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'Survivor: Kaôh Rōng' (CBS)

Quick Note: We’re going to be bringing you all kinds of “Survivor” fun this season including episode recaps, exit interviews, and Power Rankings with Shirin Oskooi. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

Watch Full Episodes of ‘Survivor: Kaôh Rōng’

Last Week: Scot, Jason, and Tai have two idols while young people who watch “Survivor” have none. Oh, and Debbie’s latest job is “jury member.”

39 Days, 18 People, 1 “Survivor” Blog

Let’s take a look at the tribe as it currently stand..

The Dara Tribe (wearing black)
Aubry – 29, Social Media Marketer
Cydney – 23, Body Builder
Jason  – 31, Bounty Hunter
Joseph – 72, Former FBI Agent
Julia – 19, Student
Michele – 24, Bartender
Scot – 40, Former NBA Champion
Tai – 51, Gardener

We start off back at Dara beach after Tribal where the bad boys alliance is patting each other on the back.

Then…Tai gives Jason his idol back. Dah! C’mon, Tai!

Jason credits their win to destroying the camp. That’s…uh…debatable. How would anything have been different if they’d just been cool? And how many jury members did that infuriate?

Tai wants to mend fences the next morning. Scot agrees because he doesn’t want to be the next Russell Hantz. No dude, you’re the next Brandon Hantz.

Scot approaches Aubry and tells her that he’ll behave around camp as long as they get rid of Cydney next. Aubry acts like she agrees, but she tells us that she’s not going to go along with it.

Reward Challenge Time: Players will stand with one foot holding up pot on a balancing beam. Last person with their pot in one piece wins food, a letter from home, or a mystery advantage.

As an added twist, everyone is competing against the people who want the same item. So, three winners? I kind of like this twist.

Also, the big plate of food is labeled “Food.” Very helpful.

For the advantage it’s Tai, Cydney, and Aubry.

For the food it’s Scot, Jason, and Michele.

And for the letter it’s Joe and Julia.

We start off and Joe is almost immediately out. Julia gets a letter from home. Fastest challenge win ever?

Scot’s out next…then Jason. Michele wins “food.”

Cydney lasts for a bit before her pot topples. It’s down to Tai and Aubry.

They battle for ten minutes…and Aubry’s pot drops. Tai wins the advantage.

So, it turns out that Tai’s advantage is an extra vote. Oh, that always works out well, right Stephen? No? Dan? Huh…

Meanwhile, Julia’s enjoying her loved-one letter. Well, she did work super hard for it. She had to balance a pot for 15 whole seconds.

Later on, she tells Aubry and Michele that she wants to target Tai so he’ll play his idol. And if it doesn’t work, they’ll only lose Cydney. Aubry respects Julia’s game, but she doesn’t want to sit next to her at the end.

Aubry approaches Tai and says it’s hard to know when to trust your heart or your brain. But she was a brain!!!

She tells Tai that certain people are trying to flush his idol and that she’ll have his back.

Tai shares this info with Scot and Jason and asks if they should align with Aubry. Scot immediately says they should take her out. This is not what Tai was going for.

Immunity Challenge Time: The players will stretch out and press discs against posts. The last person with their discs in the air will win immunity.

Tonight’s Trend: Stand somewhere, don’t break something.

And…Joe’s the first out.

Scot is the next one gone 25 minutes later. He’s followed by Julia, Tai, and Michele.

We’re down to Jason, Cydney, and Aubry.

Cydney finally drops out at the 45-minute mark. Aubry and Jason go toe-to-toe for an hour and fifteen minutes before Aubry loses her discs. Jason wins immunity…and screams…and sweats.

Back at camp, the guys are high-fivin’ and preparin’ to target Aubry.

Later, Julia tells Scot and Jason that the ladies are targeting Tai to get rid of his idol. They pitch her coming on board because they don’t think they can beat Tai at a final Tribal. And they can beat Julia?!

Meanwhile, Cydney wants to target Scot instead. Aubry is willing to go along with it because she likes Tai.

Aubry asks Tai what he wants to do. He isn’t sure because he realizes his best bet is probably to go to the end with the guys. Well, he isn’t wrong.

Remember Joe?

That night at Tribal, Scot confesses to doing some trash talking. He says he’s not going anywhere.

Jason says either the women decide which of their players is going home, or they will.

Aubry doesn’t know what’s going to happen.

Jason and Scot laugh because they told everyone what they were going to do.

Cydney is nervous because she jumped ship and Jason and Scot are “salty.” She also mentions that she hasn’t won any challenges.

Jason points out that the people who win challenges aren’t going home tonight.

Tai doesn’t boast in his personal life, but this is war.

Jason and Scot point out that Tai has stepped up for them time and time again.

Aubry thinks the challenge was her chance to prove that she’s not just a brain. Scot and Jason both think she’s been kicking butt the whole time.

Voting Time: Julia votes for Tai, Jason votes for Aubry, Aubry votes for Scot, and the rest are secret.

Probst tallies and returns. He asks if anyone would like to play an idol…and Julia tells Tai to play his. He does not.

We’ve got one vote for Tai, one vote for Aubry, one vote for Scot, one vote for Tai, one vote for Aubry, two votes for Scot, and the eleventh person eliminated from “Survivor: Kaôh Rōng is…Scot.

BUT WAIT! Scot asks Tai for the idol…and he doesn’t hand it over! No super idol!

Scot’s really out! And so is Jason’s idol!

Exclamation points!

Verdict: Wow, this season is awesome. Just awesome.

And now that I think about it; Aubry and Tai were tied so it would’ve been a revote and Tai would’ve been out.

Wow again.

Who’s Going to Win? This is the Aubry show, baby.

Power Rankings Results: Shirin and I both had Scot in spot eight. The current score is Team Shirin 90, Team Gordon 88.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes

Debbie Wanner (CBS)

Quick Note: We’re going to be bringing you all kinds of “Survivor” fun this season including episode recaps, exit interviews, and Power Rankings with Shirin Oskooi. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

Watch Full Episodes of ‘Survivor: Kaôh Rōng’

Gordon Holmes: Thank you for doing Reading, PA proud.
Debbie Wanner: Oh, thank you! You must be from around here if you said (red-ing) and not (read-ing).
Holmes: I’m a Wilson High School graduate.
Wanner: Oh, then you’re Governor Mifflin’s arch-nemesis.
Holmes: Oh no, now we have to hate each other.

Holmes: Were you at all surprised by Aubry’s flip last night?
Wanner: I knew it was coming.
Holmes: What tipped you off?
Wanner: After Julia got immunity, I said, “OK, name a name.” And she couldn’t come up with a name. So, that was big. Joe told me. And I saw her and Cydney go off together. You know, Gordon…I knew Aubry was…and I mean this with all due respect…I adore her. She was hyper, paranoid, and neurotic about being voted off. Hey, that’s what keeps you alive.

Holmes: What was the final plan?
Wanner: Let’s see if they’ll give up their idol to play a super idol. Are you telling me that Jason and Tai are really both going to give up their idols to make a super idol for a millionaire? But, I knew I couldn’t sell her on it because she thought she was on the chopping block.  I told her, “It’s not you, it’s Cydney.” But, I had a lot of clues. And what I whispered to Joe was, “Hey, it’s been great. See you later.”
Holmes: So, you knew about the super idol. Was it Tai at the last Tribal that tipped you off?
Wanner: No, Neal told us before he left.
Holmes: And you personally didn’t think they’d use them to save Scot?
Wanner: We didn’t assume, we knew. We knew Tai had an idol, we knew Scot did not, and we knew Jason did. And part of that was overhearing them talk. You’re always in close proximity. I had actually been privy to a conversation between Tai and Jason where they said, “Why would we give up our idols for a millionaire?” And why would you? I couldn’t convince Aubry that she was safe and if she took me or one of the other girls out, she would be safe.

Holmes: Why did you refuse to target Julia before the immunity challenge?
Wanner: I do not like bullies, tyrants… “Survivor” is a game, but we were really starving out there. I lost twenty pounds. I lost more percentage of my body weight than probably anybody. I weighed 92 pounds at one point. So you have these two guys pouring water on our fire, taking our tools, giant clams were destroyed, so there was nothing. And you want to appease them by taking out Julia? You fight fire with fire. You throw rocks? I’m throwing boulders.  I just don’t know why when people are being bullied they take it up the butt with no K-Y.
Holmes: Oh.
Wanner: I stole their shorts.
Holmes: (Laughs)
Wanner: That was all I could do. (Laughs)

Holmes: At the end, a jury has to vote to give you the win. Did you ever consider taking those two heels to the end?
Wanner: I did. But, there were three guys to pick from who were unlikable, so one of them needed to go just to stop the shenanigans. You split up those three stooges and they’re not having any fun. And nobody played an idol. That was pretty cool that Jason gave his idol to Tai. And I’m curious, and I honestly don’t know, what would be hysterical is if Tai refuses to give it back.
Holmes: That’s what I was wondering. You can’t steal an idol, but when you give it to someone, it belongs to them. They were having fun with their little performance, but it seems to me like Tai legally has two idols.
Wanner: He absolutely has two idols! And if you noticed,  Jason says, “I give you this idol.” And Tai says, “I accept.” Those are the rules. Tai now has his own super idol and how stupid were you to do that? But, it was a great stunt. The guys were great TV.

Holmes: It hurt my soul to watch Tai douse the fire.
Wanner: I know.
Holmes: Did you know he was a part of that?
Wanner: I knew it. And it was a struggle him going back and forth. He was so unpredictable. The previous week he votes for Jason. And Jason gives him an idol? You’ve got to be kidding me. They gave him a super idol. Which I do not like the concept for at all. I think that is the only season that stupid stunt should ever come up. It’s just crap.
Holmes: Kudos to the guys for playing the hand that was dealt to them. But it is stupid powerful.
Wanner: And it’s crap. You’re dead and you’re resurrected? I didn’t like it at all. But, I do like that Jason gave it to Tai. You just gave it to the most unpredictable person in this game…who just voted for you, dude! (Laughs)
Holmes: Do you know what was behind that vote?
Wanner: No clue. I don’t think even Tai knows.
Holmes: Maybe it’s the alphabet method.

Holmes: Alright, word association time. Let’s start with Nick.
Wanner: Personality of a stone statue.
Holmes: Neal?
Wanner:  Ice cream.
Holmes: Scot?
Wanner: Goliath.
Holmes: Julia?
Wanner: Boston sweetie.
Holmes: Aubry?
Wanner: Geek goddess.
Holmes: Elisabeth?
Wanner: City dweller.
Holmes: Peter?
Wanner:  Hail to the chief. Good guy.
Holmes: Cydney?
Wanner: Wonder Woman.
Holmes: Joe?
Wanner: Ultimate gentleman.
Holmes: Tai?
Wanner: Bi-polar. (Laughs)
Holmes: Michele?
Wanner: “The Great Gatsby” because she’s related distantly to F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Holmes: Let’s finish with Jason.
Wanner: I almost have nothing nice to say…dedicated to his family.
Holmes: Who said you had to say something nice?
Wanner:  Yeah…but in my life I’ve been taught to take the high road. I wanted to have fun. But Jason is reprehensible.

Holmes: If you had managed to get rid of the guys last night, what was your plan for the rest of the game?
Wanner: Tai, because  I don’t think he could’ve gotten any votes. He kept flip-flopping. I would’ve taken Tai and Aubry.

Holmes: You’re a very interesting “Survivor” character, which is different than you as a person…
Wanner: Thank you.
Holmes: You’re portrayed as very eccentric out there, but I interview people every week and they seem to enjoy you. Was there anything that happened out there that we didn’t see that you wish people had seen?
Wanner: No, I don’t think I needed to be portrayed so talkative and kooky. The truth was it was Liz who talked non-stop. I said, “I’ll be one of the most forgettable characters on ‘Survivor’ and even if I win people will say, ‘Who’?” I’m nothing to look at, I left weighing 92 pounds, I’m not beauty, brawn, or brains. I can juggle, but when they showed me, they showed me dropping them. So they were going for the kooky old lady character. It just isn’t who I am. I am fun-loving, but nobody worked as hard as me except for Joe.

Holmes: You’re someone who says what she wants and then goes out and tries to get it. I think that would’ve done well in front of a jury. Was that your strategy?
Wanner: My approach to “Survivor” was; in Hollywood a woman is old at 35 years old. The “old” woman is the hardest group you can be in. Why? You’re not in the young girls (T&A) club. And I mean that with all due respect. You’re not in the bodacious club. You’re not going to go into a testosterone male alliance. Unless you can form an alliance of weirdos and outcasts, who may or not be physically fit, you’re really out there by yourself because there’s only one “older” lady out there. Why do you keep putting buffoons out there with no physical capability? I have military training in survival, I can out-lift any of you. I just wanted a smarter, savvy, physically-fit older woman.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes

'Survivor: Kaôh Rōng' (CBS)

Quick Note: We’re going to be bringing you all kinds of “Survivor” fun this season including episode recaps, exit interviews, and Power Rankings with Shirin Oskooi. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

Watch Full Episodes of ‘Survivor: Kaôh Rōng’

Last Week: Cydney slipped then flipped, Tai won then jumped the gun, and Nick boasted then was roasted…

39 Days, 18 People, 1 “Survivor” Blog

Let’s take a look at the tribe as it currently stand..

The Dara Tribe (wearing black)
Aubry – 29, Social Media Marketer
Cydney – 23, Body Builder
Debbie – 49, Chemist
Jason  – 31, Bounty Hunter
Joseph – 72, Former FBI Agent
Julia – 19, Student
Michele – 24, Bartender
Scot – 40, Former NBA Champion
Tai – 51, Gardener

Sorry I missed last week’s episode. I’ll never let you down again.

We start off as the Dara tribe returns to their beach to thunder and lightning. The “Survivor” FX crew is top notch. No clue how they control the weather like that.

Jason asks Tai who he voted for and he says, “Debbie.” Fibber. The dynamic duo agrees to use their super idol to save whoever is in trouble at the next Tribal.

Scot then comes up with the idea of throwing the machete and the ax into the woods. He calls it psychological warfare. Or is that “psycho-logical”?

Tai doesn’t love this strategy. Well, the lack of an ax will keep the chicken safe…

Maybe they should throw Michele into the woods so she can’t vote.

The next morning, Scot and Jason won’t help around camp. They just sit there. It’s equal parts hilarious and sad. These are grown men. Debbie accuses them of not being gentlemen. Whoa…don’t say things you can’t take back.

Joe, Debbie, and Michele realize that the camp has been sabotaged. But, they manage to cut open a coconut with a saw.

Instead of taking the saw, Scot dumps all of the water onto the fire. So, this Brains vs. Beauty vs. Brawn season has a J’Tia too.

Reward Challenge Time: Two teams will be attached to a rope. They’ll have to work together to unbraid the rope. They’ll then use sandbags to knock blocks off a ledge. The first tribe with a clean ledge wins Chinese food.

Joe will be the odd man out, but he’ll get to bet on the teams. If he chooses correctly, he gets the reward too.

Probst lets them choose their own sides. The guys ask which girl wants to join them and Julia jumps at the opportunity. This does not go unnoticed.

Joe bets on the female team.

We start off and there isn’t much to describe except for some intense unbraidin’.

The guys/Julia team gets to the sandbags first, but the women aren’t too far behind. Debbie goes to town with the sandbags, but isn’t able to make up the difference. The guys/Julia win reward.

Back at camp, Tai, Scot, Jason, Julia, and Mark the chicken enjoy some delicious Chinese food. They ask Julia for her long-term plan. She’s worried because she thinks she’ll be on the bottom with the women, and the guys would be easy to beat in front of a jury. Well, she isn’t wrong.

When they return to camp, Julia assures Debbie that she’s still with them. Cydney and Aubry don’t buy it.

That night, Tai douses the fire when everyone is asleep! That just felt wrong. Like when Batman was killing people in “Dawn of Justice.”

Later, Debbie and Aubry discuss strategy. Aubry thinks that Julia needs to go and it’ll help flush any idols. Debbie won’t hear of it. She refuses to target Julia.

All of this strategy talk before the challenge? Cue Julia winning immunity.

Immunity Challenge Time: The players will stack blocks like dominoes. As they stack them, they have to be careful not to hit a beam that will knock them over. First person to complete their domino line and set off a gong wins immunity.

We start off and there isn’t much to describe except for crazy dominoin’. #notaword

Michele, Julia, Aubry, and Debbie are in the lead

Aubry wipes out. Michele sets her line off and…it doesn’t make it.

Julia knocks down a few of her own blocks, but not all of them.

Debbie sets off her line and….no luck. C’mon Debbie, I know you were a professional domino placer at some point.

Jason is started to climb back into it. So is Aubry.

Jason sets his off…nope.

Debbie again…nothing!

Julia tries her luck…and succeeds! Julia wins immunity!

Ha! Totally called it.

Back at camp, Debbie says they should split the vote between Tai and Scot and then vote for Scot if it’s a tie. This freaks Aubry out because she said it in front of Julia.

Sure enough, Julia tells Scot immediately. Scot says they should target Cydney and then if Julia doesn’t play along they can use their idols.

Aubry is very frustrated with Debbie. She approaches Cydney with the idea of voting her out. Cyd seems into it. Aubry tries to get Joe on board, but he isn’t feeling it.

Needing another number, they approach Julia with their plan. She says she’ll go along with it.

Julia the swing vote! I’d go for Cydney. Going to the end with the guys is a million-dollar check.

That night at Tribal, Debbie claims that their lives are on the line because of the way the guys are sabotaging camp.

Julia says she chose to be with the guys at the reward challenge because somebody had to do it.

Michele thinks tonight’s vote will show where Julia’s allegiance lies.

Tai believes that idols will come into play…if they exist.

Scot laughs, then admits that Tai has an idol. Oh, so they do exist.

Jason stands up and admits that he has an idol too.

Tai says there’s a 35% chance that they can vote him out. Well…

Jason lays out the plan, saying that he and Scot are going to rock/paper/scissors for the idol.

And now…everyone is whispering.

Voting Time: No votes are shown.

Probst tallies and returns. He then asks if anyone would like to play an idol…and Scot’s paper beats Jason’s rock. But, they decide to give the idol to Tai anyway. And he doesn’t play either. That was fun, but useless. Kinda like dinner theater.

Alright, we’ve got one vote for Scot, one vote for Cyd, one vote for Scot, two votes for Cyd, three votes for Debbie, and the tenth person eliminated from “Survivor: Kaôh Rōng is…Debbie.

Note: The evil alliance voted for Cydney. Aubry, Michele, Julia, and Cydney voted for Debbie.

Verdict: Wow…wheee…wow. Why on Earth was Probst so subtle about hyping this season? It’s crazy!

Who’s Going to Win? Julia’s got a clear path if she gets back with the guys.

Power Rankings Results: Shirin had Debbie in spot seven, I had her in spot eight. The current score is Team Shirin 82, Team Gordon 80.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes

'Survivor: Kaôh Rōng' (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: XFINITYTV.com is the place to be for all of your bug-eatin’, back-stabbin’, “Survivor” coverage. During the season we’ll have insightful weekly Power Rankings, exit interviews, and full episode recaps. Follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Kaôh Rōng”

The Rules: Each week our two combatants will create separate power rankings. The ranking of the person who is voted out of the next episode will determine the number of points the players will earn.  For example, if Tai is voted out this episode, Shirin will receive three points and Gordon will receive one point. At the end of the season, the person with the most points will be named the “Survivor: Kaôh Rōng” Power Rankings Challenge Champion.

Last Week: Shirin had Nick in spot nine, Gordon had him in spot eight. The current score is Team Shirin 75, Team Gordon 72.

Quick Note: Rankings are not based on who the player thinks is most likely to win. The smart strategy is to rank the contestants based on who is the most likely to be voted out in the next episode.

Shirin’s Score = 75 Any questions for Shirin? Drop her a line on Twitter: @theshirin	Gordon’s Score = 72 Any questions for Gordon? Drop him a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
1. – Joe: Gentlemen, start your engines, and may the best woman win! #DragRace	1. – Tai: “What? Super idol? You guys didn’t hear that rumor? Huh…nevermind…” Tai, you are bad at “Survivor,” but charm can take you a long way. I don’t think you’re going to need that idol this week, but keep it close just in case.
2. – Michele: You don’t need to be carried when you can Apparate, bro. #LikeAFawkes	2. – Michele: Michele is playing a pretty solid get-to-the-end-and-receive-one-vote kinda game. She needs a resume-builder and fast.
3. – Tai: Ah…I finally see it. Refugees are scary……at immunity challenges. #RefugeesWelcome	3. – Jason: The bad news? Your alliance kinda blew up. The good news? You weren’t the first target and you still have an idol. There’s no way Jason is going home without playing it.
4. – Aubry: As long as it ain’t me…or my friend here…actually, look, it’s going to be you.	4. – Joe: That smile could make any color look good. Even purple.
5. – Cydney: She didn’t like being checked, so she put an X on the men. #StormOfSwords	5. – Julia: Julia’s still swinging. She could’ve been safe for a while with the Brawns, but she struck out and could build a case to get to the end and win.
6. – Julia: Could it be that you are at the crib with another lady?	6. – Aubry: Last week was a good one for Aubry. She’s no longer tops on the Brawn’s hit list.  In fact, I don’t think it’d be insane for her to consider working with the Brawns.
7. – Miss Debbie: She might go drown herself. You gals better keep an eye on her.	7. – Cydney: Welp…nobody can call you a floater anymore. And if you play your cards right, you could be facing some weaker competition when it comes time for the more physical immunity challenges.
8. – Jason: “We have a Super Idol…We are literally unstoppable!” Then Storm clouds gathered above into great balls of fire. And fire shot down from the sky in bolts like shining blades of a knife… And if we don’t behave, they’ll cut us down again. #AngryInch	8. – Debbie: Someone who says what she wants then goes out and gets it? I bet a jury would really respect that.  It’s a rocky road from here to there, but I wouldn’t count her out.
9. – Scot: “If I have to go to another Tribal, I am absolutely going to write down Aubry… Joe… Aubry… Joe, and I’ll just cross them out until…” they vote you out.	9. – Scot: The second-biggest physical threat was sent home last week. The biggest is still out there.