EverySurvivorseason tells a story. It could be one of triumph, betrayal, or hilarious incompetence. (Looking at you,Gabon.) But regardless of the ultimate theme ascribed to each season, their stories all contain some version of main characters, villains, and comic relief. However, possibly the most under-appreciated characters in theSurvivoruniverse are the narrators–the players whose confessional segments offer insight, context, and a point of view that helps to shape the tone of the entire season.
In a game defined by subterfuge and misdirection, candid narration serves an essential purpose.On the field of play, no conversations among the castaways can be taken at face value, but the one place the players will offer honesty is one-on-one with a producer and a camera. In these confessionals, players confide their true intentions to the audience and provide their best understanding of the game at large. While some can offer little more than platitudes, an elite circle of players can articulate their unique perspective on the game and accurately assess the interpersonal dynamics in the tribe, effectively pulling the audience onto the island with them. Their styles may vary, but they all play an essential role in makingSurvivorthe most captivating televised social experiment since its debut in 2000. Here they are, ranked from great to greatest.
10Rob Cesternino
‘The Amazon’ and ‘All Stars’
Rob Cesterninois so good at explaining the game ofSurvivor, he’s made a career out of it. The founder ofRob Has A Podcasthas established himself as an eliteSurvivoranalyst and contestant interviewer, and it all stems from the credibility he generated as a player.Survivorwas in its relative infancy when Rob made his debut onThe Amazon, and the now-common strategy of flipping between alliances can trace its roots back to Rob’s game play. Considered by hostJeff Probstto be “the smartest player to never win,” Rob established himself as one of the architects ofSurvivor’sstrategy.
When it comes to evaluating Rob’s confessionals, the context of the “old school” era in which he played must be taken into account. While his game play analysis impressively elevated that type of confessional, many of his comments about his tribemates, particularly the women, would be considered unacceptable by today’s standards.At the time, his incisive jabs were hailed as sassy humor and, along with his strategic prowess, established him as a fan favorite.Accounting for the grace required when evaluating many aspects of the single-digit seasons ofSurvivor, and Rob’s own denouncement of his more insensitive comments, he still deserves a place among the best to ever narrate.
9Aubry Bracco
‘Kaoh Rong,’ ‘Game Changers,’ and ‘Edge of Extinction’
Many viewers didn’t believe thatAubry Braccowould be long for the island life when she had a panic attack during the first episode ofKaoh Rong. But Aubry not only regained her composure, she emerged as the breakout character of the season, whom many still believe wasmore deserving of the $1 million prizethan winnerMichele Fitzgerald. Despite that controversy, it remains undeniable that Aubry solidified herself as a fan favorite and crafted a mastermind game shrouded in nerdiness that many new players have since attempted to emulate.
Aubry won over viewers with her unique ability to be a shrewd strategist without sacrificing empathy,all of which she articulately conveyed in her confessionals. Between her willingness to be vulnerable about her own insecurities and the way she gently coaxed fellowKaoh RongplayerTai Trangaway from his alliance, Aubry proved that she was no game-bot. All the while, she provided context about the status of the game through her confessionals with a level of clarity that her tribe-mates couldn’t match. In each of her seasons, Aubry didn’t just elevate the game; she elevated the season.
8Malcolm Freberg
‘Philippines,’ ‘Caramoan,’ and “Game Changers”
ThoughMalcolm Frebergis mostly known for being a challenge beast and “island hot,” he’s extremely underrated for both his social game and narration. He proved this in the opening episode ofSurvivor: Philippines, when he explained to the camera that he preferred to pursue 41-year-oldDenise Stapleyas an ally, rather than his fellow good-looking 20-somethings, because of the emotional intelligence required for her job as a sex therapist. The strategy paid off, as he and Denise became one of the most iconic duos inSurvivorhistory, with Denise ultimately winning the season.
Malcolm’s confessionals also stand out due to his sharp sense of humor, as evidenced by the time he frustratingly comparedtribe pariahAbi-Maria Gomesto the soul-sucking dementors fromHarry Potter. Malcolm further endeared himself to the audience by showing that his confident demeanor also had a vulnerable side, like when he explained that his hands shake when he’s nervous, whether that be during an immunity challenge or while talking to a pretty girl. While Malcolm was always quite popular among the other players throughout his three seasons,he effectively used his confessionals to show that he contained complexitiesthat didn’t necessarily show up on the field of play.
7Shan Smith
‘Survivor 41’
Shan Smithwasthe first breakout star ofSurvivor’s “new era"and established herself as the main character of her season despite placing 8th. Her social game was impeccable, with multiple members of her tribe considering her to be their number 1 ally. She ultimately had to make her choice of who would occupy that spot for her, and may have chosen wrong, as allyRicard Foy, knowing Shan posed a huge social and strategic threat, was the one to orchestrate her blindside.
In her confessionals, Shan revealed herself to be a woman who contained multitudes, simultaneously more empathetic and more shrewd than her tribemates were aware of. In one of her first confessionals,she designated herself the “Mafia Pastor,” which perfectly exemplified her internal paradox.While she genuinely struggled with the betrayal of her allies that she cared for on a personal level beyond the game, she never let her soft side get in the way of her own self-interest. She even reveled in her underhanded play at times, as evidenced by the time she gleefully and mischievously revealed the “Shanthem” she would play in her head while doing something sneaky. To this day, she is the onlySurvivorplayer with her own theme music.
6Sandra Diaz-Twine
‘Pearl Islands,’ ‘Heroes vs Villains,’ ‘Game Changers,’ and ‘Winners at War’
The first two-time winner inSurvivorhistory emerged victorious fromPearl IslandsandHeroes vs Villainsusing a very different strategy than most other Sole Survivors. Often on the outskirts of the social game and so inept at challenges that Jeff Probst dubbed the sit-out area “the Sandra bench,“Sandra Diaz-Twinefooled her fellow competitors into believing that she wasn’t a threat to any of them.
While other players would commonly disregard her perspective and take her perceived lack of social game as a reason to set their sights on other targets,Sandra’s confessionals proved that she understood the trajectory of the game better than anyone.WhenSurvivor’s most notorious villain,Russell Hantz,claimed that Sandra wouldn’t win a single final tribal vote onHeroes vs Villains, Sandra wryly told the camera, “I don’t know about that.” Sandra’s authenticity and casually unbothered demeanor won over the jury in each of her first two seasons, and allowed her to stand out as a narrator among other frazzled, paranoid players.
5Christian Hubicki
‘David vs Goliath’
Despite being chosen by the Goliath tribe as the weakest player for the first challenge, consummate nerdChristian Hubickiultimately became the prom king of the season. He won over both his tribemates and the audience with humble charisma that led to moments of television magic, such as when he asked “Mayor of Slamtown” wrestlerJohn Henniganif he could join him as Slamtown’s comptroller. Christian was so adorably self-deprecating, he almost seemed bewildered when he was voted out due to being the biggest social threat in the game.
While manySurvivorbrainiacs serve eyeroll-inducing confessionals that are often self-congratulatory and condescending,Christian managed to deliver insightful explanations of the game that were both cerebral and accessible.That isn’t to say his assessments were always concise. Christian frequently required the editors to use their delightful tactic of fading to various moments throughout his musings, showcasing the passage of time during his long-winded pontifications on the game. On both the field of play and in his confessionals, Christian turned characteristics that were often considered annoying into the qualities that defined his unique charm.
4Courtney Yates
‘China’ and ‘Heroes vs Villains’
Courtney Yatesdoes not look like someone who would thrive onSurvivor. The platinum blond New Yorker, who appeared too small to withstand the excessive weight loss experienced by many players, was written off by many as weak. But Courtney exceeded all expectations by lasting all 39 days in China and reaching the jury onHeroes vs Villains, while refusing to fall victim to the harsh environment.
While Courtney was hardly a challenge beast or rugged outdoorswoman, she made up for it with humor, snark, and an unapologetically bold personality. ManySurvivorplayers tend to play nice with their tribemates, even to a “kumbaya” degree, but Courtney wasn’t shy about revealing her complete lack of patience for the “Brady Bunchantics.” Although she had no qualms about sharingher often harsh opinionsabout a tribemate to their face,some of her most hilarious (and mean) barbs were reserved for her confessionals.Some of her targets were undeserving of her verbal wrath, but certain widely shared reads, like callingBenjamin “Coach” Wadea “frigging lunatic” and despised villain Russell Hantz a “bandy-legged little troll,” effectively positioned her as a surrogate for the audience.
3Mike White
It’s no surprise that the Emmy Award-winning writer ofWhite Lotuswas also an elite storyteller during his turn as aSurvivorcastaway.Mike Whitestarted off the game as a David within his Goliath tribe, feeling out of place among the more physically imposing players and putting a target on his back when he broke one of the unwritten rules ofSurvivorby hunting for an immunity idol on the first day. Mike redeemed himself, however, and lasted all 39 days. Ironically, his storytelling ability failed him at the final tribal council, where he lost the game to David tribe memberNick Wilson.
In a season full of complex and endearing characters, Mike stood out for his humor and vulnerability. He lacked the pretentiousness and arrogance that one might expect from a successful filmmaker, and, even when speaking candidly during confessionals, showed discomfort with the more cutthroat aspects of the game.His confessionals also showcased his ability to deduce the motivations behind his tribemates' behavior with surgical precision,fitting for a man who has made a career out of crafting eccentric characters. Considered to be among the funniest players and best runners-up, it’s no surprise that Mike was able to channel hisSurvivorexperience intoanother story about a group of people on an islandwho align with and betray each other in their quest for money and power.
2John Cochran
‘South Pacific’ and ‘Caramoan’
If there was an award for most improvedSurvivorplayer, it would undoubtedly go toJohn Cochran. TheSurvivorsuper-fan let his paranoia get the best of him during his first showing onSouth Pacific, leading him to flip on his tribe and alienate all remaining players. He made the most of his second chance onCaramoan, riding his newly impeccable social game all the way to victory. Jeff Probst later named the sweater-vested Harvard Law graduate asSurvivor’s most unexpected winner–and his favorite.
Even before hisSurvivorglow-up, Cochran excelled in confessionals. InSouth Pacific, he candidly confessed his fear of failure and anxiety regarding difficult choices in the game. It made him all the easier to root for when he returned inCaramoanas a much steadier and more confident–though still heavily sunburned–version of himself.He eloquently articulated the difficulty in balancing strategy with emotionwithin the game, and definitely wasn’t short on snark. He delivered one of the most iconic confessionals inSurvivorhistory when he compared fellow castawayJulia Landauerto the flavor vanilla, except, “That would be doing a great disservice to the flavor vanilla.” Many have since tried to fill the “nerd with swag” archetype that Cochran pioneered, but none have matched his confessional prowess.
1Jonathan Penner
‘Cook Islands,’ ‘Micronesia,’ and ‘Philippines’
Jonathan Penner’s debut onCook Islandswas less than ideal. After committing “mutiny” to switch tribes and then bowing to the pressure of an immunity idol to flip on his alliance, Penner didn’t have many friends on the island. He had anunfortunate early medical evacuationinMicronesia, but played his best game when returning for a third time inSurvivor: Philippines. But while he made a much more favorable impression on his tribemates, his reluctance to join a proposed final-3 alliance ultimately led to him placing 7th once more.
Even when despised by his fellow players inCook Islands, Penner cemented himself as a fan favorite due to his confessionals. His boisterous personality leaped off the screen, and he explained the game dynamics and his own comedy of errors with dramatic flair.Through all of his confessionals, his deep love and reverence for the game shined throughand invited the audience to become invested in his journey as if they were watching a family member play. He also holds the record for the loudest confessional inSurvivorhistory, stemming from his announcement of his “anonymous” vote for Denise Stapley at a volume that reverberated throughout the entire island. He may have never won the game, but he could be considered the most memorable voice inSurvivorhistory, both literally and narratively.
