The Puppet Master Wins it All

So another season of Survivor comes to an end, and even with a lackluster final tribal council, this was one of the best seasons in awhile.

The second to last immunity challenge is always a tough one, and the ropes course puzzle challenge was no different. It was TOUGH, and it was a close finish at the end. I do wonder, though, if there was a challenge or two that was cut out by the producers (before the survivors actually competed in it). There has always been a "second chance" obstacle course...elements from lots of previous challenges. There also wasn't a final reward challenge - no car reward. I do know that Chevy pulled out of their sponsorship of Survivor this season (though the way it was announced it seemed like it was in response to the racial divisions of tribes, which was after the season was filmed). I also wonder when the decision was made to have a final three - if it was mid-season, or a decision made before filming started. No surprise that Adam was the next voted off, though I loved his game play in the end to try to force Yul to use the immunity idol. Very very smart - probably his best strategy move in the game...too bad he didn't start really playing the game earlier.

So after the final rite of passage (which was nice that they got to all do together...and also why part of me thinks that the final three twist was added later in the game) we had one of the best final immunity challenges in awhile. I still can't believe how long Sundra lasted. I also think that by having a final three, they eliminated one of the greatest powers in the game - deciding who sits next to you in the final tribal council. It may have well been by design...so much of the game play in the past has been choosing someone for the final tribal that you know you can beat (and therefore the most deserving players often go out third). I don't think the game would have played out any differently, but still an interesting twist. I also loved that Ozzy & Yul decided that it was most fair to have the vote end in a tie. Kudos to Becky for realizing that if she wanted any hope at all of winning, she couldn't accept the immunity idol from Yul. In the end, it was the lamest tie breaker ever. How can you be out there for 38 days and not be able to make fire? And not being able to make fire with matches? Oh my goodness. Did you see the looks on the faces of the jury (nice yawns by the way) and on the face of Jeff Probst? It's going to be a tough call for best Probst look of the season...the look of disgust as they can't make fire, or the look of shock when Billy professed his love for Candice. In the end, Becky managed to actually get a flame (after over 90 minutes), and Sundra was the only member of the Aitu Four to not face the final jury.

Which brings us to the final tribal council. I do feel bad for Becky. She had to know going in that the chances of her even getting one vote were slim to none. So why she didn't just lay it all out there is beyond me. She had NOTHING to lose. Instead, she said very little, which was how she played the game. I don't think she could have won, but she could at least have gotten a few votes. With the exception of Jonathan & Adam, this final tribal council was one of the most boring ever. It seemed like everyone had just accepted the fact that Yul or Ozzy would win, and that most (if not all) had made up their minds before tribal ever started. Part of the problem, too, was that Brad, Rebecca, & Jenny had never been on a tribe with all three of them. And while CBS hasn't posted the final votes on their website (which, by the way, is strange, since they usually show us in the end who everyone voted for, yet they still haven't...hmmmm...), I would bet that Jenny & Brad voted for Yul, since they actually knew him from their original tribe at the beginning of the game. Regardless of final two or final three in the future, the members of the jury need to be voted on post-merge, simply so they will have had actual interaction with the final survivors.

In the end, Adam's decision to honor his promise to Yul (to vote for him if Yul voted out Jonathan before Adam & Parvati) was the deciding vote. And with the car being rewarded during the finale, Ozzy manages to keep the Survivor car curse alive. It was a tough call...it's the one of the only seasons where the final two (yes, I know that Becky was there too, but no one really thought she could win, did they?) really both deserved to win. Yul was one of the best strategic players ever, and Ozzy was certainly the best physical players ever. I only wish we could have found out what would have happened if there had been a tie. Maybe a million for both?

Speaking of unanswered questions, what happened to Nate? Did you see him hobbling in with a hurt ankle for two of the last tribal councils? And seriously, why didn't they explain what would have happened in the case of a tie?

With four nice people in the end, and lots of love all around, it was a really boring reunion show. Cao Boi continued to be weird (and I loved that when he tried to add something Probst looked at him and shook his head no), and no one mentioned that Sekou's music wasn't very good. And why didn't Probst ask if something happened between Adam & Candice while they were on the jury?

So a great season of Survivor comes to an end. And the previews of Survivor: Fiji look AMAZING. I just wish I didn't have to wait till the spring for it. I hope you all have a wonderful Chanukah/Christmas/New Years/Winter Holiday...see you in 2007.

The Great Cook Islands humpback whale...

That's right, I'm still laughing about it. Oh Ozzy. Who knew you had it in you? :)

With the finale tonight (can I just say again how much I hate that there will be a final 3?), I'm going to keep it brief, but a few thoughts on Thursday's episode...

Why did Ozzy win the reward challenge? It was a reward challenge...he would have been much better off losing (or pacing himself so he would come in 2nd or 3rd, and still gone on the reward) and getting the target off his back a little. If he loses an immunity, we may just see Adam in the final three tonight.

Two great challenges. I liked the variation on the mud volcano challenge from Borneo, and a tough tough immunity challenge (as it should be at this stage of the game).

We still haven't had the car reward challenge...Ozzy might be the person to break the Survivor "car curse." Of course, if I was that close to the million, and I might not try as hard on the car challenge knowing that no one who's won the car has ever won the game.

Finally, what was up with the hat at tribal council? I'm not sure why Probst pointed it out in the first place, since it easily could impact the game. But worse than that was Yul's reaction. Why wouldn't you just say that Jonathan asked for the hat back, and it just happened that Yul carried it in - tell the jury that the hat was from EVERYONE. Yul's honesty could very well be his downfall in the game.

So, finale tonight, and I think it will be Ozzy or Yul to win it. All I know is that my tivo is ready to capture the first moment between Candice & Billy. :)

I LOVE This Season!

Ok, I admit it - this season of Survivor started slow. Too many people, too many tribes, gimmicks galore. But now? Well...I think this may be one of the best seasons ever.

In the previews for this week's episode, it sure did look like Parvati had to leave the game (thus explaining how we still have so many survivors). But in the first few minutes she sliced her thumb open, had it stitched up, and won the reward challenge. (and didn't you just love the juxtaposition of Parvati being the toughest player ever with Adam's wincing at the sight of blood?) She hasn't been my favorite player, but man is she tough.

I always love the family member reward challenge. And this one was great - a nice combination of a few previous challenges, and a nice balance between the survivors and their loved ones playing (I hate when the loved ones do the entire challenge). I don't understand, though, why it took so long for them to realize to squeeze their hair and clothes into the bucket (did they not watch previous seasons?). I also LOVED that Parvati's dad got to choose the other two to go on the reward. Side note - did anyone else notice the number of parents that were there vs. spouses/kids? This group of survivors may be the youngest yet. (but very smart - bringing back corn and chicken and meatloaf bought Adam & Parvati another few days, and may put them into the finals)

Oh Ozzy. First, you encourage your alliance to stop sharing food with the Raro folks. Then you engineer a plan to hide food from Adam & Parvati. And then you lap everybody at the challenge. Does anyone else remember how before the mutiny, Aitu discussed voting out Ozzy, since he would be such a threat at the challenges? Hmmm...

So one of the best players ever, Jonathan, was the next survivor voted off, and we're down to six. Of course, we're down to six, with only two episodes left. Word is that the final will be different this season - not a final two. Not sure what that means (rumor is final three), especially because there is the possibility for a tie in the final vote. And since Mark Burnett has publicly said that he will never do a final vote reveal on the island again, that adds a whole extra layer of intrigue (in season 1, where the votes were read at final tribal council...since then, the final votes are revealed during the live finale). I don't even know where to start predicting a winner, since an expanded final changes everything. But if Yul is up for votes from the jury, I don't know how he can lose.

Oh Snap!

Holy cow, last night's episode of Survivor: Cook Islands was one of the best ever. Let me just say that again...one of the best episodes ever. Even with the slow start, this season is shaping up to be one of the ages. Thank you Jonathan.

Why Jonathan? He's one of the best characters Survivor has ever had. And he was in rare form last night. First, he cleaned up on the Survivor auction. And he wasn't shy about it. Pepperoni burps when no one has eaten are classic. He played that auction exactly how you should - spend every last cent because you never know. They've already had the reward challenge with letters from home, so you know that you're probably only looking at food & comfort items being up for grabs - spend away! I don't feel at all bad for the knuckleheads who came away with nothing. What were you waiting for? And why Adam & Candice didn't pool ALL their money to get the chance to send someone to exile was ridiculous. You don't know what the note is, only that it is a power? You're at a 3-5 minority - take any chance you can to change the game.

There is a tradition of Survivor meltdowns, but nothing like the "fish incident" last night. Five eat while three make-out in the shelter (which, by the way, was so gross...don't be kissing Candice while you've got Parvati snuggled in on your other arm! Ewwww!). Every season there is someone who realizes that they are about to go home, and they stop putting in all the work at camp. But never has the rest of the tribe decided to just stop feeding them. And Jonathan & Candice's fight was classic.

Speaking of classic, Candice's exit certainly falls in that category. No rant, no gesture, just a long sloppy kiss with Adam. Once again, ewwww! I think that Nate's jury reactions would also go in the "classics" category. I think he may have gotten more screen time on the jury then Sundra did this episode. And Jeff Probst's parting line was also fantastic - "A kiss is nice… Maybe if it were love he would have given you the Immunity necklace."

A few other notes. Yul is maybe the smartest person to ever play the game. Showing everyone the immunity idol was brilliant. They all knew he had it; by showing it he pretty much bailed out Jonathan. He is clearly running every possible scenario in his head, and is smart enough to make moves to keep his alliance going. If he's in the final two, I don't think he can lose, even if the Raro folks hold to their promise to not vote for him as retaliation for keeping Jonathan in the game. We also have a LOT of people left for day 31...something has got to happen, especially with the jury. Rumor is that the finale will start with 5...there are three episodes left (including the finale on 12/17, so I guess that makes sense...sort of). I'm still convinced there will be at least one more big twist to come. Hmmm...

A Very Survivor Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday. What's not to like? It has the best food of any holiday (mmmm...turkey & pie...), no religious implications, not overly commercialized, and is just a wonderful time to just reconnect with family and friends. In my family, it also means overly competitive charades. It's my first year in awhile being on a losing team (and I do mean teams...there were 20 of us this year), so I'm sure you understand why my Survivor blog is a bit late. I'm ok now. I think. But what better to take my mind off of the crushing Thanksgiving charades defeat then the best episode of Survivor: Cook Islands of the season?

It really was the best episode of the season. Some thoughts...After last week's surprise double vote, there wasn't any surprise that the tribes merged tonight. But this might be the first merge where the survivors ate and drank so much that they actually got sick. Well, at least some did. How stupid do you have to be? You actually have a chance to put some real food in you and instead you focus on getting drunk? And did you notice the actual good move by many from the former Aitu tribe? It seemed like all four of them were drinking orange juice instead of alcohol. WAY smarter move (and probably one of the best drinks they could have on the island).

All of a sudden, I love Jonathan. Early on in the episode he had the best quote of the night - "I'm not going to lose because you kids can't get your asses out of bed." Hee hee! He was pretty stupid to mutiny, but has figured out that you need to align with the person who has the hidden idol in order to win. I'm sure that he played out each scenario in his head, and the only good game play move was to go back to the 4 members of Aitu. The look on Raro's faces when Nate was voted out was AMAZING. I actually shrieked. And it looks like next week he's finally fed up with feeding people who do nothing. So much for all the whites to the end.

Adam & Candice kissing? Ugh. They are both SO dirty...they haven't washed in weeks, and there they are kissing and sucking each others dirty fingers. Gross gross gross. Stick to the game.

I still am in love with Ozzy and Yul. They're both so cute, and such amazing game players. I loved the bit during the immunity challenge where the guys are complaining about having bigger feet (and making the challenge harder) and Yul explains why it really is harder. Then, adds "I'm never going to get another date again." Oh Yul, Parvati is right - smart IS sexy.

In the end, I loved that Nate finally got what was coming to him. And I think it's pretty safe to say that we'll see two Aitu members in the final two (didn't I choose Becky to win before the season even started? Go back and check the archives...it's a post in August...).

Big Twists on Survivor

Even though we had to wait till almost the end of the episode, it was well worth it. What a twist in the game!

First, though, we got to see the continued dominance of Aitu. They are working as a team, and working well. You could really see it at the reward challenge - the contrast between their teamwork and the arguing at Raro was stark. I also have to wonder about the strategy play of Raro. Aside from not working well together, they don't seem to know how the game works. We all know you can't sit the same people in back to back challenges. We also know that while it's nice to win rewards, it's immunity that counts. So why did they sit Rebecca during a non-swimming reward challenge? It made no sense, and really set her up for failure. Oh well. I was glad to see Aitu win, and glad to see Yul cut loose at the reward. Too funny.

What I didn't like seeing was Candice & Adam getting all snuggly. Did he really put her fingers in his mouth? Did you see how dirty her fingers were? And the previews for next week show them kissing. Ugh. I loved Rob and Amber, but this is just gross.

The immunity challenge was great again. And again, Raro had some pretty poor strategy. They could have one person who competed in the reward challenge compete in the immunity challenge. Why would you choose Jonathan? It seems like Adam would have been a better choice. And poor Nate - swimming against Ozzy just can't go well for you.

Finally, at the end of tribal council, we find out about the twist. After Rebecca has already been voted out, they learn that they have to vote out a second member. Aside from the impact that would have had on Aitu if they had lost (they would have been down to 2, and the hidden immunity idol most certainly would have come into play), getting blindsided like that was huge. Jenny had no time to scramble, and sadly she went home. I know that everyone has been talking about why they've kept Jonathan, but that one seems easy to me. He's feeding them. And once they merge, it will be pretty easy to convince Aitu to vote him out. He's also not much of a threat at an individual immunity challenge. And the fact that Candice is still around just shows that Adam is really in charge at Raro, for better or worse.

With Jenny & Rebecca both joining the jury, there has to be some sort of twist involving the jury down the road. Otherwise there will be a 10 member jury. Some are speculating that the final three will go before the jury, but that won't work either - you could still potentially have a 3-3-3 tie. So we either have to get an extra jury member or lose one. Somehow the earlier voted out people could be involved, or the current castaways could end up voting off a member of the jury. (while that's one of the most unfair twists possible, could you imagine the repercussions if a jurt member gets a vote or two but stays on the jury?) I'm sure Mark Burnett has something interesting planned - I just wish I knew what it was!

I LOVE Survivor!

Even though Survivor is battling it out in my mind for the spot as my favorite show on tv (with The Office, which is unquestionably the funniest, smartest, best written show on tv), it showed last night why it continues to be so good 6 years in (can you believe it's been 6 years!).

With the previews from last week, and all the talk of solidifying their alliance at the beginning of the episode, you knew that the twist was going to involve the opportunity to switch tribes. I was convinced that Brad would switch...I actually thought a few of the Raro members would flip. So I was shocked when Candice stepped off the mat, followed quickly by Jonathan. It was a bold move. A risky move, but bold nonetheless. She must feel really strongly that her original alliance will hold, because she now is on the bottom of the heap at Raro, and completely on the outs at Aitu. Very very interesting. And for the first time this season, I actually found myself yelling at the screen, cheering on Aitu during the challenge. Karma is tough kids. Nearly as tough as being rolled through a challenge in a barrel (yikes!). I also found myself tearing up a bit as Aitu read their letters from home. What a great moment.

I was a little surprised at Aitu's decision to send Candice to Exile Island. It would have made far more sense to send Jonathan. They needed to send one of the two of the traitors; they just should have sent the one that they knew would have to participate in the next challenge (since everyone knows you can't sit out the same members in back to back challenges). In the end it didn't matter...Yul again showed just how smart he is, figured out the cannon ball drop, and won the challenge. Fantastic. I also loved how Jeff made some sort of comment to Probst about his running commentary. Have you never seen Survivor? That's Probst's job - make annoying running commentary. Get in the lead and you won't have to worry about it.

Tribal council wasn't too much of a shocker...after Brad said he didn't trust his tribe, you knew he was going home. But it was a shocker how he left...as the first member of the jury. Maybe he wouldn't have been blindsided like that if they knew they would need his vote. And unless the final two is Jonathan and Candice (ugh), I can't see how either of them could win at this point with the expanded jury. I also wonder if Probst will tell Aitu that the jury has started, or if they will have to wait till they go to tribal council to find out. Hmmm...

where the heck did the blog go?

Ok, so I know that there have been almost no new posts in the past month. I am such a slacker. I have written a bunch, but was having internet problems, so I didn't get them uploaded. Then, in what can only be described as a most brilliant move, I deleted them. Ugh. So I am just going to start fresh. Sorry for all the lost time. And I really do appreciate the emails I've gotten asking where the blog went and what I thought about various episodes. I do have a lot of thoughts about my favorite shows...Survivor, Amazing Race, The Bachelor, and The Biggest Loser. But I am also fully aware that there is no way I can recreate all the posts I lost. Sigh... So a few thoughts to get us caught up (sort of)...

Survivor:Cook Islands: This has been and will always be my favorite show (reality or otherwise). And I've heard people talk about how they don't like this season as much. I was worried at first that the whole race thing was the sign that the show had jumped the shark. But I really like this season. The nay-sayers talk about the lack of villains, and that many of the characters are sort of just there. I agree that there aren't many people on this season to hate, especially now that Cao Boi is gone (thank goodness!). But there are enough people making stupid mistakes that there's always someone to root against at Tribal Council. And the lack of villains makes Tribal more interesting...they seem genuinely upset to vote off their friends. And other than that one early challenge that was a repeat from Palau, the challenges have been amazing. They are doing a great job of making each one a mix of physical and mental, and they are tough. Knowing the challenges are going to be that tough can totally change your strategy and outlook back at camp. I love Yul. He is such a nice guy, and with the hidden idol, he has to be a favorite to win. (who could beat him in the final two?) I also love Ozzy. I hated his early move to throw a challenge, but he may be the first castaway who can actually survive out there. He is amazing. I think his tribe may actually be gaining weight (ok, not really, but look at the difference between the weight loss of the two tribes). My ideal final four? Ozzy, Becky, Yul, & Candice. (yes, that Candice).

The Amazing Race: Watching this season, there is little question of why The Amazing Race continues to win the Emmy year after year. The locations have been amazing. I always feel like I'm smarter for watching the show (I don't travel, so I'm actually getting to see the world through the show), and they're going to some really unique places. This may also be the first time where an alliance has held up like this. The "six pack" is playing a different game - one where alliances can help you through. But this isn't a game where people get voted off. So sticking with a 3 team alliance makes you only as fast as your slowest team. It has really showed the character of the Cho brothers - they are one of the finest examples of people with good character I've ever seen on tv. At first I thought that they were sticking with the alliance because they know they can beat the other two teams in the end. But now I think that they are just truly nice guys. And that's way better than a million dollars, right? The only team I've been sad to see go were Dave & Mary - I was just rooting for them to win. Now I'm rooting for the Cho brothers and the beauty queens. I'd be happy with either couple winning. One other note - do Rob & Kimberly remind anyone else of the "two assholes" skit from SNL? (we have to find the clue babe...)

The Bachelor: Ok, I am fully aware that The Bachelor is rather demeaning to women. And it's really not a very good show. But I can't miss it. I love watching the dates. I love the rose ceremonies. And I love the teary rides home in the limo. This season's bachelor, while technically an Italian prince, seems like a down to earth guy. And there have been some real characters among the women. Yes, I'm talking about Erica, the first contestant who lists her occupation as "socialite," and was practically in tears over sharing a bedroom and not having a maid. I really like Sadie. She seems to be most compatible with Lorenzo, and is there for the right reasons. (did you see his face when Lisa came out in a wedding dress, and her friend explained her plan?)

The Biggest Loser: I admit that I was first drawn to the show because there is nothing quite as captivating as fat people getting on a scale. But over the past few seasons I've gotten hooked on the show itself. There is something really inspiring about watching people take charge of their lives and change for the better. But this season isn't as good as the past few. I'm not totally sure why. I think that part of it is the new trainer. She's just not as good as Jillian. The show needs a "tough" trainer to balance out Bob. And I can't connect with a skinny girl like her tearing up about how she has body image issues. I'm also not really connected to the contestants this season as I was before. They all seem like really nice people, and there's almost no conflict between them. Great for them, not so great for tv. I do like the twist this season of "at home" contestants who have been working to get "back to the ranch." What I don't understand is why it seems like the "at home" folks have been working for longer than those at the ranch. Even if it's not the case, it really seems that way since the at home contestants have lost similar amounts to those at the ranch. I don't know how that's possible with the same amount of time, simply because those at the ranch are only dieting and exercising; the ones at home have to go to work, take care of family, etc. And while I understand that the contestants at the ranch are miffed that there are new contestants, I would be impressed that they have lost all that weight on their own (if they can lose that much on their own, imagine what they can lose with a trainer...I sure would want them on my team!).

One final show...did anyone catch the "Reality TV Awards" on the Fox Reality network. If you like to see drunk reality stars, be sure to catch this show (it's repeated every couple of days). The whole thing is cheesy and low rent (it took place at Mike Boogie's bar), but it gets sloppier and sloppier as the night goes on and the "stars" get drunker and drunker.

Ok, so I think we're caught up. I'll be watching election returns tonight (I'm a political junkie too!), then it's back to reality tv. Thank goodness!

I'm Back!

Well, it seems like forever since I've blogged. I guess that's mostly because it really has been awhile. Not being a slacker...just got back from vacation. We were in Paris...my first time ever out of the country. Unbelievable trip, but no internet access and no US tv. So we returned last night to nearly two weeks of tivo to catch up on. No chance of me writing about all that happened while I was gone, but I'll share some thoughts as we go along in the next week or so.

The one show that I'm all caught up on is Survivor: Cook Islands. I don't know why, but I love this season. There's just something about the players this time around - they seem far more "game-savvy," and it's added a very different dynamic to the game.

Speaking of different, what is the deal with Cao Boi? Really? I just watched three episodes where he was pretty much Mr. Insane. Granted, it's great tv (and really great considering that I'm not the one who has to live with him). But it seems like he's a few fries short of a happy meal.

So the tribes have been re-shuffled (I hate that there are people who are calling it a merge - it's not), and it seems like the decision in week 2 to throw a challenge really wasn't great. Why? Because the next two people voted out were originally on Aitu. So of the five people who have been voted out so far (can you believe we're over a month in, and there are still 15 castaways?), 3 have been from the original Aitu tribe (the other two from the Hiki tribe...hmmm...). Let me repeat myself - it is NEVER a good idea to throw a challenge!

Challenges the past three weeks have been great. Although the first 2 tribe challenge was just a repeat of a challenge from Palau, where it was done better. Survivor definitely has some favorite challenges that it has done on more than one season, but this was an exact copy (there were several challenges that they did copies of during All Stars, but I think that was by design). The other challenges have been TOUGH. And I love how they are combining physical with mental...it doesn't matter how strong you are if you can't solve the puzzle in the end.

So we're down to 15, and it looks like next week there will be a double elimination. Hopefully there will be some apsect of individual immunity as well. Sweet.

Interesting Strategy on Survivor

If you are going to go on Survivor (heck, any reality show, really), please be sure to watch some previous episodes. Because if you do that, you will learn a few things. Like the fact that in 13 seasons of Survivor, no contestants have ever made fire without flint. Or that you might want to be able to make a fire with flint once you earn it. And never, EVER throw an immunity challenge.

With four tribes, I was curious how the editing would play out. They essentially have twice as much footage as they usually do at this point in the show. So they can pick and choose the best scenes to craft their storyline. Which is why I’m going to make a bold prediction – I don’t think anyone on the “white” tribe will make it to the final four. They barely showed them. I know they exist, and there was the few moments about the floor of their shelter. But that was it. Hmmm…

With all that footage from four tribes, it seems like we lost a challenge. For the second week in a row, the challenge was a combination of immunity & reward. I hate this. First, I just like seeing challenges. But the strategy in a reward challenge and an immunity challenge is very different. And for a tribe that is going to make a ridiculous strategy decision to throw a challenge, you’re not just losing immunity, but reward as well. The challenge was a tough one – another nice combination of physical and mental. And it was nice that Jeff was able to correctly award the reward to the first two tribes, who seemed to finish at the same time. It is just absolutely ridiculous that the “Hispanic” tribe decided to throw the challenge. They probably would have lost anyways with Billy weighing them down, but in a game of numbers, it’s a bad move to make yourself down one. It never works out.

Not a shock that once Yul got sent to Exile Island, he found the idol pretty quickly. He’s a smart smart guy. What would be great is if the producers hid a second idol…Yul would think he is safe because he has it, yet someone else would have it too. Hee hee!

The best part of the night was easily tribal council. In the midst of talk of throwing the challenge and not pulling your own weight, Billy announced that he had met his true love – Candace from the other tribe. And this moment, boys and girls, is where tivo makes Survivor so much better. Because I got to watch Jeff’s reaction over and over and over and over. If you still have it on tape (and I’m sure it’s already on YouTube), it’s good every time. Somehow Billy thought that it was love at first sight, and that “I love yous” had been exchanged. Wow. I did go back and watch the challenge again – after Yul got send to Exile Island, Billy says something to the girls on the “white” team that he is going home. One of them (Candace, I suppose) says “well, we love you,” and he says back quietly “I love you.” Can you just imagine the reaction from Candace tonight. There she is, sitting watching Survivor with her friends, when Billy announces to the world that they are in love. Oh, please, let that video be on YouTube as well.

So Billy went home as planned. And I think that in the next two weeks we’ll see a tribal mixup – thank goodness.

Survivor: Cook Islands Premiers

First, sorry for the delay in blogging about the first episode of Survivor: Cook Islands. We went to the Red Sox-Orioles game Thursday night; while it might seem strange to go sit in the rain and watch a meaningless game instead of staying in the warm, dry house to watch Survivor, it was the right choice. Turns out that meaningless baseball can still be excellent.

So on to the premiere of Survivor: “Race Wars”. I’ve been pretty vocal about how I dislike the whole concept of dividing the tribes by race. There is something very wrong about it, like we are moving backwards. And it really seems like a publicity stunt more than anything else. But I have to say, it was riveting television.

First, I loved how the season started. They’ve started the show so many different ways, and I was excited to see that Mark Burnett still has a few tricks up his sleeve. To give the tribes 2 minutes to grab whatever they could off the boat, and not have enough of each item to go around was brilliant. It set the tone for the season, and the scrambling has already had effects on the game. I also liked listening in to the conversations on the rafts and as each team landed. Right away, it seemed like Manihiki (the “black” tribe) was most likeable. And they were all about “representing,” whatever that means. I also liked Aitutaki (the “Hispanic” tribe) as well. Most interesting discussion? Definitely over at Puka Puka (the “Asian” tribe), as Jenny pointed out that they’re actually from very different cultures even though they are all “Asian.” You also have Cao Boi (“Cowboy”) at Puka Puka, who I can’t decide whether or not I like. Finally there is Rarotonga (the “white” tribe), which seems to be the most stereotypical of them all. I know that the producers are hoping that we all root for our own race, but I just don’t think I can root for that tribe.

We didn’t see a lot of footage of the tribes building shelter or trying to make fire. I’m guessing that at least a few of them know that in 13 seasons, no tribe has ever made fire without flint, so maybe wasting all that energy isn’t the best choice. There were so many other great moments that the basic shelter/fire/water stuff got left on the editing room floor. Like Cao Boi curing Brad’s headache. Sure, his headache is gone, but he’s now got a giant red mark on his forehead. I wonder which is worse? And then there was Flicka and the chickens…nothing like stealing chickens from another tribe to have a roller girl let them go before you can eat them.

The first challenge of the season is always a big one, and this season was no different. And while I loved the challenge (especially after spending the summer watching one lame trivia challenge after another on Big Brother), my favorite part was listening to Jeff Probst. How many times do you think he practiced saying the names of the tribes (which, by the way, he shortened all of) so that he wouldn’t accidentally yell “Black tribe! What are you doing?!?”? Or maybe he did slip up and they quickly edited that out. I’m just waiting for a moment like on the family version of The Amazing Race when Phil had to look at the Black family (not just their name, also their race) and say “Black family, you’ve been eliminated from the Race.”

So the Asian tribe came in first (after pulling ahead in the puzzle section…), with the Hispanic tribe a close second. And somehow the white tribe held it together long enough to come in third. In a strange twist, the losing tribe got to send someone to Exile Island (which, by the way, I’m totally stoked is back). They sent chicken-stealing Jonathan, noting that karma is a bitch, which, of course, made me laugh. One tv columnist thought it was “street justice”; I thought it was a good move strategically – they’ve endeared themselves to the Hispanic tribe, and they’ve weakened their closest competitor.

Another amazing part of this season is the tribal council set. It looks like it is on a boat, and it spectacular. Not a real surprise that the women stuck together and voted out Sekou. (who, by the way, I predicted would be one of the first out when the castaways were first announced…hmmm….). What was a surprise was that they were given flint to take home with them. I’m not sure why…in the past tribes have always had to earn fire or make it themselves (several times Probst has had them leave their torches behind until they make fire on their own). It seems unfair to the other tribes who won their flint earlier in the day. It just makes me think that a re-shuffling will come sooner rather than later.

More on Survivor

Well, I guess I have to believe it now -- I saw the previews for the new season of Survivor, and I guess they really are doing tribes based on race. I'll say it right now - even though it might make good tv, this is a really horrible idea.

On the official website, they now have profiles of the contestants up (http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor13/). It seems like a lot of the contestants have something going on that makes you want to vote for them (sort of like Chad on Vanauatu or Tom on Palau). There also are a few who have tv experience. That's odd. My early picks (based ONLY on reading their profiles)...Becky will be a force - she seems like someone I would like to see win. Least likeable from just their profiles? Billy, Sekou, & Cao Boi. No real reasons, just a hunch. There also appears to be way too many of what we called "dirty white hat boys" in college. If you went to a college with fraternities, you know what I mean. (I'm not throwing stones...I married a fraternity boy...I'm just saying)

Survivor News

CBS has announced the cast for the newest season of Survivor, Survivor: Cook Islands. The big twist this season? Apparently there are 20 castaways, and they will be divided into 4 teams of 5 by race. That's right. There will be a white tribe, black tribe, asian tribe, and hispanic tribe. The word is that Mark Burnett wanted to add this "real life" distinction to the social experiment that is Survivor. Aside from the fact that I won't believe this until I actually see them divided up like this on the first episode, how on earth is Probst going to do this with a straight face? I mean really, will he say "blacks, you're going to tribal council"? Or his inane commentary during the competitions will be "hispanics have a lot of ground to make up!". I just don't buy it. If it is true, though, maybe he'll be more careful than when they did the family edition of The Amazing Race. When the Black family (their name, as well as their race) came in last, Phil was forced to say "Black family, you've been eliminated from the race."