Tuesday, December 22, 2009

The Finale! "Good" vs. "Evil"? Really?

Sorry I'm a bit late with the finale blog. Not to trouble you with my troubles but I broke my foot on Sunday - chipped it really. So, I did make it home to watch Survivor, but spent a lot of yesterday in the clinic getting X-rays, etc. Ay-yi! I must be medically evacuated from the island.

So what did you think? Did you love it? People are really in two camps on this one. Some love the fact that Natalie won (ummm... especially if you had her in the pool) while some (me) are sad that Russell didn't win. I mean, yeah, he was a bit of a jerk. I really couldn't handle the way he was talking to Mick and Natalie at the end and the cockiness of his attitude. So in a way I guess it's karma for not being just a little more humble. I also think he should have been able to talk more at the last tribal council, because I believe if he really would have pushed his case he could have won it. He was right - neither Natalie or Mick outplayed or outwitted him.

So what else... I'm assuming you probably don't need a play-by-play, but in case you missed it, Jaison got voted out first because the muppet won immunity again! Jaison was mighty ticked off about it too. And it showed in the final tribal when he made a point to tell the jury exactly how much money each finalist actually had. Oh no he didn't! Yes. He did.

So then it was down to Russell vs. Brett in this challenge where you had to balance a figurine on the top of a long pole. Russell won it, Muppet was gone. Really, for a while I thought the Muppet was going to take it & that they'd edited it that way (him not speaking) on purpose to make us not suspect anything was up. Nope. He really was just that uninteresting. Notice that for a t-shirt designer, he only had ONE t-shirt design? Good luck with that.

So down to Russell, Natalie & Mick. We knew Mick was a non-issue. He didn't even have anything good to say in the final tribal council except that he was the more 'moral' player vs. Russell. Please. At least entertain us, Mick. Russell, as I mentioned earlier, had good & valid points but really didn't get to make them as most questions were directed to Mick & Natalie. Natalie played the cute, nice, humble, moral, "under-the-radar" card and told everyone that her strategy from the start was to pick the strongest player & stick with him. Good point. That she knew going in she wasn't the strongest at challenges, etc., so she'd better have a good alliance. Good point. That she saw the girls who played the stronger, more agressive game get voted out quickly. Good point. She also took credit for some of Russell's strategy ("We planned things together as a team.") Well played. And the whole time she smiled and did this little shoulder shrug thing like, "Well, I'm doing my best, but I still want you to like me." It worked.

Also, I have to say that Erik may have helped win it for Natalie for his speech. He was the last one to ask a question and really let Russell have it for not playing nice. Now, I like Erik as much as the next person (except for poolsters Craig & Kylie, who REALLY like Erik...) but honestly, where on earth does it say in the rules that you have to play all morally and stuff? The game is called SURVIVOR. It is not called SURVIVOR (WITH INTEGRITY). It is not called Moral Superiority. Russell played the best game in history. I personally believe he's not a bad guy - that he probably is great to his family & friends and I'd love to have a beer with him. Apparently no one else on the jury could appreciate that you can be a different person on and off the show. And I wonder how many of them were exactly as they are outside the game. Bleh.

So on the Reunion Show, Russell asked Natalie to ask Jeff if he could pay her $10,000 (or was it $100,000?) for the TITLE of "Sole Survivor".... which is funny, because he... ummm... wasn't. Natalie wouldn't budge (fair enough) but Jeff really wanted to give it to him. Jeff is a Russell fan. But I also agree with poolster Kylie, who says that Jeff should stop calling him "Evil Russell". I liked that Russelll won the $100,000 fan favourite award as a bit of redemption. I love that Shambo says she has to go through back doors to avoid the throngs of fans. Hee. AND that she still has the hair-do. I loved that this season had no romance. I loved hearing Master T-Russell talk again (he's got the craziest cartoon voice!) I still did not love Ben. I still did not love Yasmin. I loved that Shambo & Laura admitted they have forgiven each other, but aren't going to be buddies any time soon. I still think Monica & Kelly & Ashley are dumb (and that aside from Natalie - Russell's "dumass girl alliance" was pretty on point.) I thought that Mike was an ass for saying he was proud he didn't cry (referring to Master T) when he got medically evacuated. Jerk. I hate that they didn't talk to Liz at all. And Dave Ball could have been more entertaining for sure.

Finally, I am pretty sure I'm excited for next season. In case you missed it, it's Villains vs. Heroes. Part of me hates these ones because I really like getting an entirely new cast of characters. Russell was cool because only we knew his plan. Now everyone will know his plan - and believe you me, Russell will be back for the next season. And I'm quite certain Coach will be back (!!!!!) as what - a hero? I'm sure. (*Wretch*) Who else do you think? Johnny Fairplay? Wasn't he already back for a 2nd time? Will they let Richard Hatch play again? Anyways, can't wait to see who they pick and all in all, I think it's a pretty clever premise given the polarity of opinion on Russell vs. Natalie. I vote villains. You?

Anyways, thanks to y'all for reading this nonsense and for telling me you've been enjoying it. I do love it. It wasn't quite the same this time out without my dad, Al, in the pool. He was truly the one who enjoyed reading this the most & I'll miss his comments the most too. Oh, and congrats to those of you who won some money! Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 18, 2009

On the Eighth Day, God Created Muppets and Said, "Watch Out, For They Will Be Sneaky."

So some fundamental truths about the universe were revealed on last night's Survivor. First, that there ARE indeed mysterious things hidden in Shambo's hair (Russell: "She's got bits of chicken and coconut and who knows what else up there...") and second, that muppets are very, very sneaky. It's the shifty eyes that are little black dots.... you can't trust 'em.

So back to Shambo's hair for a minute. The show started off with the Muppet giving Shambo a scalp massage. 'Kay. Was anyone else totally grossed out by that, or was it just me? I'm with Russell - I think there are scary things hidden in there. Plus, they have been there for like, 33 days or something without showers & shampoo. Ew, right? So, because I think muppets are sneaky, I believe Brett was actually looking for hidden treasure, or a clue to the game, or maybe some food. Plus, he's sticking with his 'be nice to everybody' plan of action. Also re: Hair. Did you love Jeff Probst asking Shambo how long she's had that hairstyle? Hee. "Since 1986," she says proudly. "That's commitment," says Jeff. Hee.

Seriously, if the muppet gets to the end, he will win this thing. The guy who didn't say ANYTHING until episode 12!! Did they edit it that way just to throw us off? Make us think, nooooo, there's no way THAT guy would win. He might win. And use his million dollars to design more crappy t-shirts... or perhaps further world muppet-domination.

Sorry, I digress. I'm seriously worried that he'll beat my Russell. I called it ages ago that Russell would win and I don't like to be proved wrong... it's keeping me up nights.

In the reward challenge, some eyebrows were raised when Natalie picked the muppet first for her team. They're cozy, she likes him, he quotes the Bible to her... but she's sticking with Russell. She's smart & wants that million bucks. During the challenge, Natalie made her team (Muppet & Mick) hold hands as "prayer warriors" so that God might guide their hands to win reward. Ummm.... I think God's got bigger fish to fry, Natalie. Just sayin'. And as it turned out, God was indeed too busy with the war in Iraq to help her team. Russell, Jaison & Shambo won a day out with the locals. It was kinda touching when Shambo made a toast to the locals thanking them for putting on such a good feast. Not embarassing like I thought it would be. Sometimes, she's OK.... and truly I liked Shambo so much more than any of those other girls (Laura, Monica, Kelly....)

Then the Muppet won immunity. Gah! How does that happen? Come ON Foa Foa Four! Seriously. So they told Shambo the plan was to vote for Mick. They told Mick the plan was to vote for Shambo. And even though the clever editors made it look like there might be some thinking to be done, there wasn't. Those 4 are tight. Shambo was next to go. True, it would be better to take Shambo to the final, but no one wants to be the jerk to go against his/her word on their tight alliance. Those guys can't afford any more votes against on the jury.

Speaking of the jury, if you haven't been watching Ponderosa, you MUST do it. Every time someone is voted out to the jury, there is a video posted of their first few days at Ponderosa, which is the place they get to stay. If you're a Survivor junkie, it's a cool insight into how the game works on the other side (like they have to wear these black hooded cloaks when they get voted off until they get to Ponderosa to prevent spoilers) and also, there's just some extra gold going on over there. If you watch anything, watch Dave Ball's vids. Very funny stuff. (Go to the Survivor CBS website, and go to videos, find the ones marked Ponderosa.)

One more day! GAH! Don't forget to watch on SUNDAY! Will it be Russell or the Muppet? How am I going to sleep until then?

Friday, December 11, 2009

Dave Ball! Gets Outwitted By a Muppet




Soooooooooo goooooooood!

If you missed it, there were TWO people voted off last night. Not at once, but like they squished two episodes together. No reward challenge, just immunity challenges and vote, vote. Someone said something about the 'family' episode... which MUST be coming up next. They always have the family members come out & make everyone cry. It should be next. Will Russell cry? I think no.... You?

In the meantime... Jaison won the first immunity challenge (bowling...) Shambo could not hide her glee when Dave Ball! didn't win. And she didn't hold a grudge vs. Russell for last week's Shambo/John blindside. BUT, she wanted Dave Ball! gone now. It looked for a bit like Russell was thinking of voting off Shambo instead, but it was just a ploy to make Dave Ball! feel better. Even Monica & Brett (who?) voted for him.

Monica tried her best to get under Russell's skin. It worked for a bit - Russell found out that someone had told the others that he's a millionaire & got mad at Natalie, then Jaison (it was indeed Jaison who told - remember?) But not to worry - they kept with the original plan.

I have to say I'm going to miss Dave. Well, not really exactly. I'm going to miss Jeff calling him Dave Ball! (Did any of you ever watch Arrested Development? Reminds me of Steve Holt. Right? Hee. Steve Holt!) And truly, for the guy who's supposed to be the smartest guy ever on Survivor (IQ-wise), he wasn't a very smart player. And what the what was with Dave Ball!'s hairdo when he showed up on the jury?? Wow, that was some serious Herbal Essence a la Kim Mitchell. Yowza. And poolster Lori thought he was wearing a skirt (sarong?), though I missed it. Oh Dave Ball! you are quite the earth mother.

So then there was another immunity challenge and Brett won it! Crazy - the dude finally did something!! And just in time, 'cause he would have been next otherwise. Have decided Brett may really be a muppet. Take a closer look next time. It explains a lot, really. Doesn't talk much... smiles all the time.... designs T-shirts.... seriously.

I had no idea who was going home. It looked like Monica. But there was talk amongst even Jaison & Mick about not entirely trusting Russell. (see: Mick's Russell/Snake analogy from last time.) They show up at Tribal Council and before Jeff can even say anything, Russell takes out the immunity idol & puts it around his neck! Delightful! Wasn't it hard to watch? He's gotten so cocky.... and I thought maybe he'll play it.... I couldn't watch! He didn't play it! And Monica sitting there with that stupid smirk on her face & talking about how she's gotten to Russell and how she'll tell the jury all about him blah, blah, blah. She deserves to get voted out just for the smirk.

So I think if Russell is smart, he'll take Shambo to the final two. Those girls will never vote for Shambo, no matter how they hate Russell. They'd vote for Natalie 'cause she's a girl. They'd vote for Jaison 'cause he's nice. They'd vote for Mick 'cause he's handsome. Brett won't be there probably unless he keeps winning muppet-immunity. Erik, John & Dave Ball! just know they were outplayed, and not by Shambo. The only kink in the plan could seriously come if Russell has to go up against the muppet in final two. That'll be tough. He's Galu with lots of friends on the jury, he's smiling all the time, and he'll likely break into a song in the final tribal council. How do you top that if you're Russell?

Friday, December 4, 2009

The Auction, The Ghost Chicken & How Dave Ball Narrowly Escapes Getting Whacked

Lots to say about last night's episode... Not as good as some of the other blindsides, but still a pretty good one, non? John's face went from pretty confident to eyes looking sideways to mouth wide open. He was pretty shocked. And the beautiful thing was how he still didn't blame Russell for it. Nope. He blamed his Galu tribemates. Heh heh.

What else? Right - it was the Survivor auction. Lovely. Monica ate a whole chicken (making me wonder what eating a whole chicken does to your insides after however many days of eating coconut....) Natalie snapped up a pb&j sandwich, a shower (complete with saxaphone "hubba-hubba" music... Who is editing Survivor this year? It's crazy!)... Mick paid his whole $500 for a burger, fries & a beer. Mind you, it was the biggest burger I think I've ever seen.... John got apple pie and could trade his slice for a whole pie to share between 4 people. He chose HIS OWN slice of pie. Dumb. Why would you possibly not share the pie? Jaison spent his whole $500 on something to help him in the immunity challenge (which he did end up winning - yay!). Smart man. And Russell didn't look like he was even interested in bidding on anything. He is not motivated at all by food or comfort. He's motivated by winning the game... which is kind of the point, right?

Oh yeah, and John got a clue to the hidden immunity idol, which of course Russell already has. So he looks for it, can't find it... and goes to Russell, who finally tells him that yes, he's got it. Poolster Lori hit it on the head when she commented to me today that Russell is like a serial killer.... eventually he needs to tell people how smart he is. Right? He's clever, but he needs peopole to KNOW he's clever. Thankfully he has the cameras, or he'd probably burst at the seams.

But then Russell realizes that John has to go. He knows to much. (See the killer references again?) John is a threat. He's smart (rocket scientist after all) and now he knows about the idol. Meanwhile, Shambo is mad at Dave Ball.

Sidebar - I have been calling him Danger Dave. Dave is not particularly dangerous, but I feel like it's in there somewhere. Perhaps he's got some dangerous yoga moves he's waiting to bust out.... I don't know. But have you noticed that Jeff always calls him Dave Ball? He's one of those guys who suits a first and last name. (There are athletes like this. If you watch hockey, for example, it's just Iginla... but it's always Owen Nolan.... or Luke Schenn. See?)

So Shambo is PMSing (her words, not mine) and she's ticked off at Dave Ball. Dave Ball had the audacity to ask her how she was cooking the soup. (Oh the drama! They killed one of Erik's chickens! Shambo was so sad - she really bonded with the chickens.) Shambo could not let it go. How dare he!

So then Shambo has a dream. And again with the editing. Some staffer at Survivor edits up this lovely dream sequence a la Blair Witch Chicken Project in which the dead chicken seems to visit Shambo to tell her to vote out Dave Ball. Hee. Shambo goes on about how she has these clairvoyant dreams... which pretty much tells us right there that no... Dave Ball will not be voted out because Shambo is full of .... chicken. Correct?

Russell goes to Dave Ball, tells him to vote for John. Dave Ball tells Monica and Brett (who?) to vote for John. Everyone is on board to vote out John instead of Dave Ball except for Shambo who makes up her mind based on emotion and won't change it. Soooo, once again she gets left out of the vote. Jaison points out that maybe that's not a good idea since it's what turned her against Galu in the first place... but we know Russell will sweet talk her and what we know that Jaison misses is that Shambo hated those girls more than anything. Shambo likes Russell, Mick, Natalie and Jaison. No worries.

So John was the choice. John still thought he was voting vs. Mick & that Russell would keep his word. But John doesn't know it was entirely Russell's IDEA to vote him out. And he didn't make any friends with the whole pie thing... and he pissed off Monica by voting off Laura.... and in my opinion, he was off my list on the first day when he swam in his jeans. For that reason alone, John should not win Survivor.

And seriously... how does Brett get this far in the game and on the show without saying anything of interest? How boring can that guy be? I'm starting to obsess over it. It's unhealthy.

Next week it looks like Mick & Jaison start questioning Russell. Mick: "It's like kids playing with a snake and getting bitten. The kids cry and the snake says, "I'm a snake, that's what I do."" Mick gets it. Which means Mick will probably be voted off next.