After four episodes of CBS Network’s Survivor: Ghost Island the favorite to win has been eliminated and others have emerged to take his place. Brendan Shapiro was voted out by the opposing Naviti Tribe.
Shapiro, 41, was posted at +400 by BetDSI to win the television show that features contestants separated into two tribes that compete in challenges for prizes, all while establishing alliances and trying to avoid elimination. The internet sportsbook also takes action on other television shows, such as Game of Thrones.
While viewers saw his ouster as a shock, Shapiro had a bad feeling on that day. He told The Hollywood Reporter that he had a premonition.
“I knew it was coming at me,” he said. “I really strongly believed it. In the day leading up, the old Naviti folks were really telegraphing that they were going to go with either Stephanie or Jenna, leaning toward Stephanie. It was just too obvious. So I had a feeling it was me.”
Reunion with Rivals
Two of the players purged from the show prior to Shapiro’s ouster were people he helped remove. Stephanie Gonzalez, who was a +3000 to win, and Jacob Derwin, who was a +5000, largely were voted out because of his efforts.
He told The Hollywood Reporter when he met them after his ejection it was a bit awkward.
“I walked off the boat and the first sound I heard was Jacob cackling in delight,” he said. “I’m like, ‘Come on, man! That doesn’t seem right!’ But he eased back, and now we’re good friends, as I am with Gonzo.”
New Favorite on the Island
The new person selected to win is Wendell Holland. He is a 33-year-old furniture company owner from Philadelphia. BetDSI has him at +350 to win. He was +900 before the show’s first episode.
One person who believes Holland is the favorite is the show’s executive producer and host, Jeff Probst. He picked him before the competition even began.
“Wendell is my choice to win,” he said back in January. “But I have to say this: every time I pick someone to win, I kill their game. What I’m hoping is that since this is Ghost Island, Wendell will reverse my curse and actually win to show. I like Wendell. When he walked into casting, I etched a couple of quick notes, and they basically said, ‘home run.’”
Others to Watch
Stephanie Johnson is behind Holland at +500. The 34-year-old yoga instructor is a single mom and lives in Chicago. She has been an avid watcher of the show and believes her knowledge will help her win.
“I’ve watched every single episode of Survivor since it began 18 years ago and the adventure of the show keeps me coming back for more and applying over and over and over,” she said. “And the social game. I have wanted to play the social game since the first season.”
Another pick is Michael Yerger, who is the youngest participant at 18. The real estate agent is +600 and has lied about his age to the others so they will respect him more.
“I’m kind of a country boy at heart,” he said. “My positive attitude will keep me going.”