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Phillip William Sheppard[2] is a contestant from Survivor: Redemption Island and Survivor: Caramoan.

In Redemption Island, Phillip became infamous for proudly boasting of his former life as a federal agent, though his blustering demeanor, social unawareness and penchant for malapropisms seemed to belie these claims. His standing was not improved by his habit of wearing pink briefs that made his fellow competitors feel uncomfortable and/or ridicule him. This made him a favored tool of eventual winner Rob Mariano, who correctly identified him as an easy goat to take to Final Tribal Council. He ultimately lost to Rob by an 8-1-0 vote, only receiving one vote to win thus placing 2nd.

In Caramoan, Phillip was again considered deeply eccentric by his tribemates. Despite this, he applied the strategic lessons he claimed to have learned from Rob in his previous season and was nominally the leader of the dominant Stealth R Us alliance. However, he was eliminated when Malcolm Freberg used two Hidden Immunity Idols to force Phillip out of the game.

Profile[]

Retrieved from CBS.com

Name (Age): Phillip Sheppard (52)
Tribe Designation: Ometepe
Current Residence: Santa Monica, Calif.
Occupation: Former Federal Agent?
Personal Claim to Fame: Being a father to my son and being able to take risks in life. I say "yes" when others may say "no."
Inspiration in Life: Medical Professionals - they save lives in real time.
Hobbies: Chess, basketball, skating and sport training with weights.
Pet Peeves: People who think they know everything and yet do nothing and watch others do the work.
3 Words to Describe You: Outgoing, articulate and determined.
Survivor Contestant You Are Most Like: I am my own man!
Reason for being on Survivor: I love the idea of competing and proving I still have what it takes to prevail in new challenges that are completely outside my normal everyday life.
Why you think you'll "survive" Survivor: I come from a large family (12 brothers and sisters), and as such I've become a creative problem-solver and good talker in stressful situations where others would give up.

Why you think you will be the Sole Survivor: I am a go-getter. As a former Special Agent with the former Defense Investigation Services, I honed my interview and investigative skills to persevere when others are being evasive or less than forthcoming.[3]

Name (Age): Phillip Sheppard (54)
Tribe Designation: Bikal
Previous Season: Survivor: Redemption Island – Made it to the final 3
Current Residence: Santa Monica, Calif.
Occupation: Chief Executive Officer of Enter Software Sales
Personal Claim to Fame: Having served as a soldier in the U.S Army and being a Special Agent.
Inspiration in Life: My son, my family and people in Healthcare, the Fire Department and Police Officers who save lives in real time.
Hobbies: Skating, basketball, weightlifting and people.
Pet Peeves: People who act like they know everything and do nothing.
3 Words to Describe You: Outgoing, intelligent and a competitor.
If You Could Have a Couple Things on The Island What Would They Be and Why? 1) Picture of my son who I love very much. 2) Buddhist Meditation Bowl.
Survivor Contestant You Are Most Like: Smart players – Boston Rob, Andrea Boehlke and John Cochran.
Reason for Being on Survivor: To win one million dollars and outwit the other contestants again.
Why You Think You'll "Survive" Survivor: I'm a hard worker who easily adapts to the elements in the wild.

Why You Think You Will Be the Sole Survivor: I am smart, can read people well, and I finished 2nd last time around as the The Specialist.[4]

Survivor[]

Redemption Island[]

Phillip rubbed his tribe the wrong way from day one, with his tribe not taking kindly to his bossy attitude and outrageous statements. They were also skeptical of his background as a former federal agent. After Ometepe lost the first Immunity Challenge, he was approached by Kristina Kell and Francesca Hogi to work together to get rid of a member of the large Rob Mariano-led alliance, most likely Natalie Tenerelli, who was viewed as one of the weaker players. However, at Tribal Council, Phillip worked self-defensively and called out Kristina and Francesca's (i.e. mispronouncing her name several times despite corrections) Hidden Immunity Idol. In a confessional, Phillip revealed that he had been acting like an annoying, controversial contestant intentionally as part of a well-hidden strategy to make his tribemates believe that he is the perfect person to bring to the final three.

After losing yet another Immunity Challenge, Phillip approached Rob and told him he "owned his vote". Rather than risk Phillip opening his mouth at Tribal Council again, Rob simply put his hand on Kristina's shoulder before he voted, indicating that he wanted Phillip to vote for her. Out of fear, Kristina decided to play the idol, not knowing Rob swerved the vote toward Matt Elrod's direction instead. Despite annoying his tribemates with his dictatorial approach, outbursts and odd comments, Phillip lasted through the merge at Boston Rob's expense. 

After the merge, his peculiarities continued to be a constant source of discourse with the former Zapatera members. While Ometepe had the numbers advantage, the Zapateras outwardly showed their disdain for Phillip. When Steve Wright finally snapped and called him "crazy", Phillip lashed out, stating that Wright was subconsciously implying him the derogatory "N" word. This gesture sparked controversy around camp, where Phillip's alliance partners rallied to Steve's defense and let Phillip know that he was overreacting. That afternoon before Tribal Council, Julie jokingly stole Phillip's shorts, much to his dismay. At the next Tribal Council, the heated discussion between Steve and Phillip was a main topic of discussion. After admitting she stole the garment, Julie faced the wrath of Ometepe, voting her out. While leaving Tribal Council, Julie told Phillip that he'll never know where his shorts are. The next day, Phillip miraculously found his shorts under a rock, wearing them to the duel to surprise her. As predicted, the remaining Zapatera members, Ralph Kiser and Steve, were subsequently voted out, forcing the six Ometepes to turn on each other.

When Andrea Boehlke returned from Redemption Island, she zeroed in on Phillip as being the next to go. Rob got wind of the plot and managed to convince the tribe to vote for Andrea instead. Phillip managed to make it to the final three along with Rob and Natalie. During the Final Tribal Council, he was lambasted for his strange behavior and odd comments. The only person that voted for Phillip was Ralph, the only jury member who seems to have a liking for Phillip (on account of Phillip saying that Ralph was the hardest worker of the Zapateras), which apparently was mutual. This one vote landed him sole possession of second place ahead of Natalie Tenerelli who received 0 votes, losing to Rob by seven votes (8-1-0). Despite the single vote, Phillip is regarded by many as the biggest and most obvious finals goat in Survivor history.

At the live Reunion Show, Jeff Probst introduced a special guest - a certified federal agent named Diane Hardy. She revealed that Phillip was indeed a former federal agent.

Episode Tribe
Affiliation
Challenge Challenge Type Sit-Out? Result
1 Ometepe Push It Uphill Reward/Immunity No Lost
2 Smash, Grab, Smash Reward/Immunity No Lost
3 Spin Cycle Reward/Immunity No Won
4 Toolin' Around Reward/Immunity No Lost
5 Smoko Reward/Immunity No Won
6 Beach Balls Reward/Immunity No Won
7 Crash Course Reward/Immunity No Won
Tribes Merged, Day 19
8 Murlonio Roller Ball Immunity Lost
9 Meso Soup Immunity Lost
Gang Hang Immunity Yes1 Lost
10 Mayan Pizza Immunity Lost
11 Log Jam Reward/Immunity Lost
Flashback Immunity Lost
12 Step on Up Immunity Lost
13 Bone to Pick Reward/Immunity Lost
14 A Numbers Game Immunity Lost
Meso Maze Immunity Lost
Runner-Up, Day 39
Notes:
^1 Phillip elected to sit out of the challenge to eat cheeseburgers.

Episode Phillip's
Votes
Voted Against
Phillip
1 Francesca Francesca, Kristina
2 Kristina1 Kristina, Matt
3 Ometepe Tribe Immune
4 Kristina Grant, Kristina, Rob
5 Ometepe Tribe Immune
6 Ometepe Tribe Immune
7 Ometepe Tribe Immune
8 Matt -
9 Mike David, Julie, Mike,
Ralph, Steve
David -
10 Julie Julie, Ralph, Steve
11 Ralph -
Steve -
12 Andrea Andrea
13 Grant -
14 Andrea -
Ashley Ashley
Jury Votes
for Phillip
Ralph
Runner-Up, Day 39

^1 In "You Own My Vote", Kristina used a Hidden Immunity Idol, negating Phillip's vote against her.

Caramoan[]

Phillip returned as one of ten Favorites that comprised the Bikal tribe. Using strategies he had learned from his time as an ally of Rob Mariano in Redemption Island, Phillip formed a second incarnation of Stealth R Us with fellow Redemption Island returnee Andrea Boehlke, Dawn Meehan, Malcolm Freberg, John Cochran, and Corinne Kaplan. This alliance put Phillip's rival Francesca Hogi, Brandon Hantz, Erik Reichenbach, and Brenda Lowe in the minority. Francesca attempted to let Phillip know she was over what happened in their season, but Phillip (who had already buried the hatchet with Francesca) became annoyed with her for being stuck in the past. At the first Tribal Council, Francesca was voted out 6-4 for being a strategic threat.

Over time, Brandon became more annoyed with Phillip for his arrogance, and after Phillip referred to him as "middle management", Brandon told the rest of the tribe that Phillip was the biggest bully he had ever seen. The feud between Brandon and Phillip reached its climax when Brandon dumped Bikal's rice and beans shortly before the fifth Immunity Challenge. Brandon challenged Phillip to fight him, but Phillip ignored him and walked away. At the Immunity Challenge, the tribe mutually agreed to forfeit so they could boot Brandon, which they went through with. Brandon took the time to lash out at Phillip for demeaning the other tribe members with the Stealth R Us codenames before he was unanimously voted out 8-1. After Brandon's departure, The Bikal tribe gained Gota members Michael Snow, Matt Bischoff, and Julia Landauer while Phillip's alliance only lost Malcolm and Andrea.

Corinne's budding friendship with Michael became a concern for Phillip's alliance, but despite this, Michael was spared at the next two Tribal Councils and reached the merge. At the merge, Dawn spilled the beans on the counter alliance that consisted of Eddie Fox, Malcolm, Corinne, Reynold Toepfer, and Michael after they had approached her to join them. Phillip and his alliance voted out Corinne at the following Tribal Council due to her betrayal.

Phillip and Stealth R Us decided to focus on targeting the three stronger males on the outside at the next Tribal Council (Eddie, Malcolm, and Reynold), but once Andrea caught wind of being a target, she became paranoid and the alliance switched it up to Michael just to be safe. With Michael now gone, Phillip and Stealth R Us enjoyed a 7-3 advantage over the alliance of Malcolm, Eddie, and Reynold. At the Immunity Challenge, Phillip sat out voluntarily due to a childhood incident and did not want to be underwater for a long time (oddly enough, Phillip had participated in the previous Immunity Challenge, which was mainly underwater).

The alliance's target, Reynold, won Immunity and to make matters worse, Malcolm (the next target in line) found Reynold's replanted Hidden Immunity Idol. This left just Eddie vulnerable, but at Tribal Council, Malcolm stunned everyone when he pulled out two Hidden Immunity Idols, giving them to himself and Eddie. Phillip's alliance was forced to target each other but decided to stick with their plan of vote splitting. Phillip became the 10th person voted out of Caramoan and the second jury member when he was voted out in a 4-0 vote due to Eddie and Malcolm playing the Idols.

At Final Tribal Council, Phillip "revoked" Sherri's membership from Stealth R Us for riding coattails and chastised Dawn for her constant emotional breakdowns being disruptive at everyday camp life. Phillip praised Cochran for his strategic game. In the end, Phillip voted for Cochran and thanked him for joining Stealth R Us.

Episode Tribe
Affiliation
Challenge Challenge Type Sit-Out? Result
1 Bikal Water Slaughter Reward No Won
It's a Long Way to the Top Immunity No Lost
2 Plunge, Pull, Pop Reward/Immunity No Won
3 Cell Block Sea Reward/Immunity No Won
4 Head and Shoulders Reward No Won
Smash and Grab Immunity No Won
5 Nut Bucket Reward No Won
Crate Outdoors Immunity No Lost1
6 Crate Outdoors Immunity No Lost
7 Hot Pursuit Reward No Lost
Phoenix Rises Immunity No Lost
Tribes Merged, Day 20
8 Enil Edam Caramoan Catering Immunity Lost
9 Jump Shot Reward No Lost
Last Gasp Immunity Lost
10 Muddy Waters Reward Won
Keel Hauling Immunity Yes2 Lost
Voted Out, Day 28
Notes:
^1 Bikal opted to forfeit the Immunity Challenge, giving the win to Gota by default.
^2 Phillip elected to sit out of the challenge for personal reasons.

Episode Phillip's
Votes
Voted Against
Phillip
1 Francesca -
2 Bikal Tribe Immune
3 Bikal Tribe Immune
4 Bikal Tribe Immune
5 Brandon Brandon
6 Matt -
7 Michael;
Juila1
-
8 Corinne -
9 Michael -
10 Malcolm2 Eddie, Erik,
Malcolm, Reynold
Voted Out, Day 28
Voted for
Sole Survivor
Cochran

^1 In "Tubby Lunchbox", the vote ended with a 3-3 tie between Julia and Michael, forcing a revote. Phillip changed his vote to Julia on the revote.
^2 In "Zipping Over the Cuckoo's Nest", Malcolm used a Hidden Immunity Idol, negating Phillip's vote against him.

Post-Survivor[]

Phillip
  • On February 1, 2013, Phillip released a book entitled The Specialist: The Costa Rica Job through Amazon.[5] Survivor: Nicaragua contestant Holly Hoffman wrote the foreword of the book. He plans to write a sequel to his book in the near future.
  • In May 2013, Phillip revealed that he had been cast in the critically acclaimed comedic web series Development Hell as "Dr. Dick Emerson", a character which pokes fun at "The Specialist" character Phillip played on Survivor.[6]
  • In April 13, 2015, Phillip released another novel entitled Legends of Things Past.[7]
  • Phillip attended the Survivor edition of The Price Is Right primetime special that aired on May 23, 2016.[8] However, Phillip himself did not compete.
  • Phillip graduated from Pepperdine University with a Master of Business Administration.[9]

Trivia[]

  • Phillip is the oldest contestant to compete on both Redemption Island and Caramoan.
    • Phillip is the second person to be the oldest person in two separate seasons, the first being Rudy Boesch.
  • During Phillip's Redemption Island confessionals, his occupation was presented as "Former Federal Agent (?)", stating that the editors could not tell if he was joking or not. At the Reunion Show, Jeff Probst and a woman named Diane Hardy confirmed that Phillip did work for the government.
  • Phillip is the only Ometepe member at the merge that did not win an Individual Challenge (Matt Elrod won duels on Redemption Island; Grant Mattos, Rob Mariano, Ashley Underwood, Andrea Boehlke, and Natalie Tenerelli had all won an Individual Immunity Challenges during the merge).
  • Phillip accumulated the most elimination votes in Redemption Island, with 17 over the course of the season.
  • Phillip is the second contestant to receive votes against him at seven Tribal Councils. The first was Jonathan Penner in Cook Islands. They were followed by John Cochran in South Pacific, Keith Nale in San Juan del Sur, and Kelley Wentworth in Edge of Extinction.
  • Phillip lost 30 lbs. during his time on Redemption Island.[10]
  • Unlike the other Caramoan returnees from the first two Redemption Island seasons, Phillip was never sent to Redemption Island.
  • Amongst the Favorites on Caramoan, Phillip is the only one to reach Day 39 and the Final Tribal Council on his original season.
  • He is one of two people to be a member of both incarnations of Stealth R Us. The other is Andrea Boehlke.
  • Phillip is the first contestant to opt out of an individual Immunity Challenge without any incentives. He would be followed by Missy Payne in San Juan del Sur.
  • Phillip lost 19.5 lbs. during his time on Caramoan.[11]

References[]

Survivor: Redemption Island Castaways
 Andrea
Ometepe
S22 andrea t
 Ashley
Ometepe
S22 ashley t
 David
Zapatera
S22 david t
 Francesca
Ometepe
S22 francesca t
 Grant
Ometepe
S22 grant t
 Julie
Zapatera
S22 julie t
 Krista
Zapatera
S22 krista t
 Kristina
Ometepe
S22 kristina t
 Matt
Ometepe
S22 matt t
 Mike
Zapatera
S22 mike t
 Natalie
Ometepe
S22 natalie t
 Phillip
Ometepe
S22 phillip t
 Ralph
Zapatera
S22 ralph t
 Rob
Ometepe
S22 rob t
 Russell
Zapatera
S22 russell t
 Sarita
Zapatera
S22 sarita t
 Stephanie
Zapatera
S22 stephanie t
 Steve
Zapatera
S22 steve t
Survivor: Caramoan Castaways
 Allie
Gota
S26 allie t
 Andrea
Bikal
S26 andrea t
 Brandon
Bikal
S26 brandon t
 Brenda
Bikal
S26 brenda t
 Cochran
Bikal
S26 cochran t
 Corinne
Bikal
S26 corinne t
 Dawn
Bikal
S26 dawn t
 Eddie
Gota
S26 eddie t
 Erik
Bikal
S26 erik t
 Francesca
Bikal
S26 francesca t
 Hope
Gota
S26 hope t
 Julia
Gota
S26 julia t
 Laura
Gota
S26 laura t
 Malcolm
Bikal
S26 malcolm t
 Matt
Gota
S26 matt t
 Michael
Gota
S26 michael t
 Phillip
Bikal
S26 phillip t
 Reynold
Gota
S26 reynold t
 Shamar
Gota
S26 shamar t
 Sherri
Gota
S26 sherri t
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