Fantasy Survivor: Results

Another season of Survivor has come to an end.  Blood vs. Water was an amazing season.  Honestly in the beginning I wasn't really sold on the returnees competing against their loved ones... especially when there were so many twists.  But this season was amazing - top ten for sure!  I'd have a hard time ranking the seasons since I don't remember all of them... but it's been entertaining!

So we have to recap who won this edition of Fantasy Survivor.

Going into the finale were SEVEN possibilities (three of which were at redemption island)  Of those seven - two were Michelle's (Hayden and Monica) and five were mine (Gervase, Tyson, Tina, Laura M and Ciera).  About 15 minutes into the episode Hayden was gone so Michelle was down to one... poor thing!

Either way... who was the winner?  Did Michelle pull out an impressive win?  NO! The winner of Survivor Blood vs. Water was

TYSON!!

Some people probably didn't like how he came across on the show at times... but he absolutely deserved to win.  I was totally happy with this since I've enjoyed watching him on other seasons and he was probably the person I was most excited to see come back.  Sure, I didn't pick him first or even second... but sometimes I play the who Michelle won't pick game.

It's always bittersweet when a season comes to an end.  Love to see how it all finishes up but it's sad that it won't be on for a couple of months.

Next time we play the Survivor Fantasy game we'll have a new member of - Susan!!  I think it will make the picking and playing even more fun!!

Fantasy Survivor Blood vs. Water

Can you believe that Survivor starts back up again tomorrow night?  I know I'm excited!!  Survivor is one of my favorite shows on television and the fact that Michelle and I are continuing our fantasy teams... well that just makes it all the better!

I will say that I hope this season isn't jumping the shark.  They are having what I think is a very complicated game this season.  I'm not sure if you are interested - but you can check out all the twists here.  Hopefully once the season starts it will get easier to follow... but who knows!  With any reality show it could just unfold in so many different ways.  Add in all those twists and really it's hard to make decisions about the show.

I've mentioned this before... it's just us doing it so we decide how we are going to pick in the beginning... whatever makes the most sense for the show.  For Survivor this season the premise is Blood vs. Water.  Which means half the people out there are returning players and they each brought a loved one on the show.  They will be separated into two tribes - returning players on one and the loved ones on the other.  However, they are still linked to their loved one as they can 'save' them during redemption island challenges (ugh... redemption island is back and can't say I'm happy about it)  So it's strange... you're still somewhat linked to your loved one BUT they are on opposite tribes.

Knowing all of that we just decided to pick pairs of loved ones.  Is this the best strategy?  Nah, probably not, but whatever, it made sense and we both agreed to it.

She won the rock, paper, scissors match (I think she has me beat on RPS)... Michelle chose Monica and Brad (he was the quarter back on a team she liked back in the day), Vytas and Aras (Aras has previously won Survivor), Laura and Rupert (he's back!), Kat and Hayden (she's dumb and he won Big Brother), and Colton and Caleb (supposedly Colton has changed but we'll see... and apparently Caleb is lovable hmm)

Candice and John (married):  I picked them b/c it was good to have an athletic couple that included a boy and a girl... idk, just a gut pick

Gervase and Marissa (uncle and niece):   He was on the very first season of Survivor.  I remember him being likable and I think that she has a good shot of being good too.

Tyson and Rachel (dating):  I'm not so sure about her... but I've always liked Tyson.  He comes off as a 'villian' but whatever... I enjoy him and I remember him being funny.  Probably won't win, but whatever at least he should be enjoyable to watch.

Katie and Tina (mother and daughter):  Tina won her season (waaaay back on season 2).  She's a likable person, but I'm not really sure how long she will last.

 

Laura and Ciera (mother and daughter):  Honestly, this is who I was left with since Michelle got to pick first... neither of us wanted to pick them since they are pretty conservative and against gay rights.  But past political views... they just don't feel like a team that can win it in my opinion.  But someone had to get stuck with the bad team right? haha 

 



Overall I can't wait for the season to start!!  I love our reality show picks!!

Fantasy Survivor - Winner!

Last Sunday was one of the best nights of the year... and that's because there's THREE HOURS OF SURVIVOR!!

Of course when it's over it's all sad because I'll have to wait until September for a new season, but three hours of amazingness trumps that.

Before I get into the meat of the post, Survivor is really one of my favorite shows on TV.  I have watched every single season, and I believe I've seen every single episode (maybe missed one in a time before DVR).  It really is the greatest reality show on television.  Survivor truly changed the way people think about television shows.

I could make the argument that Survivor really brought on the reality TV trend - and I could make that argument, however Real World was around before Survivor... but Survivor really did bring out the competition reality shows.  Before Survivor there wasn't any (or any famous ones) and after Survivor - well that's a lot of shows.  I don't know if you can remember but right after Survivor premiered in 2000 the competition reality show was on every channel.  I think it's relatively cheap to produce this stuff.  Survivor has stood the test of time and just completed it's 26th season.

If you go back and watch the first season (which I have) it's quick a stark difference from today's episodes.  I mean for one an alliance was looked down upon.  How it's shot (cinematography-wise), what they concentrated on (story-line wise) and competitions are all so different than today's Survivor.  I wouldn't recommend going back to that first season b/c it's slightly hard to watch.  It's like watching an old movie that's been parodied a thousand times so the original seems like a parody of itself when in reality it was around first... if that makes any sense at all which it probably does not...

I am a true fan of the show, and I get that some people don't like it... but honestly I don't get why.  I think a lot of it has to do with preconceived notions or ideas about the show.  But whatever, it's a great show, easy to get into and fun to strategies and discuss.

Which brings me to Michelle and my competition!  This year we did a Fantasy Survivor competition which I talked way back in February about.  We didn't really have a prize, but bragging rights will do and it just got us more invested quicker in all the players.

This past season was great - lots of moves and likable people.  It was one of the better seasons!

The vote out order was this (I put who had this person in parenthesis)

Francesca (neither - we picked after the first episode)
Allie (Michelle)
Hope (me)
Shamar (me)
Laura (me)
Brandon (me)
Matt (Michelle)
Julia (Michelle)
Corinne (Michelle)
Michael (me)
Phillip (neither - he was an extra since we picked after the first episode)
Malcolm (Michelle)
Reynold (me)
Andrea (Michelle)
Brenda (me)

So going into the last episode Michelle was up 3-2... and wouldn't you know about 5 seconds into finale Erik got hurt and medically evacuated from the game... so it was down to 3-1... sheesh

Eddie went next - which was Michelle's

The final three was Cochran, Sherri and Dawn...

And at that point we knew who was going to win... and if that person had not won I would have been irritated at the season... not from this competition standpoint but from a Survivor fan standpoint.

The winner was clearly COCHRAN.  While I technically picked him third in our choices, I knew I was going to and played the odds that Michelle would not pick him.  (My first choice was Brenda)  I'm really happy he won b/c he's a big fan of the show too, and I just love that.  And he's fun to watch, and a seemingly nice guy.  Plus this season he played a great game, and was actually good at challenges... a complete 180 from his last season (I liked him on his last season too)

So that wraps up another season of Survivor... I can't wait until September to do it all over again!!

Fantasy Survivor

It's no secret I am a Survivor fan... when this blog first began I even tried my hand at writing recaps for them... but I realized I'm just not that funny!

For about a year now I have been watching Survivor with my good friend Michelle.  We order pizza and watch (and talk).  It's a lot of fun.  Somewhere during last season I told Michelle we should pick people we think are going to win and have a fantasy Survivor team challenge and she totally thought it was a great idea.

A couple of weeks before the season I printed out the picture and bios of the castaways that I found on ew.com.  That way we'd have a little bit about each person.

not sure why it's vertical instead of horizontal

 

On the day of the premiere episode we decided to watch the episode and then pick our teams.  Of course this created an odd castaway out, but whatever - it worked for us.  We also decided to pick based on the tribes, so we'd each have half of each tribe.  This is mostly because it's Fans vs. Favorites, so we have an equal number of each on our fantasy teams.

 

We rock, paper, scissored to see who would have first pick... and lucky Michelle won.

 

Here's Michelle's "team":  Favorites- Malcolm, Andrea, Dawn, and Corinne and Fans- Matt, Eddie Fox, Julia, Sherri, and Allie (already eliminated)

And here's mine:

Brenda - I picked her b/c she's cute and I think she can play a strategic game... she hasn't gotten any air time yet which makes me nervous.

Erik - I picked him b/c I like him, and I think he'll be nimble and good at challenges... he did make one of the most idiotic moves in Survivor history though...

Cochran - I like his awkwardness and goofiness... I think he could fly under the radar a bit

Brandon - All that was left was him and Phillip... and I just could no stand to 'root' for Phillip all season so he was really just the less of two evils.

That rounds out my pics for Favorites to win... Francesca was voted out at the first tribal council (poor girl voted out first twice!) and so that left one odd one out... and he's an odd one indeed... Phillip... so if he ends up winning... well... either Michelle or I will win... or we both win... whichever!

For the Fans...

Laura - after watching the first episode, she seems smart in the strategic game... I think she has a shot.

Shamar - when I first saw the line up on castaways I immediately thought that he looked like the type of person that could win Survivor... I however should have realized during the first episode that he was lazy and probably wouldn't be the winner... episode two really proved that point... so this one is probably not a good pick...

Michael - I think he's in a good position to get it.  He seems a bit strategic, from what I can tell can hold his own in challenges... I think he might be a bit of a under the radar player... but I think it's a decent pick

Hope - I mostly picked her because it was getting towards the end and she's from Missouri... so why not root for her?

Reynold - I got stuck with this guy... unless he makes a serious change with his strategy I don't think he will win... he kinda comes off as a douchenozzle... but he does have the HII so maybe it will work out in my favor

So there you have it... who's going to win?  I'm so excited to find out - I think I just found a way to make Survivor even more fun!! 

Jenn's Survivor Recap

Okay... I really need suggestions on what to call this segment... I need something more creative than 'Jenn's Survivor Recap'... so I'm asking for your help!!

I know I'm way late in writing this post... and I'm thinking I may just make notes instead of writing a full blown one this week... but who knows what's going to happen when I start writing.

• For one... when Jeff was doing his normal introduction of the season... they were in the back of a truck... well... it was really bumpy and I found it strange that he was giving his speal and the contestents were pretending he wasn't there talking... it was strange to me.
• Why did they the two voted off think they were actually going home?? He said "not making this journey" not "going home" people need to get clued in!!
• Sandy is an idiot... she couldn't find the idol... silly girl it isn't that hard anymore.
• That guy (Tyrone?) who got naked... he's awesome.
• The challenge was very close, which might mean the teams are somewhat evenly matched... that would be fresh
• The bossy chick goes home first... people don't like being bossed... when will they learn?

That was a really short recap... I promise they will be better... when I'm not sick... cross my heart!!

Jenn's Survivor Recap

How bittersweet finales can be... I mean it's exciting to finally have a winner and know how everything played out but at the same time it's sad it's all over...

Last night's finale did not disappoint.

First up was the immunity challenge... which is hard to even remember at this point... Oh yeah... there was an obstacle course and a puzzle (I know you're surprised) There was also a pretty crazy maze. It all came down to Sugar and Bob... and Bob ended up winning it... 5 in a row... that's craziness!!

At tribal Kenny continued his attack at Bob's word about giving him immunity... Kenny was like I didn't know there was fine print and then Bob was like well there's fine print when I found out you were going to blindside vote me out. Zing!!

Kenny was voted out... over Susie. I think it was a smart move I mean Kenny is the bigger physical threat believe it or not... plus he needed to go... He thought he was playing them all... then people get cocky in this game it's time to pack your bags. So we were down to the final four.

Next up was the Survivor rememberance thing. Where they go through and remember each castaway. It always amazes me how many of them I forget. Some of them had very profound things to say and I go back and forth on whether I like this part. It is kind of nice to remember the course of the game.

Onto the final immunity challenge. Building a house of "cards" 10 feet high or whoever is highest after 30 minutes. I knew this would be good since in one of these type of challenges can change winners in just a second. And you wouldn't believe but Susie pulled out a win.

It seemed that Bob's fate was already planned... Then Sugar and those damn emotions got involved... She didn't want to see Bob go since he was such a nice genuine person. Sugar decided she would force a tie between Bob and Matty and leave it up to a fire making challenge.

The challenge was exciting but Bob ended up building a fire quicker than Matty and it was Matty's time to go.

I thought at this point Bob had it all wrapped up. I mean he had was more "friends" on the jury. But final tribal was just as interesting as always.

The problem with this year's jury was nearly every one of the people on the jury was blindsided, which left a lot of bitter Bettys. Usually a jury can come to respect a way another played the game, but I didn't get that feeling from this years jury... they all wanted revenge...

By far the meanest of them was Corinne... who said perhaps the meanest thing to Sugar I've heard on a Survivor. There was so many times during the finale and reunion where I wanted to bitch slap her. I don't get those type of feelings often... but I did. The sad thing is we learned that she enjoys her horrid self... she's like the wrestlers who get a kick out of all the booing.

I was surprised at all the bad feeling toward Sugar and Bob. I know there's a lot lost in editting, but we seemed to be missing something.

So the votes came out... 4 Bob to 3 Susie. I was incredibly surprised that Sugar did not get any votes... but Sugar did not do a good job defending herself at the final tribal. She was all like whatever... I think she figured she was losing and was like why bother... but c'mon girl there's money on the line here... I was also shocked 3 people voted for Susie... I mean she didn't do much of anything to deserve 3 votes... I think they were just picking the person they were least mad at... which again... goes back to the bitter bitter jury.

Bob deserved to win... he was an amazing castaway and was really crafty and smart and just pretty durn amazing. So congrats Bob and winning!!

I think that a lot of people didn't like the fact that Sugar was actually smarter than they gave her credit for... I think they got back they got outplayed by her... Just goes to show you should never underestimate anyone.... judging a book by its cover if you will.

I always enjoy the reunion and I could seriously handle another hour of it... I love hearing what they all have to say.

Some short thoughts on the reunion:

• Randy seems to have a big underlying issue, but at the reunion was the first time I actually had some feelings of like toward him...
• Corinne seems like a huge huge bitch... I can't believe she didn't even apologize to Sugar about the mean comments she made... I'm glad I can finally stop looking at her
• Sugar still seemed very likable... I enjoyed her on the show... she played a game unlike any other castaway ever... and did it wonderfully, except the whole final tribal thing
• Kenny seems to really have learned what he did wrong out there... nice to realize his mistakes.
• Crystal really is a gold medalist... go figure
• Matty's financee looked much cuter this time around... I like him as a person too
• Ace's accent is real... I never really doubted that though
• Marcus is a pretty guy... but there's something there I don't like
• How much do you love Jeff? I mean... he gets the answers... and geez... he's adorable and really is a great host
• Oh and speaking of Jeff how awesome was it he went back and saved the fake HII Bob made that he had to throw in the fire... so cool.
• Bob and his explanation of the making of the HII was classic... go Bob!!
• And to the rest of the people I don't remember know... it was enjoyable your one liners

Overall I really enjoyed this season and I cannot wait for the next season in Brazil. I'm always holding my breath at the end of the reunions to see if they are making a new season... it will be a sad sad day when Survivor is gone for good... luckily we have at least one more season... thank goodness!!

Jenn's Survivor Recap

Wow... can you believe this season is almost over? And what a season it was been!!

I didn't think I was going to like it... but I was wrong, this has been a very fresh season of Survivor and I've enjoyed the unpredictableness of the show. I guess now that it's in it 100th season (or whatever) the plays think a lot more... I mean I can't even follow their strategies sometimes...

Anyway... so I was really tired last night so I accidentally slept through the reward challenge... but I woke up in time to see everything else. So Bob won reward... he's really dominating there... I'm very surprised he's so skinny but really smart... a Yauman... He took Kenny and Crystal on his reward. Whatever they were drinking looked delicious.

I bet it feels really nice to have a shower and clean clothes... I bet that's so so nice you can't even realize... The whole experience seemed like a real cool one... and despite what everyone says about Crystal it's nice that she finally got to experience a reward.

So I guess I missed when Bob agreed to give Kenny immunity if he won it (or did that happen last week?) Either way that played an important role in tonight's episode... I feel like people shouldn't agree to give away immunity... I mean remember when annoying Dreamz kept it that one season from Yau right?

So anyway... Matty was feeling like he was going to go next if he didn't win immunity... and one cannot blame him since he almost when home at the last tribal. Sugar seemed pretty set on sticking with Kenny and Crystal... until she saw them ganging up on Matty... in her words, kicking him while he's down... and suddenly she and Matty are aligned.

Now I know this whole game is about strategizing... but when it all depends on who gets immunity it's hard for me to think there's a point until you know who you can't vote for... is that strange?

The immunity challenge felt the castaways blindfolded... they had to complete an obstacle course while remembering how a mask feels and replicate it on the other end... Crystal sucked hardcore... I mean I know it's tough being blindfolded and all, but it can't possible be that tough to walk forward... but maybe that's just me... Susie didn't do much better either.

Bob ended up winning the valuable prize--no surprise there. So would he come true on his word to Kenny? Kenny wanted Bob to give him immunity so they could blindside Bob. Now, yes it's smart to try to get the strongest player out of the game, however what a lowball way to do it... Kenny decided to play up his vulnerability and even asked the others if Bob asked to pretend they were going to vote for him... the problem here is they are starting to not like Kenny.

Sugar "came clean" to Bob and told him they were going to vote for Crystal. This was also the last tribal the HII could be played... so how would that factor in? Sugar said she was going to use it so not to be blindsided herself... however she should use it... I mean she found the thing the first time out there, she deserves to actually use it!!

So tribal comes around and Kenny is still playing the I'm going home and I know it blues... They talk about the important issues... and when it comes time to vote and Jeff asks Bob if he's keeping immunity there's a long pause at which I'm yelling at the TV don't do it Bob... don't do it. And Bob thankfully hears me and doesn't give Kenny immunity since he doesn't think Kenny is in danger tonight.

Everyone votes... and Jeff asks if anyone wants to play the HII... Sugar (who is proudly wearing it around her neck) says "Matty, take this cursed thing away" and give it to Matty who plays it. None of his votes count and all of the others do... bye bye Crystal... it was most certainly your time... you sucked... it's true.

Did you see how excited the jury got? Part of me wonders why, but it was all pretty exciting... and nice mohawk Randy!!

So it's to the final Five...

Bob, the crafty little devil who is kicking ass and taking names
Matty, the seemingly not all there physical threat
Sugar, the under-rated intellegent pin up model
Kenny, the finally knocked off his high horse video gamer

and who else... there's five right? oh yeah...

Susie, the one who doesn't really seem to count and gets about 2 minutes of airtime.

Who do you think will win? I'm rooting for Sugar and Bob. Both deserve it for different reasons, but they both deserve it. But with how this season has been going it shall be very interesting what happens on Sunday... I know I'm excited!! Survivor Sunday... 3 straight hours... I.can.not.wait!!

Jenn's Survivor Recap

Did you miss me last week? It felt weird not writing anything about Survivor... then again what will I do when the season is over?!? I'm not sure I'll know what to do with myself.

I thought about writing briefly about the recap show, and maybe I should have... the best part about this was getting to see the audition tapes... wasn't Bob's great?!? I like him more week-to-week. The recap also confirmed my feelings for both Randy and Corinne. Corinne is a jerk... she's very self-centered... and frankly does not seem to get it... but more on that later. And Randy's love-affair with his dog... strange.

We join the Nobag tribe (did I ever mention how much that name blows? I mean seriously...) back at camp after one of the most memorable tribal councils EVER. Corinne is all pissy as usual and her and Sugar start having it out about how better to place this game. Between the two of them I really think Sugar's winning that...

At the reward challenge we quickly find out this is the Sprint sponsored family reunion spectacular. Each of the castaways got to see a short clip of their loved ones. It's amazing how emotional they can get from just a short message... I bet it's very uplifting... Bob's wife's was the best... 'I hope you're having the adventure of a lifetime' there's some love... I find it kinda funny here how almost immediately Corinne isn't even in it since no one wanted her on their team... She thinks it's a bad move, but who would want Debbie downer on their team... not I.

I think this challenge proves just how good Bob is... he can last at the physical challenges and I'm not sure anyone can beat him in a puzzle. I mean he solved that sliding puzzle in no time and was in no rush to let Jeff know...

Bob won pizza, beer, and the full message... it was adorable... Peggy (his wife) claimed she wanted to grab something to show him and disappeared on camera... Bob kept wondering where she went and then she surprised him in real life... they are an adorable couple. Bob got to bring her back to camp... with every one's loved ones... it was emotional and totally sweet. I love seeing the love.

Due to editing we didn't see barely any of the loved one chat with Susie, Crystal, or Corinne. Kenny spent his on-air time strategizing with his sister Jenny (okay did anyone else catch the fact his parents named their kids Kenny and Jenny... weird) Sugar and her sister said a prayer and released some of their dad's ashes, and Matty... oh Matty. The girlfriend he's been going on and on about was there... he was so happy I believe he forgot how to talk in complete sentences. I mean the proposal was sweet and all, but was anyone else kinda uncomfortable watching it?

With the loved ones showing up I really noticed how dirty everyone was... I mean compared to the nice clean loved ones the cast looked really grungy...

The immunity challenge involved a question/answer round (where wouldn't you believe it Sugar got all of the questions right) that each correct answer won you a ball. The balls were launched at a giant target in this weird hole thing. It was kinda crazy. Crafty crafty Bob ended up getting his closest to the center and won immunity.

And now the scheming begins... Bob and Corinne hatch this plan that Bob will use his mad skillz to create another fake HII (which looks awesome BTW, did I mention that man is crafty??) to trick some unsuspecting victim to vote with them to get Matty out. They choose Kenny and Crystal. They both think it's a good idea (to get Matty out) and Kenny decides he'll put down Matty's name and Crystal will vote for Corinne to flush out the HII. There's so many issues I have with this plan... for one if Bob DID have the HII why didn't he give it to Randy to keep better numbers? Or why would they need to tell Crystal and Kenny?

Tribal, as always, gets to the issues that are going on in camp... somehow Jeff seems to know exactly what questions to ask what people... hmm, wonder how he's all-knowing... When it comes time for someone to play the HII Kenny gives the death stare at Corinne and Bob... however they don't move. The vote comes down to 4 Corrinne - 3 Matty. Goodbye Corinne (I'll have more on this in a second)

My issue with this is why in the heck would Kenny put himself out there like that? I mean if they really did have a real HII then their votes alone would get Matty out, there's no reason Kenny needed to vote for Matty, I think the whole play was stupid and not thought out... and now you've angered the alliance... I really think this is Kenny showing his head is just getting too big for the game.

Now... finally to Corinne... what a bitter-bad sport!! She kept calling all the other castaways (other than Bob and interestingly enough Kenny) stupid mutants. I mean seriously... you got beat... you were a bitch to be around and they Outwit, Outlast, Outplayed you. And seriously what's the hatred toward Sugar? I mean the girl is smarter than you and she didn't fall under your "spell" even though you thought she did... and the girl found the HII on her first trip... you need to stop judging people... and quit being bitter... she seriously got on my nerves... I think she thinks this is her personality and people just don't get it, however I think she's sadly mistaken... people get it, you're a bitch... and not the good kind.

This season is heating up... who will win? It's really hard for me to call at this point, especially with all the bitter-butts on the jury... it could go anyway!!

Survivor Recap

Well… I keep saying this about this season’s Survivor… but boy was that a great episode. This season has really kept me on my toes. After watching all the previous seasons this one has had some crazy things happen that who could have imagined. I’ve read things out there that a lot of people do not like the cast of characters… they are different but definitely interesting… you have to give them that!!

Okay… I seriously don’t know where the logical place to begin is… so here I am jumping head first in…

Before the reward challenge we find Bob in the woods talking to Sugar about the hidden immunity idol. Bob confesses to Sugar that he made a fake HII. Why Bob decides to share this with Sugar is beyond me… but whatever. I like Bob and really I wanted him to show off that idol b/c it’s a damn cool looking fake idol. Sugar (and Crystal for the matter) are sick and tired of Randy. I am as well… his comments are ignorant and he’s just playing a very odd game.

Randy and Corinne know that they have to make someone switch to their side and they choose Matty. But it makes me wonder why they think Matty would switch if they still didn’t have the numbers AND they are jerks… some people just think their wonder woman.

Next is the reward challenge… the auction. I love this reward, I’m not really sure why but I love watching them want to pay $400 for a cheeseburger. Usually this challenge doesn’t really stir up much animosity but oh boy did this one ever… starting with the first item—Beer and peanuts. It’s a bidding war between Sugar and Randy. What’s really funny about this is Sugar doesn’t actually want to the beer she’s just messing with Randy and making him pay way more for it. She ends up letting Randy win the beer… but there is some obvious tension between Sugar and Randy

Kenny got to send someone to Exile and take all of their money. He chose Bob (poor Bob.) Susie won a bath and a new change of clothes, which she barely spent any time in the bath, if it were me I’d be bidding from the bathtub. Sugar won some peanut butter and chocolate which seemed pretty cool except she had nothing to wash down the peanut butter with… (this prize always reminds me of that season Jenna and Heidi got naked for some chocolate and peanut butter, oh that was a classic.) Matty won a burger, toppings, fries, and a soda. Randy won spaghetti, garlic bread, and a glass of wine. Corinne spent her entire bank roll on a advantage in the immunity challenge.

Now the drama… the last item. The first person to big $20 will buy the item for the entire tribe. Randy screamed out the first bid… and we all found out they were chocolate chip cookies. When Randy went up to claim his prize he must have not heard Jeff say “for the tribe” b/c it didn’t look like he intended on sharing. He offered one to Sugar who declined and then offered them to the rest… then he offered the last cookie to Sugar who then took it and gave it to Matty. Randy was pissed.

Randy then bitched and moaned back at camp about the silly cookie. He kept talking about how generous he was offering the cookies to the tribe (when in reality that was what he HAD to do.)

Matty, Kenny, Sugar, Crystal, and Susie were hanging out in the hut talking about their next move. Matty wanted to vote Bob out first (he’s liked and smart) and then Randy (people don’t like him and he’s weak.) It looks like Randy overhears the convo. And this is when Randy and Corinne devise what I consider an AWFUL plan. He figures that Bob has been to exile twice and was bound to find the HII (does he not even consider for a fraction of a second that Sugar may have found it after she’s been there 5 consecutive times??) Randy decides that he will turn the tribe’s attention to himself and be a giant ass to get everyone to vote for him. He will convince Bob to give him the HII and at tribal make a blindside that will leave Susie going home (you know revenge for voting off their beloved Marcus.)

The immunity challenge was fairly original having the cast first do a balance beam course (it always amazes me how bad some people are at walking a balance beam.) Then the second part was setting up a “dominoes” puzzle with knocking them all over while navigating a trip wire maze. It came down to the very end but Matty and Corinne were not able to set off their dominoes the entire way and Kenny was left victorious.

Here’s where last night’s episode got great. Sugar tells Bob that he should give Randy his fake HII… and Bob actually agrees to it!! So at tribal we basically know the entire time what’s going to happen, which may normally be bad but this time around was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. The votes are cast. Sugar’s comments were priceless, but oh Crystal. Crystal was quiet this entire episode, not even bidding at the auction. But she speaks so loudly during her vote that everyone can hear. I’ve never heard that before and it’s a classic.

Jeff collects the votes and asks if anyone want to play the HII. Randy gets up and plays it. What’s so great is Randy and Corinne look so very smug, like haha bitches we played you. The Jeff drops the bomb… “This is NOT a HII,” and their faces drop… meanwhile Sugar is laughing so hard. We were all laughing so hard b/c never in Survivor history did a jerk like Randy ever get a payback like this one. It’s totally worth him getting humiliated at tribal… it was amazing… I’m halfway surprised Randy didn’t go ballistic.

Next week… is there really another HII out there or is Bob trying to explain to Corinne why he gave Randy that HII? I know I can’t wait.

I really like Sugar in this game… she’s playing it very differently than anyone I’ve seen before but she’s good. No one thinks she’s as smart as she is and she’s honest. Her comments to everyone come across as genuine… and she’s funny. I really hated how Randy and Corinne (and others along the way) have underestimated her. Go Sugar!!

I don’t think this recap is as good as my others… this episode was very good… I swear so I hope I didn’t let anyone down!!

Jenn's Survivor Recap

Well, well, well... isn't this season becoming interesting?

Before I begin the most excellent recap ever... I just want to mention that Chad made us dinner last night and made some of the most flavorful chicken ever... Good Job Chad!!

Alright... I knew this week would be interesting, just because of how last week ended... (Marcus being voted out)

It was pretty funny to hear Corinne talking about Marcus still being around and how he would never go home and at the end of the day everything is okay b/c Marcus is here (what is it about him that's so intoxicating I wonder) Then... what I had been waiting for since last week... The Reward Challenge... The faces of Charlie and Corinne were priceless... their precious Marcus had been voted out. Jeff obviously called her out on this and she said the Marcus didn't deserve to go home...

Now, here's where I was impressed... Kenny asked her, then who did deserve to go home... Wow... haven't we seen the evolution of Kenny, not just as a Survivor player but as a person. Kenny has been proving himself a contender.

The reward challenge was a sling-shot golf game... which was really a pretty good challenge. It all came down to the last whole and all Fang had to do was basically drop the ball in the hole, Of course loud-mouth Randy once again had to have his say... Matty and Randy argued over how to get the ball 2 inches into the hole... come on, is it really worth the fight?!? What I found funny is Sugar did absolutely nothing in the challenge except follow them around... kinda funny if you ask me.

Fang won the reward which was to visit an African village... it was pretty funny watching all of them dance... and Randy thought an African woman was coming onto him... riiiight.

Fang also got to send someone to Exile. They chose Bob. Bob of course chose to get the clue and look for the HII. I think everyone must underestimate Sugar... b/c I really think they don't think she has that idol... Bob did not find the idol (kinda hard to find the HII when it's already been found...) But Bob made by far the most convincing HII. He really is a very smart guy, tree resin for glue... genius!! Speaking of fake HIIs one of the best lines in any season was last season (Fans vs. Favorites) Poor Jason found Ozzy's incredibly bad fake HII. When he gave it to Eliza to play she took one look at it and said that there's no way it was the HII that it was merely a stick. Jason retorted with "it has a face" And priceless Eliza said "but it's a fucking stick" Great!!

Everyone showed up at the immunity challenge and were informed the merge was happening... right now!! This is always where the show gets more interesting... at least I think so. So they were now fighting for individual immunity. It was a simple challenge (in theory) that they have used numerous times over the years. Build a fire and burn through a rope.

Chad thought that Bob would be first and that Matty would also be good at this challenge. Boy was he wrong. It really amazes me that the only two people who were in contention for immunity were Susie and Sugar. Chad pointed out that Susie was the one doing everything at camp so it really did make sense that she would be good at making a fire. No one else even got flames... just Sugar and Susie... crazy!!

So now it was time to figure out just who to vote out. The sides were split... Corinne, Randy, Charlie, and Bob and Matty, Crystal, Kenny, and Susie. Sugar was the swing vote.

Now here's what's interesting to me... the game that Sugar is playing. I like her... she is adorable. She's smart, but gullible... She rocks out in immunity challenges but most everyone underestimates her. She hasn't 'officially' been part of any alliance. She's playing a game I don't recall ever being played in Survivor history and I'm rooting for her.

I do not like Corinne. Why in the world she thought Sugar was just going to step in line with her after that talk was beyond me... she's a bitch... that's all there is about it (right now) She really think she knows how to play this game and really I don't think she's that great at it...

So back to who to vote out... Randy wanted Crystal gone (surprise surprise) and I guess I thought the other team would want Randy out. But here comes Kenny and somehow convinced them to vote for Charlie (he's the mastermind don't cha know?) When really Kenny wanted revenge for taking the second HII clue and giving it to everyone. Basically Kenny thinks Charlie stole the idol from him... Well Kenny how did you expect to go dig in the sand and have no one notice?

So it's all on Sugar... who is she going to vote for... I was dying!!

Tribal was interesting as always. Crystal point blank called out Randy and asked what did I do to you? Randy claims to have a list of problems and Crystal was like tell me them... and Randy lists one... that her and GC were walking around with their gang and being arrogant.

Randy is a jerk... and I'm pretty positive he's a big ol racist... I mean he seemed to (from the BEGINNING) have a problem with GC and Crystal. He keeps calling Crystal all sorts of names (Big Foot, T-Rex)... to me it's pretty clear he's racist and that makes me like him even less (if that's possible) and quite frankly his dirty shirt is really starting to bother me.

The rest of tribal really wasn't worth talking about... let's get to the vote... So we have the vote... who is it going to be?!?

Of course A-hole Randy writes down CC meaning Crystal and Jeff has to ask for clarification... I'm not sure I've seen that before... Jeff reads 4 Crystal votes in a row... The pulls out a Charlie... and suddenly Charlie knows he's not safe (I don't think in a million years he expected his name to be written down) Then comes 3 more Charlie votes... Charlie 4 Crystal 4 one vote left (we know it's Sugar's) and the person voted out... Charlie... OMG... ANOTHER BLINDSIDE 3 weeks in a row... this season is crazy!!

Charlie is flabbergasted but not mad, I mean he does get to go hang out with his crush Marcus... next week should be interesting!!

Jenn's Survivor Recap

I can't believe I almost forgot to do my Survivor Recap... Grosh what was I thinking?!?

Last night's episode was like no other. The tribes got a tree mail to bring all of their personal belongings and head to the beach... everyone (including me) thought the merge was coming... and they were all excited (as was I). They get to the beach and have a delightful spread of yummy treats... including wine (isn't it always funny how drunk they get... I'd probably want to get drunk too... I mean something different for a change... I also think about how much they gorge themselves and how they probably all have to use the bathroom... and not the pretty bathroom visits... the visits we never think about while watching the show... wow I got sidetracked)

So back to what I was saying the lovely spread of food... everyone was happy I mean the tribes were merging and there was food and new people to talk to and new plans to be deployed... No one really seemed to care about the ominous box that was waiting for them until they were done. While eating Kenny noticed a note with a clue to another hidden immunity idol. He wanted to keep it to himself however Charlie spoiled that plan and gave it to the rest of the group.

With everyone knowing where the second HII was, no one could very well just go and get it. Marcus inspired everyone as a group to make the decision to go find it and throw it into the ocean. (although Randy thought that he came up with the plan... the self proclaimed 'King of Gabon') So they went and found it and they gave everyone one last chance to take the idol... The problem here is everyone wanted it but no one could actually say they wanted it since that would be one giant target... So they took it out to ocean and threw it... wow... and immunity was right there... in front of everyone...

Remember that box? Well they opened it and were instructed to draw numbers and then odd on one team and evens on another... no merge two yet again reconstructed tribes. The new Kota (Marcus, Suzie, Bob, Crystal, and Kenny) and the new Fang (Corinne, Matty, Sugar, Randy, and Charlie) The 'Kota 6' was split up and they all assumed the plan was in motion.

Back at the new/old camps Marcus and Crystal figure out they have a connection and no longer does Marcus want to vote out Crystal (the original plan) Back at Fang Matty tells Sugar that Kenny lied to her and they need to stick together. The part about this that bothers me is the things Kenny said weren't all that far from the truth... so really it makes me think about how easy it is to sway Sugar.

The immunity challenge was interesting... I can't imagine how hard it would actually be... Crystal dropped out in like .3 seconds. Matty ended up winning the challenge for Fang. So Kota had a date at tribal...

Marcus pulls Crystal aside and informs her that he wants to bring her in with the 'Kota 6' instead of Suzie... and in order to do that she must vote off Kenny... her closest ally. I was scared at this point that Crystal might actually do that... but luckily she stuck true to Kenny... So then Crystal and Kenny tell Suzie this... and for awhile it seemed like Suzie wouldn't budge... but she ended up making the smart move and together with Crystal and Kenny they voted out Marcus, who I really thought would go a lot further in the game.

Another blindside at tribal... this season is really starting to get good!!

Jenn's Survivor Recap

Well wasn't last night's episode a doozy? It really seemed to go by fast... probably b/c there was non-stop action...

Poor Fang is just falling apart... I'm not sure I've ever seen a tribe this pathetic and that's including that tribe on that one season (see how I can keep them straight?) where Stephanie was the last one left... I keep thinking there's more people on Fang than there actually is, there was only 5 this time but it seemed like it should be more...

Crystal accidentally knocking over the rice just did not help them... None of them yelled at her... I think Matty said it best that what's the point of crying over spilled milk... yelling at her would just make things worse, what happened happened... Of course they are going to have those looks on their faces (as Crystal pointed out) you just spilled their rice and you were already low... it's the look of frustration...

I really think that Crystal has gone nutty... she's really starting to get on my nerves... someone get her a burrito.

Fang lost the reward challenge in Fang style... not scoring a single point. It really makes me wonder why they but Sugar in positions that have so much influence on winning or losing (having her direct Ace in that giant carnival game and now trying to break the ball) she just isn't that great in challenges like that... she's too cute. When asked who Kota wants to send to Exile... they send Sugar... for the 5th straight time!! At least she gets food and shelter which is probably better than being at Fang anyway.

The immunity challenge was where the shit started to get stirred... everyone was going to tribal... oh yes, finally some Kota drama!! There was going to be a challenge to get individual immunity with a twist coming at the end... What I found the funniest is that Dan knew he needed to win immunity and said something along the lines of needing to win it not by a little but by a lot to prove himself (which didn't make much sense to me, but putting that aside) he sets onto the log and falls off almost the quickest of any of them... way to prove yourself Dan!!

The final comes down to Sugar, Ace, and Marcus. After Sugar fell off, I was rooting so much for Marcus... I just did NOT want Ace to win... that way he'd have a chance (at least) to be voted out at TC... Marcus won (YAY) and the twist was he had to assign immunity to someone on the other tribe... who does he pick... none other than Sugar (interesting move)

So now is when the scrambling begins... Kenny 'lies' to Sugar about things Ace was saying while she was off at Exile... now he's lying about these things however they would be things Ace actually believes and probably says in his mind, so was it really a stretch? Ace just seals his fate when he asks Sugar for the HII, which she doesn't give him (YAY) Tribal was interesting Crystal and Ace have it out... when the votes are being read it all comes down to the last vote, which we know is Sugar's (does she go with Kenny and Crystal or Matty and Ace?) Ace is written down... they blindsided Ace the pompous ace-hole went home... AWESOME!!

After Fang's TC was over we still had a whole other one!! Kota's!! We finally get to see where the drama is at on Kota. From last week's episode we see that Dan is annoying and that Susie is on the outside looking in... Marcus, Charlie, Randy, and Corinne seem to form an alliance... And they seem to decide on Dan... The Corinne goes and tries to find out what page Susie was on and Susie blurts out that she was going to vote Corinne... that send Corinne into a fit (but can you really blame her?) So we know it's going to come down to Susie or Dan. Dan ends up being voted out but the voting was interesting. I think the alliance wanted to make sure that Dan didn't have the HII (he did go to Exile once way back in the beginning, remember??) So just in case they split their votes between Dan and Susie, with Dan going.

Dan kinda reminded me of that kid from Arrested Development and SuperBad and Nick and Nora's Infinate Playlist? Anyone? Anyone?

Oh and side note... Randy is such a jerk... I hope he goes soon!!

The episode did not disappoint... and it seems like next week they're merging... and it always gets better when they merge.

Jenn's Survivor Recap

Possibly my favorite TV show is Survivor... So I plan on giving my own recap/opinions on the show. I've watched every season of Survivor and only missed a couple of episodes total... While I'm probably not as big of a fan as some I know a lot about Survivor and while I can't recall every person who has played the game or even every person that has won Survivor I still know a lot!! So here is the first weekly installment of Jenn's Survivor Recap!! (if you can think of a better name please let me know!!)

The episode began as they all do... with a recap of what's been going on... The recap confirmed (to me) what I've been thinking since last week-- that they showed us something out of order. I felt that before last week's tribal council they showed us the Crystal finding Sugar's hidden immunity idol AFTER GC was complaining about wanting to go home... Since last week I really thought they played this out of order to make it seem like they were going to vote for Sugar instead of GC... sneaky sneaky... I also like how they only show the tribe members that are left and what deal they are on... I noticed this last season especailly when it got the the jury members... I like it!!

Anywho back to last night's episode...
Poor poor Fang... they just can't get it together and their food supply is limited... their morale is just down... way down... Since they haven't won any challenges they haven't gotten any of the food rewards not to mention the fact they wasted their rice early and from what they can tell only have enough food to last 6 days... that can't be good...

Randy is annoying... The way he cheered when he found out that GC went... (yes, GC needed to go, but seriously...) Kota is a much stronger team... and I'm impressed how long Bob and Randy lasted in the challenge... But after they won all the delightful pastries (that I was even wanting and I was full from chili cheese fries) did Randy really need to gloat about it... he's a jerk... I hope he doesn't win... he's also the wedding videographer who doesn't believe in marriage, sorry I don't want you filming my wedding if you don't believe in freaking marriage...

We finally got to see some drama in the Kota tribe... Dan is a hog and now they want to divide out the reward win... I don't recall seeing a tribe ever do this... it does make sense... it's just funny to be that they are only doing it b/c of Dan the pig. Dan reminds me of someone... but I'm just not sure who. Randy is smart though... he should distance himself from Dan... it's the smart move.

Poor Sugar was sent back out to exile... she's probably spent more time there than she has with her tribe and that just has to suck... It was sad to see her cry over the fact she's well fed while the rest of her tribe is starving... (I couldn't help but snicker though since the pineapple was eaten in the back ground... I would have totally gone for the pineapple first too... or maybe last... I love fresh pineapple) Speaking of Sugar... I cannot believe she would give up the hiddon immunity idol... When everyone knows you have it is when you need it the most... silly silly girl. Not to mention when Ace was talking about having the HII he didn't even factor in Sugar needing it... jerk!!

The immunity challenge was pretty exciting... Leave it to Matty and Kenny to figure out to go over the obstacles instead of through them... I can't believe Ace lost it for them... Jeff even told him like three time you won't have to force the pieces and what does he do?!? Shoves hard... perfect solution if you ask me!! What I can't believe even more is that the rest of the tribe just stood around and watched this... you deserved to lose Fang... sorry... you did... I was rooting for you and you lost it... no one to blame but yourselves and Ace (who ironically enough didn't really blame himself... hmmm)

Since Fang has constantly been losing I really haven't been able to get to know the members of Kota... I mean I know there's Randy, Corinne, Bob, Dan, Marcus, the gay guy who loves Marcus... and is that it?!? I don't know enough about them... they need to lose sometime just for the sake of getting to know the charecters...

Before tribal was interesting (as always)... They should have voted out pompus Ace... but Matty gave his word to Ace to keep him around until the merge... Given Kelly was annoying when she talked... at first I thought that she was misunderstood... turns out I was wrong... just annoying and picked fights... she needed to go... I don't know how I feel about Crystal... Miss Olympic Gold Medalist hasn't done much... but I can't blame her... she's on a losing team... it's going to get to you at some point... I'm so happy that Kenny convinced Sugar to get back the HII... Kenny's so nice.

Tribal council was interesting... I love Jeff... he's gotten really good at this... the fighting... and Ace provided more reason to get rid of Kelly... he's good... When she tried to blame him he turned it right back around... he's good... they need to get rid of him... and so Kelly went... everyone voted her way... (which you knew what would happen when she wrote down Crystal, since they probably would have used her to vote out Ace) I can't believe Cystal gave Kelly the middle finger while voting for her... that was awesome!!

I've decided I like Sugar (wish she would drop Ace) and Kenny... I've like him from the beginning... but I'm not picking a winner yet... there's absolutely no way I can at this point it would just be a complete guess and I want a little more to go into the choice...

Next week we are finally going to get the drama we need from Kota... I know I'm looking forward to that!!