Meet the Cast of Survivor Samoa, Part 1

My apologies for getting this started so late. Darn that Big Brother and real life getting in my way of entertainment! This is part one of two of my look at the cast of Survivor: Samoa which premieres this Thursday night. I'll be doing blog party posts for the show as it airs here on the east coast. So, please mark your calendars and stop by for the fun!

In the meantime as we wait for the season premiere, here's a cheat sheet as we know we'll forget names in the beginning and my quick take on the castaways. It seems we have a lot of law students and lawyers, blondes (I know I'm going to be confused with them), a bartender and a mixologist (same thing), and two Russells. The Russells are easy to tell apart -- one is bald, the other has long hair. All in all, it looks like a fairly diverse cast, unlike some other shows.

Survivors ready?


Ashley: Young, outgoing, flirty, kickboxing. Hmm. Unless she has some tricks up her sleeve I'm not seeing in the CBS bio, I think her chances of winning are slim to none. She'll miss her mommy.


Ben: Whoops, in my photo caption I forgot to mention he's really from Kirksville, Missouri. Most people from Los Angeles aren't. I like his eyes. But he calls himself a mixologist. I didn't like it when Memphis did that, I don't like it now. Dude, you're a bartender. He sounds like a good ol' boy kind of guy. He may do well, but he may irk me. I'll wait and see.


Betsy: Will she be our Mad Dog for the season? As long as she keeps her teeth in, I'd love to have another Mad Dog on the show. A former hippie clean and sober for 21 years and only a cop for a year now. Uh-oh. She won't be a Mad Dog. She has the pity card -- a husband with cancer in remission and no health insurance. But I don't think she can count on the million.


Brett: This kid might have some potential. Something screams friendly about him. Although he's young and healthy (often targeted), if everyone likes him, he'll stay in there for a while. He says he's a flirt. Well, if it wouldn't be cougarish of me to say, he could flirt with me. Perhaps if I were 30 years younger, I'd flirt right on back.


Dave: In his bio, he comes across as an odd duck -- a bit like Ben last season, hopefully not as egocentric. "Fiery personality," opera degree, "rock and roll rebel." Um. Okay. Don't see him getting the million on first observation!


Elizabeth: She has a genuine-looking smile. I like that. She'd be my local choice for a win -- Franklin Lakes, NJ/NYC. Smart, opinionated, and blunt. Eek ... the last two aren't always the best traits for winners on the show. I still think she might do okay ... for a time. The winner? I don't know. If she can handle the people skills ...


Erik: Eep. I spelled his name wrong on my caption. He has a K. Forgive me. A self-proclaimed bartender and womanizer. It's the Anti-Memphis! His special woman in his life is his dog. I don't want to know. He has two degrees but prefers to be a bartender. I'd say it's because he can pick up chicks! If he's a smooth talker, he might do well with the ladies. But how will he do with the men? I see target written on his back.


Jaison: Now, he looks like your basic solid upstanding kind of guy -- undergraduate degree from Stanford, working on his law degree in Chicago, clean-cut. Why, I even think he might have manners. How did he get on the show? He was named Mr. California by Cosmopolitan Magazine ... that's how. He seems smart, has a game plan, and is in good physical shape. Will he be sneaky enough? I don't know.


John: Rocket scientist, eh? The bio page calls him a "charming, cocky genius." He is very nice-looking. He'll be good eye candy for me. But folks who were born with a silver spoon and described as "cocky" tend to come off privileged and sometimes not so nice to me. I think all I'll like about him is his looks. And, if he's that smug about himself, the others will pick up on it and vote him off because he'll annoy them.


Kelly: Free spirit with an edgy twist, spontaneous with a desire to live her life to the fullest. I could be wrong here, but I get the feeling of "flaky" from her bio. If she lasts long at all it will be because she's a flake and no one considers her a threat in the game. Let's see if she gets them chanting mantras or something.

Stay tuned for the remaining ten castaways in part two!

Big Brother 11 Live Feeds Into Monday Dawn 9/14

I always look forward to the Big Brother season. Yet, at this time of the year, I look forward to seeing it end. While the final three trapped in the house is slightly more interesting than two who have already done what they can do to win, it's still monotonous. And, with the jury being live tomorrow night, we don't get the backlash of the jury questions on the feeds.

Here's what's happened since my last report:

• Jordan was up the earliest -- we're talking early afternoon.
• They're still decorating dishes with the crafts they were given.
• Natalie told Jordan that Kevin asked her if she had a final two deal with her (Jordan).
• Jordan continues to pretty much tell Natalie and Kevin what the other is saying.
• I fear that Jordan favors Natalie, but it's hard to tell.
• The BB voiced piped trivia through the house. Now I know that Sweden is slightly larger than California. Check.
• Kevin is upset because he feels he has no shot. He doesn't think he can win against either Natalie or Jordan.
• I think he could very well win against Natalie.
• Natalie cooked fish for dinner. No one wanted it. Natalie also mentioned that fish is poultry, right?
• Natalie told Kevin that girls are not supposed to work once they marry.
• I'm speechless. Her boyfriend gives her a twistie-tie ring and she's under the assumption that he will provide her a life of luxury?
• Jordan told Kevin and Natalie that she's always been self-conscious regarding her weight -- that's why Russell upset her so.
• She also talked about her boob job and how hard she worked to afford it. Them. Whatever.
• Kevin finally spilled the reason we haven't seen him swim or take off his shirt all summer -- he has Poland disease and has had his own breast augmentation surgery. He said that muscle loss keeps him from doing anything where he has to hang from his arms. The scar and unevenness of his chest makes him want to keep his shirt on.
• I looked it up -- Poland's Syndrome. Huh.
• Natalie had lasik surgery.
• None of them have gone through the horror of a knee replacement! Let them do BB comps after that, eh?
  

Big Brother 11 9/13 Show Blog Party

The show is delayed here on the East Coast. It should start around 8:30 PM ET, but it's only the clips show anyway. Once it starts, this post will be updated with the major events as it airs, but the real fun is in the comments section. Everyone is welcome, bring your own snacks and beverages! Later tonight my show review will be posted on TV Squad.

8:25 PM ET and we're started here.

We're talking the prompted memory lane trip with clips to back 'em up.

Off Topic: The Week It Was 9/13/09

It's Sunday and time to take a look back at the week gone by in images I've taken and words. This week is very image heavy, my apologies. If you're looking for Big Brother content, my most recent news can be found using my BB blog tag. Otherwise, settle in and make yourself comfy.

The week started out on a relatively routine note -- work and life as usual. Of course, the end of the week marked the 8th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. In this area, the attacks had a big impact. We will never forget and we are forever changed.

My week end had its own delightful twist. Come along for my journeys -- clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window. All photos were taken by me. I'm not proud.

Double take

A man in red does a double take at two Plainfield (NJ) narcotics officers walking up the street. Not as clear as I would have liked it, using layers to make the background black and white while leaving the Stop hand and people in color.

I hear the train a'coming ...

It's coming 'round the bend
I ain't seen the sunshine
In I don't know when
-- "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash

It rained for a good portion of the week. No one can smoke cigars on NJ Transit trains anymore. I remember Metro North used to have a bar car. We have no such thing. Plainfield Train Station

North Street in black and white

A portion of Plainfield's North Street near the train station. Why was one building allowed to deteriorate so much while the others were obviously rehabbed at some point?

Who needs to go to Spanish Harlem?

Well, I do (keep reading). But we have a huge international touch right here in Plainfield.

Danny's Bakery

I love their croissants, but they're so often sold out of them that I don't stop by as often as I once did. Plainfield, NJ

Abandoned

Someone has been creeping in, I say. Plainfield, NJ.

Say what?

Oh, if I can't wear my Head Rag, I'm not going! Er ... I've never been in there anyway. Bar rules on Richmond Street in Plainfield, NJ

Wait. This isn't Plainfield, is it?

Er, no. I said I had to go to Spanish Harlem, otherwise known as El Barrio or East Harlem. But this isn't there either. It's 8th Avenue near the Port Authority Terminal yesterday. Who says all the sleaze is gone from Times Square? This is just a few blocks from there and something folks getting off buses see.

Waiting for the light in sepia

Um, self-explanatory. Midtown Manhattan yesterday.

A long walk underground

NYC subway tunnel. I'm actually heading to the 7 train to go east, then the 6 to go north.

Yes, it's the subway.

I think I just like to take train pictures.

Under NYC

I liked the lights.

Ohh ... empty car!

So I had to take a shot at it.

Spanish Harlem aren't just pretty words to say

Yes, I've emerged from the underground and I'm up on the streets in El Barrio. Lyrics in the caption from "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" by Elton John.

In which I stop in the middle

Well, I wanted to get the shot! (I had the light.)

This just creeps me out

A doorway on 110th Street. I think the mouse is leading us into the gates of hell ... or something.

I knew it!

Yes! That mouse led us right into Hell Gate! Um, okay it's just the local post office.

No, thank you

I'd rather not have any ice from there, thank you very much. El Barrio, Manhattan

Someone did some editing

Now it's PG enough for the blog. No, I didn't do the editing. El Barrio street art memorial.

El Barrio means history

Gee, I always thought it meant something along the lines of "the neighborhood." Silly me.

And here I am at my destination.

No, not the van ... the building. NYC Animal Care and Control. I'm here on a mission. Interesting things which happened while I was there:

• Two NYPD officers stood around and waited for a raccoon to be removed from their patrol car.
• I saw several people bring in donations of food, blankets, and such.
• A rottweiler being brought in bit one of the workers.
• Two early-twenties jerks asked a worker how to turn over their dog. Worker, "What's wrong with the dog?" Jerk 1, "I don't need it anymore." Worker repeats, "What's wrong with the dog?" Jerk 2 repeats, "We don't need the dog anymore." Worker and I both make eye contact and shake our heads in disgust. For me, pets are family.
  

Mission completed ... meet Vincent

"My muñequita, my Spanish Harlem Mona Lisa" ... (lyrics from "Smooth" by Carlos Santana). Uh ... I guess it would have to be my "muñequito" as he's male. I'm not so keen on the Mona Lisa reference, but he is neutered. "Muñequita" in Spanish means "little doll." Let's try another song -- "There is a rose cat in Spanish Harlem ..."

Although I picked him up and took him home from El Barrio, he was actually a stray caught on the streets in or near Riverside Park (Manhattan). They estimate him at about five years old. He was assigned a number (A828344), a name (Sal), dewormed and given his basic shots on September 4. He was already neutered when they picked him up. They gave him his rabies shot and microchipped him yesterday before I could take him home.

He's a love. I didn't like the name Sal and since that was just something assigned to him, I renamed him Vincent Riverside.

Cat on a train!

It's not quite like snakes on a plane.

Cat on a different train!

He gets around, doesn't he? He didn't make a peep other than to purr whenever I reached in the carrier to pet him.

Vincent settles in to a new life

He loves his new toy, his cat mat, his window, and my lap.

Fun with Vincent

So far, he's adjusting fantastically well to his new home. He's probably relieved to be away from all the barking dogs, noise and commotion at NYC AC&C. I probably saved a life -- they're the main shelter system for New York City and they have to euthanize perfectly good companions all the time because there aren't homes for every pet.

Judging from his behavior, he had to have been a loved pet at one time. He's affectionate, doesn't get on the kitchen counter, doesn't destroy things (although he walked on top of my PlayStation and turned it on), and uses his litter box. He seems taken with me and I'm taken with him.

Special thanks go out to Sydney, RBennie, Margo, Delee, PDX Granny, Auntie Leigh, Laurie, Donna in AL, Terry in CA, Meb, Sizzie, Becky, Nana, and Laurie. You know why ... especially Sydney.

Big Brother 11 Live Feeds Into the Dawn Sunday 9/13

At least they're happy.

If she doesn't stop playing with that twist-tie, it's going to break.

Well, it's not as bad as two in the house, but it's not that much more interesting. They slept into the afternoon and as I type this at around 6:30 AM ET, they're still up talking. And talking.

It was so boring in the house ... (how boring was it?) ...

• It was so boring that Kevin and Natalie went on a cleaning spree throughout the house. They are so not the cleaning type.
• It was so boring that the big excitement was that they couldn't drive wickets into the ground to play croquet.
• It was so boring that the big intellectual debate was Kevin and Natalie trying to figure out the meaning of cornmeal.
• It was so boring that the deepest observation of the day was Kevin saying that Chima should have never called Russell a terrorist. He said she had the upper hand in the Russell/Chima dispute and she blew it by calling him that.
• It was so boring that decorating plates became an educational event as Natalie taught Jordan to properly spell "GUCCI." Jordan thought there was an "e" on the end. Hmm ... whatever did happen to Dan Quayle?

They're just droning now, and so am I.

Big Brother 11 Live Feeds Into Saturday Dawn 9/12

No, I didn't forget you. I decided to take last night off, have Chinese food delivered after a hectic day at work, hide from the elements (yesterday was rainy and windy all day), watch the A&E Friday night marathon of Criminal Minds, and peek in on the live feeds throughout the evening. Alas, they gave me so little fodder for posting that I decided to gather everything and post this morning.

Here's the scoop from inside that Big Brother House of Suspended Disbelief:

• Someone from BB was doing some sort of construction work upstairs in the house -- hammering and sawing.
• Kevin thought they were dismantling the HOH room. I believe he could be right.
• Kevin tried to tell Natalie that Ronnie was more evil than Michele. Natalie has a bug in her bonnet about Michele and sees her as the root of all evil.
• Kevin still doesn't seem to believe Natalie's proposal story.
• I say, that's what happens when you lie so much over things you don't need to lie about.
• Natalie still adores Ronnie.
• Ew.
• BB gave them some games to play -- the dollar store variety.
• They talked about 9/11.
• Natalie made dinner and was proud of herself because she never cooks at home. I'll admit she really got into it, but she's no Jeff in the kitchen.
• Natalie fussed about Julie Chen cutting her off on the live show.
• Man, that was the third best moment of the entire show! The first was Jordan winning the comp, the second was the look on Natalie's face when Julie announced Jordan's score of 9 versus Natalie's 5. It still makes me smile to think about it.
• Natalie said they never cut Jordan off. Kevin told her it sounded like she was going to relive the comp step by step.
• Kevin told Natalie he doesn't believe she's 18 but has no idea why she would lie about it.
• Natalie didn't admit her real age.
• I'm 29, you know.
• That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
• Kevin is worried that the show will portray him as "an angry gay person." He thinks most of America hates gays. Both Natalie and Jordan don't seem to have much life experience around gays. They obviously don't live around here! Gays are kind of mainstream and as much of the scene as convenience stores.
  
• Kevin thinks that Adam Lambert didn't win American Idol because he's gay and that the winner can't sing.
• Obviously, Kevin has forgotten that the very first winner of Survivor was Richard Hatch, a gay man who really defined scheming and alliances for all of reality television. Hatch had his faults, but he never came across as a weak player. True, America didn't vote on Survivor, but America only has one vote on the jury (for the first time) on BB. If it's Kevin up with Natalie, you know we're going to vote Kevin!
• Kevin and Natalie talked about religion. I want to say the blind leading the blind. Both have their own beliefs (or non-beliefs) and never the twain shall meet.
• Natalie kept trying to work Jordan against Kevin whenever they were alone.
• Meanwhile, Jordan has been telling both Kevin and Natalie what each other was saying. She's playing them both brilliantly or just through dumb luck and innocence.
• Kevin would love to do Survivor while Natalie thinks it would give her a panic attack. Good. I don't want to see Natalie besmirch another show I enjoy.
• They talked about what they'd wear for the finale show and went through all the clothes they have.
• Kevin finally noticed that Natalie has a big butt. I'm just curious how tall she is. After watching them on the log, I never realized she was that much shorter than Jordan. I don't think Jordan is really tall ... so Natalie might top out at not much over five feet, I think.
• And, there you go.
  

Big Brother 11 Live Feeds Into the Dawn Friday 9/11

The next few days are going to be very predictable. But, martyr that I am, I'll report on the happenings inside that Big Brother House of Nat Got Got.

• The feeds were on an extended block for a feast. I guess we weren't invited. That's okay -- one less time I see Natalie chomp food with her mouth open.
• They unpacked.
• They talked about houseguests long gone.
• Natalie thinks from her diary room sessions that it's clear that America loves Jeff and Jordan.
• I wonder if it's clear that Natalie irks us to no end? Most of us, anyway.
• Kevin told Jordan he's 100% taking her to the final two if he wins the last part of the HOH comp.
• Kevin told Jordan that the diary room was not happy when he said he was going to take out Jeff.
• They all talked about past events in the house. This sounds like the typical reflection they get out of the final two each year for footage. Yawn.
• Kevin and Natalie are proud of their LML -- last minute lie. You know, the one which was actually kind of truthful but they didn't know it about Russell planning to take Jeff out.
• They talked about sex.
• Now they're all asleep.
  

Big Brother 11 Live Feeds Since the Show Thursday 9/10

Enough said?

After all, a picture is worth a thousand words, right?

The feeds have been blocked with trivia for some time now. I believe it's so they can unwind with dinner. You readers without the live feeds could probably write up this brief report as well as I can:

• Natalie pouted about losing and went over the comp over and over again.
• Natalie told Kevin her life depends on him and he better keep his word.
• Natalie and Kevin talked about their final two deal.
• Natalie and Jordan talked about their final two deal.
• Kevin and Jordan talked about their final two deal.
• They were called to the diary room one by one.
• I think Miss Jordan might have gone all sneaky on us when we weren't looking. She's playing both Kevin and Natalie pretty well right now.
• I can only hope Kevin is playing Natalie and not Jordan.
• And then ... feeds block.
  

Big Brother 11 9/10 Show Blog Party

The show has started here on the East Coast. This post will be updated with the major events as it airs, but the real fun is in the comments section. Everyone is welcome, bring your own snacks and beverages! Later tonight my show review will be posted on TV Squad.

Ohhh... Julie just said all three will make it to finale night. Part one of the HOH completes tonight, part two live tonight. Then the third part will play out live on Tuesday with the evicted immediately joining the jury and taking part in the questioning.

Kevin wins the first part of the HOH, but we knew that.

Jury house -- no one beat up Jeff. They have all SO turned on Natalie. Yes!

Mike Boogie, Danielle, Evel Dick, and Janelle will talk about the final three next.

Natalie up first rolling balls on an uphill ramp into holes in HOH order. She got 5 right and we're in commercial.

Woohoo! Jordan got 9! She wins the second part!

We get a jury vote. Very complicated. Will have to check online later. They have the scenarios of each couple which could be F2.

Yay, Jordan, yay, Jordan!

Big Brother 11 Live Feeds Into the Dawn Thursday 9/10

Oh my. Something actually happened last night on the live feeds. No brouhahas, mind you. Nothing that interesting at all. But we now have a hint regarding the second part of the final HOH competition -- uphill bowling! Here's the skinny:

• Natalie is still worrying that Jordan will win the second part of the comp.
• Kevin is having his own freak-out over not knowing the schedule of events, not knowing whether to pack, etc.
• Jordan is scared that Natalie and Kevin will choose each other over her for the final two.
• Jordan should worry about that. This would be the time for her to win if ever there was.
• Natalie talked about her upcoming wedding. I'm sorry, I didn't want to know her plans and I just don't care.
  
• They had an indoor lockdown, went outside afterward to find the grill removed and a bowling lane looking doohickey with two holes in it had appeared.
• The rules said they have to roll their balls up the ramp and into the holes without touching the sides.
• Natalie again said that she should have stayed on the log. If she had known this was coming, she wouldn't have thrown the comp.
• Natalie also said that "they (production) don't want me to win." That got a reprimand from BB about talking about production.
• She should have said "Jackie and her blog buddies don't want me to win."
• Jordan and Natalie practiced. So did Kevin at Natalie's insistence. He didn't want to, but she made him. Yep, forced him.
• A moth viciously attacked Natalie in the backyard. You go, moth!
• Okay, it just flew near her.
• I hope this is a hint of how the game goes down -- In practice, Jordan got 17 out of 20 balls in, Natalie got 6 out of 20.
• Even though Jordan is sure to take Natalie to the final two (I think), it would be a hoot if she won the last HOH comp! I'd rather Kevin/Jordan, but I don't think that will happen.
• They're all asleep as I get this posted.
  

Big Brother 11 Live Feeds Through the Day Wednesday 9/09

We still don't know the exact schedule of the remaining comp parts. Julie Chen said something about the second part live on Thursday's show. Hmm ... that should be the eviction show with the third part. It's sounding like both barts will be live. I'm expecting Sunday to be the filler show with "highlights" of the season. Then, for the first time ever, we're getting a two-hour reunion and finale show on Tuesday evening.

They certainly haven't done much today. Neither have I after being up most of the night. Here's the day from inside that Big Brother House of Lonesome Losers:

• Natalie seems really worried about the second part of the comp with Jordan. Good. I'd like to see Jordan pull a rabbit out of her hat.
• The ant problem in the kitchen is even worse today. I guess there's a benefit to my not living on a ground floor in decades. I've forgotten what it's like to have ants in my kitchen.
• Natalie told Kevin that the diary room told her she was dumb for throwing the comp to him last night.
• Natalie and Kevin relived almost every moment of the comp. Gah!
• Jordan cried alone. Aw.
• They discussed what the next part of the final comp might be. They have no clue on the schedule, either.
• Jordan promised to take Natalie to the final two if she wins this last comp.
• Natalie freaked out more telling Kevin how much he owed his own place in the house to her. @@
  

Big Brother 11 Live Feeds Into the Dawn Wednesday 9/09

Good morning, good morning! What better way to start your day off than by looking at Natalie chomping food with her mouth open! Did you notice that last night during the comp she even ate Mentos with her mouth hanging open? Perhaps if she wins the big bucks, she might want to invest in manners school, eh?


The top two rows on the Memory Wall are black and white now.

To be honest, not much has happened since the big comp. If you want to read about it and see the screen caps, check out the endurance comp post. I just felt I should get a new post up so people don't have to wade through 300 comments. I napped, I completed both the show review post and a spoilers post for TV Squad ... and I'm ready to nap again. Thankfully it's my day off from my day job.

They ate hot cups of noodles, then pizza. They were exhausted (as were all of us who hung in with them) and cold. I wasn't cold. They hit the bed early -- around midnight their time. I hit the bed late (my time, ET) and didn't stay long.

Maybe I should eat some pizza and chew it with my mouth open.