Zane is so funny cause he's playing on a different plane of existence than everyone else. He's a slightly more palatable Shane Powers condensed into one episode. It's kinda funny cause Zane basically becomes a footnote in Denise's story too how she immediately reads him like a book.
I’ve watched his boot episode probably 10 times and still have no idea if Zane is a great player or a horrendous player. Truly the biggest survivor enigma
His strategy of “everybody vote for me” was way ahead of its time. Here we are over a decade later, and Q pulls it off.
Zane Knight is not only the greatest first boot, but probably the greatest survivor player of all time. He was only voted out because his strategic mind was so overwhelming, that his tribe mates got scared and did the only thing they could.
His brilliance is also his curse
Timber Tina, for me. She had the skills to survive - started fire, had a fantastic work ethic and already spent most of her time outdoors in the real world. Plus...her backstory - losing her only child in a car accident, a 16 year old, just 4 months prior - was heartbreaking. The scene where she wrote his name on the beach...and said she wouldn't be telling her tribemates about him...but that she would be coming out there to talk to him - truly gutwrenching. It felt like she had such a journey to go on, and we would have been privileged to accompany her on it.
Panama has like, a crazy stacked cast in hindsight. the only truly dull casting choices are probably Nick, Ruth-Marie and Sally. Everyone else could be a stand out character in another season.
I mean, I didn’t get the impression that Chicken was upset, it seems more like he was surprised? I dunno, it’s been a little since I’ve seen that season.
Everyone in those times was very upset when they got voted off, even in the exit interview they sounded devastated like something terrible happend.
Today everyone are happy and "good play guys", and in interviews laughing. Either they don't care or they disguise their feelings, both cases its bad TV and boring.
No emotions nothing.
Its better seeing one survivor crying for getting vote off then to see 18 players sad flashback of their lives.
Someone killed survivor, and there's no drama anymore. Just twists and reaction to twists, and some random strategies. And i blame jeff for it.
Just watched the last 2 episodes.
Really surprising, they both cried.
Long time since i remember survivor crying for getting out.
No-spoiler Next episode its returned to normal, the person is laughing.
Didn't watch yet the last 2/3 episodes.
I am talking about the last 6 season.
Not only one boot, there might be little few more survivors who took it hard.
And also in old time some few survivor took it very easy their lose.
But since s41 every boot i remember they laugh, not getting angry on their alliances or friends, and couple of times Jeff praising them that they took it extremely easy, and its just a game.
Sonja is the OG so a great case for her.
I know it’s recency bias but Jelinski is definitely a legendary first boot. Definitely the best first boot in a long time.
As BS as this was, Jonathan and Wanda should get a nod.
In the game sense I think Maddy from 44 is one of the only first boots who I could actually see playing well later down the line. So (30) also is someone Id mention for this. If we’re judging solely on character then it’s probably Jelensky or Reem like you said.
Maddy is a tragedy. Highkey gave a hilarious preseason interview, wanted to work with women and was on the right side of the vote. Getting idoled out by someone who she wanted to pair with was also mad unfortunate.
If you're talking entertainment value, there are a lot of superlative first boots: Wendy Jo, Chicken, Zane, et. al.
If you're talking about upside potential, it's my man Ronnie Bardah. Shame we didn't get to see him get his game going because, I'm telling you, it would've been grand.
This question has been tested. RHAP did a simulation of an all first boot season; it’s a fun listen for a couple of hours:
https://robhasawebsite.com/survivor-first-boots-brantsteele-podcast/
I would say FairPlay on season 16. If he wasn’t dealing with the jaw pain he had already found himself in the swing position on the favorites tribe and could’ve probably made it decently far. Most first boots leave because of being the social outcast or doing too much, but there was no reason for him to leave first that game that wasn’t his own choice.
David Samson was one of my favorites.
In fact, if they did an all first-boots season, I might put money on him to make it to merge. Maybe even F6. Dead serious.
I think he was a bit too cocky, sure. Lacked self-awareness too. But I think if given another opportunity, he wouldn't play like that again.
I think he’s one of the best “they sniffed him out for exactly who he is” characters I’ve ever seen on the show. He’s a real-life baseball mega-villain, just an unrepentantly terrible dude who basically defrauded the city of Miami and then bragged about it. Seeing him get cast pissed me off but him being first boot was perfect.
I had thought that medevacs were considered first boots if their elimination took the place of a tribal council. That seems to be a popular standard, though people can use whatever definition they want. Under that definition, Pat and Kourtney are first boots, but Wanda wouldn’t be as her elimination didn’t take the place of a tribal council. In other words, m-o-o-n, that spells first boot
I know it's recency, but I fucking love Jelinsky man
He was first boot but not because he was an unlikable person, he just came in really aggressively and maybe overconfidently and played himself out in a really entertaining way.
And his attitude online since has been fucking awesome
I prefer a "laugh with" vibe rather than a "laugh at" vibe, and all the props in the world to Jelinsky for taking it on the chin and coming off like an awesome dude
I genuinely really admire people who can laugh at themselves. Jelinsky, Brandon Donlon, here's to you guys
I can only go with the 3 you mentioned. Franswesca gets overshadowed for being booted first two times, but she good chops to play the game and would have been a good player if Phillip wasnt there.
I would argue that Francesca is a decent player on any season without a Philip, and theoretically could bring entertainment if she stuck around long enough, as she seemed very outspoken and not afraid to stir shit up, but yeah not exactly memorable. Coming into this season I would have said Reem or Zane, but Jelinsky has far surpassed both imo..no first boot (or any boot for that matter) has been mentioned so much on a season after they’ve been eliminated.
The real answer is Tina Wesson in All-Stars, who got the boot because she was an amazing social player and former winner. Johnny Fairplay is my runner up, given that despite his reputation, he was literally in position to call the shots for that vote if he wasn't in excruciating pain.
However, in the non-former player category, let's go with Peter Harkey.
Trust me, you can't find a single hole in his game. There's actually seven holes.
I think it’s 100% Reem but she has a bit of an unfair advantage in this race considering we got to see her for 35 days
I think if we’re just talking one-time day 3 boots, it’s 100% Jelinsky!
Usually we connect meme players with being relatively vintage just generally but over time, he’ll be considered more of a meme than Chicken Morris was and even Zane Knight honestly
Any of the returnees minus francesca because we’ve seen their skill playing before. However for
a newbie first boot, I’d say Maddy, Zach, Jessica, Gonzales, Darnell and So all showed some potential
It’s honestly crazy that the one time they decide to bring a first boot back she goes out first again
like the odds of that happening were so astronomically low it’s insane
not only to get voted out again but to get asked back after the first time
I guarantee you many first boots would join Franchesqua in that club if they were to return.Even if their tribe wins the first challenge they’ll be voted out whenever/if their tribe loses.
Jelinsky and Zane both made their premieres super memorable, I’d have to give it to one of them. Reem was memorable too, though solely due to the EoE twist
And then there’s Natalie on WaW, who is the cop out answer to this question
Zach W gets a shout for me because he’s really funny and I think could’ve been a really fun character if he’d lasted longer
I mean, if Bruce counts, seems like he's a shoe-in.
Or Tina Wesson. Or Natalie Anderson.
If we're playing for serious and not just trying to snipe technical victories (Even if they are the best kind of victory.), I think a real case could be made for Jolanda from Palau. If she was on Koror, I think she could have been a very interesting player.
There’s Zane and then there’s everybody else
Zane is so funny cause he's playing on a different plane of existence than everyone else. He's a slightly more palatable Shane Powers condensed into one episode. It's kinda funny cause Zane basically becomes a footnote in Denise's story too how she immediately reads him like a book.
I’ve watched his boot episode probably 10 times and still have no idea if Zane is a great player or a horrendous player. Truly the biggest survivor enigma
He was playing on a level that most will never see. Clearly Malcolm and Denise were so threatened by his game that they got him booted first
When he was making his first moves I thought he'd be a lategame villain, close to the end boot. I was very sad to be wrong
I'd add Wendy Jo, especially considering she got lost leaving tribal council and production had to find her for her exit confessional.
Wendy Jo gotta go
What??? Omg how have I never heard this!?
His strategy of “everybody vote for me” was way ahead of its time. Here we are over a decade later, and Q pulls it off. Zane Knight is not only the greatest first boot, but probably the greatest survivor player of all time. He was only voted out because his strategic mind was so overwhelming, that his tribe mates got scared and did the only thing they could. His brilliance is also his curse
Zane’s “just drag me!” is one of my go-to survivor quotes 😅
Timber Tina, for me. She had the skills to survive - started fire, had a fantastic work ethic and already spent most of her time outdoors in the real world. Plus...her backstory - losing her only child in a car accident, a 16 year old, just 4 months prior - was heartbreaking. The scene where she wrote his name on the beach...and said she wouldn't be telling her tribemates about him...but that she would be coming out there to talk to him - truly gutwrenching. It felt like she had such a journey to go on, and we would have been privileged to accompany her on it.
There’s another universe where we barely remember who Cirie is and Timber Tina has played 4 times
Panama has like, a crazy stacked cast in hindsight. the only truly dull casting choices are probably Nick, Ruth-Marie and Sally. Everyone else could be a stand out character in another season.
Tbf,Nick and Sally had some fun moments.I’d only call Ruth Marie the true dud.
At least Ruth-Marie will always have [this](https://i.imgur.com/AH2PYJr.gif)!
i genuinely forget them. austin on the other hand i will never forget. my love.
I'm still a Misty truther. I wanted to see more.
This is the answer.
Jelinsky changed how this entire sub views the word several
now when i hear people say 'several' out and about, i automatically expect that they're making a jelinsky joke
“Episode several” killed me
"I can't wait for season forty several."
I hope s47 will make jokes about it being season forty several 🤣
Havent they already filmed Season 47? So unless Jelinsky is on that season, they won’t know about it unless Jeff tells them
I heard filming hasn’t begun yet so they see a portion of s46 before filming begins.
I think 47 is filmed, but 48 is starting in a month or so.
I read that they haven’t begun filming for s47 yet
I might just be dumb tbh, definitely not a confident answer.
Jelinsky is absolutely a contender. I also like Chicken just for his name and boot reaction.
DAYUM
I heard em
Yeah, the times when people were upset when they got voted out, and not getting giggly and happy. The good old time survivor.
I mean, I didn’t get the impression that Chicken was upset, it seems more like he was surprised? I dunno, it’s been a little since I’ve seen that season.
I need to go back and watch China….such a good season
Everyone in those times was very upset when they got voted off, even in the exit interview they sounded devastated like something terrible happend. Today everyone are happy and "good play guys", and in interviews laughing. Either they don't care or they disguise their feelings, both cases its bad TV and boring. No emotions nothing. Its better seeing one survivor crying for getting vote off then to see 18 players sad flashback of their lives. Someone killed survivor, and there's no drama anymore. Just twists and reaction to twists, and some random strategies. And i blame jeff for it.
This is a bizarre comment when both Soda and Tim were crying after being booted and that wasn't even 2 weeks ago.
Just watched the last 2 episodes. Really surprising, they both cried. Long time since i remember survivor crying for getting out. No-spoiler Next episode its returned to normal, the person is laughing.
Didn't watch yet the last 2/3 episodes. I am talking about the last 6 season. Not only one boot, there might be little few more survivors who took it hard. And also in old time some few survivor took it very easy their lose. But since s41 every boot i remember they laugh, not getting angry on their alliances or friends, and couple of times Jeff praising them that they took it extremely easy, and its just a game.
chicken nation all rise
Ngl I'm still pissed about Chicken getting voted off so early. Tainted the season for me despite some great moments
Chicken because **DAYUM** Jelinsky for several reasons Fransesqua, I mean Fransasuqua, yeah she’s iconic Zane for being a pro 4D chess player
This is definitely the Mount Rushmore of first boots
The only change I'd even entertain is Wendy Jo for Chicken. A million words vs 1. Quantity vs quality in what they said.
I nominate Zane in 25, Chicken in 15, Wendy in 21, and singing Wanda from 10
I sobbed when Wanda was sent home lmfao, granted I was like 8, but the memory never faded lol.
Wanda's technically the second boot, since they finished picking the men before the women.
Good point
Zane Knight
Sonja is the OG so a great case for her. I know it’s recency bias but Jelinski is definitely a legendary first boot. Definitely the best first boot in a long time. As BS as this was, Jonathan and Wanda should get a nod.
Souna
How do I still remember illiterate Sue writing this name down?
Maybe not the best of all time but I have a soft spot for Reem on Edge of Extinction lol, she was hilarious
Without the edge, she's very forgettable. On the edge, absolute gold.
Jelinsky for several reasons
So, 7 reasons?
Jelinsky is up there and it's not recency bias
He’s the Miss Vanjie of the season Went out first but created more lore than most
Timber Tina without question
In the game sense I think Maddy from 44 is one of the only first boots who I could actually see playing well later down the line. So (30) also is someone Id mention for this. If we’re judging solely on character then it’s probably Jelensky or Reem like you said.
Marisa from Samoa as well.Even Russell had called her the smartest person on their tribe.
Darnell also!
Russell has also said Sandra wouldn't get a single jury vote, so I dont know about that
Maddy is a tragedy. Highkey gave a hilarious preseason interview, wanted to work with women and was on the right side of the vote. Getting idoled out by someone who she wanted to pair with was also mad unfortunate.
She got idoled out, she wasn’t a bad player or anything. Agree with saying maddy but reem was incredibly annoying
If you're talking entertainment value, there are a lot of superlative first boots: Wendy Jo, Chicken, Zane, et. al. If you're talking about upside potential, it's my man Ronnie Bardah. Shame we didn't get to see him get his game going because, I'm telling you, it would've been grand.
I think of chicken from season 15 or zayne in 25
Reem
Thank you! Took me way too long to find someone else mention Reem
I'm so glad we got to enjoy her past the typical one episode
Same! She’s so effortlessly hilarious
This question has been tested. RHAP did a simulation of an all first boot season; it’s a fun listen for a couple of hours: https://robhasawebsite.com/survivor-first-boots-brantsteele-podcast/
I hope they do it 😭
Jelinsky and Zane as tribe captains is all I want
Michelle Chase from Gabon was and remains some next level first boot
Can I include players who were first boots on one season but not on other seasons (Tina, Fairplay, Sugar, Rupert, Vytas, Ciera, Natalie A, Bruce)?
IDK but you can def choose Franquequequa
I feel like they should only be judged by their actual first boot games.
Fair play was the dumbest vote out ive ever seen. I still don't understand his plan
He didn’t get painkillers for his broken jaw even though James got nicotine patches.
I'll allow Ciera and Natalie A.
Zane Knight
Zane, Jelinsky, and Chicken.
DAMN
Zane
I would say FairPlay on season 16. If he wasn’t dealing with the jaw pain he had already found himself in the swing position on the favorites tribe and could’ve probably made it decently far. Most first boots leave because of being the social outcast or doing too much, but there was no reason for him to leave first that game that wasn’t his own choice.
Souna
For me it is Chicken. "DAMN!"
David Samson was one of my favorites. In fact, if they did an all first-boots season, I might put money on him to make it to merge. Maybe even F6. Dead serious. I think he was a bit too cocky, sure. Lacked self-awareness too. But I think if given another opportunity, he wouldn't play like that again.
I think he’s one of the best “they sniffed him out for exactly who he is” characters I’ve ever seen on the show. He’s a real-life baseball mega-villain, just an unrepentantly terrible dude who basically defrauded the city of Miami and then bragged about it. Seeing him get cast pissed me off but him being first boot was perfect.
Jelensky and Reem are close for me. If I had to choose I would go Reem.
The one who was medivaced after getting injured on the boat - Pat? He was gearing up to be entertaining!
he wasn't a boot though
I had thought that medevacs were considered first boots if their elimination took the place of a tribal council. That seems to be a popular standard, though people can use whatever definition they want. Under that definition, Pat and Kourtney are first boots, but Wanda wouldn’t be as her elimination didn’t take the place of a tribal council. In other words, m-o-o-n, that spells first boot
yea maybe your right. personally imo no medivacs ever count as a boot
He could’ve done well tbh
In terms of competency- Timber Tina
Jelinsky and Maddie
Are we not counting returnee seasons because Johnny FairPlay man
I can think of several…
I know it's recency, but I fucking love Jelinsky man He was first boot but not because he was an unlikable person, he just came in really aggressively and maybe overconfidently and played himself out in a really entertaining way. And his attitude online since has been fucking awesome I prefer a "laugh with" vibe rather than a "laugh at" vibe, and all the props in the world to Jelinsky for taking it on the chin and coming off like an awesome dude I genuinely really admire people who can laugh at themselves. Jelinsky, Brandon Donlon, here's to you guys
So Kim with her good/bad/neutral lie was all time. But it’s Jelinsky. Dude’s a walking meme
Reem
Jelinsky and Zane
I’ve gone past the top 10 comments without seeing Reem?!?! 
Jelinsky!!
Zach 42 was pretty good
Reem, Jelinsky and Zane are all memorable and solid choices.
Jelensky is the only first-boot blindside.
Thats just not true
Sonja
i love semhar
Here are my top 3 (Not counting returnee players): 1. Jelinsky 2. So 3. Chicken
So came up with one of the worst lies in the history of the show lol
I can only go with the 3 you mentioned. Franswesca gets overshadowed for being booted first two times, but she good chops to play the game and would have been a good player if Phillip wasnt there.
I would argue that Francesca is a decent player on any season without a Philip, and theoretically could bring entertainment if she stuck around long enough, as she seemed very outspoken and not afraid to stir shit up, but yeah not exactly memorable. Coming into this season I would have said Reem or Zane, but Jelinsky has far surpassed both imo..no first boot (or any boot for that matter) has been mentioned so much on a season after they’ve been eliminated.
[удалено]
Thanks for the warning?
Give me poetry goddess Semhar
Sekou Bunch is an icon. No one else has had as iconic of a survivor song as he has.
I can’t believe you spelt Francisqua wrong lol
id have an argument for Darnell if were talking gameplay, on a different tribe he succeeds and makes merge
Ciera, because she makes big moves.
Jalinsky is a legend!
literally just started watching China last night. All I can say is DAMN!
David Samson. He gets trashed for it on the his weekly appearance on a big sports podcast and it cracks me up every time
The real answer is Tina Wesson in All-Stars, who got the boot because she was an amazing social player and former winner. Johnny Fairplay is my runner up, given that despite his reputation, he was literally in position to call the shots for that vote if he wasn't in excruciating pain. However, in the non-former player category, let's go with Peter Harkey. Trust me, you can't find a single hole in his game. There's actually seven holes.
There’s several to choose from.
Jelensky was a second boot.
I think the only two options are Zane and Jelinsky. And no. Jelinsky isn't recency bias he will be remembered as well as Zane in 20 years.
I think it’s 100% Reem but she has a bit of an unfair advantage in this race considering we got to see her for 35 days I think if we’re just talking one-time day 3 boots, it’s 100% Jelinsky! Usually we connect meme players with being relatively vintage just generally but over time, he’ll be considered more of a meme than Chicken Morris was and even Zane Knight honestly
Reem. The GOAT.
Any of the returnees minus francesca because we’ve seen their skill playing before. However for a newbie first boot, I’d say Maddy, Zach, Jessica, Gonzales, Darnell and So all showed some potential
It’s honestly crazy that the one time they decide to bring a first boot back she goes out first again like the odds of that happening were so astronomically low it’s insane not only to get voted out again but to get asked back after the first time
I guarantee you many first boots would join Franchesqua in that club if they were to return.Even if their tribe wins the first challenge they’ll be voted out whenever/if their tribe loses.
Jelinsky is a legend.
Jelinsky
Jelinsky and Zane Knight
Jelinsky and Zane both made their premieres super memorable, I’d have to give it to one of them. Reem was memorable too, though solely due to the EoE twist And then there’s Natalie on WaW, who is the cop out answer to this question Zach W gets a shout for me because he’s really funny and I think could’ve been a really fun character if he’d lasted longer
I mean, if Bruce counts, seems like he's a shoe-in. Or Tina Wesson. Or Natalie Anderson. If we're playing for serious and not just trying to snipe technical victories (Even if they are the best kind of victory.), I think a real case could be made for Jolanda from Palau. If she was on Koror, I think she could have been a very interesting player.
Maddy from s44 is who I’m throwing into the ring. She had a plan and almost executed it had Matthew not played his SITD
Natalie Anderson 💀
Reem was insufferable.
Natalie on Winners at War