Watching Survivor

Hey Survivor Fans! Here’s hoping you had a fantastic weekend! I’ve got a ton of links and such for you today, gathered from around the internets. Sadly there are still no spoilers to be found - can you believe it? This is the most tight lipped season EVER. What do we know about this weeks episode, episode 4? Only what the previews tell us - we’re picking new teams, and it’s blond vs. blond vs. blond. Sounds like Ace and Marcus’ dream episode! Ha!

Here’s the preview - including the slow motion captures which may give clues for who ends with who.. Looks like for sure Randy switches tribe.

We also have a whole slew of interviews to link to! First, those from last week I didn’t get a chance to link to:

Michelle with Buddy TV
Michelle with the Survivor Fans Podcast
Gillian with the Survivor Fans Podcast
Gillian with Buddy TV
Gillian with RTVW
Michelle with Reality Wanted
Gillian with Reality Wanted

And here’s some Paloma’s interviews:
Reality News Online
Survivor Fans Podcast
Buddy TV
The Deadbolt.com

And as if THAT isn’t enough, we know that Jeff Probst and his Dimples has joined with EW.com, not only to bring us a weekly blog from his point of view, but also secret scenes!

I know!

Here’s the link to the Episode Three blog, and you’ll find the secret scene at the bottom of the page. The most exciting part of the imunity challenge for Jeff? Bikinis. Yes, it just goes to prove that underneath it all, the best reality tv host EVER, is simply a man.

The immunity challenge provided at least one bit of excitement — bikinis! It’s just not Survivor if, at some point, the women are not in bikinis. Am I wrong? Is that sexist? I’m just saying what people on the street tell me. Just keepin’ it reeeel dawg. Why you gotta bring me down? I don’t believe you critics anyway. I think you like it.

And Jeff isn’t the only Survivor INsider blogging this year - Erik Reichenbach is too! Yes, the ice cream scooper from Michigan is sharing his insights on the game for Showbiz Monkeys. Check it out!

And last but not least - how are YOU doing in the WatchingSurvivor.com Pool Party? Sugarbooger put in yet another good showing to hold on to the lead, and I redeemed myself with a lucky guess and extra points to sneak up to third in the overall standings. Still not sure who I’ll pick for this week - maybe a blond…

How bout you?

So! What did we think of the first episode of Survivor: Gabon? How crazy were those shots so close to the animals, who were so close to the camp? Who do we like, who do we hate, have we picked a winner yet?

I have to say that I was surprised to see Michelle go first, and didn’t really pick up on the negative vibes that they claimed was the reason she was voted out. On the other hand, there’s Gillian, who was so positive that they couldn’t stand it. I think her boot was the smart one, and they’re going to regret not having Michelle’s strength down the line. In fact, Michelle pretty much feels the same way, as she told Buddy TV in an interview they released this morning.

Didn’t you think that when you were the first girl to the top of the hill that you had earned your place in the tribe? I would think that that would do it, but apparently not.

I definitely think that that would do it, but even if I hadn’t been the first girl up the hill, just looking at my tribe members, I’m obviously in better shape than more than half of them. And if you really want to get down to it, I know for a fact that I’m the most fit person on that tribe, and probably in the entire game. I’m a freakin’ boxer. You have to be in incredible shape to box, and I’ve been boxing for years.

I did love the little moment over the Termite hill with her and Ken though. Apparently she had no clue he had such a crush on her, but found it utterly adorable, as the rest of us did too.

Another thing I loved was Randy fighting the doorframe and losing. Nothing like a guy cracking his head open the first night to bring life to a show! And it couldn’t have happened to a better guy. I thought I’d hate him out of the gate, but I have to give him props for being able to bite his tongue when he should, and leave most of his comments for the confessionals. That might help him in the long run - though it does look like he and GC get into it next week… will he bite his tongue again?

You know who else is blogging about Gabon? Jeff Probst! That’s right, Mr. Dimples himself has decided to blog about the show each week for EW.com, and his comments about last night are up already. I love getting his inside view on the show. He calls out Crystal for her problems getting up that hill, the Fang tribe for their poor choice of school yard pick’um, and his love of Corinne’s standing on the Bitch Meter. The blog is funny, tongue in cheek, and classic Probst.

He does mention that Michelle’s zeal disappeared and he had picked her as a favorite, but she just lost something by the time the game started. There was obviously some more stuff that we didn’t see.

Jeff and I agree on Ace - LOVE HIM. The yoga in orange shorts and that accent? Classic. Hit up the interview for more of Jeff’s comments, and be sure to leave some of your own here! Dish, darlings - what did you think of the start of Gabon… are we in for another awesome season?

How’d you come out in the pool for the week? Sugarbooger is back, and I’ll tell you right now she’s the one to beat! That girl has an uncanny ability to come out on top, she barely was nudged from first prize last season! What, you haven’t joined the pool? Well go on! you can still play!

Me either! It’s coming up soon, though, on Thursday! Yay! If you’re like me and can’t wait to get even the tiniest glimpse, check out CNET here, because they have the first three and a half minutes online for our viewing pleasure! There’s the pre-show teaser, the new opening sequence and the first few seconds of Mr. Dimples - er, Jeff Probst, welcoming the cast to Survivor: Gabon.

There are other high definition videos too, one with behind the scene footage describing the new H format, and Jeff Probst’s cast analysis. Footage of Gabon, and Jeff’s tour of the Tribal Council set are included as well.

Have you joined our Watching Survivor Pool Party yet? What on earth are you waiting for? We had a blast last year, trying to beat out one another and get the grand prize. This year, it’s buttons and bragging rights - for now. Who knows, if enough people join, I might dig up something prize like for the winners. You’ll never have the chance though if you don’t hurry on over and join! Don’t forget to read the info on the players below, and make your overall winner pick too! This year, that can change, so you’ll get some points even if you’re guy gets knocked out early, like mine always does!

I know I said that I’d post some spoilers, but man, this cast has it on LOCK. There’s not even a hint of the first boot, and we usually have that weeks before the season officially starts airing! No one knows - and those that do know aren’t spilling. Guess it’ll be an even playing field for all in the Pool Party for sure then, huh?

Five more days!

We’re just under 20 days before the season premiere of Survivor: Gabon! They’ve pushed back the date to the Thursday, September 25th, but other then that it seems all things are a go! We’ve got new promos, and video clips to let us get to know the contestants even better. Check out the latest promo:

Whoo! Everytime I watch it, I get a little more of that Survivor Fever! Speaking of, while I get to posting some of the video clips under the cut - be sure to join our Survivor Pool Party v.2! Last year was a bunch of fun, and I can’t wait to do it again. There may, or may not be, prizes. I’m still considering it as it depends on how many we have entering the contest. So! Go, and Join the Watching Survivor Pool and pick your winner and first person to be voted off before the Premiere!

After the cut, check out the promo videos that CBS has available so far, to help you make your decision:

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Hey Survivor Fantatics! It’s almost that time! We’re down to less then a month before the premiere of Survivor: Gabon!

When Jim over at funofficepools.com grabbed me the other day to see if we wanted to play again this year, I had to say yes - it was so much fun last time! I’m not sure what the prizes will be, and it may simply be bragging rights and a pretty button to declare your awesomeness to the world - but we’re definitely having another Watching Survivor Pool Party!

So what are you waiting for? Click the link below, and sign up for our pool, and get your first winners picked now that we’ve learned a bit about them.

New, this year - you can change your overall pick, you just get less points for doing so. Right now the castaways are divided by boys vs. girls, because we don’t know how the Tribes will shake up, but Jim takes care of all that stuff - I just get to play along, just like you! Of course, I only came in third last time, AND I don’t qualify for any prizes if we do have them, but I still beat 40 of ya! That makes me happy. (grin*

Anyway! Be sure to check out the two posts below, get to know a little bit about our new castaways, make your snap judgments and get your picks in before the Premiere on September 25th!

Also - I won’t be posting spoilers here (mostly, because, this season folks have been AMAZINGLY tight-lipped!) because that will Taint the Pool and make it easier for folks to win. I obviously can’t police what research you do - but it’s cool. I just ask that you don’t peek until you’ve made your picks so that it’s fair for everyone playing.

I’ll keep you posted on any prize ideas! Until then.. let the countdown continue!

So, has everyone recovered from last night’s episode? I KNOW! Me either! Every time I think about it I start giggling again. Biggest. Blunder. Ever! I understand on some level the people who are upset with how the women manipulated Erik, but that is part of the game and they are playing it VERY well. And EVERYONE knows that you don’t give away Immunity. Not EVER.

Poor kid. Of course, if you’re wondering how he’s taking all of this now, you can check out some interviews with Erik, where he was able to laugh a little about the whole thing. He interviewed with Reality News online, and Reality TV World - and I’m sure there will be more to come.

There’s also an interview with Jeff Probst with the Canadian Press, where he confirms that yes, he is on for the next FOUR seasons of Survivor - at least two more years of them dimples, ya’ll! Whoo!

I’m not sure if there will be a preview of the finale episode by Probst, but if so I’ll be sure to add it as soon as I find it. There are some press images that just came out and whooo! The final immunity (probably) challenge looks cool! A little balance, a little speed, a little hard work… it’s got a little of everything. Check it out!

And here’s Erik at Ponderosa:

Now - for the Pool Party! This is the last chance to get some of those points, folks! You can get up to FORTY points for the Finale episode! Head over there right away, and get your picks in before EST Showtime on Sunday for max possible points! Sugarbooger is still in first place - but with 40 points to win, it’s possible to topple her! Danny is still in second, and who knows who will knock me out of third! Head over to Fun Office Pools today and get your picks in ASAP! After all, there’s PRIZES to be won!

Let’s start off with a bang - time to get those picks in for the Survivor Pool Party, and here’s Mr. Dimples himself to help you make those picks- maybe. He doesn’t really give anything away other then the fact there is another injury to contend with…

It’s clear that James stays at least through the reward challenge, but other then that - who knows? Will he have to leave the game, or get voted off because of the injury? Will he stay to make it another week? I DO love this challenge that’s coming up for the Reward challenge - where they are asked the questions about their fellow tribemates and get down and dirty and brutally honest. “Who mistakenly thinks they are in charge of the game?” Everyone says Parvati - brilliant!

Speaking of - both Randi (a fellow 451 writer) and I agree that the boys were SO STUPID last week - what if, say, James and Erik had gone to Jason, explained what was going on, grabbed Amanda and convinces her to vote their way, and blindsided Parvati INSTEAD? Wouldn’t that have been BRILLIANT? But no - the boys are just laying down and letting the women pick them off one by one. Men. Harumph.

We have our official Finale Date too - it will be a 2 hour extravaganza on Sunday, May 11th. It’ll start with the final four, and go through to the final three, the jury questions, and then the counting of the votes, live! After that will be a one hour reunion show, where Jeff will ask all the important questions, as well as reveal where Season 17 will be filmed, starting in June.

Speaking of Jeff - USA Today posted an interview with him on Monday - and you can find it here. He talks about loving the job, and how it is hard on his relationship - a few months ago he broke up with Julie Berry, who he met and fell for while she was on Survivor: Vanuatu. There’s also a video where he teases about the next season, dishes about this season, and his souvenirs he’s picked up along the way. It’s pretty cool to watch - love Mr. Dimples!

There’s also a glimpse of what Probst thinks about the final seven from TV guide as well. Click the image to bigify!

Yau-Man fans! Yau-Man is going to be on the pilot of a new TV Series called The Skeptologists. Each week they’ll take a handful of wild claims - Bigfoot, the Bermuda Triangle, Haunted Houses, Aliens and the like - and apply scientific practices and experiments to see what holds up and what doesn’t. If that kind of stuff is your cup of tea - be sure to check it out!

Last but not least - a couple of interviews with Jason can be found here and here. And below is Jason’s arrival to Ponderosa - I don’t know about you, but I LOVE the Ponderosa clips!

Get those picks in for the Pool Party before showtime - and join me back here for the full recap of Thursday night’s episode!

Holy Wow. Ozzy’s blindside is still making me shake my head, though I think the best part of his ouster was Eliza’s over the top dramatic reaction as she watched it all from the Jury seats. She was every bit as flabbergasted as we are, while we watched the betrayal wash over Ozzy’s face just before he took that fateful walk out of Tribal Council. Poor kid.

I just noticed - and am not sure they did this any season before - that the insider transcripts and videos include Life at Survivor Panderosa, with the Jury Members! It’s nice to see them get the king’s treatment after the pain of losing their chance at $1 million. Ozzy washed his agony away with some beer, mixed drinks, pizza, candy, rice, and declared there was still room for desert. Here’s a clip or three:

And if that’s not enough Ozzy for you, here’s some interviews too: RTVW, SFP Podcast, and .

Don’t forget to get your picks in for the Pool Party as well! Sugarbooger is proving hard to beat, but there’s only 6 points between Danny V and me for second and third, with four others vying to take that third place prize right behind me!

CBS hasn’t posted Jeff’s preview of this week’s episode yet, but I’ll post that for you as soon as I get it. What we do know is that it’s a woman’s majority out there on Dabu Beach right now - they are completely in control and can continue to pick off the men one at a time if they want too. Will the last of the Faves alliance crumble? Will Amanda seek revenge for her man’s ouster? Will Parvati mend fences with James or finally have to keep her hands off mah man? Will Cirie continue to play her underdog game till she’s unbeatable in the end?

So many questions! So much Survivor game left to play out! What do YOU think will happen this week? Chime in and let us know!

Jeff’s Week 11 Preview - Who will wear the crown of the biggest blunder ever?

No, no, no - not YOU! Someone makes one though, according to our ever popular Mr. Dimples, Jeff Probst!

But first - the Pool Party! Sugarbooger62 is still topping the leader board, with near perfect picks every single week. Danny is still in second, and both Silver and Silent_rain have pulled up close to me in 4th and 5th. One good week could topple you right up into the prizes - so get those picks in!

Need a little preview of this week? Jeff says we will LOVE this episode - and who can argue with Mr. Dimples? Certainly not me! Check it out:

The biggest blunder ever happens this week - awesome! Ozzy calls it the dumbest move in Survivor History, and Jason says it could be his saving grace… I can’t wait to see it! Looks like this weeks immunity challenge is the barrel over the head filled with water - the one where one little muscle twitch can cause it to topple. I love this one - mainly because I don’t have to do it. Heh. I love how someone ALWAYS complains that it wasn’t their fault, that they didn’t move, and are shocked when the water comes tumbling down. Love. It.

In the meantime, while we ponder which way our picks should go for the pool party, let’s catch some Eliza interviews, hm? Reality News Online, Reality TV World, and the SFP Podcast.

Only two more days until all our questions are answered! I’ll be back on Thursday with the show recap!

And how did the weekend treat you? Have I got a bunch of stuff for you today!

The Pool Party is heating up, with Sugarbooger and Danyv fighting for the lead with only 11 points between them! I’m still third, which means there’s room for folks to knock me off and nap a prize still! In fact, anyone can still win, as we’ve a few weeks left, and one good week is all it takes to propel you to the top! Silver and Silent_Rain are creeping up slow and steady, in 4th and 5th place - get those picks in for this week!

Speaking of this week - We have come to the Merge, folks! The press photos show green is the buff color of choice, and there will be a get to know you feast, as usual. That means no Reward Challenge, and Immunity will be for an individual - and that challenge looks ROUGH. How long can YOU hold your breath with your life in the game on the line? Have to give the producers props for this season and for China too - the challenges have been top notch!

And I’m throwing in these two for no other reason then they’re cute and hot. Of course - according to certain people (Probst!) there’s a possibility that Alexis will make the Ozzy/Amanda duo a triangle…

And, to help you with those picks, perhaps, here’s the Probst Preview for Episode Nine - where he mentions this impending shomance triangle…

If you want to read Ami’s interviews - check here, here and here. Turns out she really wasn’t after Ozzy (so she says) and she, too, came away from the season with an injury! Micronesia certainly isn’t for the weak!

And! As I was writing this - Billy Garcia heard my cry for details on the Wrestling Event last Saturday and sent me the a complete play by play - Check after the cut to read all about it!

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Let’s talk about the Pool Party, first, hm? Congrats to sugarbooger62 who’s still in the lead, and DannyV84 who snuck past me into 2nd place this week - both by putting all their points on Tracy, who was voted out last night. Ya’ll rock! Danny has risen out of nowhere from the bottom of the list when he joined, to the top three with three weeks of consistently good picks - goes to show it’s still anybody’s game!

It looks like Survivor is a victim of March Madness once again, this upcoming week - there’s no show on the docket until April 3rd. If that changes, I’ll be sure to let you know. That does give you an extra week to decide who you think will be ousted during the next episode though! We’re getting close to Merge Numbers, as well as the Jury starting. It’ll be interesting for sure!

Speaking of ousted Survivors - here’s some of the interview lineups for Tracy and Kathy:

Kathy: Mother Nature Kicked my Ass, Mother Nature Kicked my behind.
Tracy: I wish the fans had been more Strategic, Tracy Hughes-Wolf talks about Survivor:Micronesia.

And a podcast with both of them together can be listened too here.

In other news - ever wanted some Survivor Props? You can take your chance to own original Survivor Props and memorabilia from one of the biggest collections, with 100% of the money going to cancer patient - click here for more info.

And don’t forget the Reality Rumble coming up on Saturday, April 5th! It’s an event to benefit the Special Needs Students at Spotswood High School, and all proceds will be given to the Special Needs Classroom at the High School. They’ll be used to purchase computers, smart boards, speech devices and other learning devices for the students. Admission is only $10, and all ages are welcome.

The semi-main event will be the tag team matchup with Jonny Fairplay/Coach Dodson vs. Billy Garcia/Mr. Terrific Tim Lawler! The winner of the match gets to shave the head of the loser! That’s right, Jonny might be losing those curls!

There’s a plethora of reality stars attending too - from Kynt and Vxsin of the Amazing Race, Michelle Deighton of ANTM (And Jonny Fairplay’s baby mama!), Stacy Kimball, Chicken Morris, and Tracy Wolf - the most recently cast-off of Survivor: Micronesia. There will be autographs and meet and greets throughout the evening - if I was anywhere close to Penn Laird Virginia, you couldn’t keep me away from this event!

Grab Mr. Terrific - Tim Lawler (Who’s commented here about the event before - hi Tim!) for more information via email at mrtrrfc@hotmail.com, or Coach Dodson at cdodson@rockinham.k12.va.us. And hey - send us a write up and pictures afterwards, huh? (grin)

Just two more days until this week’s episode - have you made your Pool Party picks yet? If not - maybe this little inside preview from Mr. Dimples himself will help you make them!

YAY! James is gonna dominate! That makes Lessa happy - I love watching him go all RAR with the bulging muscles and brute strength. This is going to be a good episode INDEED!

For those who like the spoilers - check out the TV Guide article, that’s kinda spoilery over the next couple weeks. Nothing is said outright, other then things common sense would dictate. I think. Maybe. Ok - check it out if your game!

Also - for those who want more Joel, here’s the third interview, from Reality News Online, and the insider transcripts from Survivor Fever. It includes a touching scene that was deleted, where Joel came to aid Kathy when she collapsed. As he says “I don’t particularly care for Kathy as a person, but as a firefighter, I care for people on a professional level, so I became Joel the firefighter rather then Joel the Survivor contestant.” Awwwww.

Though he does come back to being the Survivor Contestant in the last solo clip: “We’ve been carrying Kathy as a tribe for as long as we’ve been here. I literally carried her today to the boat to go to the challenge and I will not do it again.”

Also included are Ozzy’s thoughts before Tribal Council, and how he felt about both Joel and Chet, as well as all of Joel’s after the vote words, and his thoughts the day after - including his thoughts on technology, and how it makes us weak.

Don’t forget - head on to Fun Office Pools and get your picks in!

I know, I know - I promised this post yesterday! I got sidetracked, and totally my bad on that. But here we are with some interview links and the results of this weeks Pool Party!

First - here’s two more interviews with Mikey B, ousted last week by Joel: here and here. And, of course, here are the first two interviews with the fireman who got hosed on Thursday, found here and here. I’m sure there will be a couple others as well.

In the second one, a question I had wondered was answered right away - Joel feels that he was portrayed pretty accurately - what they showed was him, love it or hate it! I think he came off as a bit of a bully, but that could be his own self-professed take no prisoners mentality when it comes to competition. In a game like Survivor, though, you have to learn to balance the competitiveness with people skills, else… well, you don’t last long. Kicking out the weak is ok - beating up on them, not so much.

I think Cirie’s pull with the others on the tribe is considerable - that girl has got some smarts to balance out where she’s not very strong. As long as Chet is there, he’ll always be the target over her, when it comes to eliminating the ‘weaker’ players. I’m not so sure that will save her for much longer, though, as they all know where she’s coming from and why. Chet looks like he’s literally going to fall apart - if he survives another week, I’ll be absolutely shocked!

Then there’s Ozzy’s fake idol being found by Jason shown in the previews! How hysterically funny, to see that he believes it to be the real thing! I don’t think he’s in danger of needing to play it just yet, however, though, so suspect we’ll be on pins and needles for a couple weeks over how it all plays out. How big of a sigh of relief was Ozzy breathing when he was chosen to go back to the Malakal beach - where his HII is hidden?! I could almost feel it!

Speaking of sighs of relief - I’m still up top at the Survivor Pool! (Yes, I know, my entries are essentially void… but bragging rights are fun too!) I suspect though, that my reign is dangerously closed to coming to an end. Sugarbooger had another outstanding week, picking up top honors for the week with 23 points to place second, just barely a point behind me overall. DannyV had another good week as well, climbing up the ladder to third place, with Collette nipping at his heels. Just goes to show you what a good week of picks will get you! Danny’s climbed from bottom of the pack to third in just two weeks! Way to go!

It’s still anybody’s game, so get your picks in for next week’s episode by show time, and good luck!

Hidey-ho, survivor fans! The interviews with Mickey B are slow in coming, but here’s two more, by Reality News Online and Buddy TV.

And, if you’re like me, and you wondered where the title of last week’s episode came from “baked, bbq’d and fried” (though it’s not TOO difficult to figure out) because we didn’t see it - check out the Survivor Insider clips or the transcripts here at Survivor Fever. As I’d figured, it was what James named the chickens they won in the reward challenge - as they celebrated and talked of the many, many ways to prepare chicken.

Also available on the transcripts and clips is the secret scene - apparently Mikey B almost set himself on fire. He burned his shorts and his butt with flying embers and had to rush to sit in the water to put it out. Poor MikeyB - he says, amused “I’ll tell ya… you will NEVER see me camping again! EVER.” Can’t say as I blame ya there, buddy!

And, if you think it’ll help you make your Pool Party picks for the week - check out Probst’s Preview below! Well, check it out even if it doesn’t help. (grin)

Last, but certainly not least - I got together some pictures of the Pool Party Prizes - except for the web banners, I haven’t made them yet. For the rest, though - check it out!

Grand Prize:
1 Banner, designed by me
1 Survivor Blast DVD
3 Tribal Buffs from Survivor: Thailand - 1 gold, 1 purple, 1 orange

Second Place:
1 Banner, designed by me
1 Survivor Board Game
2 Tribal buffs from Survivor: Africa - 1 gold, 1 red

Third Place:
1 Banner, designed by me
1 Survivor Card Game Starter Set
1 Tribal Buff from Survivor: Thailand - gold

Awesome, no? Now get on over to Fun Office Pools and get your choices made for this week! Last week saw someone busting from far down in the pack all the way up to the tip five - you can do it too!

Don’t forget about the fundraiser Wrestling Match too - they’re adding more gueststars every day! Check out the comment section for the latest additions! If you’re around Virginia April 5th, don’t miss it! (and drop us a line to tell us how it went, of course!)

Hey there, Survivor Fans! Congrats to Dannyv84, who’s picks pulled him in the full 23 points and shot him all the way up to 5th place overall! Excellent job, Danny! Will he be the one to topple me from the top spot this week? Or will Collette’s slow and steady creep to second place do me in next week? How are YOU doing? Get those numbers in before show time next Thursday! It’s still early, and anybody’s game!

Speaking of - I got the last part of the prizes in the mail today, so each prize package is complete, but for the Banner I haven’t designed just yet. We’re up to 40 members of the pool too! Thanks for spreading the word, and Good Luck!

So, poor Mikey B - he hardly saw that coming, hm? He’s only done one interview so far, but I’m sure there are plenty more in the works. I’ll post them as they come in. For now, you can listen to an interview here, and find out what he thought of his stay on Micronesia, how he had to fight to be on the show, and how he wanted to lead the tribe. Included are some new details on how they prepared for challenges, too!

Next week, we’ll see a tribal shakeup, which has the Fans getting their chance to mingle with the Favorites! How is this going to affect the game? Will the Favorites take the lead and teach the Fans how to make a decent shelter? And of course, the big question of the day - who will be voted out next! I can’t wait to see how it all shakes down!