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Who's the Best Reality Show Player of All Time?
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Posted by: bareyb

Topic says it all. Cast your votes... Who's the master?

Posted by: martinp13

Whether she wins or not, I think Danielle from Big Brother 3 deserves my first vote. She's fooled everyone, is still fooling some still in the house, and has a good chance to win unless the bootees get to see footages of the things she's said after they left.

I think the winner of Big Brother 2, Will, deserves a vote too... he TOLD them he was going to lie, he DID lie, and they STILL believed him. :)

Posted by: DLiquid

Richard Hatch, original gangsta. All the rest are copycats.

I agree, Danielle is pretty good, definitely better than any other BB contestants, IMO.

Worst: Will from Amazing Race 2.

Posted by: DancnDude

I agree it is Richard Hatch. He played the game WAY before the rest of those people realized they were even playing.

Dorothy from Mole 2 was also an excellent player.

Posted by: Dignan

Will from the last Big Brother was pretty entertaining to watch. He told everyone he would lie, he did, and he won.

Posted by: Dignan

Or maybe Bunky....:D

Posted by: Todd

I'd have to go with the original, Richard Hatch.

Posted by: TiVoLance

Another Vote for Will on Big Brother 2. HE was Evil Incarnate and still won. I still remember when he told all the housemates he was going to blow all the money on his friends since he didn't really need it after he won.

Posted by: bareyb

quote:
Originally posted by Todd
I'd have to go with the original, Richard Hatch.

Yeah. You gotta hand it to Richard. He came up with the concept of "Alliances" and won the game by sticking to his game plan. He basically set the stage for all subsequent Survivors. I seriously hated the dude for most of Survivior 1, but in the end I had to admit, as did the jury, that he played the game the best and he never did anything that he didn't say from the beginning that he was going to do. You gotta love it.

Another one of my favorites was the Million Dollar Man from the very forgettable Survivor Africa. I can't even remember his name... he was the curly haired Soccer Player (Ethan?). He brought keeping a low profile to a whole new level. He managed to be true to most of his promises, he stayed under the radar without copping out completely, and all the while he continued to work his relationships in a very non threatening way. He set out to learn as much about the other Survivors as possible as part of his strategy. In the end, his studies paid off and he won the key immunity challenges that he needed while "throwing" the ones he didn't think he needed so as not to be too much of a threat to the other players. It was a case of a "nice guy finishing first" but also earning it too. I liked that. Problem is he was so good at laying low that nobody really remembers him. :D

Lastly, my favorite person in the "tragic hero" category would most definitely have to by the ill fated Colby of Survivor Australia. Oh Colby... Why don't you change your name to Cody? Was it really worth a million bucks to NOT let that cook into the final two? Colby was the immunity challenge master. I don't think anyone has ever won more of them than him. He also had integrity which was nice to see under the circumstances, but it cost him in the end. I don't think Tina ever really "Got it" that she should have been a goner. I suppose she is in denial. If she fully admitted the extent that Colby let her win, she might feel the need to give him half the money. As it sits, I don't she even gave him the Harley that she promised him.

I wonder if Colby would do it different if he had a magic wand? I was really hoping some big shot corporate suit would see what an honorable joe Colby was and give him a dream job. Then again, I think while initially alot of America admired his integrity, in the end just thought he was an idiot for not going into the final two with that hated Cook guy. I guess in the end, Americans love winners more than they do losers. Even honorable ones...

Posted by: cheerdude

Kathryn from the first Mole

Posted by: zaknafein

quote:
Originally posted by cheerdude
Kathryn from the first Mole

Beat me to it, but I'll second that one. Dorothy comes in a close second though.

Posted by: DancnDude

BareyB, you're right on your descriptions except your "Josh" (the curly-haired soccer player) is named Ethan and Cody is really Colby :)

Posted by: jerobi

Hatch: Played it stone cold perfect. I always look past the "Evil guy / Good guy" editing and look at the gameplay. Great stuff.

Will: I rooted for him since Day 1 and was ecstatic when he won. He said he would lie, he did lie, and he won. Flawless.

Danielle: Playing a great game. She gets extra points for entering the Reality World after the lid was blown off the early strategies. I'd like to see her win, but she'll lose if the other houseguests are at home watching the episodes. Here's hoping she sticks to her promise to Jason. Normally I am Mr. Promises-Mean-Crap-When-It's-A-Game-For-Money, but I'd love to see a day one, first hour, no-prep allience get the victory. That's ballsy.

Kathryn: She fooled me, but I have to subtract points. My beef with The Mole is that the Mole gets a pre-set contract payment regardless of the outcome. If they made it so the Mole got a percentage of the money that the contestents DIDN'T WIN, then the show would be really good. And no, that wouldn't mess up the game, since plenty of people already apply the strategy of throwing challenges to appear like the Mole.

Fun thread. In the end I have to say that Rich earned it with that crazy end-game strategy of dropping from the Final 3 challenge and convincing his opponent that he was the best foe to take to the finals. Will was great, but he was equally lucky as he was smart.

Posted by: bareyb

quote:
Originally posted by DancnDude
BareyB, you're right on your descriptions except your "Josh" (the curly-haired soccer player) is named Ethan and Cody is really Colby :)

Well then who the hell is Cody? I will edit my post. Thanks! :D

Posted by: justapixel

First, let me say that my pick is Colby. He broke all the rules of the game by playing for others and not himself, and showed all the generosity of spirit we've come to love since 9/11.

However, Richard was an excellent protagonist. I beg to differ with the idea that he invented the alliance thing, because that was part of the game stragegy all along. In fact, before they even cast people for the show, Mark Burnett was discussing the fact that alliances were going to be important to the game and even discussed how they'd work. (I know because I wanted to be on the first game and followed it as they started accepting applications. Unfortunately, I had a young kid and didn't try - which will be my everlasting regret, but probably not my son's. :)

So, while I picked Richard early on and thought he played his role to the hilt - I think he played according to the master plan by Burnett. Colby didn't. So, he's the ultimate.

And, he did get his bike. :)

Posted by: jerobi

quote:
And, he did get his bike.

True, but Richard Hatch got a cool million (pre-taxes) and a healthy schedule of $25-$50k lectures.

Colby got a bike, some public compassion for ~2 weeks, and was promptly forgotten.

Give me the cash and the lecture circuit any day. ;)

Posted by: bareyb

quote:
Originally posted by justapixel
I beg to differ with the idea that he invented the alliance thing, because that was part of the game stragegy all along. In fact, before they even cast people for the show, Mark Burnett was discussing the fact that alliances were going to be important to the game and even discussed how they'd work.

So, while I picked Richard early on and thought he played his role to the hilt - I think he played according to the master plan by Burnett. Colby didn't. So, he's the ultimate.

And, he did get his bike. :)

Ah. I didn't know Burnett coached the first team of Survivors. That definitely makes Richard less "the Man" in my opinion. I thought he figured all the stuff out on his own based on his "Corporate Training" background.

As for Colby getting his bike, if I recall that was Rosie O'Donnell's doing and not Tina. It was pretty clear from some of Tinas statements as well as Colbys that for one Tina had no intention of giving him anything, that the money was for her own family, and two that Colby did not feel Rosie giving him the Bike should take Tina off the hook. Colby was my hero for what he did. I thought America was going to embrace him. I even remember telling my Wife that he may have lost the Million bucks, but that his act of selflessness and honor would reward him much greater amounts than that with TV appearances and possibly a great job. Last I heard he was still customizing cars for somebody else... Which may be his choice, and if so, more power to him. I guess I just expected that more and bigger things might happen for him.

Posted by: jerobi

quote:
Ah. I didn't know Burnett coached the first team of Survivors.

Who's to say if Burnett actually coached them. Regardless, the first U.S. season was not the first of its kind, and Richard would have been smart to do a little research on the game once he got accepted. It's still safe to say that he walked in with his own gameplan and played it into a win.

quote:
As for Colby getting his bike, if I recall that was Rosie O'Donnell's doing and not Tina. It was pretty clear from some of Tinas statements as well as Colbys that for one Tina had no intention of giving him anything, that the money was for her own family

My memory is fuzzy on those details, but I know that the rules preclude you from sharing the prize money with other contestants (in an effort to ward off collusion). So technically, Tina wouldn't have been able to buy him a bike, certainly not on national TV.

quote:
two that Colby did not feel Rosie giving him the Bike should take Tina off the hook

I can't say I remember that sentiment, but I can understand it if that was the case. Then again, Colby didn't just magically hand her the win, he just mad the (un)wise decision to take her to the finals. I'm sure Tina probably resents the idea that he "handed" her a victory, as she played a decent game herself. And Colby would be silly to think that she would buy him anything on the outside if he paid attention to the "no sharing" rules stated up front.

Posted by: bareyb

quote:
Originally posted by jerobi

My memory is fuzzy on those details, but I know that the rules preclude you from sharing the prize money with other contestants (in an effort to ward off collusion). So technically, Tina wouldn't have been able to buy him a bike, certainly not on national TV.

I can't say I remember that sentiment, but I can understand it if that was the case. Then again, Colby didn't just magically hand her the win, he just mad the (un)wise decision to take her to the finals. I'm sure Tina probably resents the idea that he "handed" her a victory, as she played a decent game herself. And Colby would be silly to think that she would buy him anything on the outside if he paid attention to the "no sharing" rules stated up front.

They both made an agreement to buy each other something if the other one won with their prize money. I forget what Tina asked for, but Colby asked for the Harley. I don't think the rules would have precluded something like that. Maybe splitting the money in cash, but I doubt buying your alliance mate a present could be prevented. I doubt they would even try. As far as Colby's sentiments, Rosie O'Donnell asked him straight out if her buying Colby the Harley took Tina off the hook. I believe his response was "absolutely not, absolutely... not". Of course he had a big smile on his face, but he never changed his statement.

Obviously Tina played a great game. That hasn't got anything to do with it. Colby had a choice to honor their alliance and take her to the finals or bring that Cook that everyone hated and win for sure. He in effect HANDED Tina the win by bringing her into the final two. If he hadn't chosen her she stood no chance whatsoever of winning. So yeah, if it wasn't for Colby she not only wouldn't have won, she COULDN'T have won. It has nothing to do with how well she played the game. It has to do with Colby making the unselfish decision to give the chance to win.

As far as Colby being "silly" to think Tina would give him anything... Well then that means she lied and didn't honor their agreement. Which sucks all the more because the only reason she won any money at all was precisely BECAUSE Colby kept HIS word and honored HIS committment. I think that's one of the big reasons Rosie bought him the bike herself. Just so the poor schlub didn't get completely screwed over...

Posted by: Meinrad

1st Place: Will. To tell people exactly what you're doing and still win is pretty amazing. He kept everything in the open and left it up to the others to make decisions about him.

2nd Place: Richard Hatch. We hated him because of what we saw in the side bars, but the actual castaways never saw that. He played them all amazingly. Plus he was the 1st, others have had something to go on.

Most Hated: Daniell. Yes her strategy has worked flawlessly but the way she has done it is aweful. It's one thing to lie your way to the top, I really have no problem with that in the reality games. It's another thing to do so while constantly admonishing others who do it, keep throwing out how you are a mother and christian, and rationalizing what you say because you're doing it for your family. It's ok for me to lie, but no one else can because that would screw up my plan. Please don't let her win.

Posted by: TivoDaddy

Will from BB2. He did everything possible to win the game and you still loved him for it.

Richard Hatch. Like others said, the Original Gangsta. I'm still amazed that he won.

Survivor: Australia was tainted in my opinion. If Michael hadn't fallen into that fire and burned himself, they most likely would have gone into the tribal merge with a 6-4 advantage and picked off the other ones. As it was, they merged 5 and 5. So who knows if Tina, Colby, and Keith would have made it to the final four.

Posted by: bonehead

quote:
Originally posted by TivoDaddy
Survivor: Australia was tainted in my opinion. If Michael hadn't fallen into that fire and burned himself, they most likely would have gone into the tribal merge with a 6-4 advantage and picked off the other ones. As it was, they merged 5 and 5. So who knows if Tina, Colby, and Keith would have made it to the final four.

This is right on the money. If Mike hadn't had his accident, he had a good chance of winning the whole thing. At the very least, the winner would have been from Kucha. Rodger and Liz also stood a fair chance.

As for the best player? Gotta go with Hatch. He recognized what the game was about right from the start and played it flawlessly. And throwing that last immunity challenge? That was a brilliant, ballsy move that paid off big time. Every Survivor contestant since has really done nothing but try to duplicate his strategy, and failed miserably.

Posted by: Rob Helmerichs

Richard was number 2. Rudy was number 1. His strategy was better than Richard's (he basically followed in Richard's wake, let Richard take all the heat, and got all the benefits); it was just really bad luck that what's her name won that string of immunity challenges. Had it been between Richard and Rudy at the end, Rudy would have won.

Posted by: justapixel

quote:
Originally posted by jerobi

True, but Richard Hatch got a cool million (pre-taxes) and a healthy schedule of $25-$50k lectures.

Colby got a bike, some public compassion for ~2 weeks, and was promptly forgotten.

Well....and $100,000. ;) The runner up gets money too.

I don't know why he chose not to go into movies or acting or something. He certainly was pretty enough, and popular enough at the time. I think he just liked the quiet life detailing autos. :)

Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by jerobi
Colby got a bike, some public compassion for ~2 weeks, and was promptly forgotten.

Not true!

He appeared at a Saltgrass Steakhouse near me not too long ago! :D

I'm not sure what the deal was, though. Come watch Colby from Survivor eat a steak or something.

Posted by: justapixel

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc

Come watch Colby from Survivor eat a steak or something.

And I missed it! :mad:

Posted by: daperlman

Definitely Private Meyers from the Fox show "Boot Camp"

Posted by: cwoody222

Best of all time: Hatch. He did it flawlessly and before anyone else. Perfect.

Runners Up: both the Moles had me fooled. Points for them for that! Dorothy played a pretty good game, too.

On Danielle: I have no idea why everyone thinks she's playing a great game. There is NO WAY anyone would vote for her at the end since she's lied to them all and know they know it. Roddy, OTOH, was playing up to those viewers from home expertly.

Posted by: TivoDaddy

quote:
Originally posted by bonehead
This is right on the money. If Mike hadn't had his accident, he had a good chance of winning the whole thing. At the very least, the winner would have been from Kucha. Rodger and Liz also stood a fair chance.

It would have been a better show with Michael and Colby competing head to head for the immunity challenges.

Posted by: justapixel

How about Ozzie Osbourne, just for surviving his life. :)

Posted by: pyrite504

First of all, my money is on Bill from Mole 2. He played beautifully, and left people guessing thew whole time. He played extremely well, and managed to keep everyone guessing it was Elavia or Dorothy the whole time.

To jump into the Danielle discussion. She's the best player, bar none. She's played her hand and the other housemates perfectly. Her only flaw is she didn't get rid of Jason, there is just WAY too much support for him by the ex-housemates and he's going to win it all if she doesn't butcher him. Jason has been too goody-goody to be considered a brilliant player. Danielle knows how to play people very well, and then cut their legs out from under them.

Posted by: martinp13

Colby also got the Aztec vehicle (where he slept with his Mom). ::eek::

Posted by: Demandred

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc

Not true!

He appeared at a Saltgrass Steakhouse near me not too long ago! :D

I'm not sure what the deal was, though. Come watch Colby from Survivor eat a steak or something.

He's appeared at the ones around here too. He does commercials for Saltgrass. Not sure how I ended up seeing one, since I don't watch commercials and all, but I did see it.

Posted by: dschwab

Richard Hatch, hands down. Every reality strategy since has been based on his, although I suppose it's a pretty obvious strategy.

To jump into the Danielle discussion, she has played a great game, and I'd consider her a great player if she could just keep her mouth shut in the diary room. She seems to have forgotten that the people who will vote for the winner are the ex-houseguests who are at home watching her talk trash about them in "private". She let her ego get in the way, and it's proabably going to cost her a big chunk of change. It is possible that she still gets the votes because she played the best game, but that's doubtful with this crowd.

Posted by: ClutchBrake

Richard Hatch. He was so good that I have not been able to watch another reality show after the original Survivor. No one even comes close.

Posted by: Maui

I'd vote for Will from BB2

The man was very good or very lucky. Played up the fact that once Shannon and Mike were gone he had no power in the house. Never won a HOH competition if I remember. Still he managed to pull it off after telling everyone he would lie to them and he even upset a few evicted houseguests in the final Q&A

Q: How much of this money would you give to charity?
A: None

Danielle has played a very very good game inside the house but the fact is the houseguests have seen her Diary room stuff and I think multiple evictees have stated that they will not be voting for Dani, including Gerry who should have been a supporter. Basically I think she is toast in the finals against any of the remaining HG, quite possibly including Amy

Posted by: Dignan

quote:
Originally posted by justapixel

Well....and $100,000. ;) The runner up gets money too.

I don't know why he chose not to go into movies or acting or something. He certainly was pretty enough, and popular enough at the time. I think he just liked the quiet life detailing autos. :)

Hey Ann, it looks like Colby grew tired of detailing.

http://tv.zap2it.com/news/tvnewsdaily.html?28101