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 Read the full post.
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Interesting episode. Liz was definitely painted as an extremely unpleasant person and, if that’s true, I can’t blame them for blindsiding her. Jaison seemed to be openly cracking up after his “please go ahead and vote me off” speech, so was that our clue that something was about to change?
And I have two complaints about Survivor at this point. 1) Practically every challenge is all about getting puzzle pieces and putting them together. Seriously. Yawn. It would be more exciting for them to watch grass grow and bet on how fast, how long, etc. Really, really boring television.
2) And this may be the reason for 1, the hardcore misogyny. As a woman, it’s so gawdawful depressing to watch this show and the constant “women suck, so obviously they’ll be kicked off first” attitude. That exists even among the women. I get that this might be the reason for all those boring puzzles, but really? Really, Survivor? You can’t think of anything visually interesting that doesn’t involve massive upper-body strength?
Hire me and I’ll think of something.
So MissB, you didn’t see the swimming challenge, the A frame climb, or the rolling ball? I wonder if you are even watching Survivor. The only challenges that might be unsuitable are the physical battle types. Body size, not strategy makes the difference in these challenges, which makes them very objectionable. Brain teasers, and races that take stamina are far more suitable. My only objection to puzzle challenges is that a pat answer needs to be in place. Zero judgement calls.
Miss Bumptious,
You know the season that had really interesting challenges was the one where there was one tribe of men and one of women. I remember thinking they had to use their imaginations, and that they did. Wish that happened every season. (Sorry, can’t remember any examples, just that I was impressed at the time.)
That was Vanauatu, and I agree, the challenges were very well thought out. Some of them were many faceted, with things like balancing, running, & searching for an object. Any challenge that requires strategy, (such as in Micronesia, when Ozzie, being the dominant swimmer stayed under, and moved all the balls forward in the cage, to make it easier for his tribe), are good challenges. To me what’s important is that there are rules set in place from the beginning, and they are adhered to. Unfortunately that isn’t always the case, and Jeff’s commentary too often changes the outcome. Unfairly so.
Puppy dog, earlier on Radar said the challenges are manipulated, too, and I asked for examples. I hate to think it’s true.
I loved Micronesia. I thought it was the best season since Season 1. I just loved Amanda and Parvati’s alliance, and how they kept voting off the guys. I laughed out loud quite a bit, which hasn’t happened even once this season. But I guess you didn’t enjoy Amanda and Parvati so much. Different tastes.
Carys, I’ve read all of Radar’s comments, and I think He, or she gives several examples. I know, I thought the challenge when Ben was kicked out was totally unfair, & manipulated, and I looked several times at the puzzle last week, and I too don’t believe they had it correct. Take a closer look, and see what you think. An orange piece down in the middle of the blue? What kind of puzzle looks like that? Another blogger (Schmiz, or something) also commented about how the challenges were changed by Jeff’s commentary. But this season the imbalance of rules, and judgement calls has totally changed the game. Starting with taking Ben out of the challenge, and not Yazmin, (even though she choked Ashley after the “sissy rule” warning). Then they make Foa Foa go to tribal after Mike left on med. When Foa Foa finally won an immunity challenge, they didn’t get to send someone to Galu with a hii clue, and then have that person sit in on tribal. It’s been very one sided, and, in my opinion maniplated. Oh, and you are soooo right about Amanda, and Parvati SHALLOW. They are high up on my list as least favorites. Two comments by Parvati that just creep me out, even now. At the auction Penner spills beer, and she says “party falle” I think she was trying to say party foul, and then the most ridiculous, “Jeff, your killing me, Jeff. Oh puleeeese. Give me a break! And Amanda was Ozzy’s downfall. I was disappointed in him for being so gullible as to believe that, because she, and Parvati had an alliance, he could trust Parvatti. Amanda was pretty stupid too, or she, and Ozzie would have been the final two. Just my opinion.
Puppy dog, we can agree to disagree about Parvati and Amanda. I just loved their gameplay, and I really liked Parvati.
This season I was glad Ben was kicked out, but I saw the comments about Yazmin, and I guess I missed her choking Ashley. I do not like violence, so I would say she should have been kicked out, too, rather than Ben allowed to stay in. Would you agree? (Maybe you don’t agree since you mention “sissy rules”. I’m all for the sissy rules!)
Radar may have given some examples. I find this board does not make it easy to keep people straight, but maybe I’ll look for them. Though I’m not sure I want to know.:(
You make some excellent points, about Foa Foa going to tribal after Mike left, and about them not getting to send someone to the other camp.
As far as the puzzle goes, and Jeff’s comments, I usually find the challenges so busy, and the camera shots change so often, that I probably miss things.
The challenges are my favourite parts of the show, so I wish they were easier to follow. I would like to see a lot more of them, rather than heavily-edited slices. And I would like a good view of finished puzzles. (I don’t think I got a good look at the puzzle you mention.) AND I would like the teams to be far enough apart that they couldn’t cheat when they are doing puzzles.
It would be nice if Jeff would comment on the inconsistencies you note about Foa Foa.
I’ve been reading the comments between you, and pup. The “sissy rules” said, no head butting, face slaps, or accidental choking. Nothing about tripping, and if you rerun the move in slow motion, you’ll see that Ben did NOT kick Russell. He tripped him. BUT Yasmin slapped Ashley, and THEN choked her. All Jeff did about that was say “YASMIN ANNIHILATES ASHLEY!” So he was watching but didn’t see? I doubt that. Oh, by the way, puppy dog, I’m a he.
Oh, by the way, puppy dog, I hope you and david don’t mind that I’m using Russhole too. It’s just too perfect, and it would be crminal not to use it as much as possible.
JEFF PROBST!
Y DID U ERASE MY COMMENT?!?!
I was just interpreting your words, or Zyrtec’s words i guess. But seriously, if she is on the next All-Stars Season I want U TO GIVE ME CREDIT!!! THANKS
No Jacob, he didn’t erase your comment. It’s still right where it was to begin with. Incorrect as it is.
Voting Shambo leader was a huge mistake by the men of Galu. While it may help to secure her feelings of staying with Galu and keep them in the majority, it won’t help keep Galu unified at the merge. It’s the problem I’ve seen a few times now, where a dominant tribe goes to the merge and ensures its own annihilation by making sure there is a huge divide between the members. It happened last season, and it’s going to happen again. It’s not enough to get to the merge with a numbers advantage, you have to make sure the people who are low on the totem pole in the dominant tribe don’t know where they stand. Otherwise, the dominant tribe will crumble. Surprised to not have seen a tribal mixup this season. I wonder if that was due to a decision before filming or once you noticed Galu was going to dominate the challenges.
2k, the fact that Galu dominated in the challenges was preordained by the producers. Because of one-sided judgement calls, and not enforcing the same rules throughout the season, so far, Galu has had a huge advantage. It’s no accident. I believe it’s totally intentional.
Jeff,
I’m new to the blog scene. I’ve enjoyed what you’ve written so far, and tend to agree with your comments. I’m getting a kick out of how fellow blog readers have to disect your comments, or the game. C’mon guys, the pizza issue went on way too long. I can’t wait til your next blog.
Seriously, “evil” Russell is my favorite. I love the entertainment, and he reminds me of my uncle. It cracks me up how even the slightest sign that one of his “alliances” could turn on him, he turns it around. When Liz confronted him on one of the previous episodes saying she thinks he was being sneaky or something he says, “Are you threatening me?! and she kinda stopped and didn’t really say much else, as if he had convinced her she was actually threatening him. She gave a sort of “wait, oops, maybe I did…” look, and backed off. I agree with Jeff on the fact that maybe they are scared to write Russels name down, he is getting in their heads. I think that he’s gonna hang on pretty far if he can reel in Laura and Shambo and some other unsuspecting victim, but as long as they don’t “threaten” him they might make it to the end. It’s hard for me to decide a second favorite because I feel like we haven’t seen Galu as much bc they aren’t the ones always at tribal and figuring out who to vote off, as FoaFoa is. I feel sorry for Shambo too, but I’m not a big fan of her, Sorry Jeff!
And I can’t wait for the merge! I’m excited to see the dynamics change. I’m excited to see how the members of Galu react to Russell… he could plant his “Russell seed” and trick his way to their good side, or Galu could pull together and get rid of him early. I’m hoping he stays, not just because he’s my current favorite, but because of the entertainment!
This season is difficult to watch; so misogonystic. I’m not sure I will keep watching.Season after season I fail to understand why the women allow the men to run the game. They are so passive, like sitting ducks.
They didn’t in Micronesia.
Hope you’re feeling better, Jeff!
Hmmm…Anyone for an All Female season of Survivor or an All Male season of Survivor???? Try to imagine how that would play out! : ))
Lori,
I suggested that, too. Great minds think alike.
Great minds think for themselves…jk
Jeff, just wanna say that your blogs (and the comments that follow) is what gets me through the early/middle season of the show. Before I discovered your blog, it was pretty hard for most seasons to hold my attention – for me to care enough about the contestants – long enough to make it to the later episodes, when the real fun begins.
I just love the insight, and behind-the-scenes stuff. If you haven’t already, I think you should write some books about the show, if the producers would let you. The more I learn about HOW Survivor works and what it takes to put it on at whichever location, the more engaging I find the episodes!
Hmm… Apologies for my comment not sounding very coherent. I took some ativan earlier, and it IS after midnight here… zzz
Heather
PS – hope you’re feeling better!
Radar and Puppy dog,
I will take your word for it about Yazmin. It sounds like she should have been kicked out, too. I am still glad Ben got kicked out. It looked like he stomped on R’s calf from behind, and I am willing to believe that’s what it looked like to Jeff, too. Like a ref, he has to call ‘em as he sees ‘em.
That, however, doesn’t explain why Yazmin wasn’t kicked out, too.
Hey Jeff,
Today’s your birthday. Have a wonderful day. Happy Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!! I’m sending a big cyber hug.
What about a season of previous second place finishers…”Survivor: Runners up”?
I’m kind of at odds here with Jeff setting up these “questions” as to whether or not they will merge etc. He knows, and based on his comments it’d be easy for him to steer us one way so we would be surprised in the show. Basically he’s saying this is what I think could happen..but he already knows. Will they merge? Will foa foa win again? He knows the answers to this already so it immediately makes me question if he’s inadvertently steering us one way only to see another…i don’t know but I trust him…for now.
Usually Jeff just comments on what happened and tries to stay away from the theorizing..but this blog was heavy on speculation…maybe its the Zyrtec
Did you realize that “next time on Survivor” you already gave away there is going to be a merge? And what’s up with spoiling the episodes in commercials this season? It’s major frustrating.