TV Squad STUFF

I have two new posts over on TV Squad --

One includes a nod to one of the commenters here (and there, too, but mainly here).
The other is my season introductory post to Survivor: China.

Head on over -- be loud, be proud ... be a Donato!
Er, wait ... let me take that back. Please don't be a Donato over there!

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

Welcome to the last installment of my Survivor 15: China cast introduction and my take on the new castaways! I've had to split this into several parts due to length. You can find the rest of the castaways in Part One, Part Two, Part Three, and Part Four. These will remain listed in my sidebar here for easy reference throughout the season. While I'll be doing the show episode reviews themselves over at TV Squad this season, I'll be talking about the show here, too. And, of course, I always welcome your comments both at TVS and here!

Continuing my alphabetical order by first name, it's Peih-Gee next to the plate. I was pretty impressed with her in her video on the CBS site although she seems to be being portrayed as a bit of a wild card in the promos for the show.

Looking at her CBS bio, I can't help but mention she has one of the longest, if not the longest, bios of anyone on the show this season. She has an extensive dancing background appearing in videos from many popular stars and MTV doings. She's well-traveled, too. Plus, she has a roughing it in foreign lands for extended periods of time experience. Not only that, but her educational background is impressive, too. Oh, my.

She says she's free-spirited, witty, spunky, assertive, optimistic, open-minded, outspoken, strong-willed and she thinks like a guy. She thinks her biggest strengths are having a good attitude, seeing the brighter side of things, and having the ability to focus all of attention to the task at hand. Oh, my.

It's off to her favorites! She lists Survivor amongst her favorite shows, good. WHAT? She lists NO cereal. She left the cereal section blank. I don't know what to make of that. This is a first. How can I judge her psychological game without knowing her cereal?

Her chances? I think she just could be the strongest all around player for the women. If she isn't too assertive and doesn't alienate the others, I can see her hanging in towards the end. Plus, she has two cats. I think I like her!

I see this season's show is back down to only a few persons of color. I kind of liked the more diversity in casting, but we'll see how this season goes down.

Sherea focused on her people-skills and herself on a whole in her video. She does seem to be a nice person and her background as a teacher will probably help her cope with the various personalities in the game. Her plan is to get along with everyone and keep focused throughout. She will play thinking of her mother who's a breast cancer survivor.

Her bio is only about half as long as Peih-Gee's. She looks very normal, perhaps too normal to be on a reality show! Her educational background includes a Masters degree. She claims to be sassy, outspoken, and caring. I didn't think she seemed either sassy or outspoken in her video. She just came across as nice to me. What do I know, eh? She also considers herself to be competitive, outgoing, and a leader.

Going to her favorites, I see she lists Big Brother on her shows, but not Survivor! Ack, two very different shows! For cereals, she likes Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Lucky Charms. That tells me that, not only does she have a fun-loving side, she's seeking the luck of the Irish to be on her side throughout the season! (Trust me, I've studied Cereal Psychology for years.)

Her chances? I think I'm going to like her as a person on the show, but I'm not so sure how well she'll do swimming with the sharks. If she indeed befriends people, works those people skills ... she might do well. I'd like to be wrong, but I don't see her making it to the final four.

Todd has the dubious honor of being the last castaway on my list. In his video, he was a bit ... off ... or something. At one point he stopped for an extended period of time looking confused, then repeated himself. He thinks he will do well and everyone will like him. Um, okay.

In his bio on the CBS site, he starts off with the fact that he's an openly gay Mormon. Holy Osmonds, Batman! He's allergic to cats, rabbits, and shrimp. He describes himself as fantastic, amazing, awesome, and super-original.

Give me a break, kid. Keep this up and I'll want you not only booted but forced to jump from the Great Wall head first.

He goes on to say he'll do well because he's very positive, great at social skills and strategizing, and will gather wood and er, stuff. He thinks the Spice Girls are the most significant historical event of the past 100 years.

Is this guy a joke? Onto his favorites ... he does list Survivor in his favorite shows, but that's no surprise. For cereals he lists granola and Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch. Aha, he's living a contradictory kind of life! He doesn't know if he wants to go the healthy route or eat the least popular Cap'n Crunch in a childlike fantasy land! Very telling, indeed.

His chances? I think an early boot, but he might hang in for a while because I don't think the others will see him as a threat. I know if he pulls the "I make everyone happy" bit at the wrong time, he could certainly alienate the others.

'Big Brother 8' - Season Finale - Live-Blogged from the East Coast

I screen-capped this image from the blocked feeds and kind of took it over! I received a note from Zoetawny (posting from an Internet cafe) -- she's sorry to miss the end of the season.

Here on the East Coast, the show is starting. As it airs, I'll constantly (well, very frequently) be updating this entry. Please feel free to comment and have a good time! Please forgive any typos as I'm watching the show, too!

We're into a brief season recap now. Dick just re-won the final HOH. And the show should really begin soon.

Look! The blocked feeds are on the plasma screen!

Zach arrives at sequester after Dustin least wants to see Zach. Jen wants to see Dick walk through the door ... and it's ZACH! Eric tells him he would have won six to one.

America's Player -- Who should Eric campaign and vote for to win? Dick. Eric thinks we chose wisely. The jury doesn't seem to like Eric's idea. He goes into car salesman mode, talking up Dick and down Daniele. Amber looks like she's going to cry. Jen is very against Dick, but all of a sudden Amber is defending Dick and telling Jen whe flipflopped.

They start looking at the game the two played. Zach brings up the competition winning. Eric brings up Dick's victories. Amber says Dick played for two people. She said Dick played "awesome." Jessica is pro-Dick win, too. Daniele is the pimp, E.D. is the ho according to Jameka. Evel or Evel Spawn will win comes from Dustin.

The jury questioning -- help me in comments if I don't type fast enough, guys.

Dustin -- Dick, knowing that your daughter said I'll carry my daad with me because he's a terrible person and I'll win. Dick is hppy, strongest team.

Amber for Daniele -- Why give the vote, you're a pathetic person for doing what you did to your BF with Nick. D -- I don't want your vvote if based on personal life.

Jessica -- Who other than Daniele to sit with (to Dick) -- Pnly Daniele. Tough decision.

Eric -- Dick -> each jury member deserve to be in the final two? Dustin, Jen, Amber.. do not deserve, mentions Amber and good people. Jessica didn't bloody hands, Eric played best, Jameka was given chance, Zach almost made it.

Zach - What have you learned from each jury member -- Daniele will take Eric's humor, Amber heart and Mom of the house. Dick learned from Dustin to be careful with power, says Jen has a real person down in there, Jameka best hearted person, Zach run for the money don't underestimate will and heart.

Jameka - Not using your father to advance in the game, biggest move. Eric thing, backdooring Jen

Jen -- Hello, it's me, don't respect you as people. Dick did you build relationship with Daniele? Dick shocked w/question beginning to build normalcy, ends with if you don't know you're an idiot. Daniele thinks they made a lot out of it and there's no one esle she wants to sit next to. Dick played the game hard, strategy to work with Jessica and Eric. He feels the worse about turning on Jessica and Eric. He did a lot of the dirty work. We won.

Speech session over, D&D alone -- she accuses him of campaigning against her.

Jury coming in. Amber looks HORRIBLE! Jessica and Jen look nice. Eric looks Eric-y, Jameka very pretty. Zach looks Zach-like. He should have worn a bunny suit.

D&D are in the house, Julie is out with the crowd and the jury. Daniele says it was nice to spend time with her Dad and she's happy. Time for the jury to cast their votes.

Jurors put each key in the box, one statement.

Eric -- 1 - Clearcut choice good luck
Jameka - 2 - Vote for one whose game she respects
Dustin - 3 - Based on strategic action, not just words
Jen - 4 - I'd rather not, but must
Zach - 5 - Longest, blah-blah
Amber -6 - Congrats, close to both, based on game strategic purpose, whoops
Jessica - 7 - Voting for the person I enjoyed more in the house, may the best Donato win

The first five evicted will be coming in next.

Julie is with Dick's Mom and his son Vincent -- Daniele's grandmother who raised her and her brother. Charlotte is happy that they made strides in rebuilding the relationship. Vincent says he's always like that but it got him where he is in the game.

Nick's hair has grown in. He gets to talk to Daniele. Awkward says Daniele in a high voice.

Carol is asked about Jessica -- kind of proud, but there were some personal words. Joe said he liked watching Dustin fall apart, but congrats ... you got far. Dustin doesn't reply. Mike was rooting for Zach. Kail not surprised that Dick made it that far.

Time to reveal the big twist -- America's Player. Tells jury and Donatos. "One of you has a secret, one has not played alone, one is not who you appear to be."

This is HILARIOUS! I couldn't type through it.

Jessica is speechless. Not mad at him.

Dick benefited from the AP -- Julie talks to Dick. He thought he made a great power play and it was all Eric. Awesome, wow!

Daniele -- Knew mustard and votes, hilarious.

Dustin -- Eric can sell anything, enjoyed paradise. Jameka says it makes sense to her, she never could trust him. Jen now understands America mustarded her shirt. Eric tells Dustin and Amber he's sorry. Eric tells Jessica that he wanted to tell her for so long, but everything he said to her about them was true.

Julie tells them Eric cast the vote for America tonight.

The reveal of the votes...

1. AmERICa -Dick
2. Jameka - Daniele
3. Dustin - Dick
4. Jen - Daniele
5. Zach - Dick
6. Amber - Dick

Dick wins BB8!!!

Last vote not read yet as only four needed to win. Daniele taking it well.

Last vote was Jessica voting for Dick to win. Dick's going on a trip. Daniele is in the WE WON mode and is ecstatic.

Nick looks fat for Nick. Daniele asksed Julie if she'll be at the wrap party. I think she's starstruck ... over Julie Chen? Puh-leeze!

Y'all happy with this outcome? I think this was actually one of the better season finales. The America's Player reveal was better than the twist itself.

'Big Brother 8' - Live Feeds ... or lack thereof

The live feeds have been blocked all day since I posted my TV Squad update. Since we're about an hour before showtime, I don't expect them to unblock.

At about 9 PM ET I'll put up the start of a live-blogging post which I'll update throughout the finale as it airs here in the NYC area.

The weather is clear but a bit cool ... please bring a sweater or light jacket to the comments party.

And snacks, don't forget snacks!

May the best Donato win! And, I hope to see you there ... at the post, that is.

BB8 Live Feeds Screen Cap - TV Squad Stuff

Although both Daniele and Dick are now asleep as I post this -- the screen cap is from a few hours ago as Dick packed some more of his things.

I have the latest Big Brother 8 update with the overnight happenings up over on TV Squad.

I also have a post about Amazing Race season two winner Alex Boylan and his latest television/world travel adventure up over on TVS.