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"Survivor" will mark its 20th season with something special as it once again unites former players, this time as “Heroes vs. Villains.” Before CBS announces the lineup next week, we asked former Survivors whether they see themselves as a hero or villain, who other than themselves they’d like to see play this time around and is it easier to win as a hero or villain. There’s no question that fan-favorite Rupert Boneham ("Survivor: Pearl Islands" ) is a hero both on and off the show, so it’s no surprise that he has a few favorites that are also heroes. “Rudy Boesch ('Survivor: Borneo'), toughest old man I’ve ever met in my life, Big Tom ('Survivor: Africa') – the Goat Man – maybe this time he would believe me instead of Boston Rob and Tina Wesson (Winner – 'Survivor: The Australian Outback'). You have to have the hot girl,” said Boneham. Boesch castmate and original sole Survivor Richard Hatch is a popular villain choice. “I know I'm asking for a lot, but I'd love to see Richard Hatch back on Survivor,” said Rob Cesternino ("Survivor: Amazon" ). “If it were up to me, I think you put Richard Hatch out there every season. I think you make him like the "free space" on the Bingo card, he's just a given. Some years they vote him off first, some years they keep him around. How could that not be intriguing every time?” he said. “If I had to describe myself as a hero or a villain, I guess I'd side more with the villains, just because they seem to have more fun. I prefer to think of myself as being a little of both and too hard to put in one group or the other. If you label me, you negate me,” said Cesternino, referred to by Jeff Probst as “the smartest player to never win the game.” "Survivor: Amazon" winner Jenna Morasca, who thinks she has a little devil and angel in her at all times, is also a Hatch fan. “I would say for a villain, I would have to choose Richard Hatch. He was the original gangster of Survivor, knows the hell out of this game and is always ready to play,” she said. On the other side of the spectrum, Morasca would like to see "Survivor: Africa" winner Ethan Zohn as her hero. “He is what being a Survivor is all about in the game and in life. He is the toughest and most determined person I know, he respects the game, and plays it with integrity, something I and many others could never do,” she said. Zohn returned the favor choosing Morasca as someone he’d like to see on Heroes vs. Villains. “She looks hot in a bikini and she is now a smarter, wiser and more mature because I taught her everything I know,” he said. Zohn would also like to see his Africa teammate, the aforementioned Big Tom. “He named all his best-looking farm animals after me and has a wonderful outlook on life,” said Zohn. Zohn is another who, without question, falls in the hero category. “Once you take away food, water and your tired and hungry, your true colors come into focus and all that's left is your character and personality and that's what helps you win the game. I stayed true to my alliances and used the million-dollar prize money to co-found Grassroot Soccer. Oh yeah, and I survived the toughest challenge known to man, cancer,” he said. Jerri Manthey ("Survivor: The Australian Outback" ) accepts her role as a villain despite the fact she thinks she’s more of a hero, is also a fan of Big Tom. “Big Tom is probably one of my all-time favorites and a real hero. He's a great character, a stand up guy, makes me laugh, and would align with me 100% at the merge. I would know I could count on him,” she said. On the opposite side she’d like to see someone who betrayed her get another chance. “I would love to see Lex return as a villain. I think he deserves a second chance. He got "Robbed" and I know he'd love the chance to get some revenge. I'd be more than ready to align with him as well,” she added. You can’t be a game-changer and not garner a little respect, so “Coach” Wade ("Survivor: Tocantins" ), Russell Hantz ("Survivor: Samoa" ) and Natalie Bolton ("Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites" ) are on the top of some lists. Kathy Vavrick-O’Brien ("Survivor: Marquesas" ) says she may have looked like a hero, but “I was playing hard under the table, working and swinging deals and filling player's minds with dastardly ideas! But I always respected each and every player before they were voted out.” She thinks a wild card like Coach could make for a great show. “A player that is totally naive about playing Survivor creates the best entertainment and will rock and disturb the tribe's game plan since these type of players are larger then life and totally unpredictable. Rocking a tribe's intent and strategy is terrific. Coach in particular is so caught up in his inner world that he will come back with even more unpredictable strategies thinking he's "learned" the game,” she said. Coach, never at a loss for words, describes himself this way: “I see my self as a true survivor to the bone and a true warrior and hero to the core. In tumultuous times with tenacious opponents I was able to stay strong, formulate a goal and execute to the best of my abilities without ever swaying from the goal.” Coach’s male villain choices are memorable, like himself. “I would like to see the dynamic duo of Johnny Fairplay and Richard Hatch on the villain side, fighting side by side for camera time, audacious shock-value behavior and execrable antics. They are two men that define survivor's dark side,” he said. “For females, I would love to see Natalie ("Survivor: Fans vs. Favs" ) as she was part of one of the strongest women alliances and helped drive Erik to give up his immunity necklace. Natalie is sultry, sexy, scintillating and cutthroat. I also hold Michael Skupin from Australia in high regard as a hero,” he added. Yau-Man Chan ("Survivor: Fiji" ), who played the game with great integrity says “what the TV viewers will see of me is me.” Chan would like to see Bob Crowley (winner "Survivor: Gabon" ) as a hero. “Us old guys have to support each other,” said Chan. “Definitely Russell and Coach as villains.” Crowley would also like to see Russell in the villain role, opposite his hero choice Sugar ("Survivor: Gabon" ). “[Sugar] played a great game on 'Survivor: Gabon.' I would not have won without her. She was and is a great kid. I'd like to see Russell on as a villain because he plays such a very good game but I'm afraid Sugar might beat him. I don't think he would do well if he got beat by another 'Dumbass Blonde.' I learned a long time ago that you should always show respect for women. You don't have to respect a snake, you just have to keep an eye (or a foot) on them,” he said. Despite Chan thinking of him as a hero, Crowley doesn’t see himself that way. “Well, after a lot of thought, I think I have to think of myself as a villain. I didn't give Kenny the idol after I said I would. I feel a little bad about not letting him stab me in the back and win the game. And then there were the two fake idols I made. Do you think Randy thinks I'm a nice guy? Oh, Randy. Hey, he'd made a good villain, too!” Jonathan Penner ("Survivor: Cook Islands" ) has a good matchup in mind. “I’d be curious to see Russell play again, and James Clement ("Survivor: China" ) – talk about two of the best players and clearest V and H’s.” Penner never saw himself as a villain, but more of an antagonist. “At least on Cook Island. I was searching for redemption in Fans vs. Fav’s but that was as much game play as anything. I had to earn trust to even imagine staying in the game,” he said. Todd Herzog (winner "Survivor: China" ) embraces his role as a villain. “When it comes down to it I will do what I have to do to get to the number one spot. I'll make you my best jungle friend then send you home packing without blinking an eye. Survivor is a game about winning, not about finding friends to start a book club so as ruthless as it may sound, I'm more than fine being a bad boy,” he said. Herzog chose Shane Powers ("Survivor: Panama" ) as his villain. “He was such great television, full of witty comments and great game play. It’s a shame he wasn't on Micronesia, so seeing him back as a villain would be fantastic.” And Neleh Dennis ("Survivor: Marquesas" ) as his hero. “In all reality, you don't get much nicer than her, and I'm all about hearing 'Oh, my heck' for another season!” Bobby Jon Drinkard ("Survivor: Guatemala" ) would probably put himself in the hero category. “In this game a "villain" is not necessarily a bad person, and a "hero" is not necessarily a good person. However, when it comes to playing Survivor all that matters for most players is what strategy is going to get them to Day 39. If it's a villain strategy, then so be it, if it's a hero strategy, then run with it. Again, I don't know what necessarily classifies a hero, but all I can tell you is that I play the game pretty close to how I live my real life, and I don't think it falls in the villain category,” he said. Drinkard would like to see a real life hero return to the game. “I would really like to see Tom Westman ("Survivor: Palau" ), play the game again. Tom definitely fits the hero category without a doubt, and, for the most part, I would say Tom lives his life outside of the game from a heroic aspect. Being a good husband, father, provider, etc. and just a good man in general, has nothing to do with how someone plays the game of Survivor. However, if anyone can take those traits and modify them into strategic Survivor game play, that would be Tom Westman,” he said. So at the end of the day who has the better chance to win, the hero or the villain? It seems to be a mixed view. “If a hero can make it to the final tribal council, they have a lot better chance of getting the votes. It is hard to vote for a villain,” said Boneham. “I think there is an advantage to being a villain. By being a villain, you really can get away with whatever you want and people won't be so surprised. Its always fun being naughty. Villains rule!”said Morasca. “If a hero has an incredible amount of respect from the tribe, they can make it to the end with smart game play. However, it is vital that this hero is in the proper mix of people that he or she can identify and communicate. Otherwise, forget it. The villain will run them over. It takes huge amounts of self awareness to make it to the end of Survivor and a million bucks and, of course, don't forget luck plays a big role in Survivor,” said Vavrick-O’Brien. “Maybe the winner of "Heroes vs. Villains" can answer this question better than I can when the season is over. Here's the thing, the game is for a million dollars, and people will do whatever it takes to win. So when it comes down to it, I think the advantage will have to go to being a villain, that's just my gut feeling. A villain will do whatever it takes to win the money. i.e. break alliances, throw a challenge, blindside alliances, etc. and like it or not, those bold moves, if made late in the game, can almost guarantee someone a spot in the final four,” said Drinkard. “A hero is not as likely to make those types of moves, and I'm afraid it's going to take those types of moves to win this season. A hero lives their life in Survivor based on camp life, winning challenges, fate, and for the most part, doing the right, or ethical, thing. I believe the heroes can outlast, and can outplay the villains, but for a hero to win this season they must outwit the villains, but again that's just my opinion. Regardless of who wins, I think it's going to be an action-packed season,” Drinkard added. “Heroes are defined as clinquant, flashy, brave, strong, true to their word. This is not often the case but perception is reality in Survivor. The heroes have an advantage because people tend to trust them and in Survivor trust and ruthlessness are the two cornerstone pieces of the game,” said Coach. “One would naturally think that being on the hero team would be an advantage, if you use the true definition of "hero" as your basis for selection. But no matter which side you're on, returning characters have egos the size of Texas. At least with villains, you know exactly what you're getting,” said Manthey. “Hero. As time passed and my hair got longer and my beard thicker, the more I looked like Moses, and no one’s gonna vote out Moses,” said Zohn. “Everyone is gunning for the hero. They know that in front of the jury, the hero, or at least one who defeats the villain, will get their vote. The advantage of being a villain is that you can do any nasty things you want. Be unlovable, unethical and play it hard and dirty and get away with it. After all, once cast as a villain, you have nothing to lose so play it hard and rough,” said Chan. “I see no advantage to being a villain. And heroes usually beat villains in the final vote. That’s why people want to bring less-liked folks with them to the final two or three, because the vote is so based on the social game (as Russell found out), not necessarily on actual game play,” said Penner. “I don't think being a hero gives you an advantage at all. If you're trying to win the fan vote, then great, be as much of a hero as you want, but rarely do we see the nice guys make it to the end. I find that villains are more willing to make big moves in the game because they are watching out for themselves rather than everyone else. The only problem there is by making those big moves, you create big enemies and that doesn't always sit well at the final tribal council. They both have their downfalls,” said Herzog. “Well, let me think about that one. During the first half of the game you can be as much of a villain to the other tribe members you are voting off because they have no part in whether you win the million. As a matter of fact, being a villain in the first half may be the best. Now let me call Russell and ask him what he thinks about insulting the jury. Oops. You can vote off a "Dumbass Blonde" in the first half of the game but I'd vote a "Golden-haired Beauty" onto the jury. I'd move away from the villain thing when you are pushing people overboard because they all end up in the "lifeboat" called the "jury". When you go to vote you don't have to vote for a winner. You can vote so that the person who screwed you doesn't win. It may not be right but "....when the vote is read the decision is final,” said Crowley. “I'm not sure how the heroes and villains game will play out. At face value, you can trust the heroes and not trust the villains, but I don't think it will be that cut and dry. Somehow, I have a feeling that the first time the heroes go to tribal council somebody will be getting stabbed in the back. As for the villains, there may be a little "honor among thieves", which may unite them. It's hard to tell what will happen, but if Survivor has taught us anything, the last person we expect to win should be there in the end,” said Cesternino. “As for the theme, I like the idea of these branded concept seasons like "Heroes vs. Villains". I'd like to see one "Best-Looking" vs. "Worst-Looking" or simply "Hot vs. Not". I think that would involve hysterically awkward phone calls: "Hey Rob, we've got some good news and bad news. The good news is that we want you to be on another Survivor…..," he added. Now that you’ve read what our experts think, it’s your turn to weigh in. Who would you like to see on Heroes vs. Villains and who do you think has a better chance to win?
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