Survivor: Winners At War looks like it may be the reality series' biggest season to date, as past winners will compete for a chance at a whopping $2 million in prize money. Some of the CBS series' biggest names will compete against each other, and there are already some clear favorites. With that said, host Jeff Probst believes there's one contestant primed to take it all that contestants and fans may not expect.
Jeff Probst, who obviously knows a thing or two about Survivor, shared his "sleeper pick" for Season 40 ahead of filming. The host did not pick last season's Island of the Idols mentors Sandra and Boston Rob, but instead went with a contestant who won the game fifteen years ago:
Danni Boatwright. Danni Boatwright is a sleeper. And I don’t think she thinks she’s a sleeper as much as I think she’s a sleeper. But I think she could get, not overlooked, but just sort of passed by early on, like, ‘Oh, I don’t know. She’s fine. She can stay. She can stay.’ And man, that’s a mistake. Danni could win this game. She could win it.
Danni Boatwright won Survivor: Guatemala back in 2005, and hasn't been on the show since. Given that, it's not surprising Boatwright would be underestimated when compared to players making their second or third appearance on the show. Jeff Probst told EW that overlooking her could be a big mistake from this group of winners, and that advantage could allow her to win this game.
It feels like Jeff Probst is hinting that Danni Boatwright might not be regarded as a threat, which could be a big plus in Survivor: World At War. The strongest competitors will often have the biggest targets on their back in this series, which means Boatright can fly under the radar for a bit and slowly develop her game. It's a strategy that only really works if the contestant isn't actually a non-threat however, but Probst seems to think Boatwright has what it takes to show she's a factor in the competition.
I do think there’s a little chip on her shoulder. I do think there’s a part of her saying, ‘You guys see me as someone who played a long time ago. You don’t even probably remember how I played. You probably don’t give me credit. But I won. And I’m back to win again. I’m not back for the adventure. I’m not back to prove something to my kids. I’m back to just win again, ‘cause I’m a competitor.’ That’s the thing about Danni. She’s a competitor.
Danni Boatwright is a competitor, but so are the 19 other former winners headed to Survivor: Winners At War. Any of them has a realistic shot at winning this competition, which helps build the anticipation for this superstar season of Survivor. If even the competitors perceived as weak are capable of winning this competition, it should be a fantastic season.
Survivor: Winners At War premieres on CBS Wednesday, February 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Before the big premiere, CBS will air a special on the show's legacy on Wednesday, February 4 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Stick with CinemaBlend for more on what's happening in the world of television in 2020, and for a look at what's happening in movies as well.
