The reason Survivor still works after 25 years is because it was founded on an idea that only a few other reality shows have successfully been able to mimic: the winner is selected by a jury of peers. And not just any jury, but a jury formed of players who were eliminated from the game because of the people they have to vote to win $1 million. It’s brilliantly brutal and one of the moments that can make or break a season.
And over the years, fans have dubbed the first juror the “Mayor of Ponderosa” because they are the founding member that sets the tone for how the limbo between elimination and end game goes. And in a season as chaotic as Survivor 50, the first juror position may hold more power than anyone still in the game realizes.
Not only does the first juror have the most time to remove themself emotionally from the game, but they’re also the person who has the longest to campaign for the player they want to win. So when Dee Valladares secured that key spot, it definitely was at the cost of some remaining players’ potential to win.
Over the last 49 seasons, the first juror has been a part of the majority winning vote 83.67% of the time. Only 8 seasons ended with a jury member in the first chair voting for someone at Final Tribal Council who didn’t go on to win:
- Survivor: Thailand (Erin Collins voted for Clay Jordan, but Brian Heidik won)
- Survivor: Palau (Coby Archa voted for Katie Gallagher, but Tom Westman won)
- Survivor: Nicaragua (Alina Wilson voted for Chase Rice, but Jud “Fabio” Birza won)
- Survivor: Philippines (RC Saint-Amour voted for Lissa Whelchel, but Denise Stapley won)
- Survivor: Kaoh Rong (Nick Maiorano voted for Aubry Bracco, but Michele Fitzgerald won)
- Survivor: Ghost Island (Chris Noble voted for Domenick Abbate, but Wendell Holland won)
- Survivor 46 (Soda Thompson voted for Charlie Davis, but Kenzie Petty won)
- Survivor 48 (Cedrek McFadden voted for Joe Hunter, but Kyle Fraser won)
While we can’t necessarily prove the first juror heavily influences the final vote—especially since more often than not, the person who won played a great game worthy of the title of Sole Survivor—the fact that it’s been so consistent does have to account for something. And with Dee as the Survivor 50 Mayor of Ponderosa, we have to imagine there are some players who just have no hope of winning if they make it to the end. Specifically, Jonathan Young, who Dee saw first-hand playing a poor game leading up to her elimination.
So for our remaining players, someone like Jonathan might be good to take to the end knowing that he’s not on Dee’s good side and doesn’t have a resume to persuade her otherwise. Though he also has former allies Chrissy Hofbeck and Coach Wade on the jury—who might vote for him if they truly want to fall on the “honor and integrity” alliance sword—we know for sure there’s no way Christian Hubicki is voting for anyone who didn’t play a strong game, considering he voted against his closest ally for Mike White at the end of Survivor: David vs. Goliath.
And though Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick seems like she might be ready to hold a grudge against some players after her exit this week—which could be a finale bonus for Jonathan—we know from her time on the Survivor: Palau jury that in the end she cares about giving the title to someone deserving of it.
So as our castaways continue to get their torches snuffed week-after-week by Jeff Probst, the question is whether or not Dee’s influence will reach them and further affect the end game outcome. As the jury builds, and we see which players remain, there’s high potential for a close Final Tribal Council since people are really starting to play.
Add us as a preferred source on Google