Watching Survivor

Miss the preview on the TV Guide channel? Don’t worry, I did too! But folks on YouTube have our back, for sure! Hosted by Earl Cole, we get the first view at what we have to look forward too on Thursday, from the Immunity Idols, the opening ceremony, and more in-depth intros to the contestants to a tour of the Tribal Council! Check it out!

It’s almost here, ya’ll! Who are you’re early picks for the season? Make a prediction or four by clicking the comment button below!

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

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.

–

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

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

Hello Survivor Fans! Here’s hoping everyone is recovered nicely from the Reality TV Convention (And if you are - and would like to do a guest post or email telling me how it went, be sure to use that Contact button over on the right hand side under the ‘about site’ section, hm? We’ll work something out!) this past weekend - I’m only a LEETLE bit jealous. Ok, A lot. But still! I hope you all had a fantastic time!

Because it’s time to look forward to the next big events! Thanks to a reader, I was tipped off to the big benefit coming next weekend in Louisville, KY - The 4th Annual Kentuckiana Police and Firefighter’s Children’s Summer Bash Benefit.

They will be hosting over 500 police officers, firefighters, public safety personnel, military personnel and citizens for a “Night of fun and live entertainment.” The event is for charity and will be open to the public.

The benefit kicks off at 8:00 PM and goes until Midnight. We have a photographer available for all of our guests to have digital photos taken with our celebrities and the celebrities sign them during the event. This makes our event very unique in the community. Each year, the organizers seek to hold an event that is both professional and pleasing to the general public. The environment is very laid back and people friendly. Dress for the evening is business attire.

We will also be doing a moonlight VIP cruise on Friday night, July 6th, with some of the celebrity guests who will be in town. Please refer to the link for information about the cruise. Tickets are $50.00 and will be limited to 100.

Attending Survivors include Yau Man Chan, Rupert Boneham, Cao Boi, Bobby Jon, Twila Tanner, Big Tom Buchanan and many more!

Check it out - and Rocky, thanks for the tip - if you get to attend, feel free to send pictures and a write up about the experience!

Speaking of Big Tom Buchanan - Watching Survivor would like to congratulate his son, Bucky Bo, who spent the weekend getting hitched to the lovely Kacey Foley! A birdy told us that Lex van den Berghe flew out for the occasion to officiate the wedding!

Congrats to both the Buchanan and Foley families - may Bo and Kacey have many years of happiness ahead of them!

Also coming up - The Second Annual Survivor Beach Party, July 27-29th in Cocoa Beach, Florida!

Click here for a complete list of attendees - over 60 Survivors plan on being there! If you plan on attending, give me a shout out via the contact button, hm?

Know of any other Survivor parties and events going on? Let me know and I’ll be sure post it for you!

Survivor, Reality TV, Events, Lex van den Berghe, Big Tom Buchanan, Bucky Bo, charity events

Last week, Wilmington’s Star News reported that Dreamz Herd is seeing the other side of being a 15 minutes of fame Celebrity! It seems that his tie for second was enough to have him slapped with a paternity suit as soon as he got back home.

The mother, Amanda S. Young, gave birth Nov. 30 to a boy named Luca Finley Young, according to a birth certificate filed with the New Hanover County Register of Deeds.

The lawsuit seeks child support and reimbursement for medical expenses relating to the pregnancy, along with medical insurance coverage for the infant, who is now nearly seven months old.

The lawsuit was filed in May, shortly after the Fiji installments of the popular television series concluded.

I probably wouldn’t doubt this at all, except for the fact that she waited until the end of the show’s airing before filing the lawsuit. That and… Dreamz? Really? I mean, he’s… Dreamz! I just don’t get it - I must be getting cranky in my old age. Ha!

In other Survivor: Fiji news, my man Yau-Man spent Sunday helping the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano raise funds for their summer needs at their seventh annual “An Afternoon in the Admiral’s Garden.” The event was sold out, and all proceeds went to the Food Bank. Yau-man was at the Trader Joe’s tent, and one of the Auction prizes included dinner with him and as a souvenir, the fishing hat he wore on Survivor: Fiji! How cool is that?

This weekend! If you’re down in Nashville, TN, be sure to check out the 2007 Reality TV Con!

Unfortunately, a road trip from my home in Alaska to go was just a little out of my reach. If you’re going to be there, let me know! I’d love to get the scope on all the Survivors and fun and games going on!

Survivors slated to appear: Jonny Fairplay, Billy Garcia, Flica Flame, Cecilia Mansilla, Rupert Boneham (Sunday only), Burton Roberts, Cristina Coria

They’re also going to be doing casting calls for something called “The Alaska Experiment” - an adventure docu-series for an undisclosed cable network. It will be shot on location in Alaska and is about survival in the great outdoors. Interesting… I’ll definitely be keeping my eyes on this one!

And, in case there was any doubt? “Producer Burnett ruled reality TV.”

And last, but most certainly not least - Earl Cole (Winner, Survivor: Fiji) is taking part in the National HIV Testing Day Event today with the Screen Actors Guild, who vows to help end AIDS Epidemic in Black America by 2012.

National HIV Testing Day is on June 27th, and in anticipation the Screen Actors Guild as well as several other organizations will launch the “1 in a Million” campaign by hosting an HIV Screening event and press conference at the national Screen Actors Guild headquarters, featuring A-list Black celebrities being tested for HIV in front of the cameras.

The event was held this morning, from 10-11am (PT) in Los Angeles, California. According to the press release, Earl Cole is one of several celebrities who planned to attend and participate.

The group will call on 1 million Black Americans to get tested for HIV in the next year, and they will answer questions from reporters during the press conference.

Those who plan to attend and publicly take an HIV test at the press conference include: Jimmy Jean-Louis (“Heroes”), Regina King (“Ray,” “Jerry McGuire,” “24”), Hill Harper (“CSI New York”), Rockmond Dunbar (“Prison Break,” “Heartland”), Meagan Tandy (Miss California USA 2007), Vanessa Williams (“Soul Food”), Sheryl Lee Ralph (“ER,” Original “Dreamgirls” on Broadway), Hosea Chanchez (“The Game”), Angie Stone (recording artist), Anne-Marie Johnson (“CSI,” “JAG”), Darius McCrary (“Transformers,” “Family Matters”), Sandi McCree (“The Wire”), Ovie Mughelli (Atlanta Falcons), Isaac Keys (Arizona Cardinals); Henry Simmons (“Shark”), Tatyana Ali (“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”), Samaki Walker, Rob Sommers and Deandre Walker (NBA), Jennifer Lewis (“Shark,” “Girlfriends”), Alexandra Paul (“Baywatch”), Vida Guerra, Earl Cole (Winner, “Survivor: Fiji”); Howard Hesseman (“Boston Legal,” “WKRP in Cincinnati”), Beverly White (NBC reporter). Author/journalist Gil Robertson will sign copies of his book Not in My Family: AIDS in the African-American Community.

Phill Wilson (executive director, Black AIDS Institute) will be available for interviews
Gloria Reuben (“ER”, “Life Support”) will also be available for interviews from New York City.
Shari Belafonte will be available for telephone interviews.

For more information, go to BlackAids.org.

(…and really, HOW COULD YOU?) Here’s the final tribal council, plus the revealing of the winner of Survivor: Fiji! See if you feel the same way most of us do about how vicious the Jury was, many without cause…

Whatcha think? Bitter much?

The final TC clearly deserves a post all on it’s own. I’ve seen some of the final Tribal Councils get heated, but nothing like what went on with this one! There was yelling, lawyering, craziness, and all sorts of oddities that led to what I thought was a very predictable ending. After all, I called it WEEKS ago. It just don’t get better then that!

But first things first:
Back at camp, Dreamz apologizes, and I told they understand and debating who’s going to get torn up most by the Jury. Earl is worried because he voted Yau-Man. Dreamz knows he’s dead meat, and even Cassandra thinks she’s going to get bit into a bit. Dreamz just keeps going on and on about how he hopes they respect the decision, but don’t care if they don’t.

The next morning, there’s the traditional Final Meal, which was airdropped on the beach - they even made an X on the beach for it to land. Unfortunately, they missed and Earl had to swim out and get it. And for the first time - I actually hear that Cassandra can’t swim.

Uh. HUH? Cassandra can’t SWIM? What kind of person goes on Survivor without knowing how to at least dog paddle? It does explain why she too so long to get her rope and ball back in the previous challenge, though, don’t it?

They have a farewell bonfire, where they clean up everything in the camp and burn it. Including someone’s “dirty drawers! Those really gotta burn!”

And so it begins. Final Tribal Council, where the power shifts to the Jury and all the crazies come out to play!

First, each of the final three give a statement to the Jury, explaining why they deserve to win the million.

Earl: He says he played an honest and clean game, and played it the hard way to make the right move and put himself in the right position. His name was never put down, and he never had to win immunity, which says a lot about the kind of game he played. He doesn’t want the sympathy vote, or the underdog vote; he wants the respect vote.

Cassandra:
She started the game pretty slow, but wanted to be sure everyone had someone to talk to and befriend. She stayed as positive as possible and stayed true to her alliance and hopes at the end of the day everyone can still be friends.

Dreamz:
He says he’s going to get to the point (hahahah) and for a guy who doesn’t want the sympathy he goes RIGHT for the “You know my life story because I’ve opened up to all of you.” Everyone knows him, what he’d do with his life, help him help his life and other people.

Michelle (OMG how cute is she? I really want to just tuck her into my pocket and carry her around everywhere with me…) starts things off by asking everyone what they think is the biggest hardship they were faced with, and thinks they have to work pretty hard for a million bucks.

Dreamz says the sleeping in the dirt was something he’s done before (WE GET IT ALREADY OMG!) but Thirst was the hardest.

Cassandra says overcoming her inability to swim, and Michelle asks if fear of water earned her a million bucks, and Cassandra adds that creating her alliance and staying true was also hard.

Earl says he knows suffering, being the only Ravu remaining, pushing and then being sent to Exile Island - he suffered more then anyone else in the game.

Edgardo is next up, and has one question for Earl. He asks him how he found out who had the immunity idol, and Earl says straight up “Dreamz”. That’s all Ed wanted to know.

Mookie asks Dreamz if he told anyone about the immunity idol, because apparently he wasn’t paying attention when Edgardo asked the question of Honest Earl. Dreamz says yes, and is asked if he considers that betrayal. Dreamz: No, it’s lying. (Uh, aren’t they sorta the same thing in this instance?) Mookie presses and Dreamz says if that’s what you consider betrayal, then it is. Mookie tells everyone tonight is not the night to get caught in a lie.

Alex asks Cassandra a moment where she had to struggle with her integrity. She mentions over-hearing a conversation about her being voted off. And Alex goes OFF on her - says she’s either lying about what’s the biggest integrity moment now, or was lying when she took Stacy close and nurtured her. Cassandra says he has the situation wrong, and he interrupts her and says STOP TALKING over and over again, and becomes uber asshole and moves on to Dreamz.

Dreamz, you cheat, lie and backstab to get here, how can he reconcile that with wanting to help kids and be a role model. Dreamz says it’s just a game and you have to do what you have to do. Alex finishes by saying “I’d wish you luck, but I’m a man of my word and so will wish you no luck at all. Can’t hide from karma forever, (Airquote) my friend (/airquote).” He used AIR QUOTES. OMG.

Earl is again, asked nothing.

Next up! Lisi, who is as crazy as ever and goes Eenie Meni Miny Moe catch a liar by the toe… She then asks to see Cassandra’s water shoes for some reason, and that it means she was completely unprepared because they’re the worst shoes ever. Cassandra looks confused, as do everyone else. But Lisi says that greed propelled her, and Cassandra says no, and Lisi cuts her off and goes to Dreamz

She asks him how many zeros are in a million, and he answers 6, and she has to think about it and Dreamz is like “You think I’m stupid?” And well, she moves right on…

And accuses Earl of putting on a show for the Jury when Yau-Man was voted off when he put his name down and helped it. He says it was more surprised that it had come to that, because of Dreamz. Lisi says many times “you could have voted off Cassandra” and Earl finishes by “It’s a choice, it was a smart choice.” and she finishes off with “It’s amazing how smart becomes interchanged with lying and backstabbing.” and thank god for small miracles, she’s done.

Stacy’s turn, and she tells Earl that the only difference between him and Dreamz is that he’s sophisticated, and will end up on his feet, but that the money would change Dreamz’s life and if she should vote based on need, or the game.

Earl answers honestly - it’s a game, everyone is there for the million dollars, and it would change all their lives. He shouldn’t have to feel bad because he has a car, because he was educated. They’re all there for the money, all to play the game, vote based on that. (You go Earl!)

Next up - Rocky. Here comes more crazy.
He wants to know how everyone manipulates the best, so finish the sentence “I’m the biggest kicker because…” Cassandra tries to paint herself as someone people could go to and talk too. Rocky interrupts and says he doesn’t want to hear positive stuff, and she says she doesn’t feel she manipulate anyone, and Rocky moves on.

Dreamz “..because I manipulated my way to the to everytime I was on the chopping block. I manipulated Yau to keep me around, you understand?”

Earl “I have to be the biggest kicker, because no one thought I was even playing the game.”

Rocky ends with a “good on ya brother, good luck.” and that brings us to…

Boo. I didn’t expect the crazy from Boo, but BOY did he deliver.
“Wipe the smiles off your faces boys and girls. First of all, I want to tip my hat to Yau, he’s the best player here.”

He asks Dreamz if he was playing Yau-Man when he accepted the truck, as a Christian or if he changed his mind later. Dreamz cannot answer it straight up, and says he was playing the game. And Boo, he goes all preacher on him, and how he believes in Dreamz, but that he’s immature Christian, and how dangle all the money in the world before him, but this Christian isn’t for sale. Oy. Vey.

Yau-man has the advantage of not having testosterone overload, and can admit to making a mistake. He took responsibility for putting Dreamz in such a position and to enjoy the truck without regret.

He asks again if Dreamz was playing the game, or if he has the gonads to admit that he changed his mind. Dreamz said he didn’t change his mind, he knew what he was going to do.

Earl -simple question “Why would you not want to take me to the end.” and Earl has a very honest, heartfelt answer, and tells the truth. “Because I would not win. Because you played the best game by far.”

I’m pretty sure right there is what cinched Earl for every vote on that council. If anyone was wavering (I don’t think they were!) they were solidified after that.

And it’s time to vote, and of course they are not revealed until the finale.

And, as we all know, in the first time in Survivor History, Earl is named Sole Survivor!

Reunion Highlights Tomorrow!

Survivor, Survivor: Fiji!, Finale, Immunity, CBS, Jeff Probst, Reality TV,

It’s the ritual time for introspection at the Island, where they start to congratulate themselves for making it this far. Earl and Yau-Man both celebrate their friendship, and know it will continue no matter what as they have the same values and morals and so on. It’s like Rush Hour, the black man, and the Asian! They talk of the sights, the water, and one more night on the Island.

Dreamz says “My fate was sealed when I took that truck, man.” and he wants his son to see him as a man of his word. If that’s not foreshadowing, I’m not blond..

Yau-Man says that if he knew it was a $60k, he wouldn’t have done it, and laughs. Dreamz says his plan is to give him the necklace. Ha. I say. And HA! Again.

After Tree Mail, they go on the ritual collection of past survivor torches as they go down the river, while said past survivors have the Voice Over of their final thoughts, with dreamy music in the background. They burn the torches and send the boat out to sea, before heading to their final Immunity Challenge - where everyone wants Yau-Man to win so as to negate the need for Dreamz to go back on his word! Or was that just me??

Immunity Challenge:
Yau-Man hands of the Immunity necklace, and dreamz says “you’ll get it back” HA!

The final challenge tests their desire to stay in the game, as well as their tolerance for pain. They will lay on their backs on a wooden plank, with arms overhead, hanging on to a wooden handle. The planks are at an angle, and every five minutes, the angle will be increased making it more difficult to hang on. Also, there is water streaming from the barrel ahead of them making the plank slippery. And for the first time, they are told there will be a Final Three facing the Jury.

With Cassandra’s past challenge failures and lackadaisy attitude, I was surprised she lasted as long as she did, expecting her to fall not only first, but immediately. She struggled, but surprised me - though not by much. She falls off first at 15 minutes while Jeff is increasing the angle again.

Earl is next at 55 degree angle and 20+ minutes, losing his grip as he tries to reposition.

Yau-Man looks like he can hang on forever - but brawn wins over scrawn, and he slips and falls while repositioning, and giving Dreamz the last Immunity.

There’s a bit of scrambling and talking, because of the information that the final three will face the Jury. Earl and Cassandra are certain that Dreamz will keep his word and “Stay on the straight and narrow good path.”

Yau-Man asks Dreamz, that if he chances his mind, not to vote for Yau-Man. Earl laughs and says “Hey! if you change your mind, could you not vote for me too?” And lightens the mood. They are all very aware that Dreamz is in control, and it’s not a very comfortable place to be. Dreamz says he’ll do the right thing, but if he doesn’t, Earl and Cassandra better vote Yau-Man together or one of them is going home. He keeps trying to convince us he’s honorable, but wow. I’m not falling for it, and can’t believe they thought anything different would happen then what did.

Tribal Council:
There was really only one topic to talk about. The Deal between Yau-Man and Dreamz. Dreamz says that it’s a game. Humanity falls to the wayside, and on one side there’s the truck, the other side there’s a chance at a million dollars. Still everyone says that they still believe that Dreamz will live up to his word. Cassandra is still her wishy-washy self, and won’t take a stand and give a solid answer as to what she thinks he’ll do. Earl says they left him alone pretty much to decide what is more important, the game or integrity, and that he wouldn’t have put himself in that situation at all.

Dreamz is asked what he’s going to do, and no surprise to any of us, but apparently a big one to the Survivors - he keeps the necklace. The only other surprise is that Earl puts down Yau-Man’s name, and aids in sending Yau-Man home as the 9th member of the jury. Everyone is surprised by that, including Yau-Man. Expect that question to come up at the last TC.

It is time for the power to shift to the Jury, and the final Tribal Council, which can mean only one thing….

Part three - coming soon!

Survivor, Survivor: Fiji!, Finale, Immunity, CBS, Jeff Probst, Reality TV, Survivor: Live!, Yau-Man, Dreamz, Cassandra, Earl

…Told ya so!

There, now that I’ve gotten THAT out of my system, it’s time for a recap of all the fun-filled festivities of last nights Survivor Finale in multiple parts so it’s not 18 pages long!

After a recap of the entire season to open the finale, we hit the camp right after the last Tribal Council where Stacy was voted out after Yau-Man played the Hidden Immunity Idol on night 36. Yau-Man admits that Tribal Council was rough. Earl kind of thinks it was a ploy to flush the idol out, and Yau-Man tells Earl he may need to use his if he doesn’t win the immunity challenge. Earl shakes his head, not sure he wants to play that way. It’s down to the F5 - every man for himself is right around the corner and Earl has never balked about that being the case.

Earl goes to Cassandra with a “Somebody talk to me!” because they all voted for Yau-Man and no one told him what was going down. He probably would have told Yau-Man what was going on, but he does get in better with them once more. Cassandra asks if Yau-Man has the second idol, but he brushes it off with “I don’t think so” and that was it.

There was no time wasted at all in getting to the F5 Immunity Challenge after that. It’s a huge 5-section maze, which the castaways will have to go through blindfolded. They have different medallions. They find the key station, find the key, go through the maze farther to the correct drawbridge, use the key to lower it and cross into the next section. There are random guide posts that will help them find their way. First one through all five sections wins.

Boo finds the first key station first. Yau-Man is right behind, followed by Dreamz. Yau-Man finds the drawbridge first, and into the second station. Dreamz then Boo follow right behind. Cassandra is lost, and not even trying, Earl is slow and steady. Without going blow by blow, it was clearly a challenge between Yau-Man, Boo and Dreamz the rest of the way. Yau-Man really showed how smart he is with this challenge, ignoring everything and just keeping going. He took the lead in the second station, and never gave it back. Yau-Man wins Immunity!

Let the scrambling begin!

Yau-Man gets with Cassandra and says Boo is going out. He then goes to Boo and tells him how much he appreciates everything. Dreamz is a little worried and asks if he is going, but hears everyone is voting Boo. He admits to lying throughout the game in confessional, and it’s the first night he’ll take all his stuff to Tribal Council.

Boo does make a play with Earl to get rid of Dreamz. He knows that he’s Earl’s best chance to beat Yau-Man in the last Immunity Challenge and beat him in the final two. At this point, the Survivor’s don’t know what we do - that there will be a Final Three. Boo makes the same play with Yau-Man, and there’s a wavering, and no one’s quite sure what they’re going to do. Yau-Man’s ultimate decision is based on the faith that Dreamz will honor his deal if he’s around. Not a good place to put your faith at this point, but Yau-Man and Earl, they’re stand up guys who believe in the best of people.

Tribal Council:
Dreamz actually says he’s more concerned about people who don’t keep their word. Which is, if I am using the word right, irony at it’s best. There’s a lot of careful thinking and honesty, with people admitting that sometimes it might be best to say goodbye to a close friend, because others can be beat. Dreamz once again says he’s not looking for Sympathy Vote with his life story, but hello, he’s only mentioned it 18gazillion times. Boo lays his strategy right out in plain view - of how he’s thinking and why, but in the end, it doesn’t matter.

The votes are cast, and since it’s the last night the Hidden Immunity Idol can be played, so Earl plays it. There are shocked looks on the Jury, but he didn’t get any votes anyway, it was just to say “Hi! I had this!” There are no surprises, Boo is voted out, with only his own vote for Dreamz the odd man out. boo waits all of .12982 seconds after his torch is extinguished and runs down the path.

And we are down to the Final Four. As Boo says “Wow, there’s going to be some fireworks tomorrow!”

- Part two coming soon!

Survivor, Survivor: Fiji!, Finale, Immunity, CBS, Jeff Probst, Reality TV, Survivor: Live!, Boo, Yau-Man, Dreamz, Cassandra, Earl

Here’s Stacy’s appearance on CBS this morning - and don’t forget to catch her Survivor: Live at CBS.com too!

Survivor, Survivor: Fiji!, Moto, Ravu, Bula Bula, Immunity, CBS, Jeff Probst, Reality TV, Stacy

We open, this week on day 34, where Boo is being sneaky at the camp. He’s made a back path to the water well, so when folks sneak off to talk there, he can listen! “Sneaky is fun” he says… while, back at camp, everyone’s talking while he’s totally unaware, and Dreamz is sleeping. They confirm the plan that they want to get rid of Boo, because he’s a challenge-winning monster. Boo’s sure he’ll know if his name comes up because he’ll be hiding behind the thicket…. Go Boo! Maybe that fall out of the hammock had some long lasting effects we didn’t know about…

Yau-Man says he’s definitely having fun, because of all the strategic thinking he’s getting to do, but admits if Boo is gone, he likes his chances much better.

And it’s time for Tree Mail, early in the show - where they put the clues together, and Boo states the obvious while Earl rolls his eyes - it’s time for the car challenge! Dreamz immediately mentions he’s the only one that doesn’t have a car, and assures us that if it’ has to do with strength or agility - he’s gonna win himself a car today! And even begs for folks to give it to him if they win…

Little does he know…

They waste no time getting us to the Reward challenge after that. A big tarp falls and it’s the 2008 Ford Super Duty, which can haul 3 tons and tow 12. They will be divided into teams of three, and tied together. They have to maneuver over a set of seesaws without touching the ground. Then, together still, they have to crawl through a cargo net maze, dig to find the hidden ax, then rush to cross the line, cut the rope and drop the crate into the back of the truck to win the first part of the challenge.

The reward then, those three will take the truck, and the crate filled with school supplies and pick up a trailer with a mobile school office to the local school, where they will have a picnic lunch.

Before they leave, those three will compete to see who wins that truck itself, and the winner will choose who goes to exile island.

The teams: Yau-Man, Stacy, Boo and Cassandra, Earl, Dreamz.

Earl, Cassandra and Dreamz do really well, working together steadily and holding hands over the seesaws. Yau-Man falls off once, twice, three times and sends his team back to the start before they finally hold hands and get through it.

By that time, Dreamz, Earl and Cassandra make quick work of the Cargo Crawl. They’re halfway through before Yau-Man, Stacy and Boo hit the crawl and FLY through the crawl with Boo practically DRAGGING them through. Cassandra gets stuck, but they get her out and start digging. The sandpit is the great equalizer as they dig steady and deep… (Except for Cassandra - does she DO anything?) Boo finds the hatchet, gets it unwrapped, and the three of them release the crate to win the first part of the Immunity.

The second part of the challenge is an ax throwing competition. The goal is to cut both ropes, and wins the Ford 2008 Super Duty.

Boo nails the first rope, first try. Yau-man hits his second try. Third throw, Boo just barely misses, Stacy misses a 3rd time and Yau-Man wins reward! And in case you missed it all 80 times it was said, he wins the “Ford 2008 Super Duty”! Jeff says congratulations, and right away Yau-Man replies, “I’d like to see if I can make a deal with the truck.”

Yau-Man asks Dreamz how badly he needs a car, than says here’s the deal. When there are 4 of us left, if it’s us, if Dreamz wins the immunity, he’s to give it to Yau-Man, guaranteeing him a spot in the final three. Dreamz JUMPS at the chance and gives his word. Jeff tells Dreamz to take the platform, the truck is his, and Yau-Man hands over the keys with an “Enjoy it.”

Then comes the real kicker! Yau-Man still must decide who, Cassandra, Earl or himself, to send to Exile Island. For the first time since the concept of Exile Island was brought into the game, a player sends HIMSELF to Exile. Yah-Man goes from winning the truck, to giving it away, to Exile! That man is something else, I tell ya!

He tells us his reasoning once he’s on the island. Earl had been there so many times already, and he didn’t feel Cassandra could survive, so he sent himself and retrieved the third clue to the re-hidden immunity idol. He’s such a wily ole’ guy! He also explains that a truck like that could change Dreamz life, and he feels really good about it, even if it’s a strategic move.

They load the truck onto a barge until they get access to a road, and Dreamz, Boo and Stacy deliver the school supplies and mobile office donated by Ford to the school and enjoy a lunch with the teachers and kids.

And Boo is driving the truck, because Dreamz doesn’t even have a license! How cute was that?

Boo’s a big kid, making faces and blending in while Dreamz starts thinking - always a dangerous thing as we’ve seen. He gave his word about the final four, which means he needs to get rid of Yau-man before then. Now’s the time - can he figure a way?

Back at camp, on day 36, we see Earl poking around for the Hidden Immunity Idol, and Dreamz makes his move with Cassandra. He knows it was pure strategy, and Dreamz assure us that he would keep his word at the final four, so has to get him out now. Cassandra is torn, and waits to make a decision on what to do.

Immunity Challenge!
Dreamz tells Yau-man how great the ride was, and thanks him again, and it’s time for the challenge. All six start on a platform with a ball tied to the end of a rope. Throw the ball through the hoop and pull down a balance beam and move to the next platform. The first four will do the same thing. The final two, then will do the same thing, cross the balance beam, then cross another one to a small perch, where they have a grappling hook to throw and pull in a bouy to win Immunity.

Cassandra throws her ball AND rope, and has to swim to get it. Dreamz hooks in first, Stacy says a bad word, and Boo connects, followed by Earl and Yau-Man, all before Cassandra even gets back to the platform.

Round two:
Yau-man hooks first, almost falls off the beam but hangs on. Boo lowers his and makes it across for the final round. Dreamz and Earl are standing on the same platform, and Earl reaches over and nudges Dreamz into the water with that big ole grin of his. Man I love that guy!

Final Round:
Boo almost falls off the platform, and they throw and throw, and come close, and then Boo connects, makes his way across while Yau-Man keeps trying. Boo gets to the perch, grabs the grappling hook, and on the second throw Boo wins immunity and cannonballs into the water to receive his necklace.

Back at camp, I’m still waiting for Boo to poke himself in the eye with that pokey necklace. It’s inevitable, for sure! Boo’s happy he won, because now everyone seems to be looking for plan b. Yau-Man gives Earl the third clue to Earl, so that he can look for the idol again. Earl goes out on search again, and sure enough - finds the second Hidden Immunity Idol!

He goes back to camp, gives Yau-Man the sly nod, and they go admire the second idol. Yau-Man is confident now that he’s cemented his place in the final four, and the deal with Dreamz gives him final three.

Meanwhile, Dreamz back at camp, makes a play to get Cassandra and Stacy into the plan to get rid of Yau-man instead. That’d be three votes for Yau-man, and three for Stacy. It’s a good plan, but only if they can blindside him and not have him use the idol. Cassandra knows that if she does it, and it doesn’t work, she may have burned two bridges.

Earl talks with a Stacy, and admires and respects the way she’s going out with dignity. Little does he know that she’s plotting behind his back! Yau-Man asks Dreamz if it’s Stacy, and he kind of nods and mentions boo’s win again. Dreamz tells him he knows the strategy behind the truck, and Yau-Man starts to get an inkling, and tells Earl he has bad vibes. Earl shakes his head no like he doesn’t feel it… but well, Yau-Man is on the right track! Here’s hoping he pulls it off…

Tribal Council:
Jeff has Dreamz tell the jury about the deal for the Truck. They look a little shocked, while Yau-Man grins and just says he expects Dreamz to be true to his word, and admits that there’s a possibility they’ll try to take him out before then.

Jeff asks about the hidden immunity idol, and if it worries Boo who’s sitting there with the Immunity tonight. Boo says it doesn’t matter to him who has it at this point. Cassandra says she doesn’t believe it, it definitely matters at this point in the game because it can only be used the next two times. Earl admits that it’s a gamble to have one and not use it. Stacy admits she’s worried that she’ll be going home as she’s a latecomer to the alliance.

And STACY tips her hand, tips Dreamz’s plan off to Yau-Man! She says that there will be lines drawn in the alliance and she doesn’t think it will be votes all one way or the other, but that it’ll be (dramatic pause) split. Earl and Yau-Man react instantly, both surprised but immediately putting two and two together. And I start chanting for Yau-Man to play it wisely.

It’s time to vote!
Jeff asks if anyone wants to play an Hidden Immunity Idol, and everyone looks around at each other, everyone looks at Yau-man, and he stands up and plays his Hidden Immunity Idol, which nullifying all votes for him. Earl looks surprised, Stacy shakes her head, and Dreamz and Cassandra shake their head, while Yau-Man just grins.

The votes: Stacy, Yau-Man, Stacy, Yau-Man, Yau-man, which means the 13th person voted out and the next on the Jury is Stacy.

And all bets are off - there’s no doubt there were lines drawn and crossed and it didn’t work. I can’t WAIT to see what happens on Sunday! That’s right - the FINALE is THIS SUNDAY at 8/7 central! Set your DVRs, call your friends, have a party, and celebrate the end of the 14th season and a new million-dollar winner!

Will Dreamz make it to the final 4 and make immunity and if so, honor his deal? It promises to be the most tension filled Finale’s ever!

My predictions still stand! I think that Boo will be next to go, and we will have our Final Four of Dreamz, Cassandra, Yau-Man and Earl. I also think that Dreamz will not follow through on the deal, and boot my man, Yau-Man. Which will make me cry. So - with a final three of Dreamz, Earl, and Cassandra? I think Earl has it on lockdown, and if he DOESN’T win, I will be completely shocked.

Cassandra is only there because of her ties to Earl and Dreamz. She does nothing in the challenges, she just listens and gathers information. Dreamz is going to make folks mad by going against Yau-man, and Earl - very deserving for the way he’s played since the beginning (despite his many “duh, I’m in control and know wha’ts going on” moments this episode. He was a little to confident but I think he’ll fix that by Sunday) - will win the pot.

What do you think? Be sure to be nice to your Mama’s early in the day on Sunday so you can watch guilt-free and see how close your theories were to reality!

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Well, it’s no surprise, as Alex has told everyone on the interview circuit, that he felt that the other players just refused to see past the very next step, which is what was his downfall. He couldn’t get them to see ahead of time. Too many were complacent, not caring if they won, just wanting to get to the next step. You have to play to win, if you want to have a chance.

The first caller asked him right away about his vote for Mookie, and if there was something strategic, or just a guess. He says he got an inkling something was going on and there was a divide, and the only way his vote would count was if it were for Mookie.

He is proud of his ‘best bet’ strategy in going to Cassandra and Dreamz and trying to work them again Yau-Man as a last ditch effort to work things behind the scenes. It didn’t work, but it was a bold move, and one that may have long lasting repercussions. (And by long lasting, I mean two episodes! As that’s all that’s left.)

When asked about Dreamz, and he said he was Complete Chaos - that telling Dreamz anything was to have everyone know. He has no exact strategy, it’s just game gone wild.

Alex isn’t surprised at all at Yau-Man’s popularity either, because you just don’t expect him to do well, but he has heart, and isn’t intimidated by the big boys, and is stronger then people give him credit for. Only reason he went after him was because it was his only move.

I think the big thing to take away from Alex’s survivor live is that he felt he did well, and never gave up on himself, even when 6-1. He’s a nice guy, Alex, though I think I liked him cleaned up better then scruffy, unlike Edgardo. (raaaaawrrrrr, Edgardo!)

They went through the what-ifs, as well as recapping the night Alex played the Immunity Idol when it wasn’t needed for him, and Edgardo was voted off. He said he had an inkling that they were writing too long, and briefly considered giving it to Edgardo, but then began to overthink it. They might be trying to fake him out, if not, and he saved Edgardo, he may have gone anyway with the second vote, so he played it for himself.

He admitted that it did bother him that some folks go to play the game and don’t give their all, that being seen like that doesn’t make him comfortable at all. He bashed on Stacy a little, that she doesn’t seem to work, and was seen as negative, and they asked him why everyone sees her so hated. He said he had his own ax to grind with her, because he saved her and she turned on him, but other then that he felt there was no sense of who she really was, she was behind a wall.

He felt his biggest mistake was maybe getting rid of Lisi even though she was so unstable, but he really didn’t feel like he would change anything. He’s pretty pleased with his performance.

And - that last immunity challenge, turns out he was injured, scraping his knee really badly - it ended up getting infected and he suffered a staph infection and was on crutches for a while.

Probst Thoughts: Alex is the prototype for the perfect survivor in many ways, an extremely smart guy, who kept trying to change the game to stay alive. That’s the type of person they look for to play the game - the ones that never give up.

Minus 10:

Original Moto: Dysfunctional
Harvard Law: useful but dangerous
Voting off Mookie: Necessary, unfortunate, good friend.
De le Hoya vs Mayweather: De le Hoya because he has heart.
Lisi: Unstable, wish things were different
Lakers: heart-wrenching
Looking through people’s belongings: not acceptable in real life, Mookie’s fault
Clever Lang: I’ve not seen it.
Four Horsemen: good idea, didn’t work
The Jury: Payback.

Scott from NC asked Alex if he had gone to the final three, who he would have liked to take with him - that’d been Stacy and Dreamz. He felt that it’d be hard for everyone to vote for them, and he figured he could have beat them both.

Best line of this week’s show: Alex “That’s what Survivor should be called ‘Anyone but me!’”

Check out the full show, as always, at CBS!

And! They haven’t yet posted Alex on CBS This Morning on YouTube - I’ll post it as soon as they do. If you can’t wait, they do have a transcript of the interview up at Survivor Fever!

We’re closing in on the final two Survivor nights! Who’s your pick to take it all? Has it changed? Are you still holding tight to your favorite? Sound off!

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While wandering around the fun that is the Survivor: Wiki! (Seriously, I could get LOST there) I had to laugh to see the page of the Most Annoying Survivors! The idea is that having an All Star season with just the rejects, castaways, etc. that caused the most drama would certainly be an exciting season! From those who just drove us insane, to the stupidity and the most annoying - they had quite the lineup:

Borneo: Sean Kenniff
Borneo: Sue Hawk
Australian Outback:Debb Eaton
Africa: Diane Ogden
Marquesas: Gabrial Cade
Thailand: Ted Rodgers
The Amazon: Matthew Von Ertfelda
Pearl Islands: Jon Dalton
Pearl Island: Osten Taylor
Vanuatu:Ami Cusack
Vanuatu: Leann Slaby
Palau: Wanda Shirk
Palau: Janu Tornell
Guatemala: Judd Sergeant
Guatemala: Jamie Newton
Exile Island: Shane Powers
Exile Island: Courtney Marit
Cook Islands: Billy Garcia
Fiji: James “Rocky” Reid
Fiji: Lisi Linares

I don’t think Wanda should be on there. Sure, she made a Survivor Song and sang it - but she never got to play! How can we declare her truly annoying if she never got to spend more then a few moments on Survivor at all?

So, what changes would YOU make?

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Friday Morning, Mookie Lee joined Henry on CBS to talk about the game, the vote, and the secret scene:

And for those that missed it: Stacy Rocking the BattleShip Game!

And Tribal Council where Alex makes his vote count, much to Mookie’s surprise!

Enjoy!

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I finally got a chance to watch last Friday’s Survivor: Live with Edgardo. Stephenie LaGrossa guest-hosted and looks FANTASTIC, doesn’t she? So pretty!

Edgardo looks pretty too, all clean cut and shaven and well. Yeah, bring back the scruffy sexiness! Anyway, he points out that the game started to go wrong with Lisi’s boot, and Mookie’s sudden switch of personality and obsession with keeping the Hidden Immunity Idol to himself.

His opinion on Dreamz: He had a big mouth like Rocky, but doesn’t stop with just opinion, spouts out all of his strategy too and is all over the place. He swears he saw it coming to a certain extent because his name didn’t come up in all the pre-TC scramble and usually the one who’s name comes up is the one who gets the boot. He pulled Alex aside and had a lil Spanish powwow, and told him it was Alex or him - and if they start writing, and take a long time, its definitely him who was going.

Jerry from California asked who Edgardo felt was most to blame for his demise, and he thinks the biggest mistake was Mookie telling Dreamz they had the idol. And, about his “prowess” with the bow and arrow challenge… “aw, that hurt me a little bit man, but is ok, is ok..” and “I swear! I had the fisher price bow and arrow man, my hands were too big, and my hands were sweaty!” They even made a makeshift bow and arrow to practice with, and he was hitting everything.

And that’s where my computer decided to take a dive! So you’ll have to head to CBS yourself, and catch the rest of the show.

However! I do have Edgardo’s Minus Ten for you:

And, as with all the Voted off Survivors, Edgardo’s been hitting the interview circuit. Catch him here, here, here and here!

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