Preface: It’s late. I’m beat. I mean wiped out. I’m sitting on my couch banging this out, so forgive me if it’s not the most entertaining blog of the season. (For more on last night’s finale, including who won, follow the jump.)
Bob wins!! I’m happy. I really think he deserved it. I love that he’s 57 and our oldest winner — we need more people over 50 playing this game. I was a bit annoyed with Bob about one thing…during the show Bob was so long winded, always ready with another story about this or that. We get to the live reunion show and he’s suddenly the shy girl in the corner with braces and a ponytail, who doesn’t want to be there. Bob, you made it tough, but I’m still happy for you.
If Susie had won I don’t know what I would have said or how I would have justified such a decision by the jury. Yes, Susie did a good job making it far enough to put her in a position to have a shot at the money. But to get three votes and nearly get a fourth vote from Randy really surprised me.
Equally surprising was that Sugar received no votes. Not one jury member thought she was worthy of a vote. I’m guessing there’s a "bitter Betty" pill going around in that bunch. They’re mad that she had a hand in voting them out, and they’re gonna show her by not rewarding her hard work. There is no doubt about it, Sugar played a pretty damn good game.
If this were a "fair" game, which it often is not – Sugar would have received a few votes and Susie would have none. To future Survivor contestants. If you make it to the jury, try to just let the anger and envy go and see the big picture. You got your ass kicked – no way around it – now quit being a baby and reward the person who kicked your ass by giving them your vote.
Tired update: My eyes are starting to close. Forgive me but it’s been a long week.
Highlight of the night: Corinne. Case settled. She is a bitch and she loves it and she might be nuts and if she’s dating somebody…wow, that must be a crazy life. Some highs, some lows, and some "I gotta get out of here. She’s gonna stab me in the face!" Corinne, you were great tonight, don’t beat yourself up. You were funny and you secured your spot as Queen Bitch of Survivor. Congratulations.
Randy was also a bit of a let down on the reunion show. He has a very interesting story, which he shared with me before the show. But it was like pulling teeth getting him to share any of it tonight. It’s okay, bro, I still love you, but you failed to live up to the standards you set while on the show. You went out with a bit of a whimper…but you got a lot of laughs and so in that sense I am happy to be your straight man.
Crystal, you earned my respect by owning your poor performance. Nicely done.
Kenny. Same thing. You earned major kudos by owning the fact that you got cocky and you got played. One question: Who was Kenny talking to? It was so odd, as he kept looking out to the audience or down to his feet or over to the side or anywhere but to me, the guy asking the questions. I still love ya, bud. Nice job. You proved me wrong. I thought you’d be voted out first or second.
Bob winning the Sprint Player of the Season – I think this was the most satisfying part for me because it says one thing very clearly: The person that the audience most liked…won the game. That’s fantastic. I love it when that happens.
Okay, you guys want me to be candid – I am too tired to finish the blog. I’m sorry. I can’t even spell check this thing. It’s all a big blur.
I hope you will forgive me.
I have loved blogging with you guys. I have loved all of the feedback. So fun to have this exchange. Thank you for letting me air out some of my inner dialogue. With the money I saved, I just bought myself an iPhone.
Survivor: Brazil is going to be very different from Gabon. A lot of likable people and a very differently played game. I think you are going to like it.
Dalton, thanks for the space. Let’s do it again next season.
I’ll be sound asleep while most of you are reading this. Good morning.
Now check out our original pre-game interviews with the final 5 and then read Dalton’s recap.
More Jeff Probst and Survivor:
Jeff Probst: The Best of His Blog
Meet the Cast of Survivor: Gabon
Thanks Jeff. Reading your blog has been incredibly entertaining. Get your rest and see you soon !!!
i think Bob did a great job.
Thanks for the great season and the terrific blog, Jeff. Get some rest and we’ll see you in Brazil.
I LOVED your blog + Dalton’s – I hope you do it again next season!
Thanks for doing this Jeff. It’s been great reading these blogs the whole season. EW, you better make this happen next year! I am very pleased that Bob won both prizes. He was a great competitor, and fun to watch. Jeff, I share your shock of Susie almost winning and sweet, delectable Sugar getting nothing at all. Suck it up jury and reward gamesmanship!
The blogs have been very enjoyable. A new dimension to the whole Survivor experience. It would be so great to win a contest and get to spend the 39 days as a crew member or gofer on the show. Just to see it once. I guess the blogs maybe give us a slice of that. So thanks for taking the time and effort.
But I still wish Jessica would have won, she was responsible for the most interesting parts of this season.
GREAT Blog Jeff,
hope they let you do it again next season fo sho. Also, cant wait till Survivor Brazi, should be good to see lots of likable people.
Hopfully theres still lots of strategy though.
Thanks Jeff! It was great having you to “chat” with this season. Sleep well, and looking forward to February!
So annoyed that, not only did Sugar get no jury votes, but she didn’t even win the favorite player. Were people watching? Whether she was actively strategizing or not, the entire last half of the season turned on her. She played an awesome game, and she played with her heart.
Thanks Jeff, I enjoyed reading your blog this whole season. I’m actually quite interested to know about Randy’s story too – but he clearly didn’t want to share it on TV. Oh well. Can’t wait for the next season!
Thank you for your blog Jeff. Having watched the show every season since the first, it is nice to finally get your perspective on it. Please come back and share your thoughts for the next season. Happy Holidays!
Jeff,
Have you ever thought of pitting family members against each other? My son and I have watched since the first season. I’m 52 and he’s 25. We’d like to volunteer to be the first father/son duo. let us know…Another great show this one. Corrine should marry Randy.
Thanks Jeff. This blog was wonderful as it answered many questions that would have gone unanswered. Another great dimension for the franchise. Please keep doing this for the rest of the series (or for your life I hope).
You have grown each season, and for the better. Your insight, challenge comments, and pointed questioning at TC has made the show much better than at the beginning.
Get some rest and THANKS again.
I’ve really enjoyed these blogs. I have to admit that I’m only a recent Survivor convert. I didn’t start watching until Cook Islands, but I’m a total addict now. It’s nice to get a behind the scenes perspective and I love that Jeff actually read these comments and addressed questions that posters have had.
Jeff is totally deserving of that Emmy he won earlier this year. I love how he interacts with the contestants!
Jeff, thanks for blogging. I wish Sugar had won, but knew she wouldn’t. But it was unreal that she didn’t get any votes. I think the editing let us viewers down in one respect: apparently Sugar cried so much she annoyed people enough that they wouldn’t vote for her. But we never had a hint that she was crying all the time. We should have been showed how annoyed people were at her for crying and at Susie for talking so much. Then people’s hostility to Sugar would have made some sense.
I disagree with you about Randy. He was purely unlikeable. If he had a likeable side, it was edited out—watch your editing!
It wasn’t a great season (but the all-star one last time with Parvati et al was a hard act to follow—the best since the very first season, imo) but this season picked up toward the end.
Jeff, I hope next time you will watch how much more often you talk to the men than the women at tribal, and try to get rid of some of the show’s sexism. (sorry, but it is a little sexist.)