On the 'Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains' reunion show on Sunday, Jeff Probst showed a composite photo of what a 'Survivor' winner looks like, meant to show that the show's winners are a diverse bunch -- old, young, male, female, white, black, Latino, mean, nice, crazy and sane.

The winners, maybe. But the fan favorites are a different story. What Russell Hantz said on the reunion show is true: if America chose the winners, that composite photo would likely be wearing a fedora and a tie-dyed tank top.

When it comes to the most popular players on 'Survivor', there is definitely a type. They are straight-talkers who like to tell the other players exactly what they plan to do. They have a strict code, whether it's all-about-me or do-unto-others. They are usually very talkative and end up functioning as narrators of the show through their interviews.

And oh yeah, they are men.

In fact, other than a tendency to run their mouths, it's about the only thing they have in common.

Ever since 'Survivor' made it official and started giving a $100,000 prize to the favorite players, the winners have included James Clement (twice), Bob Crowley, J.T Thomas, and now Russell Hantz twice. During the 'All-Stars' season, Rupert Boneham won a million dollars after 80 percent of voters named him their favourite player. The only female player to get an audience vote was Cirie Fields. She and Ozzy Lusth both got cars for their trouble. Clearly there are fan favorites who never won a special prize -- but they're guys too, like Tom Westman (winner), Rob Mariano (second place) and Colby Donaldson (second place).

That's not to say the 'Survivor' hasn't spawned some very interesting women who have captured the public's attention. Jerri Manthey was the devil in a blue bikini, Jenna Morasca and Heidi Strobel famously doffed their clothes for reward (and later a Playboy spread), and Amber Brkich ran the board with Rob Mariano at her side and has now produced the first 'Survivor' baby (who is likely already signed up for season 44 of the show).

I think Parvati Shallow (what a last name!) can be added to the list of beautiful women who have played 'Survivor' well and struck some kind of chord with the general public, but as well-known and well-liked as these women are, it can't compare to the fan devotion heaped on their male counterparts. People talk about them, maybe even admit they think they could or should win, but they don't root for them they way they root for the guys. And they certainly aren't admired the way Tom, Rupert and even Russell are. Only Stephenie LaGrossa has come close to getting the same kind of mad respect as Rupert, but her early departure on 'Heroes vs. Villains' probably means she's on her way to the dustbin of our reality-TV memories.

The obvious question is why. Why do the fans like the men better? Is it blatant sexism? Is it a facet of the game, which rewards more talkative guys and quieter women? And if it is the game, then it comes down to the players -- are the players sexist? Some of them clearly are, but as Probst pointed out on Sunday, the gender balance on the show is pretty much even. So maybe the women are sexist, too. I certainly can't imagine Parvati putting up with a woman who acted like Russell. Well actually, I can. Parvati's famed charm was really just the result of smiling all the time and saying nothing. But the juries have chosen female winners as often as male, and you know what they say about putting your money where your mouth is.

Is it the editing? Clearly, the producers went to a great deal of trouble to make Russell seem less insane -- Probst practically announced that on the reunion show -- but do they also edit the men I've mentioned in such a way that people like them? To what end? So that critics like me can accuse them of being sexist? And the women I've mentioned get the same amount of screen time, and they do have their fans -- just not as many, and they're not as vocal about it. I certainly never saw a Facebook status this season supporting Parvati or Sandra, for example. I'm just as bad, I admit it. I was rooting for Boston Rob. I liked the Sandra win and would have been happy with Parv too, but I never took to my Twitter account to proclaim it.

Obviously, there is only one way to resolve this and make sure the next 'Survivor' fan favorite is a woman: an all-female season of 'Survivor'.