Sunday, February 19, 2023

Survivor 44: Meet the Tika Tribe

 


I've read and watched interviews with the castaways. Here I will be mentioning some pros and cons for each of them and my own opinion on how well they might do. Mind you, I could be completely wrong with said opinion!

Bruce Perreault


Pros: Older, watched the show since Season 1, raised in the foster system so should be chill compared to some, looks very fit, does not have the Warwick accent which can be distracting.
Cons: Thinks some may assume he's arrogant (there's often a reason when people assume that), claims he doesn't care about challenges and food rewards but is more interested in analyzing the other players and their social games (hmm), not into searching for advantages.
How will he do? Here's a guy who has a good possibility of doing well but might be his own worst enemy. I think he just might be a touch arrogant. If he rubs people the wrong way and doesn't fare well in the challenges, he could be gone pre-merge. 

Carolyn Wiger


Pros: Another one watching the show since its beginning. She's not going to lie or hide what she does in life. Wants to look for advantages (which can actually be a double-edged sword. Thinks she'll come across as goofy and no threat to others.
Cons: She seems to sentimentalize the backstories from other seasons. I can only hope she plans to compete and work hard in the challenges.
How will she do? Unless she has a physical side I'm not seeing, I can see her getting her torch snuffed early in the game.

Carson Garrett


Pros: Um. Um. Superfan, I guess. So, he says. Young. Healthy. Friendly.
Cons: Claiming superfan after watching for six years. In one interview he claimed to be a rocket scientist ... after two years of college. Seemingly quite delusional about his own self.
How will he do? I'd be surprised if he made it past the merge unless he's a big help around the camp. He isn't planning on telling the others how smart he is. I don't see why they would even care. He's a college kid, not a billionaire that others might think doesn't need the money.

Helen Li


Pros: Been watching the show for ten years which isn't bad at her age, seems to adapt to fitting in well with various cultures, thinks others will see her as friendly, bubbly and maybe an airhead.
Cons: I don't see her being strong in challenges. She says she has a horrible sense of direction. She thinks she's bubbly. 
How will she do? She could either be among the first bunch out or be the one people bring to the end thinking she has no chance of winning. One or the other -- I don't think she will be an in-between. I don't care for bubbly. 

Sarah Wade


Pros: Another fan since the show started (although she would have been very young for sure). She seems quite determined, plans to look for advantages and learn from others. Likes the outdoors and outdoors sports.
Cons: Not seeing too many. 
How will she do? Of this group so far, I think she might be the strongest socially and probably decent physically. She is determined and part of her inspiration comes about as her best friend died a few years ago and she wants to give life its all. 

Yamil "Yam Yam" Arocha


Pros: Has been watching from the 1st season when he was 13. Probably will have a good social game. He's confident of both his physical and mental strength. He has extreme weather experience.
Cons: He says he's loud. That can annoy people. I'm not as confident regarding his physical strength as he is. Well, he might be physically strong, but can he win challenges?
How will he do? I think he'll probably make it past the merge and maybe near the end ... but not to the end.

Saturday, February 11, 2023

Survivor 44: It's Coming!

 


Yes, Survivor 44 is almost here! Its season premiere is Wednesday, March 1 at 8PM ET/PT. Once again, the season is set in Fiji. It seems like that's its home now. I do miss the seasons of the past when they set the show in places like Australia and Africa. But they don't consult me on these things! 

I will be delving into each castaway between now and when the show starts. However, I'll give you all a sneak peak at the tribes now ...

Tika Tribe

Soka Tribe

Ratu Tribe


Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Survivor 43: Episode 13 - Season Finale - Blog Party - Dec. 14

 

Tonight's season finale is three hours long. Get some snacks now before it starts!

I will be live blogging 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 section. I hope to see you there!

The Esteemed Lifeguard SueGee has updated the FINAL blog pool -- check it out to find your castaway!

Jesse       AprilW, Donna in AL
Cassidy     Cherrypie, Kelsey NY
Karla       Glenn Allen, monty924
Gabler     Donna in FL, Joanne Victoria
Owen    Mike Barer, SueGee

Jury
Jeanine
James
Ryan
Noelle
Sami
Cody
Karla

Survivor fans ready?

We start off with Night 23 at Tribal and Jesse plays the idol for Owen, votes out Cody. Karla uses her idol because she's worried now. And Jesse still has an idol ... Cody asked him to hold it. Oh my. Survivor brownie points for strategy there, Jesse.

Gabler thinks he is ruling his destiny. We're getting the Final Five thoughts on making it to the end. Karla seems the most worried about how she will do.

They're exploring the new campsite. Oh my ... five envelopes with clues to a secret advantage. They have to solve a long word scramble phrase to get the actual clue to the advantage. Owen thinks the biggest game threats are Karla and Jesse.

Karla figures out the phrase first and is off running as well as she can with her ankle. Then it's Owen off running. He passes Karla. They're both looking for a tree with a knot at the base by the shore. WHOA! Karla worked her way around Owen and snags the clue! Owen is not a happy camper. He was right there and she reached around him!

It's a slight advantage for today's Immunity Challenge.

Day 24 ... Immunity Challenge. Karla presents her advantage paper. Maneuver a buoy in water through obstacles, untie puzzle bag on the beach, transport puzzle blocks on a teeter-totter thing, solve puzzle. They have to carry the puzzle blocks with two hand grip short posts.  Jesse is struggling. Reward - steak, baked potatoes, wine and cheesecake. Karla starts with ten puzzle blocks, approximately a third.

Karla is in the lead. It's a word scramble. All five are trying to solve the puzzle now.

OWEN wins it! "You cannot hide in a dangerous game."

He can choose one person to go with him to the Sanctuary -- he chooses Cassidy. Wow! What a spread! Both are glad that Karla didn't win today. But is she more dangerous than Jesse? Hmm. Owen thinks he would lose in a final three with Jesse. Cassidy would like to see Karla go tonight. Neither think Gabler is a threat. They decide on getting Karla out tonight.

Back at camp Gabler was hoping he could have gone with Owen. He's breaking down physically. Karla and Jesse know that they are the likely targets. No one knows that Jesse has an idol -- it was Jeanine's.

Karla tells us she's telling Jesse she wants Cassidy out, but in reality, she wants Jesse out -- thinking that he made the biggest move of the season getting Cody out. They talk to Gabler, he hears Cassidy. However, Karla takes him aside and goes after Jesse. She talks to Owen about it, too. Then she talks to Cassidy. Cassidy is not as accepting about the Jesse target. Karla pretty much tells her she will poison the jury against her and not vote for her if she makes the final three.

Cassidy runs to Jesse and tells him. Jesse is torn between Cassidy and Karla vote out. He tells us he will use the idol but hasn't figured out HOW he will use it.

Tribal Council time! Jesse says that Karla threw some punches today. Karla talks about Jesse's excellent game move last Tribal. She wants him out and says it. Jesse says he feels good and shows his idol, saying he's punching his ticket to the final four. Jeanine on jury is in shock -- they all thought the idol went home with Dwight. Karla says there are two other options -- Gabler and Cassidy. Hmm.

Whoa -- Karla and Jesse talk and agree to take out Cassidy. Then Jesse talks to Gabler, Owen joins them. Hmm. Cassidy votes Karla. 

Jesse plays the idol for himself.

The tally -- Jesse, Karla, Karla, Karla ... three is enough. She takes it very well. When the votes are shown, the other four all voted Karla. I updated the blog pool above.

Right to the final Immunity Challenge. Use a long fork, bowl through a channel in a structure, the platform is suspended on a string, fifteen bowls. I'm thinking this might be something that Gabler could be good at. We'll see. He's leading by just a bit over Cassidy. Jesse is doing the worst.

Argh. Gabler's stack fell down. It's between Owen and Cassidy with three bowls each left. Owen's stack goes over!

CASSIDY WINS IMMUNITY! None of the guys look happy. And the only one who congratulates her is Owen.

She has indeed done well. They return to camp to find fire making supplies. Owen thinks it will be himself and Jesse at the fire. He thinks Jesse may have it in the bag. But he doesn't want to ever give up. He tells Cassidy he thinks he can win against Jesse in fire. She says she wants someone who can beat Jesse with fire.

Both Jesse and Owen practice fire. Jesse tells Cassidy that she should go against him with fire. She is not receptive! Jesse is choking up as he tells us he won't stop. Gabler tells Cassidy that he thinks he can beat Jesse in fire. He wants to win fire against Jesse for points with the jury. But his body is betraying him. He tells us he intends to donate the entire prize to Veterans in Need if he wins. 

They start walking off to Tribal. Both Gabler and Owen want to go against Jesse with fire. Oh my.

Tribal Council - Night 25. The jury seems impressed that Cassidy won the final immunity. Jesse looks miserable. Jesse says his pitch to Cassidy. Both Gabler and Owen say they want to make fire against Jesse. Cassidy says she will do what's best for her own game. Earlier Jeff pointed out that Owen and Cassidy with three Immunity wins each, have won 2/3 of the Immunity Challenges in the game.

Cassidy takes Owen with her. So, fire making for Gabler and Jesse.

GABLER makes the fastest fire ever made in the show. Jesse looks miserable. The jury was rooting for Jesse. That won't bode well for Gabler at the end.

Jesse cries. It's very sad. Gabler tries to comfort him. Jesse says he was playing for his kids, setting an example. He did that and felt he played a great game. Owen is crying. Everyone is a bit teary-eyed. Cassidy makes him laugh when she says she had to have him out or he would have won.

The final three are back at camp. Owen thinks he's the underdog. It sounds like at least some of the jury in confessionals agree and will support him. 

They get the feast. 

Gabler points out to us that he didn't receive one vote and is the old man of the show. They have some jury members point out his good points to us. And now we have Cassidy telling us why she needs to win and we get jury members pointing out her strengths. Cassidy is the champion, Owen is the underdog and Gabler is the outsider.

They're off to the jury questioning. Jeff pep talks them. Social, physical, strategic focus.

Jesse -- wishes them luck.

Noelle - Gabler differentiate game from others, trust and behind the scenes, had multiple ways to move along in the game. No one has written his name down, hope they will tonight. Cassidy - every vote was the right vote, close bonds with those who mattered, not personal, last woman standing. Owen - Underdog, superfan, scholar of the game, first tribe a disaster, thought he would be first boot, even worse after the merge, had to crawl and scratch himself out of the hole, learned he just needs to be himself.

James -- ACK THAT VOICE. Owen trust in Noelle. Gabler - Elie looked in my bag (Jeanine confesses), stirred pot, voted Elie out, then decided had to change his game.

Karla - Cassidy pre-merge move. Blindside Geo and get tribe in merge.

Jesse - Social relationships in game -- Gabler, hiding underwater - he's making the jury giggle. Cassidy -- in trenches with the right votes, people after her and she got them out. 

Jeanine - Gaber and Owen closest alliances. Owen, Noelle then the final four. Gabler - had a few core alliances.

Sami - Gabler, were you going back and forth in alliances? Cassidy wonders if it's because he didn't seem like a threat or real alliances.

Ryan points out that the three won all but two immunities in the game. Noelle credits Cassidy for being a woman and winning so many challenges. Wants to know why Cassidy chose Gabler instead of doing fire against Jesse. Cassidy says that she deserved the immunity, and that Owen wouldn't have that win against Jesse. Owen points out that Karla snagged the advantage from him, and he had to win Immunity at five. He apologizes to James for blowing up at him.

Mistakes? Gabler and Cassidy think of conversations. Owen has many mistakes he made.

Last question -- Jesse how did you persuade people to vote your way? They bring up votes. Jeanine for Gabler, Cassidy the Ryan vote -- Ride or Die claims credit for that. Owen, no specific vote, no idols, no advantages. He showed he could be a key part rather than the actor.

Time to vote for a winner. James votes Cassidy. Karla votes Gabler. No other votes are shown.

Reads the votes right now in Fiji.

Cassidy, Gabler, Gabler, Gabler, Gabler, Gabler.

GABLER WINS! All the rest of the votes were for him! They celebrate right there with champagne and pizza! Congratulations blog pool winners Donna in FL and Joanne Victoria!

The jury tells Jeff the jury question answers gave Gabler the win.

Now he says he's the second player over 50 to win. He will make history another way. He says that he's donating the whole prize in his father's name to Veterans in Need. More tears. Gabler says they ALL are a part of the donation. Ryan, with a military dad, is really touched.

Gabler has proved he is the MAN of the Season!

Survivor 44 sneak peek ... you have to want it, you have to be fearless. NFL player. Rocket scientist. And more. Uh-oh ... medic call! It looks good. The premiere is March 4.


Wednesday, December 07, 2022

The Amazing Race 34: 'The Only Leg That Matters' Season Finale Blog Party - Dec. 7

 


The final three teams ...


I will be live blogging 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 -- I hope to see you there!

Tonight is the season finale. With no non-Philimination legs, it seems like a short season even though there were two mega-legs. Also, with the Covid era private plane, all teams were always so close to each other. It all was a bit odd. No U-Turns, either. Although an online friend at the time, Jym Buss, created the U-Turn, I've grown weary of it over the years. I liked all the teams this season. Well, I only vaguely recall the first team out and I didn't care much for one person on a team, but really liked the others. When it got down to about the last eight teams, I was onboard for any of them for the win.

Due to my own bias, my favorite team is Derek/Claire.

The Wonderful Lifeguard SueGee has updated the blog pool listing. Here's where we stand:

Derek & Claire -- Beachbound Gmom, ChicMc, Donna NY
Emily & Molly -- Joanne Victoria, Judi Sweeney, Sharon N
Luis & Michelle -- Andi, Mikes Girl, RJMnS

PHILIMINATED
Aastha & Nina
Tim & Rex
Rich & Dom
Linton & Sharik
Abby & Will (Covid)
Glenda & Lumumba
Quinton & Mattie
Marcus & Michael
Aubrey & David

Race fans ready? Let's GO! 

We start with a recap. Teams are heading to Nashville. They will start the leg in Lynchburg. They have to bottle whiskey 30 Jack Daniels bottles ready for shipment. Molly and Emily finish first! They are driving to the next clue. Derek and Claire done. Five minutes behind, Luis and Michelle finish.

All three teams are in a row heading to the Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge in Nashville.

Derek/Claire make it to the clue box first.

Roadblock -- Climb and Rappel to get a clue guitar pick. Derek through first. Emily doing well, Michelle having problems with it.

Derek/Claire heading to Gibson Garage. Emily coming down next. Michelle finally makes it down.

Derek/Claire to the next clue first. Gibson Guitar Delivery. Deliver one electric, two acoustic guitars to honkytonks in town. Luis/Michelle there next because the twins are lost again.

All three teams are delivering guitars now. Derek/Claire get their clues to go to the Municipal Auditorium first. An orchestra is playing the theme song. Teams have to bring the theme to life on giant piano keys (like in the movie BIG) to get the next clue to the Pit Stop. Luis/Michelle arrive, then Molly/Emily.

The 11 second timer on the piano keys is getting all the teams.

DEREK AND CLAIRE DID THE PIANO FIRST! They are on their way to the Pit Stop.

The twins get it next!

DEREK AND CLAIRE WIN THE AMAZING RACE!

Emily and Molly get second place. They are both in happy tears.

Luis and Michelle third.

Survivor 43: Episode 12 Blog Party - December 7

 

The Amazing Race season finale is on at 9PM EDT. A separate post for that show will magically appear a few minutes before the end of this show. It's odd that both shows aren't finishing up at the same time.

As for Survivor, I will be live blogging 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 section. I hope to see you there!

The Esteemed Lifeguard SueGee has updated the blog pool -- check it out to find your castaway!

Cody       Cheryl in NC, ChicMc
Jesse       AprilW, Donna in AL
Cassidy     Cherrypie, Kelsey NY
Karla       Glenn Allen, monty924
Gabler     Donna in FL, Joanne Victoria
Owen    Mike Barer, SueGee

Jury
Jeanine
James
Ryan
Noelle
Sami

Survivor fans ready?

It's Day 22 with six remaining. Owen wanted Karla to vote for Cassidy to stir things up. But Karla voted for Sami instead. He still wants to stir up issues between Karla and Cassidy. And Cassidy seems to believe him.

She confronts Karla about it. Karla denies it that she was coming after her (even though she was). Cassidy is the only one who really knows about Karla's idol. Karla pulls out the tears. She tells Jesse so he can back her up.

Instead of backing her up, Jesse throws Karla under that good old reality bus to Cassidy. 

It's right to the Reward Challenge. Random two teams of three, one person strapped into a huge ball and two pushing while blindfolded. The one in the ball has to direct the blindfolded through a course ending in a table maze that the one in the ball has to call. The Reward is Sanctuary and pastries.

Owen (in ball), Karla and Cody win Reward!

On Sanctuary Cody might be overdoing it on the caffeine and sugar. But the three start talking. Karla admits she's a threat but won't admit she has an idol. She fake cried to the guys, Cody and Owen believe she doesn't have an idol but that she is very dangerous. Owen wants Karla out more than Cassidy.

Back at camp they are eating rice and Gabler talks final three with Cassidy and Jesse. Cassidy tells them that Karla has an idol. They also know that Cody has one. Jesse has Jeanine's idol that no one knows about. Gabler and Cody talk about taking Karla and her idol down.

Immunity Challenge time! Race obstacles collecting number tiles, combination, retrieve key, unlock puzzle pieces, put puzzle together.

CASSIDY wins Immunity!

Owen and Gabler are worried if both Cody and Karla may play idols. Cody talks to Karla, both admit to idols. Cody tells her neither of them should use their idols and vote either Gabler or Owen. Hmm. Karla talks to Gabler who says he will vote Owen. Owen admits he will vote Gabler if he has to.

Cody tells Owen about his "plan" with Karla so they can blindside Karla. He is sure Jesse is in his corner. Jesse is getting to the point where he wonders if he can beat Cody. Will he betray the trust? He has Cody's idol because of the Knowledge is Power advantage a few weeks back. Ohhh ... he goes to Owen about taking out Cody. Oh my. Owen tells Cassidy. Uh-oh. Jesse has to give the idol back to Cody so Cody can prove he has it. He needs to get it back from Cody. That blows Jesse's plan.

Tribal Council time. Cody looks very smug. Karla says she still doesn't feel well -- her body broke down during the immunity challenge. Jesse says Karla and Cody will be playing their idols tonight. Jeff wonders if it's a bluff. Gabler thinks he will be lasting until tomorrow. Jesse doesn't seem as sure. Owen isn't all that sure. Cody is still smug.

Time to vote. Karla votes Owen.

No idols played. Wait. Jesse plays one for Owen.

The tally - Wait. Karla plays hers for herself.

Owen, Karla, Cody, Cody, Cody ... aha! He was too smug! Jesse betrayed him!

Jeff tells them they will be heading to a new beach tonight. Next week is the season finale.