Jeff Probst blogs 'Survivor: Gabon' (episode 12)

Grant Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 03:35 AM EST

What a complete fucktard Corrine is. A true loser.

Jeanne Wed, Dec 17, 2008 at 03:54 PM EST

OMG, I love Dexter!! Isn't it great?? Anyway, I think this season was better than last--lots of really likable (and not so likeable) people. I think Sugar is great and very deserving of a win, but Bob is great as well (although he wouldn't have been there had it not been for Sugar). Corinne is just evil and I would have loved to see your reaction, Jeff, when she said those nasty comments to Sugar at final tribal. Keep up the great work, Jeff!

Teresa Tue, Dec 16, 2008 at 10:40 PM EST

Jeff, I just want to kiss each of your dimples!

Sugar was so sweet and real. I love her. But Bob is a deserving survivor.

I was hoping that Corrine would change her approach to others and herself after viewing herself. Oh well, maybe it's all just an act. If not, she's going to really hurt herself one day and obviously has already hurt others already.

Great show!

Maria Mon, Dec 15, 2008 at 02:39 PM EST

My son and are are so heartbroken Survivor is over. We wanted Sugar to won so badly. My only hope is that Sugar will use her publicity to establish some kind of acting career for herself. I hope that her publicity nets at least three times more than she would have won on Survivor.

Freddy Avatar Mon, Dec 15, 2008 at 09:23 AM EST

Of course, we're big Survivor fans...so, Jeff, please pass this along to Bob. As a former educator and current outdoorsman who is also a bit long in the tooth, I would like to make a suggestion concerning Sugar. She saved Bob from being blindsided by Kenny and also set up the tie vote in the final tribal council, so BOB could go on to use HIS fire-making ability and win the tie breaker. He made all educators proud by displaying integrity and
gamesmanship on the highest level.
As the winner I feel he should not forget the woman
who guided him to victory. SUGAR was the one who planned his final success...
So Jeff, please suggest he might consider rewarding
her efforts with cash; an act that would endear him even
more to all his fans and students. We would remember him as the noblest Survivor of all time.

Freddy Avatar Mon, Dec 15, 2008 at 09:23 AM EST

Of course, we're big Survivor fans...so, Jeff, please pass this along to Bob. As a former educator and current outdoorsman who is also a bit long in the tooth, I would like to make a suggestion concerning Sugar. She saved Bob from being blindsided by Kenny and also set up the tie vote in the final tribal council, so BOB could go on to use HIS fire-making ability and win the tie breaker. He made all educators proud by displaying integrity and
gamesmanship on the highest level.
As the winner I feel he should not forget the woman
who guided him to victory. SUGAR was the one who planned his final success...
So Jeff, please suggest he might consider rewarding
her efforts with cash; an act that would endear him even
more to all his fans and students. We would remember him as the noblest Survivor of all time.

malam7 Sat, Dec 13, 2008 at 02:32 PM EST

Hi jeff
am from a small country that am sure u never heard of it..Qatar..I really strongly beleieve that you should consider coming to Qatar, u have many fans here, many do not even miss the repeats of the show!
i love u ^_^
keep up the good work

Jeff Probst (not really) Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 11:53 PM EST

The finale will have more than one tribal council. You are wrong and that was me correcting you.

Jim Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 11:33 PM EST

Jeff,

I have watched numerous seasons and everyone I watched I have enjoyed. One thing that has always bugged me is why hasn't there ever been a winter survivor? I would volunteer and march on with chin held high in to a frozen tundra if you ever offered it. I understand that you wouldn't have young ladies running around half naked but to a lot of us who have had to survive in our lifes we know that winter and cold is a very large part of surviving in the real world.

I ask that you have a winter survivor and I am one of the first contestants at Survivor North Pole.

Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 09:47 PM EST

Hi all i need to know to find the episoide that was just on

Lori Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 09:39 PM EST

Then again...I guess IS OKAY to give an HII to someone AFTER the vote is cast!
: )) -- See you all on the next page...

Roy Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 09:06 AM EST

So Probst has pretty much given away that Kenny and Bob will make an agreement for Bob to give the Immunity Necklace to Ken, but won't do it. He also has pretty much given away in TV Guide that Matty, Sugar and Susie will be the final three.

linty Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 08:12 AM EST

Oh Wait! Just occured to me. Corinne, Marcus and Charlie SAY they are smarter and more strategic, therefore, it must be true!
Um. Hm. Yeah, definitely needs SOME sort of evidence.

linty Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 08:09 AM EST

I'm completely confused by the argument that the more strategic players are on the jury, due to tribal switchups.
To those who believe that, please tell me when Corinne, Marcus and Charlie have shown any strategic moves that were beneficial to them.
I'm not saying Fangers have been strategic powerhouses, but Corinne, Marcus and Charlie have given me NOTHING.

Lori Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 07:49 AM EST

Hi, Staci. You mention "transferring the HII". I wonder about that? I don't think that has ever been offered as an option. Now, someone might give their HII to someone else before the game (like if had been a "real" HII in Randy's case) and then they can play it after the vote, but I've never heard of the option of transferring the HII after the vote? So, here's another question, has anyone ever actually intentionally given up a REAL HII before the vote?

Wed, Dec 10, 2008 at 10:35 PM EST

Jeff, Love you but wish you'd included more insight into the vote than your charity pitch this week. Sorry.

Juergen Wed, Dec 10, 2008 at 09:07 PM EST

thanks for your commentary, Jeff!
Bob's artistic inventiveness with the fake immunity necklaces IS amazing.
I have to say, I was shocked that you threw the first one in the fire!
I hope you don't do that if the second fake idol comes into play at tribal.
Think of the memorabilia value the first and second idols have!
I think they would generate a lot of money for those charities.

LostReturns Wed, Dec 10, 2008 at 06:06 PM EST

Jeff, Love your blogs...and yes DEXTER is definitely one of the best shows on TV right now (2nd to LOST and Survivor of course :). Just one thing...the Sugar thing, ummm the editing has been pretty disgusting regarding her, some of us can see right through her. Cheers and congrats on the Emmy.

Staci Wed, Dec 10, 2008 at 01:08 PM EST

Lori, Jeff asks the survivor with the II if they want to give up immunity. After that question is answered, Jeff lets them vote. There is no way II can be transfered after the vote. The HII is not used until after the vote. It can be transferred. People can vote for the person with the HII in order to "flush" it out. Sugar has lasted all this time in the game because the remaining survivors have either been afraid of flushing out the idol, or felt like they couldn't vote against the idol.

av17 Wed, Dec 10, 2008 at 06:55 AM EST

Dexter is the best show on cable Jeff.

Ben Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 08:28 PM EST

Jeff, question, if the finale's on Sunday, there's still like 5 or 6 survivors left...correct me if Im wrong but that leaves at least 3 weeks more of Survivor, right?

Bebe Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 02:43 PM EST

Wouldn't it be awesome if Susie did win, though? It sucks to be poor.

Carl Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 04:27 AM EST

Liked the Ghost reference, hillarious.

And good point regarding susie.

Aj Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 01:04 AM EST

I should be on next Survivor Show. I think i'll do better than so many players who just end up being very lucky.Can't believe some players can't see the obvious and are simply dumb. Anywayz Survivor is simply awesome and I eagerly wait for every episode. Did I tell you that I can predict the winner at the very start if you send me their handwriting reviews. Don't believe me, check out http://www.reviewhandwriting.com/

Lori Mon, Dec 8, 2008 at 09:15 PM EST

On second thought - if the person with the immunity necklace, and the person he/she wants to give it to cast their votes against a third player while everyone else voted against the person who gets the necklace AFTER the vote, then those two votes would take out a third player...i.e. the minority would take out someone from the majority. Not sure if that would be really "fair" though, it might be only if it was actually okay to vote for anyone, including the person with the necklace so there would still be personal risk involved.

Lori Mon, Dec 8, 2008 at 09:08 PM EST

To Terry: Re Giving the Immunity Necklace up AFTER the vote...I've been thinking about that, too. But here's the thing - the tribe can't vote for the person with the Immunity Necklace - period, so it's not like that person would get any votes cast against them. They couldn't give it up to someone after the vote because - then, technically, there would be two people with immunity rather than just one. What if everyone voted for the second person? Then, no one would be voted off at all. So like my earlier question about an effective play of a hidden immunity idol, have there been any episodes where someone was willing to give up individual immunity? Maybe, if they ALSO had the hidden immunity idol and nobody knew and they wanted to keep an ally in for another round. That would be the only truly "safe" time to do it.

Sojourno Mon, Dec 8, 2008 at 08:40 PM EST

I am also a fan of Dexter, but not nearly as big as Survivor.
That is an odd scene as anyone with atleast half a brain knows Ken and Crystal are tight.
Corinne and Bob knew it when they went to Ken about a four way with alliance.
Matty, Susie and Sugar know it.
Who does Crystal think is clueless about the duo ....the producers???
It is also odd that she said she was in a alliance with ken and Sugar ...Isnt she suppossed to be tight with Susie or has she just dissapeared completly.
Lord knows she hasent said or done much in the last few weeks and that COULD be what gets her to the final and the mill.

Amanda Mon, Dec 8, 2008 at 04:17 PM EST

Jeff, my two favorite shows are Survivor and Dexter! So awesome for you to mention my other obsession in your blog. Glad to see Corinne go. She was bossy and arrogant, and she refused to change her game even when it was painfully apparent that her alliance was losing the game.

NebbGirl Mon, Dec 8, 2008 at 03:48 PM EST

I know someone mentioned this before, but I would love to see a Survivor season that doesn't have tribes, and everyone is out for themselves. The challenges could be balanced out so that physically strong competitors are not automatically going to win every immunity challenge. And I think we all know the show is much better after the merge anyways.

So if Jeff DOES read these posts to see our feedback, I'd love this idea to be passed on!

I'm a Fan Mon, Dec 8, 2008 at 03:44 PM EST

As for Corrine, with the whole "mutant, idiot, incompetent" remarks about her tribe..seems to be a little bit of the pot calling the kettle black. She's the idiot who couldn't adjust her game and got voted out for it. Me thinks...she thinks waaay too much of herself.

I'm a Fan Mon, Dec 8, 2008 at 03:20 PM EST

Okay, I usually like the love..but..Am I the only one who noticed that Sugar sprinkled her fathers' ashes across her legs? Then clapped the rest of his ashes off her hands like it was sand! That's a little creepy! And the proposal was nice but his (now) fiance's body language was pretty clear that he smelled badly. lol

Brigitte Mon, Dec 8, 2008 at 12:18 PM EST

Impopular impopular impopular

Brigitte Mon, Dec 8, 2008 at 12:13 PM EST

Jeff, many men could envy Marcus's Bachelor of the year doctor's status... but with the gushing outpouring of love you get from this blog, I'd say you're not exactly impolpular yourself? Sorta, kinda?

momof5 Mon, Dec 8, 2008 at 11:13 AM EST

Hey Jeff!! Saw you on Mad TV, It was great. My kids thought I was a little nuts running throught the house screaming "Jeffy's on Jeffy's on!" (I am sure you would hate to be called Jeffy, sorry!) you were great, loved the priest, you dimples made it even better! Hope to see you in more things....this middle-aged burned out mom needs a little excitment once in a while!!LOL I need a vacation, how can I get on Survivor?!?! HA!

terry Mon, Dec 8, 2008 at 08:35 AM EST

great season so far, love the show, and i can't imagine anyone other than jeff running it. i do have a question or two but don't know where to ask. why can't an individual immunity holder , as bob was this week, be asked if he would like to give up the immunity necklace AFTER all the votes have been made, no one ever gives it up but if the question was posed after they voted then it would create a world of different scenarios. try to imagine what players would have to think about if bob could give the immunity necklace to someone that everyone is planning to vote off, what would they do, or what should they do. in the last episode where corrine got voted off, if bob thought she was going to go then he could have given it to her, or he could tell them he was and someone else would be gone. unless of course everyone knew bob was going to to that and voted for him, but then if he keeps it to himself then their votes are wasted. i just dont understand why it has to be before they vote.

Kevin Mon, Dec 8, 2008 at 07:21 AM EST

Jeff, it sounds like you're only on season 1 of Dexter. Changes are coming!

Dunks Sun, Dec 7, 2008 at 11:28 PM EST

I love my survivor and this is a really interesting season. It’s right up there with China and Cook Islands.

I have to say I really enjoyed the loved one’s episode. I think I choked up and blubbered even more than Sugar.

I know everyone hates Corinne and Randy. I can’t say that I’d like to share a holiday with either of them but man have they made for such interesting TV and I am grateful for their input into this season. I present to you Randy’s “king of Gabon” speech as exhibit A.

I think everyone left is totally worthy of becoming sole survivor and it’s so difficult to predict the outcome because everyone is approaching the game from different angles, trying to outflank each other’s strategies. Suzie picked the right time to make her one big move. Crystal and Kenny have covered for each other countless times. Sugar has managed to avoid the flush vote despite holding the only real idol in the game. Matty has superiority in endurance/strength challenges. Bob has brains and social skills aplenty and his idol craftsmanship is bringing the mind games to a completely new level.

The only disappointment about this season has been the decidedly low budget of some of the challenges. The water/lacrosse one would have been a standout moment if the teams had been more evenly matched and learned to manoeuvre their boats like Ace. The domino/tripwire one was so awesome and edited to perfection. I really loved the cannonball boat one on Cook Islands (where Yul worked out a quicker way to spot the targets) and the chinaware stacking final immunity challenge in China (when Amanda began stacking them upside-down to lower the centre of gravity) because they showed real strategy

How would you resolve a situation if two hidden immunity idols are played at the same tribal counsel by the only players with votes cast against them?

I propose a twist where there are three idols independently put into circulation which form a rock/paper/scissors power relationship. Any of the idols played on their own at tribal can count as an immunity idol – however if one player plays their “rock” idol and another player plays their “paper” idol immediately afterwards the paper idol cancels out the rock idol and now the paper idol grants immunity (unless of course someone is willing to play the scissors idol!). Maybe the castaways would only learn of this power relationship after the first idol is played or be granted knowledge of it via a secret note purchased at an early survivor auction.

OlderthanBob Sun, Dec 7, 2008 at 08:36 PM EST

"What's Up" with Americans is that, for ratings purposes, the candidates on Survivor are people who have not been subjected to true trauma or drama - somewhat "spoiled" if you will, lacking in life experiences that make them wise. They are grasshoppers - and the show exploits that fact. And we watch it....

Aussie Paul Sun, Dec 7, 2008 at 07:27 PM EST

Can't say I enjoy the loved ones episodes. Just a waste of time until we get back to the real game, especially this late in proceedings. It always seems too contrived to me. What is it with Americans that they go all weepy when they're away from home for a few weeks. It's not like they're never going to see their loved ones again. It's a matter of days or a couple more weeks at most. Sorry guys I just don't get all the fake emotion. You sign on for Survivor and you play the game, end of story. You'll be back in familiar territory soon enough.
For mine the loved ones episodes should be dropped permanently. It takes away from an otherwise faultless show.

Lori Sun, Dec 7, 2008 at 03:23 PM EST

For Jeff who "Loves Love": Two questions: 1) Do you think part of the reason we are here on this planet is to learn how to love one another, in spite of our differences (or maybe even Because of them), and 2) Do you think Randy and Corinne are due a few more trips (i.e. lifetimes) in order to figure that out? I wouldn't wish another journey here on anyone, but, man, I just watched the ponderosa videos, and it doesn't seem like they are "getting it" - At All. I mean, I'm glad they'll (probably?) actually have more chances to learn, but personally, I'd rather not be around to watch them continue to go on and on the way they are except maybe as a "couter-reference" points for what it means to be a genuinely decent human being. I'll bless them for that at least - i.e. being the "reference" because I also understand "part of who I am is who I am not". I guess by Corinne's definition that puts me with all the "Mutants and Geeks" of the world! Oh, well - so be it!

Heather Sun, Dec 7, 2008 at 01:46 PM EST

Jeff, I'm begging you - don't forget to ask Marcus' thoughts during the finale after the reveal about the inadvertent flashing he gave America. I know it was an accident and that it was something that watchers would only have accidentally caught (I knew about it before watching that ep and still missed it), but it was so dang funny.

olderthanBob Sun, Dec 7, 2008 at 12:44 PM EST

A collection should be taken for Corinne - for exorcism! Seriously, great tv stuff, but it will be interesting to see at the finale party if Corinne's employer and/or her customers have been affected by seeing the "real" her. She can be nice when she wants something. How many people do we know like that? Sugar breaks the mold for blondes - she is a pretty smart cookie. Still, Bob is my favorite - and yeah, like a lot of people said, nice guys finish (not first). He deserves it the most, though. For a "senior" he has lasted longer than other seniors on previous episodes. He is a cool guy and his wife is adorable.

Metalbear Sun, Dec 7, 2008 at 10:33 AM EST

Jeff why don't you reply to the posts on the CBS site..I know your very busy but the CBS site has users thinking that you are going to reply to them..if you get a chance please go check out the topic regarding Canadians, under the heading "ask Jeff Probst..." Thanks

david ellen Sun, Dec 7, 2008 at 07:23 AM EST

Marc13, thanks for that perspective -- agreed re: certain Kotu errors. And about the fact of surprises generally. It's just that the game until that point was team vs. team (as it should be), and -- though what you say is true re: certain Kotu errors -- the switch seemed to embody a totally outside-the-game decision (to some people. . .like me, obviously) to semi-squash one team. Generally speaking, one team seemed to so utterly surpass another, as to make that switch-up a tad unbearable to certain strategy-admirers. But you make some good points, and I'll try to stomach the rest of the season.

my heart is full Sun, Dec 7, 2008 at 06:35 AM EST

i think the Loved Ones episodes are too manipulative to be enjoyable. sugar says goodbye to her father. touching. matty proposes. romantic. and kenny? he talks strategy!!

bangkok betty Sun, Dec 7, 2008 at 06:32 AM EST

the last tribal switch still left kota in the majority. marcus didn't support susie, she switched and the game is playing itself as it should. so people, STOP BLAMING THE PRODUCERS!!

Marc13 Sun, Dec 7, 2008 at 06:25 AM EST

David Ellen, I take your point but the beauty of Survivor is that you must expect the unexpected. Palau was one of the most boring seasons EVER! To say a tribe physically dominate & then a core alliance group make it to the end was soooooo predictable. It shouldn't (and isn't) just about the physically dominant players. Kota made more than just one crucial error in voting Dan off instead of Suzie. They alienated Sugar, never made Suzie or Dan feel comfortable or part of the team & made it clear that they had a strong core alliance, thus creating huge targets. Past seasons have seen contestants throw challenges etc to manipulate numbers. Kota thought they were unstoppable and their arrogance got the better of them. Randy could've also jumped back to Fang but chose not to because his personality better suited to the Onions. The fact is, they did not adapt to the social game at all. The tribal shuffles could've gone either way. Marcus tried to oust Ken - bad move. Love the switches!

david ellen Sun, Dec 7, 2008 at 02:02 AM EST

Marc13, agreed that the Onion Aliiance made one critical error -- i.e., they should have booted Suzie instead of Dan. But the point is that there has to be some constancy in the game, and -- though surprises are always likely to happen -- some viewers felt that that switch-up crossed the line re: propriety/strategy. It was obviously brought about solely because one team was sucking so badly; some consider that unfair tinkering with the game.

Hey, we don't all need to have a uniform take on the show, is the point.

Marc13 Sun, Dec 7, 2008 at 01:46 AM EST

I am sick to DEATH of hearing about how the tribal switch ruined the Kota Onion Alliance! They shot themselves in the foot with their arrogance & alienation of their own fringe players! The tribe shuffle was random! Do you remember All-Stars? They pretty much only changed colors but the tribes remained the same. Amber was the only one that really changed! anything can happen in a shuffle!! Get over it!!

Trump's Hair Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 08:50 PM EST

Corinne is a bad person, a very bad person. Probably shouldn't even have had the honor of being on Survivor, it's way too good for her. She's repulsive really. I guess that's one reason I love Survivor. It really is a reality show and it can be a real eye opener sometimes to watch some contestants like Corinne.

Ivanka' Trump's Mother is a Mannequin Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 08:44 PM EST

You're completely correct Jeff! Marcus is/was arrogant. Pride cometh before the fall! I love that clip after he just threw the immunity idol into the ocean waves arrogantly laughing: "they're all a bunch of idiots for letting me throw the immunity idol away!" Getting voted out looked good on Marcus, very good.

Accidental Tourist Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 08:34 PM EST

I appreciate the "loved" ones episode because it makes other episodes seem so much more better in quality. "Loved" one episodes unfortunately tend to be sappy, cringe inducing over-the-top emotional outpouring of survivoresque angst. And from where I'm sitting from, it's not a pretty picture.

BJ Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 08:15 PM EST

I am truly stunned at how ugly a person Corrine is inside and out. For her to talk about someone else being homely.. I mean come on, does she think she's raving beauty?

Her family should be ashamed of her. There is no one who has a right to defend this young woman as there's no excuse for such ugliness (like saying she wants to stab Suzie in the eye "with a knife" because she hates her so much).

This girl is psycho. This behavior is not funny and not defendable. She is truly an ugly person inside and out. I mean wow, seriously.

Teresa Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 08:13 PM EST

So, did someone take Bob on a trip to Hobby Lobby on his way to Gabon? Or does he carve beads well and make dye out of plants? ;-)

wakeforce Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 07:29 PM EST

I pray never to read another word from Chrisconner. this is a survivor blog, not a church group

KathyH Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 07:22 PM EST

Jeff, I love this show & protest because I hate when a season sucks due to a random draw twist.

davidellen & KB, I hear you, sharp piece from ROL, thanks. Agreed, random twists destroy strategy!

This WAS white collar vs blue collar/jock/model! Dan- lawyer w/blue collar roots had complex, got rejected. Onion error? Yep
What irks me is producers blatantly took sides against the "college brains" with swap #2 & an "individual" team IC. In Thailand, same type IC went by CUMULATIVE team time. This was Matty-skewed, to prevent a challenge throw.

Onions didn't play great social game, but I resent recaps calling them arrogant to sway viewers to root for ULONG II. Kota survived great/won challenges & became bad guys via EDITING.
Jeff you let Ulong and Sook Jai reap their fate, why not FANG? A Marquesas flip was possible & then I'd not complain if Onions became NURotu4.
Hope S18 forgoes SPIN and contrived theme. Respect viewers-ditch the heavy handed editing, stay neutral.

Anthony Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 06:50 PM EST

This was the best "loved ones" episode ever... because Corinne was voted out. I want to go to the live finale so I can boo her when she is asked questions. She wasn't mean in an entertaining way like Randy. She was just an ugly nasty person.

Dragonfly Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 03:57 PM EST

Also... it seems to me that being in the wilderness, paranoid, constantly on edge, having very little food and wondering if you're going to be the next out would make you glad to see somebody you could legitimately relax around.

I'm wondering what about Survivor makes people think it's R&R. Everybody voted out so far has reported that they are "happy" to be voted off. There's very little trust, very little food, you're completely removed from the life you're used to; it's also possible that these people... you know... love their families? Maybe?

Dragonfly Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 03:44 PM EST

You know, I think Ken's decision was risky, but not nearly the blunder everybody thinks it is. He effectively sealed Corinne's vote assuming he makes it to the finale.

Crystal *seemed* to have flipped on Corinne and Bob after agreeing to vote for them, but Ken apparently didn't. It alienated Matty, but Bob is still in; who's going to vote Ken out if you can vote out Bob? Just because he's a mastermind? It doesn't matter how smart you are if everybody knows it, since they'll just decide "don't listen to him."

Ken's *kind of* an immunity threat--decent balance and coordination--and taking him out would INCREASE the likelihood that Bob could keep winning challenges. If that little group of three can manipulate a bad idol play, at the very least they can push it to a tie-breaker.

rbk Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 02:47 PM EST

These kinds of schmaltzy episodes suck. No heart? Not when it's contrived and completely bogus, Probst.

Nick Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 02:25 PM EST

Dear Corinne:
You suck.
http://thelittlestwinslow.wordpress.com

cutehobbitgirl Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 11:50 AM EST

I just wonder who would have been in Randy's video if he wasn't kicked off. Didn't he brag about having no friends or family?

chris conner Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 11:45 AM EST

pray that sugar lets go of dad and gets in touch w/her heavenly father-have granddaughter going her way, sex, drugs, r & r, 20 yrs old waitress,betty page fan,and would love for sug to be a Godly example-she loved that sug made the uppity corrine (who needs prayer too) somewhere in her being realize that its character,not education, that counts and i believe its dealing w/corrines that help us get past the pot and seek the LORD-amen!!!

Stop the Loved Ones Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 10:53 AM EST

Please stop bringing lame relatives on the show and trying to coerce each of the contestants to cry on cue. It's boring. It's lame. It sucks!

survivorfan Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 10:43 AM EST

To Dr. Zechariah Zenith
"Another Survivor idea could float like this:

...I reckon that anybody in Marcus, Charlie, Corrine and Bob's position could have not done anything else since the producers themselves decided before hand that they wont stand a chance.

They gave them a brief moment of power, but a single tribal swap doomed them already. Making it predictable on the end."

Why do you keep saying its predictable? They the fang outnumber the other "weak" tribe. They were too cocky and overconfident that they think they can do anything they want. The Fangs voted out Dan because he wasn't in their mind when he was loyal to them in the beginning and kept Susie instead. The producers only want the the weaker tribes to have fighting chance to stay in the game. But guess what? The weaker tribe is stronger individually then as a team. The Fangs are stronger together but is weaker as an individual. Didnt you forget that Matty and his pals voted out Jacquie because she was strong?

john quinlan Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 06:47 AM EST

corrine would have been safer without showing kenny the fake idol. It was a very stupid move made out of fear rather than reason. she should have first went to ken straight up with the idea of voting out matty...he would have gone with it anyways even without the fake idol. He has no reason to vote out corrine, she's not a threat and keeps tension in the tribe away from him, but he does have good reason to try and flush out an idol. She's just not as smart as she thinks she is. Just because your mean and coniving and can play a ruthless game doesn't mean your a good strategist. I'm cheering for ken because his smash bros melle skills are so damn sexy.

Rachel Hamel Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 03:25 AM EST

I haven't teared up while watching tv since I watched Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, when I was 5. As I watched Matty's heartfelt proposal, I teared up like a fool! What a genuine person. Each one of them deserve to win, for various reasons, EXCEPT Corinne. I love it, each week she makes snide remarks regarding the lack of intelligence of their next target, only to have one of the Elite club get booted out. Long live Survivor, the great equalizer. And, personally, going with Corinne & Bob to final 4, is crazy. The jury wiil not give the money to anyone they go to final 2 or 3 with. Better to go to final 5 with honors than sleep with the enemy.

david ellen Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 02:23 AM EST

Tony (Knightcrawler), agreed, he's a strategic player -- though probably not as good as the Kotu Four -- thus I exempted him from my list of the Shameful Four. But that only adds fuel to my suspicion that the producers engineered the ouster of the other tribe. . . because there was at least ONE competent player on Fang. And that does not justify the naked chutzpah the producers evince by putting both teams in a scenario where one (Fang) can easily and totally decimate the other (Kotu). Peace

Pete Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 02:05 AM EST

Jeff (or Serena?) must be living right. In one loved ones visit, you get sprinkled ashes of a beloved father AND the first ever Survivor proposal? You just can’t plan stuff like that.

I’d love to see Bob win. He breaks the mold of typical winners, would be unexpected, and seems to be a genuinely nice guy. He’s also my favorite survivor, but for entertainment value, I’d have to say Randy.

I’m shocked so many seem surprised at the tears and emotion during family visits. I will be a basket case when I see my wife for the first time in a month after an experience like that!

What I appreciated about both Randy and Corinne is that at least you knew where you stood with them. They were both unable and unwilling to hide their disdain for other players. Give me someone willing to tell me that to my face rather than my back any day.

I’m shocked that after this many seasons players still don’t realize the importance of Sun-tzu’s axiom to keep your enemies closer than your allies.

Tony (Knightcrawler) Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 02:05 AM EST

david ellen, I met Ken at a Smash Bros. Melee tournament years ago, and he won the thing. You can go on YouTube and type "Smash" and "Ken" and you'll get results with him in the finals brackets. Don't type "Kenny," because that's not what people call him in Smash. I know, at the very least, he's a real player. And I doubt they'd just include only ONE or a FEW real players. To me, this season proves they're real players.

Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 02:02 AM EST

I will miss corrine's boobies! They were perky and playful. They peeked out during many competitions, they stood at attention often. God bless her little ones.

david ellen Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 01:49 AM EST

Yeah, Donuts, I made that statement in a brazen attempt to drum up an Internet-driven drive to embarrass the IOC into actually stripping Crystal of her medal. . .i.e., it wasn't made in semi-jest at all.

BTW, you must have missed the very first episode, wherein Crystal couldn't muster the endurance to sprint up a small hill such that she needed help from others. But, as you intimated, ENDURANCE isn't a trait one expects in an Olympics relay sprinter.

As an aside, she does not belong on this particular strategy-driven show, as she was clearly a recruit, and probably had never viewed it. This all shows much respect for viewers who appreciate basic strategy.

Dr Zechariah Zenith Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 12:50 AM EST

Another Survivor idea could float like this:

SURVIVOR: BRAINS VS BRAWN

It is better than NERDS VS JOCKS

I'm pretty sure it would be a surefire Survivor series.

I reckon that anybody in Marcus, Charlie, Corrine and Bob's position could have not done anything else since the producers themselves decided before hand that they wont stand a chance.

They gave them a brief moment of power, but a single tribal swap doomed them already. Making it predictable on the end.

Miss M Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 12:11 AM EST

ROTFLMAO over your comment that black scary bat things flew out of COrinne as you snuffed her torch!!!! OMG Jeff your awesome! Another great episode! Yes, I can admit that I cry at every loved ones visit episode. Loved your take on each Survivor. Your blog is my guilty pleasure, Survivor will never be the same for me if you don't blog next season and on and on.

sherrell3 Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 11:56 PM EST

Sorry Jeff-but as usual, again-you have to have money to do great , wonderful things-like Survivor visit!
How about just a contest for fans to win these.In this wacked out world now who has that kind of great sum to win a Survivor visit.

JeffProbstRocks Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 11:40 PM EST

Ok Jeff thanks for the warning about crying. I should have listened to my gut feeling and stayed home to watch. I was invited to my brothers which Survivor night is male bonding night, no women allowed. So I felt honored being the only chick allowed (sometimes). So I make a comment on how cute you look, then I cry and bam they start throwing poker chips at me and I get banned. I can't come back unless I promise not to say your name or cry. It's not fair when they can talk about all the hot women. I chime in and boom I get kicked out. Anyway I want Kenny to win because he is really playing the game. I love Bob, he is like a loveable Rupert.

donuts Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 11:17 PM EST

david ellen:
. Can we all agree that the Olympics Committee should strip Crystal of her medal, post-haste?

Ummm...has there been a 4x400 relay this season that I've missed? I'm good at badminton and high jump, you going to expect me to win tennis and long jump?

If there was a 4 by 100 individual medley swimming I'm sure you'd slag Crystal off for not being good at that either, because "she's an Olympic Gold Medalist" never mind she never got it in swimming.

Michael Phelps is so going to be screwed if he goes on a Survivor that doesn't involve swimming, it will show he's useless and should never have been awarded his gold medals when he doesn't win the sprint/puzzle challenges. **rolleyes**

donuts Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 10:57 PM EST

Opinion on what was the most endearing moment this last episode.

I preferred Sugar's.

donuts Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 10:48 PM EST

"The typically calm and quiet Bob would stay silenced no more! Cue the organ! Cue the lightning! The Wrath Of Bob hath doest rained down upon Sugar with a ferocity not seen since Sue Hawk's infamous speech about snakes and rats. It was strong. It was clear. It made Sugar cry. I know. Big surprise."

Oh great, so this was left off of the show because? It can't have been that great otherwise you guys would've put it in for ratings. And what's Bob's problem, he didn't HAVE to give Randy a fake immunity idol so that Randy would be shown up. And why does Corrine forgive Bob for that and blame everyone else, Bob is the one that made the idol, passed it along and made Randy look a fool.

Seeing as you hated what Sugar did, I guess you're one of those edumacated folks that Corrine feels so aligned to, Jeff. I can't wait to see Corrine stump up for a scholarship to pay back the people that "helped her in life" btw. You think that's going to happen? 'Course not

david ellen Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 10:42 PM EST

Thanks, KB! And I had such high hopes for this season. . .a friend and I would regularly text each other to marvel re: how many "real" players were on.

And the producers unceremoniously engineer their ouster (while Probst, on his blog, takes strange pride in "pulling one over" on everyone -- duh, they're not PSYCHIC, Jeff). Ghastly, people. Lata gata

Stephanie Hyzy Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 09:50 PM EST

HI JEFF, LOVE YOUR BLOG. PLEASE SUGGEST TO GO SOMEWHERE COLD. THINK OF HOW MUCH FUN IT WOULD BE TO WATCH ON TV. DONT WORRY, YOU'LL STAY WARM IN YOUR HEATED HUT. LOL

Hally Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 08:30 PM EST

I LOVE the family episodes and this one was one of the best. Jeff, great comment about the scary bat things when you snuffed Corinne's torch. So good to see her gone. I just hope as she watches the show maybe she will get some perspective on herself. She is just scarily nasty. Ugh!

mark schultz Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 07:35 PM EST

I spent 12 years in Gabon. I was hoping that you would take the contestants to the big market in downtown Libreville and watch them get lost and pickpocketed. That would have been a great experience for them.
There's a lot of wildlife in the urban areas of Gabon.

richard Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 07:32 PM EST

Corrine is sexy, sorry to see her go just on that basis alone!

Sawadee Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 07:00 PM EST

Why did Kenny vote for Matty? Makes no sense! If the idol were real, two votes could send Matty home. The third would be redundant, while four votes would have changed the game. Kenny might have just lost a million dollars. However, if he can survive looking like a snake, I'll be duly impressed! I gotta say, I usually am meh about the loved ones episode--except when the loved ones compete in challenges. Now that's always fascinating. Remember in China where those two girls sounded like birds? Anyway, this time, I just really, really wished the sprinkling of ashes hadn't been filmed. It felt exploitive.

RB Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 06:58 PM EST

Has anyone ever answered whether or not the producers script the events of the show before the actual season starts? Or do they do they have a list of options and decide as the show goes along what they want to do. I’ve always considered Survivor a game show, and as a “survivor” of the quiz show scandal of the 50’s, I would have thought the challenges, tribe switches, etc, were all planned ahead of time to avoid any perception of someone trying to influence the outcome of the game. Re: the tribe switch in question, I could accept it if someone were to say it was planned from the beginning that on day 25 (or whatever day it was) the tribes would be randomly switched without regard to what happened previously. I haven’t seen anyone say that is the case.

KB Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 06:44 PM EST

Thanks david ellen. I'm already a long time RNO reader, great website. And may I add that you also have impeccable taste and the courage to tell the truth about the direction this show has taken. Kudos to you sir, and kudos again.

Carys Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 06:40 PM EST

Jeff, please do one thing different next time: let the survivors wear their own clothes, whatever they want. I don't want to see anyone in underwear next time! It made me mad when I heard they didn't get to choose what they wore---it's very unfair to the women.

david ellen Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 06:27 PM EST

KB, you have impeccable tastes. . .I've been saying so for years!
Check out the article I linked below -- it's right on point. Peace

Tiger Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 06:25 PM EST

I liked this episode. It was quite touching. I mean, you have to admit, Matty is a good guy. To propose to his girlfriend, on T.V, he has heart.
I'm hoping he will win, even though I have a feeling he probably won't.
Then again, he might,I think it will be between him and Kenny.

And sorry for those who liked Corinne, but I hated her. Looks good on her......SHE IS THE DEVIL!

If you ask me, it will be Kenny, Crystal, and Susie in the final. And if that DOES happen, then Kenny will undoubtedly be the winner. Crystal has no shot at winning this because of her anger. Susie won't win it either mainly because she turned on all of those original Kota players, who are now the Jury. No, they won't vote for her.

If Bob loses the Immunity Challenge, he's done.

Sugar has ticked alot of people off, so I don't think she will win. I know she has the Immunity Idol but That WON'T win her the game. It might get her to the final 3, but it won't do anything for her after that.

KB Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 06:09 PM EST

I agree with david ellen. The producers think good strategy is boring to watch on tv. They want dumb players doing stupid things (falling for fake idols and so on) so viewers can feel smart. Many of us are getting tired of this and would much rather watch a well played game. No one has made any good strategic moves this season except maybe Kenny's seletion of Kelly during the 2nd pick em. For the most part, they've all made the obvious moves and weaker players have simply benefited from luck and the tribal swaps. Perhaps if Crystal and the old lady whose name I cannot remember had made better initial choices, the tribes would have started more evenly and things would not have gotten so bad. Mr. Probst has already admitted that it was a mistake to let them choose their own tribes at the beginning.

Linty Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 05:57 PM EST

My thoughts on Corinne:

I've read some exit interviews and watched the videos. There are only two possibilities to explain why she is what she is.
First, she is looking for other reality show opportunities by trying to pull an Omorosa. Unfortunately for her, she is neither well spoken nor intelligent. She just get string words together well enough to sound intelligent, so it just won't fly.
If that is not the case then,
Second, she is Satan.

Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 05:44 PM EST

davidellen - as for the 2nd "BS" switchup - why is the result the producer's fault? Kota still had numbers dominance in both tribes and because of the way they treated Susie she flipped. Can't blame her. Don't like most of Fang - especially Crystal and Kenny - and wish Marcus was still around; but, Marcus' alliance included Randy and Corrine and they are both terrible people.

To Sabrina @ 1:28 re: Sandra from Pearl Islands. I never said Susie was great, I just said she was flying under the radar like Sandra did. Susie keeps quiet, opens her ears, does stuff around camp (or at least appears to through editing), and does okay in the challenges. That's going to get her far - and just because she doesn't have an explosive personality doesn't mean she doesn't deserve the finals. Maybe this is her version of "outwit".

LOVE the family episodes - just always reminds me of how I would feel if I was there and my husband came to see me. I cry every time! :)

david ellen Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 05:31 PM EST

FYI, Marc13, an excellent article explicating on my earlier post/complaint [copy/paste]:

http://www.realitynewsonline.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?mode=1&article=article17392.art&page=1

H Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 05:28 PM EST

No way I'm going to PAY to get to the survivor set. I'd LOVE to do it, but it should be free. Because the only people who can afford it are people who either (a) already won Survivor or (b) have trust funds.

david ellen Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 05:25 PM EST

You make my point, Marc13 -- they forced an unprecendented second switch-up simply to render things interesting, which is disrespectful to strategy-viewers. (Do you disagree that that switch-up was motivated by Fang's mucking up the chance to take advantage of the first?) But I do agree that Suzie made a smart move, for her purposes, in flipping.

In large part, I'm simply annoyed because of how truly awful many of the Fang are. Can we all agree that the Olympics Committee should strip Crystal of her medal, post-haste?

olbin MeCa(Honduras has survivor fans too!) Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 05:23 PM EST

you're right pal in that, but they have managed to survive in a terrible tribe that almost every week was at tribal council. they managed to have control, or at least not to get voted out. Kota had an excellent teamwork but individually, most of them,sucked. Everything was easy for'em at kota. They were too succesfull to win the game.But thats just an opinion :P Hope to see a good finalee. The only one that doesnt deserve to be there right now is susy. She hasnt done anything, the funny thing is that doing nothing has worked for her quite well.

Michelle Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 05:23 PM EST

Don't forget that Kenny wasn't totally duped. He had a conversation with Crystal that the first thing they needed to do was get the "fake" idol out in the open, that way they would know if they were being lied too. This is why Kenny had Crystal vote for Corrine. Either way it was a win win for Kenny, he either got out one more person from Kota or one of his top rivals, Corrine had no idol to play. BTW who is this Serena?

Marc13 Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 05:21 PM EST

...oh and david, your idea of 'weak' may be very different to others. Sticking with one alliance & being blinkered by other possibilities is 'weak' to me. That's what the lofty, arrogant, onion alliance did! 'Strong' players see opportunities, take risks and somehow survive against the odds! Get over it, it's not always about being physically strong in challenges. Sugar, Matty, Ken & suzie have played the best STRATEGICALLY...D'uh! That's why they're stil there! Kota shot hemselves in the foot - it wasn't the switches! Let's keep Suzie instead of Dan...stupid! They deserved their demise!

Marc13 Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 05:15 PM EST

Totally disagree David Ellen. Kota's demise was due to their inability to play the social aspect of the game. Don't forget that role that Sugar has played ( who was an original Kota member who was ostracised from her group ). She was made to feel welcomed at Fang. Suzie on the other hand was always on the outer at Kota and understandly went back to Fang. Kota were good at challenges but have been inept at the social game. If the game went the way you would've liked, that would've been BORING!