Fair Warning:
I haven’t been feeling too well for the past few days, so tonight as I sat down to write this I took a Zyrtec. It certainly cleared up my sinus issue but in doing so has made me really drowsy. Major drowsy. So this is my first blog written under the influence of an “over the counter, readily available at any pharmacy” drug. Here goes…
FOA FOA
Here’s my take on Foa Foa. If they lose again, I believe they will vote out Jaison due to his attitude and lack of motivation, and the three remaining tribe members (Mick, Natalie, and Russell) will pray for a merge. If there is a merge, Russell should be the first to go, and after that it doesn’t matter, they won’t have a chance. They need a miracle right now to have any shot of staying in this game.
THE MIRACLE
The miracle would be making it to the merge and then making something happen. Big and immediate. Count on Russell to give it his best shot… If there is a crack in Galu’s armor he will find it and he will do his best to exploit it in the most beneficial way. Thus, Russell is Foa Foa’s only hope at this point. He’s just crazy enough to risk it all on a wild plan. Natalie is very sharp and if he holds onto her, together they could make something happen.
INSIGHT: Yes, we were well aware at this point that we could have a Palau situation on our hands. If you remember in Palau, one tribe lost challenge after challenge until only Stephanie was left in her tribe. It was an amazing thing to watch as Stephanie overcame tremendous odds and made it deep into the show and is now considered an “all-star” as a result of her efforts. As to whether or not this season will have a merge, can’t tell you that. Not even under the influence of Zyrtec. Ambien maybe, Zyrtec no.
SHAMBO LEADS
The election of Shambo as leader really impressed me. Great move by the men of Galu.
INSIGHT: I was not aware of the motivation for making Shambo the leader. I had no idea it was the guys’ idea nor did I realize the strategy behind it. Brilliant. They pulled a major fast move on the women and in doing so shifted the game. They also created a crack in the armor which could come back to haunt them if Russell and Co. make it to a merge.
Yes, I feel for Shambo. She is such an underdog. She is so sincere, so eager to lead her tribe. It’s hard to listen to the comments from her tribemates about why they elected her as leader. They have absolutely no intention of ever letting her make an important decision. I hope she proves to be an amazing leader.
REWARD CHALLENGE
The memory challenge is one of those challenges that is not that exciting to watch, but usually creates great drama in terms of heroes and goats. That is why we do it. Truth be told, the best person to ever play this game is my favorite honorary niece, Skyleur. She’s younger than most of the pants I wear on the show but her memory is uncanny. She plays this game while watching the show and never ever misses. Just sharing.
I really thought Foa Foa had a shot at this challenge. A simple reward would have gone so far with them. But once again they fall short and as a result fall further behind in the game.
PAYBACK IS A BITCH
There is no doubt in my mind that Shambo sent Laura over to Foa Foa because Shambo just does not like having her around. Sometimes it’s nice to be Queen.
IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
Sometimes I make the right call, sometimes I don’t.
INSIGHT: When explaining this challenge to the Survivors I always give them a chance to ask questions before we run the challenge. Someone asked if they could push their boat instead of using the paddles. Usually this is a terrible idea as the water gets too deep to do any pushing and the paddles are much more effective.
So, without even consulting John Kirhoffer our Challenge Producer, I said, “Sure. Knock yourself out.” Turns out I was wrong. That one little decision completely changed the challenge. It took out all of the drama of having to figure out how to paddle while fishing for the puzzle pieces. I knew it moments after the challenge started, but there wasn’t anything I could do – the decision had been made. It was still a fair challenge, so it didn’t affect the game, but my decision changed the design of the challenge and as a result it didn’t run as well as it should. That’s all on me. I blew it.
To his credit, John Kirhoffer, our Challenge Producer, never said a word. Then again, he didn’t have to — I was painfully aware.
WAS LIZ THE RIGHT VOTE?
That’s a tough one. I think Liz had a great attitude, but the trust factor was too much. I imagine this was one of those votes when you had to really trust your gut.
Question of the week: Will Foa Foa win another challenge or will they continue to crumble?
Thanks for understanding that I’m not 100% today, I’ll try to make it up to you next week but I’m done for tonight. Zyrtec wins.
Going to sleep.
Check out our exclusive deleted scene below and read Dalton Ross’s TV recap.
More Survivor:
Survivor: Samoa recap: Welcome to the Puppet Show
Comments (1-30) of 430 Add your comment
If you want to have any mystery surrounding whether or not there will be a merge, you might want to talk to the promo department!
Yeah, that question got settled about 2 seconds after “Next time on… Survivor“.
It’s hard to watch foa foa keep wndering why they are losing its totally Russels fault for getting rid of the strongest players early on but surely the whole remembers voting off those people themselves? I think they lost because without food you are mentaly not sharp. VERY sad Liz is gone she IMO was the best player on this last challenge. Honestly you guys are giving away too much on the promo for next weeks episodes…quit it!
Aww Shambo I do like her but dislike the “Dim” comment. I really don’t like that guy that said it so I want him voted off next!Shambo is definitely not my favorite player, I just hate mean people.I dont know his name but he looks like an ugly Kevin Spacey Ha Ha
Oh yeah I forgot… Jeff I love ya and really hope you feel better soon!
YUP… Sydney is right! STOP IT!!!!
Yeah I really like that:
Next time on (PAUSE ONE SECOND. STEADY. KEEP IT ONE SECOND)Survivor.
Even as a preview they are really quite a tease.
Galu clearly has the advantage going to the merge but with Shambo as their leader…not really sure if she can be swayed by Russell the Hustler.
My power rankings post merge could be:
1. Eric (with hidden immunity idol)
2. Brent
3. Dave
4. John
5. Shambo
6. Kelly
7. Natalie
8. Monica
9. Russell H. (H.I.I.2)
10. Laura
11. Mick
12. Jaison
The Male Galu controls the wheel if they play it right.
Russell H is the wildcard.
My ranking would be:
-Russell
-Natalie
-Mick
-Erik
-Dave
-John
-Jaison
-Brett
-Laura
-Shambo
-Monica
-Kelly
I think its going to be Foa Foa Final 4 (maybe not Jaison). Galu will probably end up like last season where there’s gonna be a power struggle.
Mine is:
1. Mick
2. Natalie
3. Brett
4. Russell
5. Shambo
6. Kelly
7. Monica
8. John
9. Laura
10. Dave
11. Jaison
12. Erik
I think Erik is going to be blindsided next week..
its going to be interesting to see what happens this year. i dont think any of foa foa are going out anytime soon. galu is going to eat itself and foa foa might join one side taking out the others just like last season.
12. kelly
11. monica
10. laura
9. Jaison
8. Russle play idol eliminating eric and his idol
7. along with shambo, foa foa votes out john
6. Bret
5. john
4. Shambo
3. natalie (mick wins immunity and takes Russle)
2. Russle (even though he perfectly deserves to win everyone will se he is a snake)
1. Mick
i will not be surprised if all of mine are wrong. i doubt any are right but it might. you never know.
my number 5 should be dave.
My rankings. I don’t necessarily think Jaison will go next, but I feel 100% he will not last. I could see any one of the guys from Galu going home in a blindside though I ranked ‘em all high because I don’t know which one.
1. Dave
2. Brett
3. Natalie
4. Mick
5. Erik
6. John
7. Russell H
8. Shambo
9. Kelly
10. Laura
11. Monica
12. Jaison
I have to disagree with Stanley Tang. I don’t think this season is anything like last season. As a matter of fact, I think it’s the complete opposite. Last season, the dominant tribe had all kinds of power struggle with Coach, Tyson and Brendan. I believe this power struggle was a result of distrust between Coach/Tyson & Brendan because Brendan lied about the immunity idol and was sent to Exile Island too many times. Plus, Coach & Tyson were jerks. I don’t see any of those things in the dominant tribe this season. There really isn’t that level of distrust amongst anyone in Galu. Plus, there really aren’t any jerks in Galu. If you think about it–the distrust (Russell’s distrust with everyone on his tribe) and jerks (Russell, Ben) are all on the losing tribe this season: Foa Foa. That’s why I think this season is actually the opposite of last season.
I strongly believe that the conversation between Russell and Laura would be crucial to keep the former member of Foa Foa to be in the game for a long time. Many people thought that it would be Shambo who is going to flip whenever 2 tribes are merged, but I think that its going to be Laura. I think it’s going to down to Laura feels like shes betrayed by her male Galu members in regards to voting Shambo as new leader, and she’s going to come with a plan to include Kelly and Monica and to be sided with all four members of Foa-Foa.. Basically I’m thinking that four Galu male members are going to be voted out soon.
I’ve got
12) Erik
Monica
11) John
10) Brett
9) Dave
7) Laura
6) Kelly
5) Jaison
4) Shambo
Go back with ALL FOA FOA:
Mick, Russell and Natalie
There’s no Brent on the show.
wow! yeayyy was right on!
Does he play the stock market too?
But could it be one of those situations where they think it’s a merge but it’s really 2 tribes living together?
I doubt it since they all got new buffs.
it also could be like what they did in Fiji.. One merged tribe, but at first immunity and tribal council, they are separtated as two groups in one tribe..
I’m trying to remember, in the preview for next week, if Probst said they merge or if the contestants assumed they were merging…maybe there isn’t a merge.
Kimberley, the previews for next week show them all in new buffs. In the past that has only happened with a merge.
Come on give Jeff a break..he’s on Zyrtec after all. BTW…what is Zyrtec?
Love Survivor, but where are the DVDs? Who do we need to contact about this?
I have another question. Mike and Russell’s exits have negated the effect of the double tribal council. BUT were there any other plans in place that Mike’s exist affected? Was there a double tribal council planned for earlier than day 15, etc.?
I know they have a DVD of the All-Star Season – I have it. There’s a great little bonus documentary about how they create the challenges.
I’m with you Bob. I would pay for Survivor DVDs – it’s one of those games you don’t mind watching again
)
btw, thanks Survivor producers for not making this the Russell show like it felt at the beginning of the season. Shambo has provided variety! STILL have no clue who’s gonna win!
You can find the unofficial DVD’s for the seasons that have never been released by CBS on-line. You just need to find them. I bought them and my kids watched the seasons that they were to young to watch at the time.
Sweet, I have every season on DVD. Bought them on Amazon. All but the 6 that were released, and the ones I’ve been recording sans commercials for the last 4 seasons. They are out there, you just have to look. The format is funky on some of them, but it doesn’t effect the show itself.
DVD’s are available for some seasons. Check Amazon.com I have owned Australia and Pearl Islands for quite a few years now. Listening to them with the audio commentary on was very interesting and insightful.
It makes no sense that thye don’t offer “all” the season on dvd or that the Versus network stopped showing previous seasons – on Wednesday they use to show 3 hours back to back to back – and since I came late to the survivor party (my first time watchingwas Gautamala) it was so freakin sweet to watch 3 hours of Survivor in a row – here you have the most loyal fans and they are missing a golden opportunity – I saw Jeff play soccer in Milwaukee for chairity w Ethan, Lex & boy Big Tom leveled him once trying to steal the ball – was payback for Boston Rob’s comments I’m sure
Agree 100% – I hope every season gets released on DVD soon! They should release a complete series box set
The one thing I like about the DVDs is the commentary, especially when Jeff does them.
DVDs are out for Borneo, Australia, Pearl Islands, All-Stars, Vanuatu, and Palau. Since Guatemala, though, they only do the complete seasons on iTunes, so you can get everything from Vanuatu on there…no extras, but you get the episodes. I also found an online source that sold TV recordings (most good, some out of sync) for the non-released seasons (Africa, Thailand, Marquesas, Amazon), but yeah, it’d be nice if CBS would close the loop on those, even if they mostly sucked…really, Pearl Islands was a resurgence, I thought.
Of course, you could say the same about Amazing Race…they only did season 1 and 7 (the Rob/Amber season) on DVD, and only just started, from last season, to go on iTunes, so they have more of a gap to close. (Same online source has the other seasons of that as well.)
I hope and pray Shambo is smarting street wise then the guys give her credit. I might be wrong but I believe Natalie is a lot smarter than anyone especially Russell gives her credit. When they merge time will tell. Hope you get to feeling better Jeff, and as many years as you have done this you deserve to mess up once in a while. We still love you.
Hey Jeff they already spolied whether there was going to be a merge in next weeks promo they show the merge happen so no worries about letting the cat out of the bag or in Shambo’s case the chicken out of the cage.
Jeff, I love reading your blogs and I love that you try to keep things under wraps, but that doesn’t change the fact that the teaser for next week shows the tribes merging. Nice try though:-)
Wow Jeff, that zyrtec really knocked you for a loop. You jumped from 5 people in Foa Foa to 4 people before even getting into the episode! You took Liz out of the mix before she even got voted out! Maybe try Claritin next time.
I feel really bad for Shambo. She is really clueless. I think the boys will keep her in just so they can control the game. That is the only thing she has going for her at this point.
As soon as Liz said she completely trusted the people in her tribe, I knew she was gone. Too bad though, Jaison is really getting on my nerves and it is just sad to see him give up so easily.
Agreed with Jaison getting on my nerves. Liz grew on me and she really wanted to be there.
Jeff, the Zyrtec must have made you miss the preview for next week. They already told us the merge happens next week (blue bandanas). I hope you feel better buddy! Love the blog!
Kudos for your comments on the immunity challenge. When do stars/hosts in Hollywood takes responsibility when things go wrong? Jeff, you are a class act!
Agreed!
I don’t think it would have altered the outcome any as Foa Foa have stronger swimmers and would have still messed up with the puzzle.
I kept looking at the puzzle, and for the life of me couldn’t see how that could have been correct. An orange piece way down in the middle of the blue, and the blue totally out of balance. If they were correct, it was a ridonculous puzzle.
Take Care Jeff – hope you feel better soon! Love the show and love reading your blog & Dalton’s recap with my coffee the next morning.
Ummm Jeff we already know about the merge thanks to next week’s previews so I don’t think you are letting the cat out of the bag here
so you don’t watch previews, eh jeff? the merge better create some excitement. we need something to happen!! love the blog though, keep giving us the insights!!
This week’s episode was kind of boring. But with the merge coming next week, I have faith that some interesting shenanigans will take place.
Ambien and a glass of wine…you’ll be spilling secrets and won’t remember a thing! Are you available tonight?
Darn, was hoping Liz would make it to the merge. There goes my pick in the office pool!
We’re pretty far into the season and there is still no one I care about.If this keeps up I won’t watch the final show.
I’m so tired of lame women who look for men to lead them. I wish you would either cast more interesting women or give us a season of all men.
Agree with Carys – I haven’t found anyone to really cheer for YET. Carys, I think the merge might give us a chance to find that cheer-worthy player!
Jeanne, I sure hope so! In past seasons I have stopped watching before the last couple of shows if I didn’t care who won. Not too often—maybe two or three times. Would rather find someone to root for this season.
Yes… truly the cast for women is horrible. I believe that empty shelled bathing queens need to stay in the magazines… we need more outdoorsy types… that bring pizzazz to the mix.
Dear Jeff –
I need to vent just a second: After last night’s episode I was struck by major disappointment. I’ve been a Survivor fan from the very beginning – and only Vanuatu truly disappointed. That is, until last nights episode of Samoa. We’re on episode 7 now, and try as I might to stay invested and interested in what’s ahead – at each episodes end I feel that weekly, episodes keep underwhelming me as a viewer. There are fine moments every now and then but overall, I would describe it as predictable and lackluster. An irony is that every season you kick off press releases promising ‘the most exciting season of Survivor yet!’ – Phooey! What gives?
I’m not excited by this season at all. To be fair it has nothing to do with the location, the challenges or your skill as a host. I love and rely on all of these things each new installment – and I LOVE your blogs. Perhaps it lies in the chosen, or some would argue, the ‘recruited’ contestants. Also, while I’m almost certain this is natural, something about the male vs. female dynamics that’s been emerging more and more each episode (in both tribes) has led to some unimaginative, simple-minded game-playing this season! It’s really boring, especially when you start to realize that Russell, Erik, and Dave are the only visible strategists. For the life of me I can’t get behind an individual or group of men who show such blatant disrespect for women. “Bros before ho’s”, “Liz is so stupid, I don’t even see how she can walk without falling down,” etc, all of these demeaning comments towards women are truly inexcusable – and this season I’m particularly sensitive to the thought that Survivor in many ways is a show that the young and old can enjoy – but I know I wouldn’t want my kids receiving such messages that its okay to talk about women this way – even behind their backs for the sake of ‘entertainment’. I don’t support these kinds of messages, even for entertainment – which tells me that editors have little else to show that would get viewers tongues wagging. I think some Survivor staff up in the big producer’s chairs are making some unfortunate decisions. And misjudging Liz’s ouster a ‘blindside’ at last nights tribal was deceiving on your part – are you kidding? I wonder if you are straining too much to make this season entertaining.
I was sad to see Liz go before the merge, however, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that come the merge next week; something will give and actually have me eating my own words. No disrespect – I’m just telling it as I see it.
Dito. I’ve always found that bro’s before ho’s line really offensive. You can be a band of brothers without calling women whores. Furthermore, I can never wrap my head around getting rid of the women early on- You only need one or two “big strong guys’ for challenges. Keeping dudes like Jaison over Liz- it makes no sense.
I may hate hate hate erik, but I will agree with you, only THREE are playing the game, maybe 4 if they can convince laura to flip come the merge…And honestly, with the way russell LOOKS, the fa ct that anyone trusts him is absolutely impressive beyond belief
Curt, you hit the nail right on the head. For the last three seasons particularly, women have been made to look foolish or worse. It’s getting pretty old.
Hear, hear!
So, Foa Foa has 4 and Galu 8 going into the merge. Shambo could easily flip, and Russell & Natalie could pull in Laura. That would make it 6-6. Should be interesting!
I was surprised by Foa Foa’s decision to get rid of Liz. Pound-for-pound, she was the toughest woman out there. Since the matches are always equal in male/female contestants and Jaison being weaker in competitions than any of the men on Galu, it would have made more sense to have Liz against a Galu woman than Jaison against any of the men. (PS:It must piss you off to a certain extent to take the time to make sure you don’t give anything away and than CBS turns around and does it.)
Russel kept Jaison around because Russel knows he can count on Jaison’s alliance whereas Liz’s loyalty to Russel is more questionable.
Plus Russell is a moron. He has continuously pushed to vote off the strong, and keep the ones with their heads up a dark place. Which is why they keep losing challenges.
Jeff, just curious, how many blogs have you written under the influence of ‘not over the counter’ drugs?
Yeah, I was wondering the same thing.
Jeff, your comment has a sort of “I did not have sexual relations with that woman” ring to it…
OK, Jeff, I don’t know if you read these comments, but I have an idea for an upcoming Survivor season. Why don’t you have all the people who were voted off first from every season come back to try to vie for the prize again. Kind of puts everyone on an even keel. Just a thought. And by the way, evil Russell looks like Charles Manson and seems to be just as crazy. He’s disgusting and treats the women like dirt.
I also thought about having a season of the first eliminated players. Would be interesting to see if they could change their fate.
ummm… yeah, I think EVERYONE but the first one voted out would change their fate.
that’s a great idea and you are right about Russell…that crazy eyed look of his is scary and the way he can manipulate people is very similar
And instead of “Survivor All-Stars”, they can market this as “Survivor Losers” or “Survivor Unknowns”.
“Survivor Second chances”
I have loved this idea for a long time. I hope Jeff read this and puts the ball in motion !!!
LOVE JEFF !!!!!
Can you imagine being the first person voted off of that season though? You’d be like the loser of the losers… I think that would be pretty harsh.
Here’s a twist to make that idea better. How about Winners vs. Losers. One tribe of people who made it to the finals, one tribe of people who were first to be voted off their tribes. That could create an interesting dynamic!
The people were voted off first because they weren’t interesting and nobody liked them. People don’t like to watch losers, they like to watch winners. If you were first voted off of Survivor, chances are you were a casting mistake, or a result of affirmative action! And I don’t mean race, I’m talking age, because it’s usually an old person booted first!
You must be young schmizz, because I have seen many older people make it far in Survivor. The game is not just about the physical, it is about a persons mental abilities as well.
Fiona, he’d have to be waaaay too young to be commenting here. Just two seasons ago Bob took the prize, AND the popular prize, and he was no spring chicken, let me tell you.
That is a terrific idea!! I can’t imagine it, but I think it would be beyond hysterical.
I can’t imagine how humiliating it would be to be voted out first – TWICE!!!
i also have an idea for a season. i don’t know if it would be legally possible but would be interesting. Canadians Vs. Americans :0 i know alot of survivor fans that would love to see that season…
Canadians vs. Americans is a Great Idea. The overwhelming majority of Canadians (born and raised in Canada) have spent time away from a city. It would be no contest – Canadians would win – which I why I suspect the producers won’t go for that format. Feel free to prove me wrong, Mr. Burnett.
LisaH – Now that you mention it, ER’s face and mannerisms do remind me of Charles Manson. Good catch!He sure does talk terrible about women! I wish the women would all get together and beat him up…
give jaison some credit, i think he pushes himself 2 hard in the challenges. shambo is so freakin funny lol
Jaison is done in the game. Tired and ready to go home. He may go deep because of his alliance with Russel, but he is not going to win anything. When he gets voted out, he will breathe a huge sigh of relief.
If the merge does actually happen next week then Jaison may go far because he won’t be seen as a physical threat anymore. It’s kinda funny but his “giving up” attitude may just save him.
From reading past tea leaves (from JeffP) I get the sense Jaison doesn’t make it all that much farther.
Jeff, I am confused about the timing of your comments. You write them as if the story is just unfolding for you. Yet we know you are aware of the final outcome of the season – or at least the final two/three survivors. So when you say things like if Foa Foa loses again, then they should definitely vote out Jaison, I wonder where you are coming from. Are you pretending not to know what happens next in the game? Are you trying to remember what you were thinking and feeling at this point in the game? I assume these blogs were not written concurrent with the game, because you comment on events that occurred subsequent to filming, like the recent earthquake in Samoa. So I don’t understand your pretending not to know what happens with Foa Foa, Jaison, Smambo as leader, when the merge will occur, etc. I am guessing that you try to go back in time and explain what you were thinking as it was occurring. So I’m curious: do you make notes during the course of the game to remind you of certain thoughts to help when you do write these blogs? How do you go back and write an effective blog, not tainted by the knowledge of what actually happens? I would appreciate some insight as to how you write your “insight”! Thanks! Carol
Ditto. Thanks, Carol. Just what I was thinking.
I would love to have Jeff explain his blog process, but I think he did it in an earlier season (it wouldn’t be a bad idea to post it at the start of the first blog for each season.) I’m going to guess that he is posting how he felt and what he was thinking as well as trying to guess what the viewers are thinking and what they want to know.
Jeff has said in past seasons that he doesn’t have much to do with post-production, so he is watching each episode as it unfolds, just like we are. He pretty much sticks to the episode that just aired so as to avoid spoilers. Don’t know if that was influenced today by the Zyrtec, but in general he really focuses on insight into what we just saw. Hope that helps.
Survivor Freak, Thanks. I wish I knew someone who loved the show as much as me who would talk with me about it after. So I love all these comments even though most of you are wrong. ha ha
Jeff has to write from the perspective of each episode as it’s happening or he’d give everything away and we wouldn’t have any reason to watch. There are people who try to read into everything and think that if he mentions a person a certain amount of times that it means that person gets far in the game, etc. It’s possible he hints in this way, or it might just be as simple as him liking a certain player and talking about them for that reason. Whatever the case, it’s great to have that additional insight that we’d otherwise never have, isn’t it?
he cant break anything that hes not sure hes been out yet
this is a guy who already knows the winner, so seriously cut the man some slack….
Don’t you know that we all know there is a merge next week because once again CBS has shown too much in the preview. Yes they’re all there toasting each other as they try to plot against one another.
Can someone please give me insight or am I the only one who wonders why Jeff does not say a thing at tribal council “if anyone has the ammunity idol play it now?” There really has not been a big deal about that idol.
He probably does, but as it doesn’t add anything to that particular tribal, and they’re pressed for time they just don’t show it. Like last week, they all got pizza, but they didn’t show it on tv.
I’m probably confused cuz I just popped a Zyrtec but technically, isn’t Galu the only tribe that is supposed to have been given clues to the whereabouts of the immunity idol in Foa Foa’s camp? So, in that case, Jeff would not ask Foa Foa if anyone wanted to play it because they have not sent anyone to Galu and have not been given any formal clues to the whereabouts of the one on their island. I mean, we all know Russell found it but Jeff doesn’t know that (at least that’s probably what it’s made to seem like) and Galu has not been sent to tribal in like, forever. Zyrtec kicking in now, must sleeeeeZzzzzzzzzzz.
How can you think they’re pressed for time? They edit the footage after all the filming, and they always have time to show scenery, and other unnecessary footage. If it was filmed, I believe they would show it. The immuntiy idol is such a joke this time.
Spaz, you are right. But if they were keeping the game fair, when Foa Foa won their ONLY immunity challenge they would have been instructed to send a member to Galu, and given the clue. Also that person would have sat in on tribal. Didn’t happen! Hmmmm, wonder why?
Jeff —
I’m super-curious as to how/why the decision of to merge or not to merge each season is made. Such as in Palau, was the decision made before shotting began that the merge would happen at a certain number of total cast members, no matter how small one tribe got? It seems like for many seasons the merge happened at 10, but then you’ve switched it up. This season appears to have the merge happen at 12 (per previews) — was that decided before the season started, or do you decide as your shooting and stories/situations/personalities emerge? Same question for the seasons that you’ve had switch-ups — are those decided before-hand, or do you have all theses different scenarios for switch-ups, merge, no-merge, etc. that you choose to use when the timing seems right in each season?
Thanks as always for your great blog, great to read Friday morning even if it was truncated by your illness… Hope you get well soon!
Great question! I always suspect it is NOT decided ahead of time.
So Jeff, why the with 12 merge and why hasn’t it ever happened with more than 10 before?
Survivor Cook Island merged at 12
No, Survivor Cook Islands had a mutiny at 12. They actually merged at 9.
this year there were 20 “survivors” and for example last year there were only 16. so they lost 6 members and merged at 10 and this year lost 8 and merged at 12. so really they lost more people than past years.
Does Russell still have the idol?
Yes.
Yes he does. If he were even ten percent as smart as the press releases he keeps issuing about himself he would have told Laura not to bother looking for it because Shambo already found it. That would have livened things up at Galu and wouldn’t have sounded nearly as lame and as limp as telling her Ben found it but hid it so well nobody’s been able to find it since he was sent home.
But Russel’s counting on Shambo to flip at the merge, too, so he doesn’t want to jepardize her…
I understand what you’re saying Tennisfan, it’s just it was such a lame lie. And limp. Utterly void of any intellect or imagination.
Tennisfan, why would Russhole think Sham would flip? He didn’t even talk to her much that we saw. And seeing that she is now the chief of her tribe it doesn’t make sense that he would think that way. Other than the fact that the man is ridiculously full of himself, and stupid.
Haha at first I was like “oh the Zyrtec wont effect him”..
Then he started talking about keeping the merge a secret…
ummmmm*cough promo*.
LOL Jeff….entertaining blogg as always.
Me personally though. I think Foa Foa got lucky.
Liz was the wrong choice from a tribal standpoint. She was way stronger then Liz.
But LUCKY for them…its a merge next week. Jaison is WAY more loyal so it helps them in the end.
what? “Liz was the wrong choice from a tribal standpoing. She was way stronger then Liz.”
LOL.
I secoind LisaH’s idea of a “Voted off first” edition. Great suggestion!
I dont think a “voted off first” show would have the attraction to most viewers. They want to see people they know.
A much better season would be an all-stars game that only has people that made it to the jury but NOT the final two. So no one would target anyone for already winning a million dollars or even a hundred thousand for 2nd place. Plus we are all very familiar with people that have made it to the jury.
This “Heroes vs. Villains” rumor for next season also sounds like a dumb idea. Most contestants that the show classifies as villains are just sneaky game players and not bad, or evil, or a villain like they advertise.
This season’s Russell and Johnny Fairplay are probably the only true villains on all the seasons of Survivor – and I cannot stomach seeing anymore of Johnny Fairplay. That guy was an overrated idiot and very stomach churning to watch. At least Russell H has got some game, although pretty cruel in that first episode.
Jeff, one more thing about the lack of interesting women: you say Natalie is sharp. If she’s sharp, show us!!!! Talk to your editors.
I agree. I’m not seeing it.
Yeah she’s sharp. Look at the way she competes in challenges, very plucky. And she has aligned herself as Russels number two. Natalie is so sharp at flying under the radar that it is hard to see how sharp whe really is.
The only thing Natalie’s sharp at is looking good in a bikini. Other than that she just happens to be the last woman standing on Foa Foa. Sharp! Must be Jeff’s Zyrtec addled mind juxtaposing looks hot in a bikini with riding her Harley to Starbucks. Nice to know in that Zyrtec riddled body THAT part of it’s still up for the challenge.
Yeah, I gotta agree with you, Anna. It would be one thing if she was walking around being all hot in her bikini, but then during her confessionals was talking about strategy and stuff that showed us she has a plan and a thought process of any kind. So far I find her to be useless.
Anna, she doesn’t ride her Harley to Starbucks. That was Laura saying that. She and her “bible bunch” who aren’t bad a$$ bikers. I was getting nauseated at her religious yammering, and Russhole jumping right on it with more of his total garbage. I can’t stand Laura. I’ll be soooo happy to see her leave.
Shambo needs to get on her Harley Fat Boy and run Laura’s ass over!
Thank you Sixty-Three!! I mean really, WHAT is the point of having a Harley at all if the only thing you ask of that magnificent beast is to take you on a Starbucks run?!? What a waste of a beautiful machine. You know Puppy Dog, I really think I liked Laura better when she was part of the homogeneous group of girls over at Galu with nothing to say for themselves. You know, before she openned her mouth. How does that old saying go again? Better to keep your mouth shut and merely to be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt….
My husband, who is going to pay for this dearly, is standing behind me doubled over with laughter and gasping “Hello Kettle? Pot here, returning your call”. I think he means me. He will pay. In fact, I can feel the need for a new high definition television coming over me at this very moment……
Harley’s magnificent?!?
If you like noise pollution!
I agree with Puppy dog. It would be nice to see Laura voted out next.
Yeah CD. I call them donor cycles. I figure the the two dumbest animals on earth are bikers, and cattle. When my late husband passed 20 years ago, the first things I got rid of were the 3 Harley Davidsons, the bull, and, his harem of four sincerely stupid cows. What a cleansing of my life. If I could have done it when my husband was alive, he’d probably still be alive. My fear where Laura is concerned, is that she will team up with Russhole after the merge, and get Sham voted out as an act of revenge. Russhole told her he was religious, and all, so she will, no doubt gravitate to him. AND THE HITS JUST KEEP ON COMING.