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:

Dr. Marcus Lehman - 28, Jacksonville, Florida (This is the guy in the promo.)

Charlie Herschel - 29, New York, Attorney

Jackie Berg - 25, Santa Barbara, CA, Medical Device Sales

Crystal Cox - 29, Fayetteville, NC - Female Sprinter, God Medalist in the 2004 Olympics - this is one that came from Survivor Skills board too. She’s one of the tallest elite sprinters ever.

Danny Brown - 26, Portland OR, Rapper/Songwriter

Kellay Pinto - 22, Chicago/LA

Ace Gordon - 27, Napels FL, Photographer

Jessica Kiper - 29, NYC/LA, Actress/Musician

Paloma Soto-Castillo - 23, Long Beach CA, Assistant Designer.

That’s all they have so far - so who are our other 9 castaways? We’ve speculated for a while that we should get a cast reveal sometime this week, and the cast of The Amazing Race was released earlier today - and it premieres 2 weeks later! We can only hope that we have a cast list this week! As soon as I know? You will!

And here’s Jeff at the new Tribal Council set!

HOW EXCITED are you for this season? I can’t wait!

…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!

Rumor has it this Olympian is Crystal Cook.
Her highlights include: 2004 Olympic 4×400m gold medalist; 2004 USA Indoor 200m champion; 6th in 200, 400 at 2003 USA Outdoors; 3rd in 200 and 2002 USA Indoors

Lowlights: a disqualification in 2002 for Ephedrine, she got a public warning, but wasn’t banned from any future competitions - she’s continued to compete every year since. She’s also 6′3″ and the tallest elite sprinter in the world.

And that’s what we know and/or speculate so far! Anyone else have some good stuff? Let us know!

So I’ve a question for those that wander through - I’ve never posted spoilers for Survivor before, though I do know where to find those that leak out every year. So my question is - do you want me to post them as I find them out (under a “spoiler” cut, of course, so that they’re not on the front page) or remain spoiler free as a whole?

As the season is filmed in it’s entirety before the Season Premiere, there are a lot of juicy things that trickle back while the show is in production. Production which starts soon - or has recently started. That means those that like to be in the know before anyone else dig and dig and dig to find the smallest tidbits about production and contestants and challenges before we even hit that first show on September 18th. I can do either way - so I leave it up to you. Comment and let me know!

In the meantime, let’s learn a little about Gabon, courtesy of SurvivorFever, hm?

Geography/Location:
Bordered on the west by the Atlantic, this West African country is also bounded by Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and the Congo. It’s area is slightly less than the Colorado’s.

Climate:
Tropical rainforest, heavily forested with some savanna areas toward the coast.

Ethnicity/Race
Bantu Tribes, including four major tribal groupings: Fang, Punu, Nzeiby, Mbsds (Obamba/Bateke) - other Africans and Europeans 10.8%

Wildlife:
Gorillas, Chimpanzee, Elephants, Army ants, hippos, Leopards, Water Buffalo, Manatees

As Gabon is one of the last places on Earth with primitive areas and lies next to Congo, some of the possible cultural production themes could include: Heart of Darkness, Pygmies, tarzan, Albert Schweitzer, Slavery and blood diamonds.

It seems that Survivor:Gabon will take place in areas surrounded Nyonie, which will serve as basecamp for production. DaleBJ confirmed the location to SurvivorFever sourcing his friends met there in 05-06 when he worked at the US Embassy in Gabon. t is only accessible via boat, and is isolated and unspoiled. If you search Flickr for Nyonie, there are dozens of pictures to be seen - it’s truly a beautiful place!

So. To Spoil, or not to spoil - that is the question! Leave your vote in the comments!

According to Mr. Dimples, the problems for the 17th season range between encroaching animals to slow shipments. The shipments are so delayed that it’s put them about 30 days behind. Survivor is different from most shows, in that they have to ship throughout the seasons, so being that far behind can cause a major problem. He feels the show itself will be fine, but the crew is sleeping in tents instead of the housing they are used too.

Also causing problems are toppling cranes and disappearing cargo. The first fell over, and the cargo held about $100,000 of food that’s gone missing. But for us challenge lovers - the lumber used to build props, challenge sets and Tribal Council have all arrived safely. Other then that, it’s just the wildlife that’s posing a problem. They’re not sure what to do in some instances - including hippo tracks at base camp. They want to remain safe, but still would love to have the animals run through the frame every once in a while to up the stress level for the contestants.

Survivor: Gabon is the first time that the series has returned to Africa since Season three in Kenya and will be filmed in high definition. Despite the problems, Jeff Probst is positive that the snafus they are dealing with will not halt production, claiming that “these things for us usually have a way of turning into good things.”

I suppose there’s no sense in hoping for FEWER snake shots in the fall, huh?

Richard Hatch, the winner of Survivor: Borneo, is still appealing his tax evasion conviction and now he’s gotten it all the way to the US Supreme Court, according to his attorney. Two years ago, he was convicted of failing to pay taxes on the $1 million prize he netted after besting the rest of the Season One Survivor Contestants. He was sentenced to more then 4 years in prison for being a dumbass.

You see, he claims that he discovered producers cheating during the filming of the show, and when he confronted them, they promised to pay the taxes if he kept quiet and won the competition. Because of this, he didn’t pay his taxes at all on the final prize.

…

I know, right? Even IF the claims were true (and CBS, of course, says the claims are ridiculous and have no merit) why on earth would he not just pay the taxes upfront, and have them pay him back, instead of getting tangled up with the law? Seriously, it’s the height of stupidity, and I’m far more inclined to believe that he blew all the money and then couldn’t afford the taxes so started pointing fingers and sputtering foul play. Idiot.

The appeal has made it to the Supreme Court based on claims that the judge improperly prevented Hatch from testifying about the conversation he supposedly had with the Survivor Producers. He also argued that his cross-examination of the tax accountant who filed the returns, a key witness for the IRS, was unfairly limited.

Meanwhile, Hatch is, of course, writing a book about “his experience with the legal system and his disappointment not just with the problems that he suffered but with the problems other people have suffered that he has met.”

Gee. Sounds like a gripping read, there, Richard, but I think I’ll pass, just like the Supreme Court should have done on this idiotic appeal.

Seems like most folks were seriously surprised by the outcome - in fact only ONE person got the full forty points for picking Parvati as the winner this week! IN doing so, they took over second place and kicked me official out of the top three spots. Well played! In the end, as you know, there can be only one. (I am well aware of how much of a dork I am, honest. *grin*) So, without further ado, I give you the winners of the Watching Survivor Pool Party!

With a total of 234 points, First Place and the winner of the Survivor Blast DVD and 3 Tribal Buffs from Survivor: Thailand (gold, purple, orange) is:

With a total of 215 points, Second place and the winner of the Survivor Board Game, and 2 tribal buffs from Survivor: Africa (gold, red) is:

With a total of 211 points, Third place and the winner of the Survivor Card Game Starter Set and 1 Tribal Buff from Survivor: Thailand (gold) is:

Congratulations to all of the winners, and thanks for playing along to the rest of you! My family made a pretty darn good showing too - with my two oldest coming in fifth and sixth behind me, my mom in twelfth, despite never having watched a single episode of Survivor - ever, and my sister popped up to twenty-first. Good job, guys, and thanks for the support!

Winners - please email me your mailing addresses to lessasdesign@gmail.com and I’ll get your prize packages off to you this week!

:05 As usual, the Reunion show opens with the vote - where Jeff says that there are 8 votes, and five needed to win. Parvati, Amanda, Parvati, Amanda, Parvati, Amanda, Parvati, And the winner is Parvati! (I would love to know what they would have done in case of a tie!)

This was one of the most remarkable seasons of Survivor - all 20 Survivors are back together for the first time since filming, it’s the Reunion show!

:12 Commercial.

:14 We’re back with a Parvati montage, of course, and all 20 Survivors have joined Jeff on the stage. Jeff starts by congratulating the winner. He comments about her being the flirt and asks if she planned on playing as hard as she did at first? She says no, she was going to play the same way until Jonnathan outed her as a player and she had to step it up. She says the women’s alliance came to her when they did the Tribal switchup and she says the biggest move for her was bringing in Alexis and Natalie, and with them they had the game on lock, everyone was brilliant at manipulating and ruining people. Jeff says that it was a big move because it put her in the middle of two alliances essentially and she amits to being safe no matter how it fell.

Amanda now holds the record for the number of days on the show - 78 and both of her original alliances for both seasons made it to the end - and in both she didn’t win. She laughs and agrees there’s a problem with that. Jeff asks her where her head is at after having played the game so long. Amanda says it’s been her life for two seasons in a row, and its hard getting back into real life and she has trust issues and keeps looking at people like are they lying or telling the truth it’s hard! Jeff asks how it feels to lose again as one of the strongest players ever - and she says it sucks! But in the end it’s not up to her, it’s impossible to guess what the Jury will do.

Cirie - how many nights have you spent thinking of the last challenge? She says every single night, and says it was the only mistake she made was losing that final immunity. Apart from that, who knows… Jeff asks about the women’s alliance, and if they talked aobut how easy the men were being manipulated. She says well, kinda, and laughed and said that you have to be able to read people to know how they’ll react, and she never would have tried what she did with Erik with Penner. The guys were the right guys, so it worked.

Natalie - jeff says she came out of nowhere as this raving fill in the blank, what’s the reactions? She says she has haters, which is cool. Jeff asked if it was representative of her? She says she knew she had to play under the radar, and step it up when it was time because she’s opinionated. Jeff asks again if its her, she says it’s one of the layers of her.

Alexis - only one who got blindsided by your own alliance. She says it hurts a lot, actually, but you know it’s a game, and it is still a testament to how personal the game is and takes a while for the heart to catch up with the head.

Jeff says partly due to the woman’s alliance, it was a masterful season and filled with blindsides and stupid moves. We see the montage of all of them being voted off.

:22 Ozzy - did you ever consider playing the idol? He says yeah, about five times, and if it had been anyone but Parvati on his side he would have played it. He knew he needed to trust, and it was his downfall and had a lot of harsh words for Parv at the end, and he understands how someone might want to kill in the heat of passion - but hes over it. She’s an amazing girl and he respects her, the relationship has healed.

Jason - you found the fake idol, which lead to the best line ever, Eliza “It’s a bleeping stick” she says. Eliza says she thought he was pulling one over on me! What’s he trying to pull! And then she realized it as the HII, and she was stunned.

Jason - we adore you, but you watch your idol, Ozzy, make a mistake and not play the idol, find a fake, then a real one, and DO THE SAME THING.. how many sleepless nights do you have? He says mor then he wants to think of, and he has a suvinere - and he pulls out the idol and says it sits at home on his desk to remind him of the mistake - it was a bad move and he’ll never live it down.

Jeff says and James, you’re just delighted to have someone in your club! Ozzy and Jason put them in the club, but then there’s Erik… more when we come back.

:25 Commercial.

:27 Welcome back to the reunion show. Penner, did the favorites have an advantage? He says yes, because they had been there before, they had shelter, food, they couldn’t catch them. Yau-Man says the disadvantage was that they’d seen them play before, and knew their game. Jeff says that’s why you were third out. He says I’ll take any excuse I can get. Ami says that she felt that the game was shifting and everyone for themselves, she was the first to realize that. She says it’s been awesome, and she’s doing charities with the other survivors.

Jeff says that Erik was exactly who they had in mind, he knew the game, the players and was star-struck - he was the biggest fan they brought to the islands. We see a montage of his best moves - and his worst.

Jeff asks him what his reaction to being on the show he’s been watching since he was 14. He says he lost it, it was crazy, he lives in the middle of nowhere, and never thought he’d have a chance. And when people called and say he was hilarious, he was ecstatic. He says the reaction at home has been crazy and fun, he’s never experienced something like that before.

Jeff asks him if the Tribal Council when he gave up the idol was a life lesson? And Erik says he agrees 100% - it taught him a lot of different things he said at first he was like, your dumb, you’re real dumb. At the end he didn’t expect to make friends and never treated people the way the game demands, and saw everyone as a friend instead of a competitor or enemy. Does he regret the move? Initially - yes, it was off the charts dumb, but when I see what you had to do to make it further? I’m not that guy. Certain morals come into play with that.

Jeff goes to James next - we had three craziest moves they’ve ever seen, of the three, since you’re somewhat of an expert in dumb moves, (AWW!) - is that not fair? James says yessir - and Jeff continues - of Jason, Ozzy and Erik, who made the dumbest move. He says Ozzy and Jason were blindsided, but my buddy here, Erik, the girls were in the boat, floating along he had the life vest on, and he could have floated along in the boat to the end, but he took the life vest off. Seriously! Thank you, you won. Jeff says Erik, we adore you, and you’ll forever be a part of Survivor history - James take the imaginary crown of dumb moves off his head and hand it to Erik. hahaha!

Next up - you know about one Survivor love affair, but there’s one you don’t know about….

:37 Commercial.

:42 Time for some updates - Penner says the leg is good, he’s got a big scare but he’s doing better. First he says happy mother’s day to his mom in the hospital, then answering the question of how hard it is - he says every day you’re firing someone or getting fired and it’s tough. James says his finger is allright, he had to have a lot of therapy and antibiotics. He said last time they talked about the cematary and if there were similar stories since last season and he says yeah, he and his dad were working and there was like 50 people looking at him. He says it’s a good thing he likes making people feel good, he’ll do anything to help them smile. One lady was tearing up and said her mom loved his abs, and so he took off his shirt and let them take a picture. His dad is just shaking his head, and James says she was happy, and I swear he’s blushing. Jeff asks how his dad is taking it all - James says he’s having the best time ever, he’s a sweetheart and there’s blogs about him, he’s the man and they think he’s cute. (he is!)

Kathy, you had a rough go, and applied 5 times - she says and called the last two, tapes are expensive! Jeff asks what was going on out there? She says it was an immediate saperation and so isolating, and she chet and Tracy were ostersized and she couldn’t figure out why. It was so hard with the weather, rats, being wet all the time and raw chewy clam lips - it beat her down and she snapped. Jeff says he’s seen people quit and he gives her credit, because she endured a lot out there, and he knows she gave it her all.

It wasn’t tough for everyone though - it was clear that Ozzy and Amanda were forming a different kind of alliance. Cue the couple-y montage! Jeff goes for the update and Ozzy won’t answer, says you know how these Survivor Girls are, and since then, it’s been tough, he’s lost his job and has to clean toilets now and can’t provide for her like he did on the islands. Jeff goes to Amanda for clarification and she says yes, they’re still together.

Now the love story we didn’t know about - Mary was introduced to Ryan from Survivor: Pearl Islands thanks to Fairplay, they had their first date and three days later he popped the question and the rest was history.

Up next, one more love story - he met a model and made a baby, what?! And the Favorite player of the season will pocket some extra cash, stay tuned!

:48 Commercial.
:54 Well, since Thursday, we texted votes for the favorite player of the season. The top three vote getters are - Amanda, Ozzy, and James. The winner of 100k from Sprint is JAMES! Second season in a row! WHOOHOO! He looks stunned and can’t believe it. Yay! Jeff tells him its all the people he’s making happy.

Johny Fairplay - jeff says he doesn’t want to talk about Survivor, he came back did what he did and done. What he is interested in is tha he found love -and Johnny says he fell in love and has the most perfect little girl on the planet, it’s important - he got the hug from Jeff, if Jeff would hug Piper, it would make his day. Jeff says it’s nice to see him create something so beautiful, and congrats.

Jeffs favorite couple ever - Joel and Chet - and they show the clip of them slamming around the challenge. Jeff says Joel was instrumental in a couple blindsides then got blindsided, but what is harder tot alk about at the fire house - blindsided, or that Chet lasted longer? Joel says it was a good edit, but he had a good time on the show. That’s their favorite scene too.

And Chet, Jeff says he gave him a hard time, and Chet says he always drilled into him he was oldest, weakest and praised the athletic people, so maybe he read the Survivor Manual a little better then others did.

Tracy - underated in the game. What advice do you give? She says she couldn’t do anything differently, she thinks, but sometimes if you get off to a bad start… she says you got to own it, if its bad and you don’t like it, own it. Suck it up and take it.

Mikey B - it’s mother’s day and I saved this for last since you wanted your mother to be here, what happened and how are you doing? Mikey B says she got sick when he was leaving, he didn’t know how bad it was, she passed away last month but she’s still here in spirit and taught them God had a perfect plan and celebrate and move on. He believes she’s here, her sisters are here representing her, Happy Mother’s day, love ya.

Jeff wishes all the mothers a happy mother’s day - up next, where is Survivor going next?

:00 Commercial.

:03 Survivor 17 is just around the corner, where are we headed? 18 American’s will head to Garbon - Earth’s Last Eden! Located in Equatorial Africa - they have surfing hippos, what else is there to say? AWESOME.

Tomorrow Parvati will be on The Morning show to get her $1 million dollar check. See you next time - goodnight!

:00 36 days ago, 10 Survivor Fans were pitted against 10 of their favorite players from past seasons. let’s get it on! The tropical paradise was both bountiful and brutal. The conditions were so harsh, one castaway quit, injury tallies piled up like never before, forcing the evacuation of two players - the first time ever three players left without getting voted out.

All the women banded together to form a super alliance to take control of the game. The first agenda to blindside the biggest threat - Ozzy had the Immunity Idol, but didn’t play it. That was just the beginning. The Black Widow Brigade struck again. And again in an unprecedented series of blindsides - Jason. Alexis. Erik - where they pulled off the biggest blindside in Survivor History.

Now four are left: Cirie, Natalie, Parvati, Amanda.

:06 We rejoin the girls on Dabu where they’re celebrating Erik’s exit and their parts in it. Parvati says everyone has fallen into their trap, and it’s the same trap over and over again. Cirie says they couldn’t beat Erik at anything, but it’s taken care of. He’s having a sandwich, and they’re gonna play the game.

:07 Roll credits and Commercial!

:10 It’s day 37 on Dabu, and Cirie is up an hour before the other girls. They giggle about Erik again, and Cirie tells that its just tearing her up there’s no guys around, can’t ya see the tears? (There aren’t any!) Cirie jokes she’ll need to check and see if her money is in her pocket around them, cuz they make her nervous. It’s all laughter and fun.

Parvati heads up a tree to get some coconuts for the girls, and splashes Amanda below with a whole bunch. She tells us she doesn’t miss the guys and their egos where they’re trying to provide and look cool. Parvati and Amanda say they can’t believe they’ve beat the guys.

Natalie says she’s thankful to be there still, and Parvati is glad she’s there too - she tells her she can say whatever she want and people believe her and she should just swallow her pride and ask for what she wants. Natalie says she’s the only fan left, but she made a personal bond with Parvati and they compliment each other well.

Parvati tells her there’s a reason they’re there together - everyone has earned their spot in the final three, and have played a damn good day. Natalie tells us that they have a great connection, and it benefits her in the end.

Tree mail! They’re thinking winning is the way to guarentee final three. They love that it’s all women, but one of them has to go.

Challenge time!
Jeff welcomes the ladies, and says they’re feeling oh so good about themselves. Once again, Immunity is up for grabs. Today, they’ll start on a small perch atop a 20 foot pole. They’ll gather water in the bucket, fill the shoot, that raises a set of keys. Swim to shore, use the keys to find 16 individually shaped ladder rungs. Finish the ladder, climb up, raise the flag, win Immunity.

Survivor’s ready? GO! They don’t waist any time, pulling up the bucket and filling the shoot to raise the keys as fast as they can. It’s no easy task, as they have to get the water into the tiny shoot. Doesn’t matter how fast you pull up the water if you don’t get it into the shoot - Natalie almost has her keys, neck and neck with Parvati. Natalie has her keys and is swimming to shore! Parvati has hers as well and is on her way. Amanda tries, but isn’t close enough. Natalie and Parvati have a big lead at this point - both getting the chest open practically at the same time. Amanda has her keys, and is in the water. Cirie isn’t close enough - gets her keys and is on her way!

Everyone is in this. Natalie is still in the lead, getting her first rungs up quickly. There’s 16 ladder rungs, and will only go into one slot - if you have to force it, it isn’t right, a lot of play, it’s not right. It only goes together one way. All the ladies have rungs now - Amanda is making progress, Natalie and Cirie are methodical. If Amanda is right, she’s got a big lead, as Parvati goes for some of the higher rungs. Natalie has touble with the puzzle as Amanda pulls away from the pack - it is her challenge to lose!

Amanda can’t get the last rung in, has to back track and swap pieces as Natalie starts to catch up - Amanda gets the last one and WINS IMUNITY! Tribal council tonight, head back to camp.

:21 Comercial!

:26 Back at camp, They tease Amanda and say the only reason she won was because her legs are longer. She tells us that she’s so happy about her game, she’s final three for the second time in a row. Natalie says she feels like the low woman on the totem pole, but she won’t tuck her tail between her legs and run home, she’s going to explore her options. She says she’s dealing with Women, so she needs to remain calm, cool and collected, weasel in and communicate in a way that seems reasonable.

Cirie says she hates when it gets to this point, why can’t it be a final four. She asks if Natalie has promised anyone her vote, Natalie says no. She says she feels like Cirie is nervous, and she can use it with parvati and she believes she’d go out on a limb for her. Amanda talks to Parvati, and she says that they have a huge shot at winning it, and they figure that Cirie is working Natalie over for a jury vote. They think she’s a threat one way or the other, and Amanda says Natalie deserves to be here. Amanda isn’t sure who she’s voting for, because everyone is still playing the game. Parvati and Amanda give Natalie credit, and that Cirie got lucky being with them. You have to beat out everyone at some point.

Natalie tells Parvati what Cirie talked about, the promise of a vote, while Amanda checks in with Cirie. Parvati tells us that Nat is less of a threat jury wise then Cirie. But she wouldn’t put it past any of the girls to work a deal. Cirie tells us she could be going home tonight, they might like Natalie better and smile in her face. They duped so many people with straight faces…

:31 Tribal Council (number one!)

Jeff says that all of the women have been part of two firsts - final four women, and four straight blindsides. He says they should be awarded an academy award for their performance, and Natalie says it went down without a hitch. Natalie says that the four of them respect each other enough that there won’t be a blindside, she prays for one on one level, so that it saves her. Amanda says she has no idea what’s going on - how many times does a blindside have to happen before you know nothing - she’s fairly confident, but she isn’t sure.

Parvati says it’s been the craziest, messiest, strategic game yet, and she can’t read anyone’s mind. Amanda says that no one is expecting a final two - so yeah, they’re feeling final three is good. Jeff asks Cirie what would it change if there is a final two. Cirie says that would make her feel like she is the bottom of the alliance - Amanda questions why she’s on the bottom, and Cirie goes back to the beginning of the alliance with the couples, and Amanda asks about the merge on, and Cirie says always - no one has said “I won’t vote for Cirie” which clearly places her at the bottom of the three. She says she’d be foolish not to think that. Jeff points out Natalie is holding back a grin, she says everything is an opportunity she’ll just let them duke it out. Time to vote!

:36 The votes: Cirie, Natalie, Natalie, 14th person voted out, Natalie. It’s a final three of FAVORITES! WHOO!

:37 Once again, they’ve survived the vote and made the final three - head back to camp. Natalie tells us that she’s happy the way she played the game, she respects the way the remaining girls played the game and blows the camera a kiss.

:38 Commercial!

:41 Back at camp, the girls comment about it being weird tonight. And they confront Cirie about making them look awful, and Cirie is confused, but Amanda says it’s bullshit. Cirie says it’s not game, it’s facts! She goes back to Ozzy and James, Amanda and Parv, be real - she is at the bottom, see how she makes her feel? She feels like she’s on the bottom of every alliance, and Amanda says she can’t see it, she asks that she not scream, and Cirie says she can’t explain it anymore. Parvati says it makes sense, and Amanda apologizes, that she is at a breaking point, and she didn’t mean to accuse her, and it’s a final three hug. Amanda tells us she kinda broke down and doesn’t know why she yelled, she feels like she’s been doing this forever, straight from China, and she tells the girls she almost lost it when Jeff said it might be a final two.

Parvati says no way - and Cirie says wait, you’ve been wrong, don’t say that. Cirie says it would break her heart to find out there’s a final two. She says it’s nagging at the back of her mind - Parvati says just chill out, it’s final three.

:44 Day 38 dawns at Dabu where Parvati says that she’ll never touch a coconut again. She tells us she’s thrilled to be there with the two girls she is, they’re blessed to be with each other. They’re celebrating by setting the last chicken, Gloria, free. They decided the didn’t have to eat her, let her go. She made a nest to lay an egg - and Gloria doesn’t want to leave, she’s like their pet, and doesn’t realize it’s over.

They’re wondering when the final three celebration food is coming, as they celebrate being the three craftiest survivors ever. No food at tree mail. Congrats final three - today you’ll honor the fallen comrades before heading to your final immunity challenge.

DUNDUNDUN.. IT WILL BE A FINAL TWO.

They’re stunned. Amanda says she thought it’d be food, but it’s another immunity challenge, and there’s only so much one can take, it just sucks because she’s tight with the girls. They say it’s never ending - Parvati feels sick, Amanda is in tears, and Cirie says it’s almost poetic, they’ve been blindsided people left and right, what goes around comes around. They’re trying to regroup and get it together. Time to kick it back into gear. Parv says she’s humbled, but the right of passage will give her perspective as they honor those they faught so hard to beat. They didn’t make it easy, and they give them credit for it.

Cirie says she doesn’t feel bad, but she wants to tip her hat to them and say good job - I beat you, but good job.

:49 Time for the traditional walk of flame. Fairplay is first, and they say he was kinda decent while he lasted. Fairplay says he’s happy to have left on his own terms.

Mary says the worst thing to happen is be the first off, but game over.

Yau-man, the only reason they sent him out because he was so good. Yau tells us it made him a target to be so nice, he doesn’t have the killer instinct, it was fun anyway.

Mikey B - Fierce competitor. He says it hurts to get sent home that early, it was a life changing experience and life is good.

Joel - The big guy. Pretty intense. Joel says he went in to play the game hard, and he did that, but it is summed up as failure because he didn’t make it to the end.

Jonathan - a smooth talker and tough, he wouldn’t have quit for nothing. Jonathan says leaving the game for medical reasons let him leave without animosity, which is special to him. A once in a lifetime experience he got to do twice.

Chet - the chickens have not been the same since he left. Chet says it was a dream, he was told he would leave first but stayed till 7th, he outlasted many.

Kathy - she was colorful character, to say the least. Kathy says she’s in awe of every person who has played survivor, it was the most difficult thing -she’d rather have 8 more kids in 10 minutes then do it again.

Tracy - she was underestimated. Tracy says even only 20 days, changes you. She’s not the same person and never wants to be again.

Ami - they all loved her, and she loved everyone. Ami says she was so much more sensitive this time, and learned the balance of vunulability and strength. She’s ok with who she is.

Eliza - the arch rival! Se put up a hell of a fight and went down swinging. Eliza says she was the underdog, on the outs from the start, without an alliance. She tried to work every angle, and did a good job.

Ozzy - they say he’s the most well rounded player ever - which is why he had to go. Ozzy says it defines you, a chance to learn your soul and who you are. He knew he had to trust people, and that was his downfall, but Amanda is worth more to him then money.

Jason - He beat ozzy twice - Jason says he was strong and a provider and no one really saw that because they were focused on Ozzy. it’s comforting toknow they went out the same way. He’s just as strong.

James - no bs, a straight shooter. James says he’d much rather be voted out as closure, but those trails he went through with the girls was a test, he really had to let go.

Alexis - they say if she made it this far, she’d be impossible to beat she was a charmer. Alexis says she was a competitive tomboy, but also nice, and feels like she came in and grew up, leaving as a woman.

Erik - They say they’re sorry, but you play with fire, you get burned. Erik says you can’t play without changing, he’s seen so much and the women are vicious and cutthoat and strong. It’s opened his eyes.

Natalie - The last Fan standing. Good on you, girl. Natalie says if the woman has the opportunity to think, she’ll outwit a man, hands down everytime. She learned a lot about herself and is her own biggest fan.

They load the torches up and set them, and the Exile island hut on a-flame.

:58 Commercial.

:03 Challenge time! The girls arrive in the boat, and join Jeff on the beach where there’s a table set up for each of them. It’s the final immunity challenge. He takes back the necklace, and Immunity is back up for grabs, for the last time.

Today, they each have a long wooden cylinder cut in pieces, a slot in the middle has a metal ball. On go, pick it up and balance the ball. Every five minutes, add more pieces and lift it again. Ball drops, and you’re out. Win, and you are guaranteed final Tribal council, and you’ll be deciding who you want to sit next too in the final two. Pick up the handles. use the five seconds grace period to get your bearings. And go.

Five minutes before adding more pieces, at which time it will become more difficult. Slightest lapse of concentration, you’ll be out. Stay focused. First five minutes is up. Set them down, time to add two more pieces.

here we go. Lift. Jeff tells them to drop the ball will cost a million dollars. He’s cracking me up “Hang in there, don’t blow it now.” this round is over - all three are safe once more. Adding two more pieces. Now it gets interesting. This round is on. 38 days of playing together as a team, no where left to hide. You have to battle against each other. Only one goal, beat the other two.

Parvati drops her ball and is the first one out! Her fate is no longer in her hands, it’s down to Cirie and Amanda. This round is over. Amanda looks strong, Cirie drops everything as soon as she can. This could be the round that decides it all - here we go - Cirie drops it while he’s still counting, but is able to reset because he hadn’t finished counting - now both are up. Cirie has the same grip, Amanda goes underhand. They both make it through the round.

Last and final round this round will go until someone drops the ball. Amanda goes back to overhand grip, and it’s the final round of the challenge. Cirie loses her concentration and AMANDA WINS IMMUNITY! Tonight she’ll cast the vote that decides who she’s going to take with her to face the jury in the final tribal council.

:11 Commercial

:15 Back at Dabu, day 38. Gloria is still there, and they say hello. Amanda says that she is going to the final two, and she says it’s the hardest decision she has had to make the whole game. She’s close to them both, who does she send home? Cirie says she must have just blinked, she doesn’t know what happened. Cirie says she thought for sure she could win it, she’s a nurse, and you have to hold things and not move. Unfortunately Amanda won, and unless something happens she’s going home tonight. Amanda and Parvati are buddy buddy.

Amanda goes to Parvati and says she feels sick to her stomach, she’s the only one who votes and it sucks. Parvati says Cirie understands, and tells us her fate is in Amanda’s hands, but she’s fairly confident she’ll take her because they’ve had an alliance since day one and are close, so she’s not worried about it. And she tells Amanda that tomorrow they can help each other with their speeches and stuff, and Parvati says that she has handled herself well though. Then Amanda points out that Cirie would have taken Parv - and says “Not like she would have won, she pissed off way more people then me.

Amanda tells us she feels loyal to Parvati. Cirie tells Amanda her best show is taking her over Parv, they did everything together. Most of the blindsides Cirie did the talking. Amanda says she feels like Cirie can talke her way in and out of anything. Cirie says that’s only if you get them to listen, I’ve made them all mad. Amanda says that she is a hell of a speaker, so it’s a catch 22. Cirie says it should be interesting. Amanda says it’s killing her to make the decision and she has to go with her gut again. But she knows it could cost her the million.

:19 Tribal Council time! (Number TWO!)

Jeff points out there’s only one decision left to be made before it’s turned over to the Jury, and Amanda is in total control. Jeff says it’s a tough decision because they’ve been together since the beginning. Amanda agrees,s ays it’s a blessing and a curse at the same time - glad to be there, but have to choose, it’s a hard decision because they’re so close. Cirie says she believes it is difficult for Amanda because they’ve been together all the way through, and decided it should be them to the end. Parvati says she doesn’t envy Amanda’s decision, it’s hard and they’ve been protect each other and she doesn’t think it will be easy.

Jeff asks Amanda to take him through both sides. Amanda says it’s a toss up - strategy wise, Cirie is a great talker and can convince anyone to do anything, it’s a threat. Parvati has played a social game, and has relationships with people on the jury - it’s hard, but has to go with her gut.

Amanda breaks down and cries, when Jeff asks her to talk about the decision. She says she feels like it’s a lose lose situation, hurting one of them no matter what, and she’s having a hard time knowing she has to hurt someone’s feelings.

Time to vote. Parvati and Cirie will have to vote for each other, Amanda is the only one who can vote. If she is wrong, it’s a million dollar mistake. no pressure, there, Jeff. Sheesh.

:24 Time to get the vote. Cirie.

Amanda cries harder, apologizes, Cirie says it’s ok, and jeff snuffs her torch.

Parvati, Amanda - you’ve gone as far as you can in this game. The power now shifts to the jury. 8 people hold your fate in their hands. head back to camp. Cirie says here she is again, coming up just short, she tried her hardest and apologizes to her family, says it just wasn’t meant to be.

:26 Commercial!

:31 Day 39 at Dabu, as the girls wake up and squeal that they get to go home tonight! Amanda says she’s so happy and was able to breathe. They laugh and say they’ve bamboozled everyone out of the game. Parvati says she can’t wipe the smile off her face, all the hard work has paid off. Time for the final two feast! Parvati says it’s a serious accomplishment and they can stand tall. They say it’s the prettiest picnic ever. They feel like they’ve battled every possible thing to go through in order to get to the end. Amanda says she’s been in the jungle for 78 days and there’s nothing she can’t handle after two Survivor’s in a row.

They agree they’ll do fine at the tribal - Amanda finds it interesting they’re both there, as they played completely different games. Amanda played loyal, Parvati did anything she had to do to get to the end. Parvati says she’s honestly relaxed, she feels like she’s played a game true to herself and couldn’t do it better.

They set their shelter on fire as Parvati says her game was more cutthroat, and her best stance tonight is owning that. Amanda says that she has played cutthroat and will finish the same way and that may be her throwing her under the bus. She’s ready to fight for this. Amanda says she will get votes because of her loyalty, tonight they’re going toe to toe, may the best woman win.

:35 Tribal Council (NUMBER THREE!)

Welcome to the final TC. Congratulations for outlasting 18 other people. Tonight the power shifts to the Jury. They will make a million dollar decision. you’ll make opening statements, the jury will get to address you, then they will vote.

Amanda says that she came into the game wanting to play a loyal game and fight strategicially, mentally an physically to the end. She’s proud of how she played, but wouldn’t be there without them, and she wanted to say thanks. Parvati says she came in with the reputation of the flirt, and had to play differently this time - aggressively, and beat the competition before they beat her, and they all gave he a serious run for her money. She can only make powerplays, with a powerful group of women, ask what you want, you’ll get an honest answer.

:38 Commercial.

:42 Here we go! Eliza starts us off. She says they both played a strategic game, but has no idea who to vote for. Parvati, I spent all 24 days with you - ozzy was a brilliant move, I respect that, but can’t respect everything that wasn’t necessary. Talked behind my back, made fun of me, and leads me to believe you might just be a mean person. Amanda, you played a strategic game that was impressive but listening to you talk made me want to kill myself, I don’t know if I can vote for someone superficial I need to see genuineness from you tonight to make my decision.

Jason - when Ozzy was voted out, if you were let in on the plan would you have told Ozzy. Amanda says yes. Parvati, what are your redeeming qualities in the game? Parv says she was loyal to Cirie and Amanda and protective towards them. They didn’t kill Gloria the chicken, is that good enough? Jason says he’s satisfied and good luck.

Alexis - Parvati, the most important thing to me is working with young girls - what makes you a better role model for girls? Parvati says better or worse, I’m more outspoken and willing to put myself out there, Amanda would go with the flow. Amanda - I’ve seen oscar award winning performances and can’t help but laugh as you cried sending Cirie home, you cried wolf too many times. What part was genuine. Amanda says she only cried the last TC and was genuine, she doesn’t want sympathy votes. Alexis says she has what she needs.

Natalie - She says they have her respect. Parvati, you’ve labeled yourself as a flirt, and the best Survivor to play that card. How does that resonate for you in the bedroom -how does it translate you’re layers. Everyone is laughing, and Jeff asks if she knows what she’s asking? Natalie says you’ve flirted even with me. How does that transfer to your intimate life. Parvati says that it gets her what she wants, she’ll flirt to get her way, it’s her personality but she can develop personal relationships without flirty but it’s a standby. Natalie asks Amanda if it’s her strategy to play the zombied pretty girl, not really knowing what’s going on, pagent queen cliché, or is that you? Amanda says she doesn’t think that’s who she is at all, she’s reserved at times, but also strong and intellectual. She came in to compete and came in to win. (>…. I have nothing to say. L)

Erik - he starts by saying he’d have been 100% voting Amanda five or six days ago, thinking of her as a sister or cousin, but now he has questions. He felt burned and thrown under the bus his last two tribals. What basis did you have to judge me. Amanda says everything she said was honest, he was unloyal to her and it hurt. She wasn’t going to keep her mouth shut, I’m sorry - and he says that it’s too little too late for I’m sorries. He doesn’t buy it at all. She says ok. He says he’s done.

James - he says the finger is alright. He says he won’t be difficult, Amanda knows she has it in the bag. Parv, you fluffed me. You voted Ozzy and then came up and fluffed me. Make me believe you. Parv says “Haha - I got ya, sucker, that’s what you wanted me tos ay.” he says no, he wanted her to be honest. She points out the slogan and says there was no chance to win sticking with James and Ozzy and she felt she had to make that move to gain control. James says ah-ight.

Cirie - she congratulates them, and starts with Amanda. Tell me, why Parvati deserves the million more then Cirie. Amanda says it was aggressive and bold game and stood by that the whole way. She respects Cirie’s game as well, but Parvati made bolder decisions and was the powerhouse behind them. Parvati - tell the jury why she should be sitting there instead of Parv? Parv says her game was brilliant, and a little more under the radar and a great strategy, I can’t compete with a mother of three. It could have been you, is it good enough? Cirie says she’ll ponder it.

Ozzy - He says he thinks he’s the biggest idiot up there, and is truly hurt by what they did. It was a great move, but he never thought they could do that, and they put a price on their friendship and threw it away, and it hurts. How can you say you’re a role model if you’ll discard a friendship like that. I don’t want words, I don’t want to talk to you. Honestly, the hardest part was that you took away 14 days I could have spent with Amanda. He slaps himself lightly on the face, takes a deep breath. Amanda - when I told you on the beach that I wasn’t faking my feelings for you, I’m having feelings I’ve never felt before - she’s smiling - he says he’s starting to fall in love with her, she’s an amazing girl and he wants everyone to know that. He’s glad he didn’t win Cook Islands so he could be here and meet her. AWWWWWWWWW

:54. Alright - it’s been an interesting Tribal Council, emotional at times, who do you vote for to win this game. Think about your vote.

:55 Commercial.

:59 Alright Jury. Tonight you vote for the winner. The name you feel is most deserving - for the last time, it’s time to vote.

:03 - Congrats - we’ll see you back in the states where we’ll reveal the winner!

:03 And we’re live in New York! Whoooo! Let’s get too it! Jeff declares it the best season ever. It takes five to win. Parvati, Amanda, Parvati, Amanda, Parvati, Amanda, Parvati, The winner of survivor Fans vs. Favorites - PARVATI!

- And I’m taking a break, doing a business phone call, and will cover the reunion in my own time zone.

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!