The CBS reality TV pipeline is as real as it is fascinating—and confusing at times. To watch contestants jump between the three popular reality television shows isn’t just fan service, it’s a testament to the hearts of each show (strategic, social, and physical skills) across entirely different competitive environments.
You haveSurvivorwhere players are dropped in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of strangers, expected to work together while also plotting against each other. Then there’sThe Amazing Race, which sends players and a loved one around the world to compete in challenges while reaffirming the relationship they have with their partner. AndBig Brotherdrops strangers in a house together for months, forcing them to live together while being exposed to the entire world via 24/7 live cams.
All three shows are extremely different on the surface, but at their core, they each require good communication, logical thinking, and physical abilities. So how do players fair when crossing the threshold from one show to another?
The pipeline trailblazers
“Boston” Rob & Amber Mariano:After each competing on two seasons ofSurvivor(the second of which where they fell in love), the newly engaged couple decided to take on the world, literally, for season 7 ofThe Amazing Race. They leveraged the mob mentality that Rob adapted duringSurvivorto dominate the race, ultimately ending in second place.
Hayden Moss:Hayden won season 12 ofBig Brotherbefore jumping into the world ofSurvivorwith his then-girlfriend Kat Edorsson, who’d previously competed onSurvivor: One Worldbefore returning to the island with Hayden forSurvivor: Blood vs. Water. While Kat just barely missed the merge, Hayden made the Final Six with the social skills he’d used to previously winBig Brother.
Natalie & Nadiya Anderson:The twin sisters placed fourth on the 21st season ofThe Amazing Raceonly to jump into season 29 ofSurvivor, the second Blood vs. Water season. While Nadiya was the first player eliminated, Natalie went on to win the season. The two again returned toThe Amazing Racefor season 24’s all-star season and Natalie went on to place second in her all-star return toSurvivorwith season 40’sWinners at War.
And while these players were trailblazing, a full generation of cross-show players emerged.
Ethan Zohn:Survivor: Africa(winner) toSurvivor: All-Stars(11th place) toThe Amazing Race 19(10th place) toSurvivor: Winners at War(18th place).
Jenna Morasca:Survivor: The Amazon(winner) toSurvivor: All-Stars(16th place, quit) toThe Amazing Race 19(10th place).
Alison Irwin:Big Brother 4(2nd place) toThe Amazing Race 5(11th place) toBig Brother 7(14th place).
Mike White:The Amazing Race 14(6th place) toThe Amazing Race 18(10th place) toSurvivor: David vs. Goliath(2nd place) toSurvivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans(19th place).
Jeff Schroeder:Big Brother 11(5th place) toThe Amazing Race 16(7th place) toBig Brother 13(7th place).
Jordan Lloyd:Big Brother 11(winner) toThe Amazing Race 16(7th place) toBig Brother 13(4th place).
Brendan Villegas:Big Brother 12(9th place) toBig Brother 13(9th place) toThe Amazing Race 20(3rd place) toThe Amazing Race 24(6th place).
Rachel Reilly:Big Brother 12(9th place) toBig Brother 13(winner) toThe Amazing Race 20(3rd place) toThe Amazing Race 24(6th place) toThe Amazing Race 31(7th place).
Keith Tollefson:Survivor: South Pacific(12th place) toThe Amazing Race 25(8th place).
Whitney Duncan:Survivor: South Pacific(9th place) toThe Amazing Race 25(8th place).
Caleb Reynolds:Big Brother 16(4th place) toSurvivor: Kaoh Rong(15th place, medevac) toSurvivor: Game Changers(18th place).
Jeff Weldon:The Amazing Race 26(8th place) toBig Brother 17(15th place).
Jackie Ibarra:The Amazing Race 26(8th place) toBig Brother 17(12th place).
Cody Nickson:Big Brother 19(11th place) toThe Amazing Race 30(winner).
Jessica Graf:Big Brother 19(12th place) toThe Amazing Race 30(winner).
Rupert Boneham:Survivor: Pearl Islands(8th place) toSurvivor: All-Stars(4th place) toSurvivor: Heroes vs. Villains(6th place) toSurvivor: Blood vs. Water(20th place) toThe Amazing Race 31(11th place).
Laura Boneham:Survivor: Blood vs. Water(12th place) toThe Amazing Race 31(11th place).
Corinne Kaplan:Survivor: Gabon(7th place) toSurvivor: Caramoan(12th place) toThe Amazing Race 31(9th place).
Eliza Orlins:Survivor: Vanuatu(4th place) toSurvivor: Micronesia(10th place) toThe Amazing Race 31(9th place).
Bret LaBelle:Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X(5th place) toThe Amazing Race 31(4th place).
Chris Hammons:Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X(11th place) toThe Amazing Race 31(4th place).
Janella Pierzina:Big Brother 6(3rd place) toBig Brother 7(3rd place) toBig Brother 14(12th place) toThe Amazing Race 31(8th place) toBig Brother 22(14th place).
Britney Haynes:Big Brother 12(4th place) toBig Brother 14(8th place) toThe Amazing Race 31(8th place).
Elissa Slater:Big Brother 15(16th place) toThe Amazing Race 31(7th place).
Nicole Franzel:Big Brother 16(7th place) toBig Brother 18(winner) toThe Amazing Race 31(4th place) toBig Brother 22(3rd place).
Victor Arroyo:Big Brother 18(5th place) toThe Amazing Race 31(4th place).
Cirie Fields:Survivor: Panama(4th place) toSurvivor: Micronesia(3rd place) toSurvivor: Heroes vs. Villains(17th place) toSurvivor: Game Changers(6th place) toBig Brother 25(5th place) toSurvivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans(6th place).
And nowRick Devens(Survivor: Edge of Extinction, Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans) andDee Valladares(Survivor 45, Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans) are houseguests forBig Brother 28and fans are thinking they’re making all the right moves by playing the game like they’re onSurvivor.
What do you think? Who do you want to see hit the pipeline next?
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