Courtney Yates is a two-time Survivor contestant, having competed on Survivor: China and Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains. She is best known for her quick wit, sarcasm, and killer confessionals. In both her Survivor appearances, Courtney dished out witty one-liners about her fellow castaways, particularly those who annoyed her.
In Survivor: China, Courtney was a member of the Fei Long tribe and spent the early portion of the game venting her disgust and frustration towards Jean-Robert Bellande. She formed a close bond and alliance with Amanda Kimmel and Todd Herzog; an alliance that remained loyal until the end of the game, with all three making Final Tribal Council. Courtney finished as runner-up to Todd.
While never aligned with Peih-Gee Law during China, Courtney spent plenty of time in her presence, as Peih-Gee managed to survive until the Final 5. For a long time, Peih-Gee was the thorn in the side of the Amanda/Courtney/Todd alliance, scraping and clawing her way through the game. Outside of the show, Courtney and Peih-Gee are good friends, and therefore Inside Survivor reached out to Courtney to get her thoughts on Peih-Gee’s second chance.
“What was your overall perception of Peih-Gee’s game in Survivor: China? Pros and Cons?”
My overall perception of Peih-Gee in China was that she was a particularly troublesome presence because we were on opposite sides of the game. If we were on the same team, I would have worked with her for sure. She’s small framed, plucky and determined – I enjoy these qualities. She endured a lot physically, and towards the end won enough individual challenges that we all begrudging admired and respected her as a player and figured that really… she kind-of-sort-of-probably-deserved to win so, out you go young lady!
Summary:
Pro – We all admired her strong character and determined gameplay.
Con – We did so begrudgingly, and we voted her out anyway because she couldn’t crack into the existing majority alliance with her social game.
“How do you think Peih-Gee will change her game on Survivor: Cambodia – Second Chance?”
I think Peih-Gee’s game will change for Second Chance in that she’ll adapt better to changing circumstances. We had a fairly stable game in China; the original groups stuck together for the most part, and she was in the minority group as a leader. She was always trying to gain a follower for her group when it may have been more effective for her to abandon that losing campaign completely and try to somehow weasel into the majority group.
“Who on the Second Chance cast is Peih-Gee’s biggest threat?”
The biggest threat for Peih-Gee is any solid clique of players with established, unflappable connections. She’s the solo player from China and never got involved in any post-show events or socializing, so she’s an outsider a few times over. It’ll be interesting to see if she can play nice and break into an existing group this time, or rally a group of her own, which is more her style.
“Who on the Second Chance cast do you see Peih-Gee potentially aligning with?”
Could be literally anyone. I see her as a natural leader so I would guess she’ll try and round up some strays and direct them. If she can find the right people, it could be great for her. Her best bet would be aligning with someone who knows the ins and outs of the recent seasons but wants to keep out of the spotlight about it, and then perhaps a vintage player or two who might have some old-fashioned loyalty to offer?
“What is the major thing Peih-Gee needs to avoid this time around?”
Being annoying! Remember when I threatened her life for showing up to chat that one time? Yeah. So that tells you something, especially since we’re actually friends and got along fine in the game. Social cues woman! I honestly think weather and suffering just don’t bother her, and it made me want to shove her into the rice paddy on multiple occasions.
“What is Peih-Gee’s secret weapon to win?”
I think Peih-Gee’s secret weapon to win is that she’s probably low on the initial target list going in. Everyone in the cast has something to prove and wants to make “big moves” in Second Chance, so the small girl who got 5th place eight years ago? Small target right? If she can capitalize on being a free agent, get in with the right group of people, and avoid being super bossy to strangers, I can see her slinking right by the blood bath and having a good shot at getting to the end.
“What kind of animal/player will Peih-Gee be this time – Fox (cunning strategist), Bear (strong and loyal), Goat (no chance of winning), or Dead Fish (dragged to the end)?
Out of these, I see her as a Foxy little thing for sure, clever and deceptively adorable.
Written by
Definitely the best interview so far. Peih Gee is an excelent strategist and a hero of the show, she just lacks on the social game. If she can overcome that, she could win this entire thing. Not a target on any lists, as Courtney said. This time I’m rooting the most for her, along Abi Maria.
Oh my god you must have died when the two girls you were rooting for had their little showdown xD
Now this is what you call an assessment, entertaining and honest at the same time. How I suddenly miss sassy Courtney! Hope Peih-Gee did well on S31. Love you both!
Love both these ladies
I wish Courtney would come back. Its unlikely though, as she didn’t do very much in H vs V…
Great interview. Courtney and Peih Gee are both on my list of favorite contestants. Glad you saved the best for last.
My only criticism regarding the previous interviews is that many of the persons being interviewed were people whose thoughts I didn’t want to read.
Peih-Gee I think she will form an alliance of the people who are on the outs. I think her social game will be up because she knows she has to. Those things together should put her in a good spot, but she’d be seen as a leader if she merges in minority so I’m worried about her voting off “strong” players and ending up in a poor spot. I think that Peih-Gee will thrive at the tribe swap though and come into the merge with allies from both sides.
[…] as a member of the Villains tribe. It’s here where she formed a strong friendship with Courtney Yates. The two women, perceived as the weakest members of the tribe, often found themselves sharing the […]