As we're listening to the On Fire with Jeff Probst podcast every week, we don't usually hear Jeff Probst talk about players from older seasons. It comes up on occasion when giving examples or brief Survivor history lessons, but for the most part, the conversation is usually reserved for what fans are watching in the current season.
In this instance, Jeff, Rachel LaMont, and Jay Wolff were talking about "Coconut Etiquette," and why it was a problem for Mary Zheng to drink and eat all of the coconuts at camp. In this discussion, Rachel reminded Jeff, Jay, and the listeners about the alliance between Tyson Apostol and Gervase Peterson on Survivor: Blood vs. Water. Tyson and Gervase called themselves "The Coconut Bandits," because they would steal the coconuts, eat them secretly, and be somewhat sustained while the rest of the players starved.
"I mean, Tyson and Jervis on Blood vs. Water had an alliance called the Coconut Bandits because they collected coconuts, cut a small, little hole in them and drank them dry all season," Rachel said. "But, the secret to their success was that no one knew about it.”
Tyson Apostol is the Survivor winner who deserves more credit
That got Jeff's wheels turning for a big confession from our fearless leader and host! Jeff admitted that Tyson, who went on to win Survivor: Blood vs. Water, is one of a few Survivor players who doesn't get enough credit for the way he played the game and the type of person he is.
"Yeah, I'm just going to say something. Tyson is a player that still doesn't get enough love," Jeff said, and Jay and Rachel agreed.
Jeff, then explained why Tyson is an underrated player in Survivor history.
“I think in terms of being such a unique human, clearly a great Survivor player, but he has that ability to do the Coconut Bandit in a way that you find so charming."
It really is one of those mysteries of Survivor. Things that work for some players because of their charm, charisma, and overall aura do not work for other players. Tyson is just one of those great Survivor players who finds a way to swing the game in his favor at all times, basically.
In Survivor 48, Mary was in a tough spot, for sure. I can't imagine not eating for days and then being ghosted for every single reward without even a smidge of regret or guilt from any of the other players in the game, which is what we learned had happened in Mary's exit interview with Parade. Had Mary felt a little more secure that someone was willing to work with her in the game, she might not have been so obvious about eating the coconuts in front of everyone. Maybe, she could have embraced her inner Coconut Bandit and found a nice secluded spot to feast without anyone noticing, like Tyson and Gervase.
For Tyson, and to Jeff's point, it's not just about the coconuts with Tyson. He's just a player who was such a unique person who pushed the envelope in a way that was fun to watch and probably fun to be a part of. As we've seen from his time in the game, he's absolutely diabolical, but it's all done in such a fun way that it's impossible not to be entertained by him. And, isn't that what we're all looking for in life? For things to be a little more interesting and a little less boring? I think so.
On top of all of that, Tyson hosts a great Survivor podcast as part of The Ringer's podcast network. It's called The Pod Has Spoken, and it's super fun. I highly recommend for all Survivor fans!