In the history of the reality TV genre, Survivor has to be the show with the most fascinating and lengthy history. After all, new fans of Jeff Probst’s show have to figure out which seasons to watch first before they discover things like which player was the first to be medically evacuated. On top of that, Survivor’s legacy includes many fantastic seasons that featured some of the show’s best players ever and winners that fans deeply respect.

Another effect that Survivor’s longevity has had is that it has allowed many former players to get the chance to play again. Even though some players have refused to return, Colby Donaldson will be competing during Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans after competing on the show three times before. Now that Colby’s return has been confirmed, that has made many fans wonder if he will get the opportunity to redeem his Survivor legacy.

How Survivor 50: In The Hands Of The Fans Could Redeem Colby Donaldson’s Survivor Legacy

In 2001, Colby Donaldson became a sensation when he competed during Survivor: The Australian Outback. Remembered as the season’s biggest fan favorite, Colby won the hearts of millions of the show’s viewers.

At that time, Colby was known for going on an incredible run of challenge wins and being a standup player. However, Colby returned to play Survivor twice more, and he was perceived very differently after he competed the third time.

In May 2025, Jeff Probst announced that Colby would be competing during Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans. With the news of Colby’s imminent return revealed, it is fascinating to look at how Colby could redeem his legacy during Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans.

In order to look at how Colby could redeem himself during Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans, you have to look at how he tarnished his legacy.

In November 2024, a fan on the r/survivor subreddit asked the show’s most passionate fans to name the most disappointing Survivor returnees ever. The second most-upvoted response to that post was Colby Donaldson for a reason.

During Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, Colby came across like a shell of the man he had previously been. After Colby had previously been an optimistic challenge beast, he seemed tired and angry throughout Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.

The first moment during Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains that changed the perception of Colby came during the first challenge. As a YouTube video shows, the first challenge called for two-player teams to compete against each other as they try to drag a bag to their mat.

Even though Colby had previously dominated challenges, things went completely awry at this point. As a YouTube video shows, Colby got dragged through the sand by Benjamin “Coach” Wade which resulted in losing a point for his tribe. Worse yet, the show then cut to footage of Tyson Apostol mocking Colby for losing to Coach.

As Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains progressed, Colby really seemed miserable and disinterested during a lot of the season. For example, when his ally Amanda Kimmel fought Danielle DiLorenzo over an idol clue during a reward, Colby seemed annoyed and like he just wanted to go back to relaxing.

At another point in the season, Colby outright stated that he wasn’t enjoying competing on the show during a conversation with James Clement.

After Colby made that remark, James had a lot to say about his tribemate. Between a confessional interview, a conversation with Colby at camp, and at tribal council, James called out Colby for being a shadow of his former self.

“Colby doesn’t wanna be here. There’s no way that’s the Colby of old. One of the baddest competitors ever. He has not done anything. It is almost bringing me to tears. It’s like my Superman sucks…

This is the pretty much one of the baddest Survivors ever growing up. I get here, he got slammed by the dragon slayer, picked up, and brought in the vent… It’s like finding out Superman was in the big girdle. You see them muscles, and as you get up close, and there’s nothing but a fat suit. So I’m like, honestly, do you wanna be here?”

In fairness to Colby, there were flashes of the Colby of old during Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains. However, as a YouTube video shows, one of Colby’s most memorable moments from the season was getting mad at his brother for doing a bad job during the loved ones reward challenge.

When Colby returns during Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans, he will be significantly older than he was during Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains. As a result, it seems very likely that Colby won’t become the challenge beast he once was again, although that is still possible.

However, Colby’s return could easily redeem his Survivor legacy if he accomplishes one thing. All that Colby needs to do to change the perception of many fans is to come across like he is engaged and cares during Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans.

Why Jerri Manthey Is Against Colby Donaldson’s Survivor 50: In The Hands Of The Fans Return

In May 2025, Jerri Manthey appeared on the “Reality After Show” podcast as can be seen in a YouTube video. While talking to the podcast’s fantastic hosts, Jonny Fairplay, Gabe Ortis and Bobby Goodsby, Jerri spoke against Colby’s Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans return.

Before Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans, Colby competed during Survivor: The Australian Outback, Survivor: All-Stars, Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains. The only other player who competed during all three of those seasons is Jerri. Furthermore, it is safe to say that Colby and Jerri had a complicated relationship throughout their time competing together.

Just before the cast of Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans was announced, Jerri made it clear on social media that she had been in the running to join the cast. When Jerri appeared on the “Reality After Show” podcast, she spoke about her frustrations about being passed over for the season.

During the podcast appearance, Jerri revealed that she is angry that Colby gets to play despite how he treats other Survivor players outside the game.

“The fact that he’s out there being celebrated and appreciated, you know, for putting in the same amount of time I did without ever watching a single season, without ever going to a single event. He did not support the community on anything whatsoever. And he treated all of us like we were less than him. So that is also another thing that, like, sent me through the roof when I found that out. And I, you know, it’s just misogyny is real. It is, and I’m tired of it. I’m sick and tired of it. As a woman now in her fifties, it stings even more because I know that if I was a man, this would be different.”

It is worth noting that when she called out Colby for not supporting his fellow Survivor players, Jonny Fairplay appeared to completely agree with Jerri.