Even when Survivor fans are still watching their first seasons, they will already be developing opinions about Jeff Probst’s popular reality show. By the time a viewer has become passionate enough to learn some former players have refused to return, they will be much more confident about those opinions. After all, those fans will likely have seen every season and all the medical evacuations, so they will be confident about who the greatest players and most respected winners are.

No matter how confident fans are, however, their opinions can only mean so much since they’ve never played the game. With that in mind, it is fascinating to learn about Rupert Boneham’s opinion that the cast of Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans was chosen to be “predictable” by the show’s producers.

Why Rupert Boneham Believes Survivor 50: In The Hands Of The Fans Has A “Predictable” Cast

In July 2025, TheThings journalist Matthew Thomas interviewed Rupert Boneham about his Survivor experience. During that interview, Rupert expressed how “pissed” and “hurt he was that he wasn’t considered for the cast of Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans.

During that same interview, Rupert explained why he believed he wasn’t included in the cast of Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans. While speaking to TheThings, Rupert explained that Survivor’s producers want fans to focus more on the show, and less on remarkable players like him.

“Mark Burnett even came to me and said, ‘Rupert, damn it. You little s***. You got bigger than my game. I’m not into making celebrities. I’m into making my show. I want my show to be the star, not the contestants.”

When Rupert was then asked if he believed he wasn’t part of Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans so the season could focus on the show, his response was fascinating. While speaking to TheThings, Rupert explained that he believed Survivor’s producers want the cast to be “predictable” and unremarkable.

Rupert Boneham Explained His Opinion Of Several Survivor 50: In The Hands Of The Fans Cast Members

While speaking to TheThings in July 2025, Rupert Boneham was asked about several Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans cast members. Similar to how blunt he was about the season’s cast as a group, Rupert was also very forthright about several of the players. For example, Rupert revealed that he would be very happy to see Jenna Lewis-Dougherty win Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans.

On the other hand, Rupert was a lot less complimentary of some of Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans’ other players.

When he was asked about Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick, Rupert reflected on her behavior during Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains. After bringing up breaking bones in his foot during the season, Rupert spoke about how much Stephenie complained about the shoulder injury she suffered.

“When we went in for Heroes vs. Villains and I break three bones in my foot, fracture a couple more, do all kinds of stuff, have to set my own bones, set my own broken bones, and just go off and play the game. Stephanie complained about her shoulder forever and how terrible it was dislocating. Well, I’ve got a knee that does the same thing that you can pop out of socket and pop back in. The first, you know, few 100 times that it happens, it really hurts. I’ve watched her pop that sucker back in and play like nothing happened, and then whine and cry about it.”

Rupert then brought up Stephenie being the only member of her tribe during Survivor: Palau to make the merge. During that season, Stephenie’s tribe lost every immunity challenge until she was the last person standing.

“I watched Stephanie be the last one on a tribe… I’ve watched Stephanie, her whole tribe around her self-destruct and her blame everyone else… I watched her blame everybody around her for all her losses.”

While Rupert didn’t outright say it, his comments made it clear that he isn’t a fan of Stephenie as a player. When Rupert was asked about Benjamin “Coach” Wade returning for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans, Rupert revealed that he didn’t have high hopes for his former Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains castmate. While speaking to TheThings, Rupert said he expects Coach to be eliminated early due to his attitude.

“I have to say, Coach and I, you know, we’ve butted heads a few times out there. And, you know, he always thought it great to try and best me out there and he never could. Coach has got to watch his attitude. One of the things about Coach that you don’t, they don’t really show, one of the reasons why he doesn’t win is attitude… I don’t look for Coach to go too far only because his attitude is gonna get in his way.”

Rupert didn’t have anything negative to say when he was asked about one former Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans star that he competed with in the past. However, Rupert expressed his opinion that Colby Donaldson is part of Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans because of his friendship with Jeff Probst.

“I almost could have guaranteed Colby coming back with Jeff being one of the people that have the say so on who comes back. Jeff and Colby have been so tight since he played the first darn time that there was no question Colby was gonna be there.”

On the other hand, when Rupert was asked by TheThings about Cirie Fields, his attitude changed completely. Rupert instantly expressed his love and admiration of Cirie as a Survivor player and person.

“I love Cirie. Watching her on her first season, where she was afraid of the jungle and afraid of the the leaf. Then laughing at her husband, HB, when he came out and how tough she has gotten. Yep. Cirie, she’s another one. That’s a sneaky one. You know? She came back as a villain, but she’s a sweetheart.”

It is also worth noting that Rupert complimented Rob Cesternino when he was asked about him not being part of the upcoming season.

“People don’t give Cesternino the credit that he deserves. He was someone who played with strategy and, still, a little bit of heart, a little bit of not being such an a**.”

If there is one thing that Rupert’s comments made very clear, it is that he has strong opinions about Survivor players, and he is not afraid to express them.