Prepare your screeching eagle sound effects and Asian flute underscoring because the Dragonslayer himself, "Coach" Ben Wade is back on Survivor! In an exclusive to Dalton Ross at Entertainment Weekly, it was revealed that Coach (of Survivor: Tocantins and Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains) and fan favorite Ozzy (originally of Survivor: Cook Islands, and then of Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites) will be joining the sixteen new castaways and try to earn their chance at redemption.
Like last season, the two returning players will be split up between the two tribes. Though they don't share a mutual rivalry like Boston Rob and Russell did, Jeff Probst does point out to Dalton that the pair do share something: terrible social games. Undoubtedly, their paths to victory were made much more difficult by Boston Rob enthralling his tribe and playing them for sheep on his way to becoming last season's Sole Survivor. With the new players having seen Rob's romp through the game, do Ozzy and Coach stand a chance?
I'll be back early next week with my thoughts on this season's cast, followed by my preseason Odds to Win the week before the season premiere on September 14 at 8:00 ET/PT on CBS. Until then, please leave your comments below on this casting news. Are you happy to have Coach and Ozzy back for the third times each? Would you rather have seen someone else who has only played once before? What do you think about having returning players again in the first place? Please drop your thoughts in the Comments section below, and be sure to keep checking TVOvermind for all of your TV news and updates.
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I think this is a good choice, as deep down they are both the oppisote to rob and russell as they are not the scheming ruthless types. But, I would have prefered that, and I think you need that great iq to be able to stay alive. Having a past player return is always good, all star is deep down what we always want so this is a good mix. I loved cheering on rob and russell every epp last season. Will be interesting to see if ozzy is a bit more humble than last time we saw him, fame had gone to his head a bit. Can't wait for it to start!!!
Nicole, I agree with a lot of what you're saying here. I'm not TOTALLY sold on having returning players each season (I think Rob's success alst season is going to lead to these guys getting voted out early), but if they are going to return players, Coach and Ozzy are good ones to return. Coach is massively entertaining and can help out in Challenges, and Ozzy is a Challenge beast, especially if they have water Challenges this season (I hope so!). I agree with you that fame had gone to his head during Fans vs. Favorites. Let's hope his new hair do doesn't further his possible Jesus complex! :-) I can't wait for the season either! Thanks for reading, and I hope you'll be back for my preseason articles and recaps.
I like Ozzy and Coach but I would have liked to see people with more of rivalry. For all we know, Ozzy and Coach could team up. I think Ozzy has a chance at making it to the end if he can keep up a good winning streak, but I can't imagine Coach getting to the end and winning. I would have liked to see a pair like:
Colby vs. Jerri
Rupert vs. Burton
Steph vs. James
Sugar vs. Randy