I don't believe I've ever seen quite the hot mess as this. Y'see, there was supposed to be a press release cast reveal on Monday. Today, as per my X'ed out image above, we were to get cast interviews on the live feeds. On Monday CBS pulled off the interview notice and replaced it with a "Coming Soon, August 5" notice on the feeds.
And, they've ghosted us all along. Now, you can't just post a notice like that and then take it down without explanation as if no one ever saw it and it doesn't exist! I realize much of our politics seem that way today, but ...!
Rumors have it that one or more of the 14-day quarantine/sequester hamsters tested positive for COVID-19. Supposedly they had a few alternates, so I don't really know the issue and they ain't saying!
I've been researching all around and have gathered up some intel and some rumors that are likely to be true. Here's the skinny:
* Janelle and Kaysar seem to indeed be in the cast and haven't been mentioned in the rumors they're out.
* Danielle Reyes was rumored to be in the cast. However, she's been posting on Twitter claiming that she never was in the cast. They aren't allowed to post from sequester (although it appears that family might be making some posts for others). Her tweets do seem to be coming from her. I'm disappointed. Sigh.
* Paul was never in the cast and posted that he didn't want the additional stress in his life with the pandemic and ill parents who needed him at home. I think he either wasn't asked or figured he'd just lose again. No great loss.
* Supposedly, Josh and Kaycee were in the cast and now they're not. Would they be the virus carriers if there are a few? Both had been seen partying it up at bars prior to quarantine.
* Bayleigh and Tyler seem to be in the cast. Both may be booted due to slips from Swaggy and Tyler's mother. Swaggy was videoed in a promo for some online show he and Bayleigh do, but mentioned she couldn't be there because she's "on the show." Meanwhile, Tyler's mother said something about it on Facebook. I don't think the show can afford to lose either at this point, but both cases are violations of the nondisclosure agreements.
* Nicole Franzel and Nicole Anthony seem to be in the cast. More on Nicole F. soon.
* David Alexander from last season is rumored to be in the cast. Maybe we'll see him actually play the game.
* Both Dan Gheesling and Derrick Levasseur were early initially rumored to be in the cast. Neither is in the cast now. While Derrick posted a tweet with an explanation that he turned it down due to family health concerns and the pandemic, Dan is tweeting like nothing happened. It seems to be part of a big brouhaha by Nicole Franzel to secure her own place on the show. Supposedly she went to production claiming Derrick and Dan were pre-strategizing before quarantine/sequester. You can read more about it here at this link.
* Daniele Donato-Briones seems to be on the show.
* Kevin Campbell -- BB11, the one who evicted Jeff -- is rumored to be in the cast.
* Ian Terry, Cody Califiore and Hayden Moss are rumored hamsters and I've seen nothing that would say they're not in the cast.
* Christmas Abbot is rumored to be in there as well as Enzo Palumbo (the Meow Meow), Keesha, Da'vonne and Memphis Garrett.
But, then again ... who really knows? Big Brother CBS has to stop ghosting us and let us know what's going on!
Yep indeedy ... soon it will be AWN (as Monica BB2 would say). Even a pandemic can't seem to stop our summer obsession! Yes, delay it a heck of a lot, but not stop it!
HERE IS WHAT WE KNOW:
* It will be an "All-Star" season for only the second time ever. Although, from the rumors out there I'm thinking some of the hamsters might just earn the title of "returning player" rather than "All-Star." To give casting some credit, it had to be hard getting folks to commit with the virus running rampant.
* As you see from the image at the header, we will find out about the cast on the live feeds next Wednesday.
* The cast has been in sequester/quarantine already and will be for 14 days total before the show premieres.
* The crew is also going to be working under many restrictions even though it's being said that they will have no personal contact with the hamsters.
* Julie Chen-Moonves will still be hosting.
* The season premiere will be on Wednesday, August 5 at 9pm. It will be a two-hour move-in episode. No mention of when the live feeds will start as of yet.
* It will follow its regular scheduling of Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, probably with the live evictions still on the Thursday shows.
* I will once again be posting live feeds reports and show night live blogging pool parties as the episodes air here on the East Coast.
* I will be posting a pool sign-up post next Wednesday. Please do not ask to be in the pool here on this post and do sign up on that one when it goes up!
* It should be noted that the cast interviews on the 29th will be on the live feeds only. And, of course, the live feeds are on CBS All Access.
STUFF FOR YOUR ONLINE READING PLEASURE:
From US Weekly - CBS Announces
From RobHasAWebsite
From TMZ
From Cinema Blend
From ETOnline
Well, well, well ... here it is, season finale time already! From what I've read, most of tonight's three-hour broadcast will be show, not the reunion. What reunion there will be will be video conferencing type. I know that many will squawk if Natalie wins her way back into the game and then wins the two million. While I personally wouldn't think it right that the first person voted out stands a chance to come back and win it all, she has amazed me with her determination and physical skills. I don't know. I'd prefer she not win, but still thinks she deserves some kudos!
I will be updating this entry with the major events as the show airs here on the East Coast -- refresh this page to get the latest news! As always, the real party is in the comments area. Please feel free to join in on the fun!
Before she blows the final out of the pool whistle of the season, Lifeguard Laurie has updated the blog pool. Here's where we stand going into the finale --
Ben Driebergen - Rbennie, Shannon
Denise Stapley - Becky, Jennifer
Michele Fitzgerald -Terry is a Texan
Sarah Lacina - SueGee, Cheryl in NC
Tony Vlachos - Karen in CA, Donna in Alabama
Extinction Island
Adam Klein - Lifeguard Laurie, Petals
Amber Mariano - Delee, Glenn Allen
Danni Boatwright - Jennasmom
Ethan Zohn - Rochelle, Jackie
Jeremy Collins - Sharon N
Kim Spradlin-Wolfe - Dr_Celine
Natalie Anderson - Nana in the NW
Nick Wilson - Barbara BW, Judi Sweeney
Parvati Shallow - Donna in FL
Rob Mariano - Auntie Leigh
Sophie Clarke - ChicMc
Tyson Apostol -Janice
Wendell Holland - Nickelpeed, PDX Granny
Yul Kwon - Ed in Ohio
Survivor fans ready?
Jeff is in his garage with a big set-up to present the live portions of the broadcast. He thinks this has been the greatest season of all times. All of the castaways are on a Zoom internet kind of screen. He claims so much is going on with the show itself that there wouldn't be time for a reunion show anyway. Hmm.
Final five get to watch the Extinction players compete. Attached to rope, race through obstacles, dig up rope, make rope bridge, untie knots, table maze. Several have bought advantages with their tokens. Natalie bought the most and gets stuck. After doing so well, she's not rocking this challenge! Wendell has maintained the lead for a while. Natalie has caught up and she, Wendell and Tyson are vying for the win. Whoops for Wendell. NATALIE WINS HER WAY BACK INTO THE GAME!
Now we're getting the Survivor stories from those who didn't win their way back in. Well, Tyson did but got voted out again.
Natalie is touring the camp. She knows that she will be the biggest target. She sees everyone is on the "Tony bandwagon." Tony doesn't trust her and is sure that she will be telling lies. Yes, she plans on telling lots of lies! She has already started telling people that the jury has all been talking about voting for Tony.
Immunity challenge -- race through obstacles, grab bag, up stairs, down waterslide times 3, puzzle. MICHELE WINS despite being way behind until she started her puzzle.
Tony thinks they should split the vote between Denise and Natalie. Meanwhile, Natalie wants to work with Michele. Ben wants to be human and not vote out his friend Denise. Natalie has an idol (one that Tony thinks she might have). Tony thinks he might have to play his idol. Ben has one, as well. Tony thinks they should vote Denise because he thinks Natalie has an idol. Sarah doesn't think she does have one because "she would have told me." @@
Tribal Council time. Jeff starts out asking about Natalie's return. Natalie goes ahead and says Tony is running the show. Now it seems to be female solidarity is afoot. Natalie is really pushing her oust Tony agenda.
The tally -- Natalie plays her idol. Tony plays his idol. Ben plays his idol.
Natalie, Natalie, Natalie, Natalie, Ben, Ben ... must revote. They can only vote for Denise or Sarah. Denise and Sarah don't count. Nobody draws rocks. settle with making fire if it is a tie.
The re-tally -- Denise, Denise, Denise ... bye, Denise.
Tony is a bit upset that he and Ben "wasted" their idols. Tony knows at least one idol is now hidden and he wastes no time going in search of it. NATALIE finds one instead.
Immunity Challenge time -- through obstacles, water, key, two sandbags land them on target. TONY WINS IMMUNITY, a guaranteed spot in the final four.
Natalie is pushing to break up the Tony/Ben/Sarah trio. Tony goes to his spy nest thinking he wants to eavesdrop on the girls. Natalie tells Sarah that she doesn't want to go against Ben in fire. Natalie tells and shows Sarah that she has an idol. Tony wants Natalie to think they're voting for her but put the votes on Michele. Michele knows that she's the target. Would Natalie use her idol to save Michele? Hmm. Ben tells Sarah he's okay with her writing his name down. He thinks she should go to the end and not be told she was just brought along there.
Tribal Council ... it's getting all sentimental and personal growth feelings stuff.
The tally -- Natalie plays her idol.
Ben, Michele, Ben, Michele, Ben.
Tony is surprised. His bud Ben is out!
Final Immunity Challenge -- One hand tied behind back, ball down a chute, catch it, more balls added as time goes on. Tony out! Sarah out!
NATALIE WINS THE FINAL IMMUNITY!
She will pick one person to save and the other two must do a fire challenge for the third spot in the final three.
Tony is pretty sure that he and Sarah will face the fire challenge. I think he's probably right. Natalie wants to put the strongest fire maker against him. Will she choose Michele to go up against Tony?
It's to Tribal ... Natalie saves Michele, leaving Tony and Sarah to do the firemaking battle.
TONY WINS! He's in the final three! Woot! Woot! Both Tony and Sarah are in tears.
They get their big breakfast feast.
Time for the jury Tribal Council --
Outwit
Yul offers them kudos, says they need to fill in the missing blanks about how they outwitted them. Natalie says she misstepped on day one not reaching out. Michele got into alliances, always felt like she was on the bottom. Tony said he tried to be more open and vulnerable this time. Nick challenges him, as does Jeremy. Tony said he was with them until they went against him. Ben speaks up for Tony's loyalty. Natalie talks about targeting Tony upon returning to the game. Rob points out that she shunned the old school players on Extinction. Tony gets asked how he blindsided people. He tells of his spy nest. Wendell points out that Tony never had votes against him. Michele says she moved through cracks and had to work alone being on the bottom.
Outplay --
Wendell wants Natalie to share everything she found in the game. Talk of winning challenges. Extinction an advantage for Michele, disadvantage for Tony.
Outlast --
Natalie wanted to take out the strongest alliance and did it. Michele wonders if she deserved her first win and worked hard this season. Tony came in as himself and played hard, even looking for idols at night, no one ever put his name down in the game.
They show Rob voting for Tony. Natale got a vote. Michele may have gotten one. They only showed a few.
The final tally for the win ...
To Jeff's garage with the final three on little screens.
Tony, Natalie, Natalie, Tony, Natalie, Tony, Natalie, Tony, Tony, Tony, Tony, Tony!
TONY WINS! WELL-DESERVED!
Come one, come all! We have two hours of the show tonight! Make sure you have tasty adult beverages and snacks at hand. I hope everyone is staying safe and staying well!
I'll be updating this post with the major events as they air here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest happenings! As always, the real party is in the comments area -- feel free to join in on the fun!
Here is the Lovely Lifeguard Laurie's latest blog pool update:
Ben Driebergen - Rbennie, Shannon
Denise Stapley - Becky, Jennifer
Jeremy Collins - Sharon N
Michele Fitzgerald -Terry is a Texan
Nick Wilson - Barbara BW, Judi Sweeney
Sarah Lacina - SueGee, Cheryl in NC
Tony Vlachos - Karen in CA, Donna in Alabama
Extinction Island
Adam Klein - Lifeguard Laurie, Petals
Amber Mariano - Delee, Glenn Allen
Danni Boatwright - Jennasmom
Ethan Zohn - Rochelle, Jackie
Kim Spradlin-Wolfe - Dr_Celine
Natalie Anderson - Nana in the NW
Parvati Shallow - Donna in FL
Rob Mariano - Auntie Leigh
Sophie Clarke - ChicMc
Tyson Apostol -Janice
Wendell Holland - Nickelpeed, PDX Granny
Yul Kwon - Ed in Ohio
Survivor fans ready?
Jeremy is wondering why everyone seems to want him gone.
Denise explains to us about her "I'm done" at the tribal council. In no way is she done with the game. She apparently is done with the drama and letting it affect her. Heh. Tony counts his days left as work week days -- five days to the week. He's a nut. He wants to keep Jeremy around ... still. He wants to revive the Cops R Us alliance with Sarah even though he burnt her in the past. He is sincere about working with her until the end this time. She also wants to keep Jeremy but Ben, whose a part of their larger alliance, wants Jeremy out. She thinks they need to take out Nick.
Heh, Sarah convinces Ben that getting Nick out is a smarter move now.
Immunity Challenge time - race out with a ball, toss it, catch on other side of frame, two balls, dig ditch to climb under obstacle, slide puzzle. Winner gets two fire tokens, too.
NICK wins Immunity! There goes the grand plan to vote him out!
Ben doesn't want Denise to go. He would like to break up Jeremy and Michele. It seems like he'll be working to get Michele out. They are indeed after the 50/50 advantage. Uh-oh for Ben! It's exposing him as playing both sides, against Tony even! Will Tony stick with Jeremy or Ben? Hmm. Tony thinks he has the votes and the advantage all planned out to take out Jeremy. Hmm. Nick is the wild card.
Tribal Council time. Please, no whispering. Jeff starts out with quizzing Michele about her struggle with the Immunity Challenge. Ben is asked about which persona he uses for whom. Sarah gets a cop question about who she is dependent on the situation. Nick thinks people are more truthful this season? Lots of trust issues talk. Michele says it's the last night for her 50/50 advantage to be played and she expects it will be played.
The tally -- Michele plays her coin and is playing for herself. She's SAFE
Michele, Michele, Ben, Jeremy, Ben, Jeremy, Jeremy
Well, Jeremy is out.
Immediately to night camera at camp. Ben is thrilled that Jeremy is out. Tony is also thrilled. Ben and Tony want to target Michele next. She's been on the outside all along. She tries to tell Nick that she and he are the next targets. Nick still thinks he has a chance. She's ready to go out fighting.
Michele tries to talk to Sarah about how Tony is going to win because he's running the show. Sarah runs to Tony and Ben about it.
To Extinction, they each have one small scoop of rice. The clue they get says something about the sole survivor sitting on a throne of stones. Natalie gets the advantage first. Place a disadvantage on someone in the game -- to be sold to someone in the game. They're thinking Denise.
NICK gets it! 8 fire tokens, he has six. If he buys and uses it, it's a disadvantage in the next Immunity Challenge. He knows Michele has tokens and goes to her. She gives him two tokens. Nick tells us he wants to use it to cause the most chaos possible. Hmm. Tony? Oh noes!
Immunity Challenge -- stack blocks on a beam while avoiding trip obstacles, knock down like dominoes -- disadvantage goes to Ben, 30 more feet, 30 more blocks. Two fire tokens also to winner. Last time to win or spend tokens.
MICHELE wins Immunity!
Plan B. Denise claims that she is the likely target and will give a token to them for rice. Ben wants Nick out. Ben feels safe in his alliance. I'm not so sure he should feel that way. Nick wants to get Tony on board to get out Ben. Nick brings up Ben winning his way in a fire challenge. Ben also has an idol. Tony resorts to his spy nest. He gets some intel with Denise saying she doesn't want to be with Tony in the finals. Now he has a solid target.
Lots of talk about getting Denise out. Editing? It should be either her or Nick. Or, will it ...?
To Tribal. Jeff goes over Michele's ecstatic reaction when winning Immunity. Ben is still befuddled over who gave him the disadvantage. Pretty straightforward questions so far. No whispering ... yet. Denise brings up her rice ploy last meal bit. She keeps talking and she's definitely out tonight.
The tally --
Nick, Denise, Denise, Nick, Nick, Nick
He takes it well -- "Well done, guys. I'll do my best to join you again tomorrow."
To Extinction's last day on the edge. Amber laments on the view and beauty of the island, as well as the simplicity. They get a note telling them it's time to battle. Rob still has his idol and it's still good. Wendell has two tokens. He can buy an advantage. Yul wants to use his tokens for an advantage, too. Parvati is using hers. Ethan has no tokens. Natalie has an idol and six tokens. She buys a second idol for Tyson - she can only bring one in if she wins her way back.
We go into a long segment about those joining Extinction, fire tokens, old versus new school and more. Their battle to return will be on next week's season finale.
Will Tony be able to keep up the momentum of the past few weeks? I certainly hope so -- he's not only a fellow New Jersey person, but he's also so entertaining!
I'll be updating this entry with the major events as the show airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest news! As always, the real party is in the comments area -- please feel free to join in on the fun!
Here is the Lovely Lifeguard Laurie's latest blog pool update:
Ben Driebergen - Rbennie, Shannon
Denise Stapley - Becky, Jennifer
Jeremy Collins - Sharon N
Kim Spradlin-Wolfe - Dr_Celine
Michele Fitzgerald -Terry is a Texan
Nick Wilson - Barbara BW, Judi Sweeney
Sarah Lacina - SueGee, Cheryl in NC
Tony Vlachos - Karen in CA, Donna in Alabama
Extinction Island
Adam Klein - Lifeguard Laurie, Petals
Amber Mariano - Delee, Glenn Allen
Danni Boatwright - Jennasmom
Ethan Zohn - Rochelle, Jackie
Natalie Anderson - Nana in the NW
Parvati Shallow - Donna in FL
Rob Mariano - Auntie Leigh
Sophie Clarke - ChicMc
Tyson Apostol -Janice
Wendell Holland - Nickelpeed, PDX Granny
Yul Kwon - Ed in Ohio
Survivor fans ready?
Jeremy is ticked that he was targeted. Kim is ticked at Tony because she thinks he betrayed her trust. Ben isn't quite on the Trust Tony Train. He wants Jeremy out.
Tony thinks he's in trouble. It's time for another undercover action! He's in a spy nest up in a tree. Only Sarah knows about it. She cautions him to be careful. Even though Jeremy remains a target, Kim starts a move to make the move to oust Tony. It seems a large contingent agrees Tony should be the next out.
Or ... is it just the edit?
On Extinction, they have another grueling opportunity to earn fire tokens. Adam, almost predictably, is not doing well. Oh noes! Rob fell and "cracked" elbow, giving up. Sophie and Natalie are the best at it. Despite his injury Rob ended up doing it with one arm. They all earned fire tokens, fewer for slower finishes.
Back at camp, Nick thinks he needs to make big moves. Lots of idol hunting going on. Oh, geez. Ben finds an idol right in front of Tony yet he tries to hide it from Tony. Now Tony knows that Ben can't be trusted. Tony calls them on it and they seem to make amends. But Ben is still considering going with Kim to vote out Tony.
Immunity Challenge time -- stand on narrow perch, balancing a bucket with arm tethered. Two winners, one male and one female. Two tokens each. Jeremy drops, Ben out due to touching the structure. Sarah drops. Nick tries to bribe Tony with the offer of a fire token. After 15 minutes, Jeff tries to bribe them with food. Kim goes for it. Michele goes for it. Nick gets Tony to offer him a token. Chocolate, peanut butter, cookies and milk.
DENISE AND TONY WIN IMMUNITY!
Now they all seem to be concentrating on once again targeting Jeremy. Ben tells Tony that Kim and company were talking about blindsiding him but he won Immunity. Tony knows Nick is lying to him. Tony does not want Jeremy to go now. Sarah thinks they need to stick with the numbers and vote out Jeremy. Tony goes to Ben trying to save Jeremy. Michele plans to write down Jeremy's name but give him her advantage. Since the edit is so focused on Jeremy going, he probably won't.
Tribal Council - Denise compares the return to camp after the last tribal to bad family therapy despite the calmness of the events prior to the vote. All kinds of whispering going on.
The tally -- Tony tries to play his idol for Sarah, She declines. Jeremy plays nothing and declines Tony.
Jeremy, Kim, Jeremy, Jeremy, Kim, Kim, Kim, Kim
Buh-bye, Kim.
Two hours next week!
