Survivor 50: EP on former winner who refused

There has been a lot written in advance of Survivor 50 about players who declined (Boston Rob) or ones who dropped out the last minute (Amanda Kimmel). There are often reasons for many of these decisions — when it comes to Rob and Parvati, for example, there may not be any more story to tell with them at the moment.

However, this does bring us over to John Cochran. You can argue that the winner of Caramoan is one of the most-likable people in the history of the show, and he had one of the most dominant victories ever. Not only did he deliver an excellent final Tribal Council and played strategically throughout the game, but he did rather well in challenges! We also tend to think there is an intrigue around him because he has since gone into television writing, and really has not stayed that much of a public figure since his second time playing the game. (Also, the idea of seeing him and Coach play the game again would have been great.)

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Speaking to TVLine, executive producer Matt Van Wagenen explained that there were multiple attempts to get Cochran back for another go — but all of them turned out unsuccessful.

I’ll tell you one person who I wanted to see play and who said no. We probably asked him five times, and that’s John Cochran. I wanted Cochran to play. He’s one of my all-time favorites and he has all the things we were looking for. He hasn’t played in a while, so he’s got an interesting story. He’s a different person than he was the last time he played. It’s been like 13 years. He brings an energy and excitement. He’s a one-name player. He kind of has everything and he’s one of my favorite people to ever play the game. I asked him, almost jokingly, during the “Survivor 49” finale when I saw him. I said, ‘OK, is it too late? Can you play 50?’ And he’s like, ‘I don’t wanna do it. I don’t. I can’t do it. I left on the perfect note. I don’t want to foul that up,’ but he’s someone who I would have loved to have seen play.

As much fun as it would be for Cochran to eventually come back, it honestly feels like the ship has sailed for him. We can’t blame anyone who wants to leave on a high note.

Related – Will there be another returnee season shortly after Survivor 50?

Are you bummed that John Cochran is not on Survivor 50?

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