Season 48 - Preview

Welcome to Season 48 of Survivor, the greatest show in the 1000-year history of television!

Over 47 seasons, we've witnessed blindsides, loyal alliances, brilliant strategies, clueless moves, unforgettable characters, irritating personalities, and a whole lot of starvation. I’ve been an armchair quarterback for every single season, eagerly sharing my opinions with anyone willing to listen. But while I talk a big game, I’m smart enough to admit that I don’t actually know how I’d fare on the island. Hunger, exhaustion, and social dynamics change everything. That’s what I love about the show—there’s no guaranteed path to the finals, and each contestant brings their own unique flair to the game. Of course, that won’t stop me from sharing my thoughts; just know that every bold prediction comes with a big, imaginary asterisk!

Season 48 Preview

I've done my due diligence and spent time this weekend watching interviews with the cast, and here are my thoughts:

• This season is distinctly "Thirtysomething"—12 out of 18 contestants (66%) are in their 30s. In contrast, only two of the previous 47 seasons featured at least 50% of contestants in this age range, with an overall average of just 29%. Will Survivor add millennial participation trophies?

• Seven contestants reside in California, and the East Coast outnumbers the West Coast 9 to 7. Interestingly, California has produced twice as many winners (8) as New Jersey and New York, which each have 4. However, since Season 25, California only has 1 winner; New Jersey has produced the most winners overall (4), with Canada, Idaho, and Iowa following with 2 each. I don't think this has anything to do with the game, so I don't recommend making any bets based on this information.

• Two contestants bring unique perspectives to the competition: Eva, who has autism, is determined to represent those on the spectrum by sharing her personal experience, while Mitch, who stutters, is committed to proving that his speech impediment doesn't hold him back.

• Season 47's contestants were quick to boast about their cutthroat strategies—a trait notably absent among Season 48's participants. With Season 47 setting such an exciting benchmark, let's hope the new contenders bring enough fire to match the challenge.

First Person Voted Off Prediction

• David Kinne is an alpha male stuntman who should lead his tribe to victory each week. However, I can easily see his machismo alienating the weaker members of his tribe, giving him the early boot. Either that or he is the next Matthew (Season 44) and falls out of a tree.

Final Four Prediction

Reflecting on my pre-season picks from last season, I’m pleased with the results. Although none of my selections ended up as the ultimate finalists, all five made it into the final ten—a decent outcome for what was essentially a blind prediction!

• Charity Nelms Charity has a fascinating backstory. Raised in a religious household and having attended ministry school before realizing it wasn’t her path, she has already overcome significant personal challenges. Her impressive weight loss of over 100 pounds shows remarkable persistence, and her experience as a flight attendant has clearly honed her people skills—an asset in Survivor.
• Kyle Fraser Kyle, a young attorney from New York, brings an energizing mix of confidence and humility. His youthful energy and clear skill set suggest he has what it takes to make a strong impact.
• Shauhin Davari I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with Shauhin, partly because he reminds me a little too much of myself. Constantly diving into new hobbies, working as a professor, and showing a surprisingly sensitive side, he’s a formidable contender. Since I picture myself at the top one day—I couldn’t help but include him on my list.
• Thomas Krottinger Thomas is one to watch. He might bow out early or make it all the way to the end. His strategy involves aligning with stronger players to build a protective shield. I like his quiet swagger that will keep him moving under the radar.

Steve has spoken