could spell problems.

Meifeng


Jeff I had to admit Meifeng was someone who surprised me in this game. She used her intelligence well on Belgium and I really thought she would go all the way to the end. But then, she got caught trying to snuggle a few items and was unanimously voted out by her tribe mates. Some of her Belgium castmates felt she deserved a second chance and that's what she got. Meifeng could be an asset or a liability because she is well-known at this point. Here's a girl with another chance and she could use it to her advantage.

Blake


Jeff When Blake got injured on Falkland Islands, he was playing a great game along with close ally Riley. His absence really affected their alliance and they eventually were swamped up. Blake had asked for a second chance countless times and we had no choice but to give it to him. We had two injuries on Survivor and it was just a matter of who to choose. We felt Blake was playing a better game than Wally, so he gets the shot. I think Blake will use this chance to shine and make up for lost time. He could be a top five player here. But I think a merge will suit him well.

Cassidy


Jeff Cassidy was a problem right away because she fell into the first controversial alliance known as the Clique on Portland Bight. However, of the four, she seemed to be the most likable that even after she was voted out, people wanted her to get another chance. Cassidy still has the approach of being spoiled and someone who isn't smart. But that could be a smart thing for her. She could really shock people with her game and mindset. So Cassidy could be an early frontrunner for the game.

Chandler


Jeff Chandler may be the best physical player ever in the history of the game. For someone to win eight immunity challenges including seven in a row on Qatar really shows what a great player he is. However, the pressure he felt was not enough as he only lost in the finals by one vote. The reason was he let the old men get to him. Now that he and Bill are on the same season, I think Chandler will realize that his plan last time didn't work and he needs to change if he wins the game. The question is, would it be too late?

Natalya


Jeff Natalya had strong potential the last time she played on Belgium. Unfortunately, she found herself in a hole that she couldn't come out of. She formed alliances with the wrong people. They were either good or bad and she just went the wrong route. Hopefully Natalya has learned a few lessons or too about this game because she has to stay out of bad holes. If she can, there's a chance. But if not, she's a goner for sure.

Emily W.


Jeff Emily W was the first person eliminated from Falkland Islands. She felt bad because she never had a chance to show what she could do. So in the process, this is her chance to really step up and shine. I think she's a threat to people because no one senses what she can bring. She might be a favorite to actually win the game for sure. I think she'll be in great shape for a long run.

Charlotte


Jeff Charlotte is someone who I thought had a great mind to win. But her mistake on Portland Bight was that she flipped on her alliance and ran into the Alcoa tribe, which I'm sure has a curse to it's name. This really hits the mark as Charlotte might be in jeopardy from the start. I think others will think she's bad luck and she might be one of the early exits. But, if she plays her cards right, she can make a run.

Pam


Jeff I thought Pam was a goner twice on Qatar, but she shocked me and America for pulling off the biggest move by avoiding a double idol scenario and sending one person home in Stacy. Pam made a great march, but her game ended in 7th place. Still, it was enough for her to receive player of the season. Now looking at Pam, she's still the same flower-girl who loves nature and enjoys life. However, I think Pam is at a disadvantage because she probably won't make it far now that she's a household name. I still look for her comments though.

Reed


Jeff It's amazing how people look at Reed and think he's still the bad boy. Reed was playing one of the best games on Belgium and finished second because of his attitude on the show. I asked him if he's changed and he looked at me as if to say, "are you kidding me?" Reed will probably have to work twice as hard to win since he's now at a point of being a big time threat. But the ultimate bad boy might have the ultimate bad exit in this game.

Hudson


Jeff People loved last year on Falkland Islands when Hudson and his father reconciled after moments where Hudson felt like he was being treated as a baby. Well now, he gets a second chance to prove himself after losing in a duel last season. I think Hudson will really step up and be one of the heroes in this season. He looks like someone who can really make a run to the end and win out. I think Hudson will be a great player for years to come in the eyes of Survivor players.

Ernie


Jeff Ernie became a frontrunner for the game of Survivor: Portland Bight when he found a hidden immunity idol in this game. He had an alliance going for him and it seemed like he was set for a deep run. Unfortunately, his game ended when someone named Rudy messed up his game and he went from the top to the bottom just like that. Now that Ernie is back he hopes to make it to the top and stay there. But I think Ernie is a middle man even in his fire truck.

Wheeler


Jeff Wheeler is a surprising pick because he was the first eliminated out of Qatar after an argument with Yolanda. It didn't seem right for someone of 63 to be voted out like that. So given the chance, Wheeler wanted to be back here. Now he could make it far, but only as a coattail rider. He's a longshot to win this game though I think he will go farther than number one.

Sherri


Jeff Sherri is one of the most inspirational players we had in this game on Belgium. She had a great run and only fell one day short of having a chance to win. Yet, she was rewarded with the player of the season award. But Sherri was to reach 38 and one as she says it. I think it's going to be harder for her since she will most likely fall victim in the game and will end up losing. But Sherri is a woman of miracles. So we'll see what happens.

Jackson


Jeff Jackson was one of the biggest knuckleheads on Falkland Islands. People were outraged that he and his twin Eric would swap places on tribes. It's a good thing it happened because they were caught and both fell on Redemption Island. I think Jackson will continue to be himself. But I think he might fall victim to the losing for sure. So he might be an early exit again in this scenario.

Nathan


Jeff As the first bad guy of Portland Bight, Nathan was the villain to Rudy's hero even though it was Mavis who took the title of Villain of the Season. Still, Nathan brings a lot of attitude and a lot of swagger. He's going to be a tough person to deal with. Still, the tribe he's on will have him as an immediate target or they could use his physical strength and use him to the merge.

Yolanda


Jeff I was shocked when Yolanda wanted to come back after the exit she left us on Qatar. She said she went home, thought about herself, and decided to change if she ever went to Survivor. I was sure she would be the different person she had in mind. Nope, she's back to her old ways. I think Yolanda is good for entertainment, but not for the tribe. Should be an early exit this time. The one thing she'll have trouble with is Wheeler.

Xavier


Jeff Everyone's favorite bird man of Belgium is back and we're happy about it. Xavier says he continues to be hit by birds. But he also says he's ready for attacks. Even with his new armor and everything, I still think he's in trouble for sure. He might go far, but it won't be enough. Still I'll laugh when the hits do come for him.

Morgan


Jeff Morgan was a beast on Redemption Island in Falkland Islands. She was voted off her tribe early and dominated the game. As a fan, I was in awe of her dominance and thought she would return. But she fell one day short of the merge and was gone. Now she has a chance to shine and redeem herself. However, there is no Redemption Island, so if she's gone, she's gone. Probably a long run in this game.

Pre-Season Rankings
1. Morgan 2. Emily W 3. Hudson 4. Cassidy 5. Blake 6. Ernie 7. Natalya 8. Xavier 9. Wheeler 10. Nathan 11. Chandler 12. Bill 13. Sherri 14. Amy 15. Pam 16. Jackson 17. Meifeng 18. Charlotte 19. Reed 20. Yolanda

Polls
Who's going to win? Amy Bill Blake Cassidy Chandler Charlotte Emily Ernie Hudson Jackson Meifeng Morgan Natalya Nathan Pam Reed Sherri Wheeler Xavier Yolanda

Who are you rooting for? Amy Bill Blake Cassidy Chandler Charlotte Emily Ernie Hudson Jackson Meifeng Morgan Natalya Nathan Pam Reed Sherri Wheeler Xavier Yolanda