Morrow: Wesson absent, 'Coach' on board for new 'Survivor'

Photo by MONTY BRINTON/CBS

Benjamin "Coach" Wade, a soccer coach and former Knoxvillian, who finished fifth on "Survivor: Tocantins," returns to the reality show as a castaway in "Survivor: Heroes Vs. Villains."

Photo by MONTY BRINTON/CBS

Benjamin "Coach" Wade, a soccer coach and former Knoxvillian, who finished fifth on "Survivor: Tocantins," returns to the reality show as a castaway in "Survivor: Heroes Vs. Villains."

How could an outrageous character such as Ben "Coach" Wade of Knoxville make the cut for "Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains" and not beloved ex-Fountain City resident Tina Wesson, one of the show's earliest winners? ("Survivor's" 20th edition launches 8 tonight on WVLT, Channel 8.)

After all, Wesson was the first true heroine in "Survivor" history, playing the game honestly and showing a female can handle the mental, emotional and physical challenges of this series as well as a man. Just as Richard Hatch set the stage for manipulative game playing, Wesson established a standard for the game in which virtue is also a strength.

Surely, Wesson was asked to return. It would be hard to imagine "Survivor" producers didn't think of her. Published reports indicate they were mulling Richard Hatch, the show's original winner.

That only allows us to assume Wesson didn't want to play the game again. And there are plenty of reasons why that makes sense.

Wesson has already played "Survivor" twice. Her debut was in the second season during "Survivor: The Australian Outback," which she won the $1 million prize in a 4-3 vote from her jury of peers. Later, Wesson came back for "Survivor: All-Stars," when, in a strong twist of irony, she was the first one voted off.

Maybe, just maybe, Wesson has had enough of "Survivor," which she originally played nearly a decade ago. Now near 50, Wesson has to take age into consideration when considering how demanding the game can be.

Wesson also has nothing to really prove. She won one edition and lost in another. Why go through it again? To prove what exactly?

As for Wade, he has plenty of reasons to want to go back for a second stab at the game.

For one, he was an unintentional laughing stock of his edition, "Survivor: Tocantins - The Brazilian Highlands," because of his bizarre behavior, referring to himself as "The Dragon Slayer" and spouting off stories of solo jungle adventures and being kidnapped by natives. The audience at the show's finale almost laughed him off the stage.

For a competitor like Wade, he has plenty to prove by playing "Survivor" again - though we're pretty sure he's not pleased with being on the "villains" team.

But hindsight is 20-20, and Wade, of all of "Survivor's" past players, has learned that lesson.

Terry Morrow may be reached at morrowt@knoxville.com or 865-342-6445. His blog can be found at http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/telebuddy/.

© 2010, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!

© 2010 Knoxville.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.