Survivor 38: Edge of Extinction - Episode 11 Blog Party

So, now we have all returning castaways sitting over there on Extinction Island. I guess that technically gives at least one of them a shot at getting back in the game for the win. To be honest, I'm a bit surprised they weren't targeted and picked off one by one right from the get-go. I'm never sure why reality shows think it's a good thing to have a few returning players join in with a new cast. They never make it to the end. I'm not keen on "all star" versions of the shows, either. But, at least, that creates a more even playing field.

I'll be live blogging the major events as they air here on the East Coast. Refresh this page to get the latest news! Y'all know the party is in the comments below, right? Feel free to join in! Up here it ain't no party, ain't no disco, ain't no foolin' around. Okay, maybe a little fooling around …

A post for The Amazing Race is sitting in the wings ready to pop up before that show airs. If you're watching both shows, head on over there at the end of this one!

Here's the latest update on the blog pool (they need to get some of these folks outta there!) --

Aurora McCreary -- Ed in Ohio, marthalight
Dan DaSilva "Wardog" -- Jackie, Nana in the NW
Gavin Whitson -- Brenda, KelseyNY
Julie Rosenberg -- Delee, MikesGirl
Lauren O'Connell -- Brian, Krysta Gibbon, Sharon N.
Rick Devins -- Auntie Leigh, Merrilee 
Ron Clark -- Cherry Pie, Judi Sweeney, Rochelle
Victoria Baamonde -- Indiana Jane, Karen in VS, SueGee

Jury & Extinction
Reem Daly -- David, Terry is a Texan, Sharon C
Chris Underwood -- Glenn Allen, Laurie
Aubry Bracco * -- Cheryl in NC, Margo, Petals
Eric Hafemann -- Bizarro22, Pinky, Shannon
Joe Anglim * -- Carol C, Kismet
Julia Carter -- Donna in FL, Monty924, Jennifer
David Wright * -- Dr_Celine, PDX Granny, Renee Buck
Kelley Wentworth * -- Donna in NY, Jenna G.

Survivor fans ready?

We start as Kelley arrives at Extinction. Of course, Lauren is missing her back at camp. She's saying Ron and Wardog flipped. She's uncertain who she can work with now. Wardog's way of working things has alienated many -- Gavin is angry and wants him targeted. Ron told Julie about the extra vote in order to get back in her good graces. It looks like it just might work.

Rick think he, Ron and Wardog need each other in the game. They think they're each other's biggest threat and biggest hope to stay in the game. They think the others will go for them any chance they get. it seems like Aurora is their main target … at least for now.

To a REWARD challenge. They have to swim, dive, go under a platform, retrieve three rings and first team to get rings on target wins. It's a trip away to a feast and showers and stuff.

Lauren, Wardog, Rick, Julie  (Blue) versus Ron, Gavin, Victoria and Aurora (Yellow) in a schoolyard pick. 

Blue wins it no thanks to another poor challenge performance by Wardog.

We have a trip to Extinction. Kelley is mad at herself for not trusting her gut and using the idol. Reem is thrilled that Kelley finally got voted out. Kelley apologizes to her but Reem is still ticked. After all, Kelley was instrumental in getting her voted out. Time for introspection time for Kelley. Um, okay. 

Back at camp, the ones who lost the reward have some bonding time. They're talking taking out Rick. Gavin wants to get closer to Aurora. Ron accused Aurora of being the "Rice Nazi." He tells us she gets on his last nerve.

But the Reward people are having a wonderful time. They're spreading mud bath on each other, talk about bonding. They got to play in a hot spring. Rick doesn't think Lauren or Julie are serious players. They're wrong. However, Julie and Lauren are bonding a bit. But Lauren thinks Rick is the most dangerous while Julie wants to take out Wardog.

Immunity Challenge time! Race over obstacle carrying buoy, go through tunnel with buoy, then buoy through netting, keys, unlock locks, puzzle.

Rick wins Immunity again! His only real competition was Aurora. Gavin is sure Wardog will be going tonight. I'm not as sure.

Lots of scuttlebutt about Wardog going home. But it's also leaning towards Aurora. Aurora is certainly the better physical competitor. Lauren is torn -- she thinks she needs to do what's best for her own game. Aurora is contemplating using her extra vote advantage. She might need it.

Off to Tribal Council! Jeff asks Wardog about the atmosphere back at camp. He says that all are talking and Gavin claims Wardog talks at him, not to him, so now they don't talk. Ohh … Wardog threw Ron under the bus with Kelley ouster and Ron said it was true. They're already working the jury. 

The tally -- 
Aurora, Wardog, Aurora, Wardog, Wardog, Wardog, Wardog …

So, my pool pick Wardog bites the Extinction. Yes, he heads to Extinction … of course. He's a Wardog.

Next week is the "loved ones" episode. Never my favorite, but they don't ask me.

The Amazing Race 31 -- Season Premiere Blog Party

While I generally prefer "normal new people" on TAR, I think this season should be quite entertaining. Since this blog covers all three shows involved in the cast, it's all familiar faces. There are a few I'd personally not see again on the show :::cough... Rachel, Colin, Rupert …. cough::: -- overall, I like the teams chosen. I just think two of them have had more than needed of their fifteen minutes of fame and one is insufferable. Everyone (in their bios) think the former racers will have the edge. I guess we'll see!

I will be live blogging the major events as they go down from here on the East Coast. Refresh this page to get the latest news! As always, the party is down in the comments area. Please join in on the fun!

Lifeguard SueGee has made the random selections for the pool. Who's your team?

From Big Brother:
Rachel & Elissa -- Delee, Nickelpeed
Nicole & Victor -- Jackie, Jennfer
Janelle & Britney -- Donna in FL, David
From Survivor:
Rupert & Laura -- Brian, JonMD1267
Corinne & Eliza -- Dr_Celine, Caela
Chris & Bret -- Paula B, Megan in NC
From TAR:
Art & JJ -- SueGee, Willie J
Colin & Christie -- Donna NY, Petals
Becca & Floyd -- Merrilee, Judi Sweeney
Leo & Jamal -- Kelsey NY, Indiana Jane
Tyler & Korey -- Sharon N, Ed in Ohio 

Are we ready? 1, 2, 3 … let's GO!

They're starting out in Los Angeles. We get the introductions from Phil. 

It looks like this "reality clash" is going to take a few minutes. 

They have to dig into a HUGE octopus sand sculpture for their clue to their first destination.

They're heading to Japan - Rachel, Rupert teams got it first. Colin and Christie have two children now -- 11 and 6 years old. We'll see how much he's matured.

All the teams are on the same flight to Tokyo where they'll have to take a bus to the destination for the next clue. Only limited numbers of clues are in either of the two locations. They're rather slowly finding the clues. 

They are directed to the Roadblock in a building. Who wants a sweet new pair of shoes? Inspired by a crazy game show. They must find one pair of shoes, biting into it to see if it's chocolate. Some are still looking for the clues to get there. Rachel is running behind. So is Rupert. As for the shoes, they must eat the chocolate ones once they find them. 

Leo and Jamal are in the lead followed by Janelle and Britney. 

Who wants to climb Mount Fuji? Roadblock, climb 21 stories. It's a slippery slope. Meanwhile, Victor is having extreme issues with the chocolate sandals. Rupert and Laura are still roaming around lost in Tokyo. 

Colin and Christie are next in line at the climbing behind the Afghanimals. The cousins are headed to the Pit Stop. Ohh … Phil said WILL be eliminated, not MAY be eliminated. Corinne and Eliza just got the clue to the shoes. Art and JJ are lost and just got the clue after two teams already hit the welcome mat. Rupert and Laura are at the shoe Roadblock with Corinne/Eliza and actually found the chocolate shoes first. Corinne./Eliza are thinking they're the last team. They don't know that Art and JJ JUST got the clue to the shoes.

Pit Stop order:
1. Leo and Jamal, also won a seven-day cruise.
2. Colin and Christie 
3. Tyler and Korey
4. Rachel and Elissa
5. Becca and Floyd
6. Victor and Nicole
7. Bret and Chris
8. Janelle and Britney
9. Corinne and Eliza
Rupert and Laura are still roaming about lost. JJ/Art are still struggling with the slope.

JJ tells Art that they should take a four-hour penalty because Art can't make the slope. Rupert/Laura arrive at Mt. Fuji. They tell Rupert/Laura they're taking the four hour penalty. Rupert is the one going for the slope. They don't think he'll be able to do it either. And … he is making it! He got it!

10. Rupert and Laura
11. Art and JJ -- Philiminated.

I had predicted a Rupert first ouster. I was close.

Survivor 38: Edge of Extinction Ep. 10 Blog Party

We're heading into the tenth episode and only two castaways have left the show -- and, that's because they actually gave up and quit. Sure, many have been voted out, yet they still remain. It's kind of like the Hotel California: you can check out, but never leave! That said, the promos have tonight being two Tribal Councils. So, two more will leave. Or stay. Or whatever.

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

Remember: immediately after Survivor airs, we have the season premiere of The Amazing Race 31 with teams from Survivor, Big Brother and TAR. A separate post will cover that show. Just refresh the blog after this show and join in for another blog party there!

Here are the latest blog pool standings from the Lovely Lifeguard Laurie:

Aurora McCreary - Ed in Ohio, marthalight
Dan DaSilva "Wardog" - Jackie, Nana in the NW
David Wright * - Dr_Celine, PDX Granny, Renee Buck
Gavin Whitson - Brenda, KelseyNY
Julie Rosenberg - Delee, MikesGirl
Kelley Wentworth * - Donna in NY, Jenna G.
Lauren O'Connell - Brian, Krysta Gibbon, Sharon N.
Rick Devens - Auntie Leigh, Merrilee
Ron Clark - Cherry Pie, Judi Sweeney, Rochelle
Victoria Baamonde - Indiana Jane, Karen in VS, SueGee

Jury & Extinction
Reem Daly - David, Terry is a Texan, Sharon C
Chris Underwood - Glenn Allen, Laurie
Aubry Bracco * - Cheryl in NC, Margo, Petals
Eric Hafemann - Bizaro22, Pinky, Shannon
Joe Anglim * - Carol C, Kismet
Julia Carter - Donna in FL, Monty924, Jennifer

Grab your adult beverages and let's get started!

They open the show after Tribal. Although the idol wasn't needed, David thanked Rick for the idol share doohickey. They all seemed a bit stunned by the Tribal. It seems they think Aurora was the downfall of Julia. Wardog is already scheming with a group of six. He thinks they'll go after Aurora next. She knows it and is worried. She won't give up, but …!

Right to the Immunity Challenge. Bars resting on shoulders, must squat, too high flag will pop, too low urn will fall. Jeff is bribing people to not compete with pizza and either beer or root beer. Victoria, Kelley, Ron and Lauren choose to chow down.

Wardog, Gavin and Julie are out. Rick Devens out. It's only David and Aurora left. Aurora tells him she cannot drop because she's the target. Of course, David is wary that he's the target. Whoops! David out.

AURORA WINS IMMUNITY! 

Sure enough, David's name is brought up as a target since they can't go after Aurora. David thinks they might be able to get Victoria and possibly even Aurora on his side and go against Wardog. He knows Wardog is after him. It seems he might actually be making headway on it. He keeps calling the Lesu 3 the "power trio." Wardog's style (dictating votes) has rubbed some the wrong way. Plus, I'll add in -- he's no good in challenges. I say that even though he's my pool guy. Ron is unsure. He doesn't really trust David.

Already heading to the first Tribal of the show. Jeff asks if there was an emotional drain after the last Tribal. Rick thinks he and David are in trouble and they need help. Julie thinks she and Ron are on the bottom of their alliances. Rick thinks they need to make a bold move. Wardog says that he, Kelley and Lauren are super strong. Ron says Wardog is very aggressive and vocal. Sure enough, Wardog speaks up and might sink himself.

Time to vote …

The tally -- no one uses an idol --
David, Wardog, David, Wardog, David, David, David, David …

Rats. David is gone. He promises to them that he will "crawl his way back in." Of course, he heads to Extinction.

On Extinction, Joe hands out seven bottles with seven clues to an advantage. David, the one still most in game mode, heads off looking as do the others. David does find it. He must send an advantage to someone else currently in the game.

Immediately to another Immunity Challenge. Balance a paddle on a stand, roll a ball down into a dimple. First to get five balls in dimples. Rick brings forth the advantage and announces it was from David -- he only has to get four balls in.

RICK DEVENS WINS IMMUNITY! (Thanks, David.)

Wardog and others are talking the easy vote would be to target Aurora. Hmm … but now he's telling us he thinks it's time for the last returnee to be voted off -- he's ready to turn on his ally, Kelley. He thinks he's in stealth mode. He's going around to all to convince them. Ron thinks it should be Aurora and that Julie would think the same. Kelley thinks she's probably in a good position, but tells us she's glad she has a hidden idol. Aurora gives Ron her advantage of the extra vote. He's actually pondering using it to vote her out! Oy! 

Tribal Council time once again. Time for Jeff's Probsting questions. Aurora says this is the first time her name has come up when she didn't have Immunity. They talk about blindside. Kelley says every time isn't the right decision. Is it time to worry about who to sit with at the end? Ron says too aggressive can be a threat. The camera goes to Wardog. Heh. It's time to vote.

The tally --
No idols played.

Aurora, Kelley, Aurora, Aurora, Aurora, Kelley, Kelley, Kelley, Kelley.

"Wow, guys, a lot of lying going on." Kelley should have played her idol. She's headed to Extinction with a torch.

The Amazing Race 31 -- Returning Teams

The Amazing Race will make its 31st season debut following Survivor tomorrow night -- 9pm ET/PT. I've already posted about the Big Brother and Survivor teams on the show. Now it's time for the returning TAR teams. Tomorrow night I'll be live blogging the show as it airs here on the East Coast. Yes, there will be a party in the comments.



Sigh. Of the returning teams, this is the one I least want to endure once again. Colin and Christie, although they did well on their season (TAR5), taking second place. I find him insufferable, aggressive and ruthless. I really can't believe they're still "life partners" this many years later. He's 38, a tech entrepreneur while she's 40 and … get this … a Sex, Love and Relationship Coach. Oh my.



Now, I liked this best friends team of Art and JJ. Art is a federal agent while JJ is a border agent. Well, maybe vice versa. They were on TAR20, didn't bicker with each other and ended up coming in second place. They're older now at the age of 49. I'm not sure how they'll hold up against some of the younger teams. But, they should be entertaining to watch!






Then there's Tyler and Korey, another team of best friends. The video above was their audition video for their season -- TAR28. Since they were on more recently, they're still on the young side. Tyler is 30 while Korey is 34. Neither works a tradition job. Tyler is a video blogger and Korey is a podcaster. (Wish I had those choices when I was young!) They came in third on their season. 



Leo and Jamal, cousins, are the only returning team that's been on the show two other seasons. They did back to back seasons 23 and 24 (All-Stars). They came in 4th place in both seasons. They were quite young then and now are only 31 (Leo) and 30 (Jamal). Leo owns a bar while Jamal is a customer financial services manager. They were entertaining and definitely have a strong team bond. I guess if we have to have a three-peater, they're okay. 





From TAR29, we have Team Fun -- Becca and Floyd. They were fun on their season despite a rather heartbreaking end for them. They came in 5th. They're also still on the young side. She's 28 and he's 23. (No wonder he made some drastic mistakes -- he was a child!) They're good friends and, overall, worked very well together. She's very athletic and is actually a rock climbing instructor. He's a client services manager and will try his hardest. I look forward to their return.

The Amazing Race 31 Blog Pool OPENS!

The new season of The Amazing Race starts NEXT Wednesday, 9pm ET/PT right after Survivor. That would be April 17. Mark those calendars! It's a CBS reality show smackdown kind of season ahead -- three teams from Survivor, three from Big Brother and five previous Amazing Race teams. I posted about the BB and Survivor teams on this linked post. I will post about the returning TAR teams soon.

But first … we have to get this blog pool opened!

Hey! Who's our Lifeguard? And what does the lifeguard do?

SueGee, affectionately known as SqueeGee, will be the lifeguard. She will randomly match up blog members with teams on the show. Beware, though, she has a whistle and knows how to use it!

Then what happens?

As the show airs, you cheer on your team. You cheer 'em on and on. (Even if you don't like 'em, you cheer 'em on.) Once (or if) your team is Philiminated, feel free to cheer on whomever you wish. Just don't run amok all over the pool!

What do I win if my team wins?

You win the much sought after … bragging rights. Yep, you got it. What? You thought this was about money? Nope. Money doesn't last. Bragging rights last forever even as future seasons air.

How do I get in on this action?

You need to sign up in the comments of this post and this post only. Submissions on any other post or on Facebook or Twitter might be missed. If you are here on Blogger under "Anonymous," you will need some sort of sign-off name. A first name is fine, a nickname, anything. Obviously we can't have a half-dozen "anon" entrants in the pool -- we wouldn't be able to tell them apart.

When is the deadline for signing up?

The pool sign up ends at noon PT, otherwise known as 3pm ET, on Tuesday, April 16. Sign up now before you forget! Stragglers can hang around the pool, but won't be able to swim.