"Ego-stroking" — Survivor 47 star Sam reveals his plan to please the jury

In a historic departure from tradition, the Survivor 47 season finale will not feature the customary three-hour conclusion. Instead, the series has added an extra episode, providing fans with an additional hour of content while condensing the final installment. Survivor 47 season finale is set to air on December 18, 2024, at 8 pm ET on CBS.

This change follows the previous week's episode, which saw the elimination of Andy Rueda and Genevieve Mushaluk, narrowing the field to the final four contestants (Sam, Rachel, Teeny, and Sue).

The final hurdle for Survivor 47 contestants lies in the jury and the outcome of the finale will largely depend on how the last three contestants present themselves during the final Q&A session.

In a December 13 interview with Entertainment Weekly, the Survivor 47 contestants revealed their game plan regarding what they would say if they came across the jury. Sam Phalen, one of the finalists, revealed that he plans to appeal to the jurors' egos by making them feel integral to his Survivor experience.

"Ego-stroking! Making jurors feel like an important piece of your Survivor journey will make them more likely to vote for you. Also, lie about information that cannot be proven wrong and makes you more likable," revealed Sam.

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What is the game plan of other Survivor 47 finalists in front of the jury?

As mentioned above, the whole cast revealed their strategies in the same article as to how they would go about trying to win over the jury. Rachel LaMont revealed her approach, stating that she plans to tailor her interactions with each jury member, adapting her words and actions to resonate with their individual values and preferences.

She also intends to employ a range of tactics, from apologizing and showing deference to bolstering and evoking guilt, in order to present herself in the most favorable light and ultimately secure the win.

"I intend to know my jury and what they'll respect and what they'll loathe. So I would apologize, or suck up, or bolster, or guilt each jury member and be what they need me to be in that moment to get me the win," said Rachel.

Sue Smey outlined her strategy for addressing the jury, explaining that she intends to openly discuss her gameplay, acknowledging that while her relationships with fellow contestants were genuine on a personal level, she also made calculated moves to advance in the game.

She plans to remind the jury that deception is an inherent part of the game and that she is not unique in having lied to achieve her goals.

Sue also aims to highlight her physical contributions to the tribe, including her performance in challenges, and then reveal a surprising personal detail, that she is actually 59 years old, not 45.

By sharing this information, Sue hopes to garner respect from the jury for her remarkable accomplishments at an advanced age.

"I will divulge all my game play, reminding them that on a human level, all of my relationships were true. But on a game level, I played the game. We all lied. No one should be surprised," Sue said.

Teeny Chirichillo's strategy for winning over the jury is rooted in building genuine connections and showcasing her personality. She believes that the jury's decision ultimately comes down to who they like the most, and she's confident in her ability to form deep friendships with her fellow contestants.

To win them over, Teeny plans to be articulate and charismatic, sharing a compelling narrative of her journey and injecting humor into her interactions. She also intends to tailor her approach to each individual juror, highlighting their unique connection and shared experiences. Teeny hopes to earn their respect and admiration, ultimately making her the most likable contestant in the eyes of the jury.

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Survivor 47 will air its finale on December 18 at 8 pm ET on CBS.