'Survivor 15: China' Website Live and Press Release

This season I'll be writing my Survivor 15: China show recap/reviews over on TV Squad. But I'll still be doing the East Coast Updates right here on this blog, linking the TV Squad reviews, as well as other miscellaneous show doings. I'll also be reviewing/recapping Kid Nation over there.

Today CBS released the cast news and updated the website. I've been working on editing photos and will be posting my takes on the cast (with photos!) over the next few days.

Here's the press release from CBS:

CBS today announced the 16 new castaways who will compete in SURVIVOR: CHINA when the 15th installment of the Emmy Award-winning series premieres Thursday, Sept. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

SURVIVOR: CHINA will feature a cast of 16 Americans who will begin the series amid the bustle of downtown Shanghai before moving to HuangPu Mountain’s Mi Tuo Temple for a Buddhist ceremony where they will be instructed to leave all of their worldly possessions behind. The castaways will then be marooned with the clothes on their back at two separate islands on Zhelin Lake (translation: the Land of 1,000 Lakes) located in the Jiangxi Province. They will split into two tribes, Fei Long (translation: Flying Dragon) and Zhan Hu (translation: Fighting Tiger), and will each be given a copy of Sun Tzu's The Art of War for tribe motivation and assistance throughout the game.

SURVIVOR: CHINA will once again afford each tribe the opportunity to obtain a Hidden Immunity Idol which may save someone from elimination at a future Tribal Council. This time, two Hidden Immunity Idols will be in plain sight (one at each camp), although the castaways will not realize this at the start of the game. Each week, the winning tribe of the Reward Challenge will be allowed to kidnap someone from the losing tribe. The person who is kidnapped will receive a note from host Jeff Probst before departing for the enemy camp and will be instructed to give it to one member of the enemy tribe (the kidnapped victim will decide who receives it) in private. The clue will inform this person of the Hidden Immunity Idol located somewhere at their camp. This person must then decide if they wish to share the information with their tribe or keep it to themselves. The kidnapped victim will return to their original tribe at the following Immunity Challenge.

The website is located here.

'Big Brother 8' - Monday Live Feeds Report - 8/21

And Amber Cried ... it's a rock band! it's a t-shirt! It's a way of life! (Graphic by Zoetawny)

All I know is Jackie is gonna start crying if she has to put up with Amber on the live feeds for many more weeks. Jackie will cry more if Amber wins.

It's already got Jackie speaking of herself in the third person. That is so not good!

Here are the events from that Big Brother House of Swearing on Daughter's Lives:

• The woobie was a hit with Jessica. I still think it would have been funnier if Eric had to think of a reason to give it to Evel Dick or Zach!
• In talking with Jameka, Amber (who told Daniele that she wouldn't tell Jameka the plan as to who will be replacing her on the block -- she swore on her daughter's life that she won't put Daniele on the block if she gets HOH, Daniele wanted a one-week commitment, but Amber said any time she's HOH -- but, of course, I don't think she'll ever be HOH) discussed the replacement nominee.
• They figure it it's Jen, then they have the votes to oust her.
• The POV Ceremony was held, blocked to the feeds, but the results were obvious -- Daniele saved Amber (argh) and put Jen in her place, just as she planned all along.
• Evel Dick told Jen not to be bitter and Jen said she wasn't, but he won't have her jury vote.
• Daniele told Jameka to remember to mention to others that she's not a threat because she can't win HOH for another three weeks.
• Jen warned Amber not to trust Daniele -- after all, Daniele assured her that she had her back. (Maybe she said, "I have your backdoor." and it was just misunderstood. Just kidding -- she did say "back.")
• Daniele and Amber are getting ready for their trip they won in the POV comp.

There ya go!

'Big Brother 8' - Live Feeds Bulletin - POV Used 8/20

As per her deal with Amber, Daniele used the veto to save Amber. She put Jen in her place, so it's Jameka and Jen on the block.

More to come!

'Big Brother 8' - Live Feeds Sun. Evening to Monday Wee Hours 8/20

Eric is now a marked man. I'll explain more about that later in this report. Alas, there are more important happenings from that Big Brother House of Revolting Rabbits:

• Jameka advised Amber to make a deal with Daniele to only not put her on the block if she wins HOH.
• Jen is pushing for anyone to put up Daniele and Dick next time -- one must go, she says.
• While Jen wondered about the replacement nominee if the POV saves either Amber or Jameka, Eric told her not to worry. But then he said you never really know because Daniele and Dick lie all the time.
• Eric reported back to Dick his talk with Jen.
• Amber went to Daniele and proposed a deal -- she once again swore on her daughter's life (didn't she learn her lesson the first time?) that she wouldn't put Daniele on the block if she got HOH, but wants her to take her off the block this week.
• Sigh.
• Since Daniele's target this time has always been Jen in a backdoor, she agreed to Amber's deal although it was just icing on the cake.
• Sigh.
• Amber promised to tell no one, not even Jameka.
• There was a party for Daniele's birthday, but those on slop couldn't have the birthday cupcakes. She received nothing from Kris, not a surprise.
• She did get a letter which made her very somber, but not sure who it was from.
• Dick messed up her age by referring to it as a "landmark" birthday and Jen jumped on it. (She just turned 21, but has told everyone that she was turning 22.)
• Daniele got in one of her pouty moods and retired to the HOH looking like she wanted to cry ... again.
• Zach played chess with himself after Daniele ignored him ringing her doorbell.
• Amber told Evel Dick that her boss told her "not to embarrass" him while she's on the show. Um.
• Eric and Jessica talked -- he's not worried about going on the block this week, he thinks they're both safe. He thinks Amber will try to make a deal with Daniele, but it will be Jameka coming down from the block. (Not so astute, Mr. America's Player!)
• Amber told Jameka that Daniele was smart -- knowing she'd come down and her real target would go up. Jameka pointed out that if Zach won POV, the noms would have remained the same. "Oh. I was her back-up target."
• She didn't cry, but looked like she wanted to.
• Daniele told Eric that the DR was pushing for her not to use the POV. Jen even said she was asked who the replacement nominee would be.
• They played a Spin the Beer Can game with questions, then quarters when BB gave them more beer.
  
• At midnight, they celebrated Daniele's birthday again. (BB honored it Sunday because nothing else goes on.)
• Evel Dick was happy that Daniele seemed to be having fun.
• Eric wore Jen's bikini while Zach wore the Jenitard. Fun, fun, fun!
• Zach told Eric that if he makes the final two, he can win against Dick, but not against Daniele.
• Amber proceeded to tell Jameka all about her deal with Daniele. It's a good thing she didn't swear not to tell on her daughter's life when she promised Daniele she wouldn't tell anyone, not even Jameka.
• Daniele told Zach that Eric was a smart player when Zach told her he doesn't respect him in the game. He says Eric is like an encyclopedia, but doesn't apply the knowledge.
• Everyone thinks it's odd that Eric hasn't been chosen to play for POV yet.
• It looks like Eric got his Woobie from the DR -- he had something in his clothes and furtively hid it in the bedroom.
• Jen and Jessica talk Eric into letting them paint him with their waterpaint kit. Everyone gets into the act. When it's all done, he puts on Dustin's crown and all have a hoot.
• Zach told Daniele that he really wants HOH. She told him to win it, then.
• He also mentioned that no one goes to her HOH room unlike when Jessica was HOH. Daniele likes the privacy.
• There we end the overnight hours, with Eric painted with sayings such as "Kail, Marry Me! and "I heart Kansas" and "I heart Zach" as well as purely decorative paint.
• Daniele is talking to Dick about what to say when putting Jen on the block. She's sure she doesn't have Jen's jury vote no matter what.
• Daniele is having second thoughts because she told Jen that she had her back until the end. Dick asked her why she said such things. Daniele still wants to put Jen up, she just doesn't know how to go about dealing with Jen for the week.
• Eric gave Jessica the Woobie, so much for fun with that!
  

'Big Brother 8' - Aug. 19 Show Live-Blogged from the East Coast

The show is starting here on the East Coast. As it airs, I'll constantly be updating this entry, so please refresh your page to catch the latest!

Also, make yourself at home in the comments area. I love to hear, okay, read your thoughts.

So far we're still in Recap City.

Amber is crying. Oh, she got played, y'know. She really shouldn't let her spare tire hang out with its tattoos. Not a good fashion statement and she's not really fat. Ick. Amber says she knew Mini-Mad had six cards, but when she heard seven she agreed because it's her lucky number. @@

Eric and Jessica are happy, thinking they made the right move at the right time. Dick and Daniele are beside themselves with glee, espeically Dick. He wants her to put up Jameka and Amber, but she wants to talk to people.

Jessica tries to make amends with Jameka because she wants to keep her on her side. Jameka is worried that Eric is in on other side deals, but Jessica tells her she trusts him.

It's time for the HOH room. Now, there's a difference between Dick and Daniele versus Jen. Horrible pictures make them smile not cry! Zach mentions there are no pictures of her boyfriend. However, there is a letter from Nick. Eric says the big Nick "letter" was as if it had been created by a thirteen-year-old girl. Daniele is excited.

Daniele talks to Amber and said it was Dustin's own fault with the way he treated people. Amber told her she has to do what's best for her. Daniele told her that she hasn't made up her mind yet. Daniele tells us that she's there for Amber on a personal level, but strategically it's different.

Amber forgets what various words mean. It's very odd. "What does 'outed' mean?" Although this segment makes Amber look dumber than she actually is, it's kind of funny. I have to say it's not something which constantly happens on the feeds -- they had to gather that for a while.

Eric is talking to Amber, told her it wasn't planned that Dustin would go. He tells her he was more worried about himself in the game. Eric tells her, "I've always (pause, grimace) cared about you."

Beer pong time. And, it's to the wagers! Eric has to wear booty shorts, size small. Jessica and Eric had to swap clothes, thus the Eric in Jessica's dress bit.

Jamkea talks to Evel Dick. She wonders how he was able to stay when they thought it was a sure thing. Dick told her and Amber that of him and Daniele, he had to go. He said if he could pick anyone to be up against, it would have been Dustin.

Amber is sure that Eric made a deal with Dick and Daniele, with Jen?

Food comp time -- it's togas! Zach thinks he looks great. It's a beer pong done giant-sized. Two teams of four -- Red is Eric, Dick, Jessic and Zach. Blue is Amber, Jen, Jameka, Daniele. Dick thinks the Blue Team has to go on slop to weaken them -- with Daniele being HOH, she will eat no matter what.

Both teams got feast balls in. Jen is on slop no matter what, so she's a bit half-hearted in the game. After a good start for Blue, the teams end up tied near the end, both with one barrel left. Eric's OPNLY good shot finished the game. Red wins, Blue is on slop. Since both teams got the feast barrel, there will be a feast for all one day.

They return inside to a smaller table. It reminds Daniele that she stuck with people she doesn't like.

Eric and Jessica flirt and mention Julie's hint about a romance/shomance. Eric is actually blushing as Jessica and Dick tease him.

Jen is talking to Daniele. She's worried that she'll be put on the block. Daniele tells us that she doesn't trust Jen.

It's America's Player -- Which HG should Eric get nominated? Amber -- he's very happy. So, he goes to talk to Evel and Daniele to push for an Amber eviction. Dick agrees, but Daniele tells us she doesn't really trust Eric.

America's Player -- To whom should Eric give his childhood woobie (stuffed animal)? I say Zach just for giggles and snorts. Or, maybe Dick.

Nominations today -- Amber is nervous that she'll go up on the block because she gets along with everyone and Daniele would lose in the final two with her. Jen and Jameka are also worried. Daniele wants to be sure of what she's doing. Eric thinks he wants to feel quite confident that he's safe. Daniele says some people have been doing nothing and don't deserve to win the game.

Ceremony -- one of the hardest decisions, strategic, not personal. Key order -- Jessica (didn't take it personally last week), Jen, Dick, Zach, Eric.

Amber, since day one you and Jameka get along with everyone. I don't want to be with you in the final two. Fight for the power of veto. Fairly short and sweet. Jameka feels it's all ordained. Amber said God told her she would win POV tomorrow and will be in the final two.

Daniele tells us Jen is the real target.