Nah, paying Jeff Probst to blog here on my blog isn't quite in my budget. But he is blogging his thoughts on each episode at ew.com on their PopWatch blog. Since I can't get him here for you (my apologies, but I'm sure you don't expect him here, right?), I can do the next best thing ... spread the word about the blog he is doing and share some excerpts for discussion.
Regarding the Fang tribe, Jeff said:
- It's not the last time they'll make questionable choices either.
- The mismatched tribes continue to haunt Fang. I kept reminding them, "Quit complaining. You did it to yourselves." I like being a pain in the ass.
- They're all afraid to do anything and coming from a place of fear is never a good idea.
Regarding some of the castaways, Jeff said:
- Actions speak louder than words. Marcus and G.C., good for you. Hope that first episode immunity really pays off for you 'cause it may cost you later.
- Randy getting injured was a nice bonus for episode 1. Anytime there is an injury, along with blood or stitches, it's usually good for the show. Randy is going to be a star if he can last long enough. Everything he says cracks me up. I also think most of it is heartfelt. He's mean as an alley cat, and trust me they're mean.
- But nobody can touch Corinne on the Bitch meter. I only feel comfortable saying this because Corinne told it to me in person ... In her favor, Corinne plays the game hard, she knows how important alliances are, and if she forms a good one she could be around for a while.
- Not sure what happened to Michelle's attitude. I had her picked as a favorite in my preshow picks. Yes. A favorite. Something happened and her zeal disappeared.
- At the first tribal council, G.C. reluctantly accepted the leadership position. The question is how long will he last and how effective will he be? I would have never chosen him as my leader. This is the guy that raced ahead to get immunity for himself. It is a sign.
- Over at Kota, Ace is cracking me up. I love him!
- Sugar cries a lot. Just warning you. But I think you're going to like her. Maybe even root for her.
- Marcus is getting a lot of love from everybody. They love his leadership, they love that he's a doctor, and they love how calm he is. He drove us nuts as producers because he was telling everybody to act rationally! What?! What are you doing? Quit ruining Survivor, dude. Marcus is waaaay too good for this game.
- Dan's visit to Exile Island tells you everything you need to know about Dan. He's lovable and extremely well-intentioned but he overthinks everything. He's Hamlet.
- I actually liked Gillian quite a bit during casting. But once the show started, Gillian...you became a little annoying. You simply talked too much without saying anything substantive. You were a cheerleader, and let's face it, cheerleaders are…well, annoying. We hated to see you go, but if you hadn't been voted out, we may have removed you ourselves.
Jeff also said that the idol on Exile Island is relatively easy to find. He said that next week Fang needs a win and Sugar needs a Kleenex. Uh-oh for those on the Sugar pick in Orkmommy's pool!
I want to thank everyone for the fun evening on the Survivor post here! What a great bunch we are, aren't we? My sympathies to those who ended up with Gillian and Michelle in Orkmommy's pool. I see I have Charlie. I don't think he's going to win it, but I think he's in a good bunch with Marcus, Jacquie, and Corinne. If they do get Bob in there, that's going to be the alliance to watch.
Overall, I'm most impressed with Bob. Heck, I even like the bowtie.
My Survivor premiere review is up over on TV Squad. They almost weren't going to cover it this season, so I hope you can all take a gander at it. I'd appreciate it!
Yes, Zoetawny has made a new and nifty graphic for the blog! I have said she rocks, right? I won't be live-blogging every detail of the two-hour show(s) tonight, but I will keep the blog updated with major events and stray thoughts about the show. Everyone is welcome to visit in comments! Survivors ready?
Interesting start -- I felt bad for Gillian struggling up the hill, but I was shocked that Crystal had trouble! Kudos to Matty for helping them. My Charlie (in Orkmommy's pool) lied about being a lawyer, as did the doctor lie about being a doctor. Crystal didn't mention the gold medal in the Olympics for track and field ... had she done so, she would have been humiliated. Kota is definitely a stronger tribe than Fang.
Kota has huts! So does Fang!
First injury on the first night -- Randy cut his head on a branch and needed stitches. Great start ... not even in a challenge! He's not quitting though and it was a definite cut, not really a bump to the head. He should be fine.
Kota won Immunity and fire. Fang goes to Tribal Council and one is going home tonight. Too bad Danny has individual immunity from the first challenge for his tribe. He sat and did nothing while the others were digging for their puzzle pieces. I don't think it looks too good for Gillian. Alas, she's more annoying than I thought she would be. Weak and annoying, she will make a good target for them at TC.
Tribal Council -- 5 votes Michelle, 1 vote Gillian. Enough for Michelle to go. I was wrong about the annoying factor for Gillian. Michelle is out because she's such a "Negative Nancy." GC (Danny) was voted leader of the tribe, albeit a bit reluctantly.
Randy is irking me. Heck, GC I'm not too thrilled with, but he's trying to lead. Hopefully Randy will follow his own plan and shut up, let others crash and burn. As long as the "shut up" part is done, I'll be happy.
Kota wins their second immunity and reward (fishing gear). At least this time Fang was close. Kota chose to send Dan to Exile Island.
Dan had no luck finding the idol and it looks like Gillian is the likely target again although she wants to get a movement afoot to get rid of the weakest young person (Ken).
Hmmm ... Fang is worried Dan has the hidden Idol and now he's targeted along with Gillian. Will she squeak through again?
Tribal Council - Gillian is out. Five votes for her and one (hers) for Ken. Enough to boot her.
This is my look at the last six castaways accompanied by their video clips from the CBS website. You can find parts one and two here and here ... but not here.
Watch CBS Videos Online
Jacquie Berg, age 25, Santa Barbara, California
Cool, a Jackie on the show, albeit with odd spelling and I'm not a 25-year-old natural blond. At least CBS fixed the spelling on her name. I pondered if she was transgendered with the name "Jacque." I kind of like her. Whether she'll get anywhere near the final four, I don't know. I think she's a contender, but wonder if the Sugars will stay on instead of her.
Watch CBS Videos Online
Gillian Larson, age 61, Temecula, California
Oh, I think I already adore this retired nurse who's tried 15 times to get on the show. She keeps herself fit, but I'm not sure how well she's going to hold up endurance-wise throughout the season. I'd say she might be just a bit nutsy, but she's turned into my newest favorite for the win. Who knows? It could happen!
Watch CBS Videos Online
Danny "GC" Brown, age 26, Portland, Oregon
Ah, a working man "Dreamz" -- one who actually has a job and home even though he had a hard upbringing. He's a maintenance man although his family has been homeless in his youth. The guy has some good ideals. While I'm not getting the "sole Survivor" vibe from him, I think he could go a long ways in the game.
Watch CBS Videos Online
Dan Kay, age 32, Boston, Massachusetts
Not to be confused with castaway Danny, nor Danny Kaye. A lawyer from Boston who comes across quasi-smug with himself to me on initial glance, he's wearing one of those silly little faux-hawks. You know, kind of like Memphis. Hopefully he won't have hair product in Africa. I'm a bit leery of anyone who talks about wanting to lead. They may as well say, "Slap a target on my back and stick a fork in me." Maybe I'll think differently once I see him in action. He isn't bad on the eyes and doesn't have the Boston Rob accent.
Watch CBS Videos Online
Crystal Cox, age 29, Durham, North Carolina
Crystal is a former track and field Olympics champion. She seems very determined and she certainly has overcome challenges in her life. I think she could definitely go far physically and probably isn't too shabby mentally, either. I only wonder if her own super confidence in herself might be a downfall. It's one thing for an older woman like Gillian to be super confident, but when it's a very physically fit younger woman, she might be looked upon as as much of a threat as a young physically fit guy.
Watch CBS Videos Online
Charlie Herschel, age 29, NYC, New York
Okay, this makes the second lawyer this season and I've lost count of how many of them are 29. He's this season's gay guy representative, I guess. He does run marathons and is a huge fan of the show. I think it's going to be interesting to see him work his strategies. He's making a lot of really good points. He's a go-getter in education and career. I think I might like his gameplay if he goes the route he says he will in the video.
Nope, not a TV image. This is a shot I took in the NYC subway as a train was going by. I think it symbolizes how quickly things can pass us by.
I apologize for the lack of an entry yesterday. I have many things going on -- some good, some not so good, but all seem to be time-sapping. On the good end, I have a new computer monitor as my old one was fading away (thanks and a shout out to my brother for my birthday gift). I also bought a cheapie MP3 player and found out that all the Rhapsody music I've downloaded for years on my computer due to the BB SuperPass have to be burned to a CD before I can load them in the MP3 player as they're RealPlayer file format. The last few months of my SuperPass they've switched to MP3 format at Rhapsody, but I have years of the downloads.
I go not only to the vampires tomorrow, but to the orthopedic surgeon, too. It's my pre-release back to work visit. Right now I don't think I'm ready to stress the knee as much as need be for my return to work. When I go back, I have to return full time and with very few work restrictions. So I don't know. I'll see what the doctor says.
Also, tomorrow is the season premiere of Survivor. I'll be covering it here and on TV Squad later in the evening. It's going to be two hours. Right now I'm not sure if I'll do an actual live-blog here or not. I'll decide before it airs!
Can I get a show of hands from folks who want a Prison Break discussion post set up?
