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!

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! 

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.

BB21: Season Finale Blog Party

Yay! It's finally here -- finale night! What a season it's been! I'll be doing my best to update this entry with the major happenings as it airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest updates! As always, the real party is in the comments -- come join in on the fun!

Here are the FINAL pool standings! Let's give SueGee a round of applause for running the blog pool this season!

HAMSTER BLOG POOL PEEPS

Holly ----------------> Dr_Celine, SueGee. Ashley, Quixotic Elf
Nicole ---------------> JonMD1267, CherylNY, Sherri Vegas, Donna in AL
Jackson -------------> Jennifer, Janice, ChicMc. Krysta Gibson

JURY
Jack
Kat
Analyse
Nick
Jess
Christie
Tommy

Cliff 

Let's get this party started!

Recap recap recap

Julie is all dressed up and sporting a beautiful hairdo.

Jury Roundtable with Dr. Will. Most seem to think Cliff is joining them -- they're right. They seem at a dilemma with Jackson's game -- yes he won comps. But how about the way he treats people? Has he integrity?

Then they talked Nicole and seem very impressed with her game. Sis thinks it was more luck than strategy, most seem to think she was playing a great game. As for Holly, they're not as impressed. 

Now it's time for the taped Part 2 HOH, they have to retrieve "memories" and matching days. It's physical as well as mental. They're doing wall climbing to make the matches. They do it one at a time. 

Holly - 10.38. Nicole - 14.38 -- HOLLY WINS PART 2

Live Part 3 starts - The Jury is Out, have to tell which jury statements are true or false.

1. Both right
2. Both right
3. Both right
4. Both right
5. Holly wrong
6. Both right
7. Both right
8. Both right

Jackson wins. Sigh. No real surprise there.

Expect the expected -- he evicts Nicole, the final two is Holly and Jackson.

She gets overwhelming applause. She held up well until she spotted her family in the audience.

Jury questions time.
Cliff- Jury management to Jackson -- defends his game 
Christie  - Holly strategy? 
Tommy - Jackson degrading to women? He denies
Analyse - Holly played his game? She says no
Jess - Jackson why you over Holly?
Jack - Holly why you over Jackson?

Final speeches --
Jackson lists his stats and asks vote on game
Holly planned to fly under radar honwat

Voting commences

Early evictees are next. 

Ohh … let's talk controversy. Ovi says Nicole was bullied when closed out of that HOH room. Kemi is upset with Jack and others. They all apologize. Jackson denies he's a racist. Bella is SO upset with Nick. 

The votes
Nicole - H
Cliff - J
Tommy - J
Jess - H
Nick -- J
Sis - J
Kat - H
Jack - J

No surprise -- JACKSON MICHIE WINS
I don't like him as a person and thinks he has a lot of issues to work on in his life. But, game-wise he was best.

NICOLE WON AFP! Tommy and Cliff were the other top vote-getters

Survivor 39: Island of the Idols Season Premiere Blog Party

It's here! After a rather troubling season of Big Brother, this should be a relief! The show seeks out those who WANT to be on it, not merely showmance types 
Remember -- although Sandra and Rob are there, they are mentoring, not competing.

Lifeguard Laurie has so kindly made the random matches for the blog pool once again. YAY! Remember -- nobody in the pool goes home tonight!
Lairo
Aaron Meredith - Auntie Leigh
Chelsea Walker  - Big winner Brian, Margo
Dean Kowalski  - CherryPie, Merrilee
Elaine Stott  - Cheryl in NC
Elizabeth Beise   - CherylNY, monty 924
Karishma Patel  - Ed in Ohio, SueGee
Missy Byrd   - Janice, TS14Fan
Ronnie Bardah   - jennifer
Tom Laidlaw   - Judi Sweeney, Laurie
Vince Moua   - Kelsey NY, MikesGirl

Vokai
Dan Spilo   - Bizaro22, marthalight
Jack Nichting   - David
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

My blogging coverage might be a bit spotty tonight since A. I don't know who is whom yet and 2. I'm still having tendonitis issues with my right wrist making typing a bit hard. Please bear with me. It is improving!

As always, the real party is in the comments area -- please feel free to join in on the fun!

Survivor School is now in session!
Jeff does not escort the new castaways to the island, instead he's in a helicopter overhead. Without Jeff, they set about setting up their shelters and getting to know one another after finding camp flags and buffs.

Elaine, Tom and Vince already bonded … and their fellow castaways noticed it. In the other camp it's noticed that Jason has already gone off alone looking for idols.

So many of them already have their eyes on Jason. 

On Vokai, Tommy is schmoozing. But Noura gives Jason a heads up. On Lairo, they're already thinking of a girls alliance.

On Vokai, it turns out that Dan isn't respecting personal space, especially with the women -- he's touchy-feely. Janet warns him about it nicely but thinks it might hurt him in the game. On Lairo, Elaine and Ronnie already mistrust each other.

They finally meet Jeff and his dimples. It's the first immunity challenge. Reward is in the form of flint for fire. Climb a net, down a slide, on mat, grappling hooks move logs, climb to top of a hard incline, to puzzles -- building a village one hut at a time in order. This is a hard one!

VOKAI wins Immunity and Reward!

Jeff tells Lairo that one person will go to Island of the Idol and Elizabeth's name is drawn out of a bag. Jeff tells them she will return by Tribal time.

She lands on the island, sees giant busts of Rob and Sandra, then Rob and Sandra come to meet her. They will mentor her and then test her on what she's learned. Rob teaches her how to make fire. Sandra also works with her on fire.

Now if she takes a challenge to make fire against Rob, she could win an idol good for the next two tribal councils or lose a vote.

Back at camp, Ronnie seems to be targeted as does Elaine's. Some are not on the target Elaine bend, though. 

Elizabeth goes for the challenge and … loses. She loses her vote, but now knows how to make fire and to go with her gut. She gets to pick the name from the other tribe to go to Idols next.

Back at camp Elaine is trying to make deals to stay. Now it looks like Vince is in trouble. Elizabeth is back and lies, doesn't tell them anything about Rob or Sandra or fire making. She makes up a story about breaking urns and not winning anything.

They all want her nonexistent vote, she doesn't tell them she lost her vote.

Tribal Council time! 
Sandra and Rob are spying on them.
Elaine tries to defend herself knowing she's the main target.

The tally --
Vince, Ronnie, Vince, Ronnie, Ronnie, Ronnie, Ronnie

Bye-bye Ronnie ...