Both Tim and David did something crucial on these shows - they kept the viewers on side by being honest with them and keeping them in on their plans.
Sam is constantly lying to us about wanting to break up the boys, not just do what her husband says, about her bestie etc., even about the idol situation. David would have been laughing with us prior about how he convinced Jesse to give him his idol and how he thinks he'll give it back, which keeps the viewers on side. With Sam all we got was the post-match arrogance where she declared herself to have made a greatest move in the history of the Survivor franchise to blatantly steal an idol and not inform her bestie he needed it. A move is only a move if it's declared beforehand, not in hindsight.
If you're playing the game you need to bring the viewers along with you, not repeatedly lie to them.