Gordon Holmes and Two Dream Teamers Who Are About to Be Defeated (XFINITY)
Quick Note: We inducted the first of three new members into the “Survivor: Hall of Fame” Wednesday afternoon. Be sure to come back later today and Friday to meet the other two members of the Class of 2013. And, follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.
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As the Senior Chairman of the Executive Voting Committee, Gordon Holmes has an awesome responsibility. His vote (along with Host Jeff Probst, Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer and other “Survivor” luminaries) will make up 50% of the final tally for entry into the prestigious ‘Survivor’ Hall of Fame. The other 50% came from “Survivor” fans like you.
Gordon Holmes is a Managing Producer at Comcast and the lead “Survivor” know-it-all for XFINITY TV. He’s been hooked on “Survivor” from the moment he first saw Jeff Probst kick sixteen strangers off a boat and into the sea back in May of 2000. Gordon has visited the set of “Survivor” on five separate occasions (“Gabon,” “Nicaragua,” “South Pacific,” “Philippines,” and “Blood vs. Water”) and boasts an Ozzy-esque 5-1 immunity challenge record. He also ranks second behind Michael Skupin when it comes to injuries incurred in the Philippines.
Gordon Holmes’s 2013 “Survivor” Hall of Fame Ballot
Jonny Fairplay – (“Survivor: Pearl Islands” and “Survivor: Micronesia – Fans vs. Favorites) Do me a favor; run out, find someone who knows nothing about “Survivor,” then tell them about Jonny Fairplay’s “Dead Grandma” stratagem from “Pearl Islands.” I’ll wait…
OK, what was their reaction? Odds are they think he’s a genius or a monster. And both answers are pretty much correct.
Whether you love him or you hate him, you have to admit that Fairplay’s sneaky maneuver changed “Survivor” forever. The game doesn’t just exist on an island somewhere tropical. It exists weeks before the first buff is handed out.
And when you add to that the fact that he paired that strategic thinking with a persona that has you dying to see him voted off, you have an A-plus player.
I truly believe Jonny Fairplay belongs in the Hall of Fame. And he will have my vote until he is rightfully enshrined.
Rudy Boesch – (“Survivor: Borneo” and “Survivor: All-Stars”) For all of you new fans who were wondering about that weird, awkward exchange between those two guys at the “Caramoan” reunion; one of those guys was Richard Hatch (Class of 2010) and the other was Rudy Boesch.
The original “Survivor” was a perfect storm of an exciting concept, a beautiful location, and perfect casting. And what Richard and Rudy were trying to recreate during the “Caramoan” finale was the chemistry that helped put “Survivor” on the map.
Some people vote for big personalities, some people vote for dominant winners. Me? I’m voting for icons. Rudy Boesch is an icon. He belongs in the Hall of Fame.
And who’s another icon…?
Jerri Manthey – (“Survivor: The Australian Outback,” “Survivor: All-Stars,” and “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains”) More so than any other long-time player, Jerri had the most satisfying character arc over her three-season run.
(OK, it’s weird to say a real person has had a character arc, but stick with me.)
From Marquesas to “Redemption Island,” Boston Rob matured and learned from his mistakes, but he’s pretty much the same guy. From Australia to “Heroes vs. Villains,” Colby seemed to become disillusioned with the game, but he’s pretty much the same guy. Rupert’s the same, Tina’s the same, Hatch is the same.
Jerri’s not the same.
She was the most hated player on the show’s most watched season during “The Australian Outback.” This notoriety earned her appearances on countless television shows, the cover of Playboy magazine, and more.
Years later during “All-Stars” it was clear that the negative sentiment had finally gotten to her when she left the stage after being booed at the reunion show.
Then finally she emerged during “Heroes vs. Villains” as a woman who was comfortable in her own skin. If you didn’t like her, that was too damn bad. And the funny thing was, everyone liked her.
And I like her too.
So to recap, hated caterpillar in Australia, retreats into her cocoon in “All-Stars,” beautiful butterfly in “Heroes vs. Villains.” And in my book, a Hall of Famer.
Other Ballots:
‘Survivor’ Executive Producer and Host Jeff Probst
‘Survivor’ Producer Jesse Jensen
‘Survivor’ Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer
‘Survivor’ Co-Executive Producer Matt Van Wagenen
2010 Hall of Fame Inductee Sandra Diaz-Twine
2010 Hall of Fame Inductee Russell Hantz
2010 Hall of Fame Inductee “Boston” Rob Mariano
2010 Hall of Fame Inductee Parvati Shallow
2011 Hall of Fame Inductee Cirie Fields
2012 Hall of Fame Inductee Rob Cesternino
2012 Hall of Fame Inductee Amanda Kimmel
2012 Hall of Fame Inductee Ethan Zohn
Be sure to check back later today to meet the second member of the “Survivor” Hall of Fame Class of 2013.
Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
Watch the ‘Survivor: Blood vs. Water’ Finale this Sunday, December 15, 2012 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Blood vs. Water.”
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