Sia surprises Survivor Carson Garrett with $15,000 to help with College

This was nice of her.

Survivor 44: Season Finale Blog Party - May 24

 

Good evening!

Welcome to the THREE HOUR season finale blog party! When you have a good season going, it sure can go by quickly! Our current final five are not the ones I would have predicted to be here at this time. Well, maybe Carson. But ... Carolyn? Yam Yam? Nah. I thought they would be early outs or just carried to the end to ensure someone else a win. But everybody has been playing this season.

I will be live-blogging the major events of the show as it airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest updates. As always, the real party is in the comments area. Please feel free to join in on the fun!

The blog pool has been updated by Wonderful Lifeguard SueGee and here's where we stand:

VA VA (MERGED TRIBE)

Heidi - John Cantrell, PDX Granny 

Carolyn - Krysta Gibson, Sydney 

Yam Yam - Sharon N, Glenn Allen

Lauren - David, KelseyNY 

Carson - Petals, Donna in FL

JURY

Matt

Brandon

Kane

Frannie

Danny

Jaime

Survivor fans ready? Get settled in your comfy chair with snacks and adult beverages at hand. Let's get this party started!

We start out with Jeff talking about the season. Tonight's five are on a new beach. The winner will be announced in Fiji. He says to settle in ... just like I just told you!

The five are at the new beach with new torches. They have nothing but what they brought with them. Heidi told them she found her idol near the cage. Carolyn is looking for an idol, tells Yam Yam she will be looking tonight. The three Tika - Yam Yam, Carson and Carolyn -- talk about how they need to find an idol before the other two. 

Carolyn really feels she will find an idol. It's a big search going on. Aha! WE see the idol as Yam Yam and Lauren walk right by it. Lauren needs to find it (like everyone else). She realizes she needs to bond with Tika ... as she campaigns against Carson to all the others. They all think he's the biggest threat. The three Tika seem to be doubting each other.

Day 24 ... only two days more for them. It's time for the first Immunity Challenge of the night. The sun is shining there. Race through a three level obstacle grab keys, unlock chest, drop[ and go up a ladder, solve a puzzle. Reward ... winner goes to the sanctuary -- spaghetti, chocolate and carrot cakes.

Heidi and Carson make it to the puzzle in that order. Carolyn and Yam Yam running behind. All are doing the puzzle. Carson is slightly in the lead.

CARSON wins Immunity! It's his second Immunity win. He chooses one person ... Yam Yam.

Carson and Yam Yam are thrilled at the Sanctuary. They talk Tribal. Yam Yam says that Carolyn is the biggest threat. Carson thinks the Tika Three have a better chance against each other. He thinks Lauren could get a lot of jury votes. Yam Yam thinks it's a mistake. Hmm.

Heidi tells Carolyn that Carson took Yam Yam ... why? Lauren is sure she will be targeted. Heidi tells Carolyn that the vote the last time was to be Carolyn and she wasn't in on the Jaime vote. Now Carolyn is worried about Yam Yam turning on her. She tells the women that Yam Yam might have to be the target.

When the guys return to camp, Yam Yam is automatically paranoid. The Tika Three are together. Carson says Lauren. Carolyn says they need a Tika on the jury. Uh-oh. Yam Yam is worried. Now the plan is to vote for Lauren but Yam Yam will tell her they are voting for Carolyn. 

Yam Yam talks to Lauren. She thinks that Tika is just playing games with her and goes out idol hunting. Once again she seems to go by the idol in the tree not seeing it. We see it. 

Carson is worried because he knows Carolyn is upset with Yam Yam ... for some reason. We're going to be heading into another unpredictable Tribal. 

Tribal Council. Lauren says she thinks she will be going home because no one talked to her. Carolyn acts shocked about that. Jeff brings up the possibility of an idol. Jeff says it's a testament to the gameplay that even he is confused. Yam Yam says he thinks it's him ... or Lauren. Lauren is now in tears. Hmm. She is proud of who she has become in the game.

The tally ... Lauren kids about having an idol. Panic set in.

Yam Yam, Lauren, Heidi, Lauren, Lauren.

Bye, Lauren!

Day 25 ... one day left.

Time for the last Immunity Challenge. Carolyn is crying and is overwhelmed to be there. "We're here! I'm here!" It's another classic challenge ... the one with the balls running down the chute, catch it with one hand tied behind the back, more balls added, drop a ball and you're out.

They are all right-handed. The weather is clear. Two balls going now. Carolyn out first. Three balls. Now four balls. Yam Yam out. Carson is out!

Rats ... HEIDI wins her first Immunity! The Tika Three will be Tika Two.

Heidi thinks she is considering making fire herself to build her resume.

Back at camp she asks if anyone WANTS to make fire. Carson is practicing his fire skills or lack thereof. It took him three minutes at home. Now he's getting emotional and feels he lacks self-confidence. Not doing well at it.

Yam Yam practices and succeeds. He feels emotional as well. Carolyn tells Yam Yam he makes fire well. She thinks she's good at it because she practiced at home for five years. Both of them are good, Carson is not. Yam Yam tries to help him. Carson cries and Yam Yam comforts him. It's a sad scene. 

Heidi does well with fire. She knows Yam Yam and Carolyn are good at it. Will she make fire tonight? Nah. They are keeping the suspense for Tribal.

Here we are at Tribal ... Jeff brings up Heidi saying she might make fire. She says she's still undecided. Yam Yam says he likes making fire and he likes being safe. Carolyn says Heidi was looking for a volunteer and it would be a good game move. Carson says it might be a good move for Heidi to go against someone else for her resume.

Heidi decides that Carolyn in the Final Three. Carolyn gets emotional. She talks of being weird and different. She says it's okay to be you. Heidi says Carson will have to make fire. Sigh. SHE IS going to do fire with Carson! 

Both Carolyn and Yam Yam are in the Final Three. Who woulda thunk it?

The fire starting is ON. Heidi has flame first. Uh-oh she's in the lead. Carson now has a flame. HEIDI WINS! Jeff says hers was the fastest fire ever made on the show.

Sigh. Carson played such a good game. He tells Jeff he was in tears. He's proud that he even started a decent fire.

Yam Yam, Carolyn and Heidi are the Final Three.

The Three are on the beach. Yam Yam is scared. He doesn't want to sound stupid. Carolyn says she will sound stupider. He thanks her.

Now jury members are saying the pros of Yam Yam's game. 

Their feast arrives!

Now it's Heidi tribute time. She thinks the fire boosted her resume. So, we get jury Heidi pros. Carolyn is next mentioning her self-loathing. We get jury Carolyn pro thoughts.

The Three are heading to the Final Tribal and jury questions.

Social, Physical, Strategy questions.

Kane - Explain game, better than the other two. Perception of you and is it accurate. Yam Yam first, not following Carson's step ... Heidi interrupts him. Heidi -- into strategy, then riding tails, was trying strategic. Carolyn -- didn't fit in, found Carson, realness then Yam Yam. She thinks she was underestimated the entire game.

Carson wants to hear more about Heidi's game. She says she suffered a lot. Claims the Tika were on a high through the game. Danny says Tika USED Carson. Yam Yam denies he used just Carson. Danny asks who Heidi used as a shield ... she says it was him but there is a friendship.

Frannie talks social games and managing emotions. She chooses Carolyn to start. Carolyn mentions her drug addiction days. She thought numbing her emotions would be too painful. Yam Yam talks of his love and care. He says some were blank when they talked to him, tried to build real relationships with others. Heidi says she wanted to represent people who are different, Latina in science, tried to control her emotions.

Matt admires all of them for being themselves as it's something he finds difficult.

Physical part of the game? Carolyn -- athletic in real life, thought she would do great but one embarrassing thing after another. Her letter from home brought tears to her eyes over her challenges performance. Heidi speaks up about how she kept trying. Carson asks Heidi about her decision to make fire. She says it was the best opportunity to win the game. She brings up that if she wins, she would be the oldest female winner. Yam Yam says he's not a physical person although his family members are -- he channeled his strength through them. He's the second one to say Jeff was annoying during challenges.

Strategy -- Carson asks Carolyn and she mentions trusting and playing her idol for Carson. She says Danny had to go, she needed him out -- he was controlling. Yam Yam -- strategic moves against those who wrote his name down. He tried not to be a threat, but he can talk. Heidi, right side of the votes a good part of the time. She says she had to keep adapting because she was by herself. She talks of personal growth and living the American dream. 

The final three hug each other.

Time to vote for a winner!

Many seem undecided. Carson looked like he struggled. The final three hold hands. Jeff talks about the positivity of the jurors.

Heidi, Yam, Yam, Yam, Yam, Yam.

Yam Yam WINS! (I got lazy in the listing and left out a Yam.) Congratulations to blog pool winners Glenn Allen and Sharon N. You got them bragging rights ... don't spend them all in one place. 😂 

The after show is next as well as a sneak peek at next season.

They have champagne and pizza. Danny voted for Heidi. All the other votes were for Yam Yam. They say Yam Yam was the strongest overall control of the game. I feel sad that Carolyn didn't get any votes. Jaime talked about no one believing she gave her idol to Kane. Jeff tells them that Matthew planted that fake idol for her to find. Matthew was medically evacuated with the real idol. Jeff says the fake idol would be in a future season ... real or fake?

Carolyn and Yam Yam in their relationship. Yam Yam says they're married. Matt/Frannie a couple? A showmance? Yep, Matt says they have chemistry. Meanwhile, Danny is nicer on the after show than he was on the show.

Now they are talking about how rough challenges are when they're hungry and dehydrated. Carson gained 30 pounds to be on the show. All admitted to crying at some point or another.

Jeff brings up Carolyn no votes. She cries and says she didn't believe in herself. She says she struggles when she's out of her element. Frannie speaks kindly to her and says she's an inspiration. 

Sneak peek at next season. We get backstories on some. Looks like another possibly good cast. Still in Fiji. Looks like Bruce from this season is back!

Survivor 44: May 17 Episode Blog Party

 

Good evening!

I will be live-blogging the major events of the show as it airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest updates. As always, the real party is in the comments area. Please feel free to join in on the fun!

We're getting down to the wire here. I never thought at the start that I would be cheering on Carolyn. Or that Yam Yam would still be in it at this point. Or that four women and two men, not alpha males either, would be the final six. This has been the best season in years! I've heard Bruce (1st out due to medical head injury) is rumored to be on the cast next season. I would like to see him play. Good casting this season!

The blog pool has been updated by Wonderful Lifeguard SueGee and here's where we stand:

VA VA (MERGED TRIBE)

Heidi - John Cantrell, PDX Granny 

Jaime - Andi, monty924  

Carolyn - Krysta Gibson, Sydney 

Yam Yam - Sharon N, Glenn Allen

Lauren - David, KelseyNY 

Carson - Petals, Donna in FL

JURY

Matt

Brandon

Kane

Frannie

Danny

Survivor fans ready?

As per custom, we pick up with the castaways returning from Tribal. It's Night 21. As usual, we have a few unhappy campers. Carolyn, Carson and Yam Yam are happy, but ...! Yam Yam is worried that Carolyn is letting on how good a player she really is. 

Now Jaime is thinking Carolyn is a very calculated and good game player. Carson notices that Heidi is out looking for an idol in the middle of the night. He awakens Carolyn and they both search, too. Heidi does already have an idol no one knows about. If she can have two, it would be game changing for her!

Lauren is also now onto Carolyn's game. She thinks she's lovable, though. Lauren and Jaime are trying to talk Carson and Yam Yam to work with them against Carolyn. Hmm.

Day 22. Yam Yam has lost a lot of weight! It really shows in his face. Into a Reward Challenge. Two teams. Two blindfolded push one caller in a giant ball, table maze. Sanctuary is the reward. Foot massage, lunch, chocolate, cookies, fruits, juice and iced tea.

Carson calls, Yam Yam and Lauren orange in the lead.

Purple has Carolyn and Heidi pulling/pushing with Jaime inside.

ORANGE WINS! Carson, Lauren and Yam Yam!

At Sanctuary, Yam Yam is in heaven. It's his first time eating in 22 days other than camp fare. Yam Yam and Carson talk to Lauren about how they want Carolyn out next. Carson actually doesn't want that, but Yam Yam seems to be considering it.

Back at camp, Heidi and Jaime are talking to Carolyn about how loved Carson is and they want him out. Carolyn agrees but tells us she still needs Carson in the game. Heidi and Carolyn talk about taking out Lauren. Hmm.

Carolyn runs to Carson telling him his name is coming up. Carson thinks the ex-Tika can run the game. I hope they do stick together. Yam Yam is starting to worry me a bit. He seems to be seriously considering a Carolyn vote. I think, dependent on who wins Immunity, we are going to have another guessing game vote tonight.

Immunity Challenge time. Two ropes balancing a ball on a disk, they have to back up further at time intervals. Last ball up wins. The weather looks good, a little wind but not bad. Jaime out first. Carolyn out. Carson out. Yam Yam out. Uh-oh. It's down to Heidi and Lauren.

LAUREN WINS IMMUNITY! It's her second Immunity win.

Argh. Yam Yam is still for Carolyn going and he's telling us, so it's real. No one is really talking. Carolyn talks to Heidi about taking out Jaime. She is skeptical and is thinking she might have to use her idol. Heidi tells Yam Yam and Carson that she is willing to vote out Jaime. Jaime is worried that people won't support her wanting Carolyn out.

They are definitely setting us up for the guessing game vote again. Carson is reluctant but recognizes Carolyn's great game. He's in a quandary! I hope Yam Yam goes with his heart and keeps Carolyn.

They brought everything to Tribal Council as they're worried they may be sent elsewhere and all might be at risk. Shot in the Dark is over. Jaime says everyone's names were out there. Yep, for sure. Carolyn is giving Yam Yam weird eyes. Carolyn defends emotional but strategic players. She doesn't like lies. She's very worried. Yam Yam says the person who leaves tonight is the one who needs to leave for everybody's game. Carolyn does not take that well with her facial expression.

The tally -- Heidi plays her idol.

Carolyn, Jaime, Carolyn, Jaime, Jaime, Jaime.

Phew! I was scared for Carolyn! Jaime is history, goes out with class and a smile. 

It's good they brought everything -- they are headed to a new beach.

Next week is the season finale!

Jaime and Lauren voted Carolyn. Yam Yam followed his heart.

Survivor 44: May 10th Episode Blog Party

 

Good evening!

I will be live-blogging the major events of the show as it airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest updates. As always, the real party is in the comments area. Please feel free to join in on the fun! 

Are you ready for 90-minute episodes of both Survivor and The Amazing Race, both for Wednesday evenings, in the fall? Three hours of live blogging in one night. Eek. Thankfully, I'm feeling somewhat better. We can thank the writers' strike. Here's an article about it right at this here link.

The blog pool has been updated by Lifeguard SueGee and here's where we stand:

VA VA (MERGED TRIBE)

Danny - Donna in AL, Mikes Girl

Heidi - John Cantrell, PDX Granny 

Jaime - Andi, monty924  

Carolyn - Krysta Gibson, Sydney 

Yam Yam - Sharon N, Glenn Allen

Lauren - David, KelseyNY 

Carson - Petals, Donna in FL

JURY

Matt

Brandon

Kane

Frannie

Survivor fans ready?

As usual, we start with the return from Tribal. Carolyn is SO ticked that she wasn't told of the Frannie vote. Yam Yam wants to try to explain to her. She thinks Yam Yam and Carson, her main allies, lied to her all day. She is acting out. 

Heidi put Danny's name down and thought he was going to go. At least she still has her idol.

Day 20 - they are meditating and sharing gratitude on the beach. How peachy-keen is that? They say they are creating real bonds, trying to get closer to each other. Okay, as long as they can be cut-throat when needed.

Carolyn has calmed down and seems to be making amends with Yam Yam. She tells us she's over it and will go back to trust Carson and Yam Yam. She also still has her idol and hasn't told anyone about it. Yam Yam knows Heidi voted for Danny at Tribal and tells him. 

Danny talks to Heidi and she denies being his vote. He tells her Yam Yam said it was. She suggests Jaime. He thinks it's Yam Yam and his Tika crew, now he wants to target them.

Carolyn found a molted lobster shell. She loves it. Yam Yam gave her a "shell" that works like an evil finger pointer. She decides she must have fun ... and loves having fun with Yam Yam. They talk about Danny and Lauren being big threats. 

Meanwhile, Lauren and Danny talk about the Tika Three being the main threat. They talk to Jaime and try to get her in on targeting them. Jaime thinks Yam Yam is the biggest target as he's so likable.

Ohhh  ... they arrive by boat for the Immunity Challenge. It's the one in which they have to overcome fear, in the water under a metal grate, remaining in it as the tide comes in -- AND THEY ALMOST DIE!!!

Thirty minutes, all still in. Lauren first out at an hour, she was shivering from the start. Jaime out. Carson out. Carolyn out. Danny out. It's down to Heidi and Yam Yam for the win. One hour, 25 minutes. Heidi out.

YAM YAM WINS IMMUNITY! Everybody, except Danny, seems thrilled for him. I don't think any expected he would ever win a challenge.

Carson is happy, of course. He doesn't know that the non-Tika is planning to vote Carson. Danny tells Yam Yam they will be splitting Jaime/Lauren votes. The others think their plan is so solid! They are worried about Carolyn's reaction. Carolyn is worried for Carson. She goes to "work" with Danny and he denies Carson is the target. She goes to Carson and tells him her suspicions. He tries to convince Jaime and Lauren to vote with him against Danny. It doesn't seem to be working.

Yam Yam tells Carolyn he will keep Carson with her. They need a split vote from the others. Carolyn tells Carson she has an idol she will play her idol for him. Carson is amazed she has one and told no one. She's scared Danny has an idol. They're setting us up for yet another unpredictable Tribal Council. I love when you don't outright know ahead of time!

Tribal Council time - Jeff brings up the uncertainty of the Tribals this season. Carson admits being scared. He makes an eloquent speech about what the experience means to him. 

Time to tally the votes -- Carolyn is delaying her vote, looks totally lost. She plays her idol for CARSON!!!

The tally -- Carson, Carson, Danny, Danny, Heidi, Heidi, Danny.

Carolyn did it! DANNY goes out imitating DiNiro in Taxi Driver.

Survivor 44: May 3 Episode Blog Party

 

Good evening!

I will be live-blogging the major events of the show as it airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest updates. As always, the real party is in the comments area. Please feel free to join in on the fun! 

How interesting is it that the first three voted out after the merge are all men?

The blog pool has been updated by Lifeguard SueGee and here's where we stand:

VA VA (MERGED TRIBE)

Danny - Donna in AL, Mikes Girl

Frannie - Auntie Leigh, Brent 

Heidi - John Cantrell, PDX Granny 

Jaime - Andi, monty924  

Carolyn - Krysta Gibson, Sydney 

Yam Yam - Sharon N, Glenn Allen

Lauren - David, KelseyNY 

Carson - Petals, Donna in FL

JURY

Matt

Brandon

Kane

Survivor fans ready?

We open, as usual, with the castaways returning from Tribal Council. It's Night 17. Frannie is befuddled. She wasn't in on the Kane vote. They all lied to her. Carson wants to focus on damage control. He talks to Jaime. He told her that Kane told the others she had an idol when in actuality, Carson himself told the others. Now, Kane went off to jury with her idol in his sock.

It's right to the Reward Challenge. Spinning in metal frame to bring a buoy to them. Dizzy, they have to climb over a net platform, go across a beam, collect big balls, untie knots, toss ball to land in an elevated narrow trough. Sanctuary overnight and tacos, wine, etc. are the reward.

It's raining pretty hard. 

FRANNIE WINS REWARD! Letters from home are part of the reward. One person to join -- Carolyn! One more -- Lauren. One more -- Heidi.

Back at camp they are cooking rice. Yam Yam tells us he's the only one who hasn't been on a reward. He's pretty down. He does think maybe he can work on a bond with Danny and Jaime. He already has one with Carson.

At the Sanctuary, they are all thrilled. Even sober Carolyn has a margarita. The moms choosing is a hit with the moms. Now the letters and tears are coming. Lauren says it's the first time her father has said he's proud of her. Carolyn's son wrote and even drew some kind of unicorn fish. These women are bonding! They are talking about voting out Danny.

At camp, Jaime comes clean about losing the idol. Danny doesn't believe her. She thinks they all believe her. None of them do. Now their plan is Frannie or Jaime.

The Sanctuary bunch returned to camp in the morning. Jaime tells the women about the idol. She thinks the truth will set her free. Let's see if they believe her. Nope! No one believes her. She has put a bigger target on her back.

Time for the Immunity Challenge. It's actually sunny. Feet tied together, arms tied to side, slither through sand and course with a buoy attached to their mouth, maneuver buoy through an obstacle, first one to the finish a puzzle wins.

CARSON WINS IMMUNITY!

Frannie wants to put her social strategy to the test without Immunity. They are talking about Danny and Jaime. Danny is campaigning against Frannie. Lauren is not impressed by him. But, she thinks Danny might have a point. Yam Yam thinks Jaime is the biggest threat. He goes to talk to Carson. They are worried about losing Carolyn as an ally if they vote out Frannie. It sounds like we're going into another Council of Confusion.

Carolyn thinks that Heidi telling her that Danny wants Frannie out is stupid. She wants Danny out. Now the four girls want Heidi out. Carson wants Heidi out and he wants Frannie out ... which will he choose?

Tribal Council awaits its victim. Jeff starts with the Reward Challenge, once again putting a spotlight on Frannie. Danny is given a chance to focus on winning (and Frannie). Yam Yam is asked about targets and people winning challenges. Jaime once again brings up Kane taking her idol away with him. Jaime says the era of alliances is over. Once again, I have no real idea how the vote will come down. No whispering this week.

The tally -- Frannie, Danny, Heidi, Heidi, Frannie, Frannie, Frannie.

Frannie ... she won too much, I guess. Carolyn seems the most disappointed.