Survivor 50, encumbered with the subheading of In the Hands of Fans, debuts on Wednesday, Feb. 26, and it features 24 returning players from throughout the game's previous 49 seasons.
The history of Survivor can be roughly divided into three eras, based on the evolution of the game and how it was played. While these divisions are not scientific, which season(s) should be used as delineation points can be argued; they do exist.
The Old School seasons run roughly from season 1 in Borneo to season 23, South Pacific. The New School episodes from about season 24, One World, to season 39, Island of the Idols. The New Era started after COVID with Survivor 41 through the most recent Survivor 49 season. Season 40: Winners at War was a mix of the first two eras.
Old School vs. New School vs. New Era
The most considerable differences in the three eras are how quickly the game evolved and the pace of gameplay.
The Old School seasons are played at a slower pace, with rule changes added slowly. For instance, the hidden immunity idols were inserted into the game until season 11. Steadfast alliances were a trademark of those earlier season, too, with blindsides happening after the merge. Juries were angry and upset when they were blindsided, and that colored their votes for the winners.
Physical threats were quickly voted out, many well before the merge, to the detriment of tribes trying to win immunities. There were also more dominating personalities that controlled games, even if they didn't win. Boston Rob, Rupert Boneham, Parvati Shallow, and Russel Hantz were a few of these types of players.
The New School featured a faster pace of play with more fluidity in alliances and more blindsides, as players started flipping earlier and earlier. Voting blocks slowly took over big alliances, though smaller ones still existed. Big moves and jury management became things players spent a lot of time considering. Strategy replaced physicality as the top threat among players, and players would often use the bigger, more athletic tribe members as shields to deflect attention from themselves. Juries were generally more forgiving and rewarded the best players.
The New Era is a different beast altogether. The most significant difference is that the game dropped from a grueling marathon of 39 days to a sprint of 26 days. Players receive less food and supplies than they did early on, and the conditions, always challenging, become more difficult. More layers and advantages were added, often with severe consequences.
A strong social game has always been an important aspect of Survivor, but it often carries more weight than the physical and strategic sides. Where the social game supplemented the strategic aspects, often times during the New Era, that has flip-flopped. It is very difficult to win without being social, but not impossible, as Savannah Louie proved in season 49.
Juries are still rewarding great play in most instances, but angry jurors have still voted against their former allies at Final Tribal Council. Some things never entirely change.
How will the six Old School players fare in Survivor 50?
Six players who can best be categorized as Old School players will participate in Survivor 50. None of them have ever won, though Ozzy Lusth, Coach Wade, Colby Donaldson, and Stephanie LaGrossa-Kendrick all finished second once.
Starting with Survivor 30: Second Chances, the Old School players have struggled. In that season, Kelly Wiglesworth finished 11th, the highest-placing Old School player.
During Survivor 34: Game Changers, Cirie Fields finished fifth, the only player from the early era to finish in the top 12. In Winners at War, the New School players dominated as beloved heroes from the early days were voted out one after another.
Only two players, both on the border between the two eras, made the top 10: Sophie Clark, ninth (Survivor 23: South Pacific), and Kim Spradlin-Wolfe, 10th (Survivor 24: One World), finished in the top 10, and an argument could be made they were the pioneers of the New School era.
Jenna Lewis-Dougherty is the only one to have played just once, and that was 26 years ago in season one, when she finished ninth. The game now barely resembles what it looked like in Borneo. It is difficult to imagine her making an impact on the season.
Cirie and Ozzy played as recently as Season 34: Game Changers, and both were the only players from their era to acquit themselves well that season. Coach Wade hasn't played since season 23, and Stephanie and Colby haven't competed since season 20.
In Second Chances, Game Changers, and Winners at War, Old School players were flustered by the pace of the game and struggled to keep up with the fluidity of the game. They were slow to adjust and didn't fare well in any of those seasons.
The game is even more different now. Many of the Old School players looked old and out of shape during Winners at War, and that was filmed seven years ago. Cirie is now 54, Coach Wade is 53, Colby is 51, Jenna is 47, Stephanie is 45, and Ozzy is 43. They are not the only older players in the cast, but when you consider how hard the game is now and how long ago they all last played, most of them will struggle.
Some of them may think the 26-day format will be a breeze, but so many things are sped up now to accommodate that. It would be surprising if any find a level of comfort. Ozzy may be the one to adapt the quickest to the pace, but the social game has never been his strength.
It will be entertaining, but it is doubtful that many of these six make it to the jury. If any can make quick adjustments and not get lost in how fast the pace is now, one or two may surprise everyone. We'll see.
Watch Survivor 50 starting on Feb. 25, 2026!