Whether you’re Team Sam Phalen, Teeny Chirichillo, or simply a fan of Survivor, there’s no denying that the final four fire-making challenge of Survivor 47 delivered one of the most thrilling moments in the show’s history.
Don’t just take our word for it—longtime host Jeff Probst couldn’t contain his excitement in an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly. Probst declared:
“The Survivor 47 fire-making challenge was the most dramatic, nail-biting, could-go-either-way showdown we’ve ever had! The wind and its role in the outcome perfectly encapsulated how many things need to align for someone to win this game.”
Here’s the scene: Rachel LaMont clinched the final four immunity challenge, ultimately earning the coveted title of Sole Survivor and the million-dollar prize. That left Sam and Teeny to duke it out in the infamous fire-making challenge, competing for the last seat at the Final Tribal Council alongside Rachel and Sue Smey.
Teeny had the lead from the start, building a fire that seemed unbeatable—until the wind decided to intervene. Slowly but surely, Teeny’s flames began to falter, creating just enough of a window for Sam, who had little fire-making experience, to swoop in and pull off a jaw-dropping win. The jury was stunned, the audience was on the edge of their seats, and Teeny was left in disbelief.
Sam’s victory was even more shocking given his confession that he’d only touched a flint “maybe once” during his entire Survivor 47 journey. In his Entertainment Weekly interview, the 24-year-old Nashville sports reporter admitted he approached the challenge with a mix of confidence and improvisation.
“I practiced right before going out there, and I don’t know why I thought I’d just figure it out in the moment,” Sam admitted. “That level of hubris? Yeah, I’d definitely change that.” He went on to explain that his decision not to practice fire-making during the season was strategic: “I didn’t want anyone to know if I was bad or good at it. Keeping it ambiguous could mess with their heads.”
Sam’s strategy might sound risky, but his logic had a certain Survivor-style cunning: “You never know how you can use that ambiguity to your advantage—make someone overconfident or hesitant, and they might make a mistake that brings you to the end.”
Despite his incredible fire-making victory, Sam fell short of becoming the Sole Survivor. Still, his gameplay was a masterclass in grit, adaptability, and using psychological tactics to stay one step ahead.
Sam wrapped up his interview with advice for future contestants: “Would I recommend going out there without practicing fire-making? Absolutely not. Learn from my mistakes!”
If you’re eager to relive the highs, lows, and fiery drama of Survivor 47, you can stream the full season (and many others) now on Paramount Plus.