How strong is the season's theme, the twists, and the game mechanics? (A well-executed season can help it stand out from the pack.)Ħ. Are there iconic moments? (If classic TV moments are created, then that gets some extra points.)ĥ. Is there inventive gameplay? (New and interesting strategy is fun to watch and keeps us on our toes.)Ĥ. How strong is the cast? (Are they mostly forgettable, or are there big characters both pre- and post-merge? Great castaways can cover a multitude of sins.)ģ. How interesting is the season on an episode-by-episode level? (How many of these Tribal Councils feel predetermined, and how many are actually suspenseful?)Ģ. Even the worst seasons of the show are still better than most things on TV these days, so ranking them is certainly a challenge, but if you're a Survivor nerd and you don't have a season ranking then I must ask: What are you doing with your life? And of course one Season 44 has crowned its soul survivor, I will be slotting it into the pantheon as well.ġ. I know that's a hyperbolic statement, but the longevity of this franchise certainly speaks to its quality and ability to evolve over time to consistently create compelling, ageless television.Īnd so because I love the show so much AND because Season 44 is airing as we speak, I decided to rank the 43 seasons from worst to best. I have watched every single season of the show (many more than once) and believe Survivor to not only be the greatest reality television show ever aired, but perhaps the greatest television show ever (period). We've even watched a bug build a nest in a castaway's ear. We've seen a castaway vote out her mom, a castaway pee on another's hand, and dozens be medically evacuated. With 635 episodes having aired, we've seen hundreds of Immunity Challenges, Tribal Councils, and salty goodbye messages. And they've begged fellow castaways for their jackets after booting them. They've stripped naked for peanut butter. They've pretended their grandmothers were dead to win rewards. We've seen castaways create fake Hidden Immunity Idols, poop in the ocean, and compete for Pringles. Castaways have built huts out of bamboo, run off to strategize at the well, and eaten all manners of disgusting food. For 23 years and 43 (soon to be 44) seasons, Jeff Probst has been out in the jungle (with the snakes and rats) snuffing the torches of retired Navy Seals, barrel racers, and pageant coaches. I plead to the jury tonight to think a little about the 644 Survivor castaways who have competed for the million-dollar prize.

Survivors the quest lianas