Watching Survivor

:-02 *Slides into chair just in time* WHEW! It’s Survivor time, kids! Yay!

:00 Previously, on Survivor…

:01 Timbira, day 9, as they tribe gets back from Tribal Council, and Coach talks about the Leadership argument and he says it pissed him off and Errin has to go, she’s the cancer of the tribe, and she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. She would have been one unanimously had Jerry not been sick.

The next morning, they start talking about picking a leader, and figuring out what works best, they need it. Tyson tells us that they established Brenden or Coach as leader, and adds “I wasn’t paying attention, i don’t really care.”

Then Coach steps up and says he trusts Brenden as leader, as much as he’d like to be it, then tells us that if brenden got voted off, he’d step in. But he wants a sharp tribe. He continues and says they’re not succeeding, thriving, or existing, he’s the only one that’s got experience, and he is the strongest and should lead, while they’re only existing.

:04 Roll credits and commercial!

:07 nd we’re back, checking in at Jalapao on day 10. Spencer says that they’re worried when Taj goes to exile, and what kind of toll it’s taking on her. She, however is handling things well, and tells us so, as well as her plan to talk to Steven. She pulls him aside, and they have their little powow. She tels him that they’re gonna be part of the biggest upset in Survivor history. Steve tells us about the pact, and he says he just stumbled ass backwards into a big alliance and Taj promises him she’ll protect him.

Over on Timbira - Tree Mail! Talk about shouldering the load… and they figure they’ll pick Taj, and Brenden hasn’t had a chance to talk to Sierra yet about the plan, and he’s worried.

Challenge time! 3 members will hav a pole across their shoulders, each round weight will be added - drop the pole, out of the challenge, last one standing wins reward. 2 men and 1 woman must be chosen. The reward is a camp raid! 2 Members go to the losing tribe and steal two items. And 2 people go to Exile.

Sitting out is Sierra, and Steven and Spenser.

Weight bearers Joe, Taz, JT - Debra, Brenden, Tyson. Brenden and Joe get the first weight - the other tribe decides ho gets it, and the tribe member adds weight to their own tribe. Each bag weighs 10 pounds. JT and Tyson get the next bags. Jalapao hits Brenden again, while Timbira hits Taj. She looks STRONG standing there - wonder how long she can hang in with the big boys?

Speeding through adding weignt, and Brenden has 180, all thew ay down to Taj and Debra holding 80 pounds. Brenden is at 200 now, and the record is 220 in Pearl Islands by RUPURT! Brenden is 2 bags away from that, and they hit him with it again. Taj points out he’s wobbling, and drops it. JT has 200 pounds for Jalapao, while Timbira has Debra and Tyson hanging in for them. JT is DETERMINED. He holds 220! Tyson is wobbling and falls out at 140. Debra is Timbira’s only hope - and JT drops out, tying Ruperts record. JOe drops out right behind him - his arm is hurt, and it’s down to the omen, Debra vs. Taj! Debra is shaky, Taj is STRONG. Both women are at 100 pounds now. Taj is starting to sweat, but looks solid… Debra is hunched over, can’t be good for her back - and she DROPS IT! Jalapao wins reward! Taj runs over and congratulates Debra for doing a hell of a job (good show!) and they send Sierra, and she picks Taj. Brenden tells us he hopes that works out for them.

They’ll be back for immunity, and everyone heads back to camp to wait for the raid. Coach is worried that they’ll clean out his food supply, and then they’ll be nothing as a tribe within days…

:19 Commercial!

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OMG. How can it be Thursday already?! My week has totally gotten away from me! It’s been a madhouse around here! So sorry, ya’ll. Here’s the weekly round up though - and a preview for tonight’s episode!

First things first - did ya hear that Survivor was picked up for two more seasons? INORITE?! Two more seasons at LEAST of Mr. dimples.. Yay!

Jerry’s interview circuit:
Reality News Online, Entertainment Weekly, Buddy TV, Survivor Fans Podcast, People Magazine.

Jeff’s preview of tonight’s episode is floating about there somewhere, but I’ve yet to find it. I did, however, find a transcript of it and he’s very excited about the cross tribal alliance with Taj, Brenden, Steven and Sierra - saying it’s a first for so early in the season. It comes into play tonight, as well as Coach complaining that he’s not being seen as a leader in Timbira. or rather, he’s not being accepted as the leader he feels he is. Gotta love to hate that guy, huh?

Looks like Sandy’s reprieve on the first impressions is starting to wear thin too - she’s driving folks crazy… and wtf is with the tribal “dancing”?

(And of course, the snake sighting count is up at eleventybillion already, and I’m not anticipating adding to that tonight! Ugh! There was one preview this week that showed on striking and it made me scream every time! I swear they do that on purpose…)

So - who’s your favorites so far? What do you REALLY think of Coach? Is it possible for a man that smug to survive in the real world? Who do YOU think is going tonight? Dish darlings, and I’ll see you back here for the as it happens recap!

:00 ..there’d be days like this, mah Mama said, mama said! It’s SURVIVOR NIGHT! Yay! Time to get our recap on… previously, on Survivor… 14 are left - who will be voted out tonight?

:01 Timbira, on Day five, after Tribal Council, as they rehash voting out Candace, and Sierra says that Candace didn’t see it coming, while Coach doesn’t say anything. Coach says that (Errin?) insulted their intellignece because she says that she didn’t want Candace to know what was up, and was hanging out with er only to see what she was up too. Coach says it’s insulting and she’s made her bed and will have to lie in it.

:03 Roll intro and Commercial!

:07 Day seven at Timbira, and it’s time to start a fire, and everyone is looking miserable and cold. Erinn says that it’s weird, she was assiciated with Candace now, and that she has to go in and out perform everyone - and she thinks she can out perform Sierra and Debbie and she’s fighgint for her life a little bit. They’re making breakfast of beans and rice and Jerry says that he’s gonna pass on breakfast because it’s screwing up his stomach. Jerry says he’s not feeling well, something he’s been eating is messing up his stomach, so he sticks to rice. But he says he wants to be looked up as the stronger one, so he’s gonna pretend he’s happy, but he’s miserable, but thinks in another day or so e’ll be good. “Mama said there’d be days like this..”

Stephen says that everyone imagined they’d be feasting on fish since they had gear, but it’s not exactly happening that way. The are having problems catching minnows, and can’t figure out a system on how to throw it. JT says that live bait is the way to go, they’ll get it under control. And they start catching fish, gonna feast tonight! Happy Jalapao. JOe says the fish tasted like victory. They’re a force to be recorned with.

Mr. Dimples! That must mean it’s Challenge time!

6 members will be blindfolded and tied into pairs, with number seven guiding them. They have to collect water, then corn, and raise their flags. They’re playing for a tarp, and umbrella, chairs, pillows a hammock, and the winner choses a member to go to exile, who chooses a member to join them.

Joe is the caller for Jalapow, Debra for Timbera, and they’re off - JT fionds a bucket first, followed y Sierra, They can’t hear Debra well, Jalapao has water, and Brenden and Jerry don’t bother listening and keep going while Jalapao takes the lead, and brenden and jerry finally find their bucket, Timbira fallig wy behind. Jalapao has 3 buckets of water, while timbira has hardly any water, and Tyson has a long trail of people, but they’re in slow motion - then finall starts pouring their water - as Jalapao gets their first flag! Time to look for corn!

Timbira is close on wter but needs one more. JT finds the corn, and get a face full of the as the Jalapao, starts filling the corn and Jeff says Timbira is “really blowing this challenge! Jalapao has excellent teamwork, and Jalapao WINS REWARD!

Coach be maaaaaad.

Jalapao sends brenden once again, and so he grabs Taz once more, and they go back again. Jeff asks if it concerns Specer, and he says not really, They’ll be back in time for Immunity challange, and they had off as Jalapao grabs all their cool stuff, and Timbira stomps out and tells us that they have to turn it around. Winners find a way to win, losers find a way to lose, they gotta get it together.

:19 Commercial!

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Sorry, ya’ll - I had a few internet issues yesterday, including a stretch of time with no power. That’ll put a damper on using ye olde internets, for sure! But never fear - the interview round up and misc. other stuff is here!

First off -Mr. Dimples. Do you read Probst’s blogs over at EW’s Popwatch? You know me, i’m mildly obsessed with those dimples, and have been since he first season I watched of Survivor, way back in the Pearl Island days. He’s more than just Dimples and blue shirts thought - the guy is funny! And smart! And cute, but we knew that. Anyway - don’t miss his highlights on Episode Two, which can be found here. Where else can you find such gems as:

Here’s a fact I’ve never admitted before. I secretly pray for rain every time we do a challenge. I love it when it rains. Not just because it turns me on a little bit, but also because it adds so much to the look and play of a Survivor challenge. It amps up the drama, it makes the shots look that much ”cooler,” and like I said, I just like being wet.

I do love that man.

Next up - the interviews with Candace:
Reality News Online, Reality TV Magazine, Reality TV Watch, Buddy TV and Survivor Fans Podcast.

The Survivor Insider transcripts have some itneresting tidbits in them too - like a couple of girls who are already going nuts for a little lovin because they’ve been isolated for Five! Whole! Days! Five days. FIVE DAYS and they’re already looking at each other with “RAWR SEXAY” in their eyes? When they haven’t showered or brushed their teeth? Oh. My.

Think I’m kidding? Check it!

Candace (solo): It’s day 5 and I’m losing my mind. Every day I’m here I get more and more attracted to more people. I don’t know if it’s like being in an isolated environment. Every day I’m here I get more and more attracted to more people. I don’t know if it’s like being in an isolated environment. People are checking out people they would never check out in normal day-to-day life, and I know that’s happening with me, you know what I mean?

(various scenes of Candace ogling people)

Candace: I’m gonna tell you right now, if we win a shower and brush our teeth, I’m getting freaky with somebody.

Erinn: She’s like, “I don’t care who it is. It’s been a long time. I’ve been out here 4 days, I’m done.”

(Below, after the cut - a whole bunch of extra scenes and tidbits, thanks to CBS.)

The previews for Thursday’s show look pretty good as well - what with Tyson’s “I just love seeing people cry when you crush their dreams” and the picture above which I’m pretty sure is Coach and Tyson. Sounds like more backstabbing and treachery ahead!

Speaking of Coach - did you hear he got fired from his job? True! Coach maintains though, that his firing as the woman’s soccer coach at Southwest Baptist University is not due to the way Coach Ben Wade handled himself, even if we all found him to be a cocky SOB. Coach says that his perception on the show wasn’t the problem, just the timing. He swears he’ll be made out to be a hero, but that the timing of the filming of the show is what lead to his coaching demise. The school agreed, and said that they understand it’s reality TV and “they can make it however they want to make it.” The dismissal had nothing to do with Survivor, itself, but rather a misunderstanding here Coach didn’t tell his boss that he left the team with 2 weeks still to compete in the season to film Survivor. Coach wants to concentrate on his television career now. I foresee a remake of Highlander… bad acting and all. How bout you?

Alrighty - that completes the roundup! After he cut - more “secret scenes” and “additional footage” than you can shake a stick at! Including Coach’s excuses for his poor challenge performance. Ya don’t wanna miss that!

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-:25 Has it been a week already?! Where did my days go? Oh well, it’s SURVIVOR Time! And that always makes for a happy Lessa! Meetcha right back here in about 25 minutes for the as it happens recap of episode two!

:00 Previously on Survivor (Aaaaaah the best words EVAH!)… 15 are left, who will be voted out tonight?

:01 It’s Jalapao, on night three, as they try to start a fire, and people say they feel bad, while Sandy is happy to still be in the game. They get their fire started, and Sandy says she feels she’s underestimated and as long as she’s here she can win it. Hello Captain Obvious. Spencer says that Sandy will just be out next.

:04 Roll intro! and Commercial…

:06 We’re back, and it’s Jalapao on Day 4, where the fire crackles merrily, and they’re finding some vegies, but the boys want protien and Joe says it’s time to eat some termites. Spenser says that he’s never been in a situation where he’s had to find his food, as a teenager. He’s wants something to eat you have to go out and find it. The boys are ll yummy, and Sydney wouldn’t try the worm. She says she’d eat one at a challenge if she had too but not willingly. Ha!

At Timbira, day 4, they’re trying to start a fire, and are having problems doing so. Sierra says that her tribe procedes her as the weakest link, and she hasn’t ad a chance to find the Hidden Immunity Idol and she needs someone to help her find it, so she approaches Brenden, since he didn’t vote for her. He says that she needs help, and it’s important to look for it, it can’t hurt. She finds the stick. Wonder if she can figure out what a pace is? Brenden starts digging, as someone goes to check on them to see if their still alive - They cover the big hole by saying they were building a massive fire pit and Brenden says that was early smart, and Debbie bought it - and even told the rest of the tribe, and they were all excited, while Candace said that she wouldn’t go, she’d rather sit at camp - as everyone rolls their eyes

Sierra says that she’s worried, but doesn’t know if it’s worth trying to continue to find it - she knows what her position with the tribe is, but they were so close to being caught…

:12 Commercial.

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So, what do we think of our new season so far? Any stand out favorites? While I think that Coach is going to go far, I have a feeling his arrogance will get him in the end - people can only take RAR ME MANLY MAN for so long, ya know? (Me, for about 2.6 seconds before I go all I WOMAN, RARSMASH! on the culprit… there’s a reason I don’t go on these shows, ya’ll - and not just because no one wants to see all THIS in a bikini… )

I love JT. First and foremost because I don’t even have o look up his name because he has such a distinctive good ole homeboy accent. I’m a sucker for an accent, and it helps that he’s cute as all hell too. Added benefit of being strong, as well as likeable, and I think he can go far.

BTW - what’s a pace?! HA! Gotta love a woman who when asked if she’s a little bit crazy, completely owns it and says “No, I’m a LOTTA bit crazy.” Way to put it out there, Sandy. Now if you could just figure out what a pace is, you could last a while. Heh.

Poor Sierra! Strep throat and fever and doing her best to play anyway? AND built a shelter by herself? Good show.

Who are the ones that stood out to you? The first couple episodes are always such a frenzy of putting new names to new faces - it’s easy to get lost - but dish, darlings! Who’s your early first impression favorite?

As for the interviews with Carolina - you can find them here:
Reality News Online, Survivor Fans Podcast, and Reality TV Watch.

Some things to look forward too in this episode? The always enjoyable physical challenge that has folks trying to maim and drown each other, as well as Taz getting outed about her NFL player hubby, and her modeling days - and? The reveal of what “exile island” will be this time around, including a twist.

Which I know - so if you want to know, it’s after the cut!

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-:45 Wow. That kinda snuck up on me, how about you? Here I was, eagerly awaiting the new season, and suddenly, TADA! It’s HERE! Hopefully I have my typing fingers all kinds of warmed up and ready for the first as it happens recap of Survivor: Tocantins! (Which, apparently, is said toe - kin - sheen. Ok then. At least I can spell it! I consider that impressive!) So - anyway. Meet me back here at 8pm EST - and we’ll get rolling and try to put names to faces and have a jolly good time with the premiere “Let’s get rid of the weak players before we even start!” Are you ready? ME TOO!

See you in 45!

:00 THIS IS BRAZIL! Whoo! Here we go, Kids. Hello Mr. Dimples! These 16 castaways are headed to Tocantins, where the temperature can get as high as 120F - the rivers are the only source of water, but they have to share with every other nimal. They’ve traveled for days, they’ve been divided into two tribes - and though they haven’t spoken, first impressions are already forming.

Sierra is already sick, and Coach thinks she’ll crumble already - 16 American’s forced to wrok together, they must adapt or be voted out. 39 Days, 16 People ONE SURVIVOR!

:02 Roll intro!

:03 The truck pulls to a stop, and Jeff says welcome - and asks if they’re ready to get started. We have our two tribes - red and black (will figure out the spelling later). The truck is loaded with supplies - they have 60 seconds to gather as much as they can - the time starts now! This game is ON.

10 seconds left - That’s it! Off the truck! First impressions, and one tripe has no water, no bags of food. Someoen says they’ll be alright, they’ll make do. It’s already 110 degrees. They get a map and campus to their new home - it’s a four hour trek with a ot of stuff to carry, and it’s about to get moredifficult.

First vote - 1 person from each tribe will not make he journey. Coach says let’s get the weak players gone before they start - game on. Everyone writes down their vote, and they have to reveal them Jalapao is first - (red) and it looks ike they’re all voting or the “older lady” - and with 5 votes, he’s voted out already. And she says she’s pissed, so pissed. She says when the youngest one drops irst, they’ll see who can handle the heat.

The other tribe, Tim…something. Sierra gets two votes, and says she has strep throat.. and she gets another vote, Erinn gets one more, Sierra another. Sierra is out with 5 votes. She’s angry and says she thinks she could brought a lot, she’s sorry she has a fever of 102, and Jeff drops a bomb - to be clear, Jeff said that tehy don’t have to WALK to camp, but get to FLY in a helicopter. They’ve been outcast immediately, and Jeff says smiling is not good, they have to change the impression. It’s time to set out.

On the walk, one of the girls says she’s gonna melt off her baby weight and we meet Spenser who is the youngest ever survivor. The sun was high, and the trek was difficult. They pause to make sure they’re going the right way. JT is a cattle rancher, and says the heat isn’t nothing, and teaches them how to read the compas, and e says his challage will be getting along with everyone.

Stephen says that he’s scared of the southern boy. JT gives them an idea to cut off the corner, and takes the lead and they’re off again.

Meanwhile, Timbira is walking to camp as well, and the girls are complainging. Erinn is a hair stylist and says “What the hell am I doing out here?” The girls drop their stuff, and someone jokes about eating potatochips to stay in shape - But he’s actually just back from Afganisten, and a squad leader there. He doesn’t wanna be in charge though. Coach takes over the compass, and he considers himself a rennicense man, a soccar coach and a sympany leader. He says he’s good at being a leader, and he ight away says that he wants to change the game, and approaches someone to make the strong survive (Not sure who yet) He ants to make sure the strong survive straight off.

Ah, it’s Brenden - he says they’re there to win a game and no one needs a coach for that.

The Helicopter with Sandy and Sierra are arriving at the camp. Sandy says she’s pissed - the first thing they wanted to do ws get rid of the old gal. She gets emotional, and teary, and says that she might be older, but she’s gonna do it, let the games begin.

:15 Commercial!

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That’s right, it’s time to start gearing up once again for a new Survivor! Season 18, Survivor: Tocantins (which I still can’t say…) starts on February 12th, and I m SO ready for it! The interviews are trickling in, as well as the first pictures and spoilers and new names to learn. Who’s going to be the first to go? Who will make it all away? Who’s grand plans will work, who will be forced to change? Don’t you just love the tingle of anticipation?

So here’s what we know so far:

On the Red Jalapão Tribe we have Sandy Burgin, Stephen Fishbach, James Thomas, Spencer Duhm, Sydney Wheeler, Carolina Eastwood, Taj Johnson-George, and Joe Dowdle.

On the Black Timbira Tribe we have Jerry Sims, Candace Smith, Tyson Apostol, Sierra Reed, Erinn Lobdell, Ben Wade, Debra Beebe, and Brendan Synnott.

When they disembark from the truck, the Castaways will be divided into the two tribes from the very beginning, and begin their game based solely on the first impression of each other. Before there is a formal introduction, before they even speak to each other, one person from each tribe will be chosen to remain behind and won’t continue with the group on the journey that lies ahead. What we don’t know is what exactly that means for those two individuals - will it be the end for them, or do they get a second chance at a first impression?

Some of the names that have come up as vulnerable straight out of the gate are Sandy, Stephen and Taj for the Jalapao Tribe, and Candace and Erinn on the Timbira Tribe.

Of course, we’ll have to wait another couple of weeks until we find out just how their personalities combine and clash and how close the speculation to date is! Guess we’ll have to be happy with the pictures until then.

Is it February yet?

That’s right, it’s already that time! With Survivor Tocantins starting next month on February 12th, it’s time for the reveal of the cast, so we can start to get to know them. It’s quite an eclectic cast, once again. The official site is up and they have clips to meet the cast loaded and ready for everyone to check out too! (I’ll grab them as soon as someone has them on youtube!)

Here’s a clip of Jeff talking on the first episode, as well as the casts first impressions of their castmates!

And here’s the cast list as revealed in the upcoming TV Guide:

Benjamin Wade, 37, is a soccer coach and part-time orchestra conductor from Bolivar, Montana. He’s no stranger to the wilderness, having kayaked all 6,132 miles from Baja, California to Colombia by himself. “I’m in this game because I want to change it,” he said. “It’s become survival of the weakest. I want the strongest to survive.”

Brendan Synnott, 30, is an entrepreneur from New York City. He sees his experience with Bear Naked Granola—which he sold to Kellogg’s for $122 million—as a good character-building experience. “I think it’s healthy to have everything taken from you and then have to rebuild,” he said.

Candace Smith, 31, is a former lawyer—and current actress and events planner—from Los Angeles, California. She says she’d be willing to eat anything to win the show. “Having to eat something [weird] for a chance to win a million dollars is nothing to me,” she said. “I grew up eating chitlins.”

Carolina Eastwood, 26, is a bartender from Los Angeles, California. The half-Panamanian prepared for the show in the most offbeat of ways: have her body hair removed. “I got lasered from head to toe because I’m ethnic in the hairiest sense of the word,” she said. “And I did not want to scare people with my overgrown armpits.”

Debra Beebe, 46, is a middle school principal from Auburn, Alabama. The self-described adventure seeker still cringes at what the competition could offer. “Digging a hole and going Big Bathroom in the middle of nowhere … having to wipe with your hands … Is my body going to shut down because I can’t do it?” she said.

Erinn Lobdell, 26, is a hairstylist from Waukesha, Wisconsin. She believes that her gift to get a stranger to trust her in five minutes will help her a lot on the show. “I work at a nice salon, so if this works out for me, I’ll be the new owner when I get home,” she quipped.

James Thomas Jr., 24, is a cattle rancher from Samson, Alabama. The self-described country boy believes his experience in the field will help him and his tribe throughout. “Deer, turkey, wild hog, coyote—everything you’re allowed to hunt in Alabama, I’ve hunted,” he said.

Jerry Sims, 49, is a US Army sergeant from Rock Hill, South Carolina. He plans to take and do things differently on Survivor, as opposed to the way he leads his company of a hundred Army reserves. “I don’t want to be the boss,” he said. “The leader gets axed too early.”

Joe Dowdle, 26, is a commercial real estate broker from Austin, Texas. His strategy is simple: to persuade people to side with him, or get away when things get tough. “If it works, I will have pulled off something miraculous,” he said. “If not, I’ll get pretty far anyway.”

Sandy Burgin, 53, is a bus driver from Louisville, Kentucky. The tattooed grandmother was one of the first to audition, and thinks she can endure all the conditions that Tocantins has to offer. “My willpower is phenomenal,” she claimed. “On a scale of one to 10, it’s a 12.”

Sierra Reed, 23, is a model from Los Angeles, California. She didn’t have to try out for Survivor, claiming that producers approached her with an offer. She also claims to not need the million-dollar prize. “Money comes and goes,” she said. “If I’d saved when I was just starting out, I’d be a multimillionaire by now.”

Spencer Duhm, 19, is a college sophomore from Lakeland, Florida. He’s been closely studying the game since he was 11, and is now the youngest Survivor contestant in history. His tip to win: “You have to assume they’re going to screw you before you screw them over.”

Stephen Fishbach, 29, is a corporate consultant from New York City. He goes by many names, but isn’t willing to be called by his nickname at home—“Fish”—while in the Brazilian rainforests. “I can’t [use it] here because when I can’t fish, I’m going to look like an idiot,” he said.

Sydney Wheeler, 24, is a model and interior designer from San Diego, California. She’s not afraid to use her looks and appeal to get the upper hand in the competition. “I plan to make alliances with the athletic guys,” she said. “If I’ve gotta flirt, I’m gonna flirt. Work with what you’ve got. Right?”

Taj Johnson-George, 37, was formerly part of Grammy-nominated singing group SWV, and is now based in Nashville, Tennessee. Despite being married to NFL star Eddie George, she is out to prove she isn’t pampered. “I’m a 5′9”, 190-pound tomboy,” she said. “I’m gon’ tear ‘em up when I get out there.”

Tyson Apostol, 29, is a bike shop manager from Lindon, Utah. The former professional cyclist thinks he’d win Survivor because he’d be good at it. “May as well go and win,” the 31-mph biker said. “And $1 million in two months isn’t a bad paycheck.” His strategy: push other people’s buttons.

Mr. Dimples breaks down the cast and HIS first impressions for us below!

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

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

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

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