S2: The Australian Outback
S31: Cambodia
S34: Game ChangersChallenges: MPF percentile
11%
Seasons: 3 | Days played: 50 | Wins: 0 | Jury: 0
- Survivor 2: The Australian Outback (2001) - 10th place, 7th out.
- Voted out in Episode 7, "The Merge" (Day 21).
- Survivor 31: Cambodia - Second Chance (2015) - 17th place, 4th out.
- Voted out in Episode 4, "We Got a Rat" (Day 11).
- Survivor 34: Game Changers (2017) - 14th place, 7th out.
- Voted out in Episode 7, "What Happened on Exile, Stays on Exile" (Day 18).
| Challenge stats | Tribal council stats | Jury stats | Overall stats | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | ChW | ChA | ChW% | VFB | VAP | TCA | TC% | wTCR | JVF | TotJ | JV% | SurvSc | SurvAv |
| S2: The Australian Outback | 0.97 | 2.53 | 0.38 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 0.57 | 1.70 | - | - | - | 0.96 | 2.67 |
| S31: Cambodia | 0.00 | 0.58 | 0.00 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 0.72 | 2.63 | - | - | - | 0.72 | 2.63 |
| S34: Game Changers | 0.41 | 1.41 | 0.29 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 0.48 | 1.40 | - | - | - | 0.77 | 1.81 |
| Career | 1.38 | 4.51 | 0.31 | 8 | 17 | 13 | 0.60 | 1.85 | - | - | - | 0.91 | 2.31 |
Jeff Varner - Performance ranks
Tribal: VFB% percentile
68%
Tribal: rVAP percentile
19%
Challenges: MPF percentile
N/A
Tribal: VFB% percentile
77%
Tribal: rVAP percentile
48%
Challenges: MPF percentile
N/A
Tribal: VFB% percentile
46%
Tribal: rVAP percentile
48%
Performance ranks are a quick visual measure of the contestant's season vs. historical data from all prior contestants, in three basic (scorable) categories:
1. Performance in individual challenges (MPF), as a measure of "physical game";
2. Ability to vote people out consistently (VFB%, or VFB/TCA), or "strategic game"; and
3. Ability to avoid being voted against (rVAP, or TCA-VAP) - which scales better than a percentage would - for "social/strategic game."
See also: Full glossary for all these abbreviations.
Jeff Varner - Challenge record
Tribal/team challenge record (6-for-10):
- Australian Outback Ep. 1 RC/IC: "Bridging the Gap" - Thanks to a capsizing raft, Kucha loses big.
- Australian Outback Ep. 2 RC: "Butch Cassidy" - Everyone competes, Kucha loses again.
- Australian Outback Ep. 2 IC: "Tucker'd Out" - Successfully eats a grub, and in the tiebreaker, Kucha wins.
- Australian Outback Ep. 3 RC: "Water Torture" - Carries water, but Kucha narrowly loses in the tie-breaker.
- Australian Outback Ep. 3 IC: "Lock Step" - Runs well with Kucha, and Kucha wins.
- Australian Outback Ep. 4 RC: "Master Mind" - Participates in the puzzle, Kucha wins chickens.
- Australian Outback Ep. 4 IC: "True or Falls" - Answers correctly, Kucha wins again.
- Australian Outback Ep. 5 RC: "Triage" - Kucha wins its fourth straight.
- Australian Outback Ep. 5 IC: "The Maze" - Somehow, Kucha loses.
- Australian Outback Ep. 6 RC: "Blind Leading the Blind" - Kucha wins Doritos & Mountain Dew.
Individual challenge record (0-for-1): (Mean % finish: 40%)
- Australian Outback Ep. 7 IC: "Perch" - Fourth out, jumps down for peanut butter at the 4-hr point (7th/10).
Hero challenge/ duel record (0-for-0):
- The Australian Outback: None.
Tribal/team challenge record (0-for-4):
- Cambodia Ep. 1 RC/IC: "Quest for Fire" - Carries the raft, watches Kelly not get the key; Ta Keo loses.
- Cambodia Ep. 2 RC/IC: "Yank Yer Hank" - Helps haul the crate, but Ta Keo loses again.
- Cambodia Ep. 3 RC/IC: "Draggin' the Dragon" - Now with Angkor, which finishes last (3rd/3).
- [Cambodia Ep. 4 RC: "Stompede" - Sits out, as Savage wins BBQ for the tribe (1st/3).]
- Cambodia Ep. 4 IC: "Blind Leading the Blind" - Caller, then works the puzzle, but Angkor loses (3rd/3).
Individual challenge record (0-for-0):
- Cambodia: None.
Hero challenge/ duel record (0-for-0):
- Cambodia: None.
Tribal/team challenge record (2-for-9; 1 2nd):
- Game Changers Ep. 1 RC/IC: "Blue Lagoon Bustle" - Unlocks the crate (slowly), but Mana does not win.
- Game Changers Ep. 2 RC/IC: "Serpent Turf" - Helps haul the giant snake, but Mana loses again.
- Game Changers Ep. 3 RC/IC: "Austin's EOC" - Works the puzzle with Sandra, and new Nuku wins! (1st/3).
- Game Changers Ep. 4 IC: "Ow Pairs" - Caller for Nuku, then blows a huge lead on table maze; Nuku loses.
- Game Changers Ep. 5 RC: "Unchained Medley" - Uses the grappling hook, Nuku doesn't lose (2nd*/3).
- Game Changers Ep. 5 IC: "Box Car Blues" - Carries sandbags for Nuku, but Nuku loses (3rd/3).
- Game Changers Ep. 6 IC: "Cargo Salvage" - Now with Nuku (again), hauls the sled, but Nuku loses.
- Game Changers Ep. 7 RC: "Dulcimer Stomp" - Works the ladder puzzle with Zeke, and Nuku wins 10 pizzas.
- Game Changers Ep. 7 IC: "Plunge, Pop, Pull" - Tries to work the word puzzle, but Nuku loses.
Individual challenge record (0-for-0):
- Game Changers: None.
Hero challenge/ duel record (0-for-0):
- Game Changers: None.
Career totals - challenges
| Wins: | 8 |
| 2nd place: | 1 |
| Played: | 23 |
| Win%: | 0.37 |
| Sat out: | - |
| Wins: | 0 |
| Played: | 1 |
| Win%: | 0.00 |
| Mean% Finish: | 40% |
| Wins: | 0 |
| Played: | 0 |
| Win%: | - |
| Mean% Finish: | - |
Jeff Varner - Tribal Council record
Idols held/played (0/0):
- The Australian Outback: None.
VFB - Votes for the person booted (2/3):
| Tribal | Voted | Boot (totals) | VFB? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ep1 | Debb | Debb Eaton (voted out, 7-1) | Yes |
| Ep5 | Kimmi | Kimmi Kappenberg (voted out, 6-1) | Yes |
| Ep7 | Colby | Jeff Varner (voted out, 5-5 [out prior votes]) | - |
| 3 | TOTALS | 2 | |
VAP - Votes against (7):
- Australian Outback, Ep. 1: One vote, from Debb.
- Australian Outback, Ep. 5: One vote, from Kimmi.
- Australian Outback, Ep. 7: Five votes, from Tina, Colby, Keith, Amber, and Jerri (voted out, 5-5 [4-4 on revote, eliminated due to his two prior votes against]).
Jury votes made (0/0):
- The Australian Outback: None.
Idols held/played: (0/0)
- Cambodia: None.
VFB - Votes for the person booted (3/4):
| Tribal | Voted | Boot (totals) | VFB? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ep1 | Vytas | Vytas Baskauskas (voted out, 6-4) | Yes |
| Ep2 | Shirin | Shirin Oskooi (voted out, 5-4) | Yes |
| Ep3 | Peih-Gee | Peih-Gee Law (voted out, 4-2) | Yes |
| Ep4 | Woo | Jeff Varner (voted out, 4-1) | - |
| 4 | TOTALS | 3 | |
VAP - Votes against (4):
- Cambodia, Ep.4: Four votes, from Abi-Maria, Savage, Tasha, and Woo (voted out, 4-1).
Jury votes made (0/0):
- Cambodia: None.
Idols held/played: (0/0)
- Game Changers: None.
VFB - Votes for the person booted (3/6):
| Tribal | Voted | Boot (totals) | VFB? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ep1 | Ciera | Ciera Eastin (voted out, 9-1) | Yes |
| Ep2 | Tony | Tony Vlachos (voted out, 7-2) | Yes |
| Ep3 | Sierra | Malcolm Freberg (idoled out, [0]-5]) | - |
| Ep5 | J.T. | J.T. Thomas (voted out, 3-2) | Yes |
| Ep6 | Tai | Sandra Diaz-Twine (voted out, 5-2) | - |
| Ep6 | _* | Jeff Varner (voted out, 6-0*) | - |
| 6 | TOTALS | 3 | |
*Varner was voted out via a unanimous voice vote
VAP - Votes against (6):
- Game Changers, Ep. 7: Six votes, from Andrea, Debbie, Ozzy, Sarah, Tai, and Zeke (voted out, 6-0).
Jury votes made (0/0):
- Game Changers: None.
Career totals - Tribal Council
| Advantages held/played: | 0/0 |
| Idols found: | 0 |
| Idols played: | 0 |
| Votes voided: | - |
| VFB: | 8 |
| Tribals: | 13 |
| VAP: | 17 |
| Made: | 0 |
| For winners: | - |
| Received: | - |
Jeff Varner - Pictures
-
The Australian Outback intro shot -
The Australian Outback intro shot -
Hometown intro shot, Ep1 -
Kucha gets to work opening their crate -
Feeling a bit peaked on the hike to camp -
Listening to the Ep1 RC/IC treemail -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep1 RC/IC -
Kucha crosses the river -
Hitting the beach, way too late -
Not the start he'd been hoping for -
Kucha, Ep1 Tribal Council -
Watching the vote reveal -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep2 RC -
Kucha eventually arrives at the beach, Ep2 RC -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep2 IC -
Taking his turn at the wheel (it lands on grub) -
Carrying water, ready to cross the balance beam, Ep3 RC -
Watching the initial Colby-vs-Skupin faceoff -
Starting line, Ep3 IC -
Hitting the river -
Kucha wins immunity! Ep3 IC -
Kucha makes a completely unnecessary and never-used chicken coop -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep4 RC -
Kucha works the slide puzzle -
Kucha wins reward! -
Watching Amber beat Alicia, Ep4 IC -
Getting one wrong vs. Colby, Ep4 IC -
Kucha wins again! Ep4 IC -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep5 RC -
Hauling Elisabeth -
Kucha wins reward! -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep5 IC -
Kucha... trailing -
Ready for Tribal -
Kucha, Ep5 Tribal Council -
Listening to Probst -
Excited to be up 6-5 with the merge looming, early Ep6 -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep6 RC -
Fetching water -
Kucha races to the finish line -
Kucha wins reward! -
Enjoying some Doritos while Amber cries -
Watching medical take care of Mike -
Bye, Mike -
Talking about his worries about being targeted at the merge, thanks to Kimmi's big mouth. Early Ep7 -
Listening to the merge instructions -
Cheers! -
Merge feasting -
Arrival, Ep7 IC -
Standing on a pole, reciting the states alphabetically -
90 minutes in, Nick has had enough -
Is that peanut butter? -
This peanut butter tastes like a million dollars -
Barramundi tribe, Ep7 Tribal Council -
Listening to Alicia talk about the lengthy IC -
Great, they voted for me -
Tied again in the re-vote. Sigh. -
Hugging Alicia on the way out -
Ready for the snuffing -
Snuffed, Ep7. -
Final words.
-
Cambodia intro shot -
Cambodia intro shot -
Cambodia pre-season video -
Second Chance campaign video -
With Kimmi, waiting to see who made the Second Chance cut -
Kimmi's in... and so is Jeff! Heading to the stage. -
Second Chance cast, first picture together -
Pre-game interview (TV ad) -
Emerging from Angkor Wat, Ep1 opening sequence -
Opening confessional, about learning from past mistakes -
Day 1, listening to Probst -
Day 1 strategy download from Shirin -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep1 RC/IC -
Hauling the raft -
Cheering on Kelly's stick-tying effort -
Sigh, Bayon already has their key -
The losing Ta Keos -
Ta Keo, Ep1 Tribal Council -
Listening to Terry -
You're next, Shirin -
Telling Terry to start playing -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep2 RC/IC -
Hauling the crate -
Watching Peih-Gee and Kelley work the puzzle -
The losing Ta Keos, again -
Ta Keo, Ep2 Tribal Council -
Listening to Abi -
With his new Angkor tribemates, Ep3 -
Yay, new camp with nothing -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep3 RC/IC -
Lugging the cart -
Watching Woo work the puzzle -
We got a rat! -
The losing Angkors -
Angkor, Ep3 Tribal Council -
Talking to Probst -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep4 RC -
Yay, we (or at least Savage) actually won something! -
Back at camp, with food -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep4 IC -
Ready to be the caller -
...and Angkor loses again! -
Maybe I'll be saved because Abi is mad at Woo? -
Angkor, Ep4 Tribal Council -
Listening to Abi -
That didn't work out so well -
Snuffed, Day 11 (Ep4) -
Full cast (minus Vytas), reunion show
-
Game Changers intro shot -
Game Changers intro shot -
S34 CBS pre-game interview -
On the boat, Day 1 -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep1 RC/IC -
Unlocking the crate -
Sigh -
The losing Manas -
Mana tribe, Ep1 Tribal Council -
Enjoying Sandra -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep2 RC/IC -
Watching Malcolm toss rings -
Mana tribe, Ep2 Tribal Council -
Listening to Malcolm -
Pre-swap lineup, Ep3 -
The new Nuku tribe -
Marooned in the ocean while JT hunts for idols -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep3 RC/IC -
Working the puzzle with Sandra -
Nuku wins! -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep4 RC -
Malcolm/Nuku wins! -
Coffee cheers! -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep4 IC -
Watching JT on the table maze -
Not winning -
The losing Nukus... are going to Tribal with Mana? -
Mana and Nuku, Ep4 Tribal Council -
Tai's playing an idol? Uh oh -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep5 RC -
Hooking things -
Nuku takes second! -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep5 IC -
Watching JT vs. Ozzy -
Nuku, Ep5 Tribal Council -
Listening to Michaela -
Pre-swap lineup, Ep6 -
The new new Nuku tribe -
Worried about being down 5-2 in this tribe -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep6 IC -
Hauling the sled -
Great, we lost -
Nuku, Ep6 Tribal Council -
Unhappy about Sandra's blindside, Ep7 -
Talking with Zeke -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep7 RC -
Working the ladder puzzle, with Zeke -
Nuku wins! -
Cheers! -
I'm on the bottom, this pizza is irrelevant -
Starting line, Ep7 IC -
Working on the word puzzle -
The losing Nukus -
Nuku, Ep7 Tribal Council -
Trying to get everyone on board with voting Ozzy -
Outing Zeke as transgender -
That's not what I intended -
Trying to apologize -
Another hug -
Snuffed, Day 18 (Episode 7)
Jeff Varner - Interviews
Pre-game interviews
- None found.
Post-game interviews
- Rob Owen at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (4/11/01): "Survivor's Jeff says Amber is shrewd player"
- Rob Cesternino at RHAP (11/12/12): "Jeff Varner on Survivor Mike Skupin Then vs. Now"
- Reddit AMA (5/7/15)
Pre-game interviews
- Rob Cesternino at RHAP (5/9/15): "Survivor: Second Chances | Jeff Varner Interview"
- Erin Cebula at ET Canada (8/24/15): Pre-game video interview
- Josh Wigler at Parade.com (8/28/15): "Jeff Varner Has A Million Things On His Mind"
- Dalton Ross at EW.com (9/15/15): "Jeff Varner says 'If Amber can win a million dollars, so can I'"
Post-game interviews
- Josh Wigler at Parade.com (10/15/15): "Jeff Varner's Survivor Adventure Is Over, But His Midlife Quest Has Just Begun"
- Rob Cesternino at RHAP (10/15/15): "Exit Interview with the 4th Player Voted out of Cambodia"
- Dalton Ross & Eliza Orlins at EW.com (10/15/15): "Jeff Varner reveals the secret chat that led to his challenge meltdown"
Pre-game interviews
- Gordon Holmes at XfinityTV.com (2/16/17): "Jeff: 'I Feel Like If I Keep My Mouth Shut I Might Make a Jury for a Change'"
- Josh Wigler at Parade.com (2/27/17): "Jeff Varner Enjoys Long Walks on the Beach"
- CBS Game Changers pre-game interview (YouTube)
Post-game interviews
- Dalton Ross at EW.com (4/13/17): "Jeff Varner says 'I am absolutely devastated' over outing Zeke as transgender"
- Josh Wigler at Parade.com (4/13/17): "Jeff Varner Describes His 'Horrible' Final Act in the Game"
- Rob Cesternino at RHAP (4/13/17): "Exit Interview | Latest Player Voted Out - 4/13/17"
Jeff Varner - Bios
From his official CBS Survivor: The Australian Outback cast bio page:
"Jeff Varner is an internet project manager, having most recently worked as Director of People and Process for a Manhattan start-up company. There he developed and managed the technical and interpersonal aspects of a Human Resources/Operations hybrid system for a staff of 30. Prior employment includes work as a website producer, graphic designer and marketing manager for various companies.
Varner obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Earlier employment included stints as a waiter, bartender and traveling salesperson. He is most proud of successfully making the transition from small town living to the much faster pace of a big city.
An aggressive athlete, he first put on a pair of skates when he was two years old and has since played competitive hockey (right defense) for 16 years, though he admits he spent most of the time in the penalty box. Additionally, he studied martial arts, receiving a black belt in Tae Kwon Do when he was 15 years old. While pursuing his degree with UNC, he was Captain of the National Champion Tar Heel Cheer Team (1989-90). He is an avid rollerblader, spending many afternoons skating through Manhattan's busy streets.
Varner describes himself as provocative, energetic, competitive, adventurous, and a free spirit who will try anything twice. His favorite television show is Sex and the City while his favorite feature films are 'Coal Miner's Daughter' and 'The Matrix.' He likes all kinds of music, especially that which motivates.
His perfect day includes a trip to the mountains with someone special for a day of hiking and nature (including a swim at a breathtaking waterfall). The day finishes with a jog, a shower, a bottle of Merlot, a ruthless game of backgammon, and great sex.
Born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, Varner currently lives in Manhattan, New York. He is a member of the Society of Human Resources. His respect, love and concern for children motivates him to volunteer for organizations and charities that support kids with need. Currently, he is researching burn trauma organizations for kids with the hope of making a difference. His birth date is April 16."
From his CBS Survivor: Cambodia bio page: (Nothing currently there.)
Excerpts from his official CBS Game Changers bio page:
"What skills do you bring to Survivor that will make you a useful member of the group and what skills have you been learning since you last played? I’ll be much more useful at challenges and intend to be more instrumental around camp. I want strong relationships when this is over, but already have a host of great friends. I make mistakes, but I'm a good person with a good heart. I hope America sees that. But if my competition doesn't, their loss.
How will you play differently this time? I want to have more fun this time. I’ll combine my Outback and Cambodia styles—hard gameplay with a more subtle approach. I plan to try and control my emotions more. As best as circumstances allow, I’ll manage a swap better. I plan to align myself with the big threats. Even if I end up in the minority after a swap, I'll make sure there is someone else with me who is more of a target. This time, it’s all business. I'd love to make the Jury finally, but if I don't, I want to make sure I've soaked it all up in a way that it's okay."