Welcome to Inside Survivor’s 50 For 50, a semi-regular feature highlighting 50 former castaways who we think should be considered for a spot on Survivor 50. In a snake draft, the Inside Survivor team selected ten players each, with the only rule being they couldn’t have played more than twice.
PROFILE
Name: Shane Powers
Age: 53
Season: Panama, 2006
Finish: 5th Place
HIGHLIGHTS
It remains shocking that Shane has only played Survivor once. Undoubtedly one of the most memorable characters in the show’s history, Shane brought a raw authenticity to Survivor: Panama in all his nicotine-withdrawal glory.
As part of the legendary Casaya Six, Shane provided endless entertainment, from his clashes with Courtney Marit to his wooden Blackberry to his scrotal rash to bumming a cigarette from a Panamanian local. And we can’t forget his heartwarming loved one’s visit with his son Boston.
In terms of gameplay, Shane found himself in the majority for much of Panama as the Casaya alliance picked off the old La Mina members. But his time on the show was marked more by his experience than his strategy. Seeing how he adapted to the elements while coping without cigarettes made for compelling and sometimes uncomfortable television.
Yet, through all his mood swings, one thing remained consistent, and that was his passion and realness. Shane never held back, didn’t try to hide his flaws, or pretend to be something he wasn’t. In a game built on lies and deception, Shane was often too honest for his own good, but that’s what made him so engaging to watch.
WHY HE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED
Survivor 50 marks a last chance for certain players, and I believe Shane is one of them. He’s an old schooler who has previously been on the cusp of a return — cut last minute from Heroes vs. Villains in favor of Russell Hantz and one of the 32 contestants eligible for Second Chance but was not chosen in the final vote. Once Survivor moves into the 50s, the chance of players like Shane receiving a call to come back is virtually zero.
For Shane, maybe his chances are already shot due to some disparaging comments he’s made about the show and Jeff Probst over the past few years. Could those have got him blacklisted? Maybe. But Probst did say everyone would be under consideration for Survivor 50, and, let’s face it, the show has brought back more controversial players than Shane in the past.
But if you want old-school representation on Survivor 50, Shane is the man. Even if he’s made negative comments about the show, he is still invested and keeps up to date, which is more than can be said than said for some other, bigger-name old-schoolers. You wouldn’t have to worry about him being overwhelmed and trampled by the speed of the modern game.
The main selling point of Shane, though, is the previously mentioned authenticity. As a radio host, this man speaks for a living. You know you are guaranteed confessional gold. He knows how to voice his innermost feelings in a way that draws you into every word. And hearing what an older, more mature Shane has to say about modern Survivor while playing the game itself — that is a winning formula.
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Yes to Shane ! I would love this so much