Watching Survivor

With Gabon barely over, it’s time to start looking forward to Survivor Tocantins: The Brazilian Highlands, which starts on February 12th - giving me just enough time to try and figure out how to pronounce Tocantins correctly - and type it right too! (Toe-can-sheen, I [currently] think…)

The actual location of the show is in Jalapao, Brazil, where we’re promised to see “scorching temperatures, torrential downpours and dangerous wildlife.” Like all locations, it’s rugged - proven even more so this year as a crew member drowned in the river while swimming on a lunch break - or when diving underwater to ‘fix something’ depending on which reports you read. Alton Desiree was on the advance team, and drowned in the Rio Novo River. He’d worked on the show for the past three seasons, and was from Dominican, leaving for Brazil on Sept. 9 where he died 6 days later. The first Survivor:Gabon episode ended with a dedication to his memory.

So what do we know about the State of Tocantins? It’s located in the Brazilian heartland, bordering Bahia Maranhao and Piaui, and has one of the smallest population rate in the country and is actually a great oasis bordering the Jalapao Desert. It’s a mountainous region with springs, rivers, waterfalls and rapids. It’s tropical, with 85-95F degree temps during the day, down to 50F temps at night. Animal life includes jaguars, panthers, wolves, foxes, wild dogs, emu, anacondas (OMG EW), Toucans, Macaws and Parrots, and there are seven indigenous ethnic groups present in Tocantins.

And the pictures - of course… as with all Survivor locations, it’s stunningly beautiful. It’s going to be an AWESOME season!

Wow. Just Wow. I truely blew it at the Watching Survivor pool Party again this year! Who could have foretold that the mild mannered Physics Teacher would school the rest of the castaways?! Apparently, not me - because I fell to a pitiful 8th place by the end of last night’s finale festivities. Sugarbooger - poised all season long to take the 1st place bragging rights this season, lost out AGAIN at the last moment to come in second place. NoelSarah came from no where, and since she DID pick Bob as her overall winner, scooted into third place. So who’s number one? SMCosper is! With a total of 177 points, SMCosper edged out Sugarbooger by a mere three points to take the WatchingSurvivor Pool Party Crown! Congrats!

I’ll be sure to let everyone know when the new season pool is open for joining before Survivor: Tocantins (HOW do we pronounce that again?!). It’s going to take me all season to figure out how to spell that one - let alone say it. Sometimes I’m glad that I work in type!

So! The interviews are starting to roll in - here’s a list of the one’s I haven’t posted about yet.

Corrinne: Reality News Online, Survivor Fans Podcast, Buddy TV, People Magazine.
Crystal: Reality TV Watch, TV Guide, Survivor Fans Podcast

Kenny and Sugar’s haven’t come through yet, but there’s one for Matty, Susie and Bob. And of course, here’s what Mr. Dimples himself thought of the Finale.

Susie’s interview mentions that she was surprised it was so close, and you know what? So am I. How on earth could they consider giving the million to her?! She did NOTHING - we barely saw her all season long, she even admitted to the jury that she deserved it because she TRIED. That’s all. She Tried. And so hand her the money. And they ALMOST DID.

I don’t get what some of them had against Bob - he played a very, very smart game. Likewise, it’s a bunch of bitter betty’s who couldn’t see that Sugar was clearly the mastermind of the game and deserved accolades instead of condemnation. Yeah, they got played - but the folks on the jury who are all pissed off about it are the same ones who were actively planning on playing everyone else! It’s more of that “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander” adage that people tend to forget about. Yeah, ya got played. Suck it up and give credit where credit is due! The fact that she didn’t get a single vote and Susie almost won is a Survivor Travesty.

And Corrinne.

Wow. Just Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to jump through the screen and smack a bitch as much as I did with her comments to Sugar. Uncalled for, and classless. Bitch or not, no one deserved that.

I’ll keep grabbing the interviews as they show up. Thanks for spending the season with us here at WatchingSurvivor.com - and I look forward to discovering Brazil with you come February!

PS - I just discovered I’m LESS then 6 degrees of Separation from Bob! My daughter’s teacher’s sibling is Bob’s neighbor! Wonder if that’s enough to get me an interview… Stay tuned!

In case you missed it - the WINNER OF SURVIVOR: GABON IS….

BOB!

Bob celebrates - the oldest winner in Survivor history - and the rest of the Survivors join them on stage, as Jeff takes us to commercial, it’s the REUNION SHOW!

:10 Commercial!

:13 We’re back and it’s time to ask all the important questions. Bob, 57 years old, the oldest winner ever in the game. What was the key to doing so well? Bob says he tried to be necessary, and friendly and tried to play the game. He’s overwhelmed! Did he have a gameplan? He wanted to fly under the radar as long as he could and get people to like him.The fake idol? Saved his place in the game. Sorry Randy. Ha! How did he make it? Everyone was amazed as it looked real. Bob says he collected beads and stuff when they fell on the ground and when Corrinne said that they were sending him, there used to be beads and trinkets on the Kota flag - and he stretched and yawned and grabbed them on his way out. He just used some resin and his mom was good at art and he just put it together.

Jeff says that he took a lot of heat for throwing it in the fire - and he says that’s what they do, BUT, he did go in and pull out waht was left to give back to Bob, He pulls out the pieces - and asks where he got the rope, they don’t give them anything? He says he takes stuff. Everyone laughs - the instructions were tied with a string and that’s where they got it. Jeff gives him the reamins of the fake idol.

What have his students say? They’ve been supportive and enjoyed it. He’s tried to take some of the challenges and turn them into physics problems - the last question is to calculate if they throw a rock at 30 degrees, and this fast, how far will it go. He’s taking the show into the classroom. Jeff says Nice!

A question for the Jury - if Matty was in the final three instead of Bob, ho many would have voted for MAtty - 5. That’s a million dollar fire making challenge. Matty, bob practiced! Why didn’t you? Matty says he didn’t see it coming, he got confident and thought he had it in the bag. Jeff looks into the camera “IF you get on survivor, buy a flint and PRACTICE!” Mtty says he was never good at homework.

He has one questionf or Susie - how did she get so far, and get 3 votes and nearly win?! She says she’d like to say people liked her, she never wanted to make it nasty and was a hard worker, and was lucky with the two immunities. jeff says he was shocked at the votes - and she says she was too. Here’s what will blow the mind - Randy was the deciding vote (and no more mohawk!) Randy says that cookie was a million dollar cookie. Bob told him it was just a cookie, and Susie told was a little more upfront about it and Randy took her head off about it. A chocolate chip cookie cost her.

Sugar - Popular! What’s been the reaction on the street? She says people are thanking her about the randy cokie incident - and she laughs and says she has to leave the house with makeup on - everyone saw her license plate, and Jeff says she needs her own paparazzi guard as she points out people are blogging about seeing her drive her care. She says losing her dad was why she was so emotional all the time - and really she doesn’t cry all the time, she’s better now, she’s stronger. Jeff says she was popular with the viewers, but not those on the show - and this comment from Corrine is one of the nastiest he’s ever heard - and they replay her final jury comment. Undereducated, unemployed leech on society - everyone boos her.

Did Corrinne mean what she said? Does she regret it? Coming up next!

:22 Commercial!

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:00 Yes, I know, I’m doing this in my own time zone - my daughter had a concert, and some things are more important. (grin) So! We recap in my own time! Previously on Survivor - it’s time for a very long recap of the season, stick with us for more!

:10 And we’re back at camp with the final five, and Sugar is crowing a bit as she tells them that it was a perfectly executed use of the Hidden Immunity Idol - she’s never felt so powerful in her life. Kenny is not happy, and he calls out Bob about not giving him the idol. Bob tells him he didn’t need it, then tells him to get his own idol. nice! Ha! Bob says that he knows he was trying to embarass him, but all promises were off at that point, and Kenny says that he’s not a man of his word, while Matty tells him he’ll get a lot of respect.

Day 37 - Sugar tells Bob that Kenny thinks they’re in an alliance, and Matty with Susie, and says she’ll just keep playing along.She wants to be in final three with Bob and Matty. She knows Kenny doesn’t trust her after they voted off Crystal, so she’ll get to him first. She takes Kenny off, and they talk about Susie or Matty being the one gone now. They go to get their Tree Mail, where they have a lot of cloth or something. Kenny tells us he feels betrayed, but now feels better because he thinks Sugar is really with him.

Each of them have different colors to make themselves warrior outfits for the next challenge. Susie says that she feels great being in the final five. They have material, beads and face paint and she’s pumped about that. She’s porud to have made it this far.

:15 Challenge time! Jeff is impressed with how well they decorated themselves, and Matty says he worries his girl thinks he lost his mind, and Jeff says Bob is very villiage people. Hah! Once agian, Immunity is back up for grabs. They have to dig under a wall, go across plankes, into a maze filled with huts - find bags of puzzle pieces, run back with one at a time. Once all are collacted, build a replica hut. First one done wins Immunity!

:16 Survivors ready? GO! They’re off, digging like craze, to get a whole big enough to get them through. Bob is stuck halfway, but pulls himself through right after Susie gets herself through with kenny and Bob then Matty and Sugar “Squeezing that booty through!”. They’re on the elevated maze, heading to the maze of huts. MAtty falls off, as to g back to the start - Kenny barely saves himself the same fate. Susie has it first, sugar follows her, as does Kenny. They start untying the knots to get through the gate, Sugar is through first, then Susie.

Matty hits his knots as Bob is through his gate, with Kenny then matty right behind. Everyone is in theHut maze looking for pieces - there are 25 huts with only 3 holding puzzle pieces. Matty has his bag first and gets to the top with Kenny and Susie, then bob and sugar right behind. All back for another bag, searching, searching - Sugar finds them, as does Kenny, but Matty is first back on the course again. Bob is pulling himself up the steep ramp as Sugar heads back with her final bag of pieces, followed by Bob, then Matty… then Kenny, and Ssie.

Sugar starts her puzzle, followed in short order by Bob, and here comes Matty and Kenny, as Susie can’t find her final bag! Bob makes the puzzle look easy as he flys through, through everyone else is close as well. It’s sugar and Bub - BOB WINS IMMUNITY! Five straight challenges! (And susie JUST now finds her last bag. Heh.)

Susie mutters about not knowing how to beat Bob, and it’s

:22 Commercial!

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-:15 Can you believe it? We’re down to the finale week already! After tonight’s episode there is only one more night of Survivor: Gabon! So who will be our final five going into Sunday’s finale? Only time - specifically 60 minutes of time - will tell!

:00 Previously on… Here we go, kids! Will Kenny’s latst move come back to bite him?! It’s night 33 at Nobag, and Matty does not look happy. Sugar pulls Matty off, as he tells us that he believes that he wanted Matty out. Kenny tells MAtty that he thought they had the real HII, and so he was trying to flush it out. Matty says that he’s lying, and Matty didn’t wanna hear it. Kenny’s playing the game, and he’s on to home. Sugar tells Crystal and Kenny not to worry, Matty is next, she’s with Crystal and Kenny, the best alliance she’s had, while Crystal hopes he doesn’t win immunity in the next challenge and they can get rid of him.

:03 Roll intro and commercial!

:05 Still night 33 at Nobag, as Kenny confronts Bob with why Corrine didn’t play the idol, and he lied to them. Bob says he knows he put Kenny in a bad position, and he feels it’s his fault.Bob says that if he wins the next Immunity - he’ll give it to Kenny. Kenny says he made Bob feel sorry for him, and Bob says that he’ll be a man of his word.

The next day, it’s challenge time! They will race into the swamp, through the obstacles, get a ball, race back and toss the ball into the net - first three with balls gets reward, to visit a Gorilla sanctuary! Cool! Food, sleep, shower, and return to camp in the morning. 1 person to exile. Survivors ready? GO!

Kenny takes the early lead, with Matty right behind, everyone catches up and is shooting, and Matty gets his first ball in, followed by Kenny as they take off and hit the course again… Crystal can’t get a ball in to save her life - bob is nice and methodical, as Matty gets number 2, and Bob is right behind, followed by Kenny - All the women are still trying for their first as the guys head out for number three… Matty is pretty far ahead, but keeps missing - first to get the ball in wins… Matty and kenny just miss - BOB WINS REWARD!

Bob gets to choose who goes with him - he picks Crystal, and then without hesitation, Kenny. obviously trying to make things right with them. He then sends Susie to exile, and Sugar and Matty head back to camp. Matty says his goal is to get SUgar to side with him while they’re alone at camp, and Bob, Crystal and Kenny head off for reward.

:13 Commercial!

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:02 - Ok, so I’m running a little late, and come int to Corinne yelling at sugar because she’s stuck in a tribe of people she hates, and doesn’t like Sugar talking behind her back. Just in time for a commercial!

:05, and we’re back. It’s day 31 at Nobag, and Kenny and Bob are fishing. Kenny says he would never had imagined himself being out there, and he loves that he’s his own man and is proud of himself. They caught some pretty big fish in the net, and everyone anticipates eating good tonight. hey all are amazed at how smart Bob is. Kenny says he’s just here to build things, and isn’t very good at the game. He feels he needs to take charge and pull the power into his own hands.

:07 Challenge time!

Today, they’ll divide into 2 teams of 3, race into the swamp to find 7 puzzle pieces, then put the sprockets to get them to work and raise the flag. Playing for… he wishes that he could say the loved ones are around the corner, but they’re not - but on his phone are messages from loved ones at home, and he’ll give them all a little taste right now. Crystal is already in tears, and everyone else follows. Crystal’s husband and daughter, Kenny’s sister, and everyone crowds around to see everyone elses. Susie’s hubby and she has a big smile, “That’s my man!” Corinne’s family brings her to tears again, and Bob’s wife is too cute and sweet. Jeff’s grin can’t be beat, for sure. Bob’s wife says she hopes that he’s having the adventure of a lifetime - and Jeff says that’s support right there. Matty’s girlfriend and dog make him smile, and everyone teases him about how pretty she is, and last but not least, Sugar’s sister reminds her they all love her.

Jeff thanks them for sharing the messages with him - he loves the loved one visit. The winner will enjoy the entire the whole message, with pizza, beer and brownies - fill up the belly, and the heart. No one goes to exile island - time to draw for teams.

:11 Yellow and red are captains - Crystal and Susie. RPS to see who goes first, Susie chooses first,

Matty, Susie, Kenny
Bob, Sugar, Crystal

Corinne sits out - and has no shot at winning the reward. Corinne says its sucks, she doesn’t know what to do to save themselves. Survivors ready - GO! They’re all tied together, and falling - sugar loses her top and crystal drags her along, she’s not slowing down for anyone. Jeff reminds them to work together - Crystal, Sugar Bob get thier first pieces with Matty, Susie and Kenny making up ground as Crystal and Sugar get stuck, then follow the other team - it’s back out into the swamp for both teams as they slog through. Kenny, Susie and Matty are working well together, and everyone is exhausted already - Matty Susie Kenny are heading back with their pieces - they ask MAtty for help but he’s carrying two pieces. Sugar, Crystal and Bob are playing it safe and are back quite a ways as Kenny, Matty and susie start working the puzzle…

…but here comes Bob, Sugar and Crystal - and Bob is excellent at puzzles, he takes the lead, as Kenny, the gamer, leads the other team and they race to finish and get it all working. Bob, Sugar and crystal make a lot of progress, and they thing they have it - and they DO! Bob, Sugar and Crystal move on to the final round - facing off with a slide puzzle.

First to solve the slide puzzle wins reward! Suvivors ready - go! There’s no chance for anyone else - Bob finishes it in SECONDS! BOB WINS REWARD!

He gets the phone and his meal as everyone else heads back to camp. Kenny says he wanted it - but Bob won, and he’s a threat and he’s next to go if he doesn’t win immunity.

:16 Commercial!

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After last week’s recap show, it’s time for the best episode of the season - the Family Visit! It never fails to bring drama, and turn even Jeff Probst into a bit of a sap. Here’s his preview:

Don’t forget to get your Pool Party picks in on time and I’ll see you back here for the as it happens recap in a couple of hours!