The Most Outrageous Moments In Survivor History
“These 16 Americans are beginning the adventure of a lifetime. They have volunteered to be marooned for 39 days on mysterious Borneo. This is their story. This is Survivor.” With those ominous words, television was never the same again. Survivor hit American airwaves on May 31, 2000, and the mega-franchise is now in its 43rd season — with the 44th also on the way. How has the show survived for so long? By dishing out some of the most memorable — and sensational — moments in television history!
1. Sue Hawk's speech (Borneo, 2000)
No list of shocking Survivor moments is complete without mentioning this jaw-dropping speech delivered by Sue Hawks. An incredible 51 million people watched as Sue obliterated fellow contestants Richard Hatch and Kelly Wiglesworth at the final tribal council meeting. "If I were to ever pass you in life and you were laying there, dying of thirst, I would not give you a drink of water," Sue told Kelly in her stunning 3.5-minute address. Ouch.
2. The great grandma fakeout (Pearl Islands, 2003)
Pearl Islands featured a "family visit" challenge like no other. Contestant Jon Dalton got to see his buddy Dan and ask after his grandma. But Dan had terrible news: Jon's grandma had passed away while he was stuck on the island. Jon was understandably crushed, and audiences everywhere felt deeply for him. The problem was that Dan had, well, lied. He and Jon had planned the fakeout before Jon went on the show to drum up some sympathy. His grandma was actually alive and “watching Jerry Springer.”
3. The immunity idols (China, 2007)
If you've got an immunity idol, you can save yourself from getting voted off the show. And if you've got two immunity idols, you can save yourself two weeks in a row. Contestant James Clement had two idols going into the elimination vote. But he was so confident about his chances of getting voted off that he decided not to use them. And then in a shocking twist, his fellow survivors got rid of him — and created gripping TV in the process.
4. Givin' up the idol (Micronesia, 2008)
Pity poor Erik Reichenbach. He made it all the way to the final five and had an immunity necklace that would have guaranteed him a place in the top four. But then, in a heartbreaking move, the four other finalists convinced him to give up the idol. And he actually did it! “You officially go down as the dumbest Survivor ever. In the history of Survivor, ever,” said Parvati Shallow as the others unanimously voted Erik off. Harsh.
