Watching Survivor

Still canceled, at least it’s playing online, and thus, I’ll still recap! The full episode can be seen at cbs.com.

But first, I’d like to extend my condolences to the friends and family of former ‘Pirate Master’ contestant Cheryl Kosewicz, who was found dead in her home last week after committing suicide. My heart goes out to all of you.

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We rejoin the Pirates just after Azmyth was cut adrift. Ben laments the decision to let Azmyth go, but that it was necessary. Jay has Nessa in his sights now, and is happy to be pulling Christa’s strings. Christa admits that Jay’s been the Captain since day one, and is pulling for a Nessa, Ben, Jay and Christa as a final four - though Jay is pulling the wool over Nessa’s eyes, and considers her his number one target.

Kendra doesn’t want to be called ‘cook’ even if they work in the galley, because of the Curse of the Galley - causes people to speak in accents, then go home. Laurel complains that Kendra talks all the time, and Ben agrees. “Kendra is the voice that fills the space.”

Whale sighting! The crew considers that a good omen for today’s expedition. Jay says that today’s expedition is all about keeping him and Christa in control - the ends justifies the means. He tells Ben that if he is on the opposite crew, he’ll point it out to Christa, and Ben agrees to do the same. Though he admits to us that he’s concerned with how tight Jay and Christa are - makes him a third wheel.

Pirates to the Quarterdeck!

(more…)

That’s right, my buddy Lynn over at The Other Network™ has pumped her Top Secret Source for some more exclusive Survivor info! This time, it’s about what happens once you get those infamous words “The tribe has spoken” and have to leave the island.

he jury folks stay in the production camp near the Survivors, because they have to be available to be at every tribal counsel. They sleep on cots and it’s more comfortable than if they were still a part of the tribe, but it’s not super-luxurious, by any means.

If they are eliminated before the jury begins to form, they are immediately taken to the far side of the island and told to put on a large, dark “hoodie” with the hood up. That way, no one can tell who it is unless they are supposed to know. Then, they wait to be transported by boat, or whatever necessary means to the sequester site.

The sequester site is not even near the production location, so that they will not be spotted and give away the order of elimination at all. Then, on the way to their destination, there’s a counselor-psychologist-type person that sits with them, telling them how hard it was for them to do what they did and that few people get the chance and that they did a great job, etc. And they make sure the person is mentally ok after the experience. [...]

They are given a small apartment to live in and each gets about $100/day spending money. And if they have a luxury item that they feel they need in order to pass the time, they generally get that too. Their stay is much more luxurious and they can go to the beach, hang around with each other, etc.

Thanks for the scoop Lynn!

Survivor, sequester, CBS, Jeff Probst, Reality TV

Here we go! We rejoin our Pirates after the last Pirates Court where Jupiter was set adrift. Everyone is toasting Jupiter, and Azmyth looks quite a bit lost without her. He says his soul aches a little and he regrets his decision a little bit.

Nessa approaches Jay to see what he would feel about a mutiny, and Jay says that he’d be down for that because Azmyth is such a strong threat to them all. Jay feels Captain Azmyth is right where they want him - isolated and down in the dumps.

The Pirates are working hard, and Azmyth decides to make breakfast for the crew, since they are fresh out of cooks without Jupiter. The Triad are feeling pretty confident that they’ll win the next challenge, and feel secure as they eat breakfast.

(more…)

…CANCELED! With just FIVE EPISODES LEFT, CBS has pulled Pirate Master from the lineup effective immediately!

They will be offering the episodes online at cbs.com but today’s episode - episode nine, refuses to play the final 10 minutes or so. Many fans are irritated, especially those who cannot get the InnerTube at cbs to work for them.

I will still do recaps WHEN IT WORKS.

Hopefully tomorrow.

Sigh.

In case you haven’t heard, CBS recently announced the Series Premiere date for Survivor: China!

CBS’s [...] SURVIVOR: CHINA, Thursday, Sept. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT).

Currently the Survivor: China series is being filmed in the Zhelin Lake reservoir area of Jiangxi province in the People’s Republic of China. Filming is speculated to wrap on or around August 2nd.

And that’s not all - Mark Burnett dropped us a tidbit or two about the upcoming season as well!

Burnett was at the semi-annual networks’ press tour on Thursday to promote “Survivor: China,” the 15th edition of his still potent reality show. Instead of the usual tropical island setting, the latest round takes place in an ancient setting in mainland China, a first for an American-produced series.

Sixteen participants are currently filming the series. They face a few new twists.
“We got rid of exile island,” said Burnett. “We still have a hidden immunity idol but it is right under their noses.”

Burnett says this latest round reminded him the most of the very first Survivor. He continues to be amazed that “people still can’t make fire” and that, instead of staying safely under the radar, people are still trying to assume a leadership role “five minutes into the game - the exact opposite of what you are supposed to do.”

Not only THAT, but Survivor Fever let’s us in on some costumes that have been ordered for the season, and the background of them all. I have a feeling we are in for quite a treat this fall!

Survivor, Survivor: China, CBS, Jeff Probst, Reality TV, rumors

Recent tryouts in Bakersfield created quite a rattle among the producers and other Survivor hopefuls. 44-year-old Tehachapi resident, Brent Sheibel waited until the middle of his tryout video, removed a live four-foot rattle snake from his bag, skinned it and took a couple of bites from the exposed flesh. Scheibel told the staff at the event that he was going to eat the snake, but they didn’t believe him, and were “shocked” when he did. The Bakersfield Police animal control division is investigating to see if charges of Animal Cruelty can be filed.

About 160 people showed up in Bakersfield to try out for the popular CBS show. Each contestant makes a two-minute video tape for their audition.

In his tape, Scheibel is seen in safari-type clothes. At one point, he talks about his wind energy job in Tehachapi. Then he talks about survival strategies, “…taking things that look like they don’t look like they’re really good for you or really fun — and make the best of them,” he says.

A bit later, Scheible reportedly dug his fingers into the four-foot long rattller, peeled back the skin and bit the snake. The photographer who was video-taping says about 20 people were in the area, and saw this incident.

While investigating, Bakersfield Police stated:

“There is a law which prohibits animal cruelty,” Sgt. McDonald told Eyewitness News. “It’s somewhat convoluted, but it does appear that venemous animals — and it’s my understanding in his case it was a rattlesnake — are exempt from that, as well as those used for food, food production and things of that nature.”

Jenna Morasca, winner of Survivor: Amazon has also spoken out against the stunt and calls for a full investigation and jail time for Scheible, as well as demanding that the organizers of the event be held liable as well.

It’s not the first time that Survivor has heard allegations of animal cruelty against the series either. There were mutterings when Vanuatu killed a life chicken, as well as when Australia’s Mike hunted and killed the wild pig.

As for my opinion? Um. It’s a SNAKE. A poisonous, nasty, slithering, writhing, SNAKE. If some idiot wants to be stupid enough to skin and bite a life reptile… (Shudders - SOOOOOO nasty! My longtime readers KNOW how much I can’t handle reptiles!) The other incidents were of tribes that needed food, and whine and bitch all you want, but a chicken and a pig were both killed and eaten in case of Survivor need. You don’t see these groups complaining about all the fish and stingrays and even the occasional shark caught, killed and eaten on the show, do you?

It was a stupid stunt, probably, but it was also a SNAKE. It’s not like he grabbed Jeff Dimples Probst, skinned and bit HIM, now is it? It was a snake. It probably tasted like chicken. Get over it.

It’s that time of the week again, kids! PIRATES! We start, as we always do, with a very long recap to remind us that Azmyth is STILL in power with his Triad, and Joe Don is gone. (Alaska is NEVER get higher then the top 10 of anything! First the Miss America, and now Pirate Master! Harumph!)

We rejoin the pirates right after Pirates Court, where it’s a somber mood. Nessa is taking it pretty hard, and took his bunk. She figured as consolation he should get a decent goodbye kiss from the girl he had a crush on. Awwww…

Jay confronts Kendra about going against her word, and she admits to having voted for Louie, and he’s not happy at all. He called her out in front of people, but she finds support with Nessa. The whole crew agrees that the Triad needs to be broken.

Oh! Rough Seas for the Picton Castle as we come back from commercial, which makes swabbing the deck a little difficult, but made for a great day for sailing. Louie says that it’s time for Red Team to win - because Azmyth has a plan and they aren’t in it.

Pirates to Midships! Expedition time!

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It’s been seen time and time again that once the game is over, once the lying, backstabbing, conniving, strategy, winning is over - Reality TV stars stick together - even if they’re from different shows. Now is no different.

Big Brother star - Howie Gordon and his girlfriend Sonia recently received the devastating news that their 4-year-old goddaughter, Rabekah, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Here’s a bit of what they have to say about her:

This past week Howie and I received devastating news. My God-daughter Rabekah (”Bekah”) was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. The specific type of tumor is a Pontine Brain Stem Glioma. They were told it is inoperable.

Rabekah’s parents, Shannon and Glenn, are now in search of the best treatment option. This has become very expensive as they are no longer working and a lot of travel is involved. Thus we have set up an account entitled the “Rabekah Fund” to help cover Rabekah’s medical treatment and expenses.

Rabekah is a beautiful 4-year old little girl. She was born April 16th, 2003. Aunt Sonia was so very lucky to be right in the birthing room as Rabekah was welcomed into this world. She has one older sister, a younger sister and mommy has a baby on the way. Rabekah can’t wait to be a big sister for the second time!

Rabekah has a light about her that emanates for everyone to see, and a wonderful imagination. She likes dressing up like a Disney princess, wearing crowns and jewelry. She loves to sing and dance. Every time Aunt Sonia comes over, the first thing Rabekah does is turn on her music and show off her new dance routine. Bekah’s favorite color is purple and she loves, loves, loves kittens! She especially adores Hello Kitty and the Barbie princess Serafina Kitty.

When Howie first met her last year, he and Rabekah hit if off. They played all night and watched the movie “Free Willy.” They sat on the floor and watched the entire movie from start to finish singing and laughing all the way through. Then the following week after Howie had long since returned to his home in California, Rabekah was helping set the dinner table and set one extra spot. When Rabekah’s mom asked who the spot was for, Rabekah exclaimed, “It’s for Howie!!” Shannon called me right away to tell me that story which I find so sweet. Then a few months later Rabekah found out it was Howie’s birthday and she took her own personal movie of Free Willy from her collection and gave it to Howie for his present!!

Many Reality Stars are banding together to help raise money for Rabeka and her parents to help offset the medical costs of the treatment.

Where does Survivor come in? Mookie of Survivor: Fiji has generously donated an autographed shirt and hat to be auctioned off at Bids for Rabekah. The shirt is the only one that was signed by Mr. Dimples himself, Jeff Probst, as well as many other cast members. It’s a one of a kind item, and for a fantastic cause to boot.

There are many, many other very cool items as well (A 10 minute phonecalls from Big Brother’s James? HELLO!) So what are you waiting for? Go to Bids for Rabekah right now and help raise treatment funds for an adorable little girl!

Survivor, Survivor: Fiji, Jeff Probst, Reality TV, Mookie, Big Brother, Howie

The award winning composer of many reality TV soundtracks - including, of course, Survivor, is headed through China to search for indigenous sounds to weave into the soundtrack for next seasons Survivor: China. Acting as a ‘musical archaeologist’, Russ Landau hopes to uncover traditional Chinese music to add to the score for the show. With excursions to interact with locals, he hopes to collect primitive Chinese music and explore the culture. He’ll also perform two concerts in Beijing.

In true Survivor fashion, Landau will share his experiences with those interested online at Russ-Landau’s Travel Blog.

Landau’s China excursion will not only serve as a tool in creating the music to the much anticipated “Survivor: China.” but the footage taken during the trip will also be made into a show that is both a travelogue and a musical expedition. The travel show will follow Landau and his crew every step of the way from arrival in China to departure back to Los Angeles. This exclusive documentation of the music gathering process will provide a unique perspective of ancient Chinese civilization as well as a never before seen or heard view of China’s society.

In the today’s first post at the travel blog, Landau proves to have a brief, yet colorful style of getting his observations across.

Denis is trying out his lapsed Chinese on a polylingual waif on her way to Minnesota. She happily pretends to comprehend.

Sounds like the trip is already off to a fabulous start!

Survivor, Survivor: China, CBS, Russ Landau, Reality TV, music

Over at Survivor Fever, they’ve a new section, where they claim to have info on not one, not two, but FIVE Survivors for the upcoming Survivor: China! (Season 15).

Two of them we’ve already heard and posted about here: Jean-Robert Bellande, the Professional Poker Player, and Ashley Massaro, the WWE Wrestler. The new ones on the list are:

Leslie Nease: 2001 Mrs. United States Participant, she’s also a published author, and a motivational speaker.

Peih-Gee Law: From California, she’s in sales, and works for a company called Headblade.

Dave Cruser: From Simi Valley - and that’s all that’s known about him.

So there you have it. Of course, other’s are saying that Survivor Fever usually is sent off on wild goose chases and such and are always wrong, though we do know for sure that Ashley has been confirmed by the WWE. None of this is confirmed by CBS, and they’re all still very hushhush, so we’ll just have to wait and see!

Survivor, Survivor: China, CBS, Jeff Probst, Reality TV, rumors, contestants

The preview this week went all the way back to episode one, and centered around Joe Don and the Triad (Azmyth, Ben and Jay). Foreshadow much, guys? With that, I had a pretty good idea how this episode would pan out, and watched to see if I was right.

We get to the meat of things this week in the Captain’s Quarters, where they are already planning what will happen what they’ll do next week. They’re well fed, rested and quite confident that they’ll lead the Black Crew to victory again.

And sue me - I still like Azmyth. Sigh. But not as much as I like Louie! Louie is so sweet. But Azmyth, well. He’s hot. Except for the fake accent. (STOP! WITH THE ACCENT! AUGH!)

Everyone is gunning to get Azmyth out of power, and to break up the triad. Azmyth doesn’t help this feeling at all by serving his crew a ¼ cup of gruel for breakfast, which is all they have until late that night. Louie jokes about losing weight, but says he’s got enough to last him and get him through.

Azmyth - in his stupid fake accent (PLEASE STOP THAT!) gives the crew a list of things to do and unleashes his plan to work Joe Don and Louie to death so they’re exhausted by the time the challenge rolls around, increasing their chances of staying in power. He sends Joe Don into the water to scrub the hull and check for barnacles, and Louie climbing up and down the sails, while the Captain and crew eat their breakfast of eggs and fruit and vegetables.

Louis says “They’re stacking the deck, because those greedy bluecoats want more gold!”

Azmyth belches. Sexy.

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Richard Hatch, winner of the first Survivor in Borneo, has always protested his innocence on the charges of tax evasion for which he’s currently serving a simply hellacious 52-month sentence. [Why my snarky emphasis? Well it seems he's got email access at least, and hell, I could do 51 months standing on my head if I had internet access! Ahem, anyway...] Since he’s always proclaimed his wrongful imprisonment, he felt it necessary to speak up about Scooter Libby’s presidential commutation. Instead of spending two years in jail, Libby will only be given probation and a rather large fine.

Richard Hatch is, of course, outraged, as >Buddy TV reports.

“What a country! Excessive sentence! Where’s my pardon/commutation?” Richard Hatch wrote to The Boston Globe last Tuesday.

“If Bush believes the judge in Scooter Libby’s case sentenced Libby too harshly, perhaps Bush should closely examine what bigoted and otherwise biased judges are doing every day all over the country. Our system, with its judges (simple, flawed human beings) appointed for life and virtually without oversight, is destroying lives. I suggest we begin in Rhode Island with Ernest Torres.”

Hatch has been emailing Joanna Weiss of the Boston Globe, about his disdain for the legal system and the Bush administration. I, of course, have my own views on all of it, including Richard Hatch’s profession of innocence and that his tax evasion is the fault of the Survivor Producers and CBS who he claims to have made a deal with after they were caught cheating.

“So far, nobody has expressed much interest in most of what has occurred or is true in my case,” Richard Hatch wrote to Weiss. “I am absolutely innocent and I find such apathy personally sad but nonetheless fascinating.”

Hatch’s lawyers have filed an appeal, but it’s still in the works. My take on Hatch’s plea? It’s bogus, and he is in jail simply because of his own stupidity. While there is no evidence to prove OR disprove the deal he says he made, anyone with half a brain would have filed the taxes correctly, paid the taxes, and then - IF (and that is a MIGHTY BIG IF) there were such a deal, accept a reimbursement from the other party.

For such a smart guy - boy is he dumb.

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Don’t forget! Pirate Master moves to TUESDAYS starting TOMORROW, airing right after Big Brother!

Survivor, Survivor: Borneo, CBS, Reality TV, Richard Hatch

[Sorry this is a bit late, fellow Pirates! Our power went out last night, and try as I might, I could not manage to post without the computer working! I know, right? So, here you are, at last!]

After yet another long recap of the previous episode, filling us in, just in case we missed two seconds of the last episode, we open this week just after the Pirates Court, where people are already bemoaning the loss of their cook. Sean.

Nessa makes a comment that she’s likely now the brokest pirate on the ship. Joy is starting to worry about the apparently Boys Club in the captain’s quarters, where Azmyth, Jay and Ben are pulling the strings. Dare we hope the girls will step it up and start winning things away from the men?

Which of course is the perfect timing to take a peek at the Boy’s Club who are excited for their victory that apparently went perfectly. Azmyth is pleased to keep The Triad loyal, simply by his personality.

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Happy Fourth of July, all you Scurvy Pirates! I took this picture at our local parade this morning, just for the Pirate Master Fans out there. Apparently we have Pirates in Alaska too! Who knew?!

Hope you had a great holiday! I’ll get Survivor: Rewind up by tomorrow, and Pirate Master recap on Friday as always!

Lynn, over at the Other Blog Network, has a Survivor insider! And her insider has given her one HELL of an exclusive scoop for the upcoming seasons, Survivor 15 and 16. I’ve already seen it picked up by others, and I jotted her an email to see if I could get anything additional for us here. Well, no go, but while I was waiting I went to my own contacts and tried to pry a little. This is what I got:

“Not allowed to make comments on it one way or the other. Sorry.”

They aren’t talking.

You know what that means? Lynn’s scoop is The Real Deal™ because normally they’d give me SOMETHING. (Well, other then to give the possible relationship of the possible quoted insider to the show!) So, since my birdies aren’t singing? I’m inclined to believe the following:

“There will actually be two seasons of Survivor filmed in the location in China. They have booked the location for six full months and will film two seasons back-to-back!!”

“The first of the two will be a regular season of Survivor. Then, the second of the two will be an All-Stars season.”

Another reason to believe this is that it is the same thing that happened with the last All Star Season - they filmed back to back at Pearl Islands so this makes sense. If that part makes sense, then most certainly the other parts do as well.

“Apparently, they are having a tougher time getting the women to agree to do it again. Most of the ones they have approached so far have declined to be on the All-Stars.

They decided not to bring back any previous winners this time. They are trying to get at least one man and one woman from each of the seasons since Palau. And once the production is complete on the first China season, they will ask a man and a woman from that season to join the All-Stars.

They plan to have the All-Star season divided into two tribes: Before Jury and After Jury.”

Some folks that are said to be on the cast list:
Dreamz (Needs to have cash for that paternity suit. heh.)
Cao Boi (equally cool!)
Bruce Kanegai (had to leave due to sickness - nice if he got a second try)
Billy Garcia (WHOO!)
Ozzy Lusth (YAY!)
James Miller
Stephanie Lagrossa (Uh, 3rd times a charm?)
Cristina Coria
And they thought about Julie Berry - but as she and Jeff Probst are seriously dating… I think that’d be a serious conflict of interest.

So there you go. This is the current scuttlebutt, and if I get any other solid confirmation, I will be sure to point it out for you all! I do think that Papa Smurf should be given a second chance too, since he was also evacuated due to illness. I also would hope that if Dreamz is on, they boot his ass off right away. Heh.

Thanks Lynn, for the info! And thanks to your insider contact too!

Survivor, Survivor: China, CBS, Jeff Probst, Reality TV, rumors, contestants