Six Slowest Starts in Survivor History
Rob Cesternino and Brandon Donlon dive deep into Survivor history, examining seasons that started slow but eventually gained momentum. This special podcast explores the nuances of pacing in Survivor storytelling, highlighting six seasons that overcame sluggish beginnings to deliver compelling gameplay.
The hosts debate what constitutes a “slow start” in Survivor, analyzing factors like tribe dynamics, memorable characters, and early-game twists. They examine seasons ranging from old-school classics to new-era entries, discussing how different elements contribute to a season’s early pacing.
Rob and Brandon discuss:
– Caramoan’s pre-merge struggles and eventual turnaround
– San Juan del Sur’s lackluster early episodes and post-merge excitement
– Fiji’s controversial haves vs. have-nots twist impact on early gameplay
– Debate over including Survivor 46 in the list of slow-start seasons
– Comparison of old-school vs. new-era Survivor slow starts
Chapters:
0:00 Slow Starts in Survivor History
10:38 Caramoan: The Slowest Start?
20:44 Survivor 43’s Sleepy Pre-Merge
31:19 Micronesia’s Controversial Beginning
41:38 San Juan del Sur’s Gray Start
51:48 Vanuatu vs. Season 46 Debate
1:02:24 One World’s Problematic Pre-Merge
1:08:02 Wrapping Up Slow Starts

Never miss a minute of RHAP’s extensive Survivor coverage!
LISTEN: Subscribe to the Survivor podcast feed
WATCH:  Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube
SUPPORT:  Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!