Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Survivor: Island of the Idols - October 30 Blog Party


Okay, the tribes have been shuffled, yet they kept the weakest challenge link on the more losing tribe. Maybe that's so they can lose some more. I'll be updating this entry as the show airs here on the East Coast -- refresh the page to get the latest happenings!

Lifeguard Laurie has updated the blog pool to reflect the tribe shuffle and the latest departed. She indeed rocks!

Lairo
Dean Kowalski -- CherryPie, Merrilee
Karishma Patel -- Ed in Ohio, SueGee
Jack Nichting -- David, jennifer
Jamal Shipman -- Donna in Alabama, Petals
Janet Carbin -- Donna NY, Sharon C
Kellee Kim -- Glenn Allen, Indiana Jane
Noura Salman -- Jennasmom

Vokai
Aaron Meredith -- Auntie Leigh
Elaine Stott -- Cheryl in NC
Elizabeth Beisel -- CherylNY, monty 924
Missy Byrd -- Janice, TS14Fan
Dan Spilo -- Bizaro22, marthalight
Jason Linden -- Dr_Celine, Nickelpeed
Lauren Beck -- Jackie, Sharon N

Tommy Sheehan -- Karen in CA, Terry is a Texan

Survivor fans ready?
Again, right to the show, no opening sequence/theme.

Noura is trying to get a bunch against Jack and Jamal. Now the target will turn on her. Karishma and Dean are the two sole members of the minority tribe.

On Vokai there are four from each tribe and they're still worrying about going to rocks in case of a tie at tribal.

Reward Challenge time. Transport a sled with sandbags and one tribe member through obstacles, collect keys, unload all the sandbags, that person must shoot three targets. It's the chickens reward. They sat out Elaine who instead of watching will go to the Island of the Idols.

Vokai wins Reward!

With all the down time, Rob is building the Mansion of the Shelters. He says Sandra snores so she might get her own wing.

Elaine arrives. Her lesson is having the courage to be daring. Rob tells us that being as impulsive as she is might be a double edged sword as she just jumped on her challenge without knowing what it is. Rob tells her a lot of information about the Immunity Challenge and where she needs to grab an advantage. If she doesn't get it, she loses a vote. She must choose who goes to the Island next.

Jack doesn't seem to know much about your average Black men. Jamal schools him. Hopefully Jack really listens.

At least they're talking about eating the rooster this time around. Elaine tells Elizabeth what she needs to do because Elizabeth knows about the island.

Immunity Challenge -- dig under big cage, get inside it, collect five balls while in cage, target. Noura sits out.

LAIRO WON IMMUNITY!

And Elaine succeeded. She can block one vote. However, she might still go home because her own people are willing to betray her. Her name is in there as well as Lauren and Dan. 

Time for Tribal Council. Jeff starts off with the tie possibility. Whoa! Elaine reads her advantage and blocks Jason's vote. (He was one saying her name.) Lots of whispering going on. Lauren is crying. She thinks she will be going home. 

The tally --
Elaine, Elaine, Elaine, Jason, Jason, Jason, Jason.

Byebye, Jason. Ohhh bitterness, tells them not to trust Aaron.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Survivor: Island of the Idols - October 23 Blog Party


It looks (from the "drop your buffs" promo that we'll most likely going to be a switch up with the tribes this week. I think it's too early for a merge. That said, it's been nice to see the tribes running somewhat equal strengths-wise. Usually we have one tribe decimating the other.

I'll be live-blogging the major events as they air here on the East Coast -- refresh the page to get the latest updates! As always, the real party is in the comments area. Please feel free to join in on the fun!

But first … Lifeguard Laurie has updated the blog pool and here are the latest standings --

Lairo
Aaron Meredith - Auntie Leigh
Dean Kowalski - CherryPie, Merrilee
Elaine Stott - Cheryl in NC
Elizabeth Beisel - CherylNY, monty 924
Karishma Patel - Ed in Ohio, SueGee
Missy Byrd - Janice, TS14Fan
Tom Laidlaw - Judi Sweeney, Laurie

Vokai
Dan Spilo - Bizaro22, marthalight
Jack Nichting - David, jennifer
Jamal Shipman - Donna in Alabama, Petals
Janet Carbin - Donna NY, Sharon C
Jason Linden - Dr_Celine, Nickelpeed
Kellee Kim - Glenn Allen, Indiana Jane
Lauren Beck - Jackie, Sharon N
Noura Salman - Jennasmom

Tommy Sheehan - Karen in CA, Terry is a Texan

Survivor fans ready?

Dean was blindsided with the Chelsea vote out. He goes searching for answers. He has his suspects and wants to know who the mastermind behind the plan is. He's uncomfortable around Missy (who did the dirty deed) and manages to put himself on her radar even more.

They meet up with Jeff. Drop you buffs -- we're switching tribes. I'm probably not going to be able to keep up with the changes tonight. The Purple tribe has four from each tribe and is the new Vokai. On Lairo, five and three. 

Reward has them slithering with feet tied, hands tied at sides and solving a fire puzzle. The reward itself is product placement fodder for Applebee's (in Fiji). VOKAI wins! Karishma once again was the weak link for Lairo.

So we get a roughly five minute ad for Applebee's with a bit of talk about original tribe members sticking together.

Switch to Lairo -- Tom is already talking about targeting Karishma. Dean isn't too keen on his old tribemates due to the Chelsea blindside. The three old Lairo are going to have to scramble to fit in because they're outnumbered.

Jamal wants to improve his social game and make bonds with the new people. He looks at Elaine and claims her social game is fantastic. Vokai is worried that they technically could have a tie and have to draw rocks at tribal. 

Immunity Challenge -- swim to ladder, climb, leap off, release three buoys, transport buoys on floating balance beam, throw to target. As usual, Karishma is dragging her tribe down. Dean almost redeemed it for Lairo, but ...

VOKAI WINS IMMUNITY!

Lairo lost but it seems like no one will go to Island of the Idols. Hmm.

Tom, Dean and Karishma know they're the likely targets. Dean and Tom think like I do … get Karishma out. She's weak in EVERY challenge. Noura lost her vote for tonight back when she was on the island and royally screwed things up. They seem to be focusing on original Lairo with cases for and against each one They're worried more about the merge than winning challenges now from what I see.

Tribal Council time! Jeff points out the five/three and questions how that will affect the vote. The three are in the spotlight. Noura is just weird. I had to say that. Dean points out he doesn't have strong ties with his old tribemates as they blindsided him.

Time to vote ...

The tally:
Tom, Karishma, Karishma, Tom, Tom, Tom, Tom.

What the hell are they thinking? They too kept Karishma.

Goodbye Tom/

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Survivor: Island of the Idols - October 16 Blog Party


Greetings and felicitations! As tonight's show airs, barring possible power outages due to a nasty nor'easter type storm outside, I'll be doing my best to live blog the show as it airs here on the East Coast. You'll have to bear with me as I'm still having trouble with some of the names of castaways. Perhaps a bit less Rob/Sandra time and more current cast time would help in that regard. Refresh this page to get the latest updates. And, if I vanish, I've lost power.

Here's the latest blog pool update from the esteemed Lifeguard Laure:
Lairo
Aaron Meredith - Auntie Leigh
Chelsea Walker - Big winner Brian, Margo
Dean Kowalski - CherryPie, Merrilee
Elaine Stott - Cheryl in NC
Elizabeth Beisel - CherylNY, monty 924
Karishma Patel - Ed in Ohio, SueGee
Missy Byrd - Janice, TS14Fan
Tom Laidlaw - Judi Sweeney, Laurie

Vokai
Dan Spilo - Bizaro22, marthalight
Jack Nichting - David, jennifer
Jamal Shipman - Donna in Alabama, Petals
Janet Carbin - Donna NY, Sharon C
Jason Linden - Dr_Celine, Nickelpeed
Kellee Kim - Glenn Allen, Indiana Jane
Lauren Beck - Jackie, Sharon N
Noura Salman - Jennasmom


As always, the real party is in the comments! Survivor fans ready?

Again no real intro? Right to the action. Karishma thinks she must be expendable because she got three votes. Uh-oh … Dean and Chelsea seem to be becoming a power couple. That could throw the target on them! The women's alliance could suffer … that is unless they get rid of Dean. Hmm.

The other tribe wants to go fishing. Jamal, worried about being left out of the last vote, thinks he needs to go looking for an idol. And, he finds it. Are they making them too easily to be found? Jamal has a Richard Hatch laugh.

A boat arrives and they must make a unanimous decision who goes to Island of the Idols. If not unanimous, they need to draw from a bag. What a quandary, huh? Noura volunteers to go and meets up with Rob and Sandra.

They give her watermelon. It's like BB all over again! Her lesson is in the art of persuasion. Poor Erik … they show him giving his immunity and getting voted out once again. Rob tells her that in the next immunity challenge she should convince them she needs to be the caller and, if she succeeds she wins the power to block someone's vote. If she doesn't succeed, she loses her vote. Neither Rob nor Sandra are too keen about Noura's talents in playing the game.

Noura tells her tribemates that they have an advantage in the next immunity challenge if they unanimously agree she can choose her role. She tells them she will be the caller. Jason is skeptical and they're all thinking she's lying. They practice and it's not going well. 

Immunity Challenge time. We'll see who calls. Course, collect three keys, solve puzzle all while blindfolded. Heh. Her tribe sat Noura out. She won't call nor even compete. Jason and Elizabeth are the callers.

Jason has brought his tribe to a big lead with his calling abilities, don't think Noura could have done as well. Elizabeth has caught her team up with them. 

VOKAI wins Immunity!

Karishma is sure she's the target and is on the "woe is me" train. Chelsea feels secure because she has an idol. However, her buddy Dean is in the spotlight. Elizabeth doesn't think getting Dean out is good for her game. Aaron keeps pushing his Dean Out agenda. That seems to be casting some suspicion on him. Missy now is pushing Chelsea. Elaine is befuddled. 

Time for Tribal Council and Jeff's Probsting questions. He starts with asking them about the previous blindsides. Elaine remains befuddled. Chelsea talks about how everything can change. I hope she watches for signs and doesn't leave with an idol in hand. Ohh … Missy disses Karishma. Dang. This whole TC is about blindsides.

The tally -- Chelsea does not play her idol.

Karishma, Karishma, Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea. Chelsea

Another out carrying an idol. Silly castaways!

Next week looks like the merge or a shuffle. They will be dropping their buffs!

Wednesday, October 09, 2019

Survivor: Island of the Idols - Oct. 9 Blog Party


With the blindside of Molly last week both tribes are down one member. One man out, one woman out. I guess we're running even! We'll have to see what happens tonight. These tribes seem to be quite evenly matched for a change.

Lifeguard Laurie has updated the blog pool. Our sincere apologies to Indiana Jane who somehow got missed -- you're in it now!

Lairo

Aaron Meredith - Auntie Leigh
Chelsea Walker - Big winner Brian, Margo
Dean Kowalski - CherryPie, Merrilee
Elaine Stott - Cheryl in NC
Elizabeth Beisel - CherylNY, monty 924
Karishma Patel - Ed in Ohio, SueGee
Missy Byrd - Janice, TS14Fan
Tom Laidlaw - Judi Sweeney, Laurie
Vince Moua - Kelsey NY, MikesGirl

Vokai
Dan Spilo - Bizaro22, marthalight
Jack Nichting - David, jennifer
Jamal Shipman - Donna in Alabama, Petals
Janet Carbin - Donna NY, Sharon C
Jason Linden - Dr_Celine, Nickelpeed
Kellee Kim - Glenn Allen, Indiana Jane
Lauren Beck - Jackie, Sharon N
Noura Salman - Jennasmom

Tommy Sheehan - Karen in CA, Terry is a Texan

Survivor fans ready?

Returning from Tribal, Jason is thrilled to still be there. Jamal and Jack aren't happy that they were blindsided on the decision to vote out Molly.

On Lairo, the girls are continuing to bond. Karishma makes the ultimate sacrifice and swims in her underwear with them. The guys are figuring they're outnumbered. They think Vince is with them. Heh -- he knows they were working on getting him out last week. He's willing to work with the girls.

On Vokai, it seems like Noura will once again be a target. Well, that is until Jamal brings up Dan. Oh, wait. Now Jamal's name is in there!

Uh-oh, Kairishma cut her hand and now thinks no one on her tribe cares about her, boohoo.

They had a delivery -- a note directing Vince to the Island of the Idols.

He cries when he sees Rob and Sandra. His lesson is staying calm. He has to go at night to the other camp and steal fire by lighting a torch and bringing it back to them.

It turns out their fire was out because of the rain. Vince collected ashes to prove he made it. He passes! He has an idol only good for the next two Tribals.

Immunity Chalenge - one swims out for a key, all balance on teeter-totter while one undoes puzzle piece bags, puzzle. Reward is comfort items including chair, hammock, comforters, etc. 

VOKAI wins Immunity and Reward.

Oh noes! Because they don't know what happened with Vince, he's the first named as a target. I hope he's smart enough to use that idol if he needs it!

They think they should split the votes between Vince and Karishma because they think Vince has an idol. At least that's what the guys think. The girls for the most part think they can work with Vince. Now Tom's name is in there. Hmm.

Tribal Council time. Jeff's Probsting questions lead to them saying how, if puzzles are not your thing, don't volunteer. Karishma defends herself in matters of strength and more. The girls tell her she's one of the girls and needs to remember that. Tom might have just sunk his ship.

The tally -- Vince does NOT play the idol

Tom, Karishma, Karishma, Karishma, Vince, Vince, Vince, Vince

He should have played the idol. Sigh. Bye, Vince! 

Wednesday, October 02, 2019

Survivor Island of the Idols - October 2 Blog Party


Please be warned that I'm still a bit rough with both the tendonitis and knowing who's whom on the show! Despite those factors, I will do my best to update this entry with the major happenings as they air on the show 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!

As per our usual custom, Lifeguard Laurie was diligent in reassigning those pool people who had the unfortunate luck to draw the first booted castaway (Ronnie). Here's the updated blog pool --

Lairo
Aaron Meredith - Auntie Leigh
Chelsea Walker  - Big winner Brian, Margo
Dean Kowalski - CherryPie, Merrilee
Elaine Stott - Cheryl in NC
Elizabeth Beisel - CherylNY, monty 924
Karishma Patel - Ed in Ohio, SueGee
Missy Byrd - Janice, TS14Fan
Tom Laidlaw - Judi Sweeney, Laurie
Vince Moua - Kelsey NY, MikesGirl

Vokai
Dan Spilo - Bizaro22, marthalight
Jack Nichting - David, jennifer
Jamal Shipman - Donna in Alabama, Petals
Janet Carbin - Donna NY, Sharon C
Jason Linden - Dr_Celine, Nickelpeed
Kellee Kim - Glenn Allen
Lauren Beck - Jackie, Sharon N
Molly Byman - Jenna G, tbc
Noura Salman - Jennasmom

Tommy Sheehan - Karen in CA, Terry is a Texan

Survivor fans ready?

Uh-oh. Noura is alienating her fellow tribe members. She's just a tad controlling. She would do well to just be a bit quiet. Molly herself has issues but Noura is outshining them. Dan wants to work with Noura but she's not making things easy to do so.

Lairo had fire problems until Chelsea stepped in. She thinks the women on the tribe can do anything the guys can do but better. Ah. a woman just found the first idol of the season! That was Chelsea.

A boat is arriving at Vokia. Kellee has to head to the Island of the Idols.

Sandra and Rob greet her. We get the same spiel they gave last week. It seems like they're giving her rapid-fire statements about their lives. Apparently they're going to test her to see if she was listening … important skills to build relationships and bonds. She can be tested and, like the one last week, can win an idol good for the next two tribals or lose a vote. Like last week, she named one person on the other tribe to go next time.

She wins a sweetened deal of three idols for three questions right. She returns to camp and tells a three urns story, while crying. She had the idol in her hair when she offered to let the others search her bags for any idols and saying she lost.

Immunity time. Reward is spices. Lauren sits out. Swim out to release ladder. Move ladder, lift up to have one person retrieve bag. land three balls in three targets. 

LAIRO wins immunity!

It looks like the two likely targets will be Noura or Jason. Of course that will be subject to change.

Noura knows she's a target so she tries to convince others to keep her. Now they're talking a split between her and Jason because they think he might have an idol. Oh my. Now the other girls are talking Molly. They think she has too much power in the game. It's cool kids versus nerds kind of mentality going on.

Tribal Council time! Jason feels he's on the outs because they all thought he was off looking for an idol. He tells them he doesn't have an idol and they're free to search his bags. Noura thinks she's always been on the outside and even more so in the game. 

No one plays an idol 

The tally:
Jason, Noura, Molly, Jason, Molly, Molly. Molly, Molly

The "nerds and misfits" did it. Molly was voted out in a blindside.