Monday, September 17, 2007

'Survivor 15: China' - My First Impressions on the Cast - Part Four

Welcome to Part Four of my take on the new castaways! I've created a separate section for these on my sidebar (over there ---->) and you can get to all of my Survivor 15: China content by hitting the hyperlinked label at the bottom of any post about the season.

Keeping with my first name alphabetical order for these, it's James. He has one almost typical Survivor applicant job while his other job is something he really digs. You got it -- he's a bartender/security at nightclubs and weddings ... and a gravedigger! (Why can't I think of that profession and not think of the Dave Matthews song?)

The interesting part is, according to his video on the CBS site, he loves gravedigging. He started when he was ten years old working for his father, socialized very little while growing up. Being in the clubs has made him more social.

His bio itself is brief and to the point. In the bio, he mentions being athletically gifted, socially adaptive, and physically attractive. Hmmm ... with the exception of mentioning how strong he is ("Gravedigger, when you dig my grave...") in the video, he didn't mention anything about his looks. He thinks he'll adapt well.

Onto his favorites -- Ah, good. He lists Survivor amongst his favorite television shows. That always makes me feel better about a castaway. His outdoor activities include football, cooking, and drinking ... interesting, no? For cereal, he lists grits. I may be mistaken, but I don't think grits are a staple food in China.

My thoughts? Well, gee ... I don't know. He thinks he'll stay on well in the beginning because he's strong and they'll want him to win challenges. I think he's right. But, if he's that strong and does that well in challenges, that will put a huge target on his back going into the merge. I think I want to like him, but I don't think the others would let him get to the end.

Next up is Jean-Robert. Here's a guy with an interesting approach to the game. In his video he said he plans to approach it like a poker tournament (he's a professional poker player). He'll spend some time in the start analyzing his competition -- strongest, weakest, etc. Then he'll ally, but be ready to change his table.

He admits he's overweight and out of shape, but he thinks that the game is just as much, maybe more, of a mental game as it is a physical one.

In his bio, he certainly does seem to be a pro poker player as that's the majority of the bio. He thinks he's charismatic, fun, and loud. I found him a bit charismatic in his video, but hopefully he can control the loud aspect. If he's constantly loud at camp, they will get ticked off at him. He doesn't really list any qualities which would help him survive in wooded areas.

To his favorites -- Hmmm... no Survivor listed. His choices of cereal are Honeycomb and Corn Pops. That tells me he doesn't take things too seriously and enjoys life. (Remember, I have a degree in Psychological Cereal Indicators.)

His possibilities on the show? For some reason, he's reminding me a bit of Richard Hatch, but a smoother player. I actually like his approach and I'm sure we'll see his poker face and some bluffing along the way. I think he could make final four as long as he isn't too physically inept. He said he's overweight, but he doesn't look all that out of shape for me. He just might be my early favorite for the win. That may change down the line, but I'm gonna call it now.

Leslie has tried to get on the show for eleven seasons. I can't help but wonder why she didn't make it ten times and they took her on for this season.

In her video, I believe she mentioned she's a Christian at least eight times. That's not a really good sign for me. Although she said she's human and makes mistakes, she thinks it will give her an edge to have faith. Maybe, maybe not. She also thinks of herself as a professional interviewer which should help her get to know and get along with her fellow castaways.

Heading to her bio page, I see that she's probably very physically fit. She teaches fitness classes three times a week in addition to her radio host job. She thinks she energetic, passionate, and overwhelming. Overwhelming? That doesn't sound like a good quality to make it to the end when you're deserted with a bunch of strangers!

Over to her favorites -- Survivor is listed first and in caps, no surprise there! She enjoys camping, that's a good thing. Her cereal? Raisin Nut Bran. That tells me she likes to be regular. She might miss that being on the show.

I'm not getting Sole Survivor screaming at me about Leslie. I could be horribly wrong, but I don't see her making it to the merge. I predict an early goodbye to her, but at least she can boast she finally got on the show.

27 comments:

LYSS said...

I think that Jean-Robert will do good in the game..playing pro poker, I would think that he'd have to be able to read people, know when they are bluffing, know the good from the bad..

and James, the grave digger..on the commericals for Survivor, the dude is huge..like really really hugh..i think that once the food starts going to nothing, he'll have a problem, and on any thing where he'll have to hold his weight, he'll have a problem..if you have no fat your body starts to eat away at your muscles..
guess i'll have to wait till Thursday night to make pick my players..

Lyss

Lucy said...

James is on my "faves" list. There was something in his video that made me think he had the determination to win. Also he's easy on the eyes - the guys built!

I found Jean-Robert entertaining but I'm worried he might not make it roughing it as he states he is used to sleeping in fancy hotels and having room service. If the outdoors doesn't break him I think he will do well.

Leslie may be in trouble if she pulls a Jameka and focuses on the fact she is a christian. She has many other qualities that will serve her well on the show so she may do well - I hope so, I like her.

Can't wait for Thursday, or tomorrow for that matter - love this time of year for TV viewing.

Anonymous said...

O.k. I like the grave digger alot and I think he will do pretty well.

I actually have met Leslie Nease before at a function and had lunch with her. She is an awesome person, she has very soft qualities to her and was not the least bit overwhelming in my opinion. She is a very dedicated christian but not in an overwhleming, in your face kind of way. She is a very motivational person to be around and I enjoyed being with her and getting to know her.

I am definitely rooting for Leslie!!! She is an awesome girl!!

Not even close to a Jameka!!

Lucy said...

Glad to hear Leslie is a great person. As I said in my previous post I like her. Leslie is on my will-do-well-list.

Anonymous said...

Jean-Robert reminds me of Vin Diesel a bit. I think I'm gonna call him my favorite for now.

Leslie = Kail! Oh no!! I think they finally picked her after 10 rejections because they figured it would make her go away! If she does end up being anything like Kail I hope she goes very soon!

Anonymous said...

Oh where is Big Brother or Survivor or Amazing Race? With the end of summer comes watching stuff my 4yr old wants. We're currently watching a Disney Channel movie called The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl. The plot outline is...

Dreamer Max, ridiculed by his classmates, conjures up his perfect dreamworld...the Planet Drool. But his dream is more powerful than even he suspects, and his favourite dream super-heroes, Sharkboy and Lavagirl, materialise on Earth. They need help from Max. All is not well in Max's dreamworld. An alien intelligence is interfering and darkness threatens his beloved Planet Drool. Is it true, as Sharkboy and Lavagirl say, that only Max, the powerful dreamer, can stop it? Max takes off on a wild and dangerous journey to the fantastic Planet Drool with Sharkboy and Lavagirl. Can they discover the source of the danger? Will they be able to stop it in time?

The only redeeming qualities this movie has is the fact that George Lopez, David Arquette and Kristin Davis are in it!!

Where is my adult TV???

Lucy said...

orkmommy enjoy the movie with Super O.

I truly miss the days when Super E and I would watch Disney movies together and share Gummi Bears and pretzels. My "little girl" is a young lady now and has recently moved across country to begin a new chapter in her life. Sob...I miss her dearly.

Give Super O a big hug and kiss and her her tight before she grows up on you.

Lucy said...

oops...must be the tears in my eyes, I meant to say "hold her tight."

Anonymous said...

Lucy - We enjoy a lot of movies together. She's probably got 20 DVD's (which is more than I have!). Our favorites are Chicken Little, Barnyard, Curious George, 101 Dalmations, Shrek 1 & 2 and Ice Age 1 & 2. She's also very into a Discovery Kids show called Peep and the Big Wide World. She likes their website too!

I kiss and hug her several times every day. She's getting to the age where she doesn't always appreciate lovin' from Mom. The best is when I tickle her because she's still young enough to have that "from the bottom of the belly" kid laugh. You know the one I'm talking about!

Just think. Now that your little girl is all grown up, she can give you grandkids to love on!

btw...I love your new pic!

Anonymous said...

One more thing. If you'd like to read about my little Super O, just follow the link on my name to my blog that's dedicated to her. I haven't been real good about updating it regularly but now that things are slowing down a bit I'll try to do better.

Anonymous said...

DR. WILL UPDATE!!!

I'm watching Dr. 90210 and Erin is on. As of the filming of this episode, they're still together and he just asked her to move in with him because he's ready to "take it to the next level".

OH MY!!

Auntie Leigh said...

You Guys!! Now that it is one day to the end of BB, my daughter finally came over and showed me how to get onto this blog. I love all of you regulars, you are all so witty and fun. And I am looking forward to putting this awful season of BB to bed and getting on to Survivor. John Robert sounds like a fav. And Ork-mommy, thanks for the heads-up about Dr Will. I loved him on BB and he is pretty good on Dr 90210 as well. Thanks Jackie for having this wonderful site and sticking with BB through this hideous, boring season. You made it fun. After tomorrow it'll be "bye bye Donato's".

Auntie Leigh said...

I also wanted to say that it seems to me that these shows (Survivor and BB and others) seem to have some "chum"-types in the beginning, for the "sharks" to show their teeth to, and for us to hate on. Like Kail. I think Leslie might be one of them. Just a thought.

Anonymous said...

orkmommy;

I get to have my 4 year old grandson spend Saturday night and most of Sunday with me every couple of weeks. It's so much fun! He and my daugher used to live with me, and since they moved, I think I miss him more than her. :o

Now that I don't see him 24/7, when I do see him he pretty much gets my undivided attention, which seems to suit him just fine! He still likes to bring me books and crawls up on my lap so I can read them. Or cuddle with me while we watch Curious George over and over and over again! :) I know that's not going to last much longer, so I'm getting in all the cuddled time I can before he realizes that he's not supposed to like it.

He's very creative and has quite the imagination, drawing pirate maps complete with dotted lines that lead to the X that marks the spot. Last weekend we spend 4 1/2 hours at the zoo! He got a map of the zoo while we were there and hasn't let it out of his sight yet! It's the first thing he looks for when he wakes up in the morning.

I could go on and on about him, but I'll be nice and stop while I'm ahead. What I started out to say was thanks mentioning Sharkboy and Lavagirl. I think that might be right up his alley!

I'm sure I don't have to tell you this, but cherish every second! It seems like just yesterday that I was doing these same things with my daughter! The only difference is that I couldn't spoil her, then send her home!!

PDX Granny

By the way, what channel is 90210 on? I'd like to see Dr. Will again. :)

Sydney said...

Lucy -- Loving all the different avatars on this page alone. I gotta get me a pic. Just have no idea how.
Actually the real truth is I have no time to figure out how.

Auntie Leigh said...

PDX Granny....Dr 90210 is on the E! Entertainment channel. Monday nights. If you are on the west coast you can still catch it.

meb said...

me too sydney... anybody here want to tell us how to get an avatar (step by step please). I dislike not being internet savvy. However, I'm better than my sister...guess that's saying something.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Auntie Leigh!

I just checked out E!. Dr 91210 comes on at 10:00. Tonight's episode is about an adult film star getting a tummy tuck.

Is this the same one you saw?

PDX Granny

P/S Loved your analogy of the chum & the sharks!

Anonymous said...

Lucy 9:18

Don't you just hate it when after years of teaching our kids how to be kind, loving, independent adults they do it. We showed our daughter the world, now she lives out of the country, ;-(
Thank heaven for the computer, we 'talk' all the time.

Cat5

Anonymous said...

Yes,I hope Leslie takes note of Amber/Jameka game play and does the exact opposite.Tradionally,people of strong faith have never done real well on Survivor,well at least the more outspoken ones.I hope she just plays her game with her faith as her personal guide and doesn't "preach" to any of them.

I'm liking Jean-Robert and James will do well because of his size and strength. If he's smart,he will pick out the strong,smart players and try to form an alliance early on and that may save him going to the merge.It never hurts to have friends on Survivor.I'm ready for Thursday....going to the store to lay in the snacks and drinks...see you all there????? PARTY...PARTY...PARTY

Anonymous said...

Avatar....cool, that's what their called. I was calling them picthingys.

cat5

Anonymous said...

Blogger has very good instructions for adding a photo to your profile.

Let us know if you have any problems. I'm sure one of us can help!

Anonymous said...

Less then 12 hours!

Sydney said...

Thanks for the link ORkmommy. I knew you'd probably come through with something!

joy n said...

Yeah, thanks Orkmommy. I was wondering how to do that too. I am definitely not computer-savvy, either.

Love your cow. As to its name? I like Cowabunga! Still love the shades!

Brent McKee said...

Jean-Robert is fairly well known in Poker circles. He's never won a World Series bracelet but he's cashed in tournaments 6 times. Lifetime tournament cash won as of this year is $740,000. That doesn't include money won in cash games. Bellande isn't among the superstars of the game - the Phil Hellmuth, Howard Lederer, Annie Duke, Chis Jesus Ferguson Doyle Brunson crowd - but he's also not one of the fast rising Internet stars.

I think the psychological aspects of Survivor are ideally suited to a Poker player. A good Poker player is savvy about sizing up an opponent and picking up strengths and weaknesses (Rob Mariano is a Poker player albeit not anywhere near the quality of Bellande). Where I worry about him is the physical aspect; playing Poker 12 hours at a stretch - common in tournaments - doesn't exactly prepare you for some of the physical challenges of the game. Nor does the poker player's favourite sport to play - Golf.

Anonymous said...

GO Leslie!! I hope she does well!!
She seems so sincere!!