The CBS competition show Survivor has been one of the longest-lasting shows on TV, with season 42 about to begin. Tribal council is where everything goes down and no one is safe. Lies are exposed and host Jeff Probst doesn't let anyone off easy. After two decades of episodes, the crew of Survivor has created twist after twist, stirring up more drama in tribal council each season than in seasons prior. Immunity idols, secret advantages, individual immunity, fake idols, and more have caused tribal councils to be elevated to the next level each season.
Over the past 21 years, Survivor has aired some crazy tribal councils. Some were great moves, while others go down in Survivor history as being dumb and embarrassing. No matter the outcome, all of these moments have fans' jaws dropped through the whole scene. Even Jeff Probst, who has been hosting the show since season 1, has been left speechless.
10 Becky And Sundra's Fire Challenge Disaster For Top 3
Before a fire-making challenge in the top 4 was the new normal, two contestants brought embarrassment to the jury of Survivor: Cook Islands when they couldn't make a fire after being on the island for over a month. Both girls ran out of flint and Sundra ended up running out of matches as well. This challenge lasted nearly two hours as the jury looked bored and annoyed that two people in the top 4 couldn't do the one necessity to survive on an island.
9 Ciera Votes Off Her Own Mother
Ciera Eastin made one of the most shocking decisions when she voted off her own mother in Survivor: Blood vs. Water. She thought it was the best move to eliminate her mother, who had played in a previous season, so that she could advance farther in the game. She has even become one of the most infamous villains on the show. From making huge moves to lying to everyone she can, Ciera quickly became a huge name and a fan favorite on the show.
8 Erik Gives Up His Immunity Idol
Erik Reichenbach is still known for making one of the dumbest moves in Survivor history. On Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites, Erik trusted Natalie Bolton, who both started out on the Fans tribe. He was oblivious to the all-girls alliance formed by the remaining four tribe members, and after winning the immunity challenge, he handed over the one thing that was saving him from being voted off, individual immunity. The girls and the jury couldn't believe their eyes as he handed it to Natalie, only for Erik to receive four votes and be eliminated. He later returned for another season of Survivor and has said he loved his time on the show.
7 Parvati Puts The Villains In The Lead
While JT is remembered for handing over his immunity idol to villain Russel Hantz, Parvati played everyone when she pulled two idols out at tribal council. She felt safe, but knew her fellow villains weren't safe after merging the two tribes. She pulled out the idol that JT gave to Russell, along with one she found herself, and handed it to two members of her alliance, Sandra and Jerri. The help of these two idols gave the villains a lead over the heroes on this iconic season.
6 Stephenie Survives Her Tribe
Being a part of one of the worst tribes, even in 2022, Stephenie outlasted her entire tribe. On Survivor: Palau, the Ulong tribe lost every single immunity challenge. Only one member of the Koror tribe was voted off, due to a twist in the game when both tribes went to tribal council. Stephenie LaGrossa was unfortunately on the losing Ulong tribe, and even though she's an incredibly strong player, she wasn't able to make up for her other tribe mates. After the tribe dwindled down to two people, Stephenie and Bobby Jon competed in a fire-making challenge, where she won and crossed the ocean by herself in the dark to join the Koror tribe.
5 James Gets Voted Off With Two Immunity Idols
In Survivor: China, notably one of the biggest and strongest players to ever play the game, James Clement, took a risk and held on to both of his immunity idols at tribal council. Little did he know, his alliance had betrayed him. With twice the safety of any other player, he had his torch snuffed, leaving with two souvenirs.
4 Brandon's Makeshift Tribal Council
Brandon Hantz, the nephew of one of Survivor's most infamous villains, Russel Hantz, returned for a second time on the show to recover his name and his family name. When his issues with fellow cast member, Phillip Sheppard, became too much to handle, fans watched as he had an emotional and mental breakdown. He caused chaos at the camp and when arriving at the immunity challenge, another tribe member stated that they would like to give up immunity. After being ready to fight Phillip, host Jeff Probst brings Brandon to the front, where they have a makeshift tribal council and vote Brandon off.
3 Rob Proposes To Amber (Reunion)
'Boston' Rob Mariano and Amber Brkich met on Survivor: All-Stars, where they fell in love. While technically not tribal council, the reunion is aired immediately after the final tribal council. The couple made it to the end together and right before Amber was crowned the winner, Rob proposed to Amber. They now have four daughters together and played on Survivor: Winners at War, where all four kids came out to the island to see them.
2 Chris Puts Himself In The Fire Making Challenge
On Survivor: Edge of Extinction, Chris Underwood was voted out after only 13 days in the game, but was sent to the edge of extinction, where he fought until he was able to re-enter the game. When he won the final challenge to make it immediately into the top 3, he made a huge and shocking decision. Instead of choosing who to put up in the fire-making challenge, he instead gave his immunity away and competed for a spot in the top 3. He won the challenge and ended up winning over the jury and was awarded the $1 million prize.
1 Cirie's Iconic "Vote Off"
In Survivor: Game Changers, more new twists and turns were added to the game than ever before. One of the most beloved players, Cirie Fields, takes the brunt of this exciting tribal council. Tai stands up before the votes are read, handing host Jeff Probst two hidden immunity idols, one for himself and one for Aubrey. Sarah quickly stands up to give Jeff a secret advantage that is a new legacy advantage, keeping her safe from elimination. Troyzan sees the pressure building and gives Jeff a hidden immunity idol. Brad Culpepper won the immunity challenge, so no votes were allowed to be cast against him. With only six players left in the game and five safe from elimination, Cirie Fields is the only one left to be eliminated. As a fan favorite for nearly two decades, people were heartbroken to see her go, and even Jeff Probst gave her a heartwarming exit speech.
