Survivor Blood vs. Water, Fans vs. Favorites and Millennials vs. Gen X come together to create three teams for The Amazing Race 31, according to a report.
For years, I’ve always wondered why CBS’ reality competition shows (Survivor, The Amazing Race, Big Brother) haven’t come together to either create their own mixed reality competition or compete on one another’s shows. Not only does it tick off the “corporate synergy” boxes that come to a broadcast network, but brings seasoned reality veterans together to create great television.
Thankfully, CBS has been working hard to bring such interest to their lowest-performing show of its style, The Amazing Race, for season 31. It was previously reported that teams from all shows would congregate there to compete around the globe, but it’s today that Martin Holmes from Inside Survivor reports the three Survivor teams set to represent our favorite reality show.
Here are said Survivor teams:
- Rupert and Laura Boneham: Pearl Islands, All-Stars, Heroes vs. Villains, Blood vs. Water / Blood vs. Water
- Eliza Orlins and Corinne Kaplan: Vanuatu, Micronesia / Gabon, Caramoan
- Chris Hammons and Bret LaBelle: Millennials vs. Gen X (both)
As you can tell from the teams, Survivor is represented through most of the big eras of the show’s history. Rupert is a big proponent of old-school gameplay, although he showed his willingness to adapt in Heroes vs. Villains with his brilliant fake idol rock play. He also sacrificed his game for Laura, who fought hard in a game unfamiliar to her skills.
Must Read: Survivor Winners: Ranking 35 Sole Survivors By Season
Eliza and Corinne represent a good mix of the mid-era teams, both willing to utilize social and strategic skills (albeit in different ways). Though they were never on the same season, they were representatives of both Fans vs. Favorites types and have become friends through the player community and meeting at several events. Both also live-post the show on Wednesday nights through the tvParty app.
Chris and Bret are the least seasoned Survivor players but have one of the strongest bonds of players to have first met each other on the island. Both Gen X-ers, they worked together to get to (and through) the merge, both relying on each other through thick and thin. They reflected upon their reverse Odd Couple dynamic at Ponderosa, and have become good friends since.
Per Reality Fan Forum, the Survivor players will have to compete against the following Big Brother teams: Janelle Pierzina & Britney Godwin (Haynes), Rachel Reilly Villegas & Elissa Reilly Slater, and Nicole Franzel & Victor Arroyo. Finally, The Amazing Race will have Becca Droz & Floyd Pierce, Colin Guinn & Christie Woods, Art Velez & John James “JJ” Carrell, Tyler Oakley & Korey Kuhl, and Leo Temory & Jamal Zadran as returning players.
Next: Survivor competitors: Casting The Amazing Race with 10 Survivor duos
Back in February, I had written about a group of Survivor players that would make for great, fun competitors for The Amazing Race, including Bret LaBelle and Chris Hammons as a team. Thank us later!