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‘Survivor’ Co-Executive Producer Matt Van Wagenen

2010 Hall of Fame Inductee Sandra Diaz-Twine

2012 Hall of Fame Inductee Rob Cesternino

Voting for the “Survivor” Hall of Fame Class of 2013 has ended. Please come back Wednesday, December 11, 2013 to meet the first inductee. And, follow @survivorhall on Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates.

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‘Survivor’ Hall of Fame 2013 Ballot – Co-Executive Producer Matt Van Wagenen

December 9, 2013

'Survivor: Blood vs. Water' (XFINITY)

As a member of the Executive Voting Committee, “Survivor” Co-Executive Producer Matt Van Wagenen (along with Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer and other “Survivor” luminaries) has an awesome responsibility. The committee’s votes will make up 50% of the final tally for entry into the prestigious Class of 2013. The other 50% will come from “Survivor” fans like you.

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Matt Van Wagenen’s 2013 Hall of Fame Ballot

John Cochran – (“Survivor: South Pacific” and “Survivor: Caramoan – Fans vs. Favorites”) Cochran is the ultimate super fan who was able to live out a lifelong dream in front of millions. He’s a great combination of iconic personality mixed with savvy gamesmanship. This guy went from “South Pacific” where he received votes at nearly every Tribal Council to “Caramoan” where not a single vote was cast against him. In a season with returning players he navigated his way through wildcards like Brandon and Phillip and shrewd players like Malcolm and Andrea while managing to win four individual challenges. The cherry on top was sweeping all the votes at the final Tribal. Hard to argue with that.

Kim Spradlin – (“Survivor: One World”) It was amazing to watch Kim play the game. The only knock on her is that she didn’t have anyone to go head-to-head against and that’s not her fault. She was head and shoulders above everyone else in “One World.” She had an uncanny ability to make people trust her, great athleticism, and was able to see the game three steps ahead of everyone else – all with a smile on her face. Hard to do out there but she pulled it off and made it look effortless.

Benjamin “Coach” Wade – (“Survivor: Tocantins,” “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” and “Survivor: South Pacific”) I love Coach on “Survivor.” If there were “Dragonslayer” action figures I’d buy one. Whether he’s in a challenge, planning someone’s demise, or simply boiling beans, he’s completely entertaining. He was fascinating in “Tocantins,” human in “Heroes vs. Villains” and a force to be reckoned with in “South Pacific.” Although he came up short at the end of the game, he deserved his spot in the final three and is one of the best runner-ups ever. Love him or hate him, you can’t deny that he is one of the most iconic characters to ever put on a buff.

Other Ballots:

‘Survivor’ Executive Producer and Host Jeff Probst

2010 Hall of Fame Inductee Sandra Diaz-Twine

2012 Hall of Fame Inductee Rob Cesternino

Tags:matt van wagenen, survivor, survivor hall of fame
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‘Survivor’ Hall of Fame 2013 Ballot – Sandra Diaz-Twine

December 8, 2013

2010 "Survivor" Hall of Fame Inductee Sandra Diaz-Twine (CBS)

The “Survivor” Hall of Fame is proud to have 2010 inductee Sandra Diaz-Twine as a member of the Executive Voting Committee. As a member of this exclusive committee, Sandra (along with Host Jeff Probst and other “Survivor” luminaries) has accepted an awesome responsibility. The committee’s votes will make up 50% of the final tally for entry into the prestigious Class of 2013. The other 50% will come from “Survivor” fans like you.

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Sandra Diaz-Twine’s 2013 Hall of Fame Ballot

I take my voting privileges and ballot seriously. My 2013 Nominees are as follows…

The Top Spot in my ballot goes to none other than Kim Spradlin – (“Survivor: One World”). This chick is ferocious. She played what we call a “Perfect Game.” By being the leader of the female alliance she was able to destroy and decimate the Manono men.

Kim made strong bonds with her tribe mates, which is so crucial from a social aspect. Kim’s tribe depended on her physical, dominating nature to help them win challenges. But Kim also had the Hidden Immunity Idol in her possession, which made her even more dangerous. Kim is so quiet. Her pretty smile will distract you, but she’s destructive. She took total responsibility for voting people out and that’s why she took home the million and the $100,000 fan favorite to boot. “Survivor” fans love Kim.

Another “Perfect Game” player is John Cochran – (“Survivor: South Pacific” and “Survivor: Caramoan – Fans vs. Favorites”). I once wore a pajama top and wrote on it with a black permanent marker as I was live chatting… I was writing “I Luv Cochran” when I ran outta space. Well, long story short John’s last name didn’t fit on my top and it wasn’t a good look. I was laughed at for quite a while.

I loved him on “South Pacific” because I felt like he was bullied and socially awkward, betrayed by his allies and, just like me, not a physical threat whatsoever. But as fate would have it, this Super Fan would play again and this time around he joined the “Millionaires’ Club.” Although it took him two attempts, this is when his prior experience and “Survivor” Smarts kicked in. Cochran miraculously won 4 individual immunity challenges. His strategic and social game won him all the jury votes. If I ever play again, I wanna be just like Cochran and win an Immunity Challenge. He’s my hero.

My third and final vote goes to Jerri Manthey – (“Survivor: The Australian Outback,” “Survivor: Alll-Stars,” and “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains”) who I nominated last year. I’m sticking to my guns when I say Jerri deserves and has earned her place in the Hall of Fame. I played with Jerri and I know what she’s capable of. She’s the “Black Widow” for a reason. She will bite off your head in a heartbeat, without a second thought. But Jerri also has a beautiful side. Jerry grew as a player and a person making the final four on “Heroes vs. Villains.” Jerri was a vital asset to my end game and to the tribe as a whole. Jerri protected many people along the way, without her protection they would have been easily picked OFF! Jerri is an expert at building solid relationships. Had Jerri been in the final three, she would have won “Heroes vs. Villains” hands down!

Other Ballots:

‘Survivor’ Executive Producer and Host Jeff Probst

2012 Hall of Fame Inductee Rob Cesternino

Tags:Sandra Diaz-Twine, survivor, survivor hall of fame
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‘Survivor’ Hall of Fame 2013 Ballot – Rob Cesternino

December 6, 2013

2012 "Survivor" Hall of Fame Inductee Rob Cesternino (CBS)

The “Survivor” Hall of Fame is proud to have 2012 inductee Rob Cesternino as a member of the Executive Voting Committee. As a member of this exclusive committee, Rob (along with Host Jeff Probst and other “Survivor” luminaries) has accepted an awesome responsibility. The committee’s votes will make up 50% of the final tally for entry into the prestigious Class of 2013. The other 50% will come from “Survivor” fans like you.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: If you’re not listening to Rob’s “Rob Has a Podcast,” you should be.

Rob Cesternino’s 2013 Hall of Fame Ballot

As a member of 2012 “Survivor” Hall of Fame class, I take my job here very seriously. I actually found this task to be incredibly difficult, but with the help of a magic 8-ball, I’ve arrived at my top three picks.

Kim Spradlin – (“Survivor – One World”) In my opinion, Kim is the most dominant female player in the history of the show. Taking nothing away from Parvati and Sandra Diaz-Twine, but Kim’s game is totally different. Kim controlled an alliance of five from early in the game, adapted to get through a tribe swap, and then systematically eliminated any of the threats in her way after the merge. All of the players in the game who mattered thought she was on their side, until she slit their throats.

Kim Spradlin was so brilliant; she made her season boring because you knew nobody else had a chance to beat her. She ended up winning four immunities, finding the hidden immunity idol, and getting seven of the nine jury votes to win. I feel like Kim has not gotten the credit she deserves and I hope that gets corrected with her induction in to the “Survivor” Hall of Fame. Here’s to you, Dynamic Kim!

Jonny Fairplay – (“Survivor: Pearl Islands” and “Survivor: Micronesia – Fans vs. Favorites”) Jonny Fairplay is the first person in the history of the genre who showed up on “Survivor” WANTING to be the villain. Fairplay had a vision of how he wanted to be portrayed and played the part perfectly. The grandmother lie is still one of the craziest hoaxes to ever be attempted considering he was risking a chance to win a million dollars if it got screwed up.

I’m nominating Jonny Fairplay not just because he wanted to be a villain… he actually had game too. He had everybody fooled about him for much of the game (maybe not Sandra), he single-handedly took down Rupert and shifted alliances to get himself to the final three before losing the final immunity challenge. Why does that last challenge have to be so tricky???

I know some people will reject Fairplay for induction to the Hall because many remember him “quitting” “Survivor Fans vs. Favorites”… but I urge you to go back and watch the tape. Jonny Fairplay is in fact the first person voted out from the game. He gets nine votes and Jeff Probst even snuffs his torch! Can Osten, Purple Kelly, Naonka or Colton claim the same?

Whether you loved him or whether you hated him, he kept things interesting and he changed “Survivor” and Reality TV forever.

Brian Heidik – (“Survivor: Thailand”) I know many of you won’t agree with this one… but I think Brian Heidik is one of the great “Survivor” players of all-time. In “Survivor: Thailand,” Brian built on the strategy that Richard Hatch established in the first “Survivor” season and played one of the most lethal games in the history of the show. He said “Survivor” was just a business trip for him and he systematically made alliances with everybody in the game. On top of his excellent strategic and social game, he also won five immunity challenges. He was a used car salesman who left everybody feeling ripped off, but not until after he won the million dollars.

I realize that there is almost no chance that Brian Heidik gets in to the “Survivor” Hall of Fame this year (or any other year for that matter). After his win in “Survivor: Thailand,” he somehow made himself a persona non grata around “Survivor”-land and that’s a shame. Brian should have been in the first all-stars but the show decided that he wasn’t likable enough to come back (many would agree). Brian Heidik will probably never play “Survivor” again but I will always have tons of respect for the “Ice Man” and in my book, he’s a Hall of Famer.

Other Ballots:

‘Survivor’ Executive Producer and Host Jeff Probst

‘Survivor’ Executive Producer and Host Jeff Probst

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‘Survivor: Hall of Fame’ 2013 Ballot – Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer

December 5, 2013

'Survivor' Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer (CBS)

The “Survivor” Hall of Fame is proud to have John Kirhoffer as a member of the Executive Voting Committee. As a member of this exclusive committee, John (along with Host Jeff Probst and other “Survivor” luminaries) has accepted an awesome responsibility. The committee’s votes will make up 50% of the final tally for entry into the prestigious Class of 2013. The other 50% will come from “Survivor” fans like you.

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John Kirhoffer is the brain behind some of “Survivor’s” most difficult and exciting challenges. After 13 years and more than 27 seasons, John continues to design and execute innovative challenges that never fail to impress. His commitment, attention to detail and dedication to creating some of the best challenges on TV are a critical part of “Survivor’s” continued success. With hundreds of challenges on his resume, he credits “Boulder Dash” from season three (Africa) and “Vertical Maze” from season nine (Vanuatu – Islands of Fire) among his favorites.

John Kirhoffer’s 2013 Hall of Fame Ballot

Well, at the top of my 2013 list…John Cochran (“Survivor: South Pacific” and “Survivor: Caramoan – Fans vs. Favorites”).

John Cochran represents the underdog and exemplifies hope and humility. The kid who was bullied, by Ozzy and the other Savaii “cool kids”, and then received his revenge later with the ultimate “Survivor” crown and a million bucks. His superpower was not in his physical prowess, but in his intellect. He went from student of the game to master of the game, and along the way gave the audience an abundance of great sound bites, sage revelations, and hilarious insights. In my mind, Cochran is a “Survivor” Hall of Fame slam dunk.

I will AGAIN this year nominate Benjamin “Coach” Wade (“Survivor: Tocantins,” “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” and “Survivor: South Pacific”).

I love Coach Ben Wade. Truly one of the greatest characters in our shows 27-season history. I put Coach in the Hall of Fame for his authenticity, entertainment value, and personal evolution. In Tocantins, Coach truly provided the bulk of the audience chuckles, laughs, and grimaces. Love him or hate him, Coach was genuine. As time went by, we saw Coach “The Dragon Slayer” peel away layers until we saw Coach, the morally conflicted soul. He wore “honor” like a glittery cape in Tocantins, and by the final Tribal Council in South Pacific, “honor” was the burden that haunted him and weighed him down…costing him a million dollars. I believe it’s time to enshrine “Coach” in the Hall of Fame!

Finally, I nominate a true “Survivor” icon, Rudy Boesch (“Survivor: Borneo” and “Survivor: All Stars”).

I’m trying to imagine an actual, physical “Survivor” Hall of Fame without a bronze bust of Rudy Boesch surrounded by iconic photos and video clips. I believe the casting of Rudy on “Survivor” one is the biggest reasons for the show’s success. The 70-year-old, hard-as-nails homophobe who befriends the outspoken, naked, gay guy exemplified what we (universally) all should believe; “Don’t judge books by their covers.”

Rudy IS the “Survivor” patriarch. An American hero, a true competitor, and a genuine larger-than-life character. What he lacked in his strategic game, he made up for in grit and real-life experience. When Rudy spoke, America related. Who wasn’t cheering him on in the end of season one? Hall of Fame committee, do you really want to continue building this institution without one of its most prominent founding fathers? Include Rudy in the 2013 Hall of Fame.

Those are my thoughts. Thanks for listening.

Other Ballots:

‘Survivor’ Executive Producer and Host Jeff Probst

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‘Survivor: Hall of Fame’ 2013 Ballot – Cirie Fields

December 4, 2013

2011 "Survivor" Hall of Fame Inductee Cirie Fields (CBS)

The “Survivor” Hall of Fame is proud to have 2011 inductee Cirie Fields as a member of the Executive Voting Committee. As a member of this exclusive committee, Cirie (along with Host Jeff Probst, Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer, and other “Survivor” luminaries) has accepted an awesome responsibility. The committee’s votes will make up 50% of the final tally for entry into the prestigious Class of 2013. The other 50% will come from “Survivor” fans like you.

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Cirie Fields’ 2013 Hall of Fame Ballot

Jonny Fairplay – (“Survivor: Pearl Islands” and “Survivor: Micronesia – Fans vs. Facorites) My first pick is Fairplay because anyone who knows anything about “Survivor,” fan or not, knows about Fairplay’s dead grandma!

John Cochran – (“Survivor: South Pacific” and “Survivor: Caramoan – Fans vs. Favorites”) Now I know he may still be considered a newbie, however isn’t he one of only 3 people to return for a 2nd time and win?! Not to mention his hilariously accurate analytical break down of the game he always provided!

Stephenie LaGrossa – (“Survivor: Palau,” “Survivor: Guatemala,” and “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains”) My last-but-not-least pick is again Stephenie LaGrossa. I can’t shake the site of her being the lone survivor from her tribe, also her challenge performances are nothing to shake a stick at. (No pun intended, Jason!)

Other Ballots:

‘Survivor’ Executive Producer and Host Jeff Probst

Tags:cirie fields, jeff probst, survivor, survivor hall of fame
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‘Survivor’ Hall of Fame 2013 Ballot – ‘Survivor’ Producer Jesse Jensen

December 2, 2013

'Survivor' Producer Jesse Jensen (CBS)

As a member of the Executive Voting Committee, “Survivor” Producer Jesse Jensen (along with Host Jeff Probst and other “Survivor” luminaries) has an awesome responsibility. The committee’s votes will make up 50% of the final tally for entry into the prestigious Class of 2013. The other 50% will come from “Survivor” fans like you.

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Jesse Jensen has been with “Survivor” since 2000 working his way up from Art Department to Art Director to Producer. His creativity allows for some of the most visually stunning Tribal Councils that set the stage for those great dramatic moments that we love so much.

Jesse Jensen’s 2013 Hall of Fame Ballot

Benjamin “Coach” Wade – (“Survivor: Tocantins,” “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” and “Survivor: South Pacific”) I love this guy, so as per last year he is my top pick again. The “Dragon Slayer” has to make the “Survivor” Hall of Fame, love him or hate him everyone remembers him and his outlandish stories. He has always given us amazing drama and funny moments that keep us all entertained throughout all his seasons. That’s why he has been on the show for three great seasons. I’d be very disappointed if he wasn’t to make the cut this year.

John Cochran – (“Survivor: South Pacific” and “Survivor: Caramoan – Fans vs. Favorites”) The ultimate “Survivor” coming-of-age story. Cochran went from a struggling, sunburnt super fan who battled his way to day thirty-one on his first season to then return as a self-assured (still sun burnt) veteran player who seemed to effortlessly navigate his way to win the show on “Survivor: Caramoan.” That season he also earned himself the title of “Intelligentsia Attaché” from Phillip…who wouldn’t think someone known as the “Intelligentsia Attaché” deserves a place in the Hall of Fame?

Stephenie LaGrossa – (“Survivor: Palau,” “Survivor: Guatemala,” and “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains”) I’m also going to nominate Stephenie yet again this year. She has played the game three times and that in itself means that we felt she was an extremely worthy contestant. Her first season in Palau she was extremely popular and she showed us what an amazing battler and physical competitor she is. She was such a good personality and player that we brought her straight back the very next season to compete in Guatemala where she finished in second place. She was once again cast in “Heroes vs. Villains” and played a tough game, but the dice just didn’t fall right for her that time around. In my opinion she is one the most well rounded and popular players never to win the game.

Other Ballots: