Watching Survivor

That’s right - we’re in full countdown mode here at Watching Survivor! The much anticipated Fans vs. Favorites is getting closer, and there’s all sorts of speculation to be had - as well as promos! I think this one has to be my current favorite:

Careful what you wish for, indeed! I am so stoked for this season! Despite some of the complaining from others, I’m happy because at least three of MY personal favorites made the Allstar Team - Ozzy, Yau-Man, and of course, my man James! Do I think they have a chance in hell of pulling this one out? Unfortunately, no. All those fans that get to play the game, know exactly how strong those three can be. I am just hoping for James to hit Jury so that I get my Grave Digger fix every week for the whole season!

So, what does Mr. Dimples - er, Jeff Probst - think about the survivors that have returned? When they released the cast, they also released Jeff’s thoughts on those who are returning, as well as the Fans picked to play against them. Click the ‘more’ link there to see what he had to say - about the first five (alphabetically!) of the chosen favorites!

Amanda said: I know things about James he doesn’t want people to know. And he knows stuff about me. We could be worst enemies, or we can become allies.

Says Jeff: Amanda knows how to play Survivor. She knows how to build an Alliance, how long to keep it, when to get rid of it. She’s very good at looking at odds, she’s very good at assessing if better off against this person, or with this person. And you need that. Survivor only thrives when you have people who will continue to turn and switch and make moves. Amanda’s in great shape, she does well in the challenges, she’s beautiful and she knows how to play.

Says me: Amanda, like all of the ‘Faves’ is going to have to work to keep her tribe on top. There are a lot of heavy hitters, and the Fans are going to be after them, determined to take them out first. What might save her a bit, is not knowing exactly how she fared in China (as they were filming during part of the season) and not being able to see how she worked the game. Though she’s right - if James decides to spill about her being final three in China, then we could see her booted early. Gonna have to mind her p’s and q’s, Amanda is!

Ami said: I’m going to slowly peel away each alliance that I see building. I’m going to start chipping away to keep the numbers in my favor.

Says Jeff: Ami will betray you. She’l;l do whatever it takes to get deeper in the game. But she’s sexy and she’s got this ‘Everything’s beautiful in the world until I stab you in the back’ thing. And that’s what we want on this show. And if Ami has her way, I guarentee you there will be a women’s alliance, because that is what Ami wanted in Vanuatu and that’s what’s she’s going to try to make happen here.

Says me: A woman’s alliance? Really? Is that still the way they want to go? I’m sorry, but I want to see an alliance based on personality, and people, and Survivors of mettle, then Bobbies Vs. Dangly Bits. Men vs. Women is played out in dozens of other venues - don’t make me throw up so early in the game! Other then that, I really don’t remember much about her. But then again, I don’t remember breakfast either. Take it as you will.

Cirie said: If I go before Jonny Fairplay, something is really wrong. Nothing against Jonny, but damn!

Says Jeff: Cirie represents the kind of people I love to see on the show. You look at Cirie and you think ‘How are you going to survive? You don’t have the tools, you don’t come from this background, you’re not physically fit enough.’ But there’s more to this game than that. My hunch is that Cirie played a very good game the first time, and I expect her to play an even better game the second time.

Says me: Girls like Cirie tend to go far, because they don’t get into conflicts, and they watch and see far more then anyone gives them credit for. I think she’ll go far, because she won’t be seen as a threat, and the fans will be more intent on getting the big guns out first. They’ll figure they can take her in a physical challenge - and they’ll forget that not all challenges are physical!

Eliza Says: I need to watch myself a little bit in terms of talking so much. I think I should do a little bit more listening.

Says Jeff: Eliza is one of the most enjoyable people to have on the show, because she gets it. Everybody knows Eliza will betray you at the drop of a hat, and Eliza knows you know that. Eliza is a Favorite because she can be so charmingly annoying. It’s fun to watch Eliza get mad, and it’s fun to watch people get mad at her, and she doesn’t take it personally. That’s the most beautiful part about her, she knows it’s only a game: “I have a life, I have a boyfriend, I’m going to be an attorney, I have a dog, that’s my life - this is only a game. Of course I’m going to try to cut your throat. I’ve got knives coming out of every part of my body.”

Says me: Of all the fans, Eliza is one I think has a good chance to pull it out to the home stretch. Do I think she’ll win it all? I honestly don’t know, but she’s gonna manipulate everyone like hell to get to that point. She’s one of this season’s Todd. She’s there to play. the. game. Period.

James said: I’m going to have to hustle a little bit more, and smile a whole lot earlier.

Says Jeff: I feel like the reason James is likable is there is a sense of authenticity there that you don’t see that often - he’s just going to tell you what he thinks. I don’t think James is that great of a Survivor player, as we saw in China. He made, without question, the single biggest blunder in the history of the show. I don’t think he gets how to play, but he’s so strong and he works so hard, and he is so likeable, that it’s really hard to vote him out. I think James could do really well this season.

Says me: MAH MAN JAMES! You all who read here often KNOW he’s my favorite. Unfortunately, I don’t think he’ll make it past the Jury. I see him placed there first or second - they’ll keep him around to work and set up camp and do all the things he does so well, but then he’s going to get frustrated, something’s going to get to him, and they’re going to scoot him out for that, and because he’s so damn strong. If they go back to doing individual powerhouse strength based immunity challenges? They’re going to (rightfully!) run scared and put his butt on the bench, saving their own ass. Too bad those two China HIIs he had in his pockets won’t do any good here, huh? But at least I get to watch him some more. RAWR!

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Keep checking back - in the next few days I’m going to pop up the same sort of comments on the rest of the Faves, and then move on to the Fans as well. What are you’re thoughts on the Favorites here? Who do you think has the best chance of these five to move really rock the boat? Scroll down an leave a comment and let’s dish!