Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Looking at the Survivor Heroes

Here we are in countdown for the start of the next season of Survivor. It's just a week (and a day) away! Margo has the blog pool rolling along, but there still are openings for those who want to join in. The deadline for joining in on the blog pool is noon (ET) on February 9. The prizes? Um, well ... you get to brag about your winner! It's still a lot of fun even if the winner won't win a million dollars.

Most of us are dedicated show fans, so we've seen our "Heroes and Villains" in action before. However, I figured I'd refresh your memories with some images, a few facts, and my own opinions. Please feel free to jump in with your thoughts in comments ... and may the fun begin.



Amanda Kimmel, 24, from Kalispell, Montana, currently living in Los Angeles. She was the second runner-up in China and the runner-up in Micronesia. Former Miss Montana and Miss Earth, she wants to prove she can win. My thoughts? Well, she's certainly better than the winner of the past season -- at least she plays the game. That said, she's not my personal favorite for the win and I think the competition might prove too tough for her.


Candice Woodcock, age 27, from Fayetteville, North Carolina, currently residing in Washington, D.C. She was the 13th out and 5th jury member on Cook Islands. Um, okay. I'm not quite sure why she was chosen. While I have nothing against her, I barely remember her. I get the feeling she won't make it to the jury this time around. It's up to her to prove me wrong.


Cirie Fields, age 39, from Jersey City, New Jersey, currently living in Norwalk, Connecticut. Okay, her showing on the show wasn't any better than Candice's finish -- 12th out and 6th jury member in Panama; 15th out and 7th jury member in Micronesia. But Cirie, unlike Candice, made a real impression on me. Her sense of humor, her "least likely to succeed on Survivor" background ... I enjoyed watching her on the show. Well, except for the icky underwear on Panama. I really don't think she can win against this group, but I'll be cheering her on just because I truly enjoy her.


Colby Donaldson, age 35, from Christival, Texas, now residing in Los Angeles. Colby should have been the winner of Australia, but he practically handed it over on a silver platter to Tina Wesson. On All-Stars, he had a rather rapid exit as the 5th out. His hair seems to have thinned some, but that winning smile is still there. Colby was definitely my eye-candy for the Australia season. Plus, he just came across as such a nice guy. I remember them shutting him down quickly on All-Stars. If he can get a good alliance going with his heroes buddies, he could very well last a long time.


James Clement, age 32, from Lafayette, Louisiana, he currently has homes in both Lafayette and Malibu, California. James was 10th out in China and, due to an injury, he made it to 4th jury member in Micronesia. James is another person I'm looking forward to watching -- he has these cool James-ism expressions which definitely reflect on his background and not necessarily his age. I should have known, but it's odd that he's only 32. In so many ways, he's an older soul than that. Definitely nice eye-candy for me with that physique and I love his voice. I hope he goes far and doesn't get hurt!


James "JT" Thomas, Jr;, age 25, from Samson, Alabama, currently living in Mobile, Alabama. JT was the winner of Tocantins. He's going to be a force to be reckoned with this season on the show. While he's one of the good guys, he's one of the fiercest competitors ever on the show. Unless he's targeted early, he's likely to make it to at least the final four. I like him, but he's not my favorite personality-wise to watch. Okay, okay, I know that's not what the show is all about. But he's like a friendly pitbull to me. Sure, he wags his tail and smiles, but when action is called for, he will risk his own self to win.


Rupert Boneham, age 45, from Indianapolis, Indiana (and still there). Rupert was the 8th out, 2nd jury member in Pearl Islands and 15th out, 6th jury member in All-Stars. He also won the first (I think, correct me if I'm wrong) fan favorite prize. Rupert's perhaps one of the most animated and colorful characters ever on the show. He's positively a good guy in real life, dedicating time and money to his charity helping kids. I know he's a favorite of many show fans, but not necessarily my own personal favorite. I'm not sure he can hold up to the heavy hitters this season. We'll see.


Stephenie LaGrossa, age 29, from Briarcliff, Glenolden, Pennsylvania, currently living in Philadelphia. (Huh ... why was I thinking she was from New Jersey?) She was the 10th out and 3rd jury member in Palau, runner-up in Guatemala. She's one tough cookie. She was the surviving Ulong member and went through some really hard times that season. I think she's the best bet for a female win on either heroes or villains. That is, unless they also figure that and target her to get her off before she wins it all.


Jessica "Sugar" Kiper, age 29, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, now residing in Los Angeles. Sugar was the 2nd runner-up on Gabon. Now, she's not going to win. Just the thought is preposterous. She gets rattled too quickly and is too emotional. Sure, she made some good moves in her season. And, yes, I really enjoyed watching her. She, for the most part, is a good judge of people. Hopefully she'll make strong allies. I want her to do well. I just don't think she will.


Tom Westman, age 45, from Long Island, New York, currently living in New York, New York. Tom was the winner of Palau and he deserved it. Until JT came along, I think Tom held the record for consecutive individual immunities. He's someone who has represented the FDNY so well on the show -- a nice guy, played the game with integrity as well as amazing physical feats. I like Tom. I wouldn't mind seeing him win again. But I don't think the villains will let him get that far.

Your thoughts?

Photo Credit: CBS

23 comments:

Donna in FL said...

Getting excited!
sign me up for the survivor pool Margo! thanks

joy n said...

Ah, Rupert, my all-time fave. I have my doubts, too, that he could win. Evil Russell, I believe, will target him early because Russ doesn't like "popular" people.

Tom, Stephenie, James and JT are also big faves of mine. I like Colby but still haven't forgiven him for "giving" Tina the prize. I wonder, did she ever buy him that motorcycle?

I hope Amanda and Cirie do well but don't expect them to last too long with some of these hardened competitors. Candice and Sugar didn't do much for me their first time(s) around.

Can't wait to hear your take on the bad guys of Survivor. Bring 'em on!

Mostly, I just want the show to start again. Thursdays (and TAR Sundays) just aren't the same without them.

monty924 said...

I'm more than ready to get back in the pool for Survivor and TAR. It seems like ages since the last shows ended, LOL!

Loved Rupert and loved, loved, loved James on both of his seasons. He made a bonehead move with the idols the first time out, but he was absolutley one of my all-time favs because of the very same things you mentioned in his introduction.

Of course, I loved Cirie on Fans vs. Favs. I loved her PIs with the cameramen. She made me laugh literally week after week.

The Where are They Now show is on tomorrow night. I'm looking forward to that as well.

Donna in Alabama said...

I am with you joyn. I hope those you mentioned do well too. They are big favorites for me.
When does TAR start?

Jackie S. said...

Next Thursday (Feb. 11) at 8 ET/PT is the Survivor season premiere. Then on Sunday. February 14, at 8 PM ET/PT we have TAR.

Sydney said...

OMG, it's so good to see the new Survivor bios and KNOW ALL THE FACES!!!!

You spared us Coach, for now. Thank you Jackie, thank you very much. :-)

isuquinndog said...

I'd like to join the pool for the first time!

Dusty said...

I want to join the pool! Please add me!

Margo said...

I have added Donna in FL, txrednkgirl
and isuquinndog to the Survivor pool.

txrednkgirl has also been added to the TAR pool.

Margo

Lars said...

Hello Jackie and everyone.
Margo add me to Survivor pool list.
I'm not sure who I'll be rooting for, I liked Tom, James, Amanda even liked evil Russell.
Cirie, I don't like,
I felt she had an SOE image.

Margo said...

I've got Dusty too.

Margo

Margo said...

This is who I have so far for the Survivor Pool.

AlbGlinka
Auntie Leigh
Becky
Brent McKee
Delee
Donna in Al
Donna in FL
Dusty
isuquinndog
Jackie
Jennasmom
Joy N
Karen in CA
Lars
Laurie
Lisanne
Margo's Mom
Meb
Merrilee
ML
Monty924
Nana in NW
PDX Granny
RBennie
RMJ in SC
Sally
Sizzie
SueGee
Sydney
Terry in CA
Tessa
txrednkgirl
Zoetawny

Becky said...

Colby is still ine of my all time favorites, with Rupert, James and Ozzie who is not playing this year. I wonder if Ozzie and Amanda are still a couple?

I liked Stephanie as one of the girl favorites.

joy n said...

Watching Surviving Survivor is amazing. The segment about Ethan and Jenna brought tears to my eyes. I truly hope he wins his battle with cancer. What a decent guy he is. He and Jenna seem to be really in love with each other.

Elisabeth Hasselback, on the other hand, I could live without ever seeing again. Despite her denial, I do see her as one-demensional. I stopped watching The View because of her.

Didn't Rupert look great?

joy n said...

I just want to scream out how happy I am that this show starts in one week! I LOVE SURVIVOR!!!!

And next week I'll be screaming about TAR!

joy n said...

I absolutely love that last shot that Richard gave Russell, too.

"And you didn't win!" Hilarious!

Jackie S. said...

I just finished writing it up for TV Squad, but don't know when it's going to be live on the site. It's too bad Richard and Russell won't be on the show together -- they're a hoot!

joy n said...

I agree, Jackie, they'd be great to watch together. I'll check out TV Squad.

Sydney said...

I'm taking a drivers safety test that makes you wait so long inbetween I got a chance to catch up on reading this post.

(WARNING -- R rated comment) Amanda: I think she won because she got to bonk Ozzy -- hopefully a lot, lol. Sorry to be so frank but how many are with me on that one?

PPL I HOPE STAY IN LONG: James, Sugar, Colby and Rupert (yes he's nice but I think he'll manage to stay in short of a mutiny by the others because they know his personality will make it hard to win against him).

Colby was robbed the second time and so I hope he can lay lower naturally, amid some of these bigger personalities and get further in the game. As to JT, it's always puzzling to have a winner come back. Yes, I'd LOVE to see him play a long game again, but it seems it's natural for the others to gang up on a winner in the first vote or two. Has happened that way in the past. Maybe he's got a strategy for that going in though. Hope so.

Cirie-- I am shocked to hear those stats on her last two shows. I kept feeling like she dominated -- especially the second time.

And yes, why is Candice in there? I haven't read these comments yet to see what others have to say about her, if anything. I chuckled at your mentioning NJ for Steph. I think she won all of our respect both times but especially the last... and it sucked she didn't win because of that. I am surprised how botoxed she looks though. Sigh.

lynn1 said...

Margo,
If it is not too late would you add me to the Survivor and TAR Pools. Thanks in advance.
Lynn1

Margo said...

Howdy Miss Lynn1 I was wondering where you've been. I had no way to contact you so I just worried. You still have time for both the Survivor and TAR pools if you want both let me know. I'll be doing Survivor match-ups tomorrow night sometime.
By the way I put you in the Project Runway pool cause I had one designer with out a player and you commented a lot last season so I figured you would want to play again. You have Jonathan.

Congrats on the Saint win yesterday.

Margo

Margo said...

****Survivor Pool Participants***

The Pool is now closed! I will post match-ups at some point later today.

I have the following swimmers:

AlbGlinka
Auntie Leigh
Becky
Brent McKee
Delee
Donna in Al
Donna in FL
Dusty
isuquinndog
Jackie
Jennasmom
Joy N
Karen in CA
Lars
Laurie
Lisanne
Lynn1
Margo's Mom
Meb
Merrilee
ML
Monty924
Nana in NW
PDX Granny
RBennie
RMJ in SC
Sally
Sizzie
SueGee
Sydney
Terry in CA
Tessa
txrednkgirl
Zoetawny

If I missed someone please let me know ASAP!! You can email me at igorsant@aol.com or comment here.

Margo

Margo said...

**Survivor Pool Teams**

Let the games begin!!

Amanda - Terry in CA, Rbennie
Boston Rob - txrednkgirl
Candice - Lars, Meb
Cirie - Delee, PDX Granny
Coach - Merrilee, Dusty
Colby - Laurie, ML
Courtney - Donna in AL, Sally
Danielle - Sydney, Monty924
Evil Russell - RMJ in SC
J.T. - isuquinndog, Donna in FL
James - Lisanne, Sizzie
Jerri - Jennasmom, Becky
Parvati - Tessa
Randy - Zoetawny
Rupert - Jackie, Auntie Leigh
Sandra - Joy N
Stephenie - Nana in NW, Karen in CA
Sugar - Lynn1, Brent McKee
Tom - AlbGlinka, Margo's Mom
Tyson (Asst Coach or Naked guy) - SueGee