Holy smokes, how did we reach episode 10 already! The season is flying by and I still have no idea who’s going to win. It’s pretty obvious that Mike is one of the favorites, but we all know what that gets you on Survivor – instant karma. Let’s see if he does anything tonight to sabotage his standing. The one thing you don’t want to do is lead too strongly. Aside from Boston Rob and Tyler, that doesn’t seem to get you anywhere in this game. Recall last week and Joe’s fate?
It may just be that weak seasons produce weak winners. Remember last season with Jeremy and Josh “leading” the two tribes? Where’d that get ‘em? Two “one-way tickets to Palookaville,” and in back-to-back weeks! It looks like it’s not so good to be leading anything lately. Just ask the President…
And whether or not it means anything, today on Twitter I saw a bunch of photos of Sierra, Mike, Shirin, and Jenn together. Not sure it means ANYTHING, but it’s interesting. Let the rumors fly…
The big Survivor news this week (and I’m sure you saw it too) is Jeff revealed that tonight’s auction – oh, didn’t you know that either? – will offer someone an advantage, the likes we’ve never seen. This ain’t no Tyler Perry idol, motherf**kers, this is a new twist that could turn things around. No use in revealing it at the end of the recap, because I assume if you’re reading my column, you’ve already seen the episode. (Right?) So let me discuss it here briefly, and then expound a little on what it MIGHT mean (just so I sound smart…or very dumb, come 1am tonight…).
Essentially, someone at the auction will be able to purchase an advantage. And this is not your run-of-the-mill “get a leg up on your competitors in the next challenge” kind of advantage. This is a doozie.
The winning bidder will be allowed to vote TWICE at Tribal.
So what that means is, let’s say Jenn wins the advantage, she can cast 2 votes for Rodney, or 1 for Rodney and 1 for Mike, or Jeff even mentioned in the E! article that “if you want to throw away both your votes you can just get rid of it” which totally confused me. How do you get rid of your vote? I can understand NOT using the advantage is “just throwing it away,” but how do you throw away your original vote? Dalton, you got some “’splaining to do” cuz that didn’t make sense at all. Whatevs…
Regardless, the advantage is not so bad when you’re trying to get a leg up again. Someone like Jenn or Shirin could definitely use that right now. We’ll see if it has any real effect on tonight’s vote, or if it’s just another,
“Hey, Survivor creators, I’ve got a good idea. Let’s have them bid on an item that’ll be good for 2 votes,” and then those votes are cast for Shirin or Jenn, who would probably have gone home anyway this week. Because let’s face it, the only reason to introduce an advantage of this magnitude is to make sure it’s used to get rid of someone powerful via blindside. Not sure if that’s how it’ll play out, but considering how the last few seasons have gone, I’m guessing that’s NOT going to happen. We’ll see…
Alright so last week I mentioned that I hadn’t received Mike Skupin’s responses to your questions yet. This week? Same thing. I’m sorry, dude must be a busy guy, ‘cause my inbox is dry! I’ve contacted Coach to see if he’d be willing to answer another set – because I don’t want to leave you high and dry this season – and he happily took me up on the offer. So, if you have any new questions for Coach – and with him not being eligible for the “Second Chance” season he’s not simply doing this for exposure – you may have some new burning questions that he’d graciously answer for us. Who knows, maybe I’ll hear from Mike and we could do a little back and forth? We’ll see. Send in your questions, and we’ll make something happen. Anything for my readers!
Moving along to tonight’s episode, we already know there’s going to be some blow-ups tonight: Will vs. Shirin, Boston Rod vs. Mike, the only question is who will come out unscathed. When “power” players like Mike and Rodney square off, there’s typically some fallout, and when it’s players on the “lower tier” of the power pyramid, it’s usually just for comic relief. I don’t know what’s going to happen tonight, but let’s dive into this lagoon, it’s only filled with mud, dead fish and urine from the “greatest cast ever assembled.” (That’ll never get old…) To the episode!
Jeff reminds us:
-the threesome of Joe-Jenn-Shirin was on the bottom of the food chain (duh) against the Maleficent 7 (M7).
-with Joe now gone (and we all know he’ll return for another season considering his popularity. Hell, even Probst tweeted how amazed he was at all the love Joe received the past week!) that leaves Jenn and Shirin at the very very bottom. I think the only person who’s ever been lower on the totem pole is Brandon Hantz in Caramoan…
-even though she’s down, Shirin’s not out…yet. She cautioned Mike about the “Secret 4” (S4 – Carolyn, Tyler, Will, Rodney) within the M7, so at least there’s something she can exploit.
-and with the M7 powerful enough to not get blindsided, our little “Joe-mance” is over…
Not boring, but as Fish mentioned ( I am paraphrasing) not Survivor worthy.
Just who did Shirin piss off on the Survivor production crew? Made to look bad so many weeks, but when she get a sympathetic cut, it is only by airing the family’s dirty laundry. Why didn’t Survivor go full out After School Special and post a 1-800 number to call if you are or know a domestic violence victim?
My fat fingers keep messing up, so I am going to do multiple posts, instead of one long one that disappears just before completion.
At the 27 minute mark, Jenn is wearing a gray bikini bottom. Is it the red one turned inside out? Only a front view, so not sure if dropey.
She purchased a huge glass of alcohol! Have there been any previous auctions that had that up for bid? I sort of remember a bottle of beer, but it may have been paired with some food.
Why does Jenn hate Carolyn? We are missing out on some vital information.
What the heck was the point of the map given to Will? If it is that obvious just give him the box.
Does Mike possess super powers! He is able to hear a conversation undetected from four people on the beach. How far away was he? He was able to somehow track Tyler and Joe undetected despite climbing a tree. He was able to converse with one of the worst cops in the US, about tanking a challenge, without being heard. Producer manipulation?
Why did Mike and Shirin vote for Jenn?
Why was such a big spoiler shown in the previews of next week’s episode? Well maybe it has no bearing, so just another producer fake.
I am sorry for echoing you Fish, but I want to watch Survivor, not some “Reality TV” trash. Don’t sink to the level of Road Rules, Real World, etc.
But now to call out someone myself. Has Carolyn done anything noteworthy this season? She must have done something for Jenn to hate her, but we have not been shown that.
Ugh. Will is such a disgusting human being. He went from being someone I honestly did not give two craps about to being one of my top 5 most hated played of Survivor in the span of a few minutes. That crap was low and disgusting. I get it, they questioned you, you present the box and obviously put egg on their face, going into how you feel nobody loves Shirin (admittedly someone I didn’t care one way or the other about until last night) was just disgusting.
It was heartbreaking to watch/listen to things Will was saying to Shirin. I’m not a very religious person, I go to church every time my mother-in-law is in town, but I think what really bothers me is Will using religion to justify his actions. Such as, when he said, “God don’t like ugly and I’m exposing the ugly.” Umm…I pretty sure that isn’t how it is supposed to work. Big props to Shirin for raising her hand, Will didn’t deserve anything from her, especially kindness.
Um, did I realize deserve a “bite me” shout out? Just bc I like Mike? Not sure I should be flattered or insulted Will!, I mean Bryan… I really hate “bite me.” 🙁
Moving on…. I have a question for you. If you were a “POS”(and I am a bit miffed at you right now so….), what would you have done with the food box? I almost think that now in Survivor, its better to just hide stuff and keep it to yourself bc if you share, nobody believes you are sharing it all. Of course, you risk being caught too (Julie and her boobs last season) so Its a no win. Or I guess maybe take all of them with you to see it after you open it? I’d enjoying hearing what you’d do. Hey, ask Coach that too maybe. What would he have done? 2nd question. As of right now, who would you like to win? (You have to pick from those left of course) 3)As much as I understand Shirin not wanting Will to get the letter from home, I think it was probably a bad game move. She would have looked like the bigger person that way and I think he would have looked like more of a turd getting the letter after how he acted. Have you watched any of his you-tube videos? Thats all for now. I’m going to take my hurt feelings and go pout.
doc – Love that you break up your comments! I get .17 per comments, so I’m eating out tonight! (I’m kidding, I don’t get squat).
-Agreed, this ep. was not boring, it was just unpleasant. I think I prefer boring…
-Not sure about Shirin and her cut. I’m just wondering if she decided to just lay low and let the big guns get taken out, and somehow end up in Final Tribal. It may not be a million, but it’s a big check. She HAS to realize she can’t win, right…? And it’s strange how AFTER this episode, she’s suddenly tweeting about domestic violence. TBH, I don’t know if she’s been supporting those causes previously, but let’s just say it WOULD BE crappy if she suddenly became an advocate.
-I see the gray bottoms. I guess those are just her chones…?
-And yeah, that is a PAIL of booze! I know there’s been some rewards where players won/bought a bucket a beer (don’t ask me when) but she just got shitty on that item. And this raises another point. I tweeted yesterday that Jenn’s Ponderosa video showed that she only lost .2 lbs in 25 days. That’s incredible. Plus…she’s vegetarian, so she wasn’t eating any chicken or meat at all. Even with that pail of booze filling her tummy, she must have peed that out before her weigh-in. Any possibility she’s pregnant? Let’s watch out for that. I’m sure contestants wouldn’t want to put their body through so much if they’re preggo, but how could she not lose weight in 25 days! It’s crazy…
-I’ve only seen videos where Jenn says she hates everyone, including Carolyn, for being so fake. Who knows?
-POS probably couldn’t find it so they had to put the stake in the ground…
-I think there’s a lot that goes on that are set up by production, and the players are told not to spill the beans…or else. IDK, he could have just been on the other side of a thick bush and overheard.
-I think Jenn said in her Ponderosa video she didn’t wanna go through tribal and have a 3-3-3 split (her, Shirin, Carolyn) and then have a revote and have them send Shirin home. I believe she mentioned Shirin really wanted to keep playing and she was done so she just told them to vote for her as well…
-if you’re talking about the Tyler thing than I think they just need to show him more. He does nothing! I just watched the Survivors Discuss the Auction, and there wasn’t even a Tyler video posted. I think he may bring nothing to this season…except the win…?
-It may be possible that many of the people who make this show are veterans of other reality shows — the shitty kind — and are bringing that shitty reality show mentality to Survivor. I’m not interested in researching everyone’s resume right now, but maybe that’s happening. I just hate the direction this is going. Russell was conniving, but it was still Survivor. He may have been a misogynist and a male chauvinist, but he tended to that in confessionals.
Thanks, doc!!!
thatguy- You already know I agree 100% with you! Thanks for venting.
susie- As always, I’m with you. I’m atheist, but I agree that it’s shitty when a so-called religious person uses their god for “the wrong reasons” (is religion a Mike Fleiss invention?). Seriously, when religion is used like that, I hate you even more because I know that religion should be a good thing to those who “do it right.” Thanks Susie…
kinb- I saved the best for last. You know I love you, right? “I could never quit you…” Remember, I’m just her to poke fun and have a good time. I only rip the people on the show, or the show, but never my readers. Especially you, Kate! Plus, I added the little smiley emoji, so that allows me to say whatever and pass it off as a joke (I thought you knew that…). We good now……………………?
-Good question about “the box.” I think, sitting here in my living room with a drink in my hand and the ability to consider all angles, that depending on my standing in the game, I would do 1 of 2 things.
1. If I’m in a good place, I would go find the treasure and keep it to myself or the one other person I’m most solid with… I always hate it when someone finds an idol and then instantly HAS to tell someone.
2. If I’m unsure about my standing, I would hold off on doing anything and wait for the others to return. That way, you can’t be accused of doing anything sly, and you get brownie points for sharing. Only problem with this is since you don’t know what the gift is, you don’t know what you’re sharing with everyone. Maybe you only share it will the M7 since they’re you’re alliance. Hard to say…but yes, Julie’s boobs… (thanks for that!) And yeah, I’ll ask Coach and see what he says.
-From who’s left, I guess either Tyler, Mike or Sierra. Here’s my reason for each.
Tyler – even though he’s been a total zero, I think that approach may work this season because everyone else is so disgusting. If he goes to the end, he could almost win by default since no one wants to vote for any of those others f**kers.
Mike – as much as I’ve ripped on him, he seems to be the only one “playing” the game. True, he’s also made total blunders, but that’s just a statement on his intelligence. I can at least appreciate he’s tried to play. I’m just so tired of that stupid voice…
Sierra – I mentioned a couple weeks ago she’s creeping up the ladder for me. The fact she’s able to play both sides, and be involved in many conversations (even if it’s just listening) is a great way to collect info. I’m liking her more and more every week. Plus, she’s not disliked by anyone, which is a huge plus come jury time. I think it may even come down to her and Tyler.
-Yeah, I think it was another example of why Shirin won’t win, because that was purely in response to his tirade. TBH, I have no problem with her decision, but it won’t win her any jury votes.
-Never seen any of his YouTube videos other than the gas station singing thing. I’m really not interested now. I hate the phrase “YouTube Sensation.”
-Don’t pout! XOXO
Fish
I never had gone to the CBS site to look at videos, so thanks Fish for mentioning Ponderosa so I went and gained some more perspective.
Now I just need to learn how to Tweet, my kids will not teach me!
Joe lost 17-18 lbs, so how does Jenn only lose 2! I would think that being prego would disqualify one and a pee test would happen right before the plane trip, just like women have to pee before any medical procedure.If prego she could still lose weight without proper nutrition. So here are my two hypothesis on why no weight loss.
1) Yes prego, so given extra food. She mentioned living in a cave by herself on the extra video ( Thanks survivor from hiding that fact on the regular broadcast) So production stashed food in her cave.
2) Being a vegan, perhaps she adapted to the food that is at camp. (we are not hearing the usual I am staving comments this year)
Not sure on the relationship status of everyone, could there be a menage-a-no-collar going on at the Ponderosa?
On a tangent,I am watching Fast Times at Ridgemont High on IFC ( so commercial, but no cuts) The pool scene is my all-time favorite!
I doubt (hope?) that the Survivor production crew would let a pregnant woman on the show. Seems like way too big a risk. I’d lean more towards the fact of her being a vegan means she found tons of grass/plants/fruits to eat. She seems to be very strongly committed to that lifestyle, so I wouldn’t be surprised to find out she knows all about what you can and can’t eat as far as random green plants are concerned 😛
I’m disappointed right now with what the final four is starting to look like.
Rodney, Will, Tyler and Carolyn?! Bleh.
Tyler has flown completely under the radar, doing nothing. I couldn’t vote for him if I were on the Jury (To be fair, we also don’t see EVERYTHING, we see three days condensed into ~45 minutes).
Carolyn found the hidden immunity idol, but other than that, her gameplay has mostly been “under the radar” and the occasional flip. Would that be enough to win my vote? Probably not.
Will? I could give a short novel on the reasons I wouldn’t vote for Will. What was her name from season one? The truck driver chick? Said something about not willing to pee on Richard Hatch if he were on fire or something like that? Yea, that, plus me and Will. I would bring popcorn and watch.
Which leaves me with… Rodney… Who’s admittedly tried to play the game… poorly… But if he were to surround himself with any of those other three, I’d have to pick between voting for someone who appears to be playing the game, but is a total dick, or vote for someone who rode coat tails but isn’t as big a dick.
Which is hard… (the whom to vote for, not the other, get your mind out of the gutter). I mean, I believe firmly that Russel may have not been very well liked, but he played one of the BEST games of Survivor aside from the personal feelings part. Bleh. May have to seriously consider not watching the finale if it’s between any of those people. I’d rather that idiot Dan win over them.
doc: Thanks for the comment!
The Ponderosa videos offer a lot because it gives us some insight of what players were thinking BEFORE they voted, or just other revelations about why things went down like they did. Since everyone’s out of the game, no need to lie anymore…
But you still get to see some drama, as there have been times when people come back and are shunned. That happened to Kass, and it was awesome to watch. There may have been more, but it’s getting harder and harder to remember…
Twitter is definitely not for everyone. I didn’t do it until I began recapping (cuz you HAVE to) but I’ve been on Facebook for years. TBH, that’s where I go to see stuff my friends are posting, and I think Twitter is more about posting things for yourself and then hoping someone interacts with it. It’s like walking into a giant stadium where everyone is shouting at the top of there lungs and you’re struggling to have someone hear what you have to say…
RE: Jenn, I tend to agree with “thatguy” (thanks for the comment!) and believe you’re not permitted to be on the show while pregnant. Now, I don’t know if that means Production has everyone pee on a stick and see if 2 lines show up, or maybe they just ask the ladies and if they all say “No” and then sign the contract, the show is off the hook. Who knows? I would think being vegan may help with adapting to eating certain natural foods, but I’m wondering if Jenn is just a “fat skinny” girl. Or another possibility is that she’s just a lazy person, who did nothing all day. I’m seriously stumped, and tweeting her directly didn’t help. These are the questions we want to know so where are the pointed questions from all these post show interviews. Makes me think there’s some shenanigans about and she told them not to ask. IDK…
Wouldn’t it be great to find out about some dirt at Ponderosa? That’s what Survivor needs is some sexy trysts to keep us perverts watching.
Oh yeah, Phoebe Cates! Judge Reinhold wasn’t the only one beating…his way to the the library to study…
I totally agree with your thoughts on the final four. No one is truly deserving — from a three-pronged review of each player — but as they always say, someone’s gotta win. Out of those 4, I would pick Tyler, just because I don’t hate him. However, no one this season seems to be playing a flawless game. THE BEST CAST EVER…!
Nice dick joke… 😉
And the fact that Russell played 2/3 of the best game ever, but totally blew the other 1/3 makes me not like him. To think he could win with that approach is just stupid. Which is why the whole, “I’m gonna act like a dick and people will take me to the end,” is such a travesty. That’s why there shouldn’t be any graduated payouts to players. It’s either win and get a million, or not win and get $15,000 (or whatever…) because they’re all part of the cast. Otherwise, some players (like Kass) could only be playing for 2nd place, or top 4, etc because they know they’ll take home more than if they went out 10th. So players start acting the fool knowing they’ll be dragged along. I think that’s something the show should consider…
However, I won’t hold my breath. The show doesn’t seem to do anything that comes “from the outside” other than the stupid Tyler Perry idol. Way to kiss ass, Survivor…
Keep writing in! I love it…
BF