Watching Survivor

Last night at the Emmys, there was a brand new category - Outstanding Reality Show Host - and to kick off their first year, it was decided that the five nominees would share the hosting duties of the Emmy’s themselves. It was an interesting idea, though I don’t think it played out as well as it was hoped that it would. The hosts were:

Heidi Klum (Project Runway), who lit up the stage, as always…
Tom Bergeron of Dancing with the Stars, and AFV
Howie Mandel - how and when was “Deal or no deal’ declared a reality show?!? I thought it was a GAME show..
Ryan Seacrest, AI, who hosted the Emmys last year
and of course the best of the best - Mr. Dimples! I mean, Jeff Probst!

He cleans up pretty damn good, don’t he? Rawr!

When it came time to dish out the award though, there was no doubt who the winner would be - at least for us here at Watching Survivor! The winner of the first ever Emmy for Outstanding Reality Show Host was none other then Jeff Probst! (Survivor’s ready? GO!)

Congratulations, Jeff, on a well deserved award! It took them 16 seasons to recognize your genius - so it’s about time!

Here’s a few shots of the festivities, and of course, Jeff with his Emmy.

Don’t forget! The premiere of Survivor: Gabon is THIS THURSDAY on CBS, and if you haven’t done so yet, there is still time to get in on the first week of the WS Pool Party! Scoot over there and join our pool, run by FunOfficePools, and see if YOU can come out on top by predicting correctly the winner, and who will be booted week to week! You know you want too…

And to entice you farther - after the cut, there’s the ONE spoiler I’ve been able to dig up for the first episode, to help you make this weeks picks. It has to do with that last picture there in the gallery…

I know. I’m too good to you. (grin)

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Well, you wanted spoilers, and they are still slow in coming in. They’ve kept a tight lid on this season so far! We know that the contestants should be home now, and usually the first plane ride back starts the spoilers off in a tizzy of info. There’s just not that much info to be found!

However, Survivor Fever has gathered the list of contestants that are thought to have been in Africa for Survivor: Gabon - most of which were uncovered by the folks at the Survivor Sucks board. The one that is the most confirmed is the guy in the promo below -they’ve found the match on Myspace. I love Myspace. *grin*

So here we go - here’s the group of possible survivors that have been uncovered so far:

(more…)

…this time before last season, we had a passel full of spoilers and a whole bunch of speculation too. This time, things are oh so VERY close-lipped, and very few people are talking. Even Survivor Fever’s Gabon page is mostly empty… it’s very, very odd!

But we do have SOME things that have trickled back, and this is what we know. You ready? Here you go:

WHOOO! Betcha you’ve been waiting on pins and needles for THAT one, huh?

Seriously though, there have been a few things trickling back among the spoiler boards, but surprisingly little when compared to other seasons. The contestants SHOULD all be home now, as the filming began on Monday, June 23, and ending 39 days later on July 31. That has the contestants beginning the trek home around August 1st. That means we can probably expect a cast announcement this middle of this month, around August 18th or so.

Which gives us a month to stalk the contestants on MySpace. WHOO!

One funny thing that came by way of the group at Survival Skills board is that a Gorilla punched a contestant in the face! How funny would THAT be?

The range of contestants is supposed to be more eclectic, in age and demeanor, much like China. The rumors going round is that casting went back to season one/two, and they don’t have as many ‘mactors’ (models/actors wannabes) this time around, and to insure the right mix, there was a last minute rearrangement of the cast, as they took a second look at some of the ones that almost made it and did a bit of a switcheroo a few weeks before they left. They’ve apparently done away with the Hidden Immunity Idol, and there is no Exile Island either, so they’ve got back to the beginning there, too. (I’m sensing a theme, CBS!)

The ONLY rumor we have about a contestant is that one MIGHT be a former Track and Field Olympian, and another has tried out 13 times and finally made it. Here’s hoping it’s not another Kathy B, huh? For more on the Olympian, it’s after the cut!

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This morning, Mr. Dimples himself stopped by Live with Regis & Kelly this morning to talk a bit about the show. As we’ve heard rumored about - this is a season of GREAT things, one of which Jeff alludes too on Live: The most Intimate Footage Ever Shot on Survivor. Not only that, but this Showmance/Romance is shown in Episode TWO!

TWO! Good lord, that’s only 6 days to decide you like someone enough to sneak off and make out with them. That’s… fast. So who do you think it is? There’s been rumblings of an Ozzy/Amanda hookup, and a James/Parvati hookup. (Oh James. Don’t break my heart like that! That’s not how to step up your social game!) So which one could it be?

At any rate - here’s the segment on Live, thanks to SurvivorPheonix!

And don’t forget about our Pool Party! Head over to FunOfficePools and sign up! There’s less then a week left to make your picks and get ready for the Season Premiere on Thursday!

Survivor Fever - always the best and baddest resource for all our spoiler needs, has an almost complete cast listed for Survivor: China! While such leaks should be considered possible, at best, Survivor Fever has an incredible record for up to date and CORRECT information! They have 15 contestants listed of what is said to be a 16-member cast.

Aaron Reisberger: 32-year-old from Venice, CA.
Ashley Massaro: 28-year-old WWE wrestler.
Courtney Yates: 20-something model.
Dave Cruser: 37-year-old from Simi Valley, CA.
Denise Martin: Information Unknown.
Erik Huffman: 26-year-old musician/model from Nashville, TN.
Jaime Dugan: Information Unknown.
James Clement: Information Unknown.
Jean-Robert Bellande: 36-year-old professional poker player from Los Angeles, CA.
Leslie Nease: 38-year-old Christian talk radio host from Charlotte, NC.
Mike Zernow: 20-year-old street stunt performer from Chicago, IL.
Peih-Gee Law: 29-year-old in Sales from Los Angeles, CA.
Shereah Monet Lloyd: 26-year-old teacher from Stone Mountain, GA.
Steve Morris: 50-something Pasture Operator from Saltville, VA.
Todd Herzog: 22-year-old from Provo, UT.

The only two famous-ish names are the ones we spoiled a while ago, the wrestler Ashley and the poker player Jean-Robert Bellande. Looks like quite an eclectic group again, though! I’ll keep ya posted as more becomes available!

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

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

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

Over at The Poker Biz it’s been rumored that one of their own is also headed to China to do their stint as a Survivor. 6′6″ tall Jean-Robert Bellande is all the talk at the Rio, where these rumors are flying thick and strong.

Apparently eating bugs, going without showering for 39 days and sleeping on a straw mat during a monsoon is a more enjoyable way to spend your summer months than having to endure sitting next to Mike ‘The Mouth’ Matusow for 13 hours per day.

Well, really - who could blame him? The post goes on to give a brief bio of the Pro Poker Player:

Bellande’s bio lists him as a former Hollywood nightclub promoter with a B.A. in marketing. He’s had some success on the professional poker circuit with cashes totaling $741,680 including a win at the 2005 Winnin’ O’ the Green for $148,000 and a 3rd place finish at the WSOP-Circuit event at the Rio in 2005.

At least he’s not like Skinny Ryan - he might survive a little bit longer with some meat on his bones.

There were numerous attempts to get a statement of confirmation from Bellande, all of which were unreturned - could he already be on his way to join the Buxom WWE beauty in China?

What’s the theme of Survivor: China - “Meltdowns on the Celebrity D-List”? Who’s next, Kathy Griffin? Can you imagine her mouthing off at the challenges? Man - that’d almost be worth a Celebrity Survivor edition…

(No, I don’t really think it’s going there. *L* But it WOULD be amusing…)

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

It seems that some of the wrestling forums are on fire, with the announcement from a fan who is said to have revealed the first contestant for Survivor: China!

from a fan via SurvivorChina.net:

A few weeks ago, I ran into Paul London in the airport and we were chatting it up about the biz. He was telling me about the moves that Vince had banned him from doing, cruiserweight division, etc. He seemed like a cool guy. Turns out he lives in Austin and we fly in/out of the same airport. I ran into him a couple days ago and was complimenting him on his three way tag match last week.

We chatted again for a while, and I was talking about him and Kendrick being a great team. When I asked if he liked working with Ashley, he said they wrote her out of the storylines because she’s leaving to do Survivor. Yeah, the Survivor reality show! How do you think she’ll do on there? She’s already so skinny, I can’t see her barely eating any less. Has there ever been a contracted WWE talent on a reality show? It’s the first one I can think of. Anyways, thought I’d share this news. Hopefully I’ll run into Paul again, he’s a really nice guy..

Again - that’s just rumor and hearsay, but if true, we just might have the first slipup spoiler for Survivor: China!

PS: Like the new page header? The PTB (powers that be) of 451 Press allowed us to create our own! Fans of WS.Com know I love making my little banners, having the ability to make a full sized one filled my little heart with glee! Thanks guys!

Survivor, Survivor: China!, CBS, Jeff Probst, Reality TV, spoiler, contestants, rumor

After a FOUR MINUTE recap of the first episode and the premise of the show, we finally get a glimpse of the c

The next morning, the Bosun, Jay is given the command by Captain Joe Don to set sail, and they start off by Hoisting the Pirate Flag, and everyone jumps into work with gusto, as the sails are filled with air and Kendra says it’s stunning - and she wises she could stay out there forever. Azmyth is a jolly pirate, wanting to look out for his crew, though he’s his own first priority.

Sean, the cook, sets up for breakfast, and everyone gets a spoonful or two of Gruel. People find hair in it too - which is gross. The whiner, Alexis, tries to get some potatoes, eggs and bacon and rum to drink, but is told no, she got Gruel while the captain eats the good stuff. Christian is upset as it divides the crew and he’d make sure everyone ate well.

Time to swab the deck! Life on the Picton Castle is no easy task - Louie says it’s nothing but work… if you’re a crew member. Jay, the Bosun, is even a bit annoyed as they work and Joe Don gets fat and does nothing.

(more…)

The much talked about, eagerly awaited new show by Mark Burnett has arrived! Pirate Master’s premiered tonight to a rousing success within the demographic of… my family. We giggled, and cheered and booed and hissed laughed and concluded it had all the makings of a good family fun-fest. It’s no surprise, really, as we love Pirates, and our favorite Survivor of all time was Rupert. Clearly, this series was made just for us!

We start out on a dark night, with a longboat being rowed by the 16 costumed contestants, across black waters in the dark through the fog, with a single lantern lighting their way along with the full moon. (What, you expected this NOT to be campy? Please!)

They board the Picton Castle, where they are greeted by the host, Cameron Daddo, and told it is a working ship and they will be expected to pull their weight - else there be consequences!

They are told to grab a rope, and pull up (GASP!) a treasure chest! There are 14 compartments, and 14 treasures! Louie cackles with excitement, and we decide he’s our favorite because he reminds us of Rupert. (TOLD you we were Rupert fans!)

Told the legend of Captain Henry Steel and his treasure. If the legends are true, the treasure is worth $1 million, and whatever they find will be theirs to keep. They are given the evening to get to know one another.

(more…)

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!

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

Jeff Probst’s preview for this week confirms that it is indeed the Car Reward challenge, and tells us of the ‘wrinkle’ in this curse that will lead to the controversy we’ve been waiting all season for!

Aw man - is this truly the end for my Yau-Man? It could be, according to the other previews showing him wanting to make a deal, and the comments that people are turning on the fan favorite… is this what does him in? SAY IT ISN’T SO!!!

See you tomorrow for the recap!

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

Tonight’s Survivor jumped right in on Night 30, after last week’s tribal council, with everyone trying to figure out who that last vote for Mookie was. Dreamz looks confused as he tries to do the math. Earl is upset, because he was against splitting the vote, and lets everyone know it.

Stacy goes to Alex and says she wants to be friends, and suddenly everyone is nervous and sends Boo over to break it up. Smooth Boo “everyone wants to talk to you” and clearly not to Alex.

And right off, we get the title quote by Alex: “My best bet to stay in the game is to listen with a smile, velvet gloves and a dagger in my pocket.” Well there we go then! It’s time to bust out his ninja style moves!

The next morning, everyone is sleeping, Alex pretends to sleep so he can observe and listen. He overhears Earl tell Cassandra he doesn’t trust anyone but Cassandra and Yau and that the key is to be honest, and he can depend on her, Yau and Dreamz, despite the fact he’s a little nuts. heh. And he calls it the Core Four.

The Core Four are seen talking next, and Cassandra asks Yau how he feels about Dreamz, and he admits that her friendship with him worries Yau-man. He puts himself out on a limb though, saying he wants to bring Stacy instead of Dreamz, knowing it gives him a better chance at final three. Cassandra tells him not to be concerned. They make a decision already to ensure that they are voting out Alex next, without fail.

And you know, I’m starting to suspect Cassandra is more in this game then we’ve seen so far. She’s been paying some serious attention, and everyone talks to her.

Reward Challenge!
Hungry for Love - using only their teeth, they’re ripping meat off a big piece of pork for five minutes, and dropping it on their plate. Whoever ends up with the most on their plate wins reward. The top three go on a river rafting trip and the winner sends someone to Exile Island and gets an advantage in the next Immunity Challenge.

There are no lanes, it’s a total free for all on which piece they go for. Everyone works together - except Alex who’s forced to work on his own. Two people works best, one to hold, another to rip, and they keep biting, tearing and spitting, a couple times picking up dropped hunks of the ground to add to their plate.

Boo: 8.9lbs
Yau-Man: 6lbs
Cassandra 5.8lbs
Stacy: 4.3lbs
Earl: 5lbs
Dreamz: 6lbs
Alex: 5.2lbs

Boo, Yau-man and Dreamz win reward! Boo sends Earl to Exile Island saying he knows there won’t be hard feelings, though Earl rolls his eyes. Boo gets a bag with his ‘advantage’ for the next challenge and they head back to camp.

Yau-man was excited because he’d never been on a helicopter before. He looks like a kid in a candy store! They start out talking and exclaiming about how pretty it was, and Yau-man gets to see Islands like he grew up on from the air. And Boo keeps talking, and talking. So much that Dreamz eventually stops talking. With Boo going “Hello, hello? Ya hear me Dreamz?” It’s a sad, sad thing when DREAMZ thinks someone is talking too much!

With a safety briefing, they got into the raft and hit the rapids. They even stopped under a waterfall for a quick natural shower. Boo” I’m absolutely dumbfounded. I’m tickled pink, I feel like a little girl!”

A cut back to Exile Island finds earl reading clue number two for the re-hidden Immunity Idol and is confident he can find it with only two clues.

The lunch spread for the reward was massive, but best part was desert, where they were able to read letters from home! NOW the Hungry for Love title of the challenge makes sense! Boo’s folks tell him they’re eating well, Yau-man’s kids tell him about their grades, and Dreamz’ sister gets deep and reduces the Cheerleader to tears. While Boo laughs at him. hahah!

Back at camp, Day 33. We find Boo sitting alone, Yau-Man tending the fire, and Dreamz bitching about Boo, and how much he talked, with Yau-Man agreeing, and Alex starts to get a glimmer of hope and starts pressing his advantage, knowing they don’t want Boo to win and goes on a smear campaign.

Alex talks to Dreamz, and he tells him that it’s Alex pretty much, but he’d rather Boo go before Alex. It’ll come down to the Immunity Challenge and who comes away with the coveted necklace.

Which means it’s time for the Immunity Challenge: Twisted.

The advantage for Boo is that he doesn’t have to participate in the first part of the challenge, automatically going to the second round. Survivors must dig up three climbing steps buried randomly in the sand. The first two people who have their three, compete with Boo in the second part, where they use the steps to climb a 12-foot pole in the water. First person to the top, grabbing their flag, wins Immunity.

Jeff says go and sand starts flying. Alex tears UP his lane, Yau-man works carefully, slowly, methodically and Dreamz finds his first set! then his second, and third before anyone finds anything else.

Cassandra - hell, she’s not even trying! It’s as if she doesn’t care, thinks all her listening and her coattails works and will get her to the final without immunity. She’s just waiting for it to be over.

Yau-man finds is first, then Alex. Alex starts throwing his sand into Yau-Man’s lane. Yau-Man tosses it back. and Alex finds his second step. Alex finds his third before anyone finds another and he moves on with boo and Dreamz to the second half.

On Jeff’s go, Boo is up first, Alex right behind him. Boo skips spots and jumps up while Alex just SCALES the pole and gets to the top but can’t hold on without the step to brace from, and Boo wins immunity!

Cassandra rubs Alex’s shoulder, while Boo celebrates with his necklace.

Back at camp, congratulations are offered to Boo, and he jokes “yeah, gonna give him the necklace” and Earl says “I’d full on tackle you!”

Alex knows he’s in trouble, and thinks he’ll be approached by some folks before the vote, and sure enough, here comes Cassandra, worrying that he’s sitting there by himself. She says he should be proud of himself. Alex tells her that Yau-man won’t bring Dreamz to the end - he’d take Boo and Stacy instead, and starts to pitch Yau-man for the vote. Cassandra starts thinking that he’s right and that there needs to be some convincing.

Then Alex presents it to Earl and Dreamz as well, but Earl isn’t surprised at the idea he wants to vote Yau-man now, and keep himself on the Island for a couple more days. Earl winks at Dreamz and Cassandra, to let him know he’s not taking it seriously. Then Dreamz and Cassandra start talking, and figure to get Yau-Man out now, before he has a chance to put the Immunity Idol into play, and it’s now or never. Cassandra says she’s down with Dreamz, and Stacy admits that she’s a follower and will follow Cassandra. Unfortunately Cassandra doesn’t know what she’s going to do.

Along comes my man Earl, to talk Cassandra off the fence, while Dreamz tells Alex that Earl’s out. Dreamz is still pushing to keep Alex, and that if it works, he’ll owe him. Cassandra admits that to blindside Yau-Man they’d have to blindside Earl too, and she’s STILL on the fence. This is the first we’ve really seen of her working her strategy… I’m not sure I like it!

Tribal Council.
Jeff starts asking questions, and Alex admits that he’s playing to win, and sometimes alliances are forgotten. Yau-Man feels safe and that Alex might have turned one, but two or three is improbable. Dreamz says that Alex could swing his three people, and Earl arches a brow.

They discuss the Immunity Idols and how it may make Yau-Man a target, rather then safe, and how it will work out. Alex is surprised at how unconcerned the 6 seem to be, and he knows it will get ugly from here on out. Jeff asks a final question, yes or no answer: Legitimately worried tonight? Only Alex says yes, everyone else says no except Dreamz who says “I don’t think so.”

It’s time for the Vote!
There are no surprises as the votes are read - even as Yau-man’s name comes up, but only once.
The votes: Alex, Yau-man, Alex, Alex, (and he looks at Cassandra who looks away) and the 12th person voted out and 6th member of the Jury: Alex.

Jeff: Based on what I heard tonight, I suggest you go back to camp and start sharpening those knives. Head back to camp.

This episode was very chaotic - it seemed no one was really sure how to work their strategy, if it was time to pull away from the main strong alliance and start working in smaller groups. Clearly there’s a rift that Earl is unaware of, which makes me nervous for my boy! Cassandra is a good spy and listener, but she does NOTHING to save herself. Traditionally, this is not the way to win the million dollars, because she will be called on that fact during the final tribal council. Dreamz is still completely out there.

Alex nails it in his final words - the Final Six are in a dream world if they think they’re not going to have to backstab each other.

Next time: Yau-man’s in trouble. Dreamz approaches Stacy and Cassandra to help him get Yau-man out, and the competition reaches a whole new level. We see Yau-man say he wants to take a risk and make a deal. Could it be the end for Yau-man?! It’s almost certain it’s the episode with the infamous car curse - because the brief shot of Jeff has him standing in front of something black and shiny - a Ford per chance? See for yourself!

We’re in the home stretch - what are your predictions? Who do you see in the final three? Who do you hope WON’T be there? I’m still sticking with my pick of Earl to take it all! How about you?

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

Chaos is the name of the game in Tonight’s Survivor! Rumors abound, and some previews mention that they begin to turn on a fan favorite! Could this be the beginning of the end for my man Yau-Man? Or Heaven forbid, Earl? Oh man!

Other hints: Alex, who knows he’s next to be voted off, attempts to sway Stacy back to his side. Boo’s motor mouth is driving the tribe crazy. One castaway proposes a compelling argument at Tribal Council which causes others to rethink their strategy.

It promises to be good, no matter what! See ya’ll tomorrow for the full recap!

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