Okay guys…
Well, I am sorry this is so late, but better late than never…right?
This one will be short and sweet and not all that clever — just the facts ma’am. (Name that show….)
As far as the outcome of the show, I was not surprised. Having sat in on the final tribal council it seemed pretty clear at the time that JT would win. I didn’t expect it would be a total sweep but I think Stephen did himself in when he admitted he wouldn’t have taken JT to the end. Stephen would have been foolish to take JT if given the choice. JT knew that and it poured the "pretend shock and hurt" on thick trying to garner jury votes. It worked.
Final Tribal Councils are quite tricky because the jury is almost always very upset that they are not in the final and so they are looking to get the last word in edgewise. Stephen was a sitting duck next to JT.
No, I don’t feel sorry for Stephen. He played a very good game, but JT deserved to win. In fact, I’d go further and say that JT is one of the best overall players ever to play Survivor. He has it all and he has to come back if there is ever another All-Star season.
How fun was it to see a winner embrace his family with suchaffection. JT certainly seems to come from a good family. I’m happy forhim. I’ll bet his work life back home undergoes a significant change.The world he’s in is very competitive and now that he’s "JT fromSurvivor" something tells me he is going to have a few more doorsopened. I hope so, seems like a genuine guy.
The Live ReunionShow was much better than I anticipated. I actually prepared myself fora rather ho-hum live show. Fortunately from the moment we began, withtears from JT until the very end with me accepting a dare from Regisand Kelly to wear a mystery necklace (which is now up for auction) theentire show was very fun.
Coach, was of course one of thehighlights with his surprise lie detector test results. In case you arewondering — yes I was COMPLETELY caught off guard. I am going to haveto do a better job in the future of making sure Survivors understandthat if you have something you want to do on our "LIVE" Reunion show,you have to run it past me first. That could have been a disaster. Liveshows are tightly timed and the censors are quick to pull the plug ifthey sense something going south. Fortunately Coach did a great job andhe went out the same way he came in — with major fanfare.
Do Ibelieve the test? Sure. I have no reason not to believe it. I thinkit’s fascinating that we immediately assume he is lying. That’s why Isuggested the lie detector test in the first place. I wasn’t there forthe test and no, I am not going to call the guy who administered thetest to check up on it because ultimately it’s irrelevant to me.Whether or not Coach is telling the truth was never all that importantto me, I just found him to be a fascinating guy.
After meetinghis "lady friend" I find him even more interesting. How the heck didCoach score an accomplished, beautiful and well-spoken woman? Who wouldhave guessed that?! Good for you, Coach!
And let’s be fair — his "lady friend’ had the line of the night when she said, "I slay the dragon slayer!"
I thought Sierra did herself proud and I was blown away that she was in the top 3 for the Sprint Player of the Season award.
EddieGeorge was a nice highlight as well. Judging by the way he started fireso easily, he would be great to have on the show, I wonder if he’d beup for it?
There is always a dilemma for me when it comes tothe "back row." The "back row" refers to those folks who for whateverreason were voted off early in the show. This season it was Catalina,Candace, Sandy, Joe, Jerry, Spencer, Sydney. They typically don’t havemuch to contribute simply because they weren’t there long enough. Ialways have the desire and the intention to give them a "moment" but Ialways wonder if I am sacrificing something more entertaining in theprocess. Always a tough call for me. It may not always be the case, butto date I have always talked to every single Survivor at the live show.Not sure that’s worth anything but just sharing.
Okay — three last notes:
1.If you want to own a piece of Survivor and benefit my charity, TheSerpentine Project, at the same time — you can go to eBay where thereis a Survivor auction that goes on for a few more days. Torches, urns,tribe flags, even the Regis and Kelly necklace is up for bid.
2.If you’re in the market for a Jeff Probst Bobble Head — yes, that’swhat I said, a Bobble Head, you’re in luck. CBS has made one andthey’re for sale. Bear in mind, I don’t make anything off of this, notone single penny. I just want to let you know it’s out there. I’m surethere’s a few of you that would like to get one simply so you can smashthe head every time I say something you don’t like.
3. Finally,Survivor: Samoa should be fun — I like the group of people we have.But you guys are the ultimate judge, you decide if the season was goodor not. I look forward to hearing from you again next season.
Have a good summer!
Survivor Talk: JT, Stephen, Erinn, and Taj Talk Tocantins:
Comments (1-30) of 154 Add your comment
Dragnet.
Loved this season, but felt sorry for Stephen. He really helped JT along and it’s sad he wasn’t thrown a single vote.
It’s not a lie if you believe it.-
George Costanza
when do we find out about the cast?
Jeff, OMG, I was just checking ET to see if by chance you had posted, and there you are.
Just want to say THANK YOU for a great show. I was one of those bashers that was not happy with the show at the get go, but was very happy with the outcome. For once the contestant that I was rooting for WON the million.
See you in September. I’ll be missing you; suffering withdrawals.
Fantastic job at the finale. You seemed caught off guard for a split sec but like a pro you recovered quickly. (Tyra Banks would have tore off her weave and breathed fire if someone did that to her) Looking forward to next season. My only wish is that you feed some of them less. I am pretty sure JT gained weight out there. I love when the hunger factor makes people do stupid things at camp/tribal.
Dragnet.
Do I get to be the first Canadian on Survivor now?
Well, it was just an okay season for me. All the contestants were friendly and non-combative — the type of folks you want to know in real life, but not on a reality show.
Survivor Gabon had some true nasties (Randy, Corinne) that kept you fuming and swearing at the TV which, sadly, makes for better viewing and a far more unpredictable ending. You couldn’t miss guessing this season’s winner unless you were brain-dead.
Jeff, please always take the time to speak to the back row! Some of those people were early favorites and otherwise it would feel like a waste for them to even to come to the reunion.
Jeff, someone posted on the old board that the lie detector test taken in Calif. is no good. They are not legal there, so there is no one licensed to do them. Also, you didn’t read if it was the truth or not. You just read the question and answer he gave. Looking forward to Samoa!! also hope you sign on for more seasons after these next two. Please don’t leave Survivor Jeff. No one else could do it as good as you!!
Thank you Jeff for a wonderful blog & season! Can’t wait for Samoa – you have huge fans in our family, been there since before Season 1 (having first watch the Swedish version Robison before it came Stateside). Thought you handled the reunion show great – I respect and like that you give each contestant a moment to speak, but keeping it short with the back row is definitely the way to go… Take care and have a great summer!
Jeff, I love that you make it a point to talk to every contestant during the reunion show. Sometimes one of my favorites is the back row so it’s nice to see them again.
Jeff, I didn’t realize you’ve talked with every Survivor at each live reunion show, but I think that’s cool. It’s nice for them to have a moment in the spotlight, and those who have been on the show longer have already been featured quite a bit throughout the course of the season.
I like the chat with the back row. Even one sentence validates their being picked for the show and it is nice to be reminded of who was on early on now that contestants get cut from the opening credits when they’re out.
um Jeff..
There is always a dilemma for me when it comes to the “back row.” The “back row” refers to those folks who for whatever reason were voted off early in the show. This season it was Catalina, Candace, Sandy, Joe, Jerry, Spencer, Sydney.
I believe her name was Carolina ..though Catalina is a nice island ..how could you forget Carolina’s peaks and valleys ?
Always enjoy this blog. I believe Coach’s lady friend’s line was actually “I slay the dragon” which makes it all that much better and more inappropriate.
Definitely keep talking to the back row – it would be a shame to not give them each at least one moment. After all, they did come all the way out to be part of the reunion show and were part of the show.
I’m glad you talk to the back row contestants, Jeff. That always gives the Reunion show a sense of closure. Also, I do hope there is another All-Stars edition. While it is a little more boring because we know the people already, it’s a nod to all of us who have watched from the beginning and stuck with Survivor. Cheers and keep smiling!
Thanks for this season’s blogs Jeff. Read them all.
Thanks Jeff! I was wondering if U’d do a final blog. lol I have been looking forward to it. Thank you for the blog this season. I enjoyed Coach as well and I don’t want to know if he lied or not. lol He was entertaining. But would I want to be stranded with him on Survivor? NO! lol JT deserved to win. Like U, I think Stephen was a sitting duck at Tribal Council. Thanks so much Jeff. And I always like it when u give the ‘back row’ a moment. I like that. As for the Jeff Bobble Head, I would contact CBS about using your ‘likeness’ so you can be paid. lol And does the Bobble Head come with or without a shirt? lol And if it rains on said bobble head, will its head bounce around even more? -) lol I’m bad.
Jeff- I will miss your blogs on Fridays. I will also miss reading about your love of rain. I will not miss your love of Coach or Sierra. Fortunately you will be back in September for another exciting(hopefully) season of Survivor! BTW I was happy that JT won, but liked Stephen as well!
What a great live show. I like to get the inside scoop and the real backstory. Coach is great! http://www.asialove88.com/
This was the one of the best Survivors. I give all the credit to whoever did the editing. They did an excellant job. My favorite all time episode is when Tyson was blindsided. Five stars for that one!
How about this for a future survivor. Survivor: The fallen. All the contestants that left too early due to injury but really wanted to be there too the end. Just a suggestion.
Yes Jeff absolutely 150-200% keep interviewing the back row. They auditioned, went through the rough start that all Survivors go through before ‘routine’ sets in. They deserve another moment in the sun. Everyone has at least 1 story to tell about their experience.
I’m glad you talk to the backrow people. If you’re looking for a little more time with the winners/jury, I’d much rather see you cut out that walk the final three make to remember all of the “fallen.” That’s a snoozer – but it’s fun to see them live on the reunion and hear a quick update.
Hey Jeff- My wife and I would love to see another All Star Season. Can you make it happen?
Enjoyed hearing your thoughts this season, Probster. Hope you do it again next season – really adds to the Survivor experience!
Have a “rainy” summer, buddy! wink wink…
Amazing job Jeff, I really enjoyed your blog here.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, for the finale blog. It helps with closure. This was one of my favorite seasons. I will miss JT, Stephen, Tyson, Sierra, and Taj; they were entertaining.
Loved the show, LOVE you Jeff..have a great summer,hope you get to go somewhere rainy with someone special! Cant wait for SAMOA!!!
Hey Jeff! I’m applying for the season after Somoa. Hope to see ya there! but for now, have a great summer!