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‘Survivor: Blood vs. Water’ Recap – Is Vytas Clueless?

October 23, 2013

'Survivor: Blood vs. Water' (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 Malcolm Freberg. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

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Last Week: Aras experienced a rubdown, Galang got their first immunity beat down, and Laura M. was the victim of a Tribal Council smack down.

39 Days (well…technically 39.5), 20 People, 1 “Survivor” Blog

Let’s take a look at the tribes as they currently stand…

The Galang Tribe (wearing yellow)
Aras – Musician, 31
Gervase – Cigar Lounge Owner, 43
Kat – Full-Time Student/Sales, 23
Laura B. – Merchandiser, 44
Monica – Homemaker, 42
Tina – Motivational Speaker, 52
Tyson – Store Manager, 34

The Tadhana Tribe (wearing red)
Caleb – Post Office Manager/Farmer, 26
Ciera – Cosmetology Student, 24
Hayden – Real Estate, 26
Katie – Hedge Fund Support, 25
Vytas – Yoga Instructor, 33

The evening’s shindig gets underway back at Galang after Tribal Council and Laura B. is sad that someone was voted out. Your husband has been on this show a billion times, didn’t you know that’s how it works?

Aras is a little upset because he wanted Laura M. to take a more noble approach to being sent to Redemption. Yeah, it’s weird when people are annoyed that you stabbed them in the back.

The next morning, the Coconut Compadres are trying to figure out what to do about the Baskauskas brothers. They agree that taking Aras out before the merge is probably their best bet.

And…we’re off to Redemption (not an) Island arena. Ciera is not shocked to see her mother there because she has a sixth sense about when her loved ones have been eliminated from reality shows.

Probst gives Ciera a chance to swap, but Laura M. won’t hear of it because she rocks at challenges and Ciera…well…

Redemption Island Duel (ahem…Truel) Time: Players will race across a balance beam while collecting numbered tiles. The first two people to put the tiles in order get to stay. The last person is a goner. The first person to complete the puzzle will get to give an immunity idol clue to the person of their choice.

Laura gets off to a lead with John right behind her. John eventually has some trouble with the balance beam and Brad manages to pass him.

Long story short; Laura simply destroys this challenge with Brad and John battling for second. It’s close, but John pulls off the win.

Brad does a John Bender fist pump as he leaves. Monica, don’t you forget about him.

Laura decides to give the clue to Vytas instead of Ciera because she doesn’t want to put a clue on her back. Vytas promptly burns the clue.

Quick Aside: Wouldn’t it have made sense to give the clue to the most vulnerable person on Galang? There’s no way Laura B. would burn the clue, and she could use it to put some heat on the Galang Five.

Another Quick Aside: Why did Vytas burn the clue? He’s relatively safe on Tadhana. He could use the idol to bring his alliance back together.

Before leaving the arena, Probst tells everyone to drop their buffs. He hands out new ones and we officially have a tribe swap.

Alright, let’s take a look at our new tribes…

The Galang Tribe (wearing yellow)
Kat – Full-Time Student/Sales, 23
Katie – Hedge Fund Support, 25
Laura B. – Merchandiser, 44
Monica – Homemaker, 42
Tina – Motivational Speaker, 52
Vytas – Yoga Instructor, 33

The Tadhana Tribe (wearing red)
Aras – Musician, 31
Caleb – Post Office Manager/Farmer, 26
Ciera – Cosmetology Student, 24
Gervase – Cigar Lounge Owner, 43
Hayden – Real Estate, 26
Tyson – Store Manager, 34

Wow…$20 on Tadhana to win the next immunity challenge. Any takers?

Over at Tadhana beach, the classic Tadhanians immediately spill the beans about what was going on over there including John’s immunity idol clues. C’mon guys, withholding info is Survivor 101.

Later, Tyson keeps to his Coconut Bandit core and starts eating a lot of Tadhana’s food. Hayden isn’t loving that at all.

At Galang, Vytas isn’t happy with his new situation. Well, maybe he’d feel better if he had an immunity idol.

Meanwhile, Monica is trying to start up an all-female alliance. Purple Kat is on board, but she thinks Monica is strategizing too much.

Vytas, realizing he’s in some serious trouble opens up about his drug use in the hopes of getting the women to sympathize with him. Smart.

Immunity Challenge Time: Two members from each tribe will swim out to a cage at the bottom of the ocean. They’ll dive down, untie some knots, open a gate, and retrieve a fish trap. Once they have all three traps they’ll use the puzzle pieces inside to complete a puzzle. First tribe to finish wins immunity and a picnic.

The challenge gets underway and Gervase is doing a respectable job in the water. Philly represent.

Apparently Tina and Laura B. didn’t understand the rules because they forgot to retrieve their fish trap.

Wow, that’s just…wow.

Tadhana has a major lead, but Galang comes storming back during the puzzle portion. Galang even thinks they have the puzzle completed at two different points, but they just can’t get it right. Tadhana wins immunity.

After the challenge, Vytas is beyond annoyed that Laura B. and Tina dropped the ball.

Politicking seems to be between Vytas and Monica. Why Vytas? Because he’s a dude. Why Monica? Because she strategizes too much.

Tina lets Monica know that Kat is targeting her. Monica isn’t psyched about that at all. She confronts Kat with this info and Kat plays it off.

That night at Tribal Council, Kat admits that her and Monica aren’t getting along.

Monica wants Kat to trust her.

Kat looks like she’s on the verge of tears. Uh-oh…

Kat says she hopes she isn’t going home and says she’ll do anything to stay. Uh-oh again…

“One World” fight!

Vytas says he hasn’t breached anyone’s trust and Kat has proven that she can’t be trusted.

Voting Time: Kat votes for “Vetus”, Vytas votes for Kat, and the rest aren’t shown.

JPro does some solid tallying then makes a grand re-entrance. We’ve got one vote for Vytas, one vote for Kat, two votes for Kat, and the eighth person to be sent to Redemption Island is…Kat.

Mee-yow.

Verdict: I don’t know how necessary that tribe swap was. I feel like this season had more than enough going for it already.

That being said, this season is still shockingly solid.

Who’s Going to Win? That new Galang tribe is dead in the water. That should keep my boy Vytas safe for a while. Oddly enough, his best bet is if Aras gets blindsided before the merge. But, that’d involve Tadhana losing immunity which probably isn’t going to happen.

Power Rankings Results: Malcolm had Kat in spot seven, I had her in spot eleven. He had John and Brad winning at Redemption. I correctly picked John and Laura M. So, the score for this round is Team Malcolm 8, Team Gordon 13. The current total score is Team Malcolm 72, Team Gordon 77.

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

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‘Survivor: Blood vs. Water’ Power Rankings – Keanu Reeves Edition

October 22, 2013

'Survivor: Blood vs. Water'/'The Matrix' (CBS/AP)

IMPORTANT NOTE: “Survivor” Power Rankings dynamo Malcolm Freberg is going to be appearing on “The Bold and the Beautiful” Thursday, October 24, Friday, October 25, Wednesday, October 30, and Thursday, October 31 at 1:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

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

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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 two players will earn. For example, if Tyson is voted out this week, Malcolm will receive 1 point and Gordon will receive 5 points. Also, each player will pick the players they think will win at Redemption Island. They’ll receive a bonus point for each correct pick. At the end of the season, the person with the most points will be named the “Survivor: Blood vs. Water” Power Rankings Challenge Champion.

NOTE: If a current player decides to swap places with their loved one at Redemption Island, they’ll also swap places in the rankings. For example; if Monica swaps places with Brad, Brad will take the 8th spot in Malcolm’s rankings and the 6th spot in Gordon’s rankings.

Last Week: Malcolm had Laura M. in spot seven, I had her in spot eight. We both had the Codys winning at Redemption Island for a single point each. So, the score for this round is Team Malcolm 8, Team Gordon 9. The current total score is Team Malcolm 64, Team Gordon 64.

Wager Update: Since Malcolm lost last week’s competition, he has to compare each ranked competitor to a character from a Keanu Reeves movie. The loser of this week’s rankings will have to rank in rhyme. The winner will get to give official names to both of the teams.

Malcolm’s Current Score: 64

Any advice for Malcolm? Drop him a line on Twitter: @MalcolmWHW

Gordon’s Current Score: 64

Any advice for Gordon? Drop him a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
 1. Tyson is Ted from “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” – Two guys, unified in absurdity but somehow heroes at the same time. Tyson was shown to have a voice in the tribal decision, so he looks like the pair’s better half. Now, I saw a CBS ad where they show the tribe swap this week, and that massively favors the tribe with the numbers. It’s no coincidence that a lot of Galang gets a bump up. Remember: Be Excellent To Each Other.
  1. Tina – Seriously, Probst?! You make up all of these bizarre rules for this season that make Power Rankings mega complicated, then you throw in a tribe swap for fun? What’d I ever do to you? (Besides maybe some lighthearted teasing in my recaps.) Ugh…alright. Rule #1 in ranking a tribe swap is dominant males on the tribe that is down in numbers are in trouble. None of those things apply to Tina.
 2. Tina is The Oracle from “The Matrix” – Needed a badass older lady, and there’s a dearth of them in Keanu’s filmography. The Oracle simply sits in a condo chain smoking and spitting truth. Tina just chillaxes and says the right things around camp and isn’t threatening anyone. With daughter dearest in tow, she may have a fresh ally and thus some flexibility if they have to boot someone.  2. Ciera – And another thing, Probst…I thought it’d add to the Power Rankings presentation to have the players’ name match the color of their tribe. Now I’m going to have to redo a bunch of these images. Anywho, Ciera isn’t going anywhere. Nobody’s worried about her.
 3. Gervase is Bill from “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” – Almost the same as Tyson, but someone has to be relegated to the sidekick whose career peaked with this 1989 tent pole, and I’m still wishy-washy with my feelings about Gerv. The preview looked like the duo didn’t get mixed up, so I expect these two clowns to carry on safely to the merge. Party On, Dudes.
  3. Katie – Not to mention the fact that this Wednesday’s episode is going head-to-head with Game 1 of the World Series. Do you think my beloved St. Louis Cardinals get to the World Series every year, Probst?! No. It’s only been four times in the last ten years. Also, Katie’s safe too as long as her gross toes can keep from falling off.

 4. Aras is Bodhi from “Point Break” – Everyone reveres the guy and he’s on top of the world, but you get the feeling that he’s going to crash and burn sooner rather than later. This swap should play in his favor: the chaos surrounding a mix-up makes his perceived loyalty more valuable. Still, he’s on everyone’s radar.
  4. Gervase – Alright, I’ve calmed down. Fortunately for Gervase, he’s calmed down too.  And the person who was so mad about his post-challenge smacktalk has bigger things to worry about on Redemption Island. Add to that the fact that his Coconut Compadre is a much bigger target than he is and Gervase is in good shape.

  5. Katie is one of those half-human/half-demon things from “Constantine” – You remember how they were all half-rotted away? Yup, that’s about all we know of Katie from last week. Her being reunited with Tina after professing her desire to beat mommy should be fun to watch, though I imagine they’ll work together initially. Katie suddenly seems the safest of the original Tadhana.
  5. Tyson – It occurred to me that I don’t remember much about Tyson from Tocantins other than his epic hilariousness. So, I went back and watched some clips and realized that he was a challenge force. I wonder if I’ve forgotten about that because of the “Heroes vs. Villains” debacle. I wonder if everyone out there has forgotten about it too…
 6. Caleb is Johnny Utah from “Point Break” – You weren’t sure if he was going to side with the FBI or the surfers, and you weren’t sure if he was actually ever doing the right things, but you knew you liked Johnny Utah. Same with Caleb – we don’t know who he’s going to side with, or if he’s playing smart at all, but he’d definitely empty an entire handgun clip into the sky. Not having Colton around makes his perceived threat level lower.
  6. Monica – Oh, Monica…you must be a nervous wreck. You were sent home immediately after a tribe swap in your last season. I wouldn’t worry about it too much this time. The odds are good that you’ll end up with people from your Galang alliance.
 7. Kat is Annie from “Speed” – She’s relatively helpful and likeable, but most importantly she’s had her license suspended. And if there’s one member of the cast I don’t really want on the roads, it’s Kat. If she’s pissed at Monica, watch out for Kat, who’s never been in the majority at Galang, to start considering other options.
   7. Caleb – Caleb’s the toughest one to rank this week. Could Monica want revenge for Brad? Can Caleb fade into the background like he did before? Can a fractured former Tadhana stick together? Too many variables!
 8. Monica is Mary Ann (the wife) from “Devil’s Advocate” – Really picked this just because Monica is the Devil’s (Brad’s) Advocate out there; feel free to revel in my cleverness. But she’s just kind of there, and you kind of like her, but she’s also a little annoying at times, and now it looks like Kat’s butting heads with her. I honestly have no clue how safe she is, especially considering hubby being on RI, so this placement is cautious pessimism.
  8. Aras – The Coconut Campadres are on to you, Aras. And frankly, they should be. You’re someone who might benefit from dirtying up your game a bit. Sophie Clarke had a smart strategy where she wanted to have at least one enemy. You could learn from that.
 9. Hayden is Officer Jack Traven from “Speed” – He was a likeable, athletic, daredevil hero who hooked up with Annie. Such is Hayden, who seems to be the popular dude around old Tadhana. Swap may hurt him – went from being in a good spot to losing numbers, plus having a loved one apparently makes you a bigger target this season. Some returnees may use this as an opportunity to eliminate a big threat.
   9. Vytas – Depending on how this swap turns out, Vytas could find himself in on the chopping block. Nobody wants to see the brothers reunite at the merge and this might be the best opportunity to take one of them out.
 10. Vytas is Constantine from “Constantine” – Nobody denies that he’s a no-nonsense bad ass, but he’s not a very smooth character either. Vytas is in good shape around camp and is a rock star in challenges, but every now and then it seems like something comes out of his mouth that probably shouldn’t have. A lot like Hayden, a swap may put him on the bottom and he’s got a target because Aras is still around. Also, somebody let him know Coach already patented meditative posing for the cameras.
   10. Laura B. – Aras thinks you’re an easy vote, but not necessarily a smart vote. That should keep you in the game as long as you’re on Aras’s tribe. You’d better hope you two pick similar buffs.
 11. Ciera is Joan of Ark from “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” – Ms. Of Ark, while a formidable military commander in her time, was kind of worthless in San Dimas in 1989. Ciera’s probably a capable provider at home, but she’s not really doing much on the island. A swap isn’t going to affect how large a liability she is in the challenges, but hooray for my preseason pick not on the bottom of the list anymore! (…barely)   11. Kat – Kat will never be safe as long as she’s looked at as part of a duo. Nobody’s saying it, but everyone must be terrified of Hayden. For this reason Kat is going to have a target on her back as long as he’s still in the game.
 12. Laura B. is that lady who got blown up trying to get off the bus from “Speed” – She was kind of whiny and talked too much and was completely responsible for blowing herself up. I actually think this is my most apt comparison. If no one figures out how to handle or use her, she remains an easy boot.  12. Hayden – Who’s the strongest challenge competitor on the tribe that’s down in numbers? Mr. “Big Brother.” And, this is why I’m not a fan of tribe swaps. Challenge strength is an advantage before the merge and a liability after. A swap takes Hayden’s advantage away prematurely.
 Redemption Island Picks: John and Brad are Neo and Agent Smith from “The Matrix” – Good guy vs. bad guy, simple as that. Laura M can be Trinity, the female collateral damage of their battle, to round out my final metaphor quite nicely. Side note: John is losing my affection fast — why the hell would you give the clue to Monica again when there’s been 0 change to the status quo? What’d you expect to happen?
  Redemption Island Picks: Laura M. and John – Mark my words; Brad Culpepper’s buff is going to be a’blazin’ if there is a puzzle at the end of the next duel. And John, if you get another clue, don’t waste it on Monica. The clue is currency and you’re going to need someone on your side if you get back into the game.

Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Blood vs. Water“

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‘Survivor’ Castaway Candice – ‘Coming in Late Was a Disadvantage’

October 17, 2013

Candice Cody (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 Malcolm Freberg. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

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The official subtitle for this season of “Survivor” is “Blood vs. Water” but it could have easily been “Survivor: Bizarro World.” Marissa was voted out for how her uncle acted in the game. Rachel was voted out in an attempt to lure her boyfriend Tyson out of the game.

Candice Cody was bounced for something that happened before the game.

I spoke with the three-time returnee the morning after her elimination and had a chance to ask her about her feud with the Culpeppers, her romantic getaway, and a problem with last night’s Redemption Island puzzle…

Gordon Holmes: Hey Candice, how’s it going?
Candice Cody: I’ve been better.
Holmes: What? I thought you got to enjoy three nights on a beautiful Filipino beach with the man of your dreams.
Cody: I’m just teasing, I had a great time. It was an interesting season. A lot of twists…some that didn’t work to my advantage and some that did. And to get to experience it with John…he’s an awesome guy. I think we had a really unique experience. It was cool.

Holmes: I’m not a fan of someone being sent to Redemption Island or out of the game without an official Tribal Council vote.
Cody: I really think it was difficult for me because I came out less than 24 hours before the game started. (NOTE: Candice and John were last-minute alternates) Everyone else had been staring at each other and counting their numbers of who they were going to work with before the game started. Obviously my face wasn’t there for that. So, to be voted out 30 seconds in…I thought coming in late was a disadvantage, but give me three days. People will like me and we’ll be good. But, to not have that chance…it was devastating to give up all of my vacation for the next two years to come out and play the game. It was tough.

Holmes: Candice Woodcock played twice. She was a good challenge competitor, but some strategies came back to bite her. Candice Cody is a bad ass.
Cody: (Laughs)
Holmes: She’s flipping the bird, she’s cursing out former NFL players.
Cody: The one-finger salute!

Holmes: Last night they showed you and John enjoying your evening…
Cody: And then the record screeched and everything stopped.
Holmes: It’s like you’re enjoying a delicious sundae and you then find a band-aid under a scoop of ice cream.
Cody: I was really happy to see Brad because that meant he was voted off. But I was not happy to share Cody Island with Brad Culpepper. And be careful what you wish for because he’s a tough challenge competitor. I was kind of hoping his wife would switch with him.
Holmes: That challenge looked really close.
Cody: So close. Brad actually called it and said he’d finished his puzzle twice when he hadn’t. And Jeff called it and said “Brad wins!” And then they realized that Brad’s puzzle was wrong. My mind was somewhere else at that point because I thought I was out. That threw me off. I also had a puzzle piece that was correct but I couldn’t get it to fit on the bridge. Being a three-time player, I was thinking of Jeff saying, “If it doesn’t fit, don’t force it because we’ve tried all of these pieces.” So, I took that piece back and looked for a different one. So, I lost a lot of time on that one.
Holmes: It was a little odd to hear Galang cheering for Brad.
Cody: There was so much emotion involved in it. I’m playing against my husband and against the guy I wanted to go home ten days ago. And the other players were cheering for Brad and giving him hints. It was intense.

Holmes: When we talked before the game, you were concerned that Rupert was there. You had some past history from “Heroes vs. Villains.” Was it nice to be the one to send him packing?
Cody: Yeah, that kind of felt good. (Laughs) Rupert and I had some bad blood based on “Heroes vs. Villains.” I tried to come into this with an open mind. We have this history, but we do know each other. Unfortunately neither one of us got to set foot on a tribe beach and get to figure it out. At Redemption Island he was all grumbly, and when he left the mood completely changed. Marissa was a breath of fresh air, she has so much energy. So, it was nice to be the one to send him home. I know I beat him in every challenge in “Heroes vs. Villains” so I knew I could take him.

Holmes: Let’s get into some word association. We’ll start with Monica.
Cody: Crocodile tears.
Holmes: Rachel?
Cody: Soft.
Holmes: Marissa?
Cody: Sassy.
Holmes: Brad?
Cody: The mouth of the south.
Holmes: (Laughs) Rupert?
Cody: A fussy pirate.
Holmes: Tyson?
Cody: Jokester.
Holmes: Let’s finish with that guy John.
Cody: Sweet angel.

Holmes: You were on the show twice before and I’m sure a lot of people recognize you. But now you get to watch your husband and he’s on TV and he’s doing something that has been such a big part of your life. How awesome is that?
Cody:  That is probably the best part of being a part of this season. Every day I’m proud of my husband…you know…I married him.
Holmes: Well, I’d hope so.
Cody: He’s just a class act and an awesome guy. It’s so great to get to watch him on TV and have other people see him as I see him.

Holmes: I hate to end this interview on a bad note…but John did beat you in back-to-back challenges.
Cody: Yeah, he’s going to pay for that. (Laughs)

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

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‘Survivor: Blood vs. Water’ Recap – Cody to the Max?

October 16, 2013

'Survivor: Blood vs. Water' (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 Malcolm Freberg. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

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Last Week: Candice flipped the bird, nobody talked to Kat, and Caleb threw Brad to the dogs.

39 Days (well…technically 39.5), 20 People, 1 “Survivor” Blog

Let’s take a look at the tribes as they currently stand…

The Galang Tribe (wearing yellow)
Aras – Musician, 31
Gervase – Cigar Lounge Owner, 43
Kat – Full-Time Student/Sales, 23
Laura B. – Merchandiser, 44
Laura M. – Co-Owner of Morett Construction, 43
Monica – Homemaker, 42
Tina – Motivational Speaker, 52
Tyson – Store Manager, 34

The Tadhana Tribe (wearing red)
Caleb – Post Office Manager/Farmer, 26
Ciera – Cosmetology Student, 24
Hayden – Real Estate, 26
Katie – Hedge Fund Support, 25
Vytas – Yoga Instructor, 33

Things kick off back at Tadhana where everyone is still shocked over Caleb’s swerve. Caleb admits that he didn’t go into Tribal expecting to send Brad packing, but the mood struck him. Hayden and Vytas aren’t thrilled with that turn of events because they don’t know if Caleb is with the girls now.

Next up, we see Brad making the trek to Redemption Island. Oh man…Brad interrupting the Codys is like your boss showing up on your honeymoon. This season is a hoot.

Brad apologizes to the Codys, but they’re already plotting his demise. Apparently Candice still holds a grudge because Monica voted her out on Day One. How can you really be mad about that random, based-on-nothing vote? Did they even know each other beforehand?

Over at Galang, we’re treated to Laura M. giving Aras a…uh…very loving massage.

Note: Laura M. wants everyone to know that this wasn’t as bad as it looked. She’s married, folks.

Aras isn’t swayed by the massage and the cuddling. His alliance is with Gervase, Tyson, Tina, and Monica. This puts the Lauras and Kat on the outside.

Laura B. feels like an outsider because all of the others have played before. It might also be because she cursed everyone out on Day One. That or she isn’t roaring enough.

We then take a trip to Redemption (not an) Island arena. Monica is not happy to see Brad. She offers to take his spot, but he won’t hear of it.

Redemption Island Duel (ahem…Truel) Time: Players will race to create a bridge out of planks. Once they’re across the bridge they’ll take apart the plank bridge and use those pieces to create a puzzle.

The challenge starts off and Brad falls behind quickly. Kat tries to offer him advice which may not have helped him out, but does prove that she’s still capable of speech.

John finishes the bridge first, with Brad right behind him. Candice eventually catches up and it’s pretty even as we head into the puzzle.

John finishes his puzzle first and it’s neck and neck between Brad and Candice until…Brad pulls out the win! Point Culpepper!

John gives the immunity idol clue to Monica, and she promptly sets it on fire. Gah…John should be using that clue to curry favor with someone…anyone…

Back at Galang, Tina is worried that Monica and Brad are too close. Well, they are married.

At Tadhana, the kids are giving us a tour of their many bug bites, scabs, and wounds. Meanwhile, I’m cursing the invention of HD.

GAH! A close-up of Katie’s falling-off toenails. Why?!

Later, Vytas says that Caleb will never be fully trusted again.  In Caleb’s defense, Vytas had to have heard Brad bringing up Caleb’s name.

Immunity Challenge Time: A player from each tribe will slide down a sooooper fun-looking ramp. At the bottom of the ramp, they’ll retrieve a hoop. The first person to throw his or her hoop onto a post will win a point for their team. First team to five wins immunity and their choice of fishing gear or a steak dinner.

Note: I’m sure production hopes that Tadhana finally wins one so they can stop lugging that fishing gear out there.

Monica and the Lauras will sit for Galang.

Round One: Caleb lands his first throw and beats Gervase.

Round Two: One-armed Tyson gets the best of Hayden.

Round Three: Katie beats someone named Kat.

Round Four: The brothers go at it again with Vytas gaining a measure of revenge. Surely noogies are next.

Round Five: Tina beats Ciera. Mothers are like Ciera’s kryptonite.

Round Six: Caleb defeats Tyson.

Round Seven: Hayden tops Gervase to win the challenge for Tadhana. The Ulonging is over!

And, in more evidence that steak is better than fish, Tadhana passes on the nets, traps, and hooks.

At Galang, Laura B. pretends to be excited for her first trip to Tribal but is really freaking out. She tries to get under Kat’s skin by telling her that the women who sat out of the challenge were mad at her for stepping up.

Tyson breaks everything down, saying that Kat thinks she’s in the alliance, Laura B. is annoying, and Laura M. doesn’t know what’s going on.

Aras tells Laura M. that Laura B. is the evening’s vote. But he later tells Tyson that sending Laura M. to Redemption might be smart because she could beat Brad.

That night at Tribal Council, Probst gives his fire=life speech waaaay later than usual.

Gervase thinks it’s crazy to be back at Tribal Council for the first time in 13 years.

Tina thinks she’s played more in the first five days of this season than she did in all of Australia.

Monica thinks the stakes are higher because she has to look out for Brad.

Aras says there may be space for Vytas in his alliance, but there may not be.

Gervase thinks it’s threatening that people are so close with their loved ones.

Probst asks Laura B. if she belongs out there. She thinks she’s a big part of the tribe.

Monica agrees with Laura B. since she was with them on Day One and she does a lot of work.

Laura B. thinks Galang was looking forward to playing with Rupert. I’m going to leave that one alone.

Voting Time: Laura M. votes for Laura B., Laura B. votes for Laura M., (ooo…symmetry) and the rest of the votes aren’t shown.

Probst tallies and returns. We’ve got one vote for Laura B., four votes for Laura M., and the seventh person to be sent to Redemption Island is…Laura M.

Wow…she is ticked off.

Verdict: None of these eliminations have been like anything we’ve seen on “Survivor” before. They sent a likable challenge competitor to Redemption Island so she could take out someone specific to make that person’s counterpart more loyal. So many angles. Good times.

Who’s Going to Win? I know I’ve had Vytas since the beginning but I’m worried that the brothers are going to be too big of a threat after the merge. For now though, I’m sticking.

Power Rankings Results: Malcolm had Laura M. in spot seven, I had her in spot eight. We both had the Codys winning at Redemption Island for a single point each. So, the score for this round is Team Malcolm 8, Team Gordon 9. The current total score is Team Malcolm 64, Team Gordon 64.

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

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TNA’s Austin Aries on ‘Bound for Glory’ and Being a Vegan Pro Wrestler

October 16, 2013

Austin Aries (TNA)

A bad day at work for most people is getting in late, missing a deadline, or being yelled at by the boss.

For “The Greatest Man That Ever Lived” Austin Aries, a bad day at work means falling 20 feet to the floor from atop TNA’s Ultimate X structure.

I spoke with “A Double” in the days leading up to TNA’s “Bound for Glory” event and had a chance to ask him about the dangers of the Ultimate X match, his journey to the top of TNA, and life as a vegan pro wrestler…

Gordon Holmes: TNA’s “Bound for Glory” is coming up, it’s TNA’s signature event. Do you approach it any differently?
Austin Aries: It’s the biggest show of the year, but I approach it no differently. I try to steal the show every time. And I plan on doing it again.
Holmes: You’ll be participating in the thrilling Ultimate X match which is a bout that is exclusive to TNA. For those who are unfamiliar with TNA, could you break down the rules?
Aries: Basically there are four trusses that extend from the corner posts of the ring about 20 feet up in the air. Attached to those trusses are two ring ropes in the shape of an X. And attached to the middle of that X is the X Division championship. Whoever can scale up and hook the belt and have it in their hands is the winner.
Holmes: Twenty feet in the air? Not for me. That sounds dangerous.
Aries: It’s very dangerous. There are increased risks for serious injury when you have to scale ropes that high above the ring. One slip or one missed step and bad things can happen. But, that adds to the excitement and the unpredictability.
Holmes: I did some research on you on the Internet…and I know that anything you find on the Internet is true.
Aries: Of course.
Holmes: It said that you’re not a huge fan of matches that involve ladders or this Ultimate X set-up.
Aries: It’s not my forte. I consider myself to be a professional wrestler. I’m not really much of a stunt man. Some of these high-wire acts, climbing ladders, that takes me out of my comfort zone a little bit. But, I’ve been in an Ultimate X match before and I won it. So, I’m undefeated. And I don’t have a choice in the matter, so I’m going to put my best foot forward and hopefully make it two in a row.

Holmes: You’ll be competing against Manik, Chris Sabin, and Jeff Hardy. (NOTE: Samoa Joe was added to the match after this interview took place.) Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t this Jeff Hardy’s first-ever Ultimate X match?
Aries: This will be his first. That’s correct. But anyone who’s followed his career knows he’s no stranger to the daredevil style of wrestling. He takes high risks. I think he’ll be right in his element, probably more so than I am.
Holmes: Now, I don’t want you to tip your hand too much here, but what advice would you give to him as a first timer?
Aries: Oh, take lots of huge risks. The bigger the risk, the higher the reward. And hopefully I can capitalize if one of them doesn’t pay off for him. (Laughs)
Holmes: I think you might have some kind of ulterior motive there…
Aries: (Laughs) Me? Never.

Holmes: The main event of “Bound for Glory” will feature Bully Ray defending the TNA championship against AJ Styles. What are your thoughts on that bout?
Aries: Well, it’d be a lot better if Austin Aries was in there somewhere.
Holmes: Of course.
Aries: But, that’s not the case. There’s a lot at stake in that match. You have Bully Ray who’s had his hands on that title for quite some time. And you’ve got AJ Styles who’s at odds with the ownership here. It should be an interesting clash with a lot at stake. It’s really a toss up.
Holmes: AJ is having his differences with TNA owner Dixie Carter. She’s had a bit of an attitude change lately.
Aries: I’m all for it, personally. If it’s going to usher in an era of people being honest and open and being their true selves. Then I’ll fit in quite well. Everyone who knows me knows I’m not afraid to speak my mind. I’d love the opportunity to stand in the ring with the new Dixie Carter and clear the air.

Holmes: TNA seems to be undergoing somewhat of a shift lately with some big names leaving the company and other rumored problems. As a performer is it hard to block that out?
Aries: A lot of reports about problems with the company are from journalists who are trying to get clicks on their website. It seems like there’s a certain core of pundits who like to take any news with TNA and make it negative. The fact is, the things going on in TNA, whether you’re talking about talents that are coming and going, that’s all part of a growing business.
Holmes: So everything is business as usual?
Aries: I think there’s almost a certain group of people who root for the company to go out of business just so they can say, “I told you so.” Unfortunately for those people, I think TNA is going to be here for a long time to come.

Holmes: In my notes here I wrote “Planning vs. Something Hot.” And by that I mean, a company knows well in advance what they want to build to. What they want to main event a big show like “Bound for Glory.” But, sometimes something catches fire that they don’t expect. I’m thinking specifically of last summer when you seemed to come out of nowhere and grab everyone’s attention.
Aries: Oh yeah.
Holmes: You were having phenomenal matches, the crowd was loving you. Now, my question is; where do you find the balance between building a story and seeing it through and catching lightning in a bottle when the opportunity arises?
Aries: I think if you catch something like that and something is organically happening like that and there’s an authenticity to it I think you have to run with it for as long as you can. I think I started to run a little bit and before I got going full steam things kind of came to a halt. You can’t foresee those kinds of things. If you have something unique like that you have to harness that and use it for all you can.
Holmes: Thursdays are a tough night to get me in front of a TV. But I was doing everything I could to catch Impact during that time. It’s a shame it ended the way it did.
Aries: You’re not the only one that feels that way. If you listened to the crowd reaction at “Bound for Glory,” a lot of people thought, “Well Jeff Hardy is the most popular guy in the company. There’s no way Austin is going to walk into Phoenix and have the same crowd response.” I strongly disagreed with those sentiments. The crowd was very pro-Austin Aries. I had overwhelming support. But people try to predict things that you can’t predict. I guess right now I’m on a mission to recapture that. And it’s on me to do that. I created it the first time. It was nothing that was given to me. It was something I earned with my work in the ring and my time in front of the camera. And you know what? Those are the things I can control.

Holmes: You’re a vegan?
Aries: Yes, I was a vegetarian since 2000 and went completely plant-based about two years ago.
Holmes: I’m always interested when someone makes that’s decision because there is such a wide variety of reasons why people decide to go that way. What inspired you?
Aries: Health reasons. I started to learn more about the food I eat and where it was coming from. I think at its core, eating living creatures isn’t very appetizing to me. I ask people, “Do you crave dogs or cats?” They’ll say, “That’s disgusting.” OK, then how are pigs and cows different? And as I started to learn more about the corporate industry that we’re surrounded by I became very passionate about speaking out about the kind of food that we’re being peddled. I think we’ve been very misled in this country. We haven’t been given the right information when it comes to the food we’re being told to put into our body.
Holmes: Pro wrestling is a very visual industry.
Aries: Sure.
Holmes: It helps to have a muscular physique. Do you have trouble maintaining your mass?
Aries: Nope. There are proteins in all kinds of foods. And actually plants, if you look percentage wise, are some of the highest protein foods. The idea that we need huge quantities of animal protein is something that was taught to us by the USDA and the FDA. And they’re the entities that sell us that and profit off of it.
Holmes: Now Mr. Aries, I don’t want to call you a hypocrite, but you just gave advice to Jeff Hardy that would actually be bad for him. Do you have a smidge in common with the FDA?
Aries: (Laughs) I suppose. But I’m not playing with people’s lives here.

Holmes: Alright, let’s talk to the people who’ve never seen TNA before. Let’s talk to people who might be on the fence. Why is “Bound for Glory” going to be worth their time?
Aries: We’re trying to bring pro wrestling back. We’re putting an emphasis on what happens in the ring while also having compelling characters and stories. “Bound for Glory” is our biggest show of the year. That’s where we’re going to pull out all the stops. If you haven’t given “Impact Wrestling” a try, I think as a wrestling fan it’s an absolute must. Give us a shot and you’ll see we have the most talented performers in the whole world.
Holmes: And we’re going to see a new X Division champion?
Aries: That the plan. I never go into a match expecting to lose.

Don’t miss TNA – ‘Bound for Glory’ this Sunday, October 20, 2013 at 8 pm ET on Pay Per View.

Watch Full Episodes of ‘Impact Wrestling’ Online

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

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‘Survivor: Blood vs. Water’ Power Rankings – Animation Edition

October 15, 2013

'Survivor: Blood vs. Water' (CBS)/'The Simpsons' (Fox)

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 Malcolm Freberg. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

[xfinity-record-button id=”6541379645042428112″ program_type=”series”]

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 two players will earn. For example, if Tyson is voted out this week, Malcolm will receive 1 point and Gordon will receive 5 points. Also, each player will pick the players they think will win at Redemption Island. They’ll receive a bonus point for each correct pick. At the end of the season, the person with the most points will be named the “Survivor: Blood vs. Water” Power Rankings Challenge Champion.

NOTE: If a current player decides to swap places with their loved one at Redemption Island, they’ll also swap places in the rankings. For example, if Monica swaps places with Brad, Brad will take the 10th spot in both Malcolm’s and Gordon’s rankings.

Last Week: Malcolm had Brad in spot 13, Gordon had him in 12. Malcolm had both of the Codys surviving at Redemption, Gordon only had Candice. So, the score for this round is Team Malcolm 15, Team Gordon 13. The current total score is Team Malcolm 56, Team Gordon 55.

Wager Update: Since Gordon lost last week’s competition, he has to compare each ranked competitor to an animated character. The loser of this week’s rankings will have to compare the competitors to Keanu Reeves movie roles.

Malcolm’s Current Score: 56

Any advice for Malcolm? Drop him a line on Twitter: @MalcolmWHW

Gordon’s Current Score: 55

Any advice for Gordon? Drop him a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
 1. Tyson – I’m bored leaving people in the same top spots all the time, so I’m semi-arbitrarily shuffling my list. Tyson is my favorite so this was overdue, but I’ve been waiting for some legitimate hi-jinx to affirm my affection, and finally we got some. If Galang refuses to talk strategy, they deserve to be coconut water deprived, and dammit, the Coconut Bandits are going to do it. The fact that they bonded over this and formed a tight two is a good thing too I suppose, but significantly less important than the inherent hilarity.
  1. Tina is Velma from “Scooby Doo” – She’s smart, she’s respected, and she’s not a physical threat. In her alliance of five we’ve got Fred’s leadership putting a target on his back, Daphne’s loud husband putting a target on her back, and Scooby and Shaggy sneaking off to steal Scooby Snacks. Meanwhile, Velma just kicks back and enjoys her position as the least meddling kid.
 2. Gervase – I’m coming to terms with the idea that my opinion on Gervase will change on a weekly basis, and this week I love him. No obnoxious yelling at the challenges? Check. Being a member of my new favorite absurd alliance? Check. Saying to Monica what all of Galang was thinking about her husband? Check. Also, am I the only one who heard ‘koo-doos’?
  2. Hayden is Launchpad McQuack from “DuckTales” – He’s big, he’s likable, and his tribe manages to crash every challenge during the landing. Not only that, but apparently he was loyal enough to Brad to risk pulling rocks in a tie breaker. This game is like a hurricane.
 3. Vytas – We didn’t get shown if there was any communication between Hayden and Vytas before the re-vote, but considering Hayden’s struggle I’m guessing there wasn’t? So Vytas single handedly and independently kept the tribe from going to rocks? So Vytas is the new Cochran? …no, that’s not fair. Vytas made a good call to preserve his game and didn’t hurt his position. And he doesn’t wear glasses. And he’s not ginger. And he’s done a push-up before.  3. Vytas is Bugs Bunny – He’s probably the smartest guy out there, everybody seems to like him, but he has a bit of a dark side. Vytas probably didn’t love having to send the game’s big shield packing, but that’s much better than being sent to Redemption Island because you grabbed the wrong rock. Now we can watch him strike out the rest of the cast like they’re the Gas House Gorillas.

 4. Tina – Didn’t participate in the challenge, didn’t comment on Brad, didn’t talk about mysteriously drained coconuts. But quiet is good for Tina’s game at this stage and drama is bad, so while her family members watching at home are disappointed, they shouldn’t be – their girl’s in good shape.
  4. Gervase is Tramp from “Lady and the Tramp” – “You can never tell when he’ll show up, he gives you plenty of trouble. I guess he’s just a no-count pup…but I wish that he were double.” Gervase’s list of “Survivor” offenses is long; he has insulted women, he took a breather during a challenge, he talked trash after a challenge, he snuck out to drink coconuts. But, nobody cares. Everybody loves Gervase.

  5. Hayden – Has anyone ever crossed out a name indecisively at Tribal before this? Watching his wheels spin at the vote could be read as the goofy guy that can’t figure out what’s going on, but he’s already proven via confessional he understands the game, so I’m interpreting it as him weighing all the implications of a re-vote switch. He ended up on the wrong side of it, but it’s an easy enough mistake to explain away and shouldn’t hurt him.
  5. Tyson is Stewie Griffin from “Family Guy” – What the deuce? Mr Apostol says the most hilarious, inappropriate things, but the only people who can hear him are a cartoon dog and a television audience. Fortunately for Tyson, I haven’t seen a cartoon dog wandering around Galang beach.
 6. Aras – Not a Coconut Bandit and thus not my favorite anymore. This blatant offense against communist Galang would not be digested well by their noble leader Aras, who probably won ‘Best Sharer’ in kindergarten. Seriously though, the other two guys bonding without him is a red flag he’s unaware of, and the Baskasfkawkeaksdkas brothers are going to stand out as the biggest combined threat soon. I’m sticking with my preseason prediction that this perception hurts Aras more than Vytas.
  6. Katie is Rapunzel from “Tangled” – At every turn Rapunzel gets shut down by her more experienced mother. But, she seems likable enough and knows how to cook.
 7. Laura M. – Listen lady — I’ve been in your corner since pre-season, but you’ve got to stop getting teary eyed whenever you wipe the floor with Ciera (says the guy with no kids and whose Mom let him win things occasionally). Completely unacceptable. I hate when Gervase brags, but I’d love to see you spike a puzzle piece in celebration.
   7. Aras is Ned Flanders from “The Simpsons” – Well, hey-diddly-ho there, tribemate-areeno… Who loves Aras? Everybody! What’s not to love? He’s a great guy, he’s a hard worker, he’s ridiculously positive. Who wants to go to the end with him? Nobody! And now that Tyson and Gervase realize this, it could be bad news for the former champ.
 8. Laura B. – Attention Future Survivors: WEAR TIE DYE. You will look silly and I will mock you for it, but I’m now convinced it gives you +10 challenge prowess. Lady Boneham is proving to be capable in the water, but is unforgivably lacking in crab dietary knowledge.
  8. Laura M. is Popeye from…uh…”Popeye” – Laura M. is basically the iconic sailor man, except instead of getting her power from spinach, Laura gets her power from crushing her daughter’s hopes and dreams. (Note: I went with Popeye because I have no idea how good Jessica Rabbit is at puzzles.)
 9. Caleb – I never thought I’d be jealous of Colton Cumbie. Just last week I wrote things about Caleb ‘quietly maneuvering’ and not being a force — what a chuckle Tadhana must have been having at my expense. On principle, I love his taking control and fighting instead of just accepting the results of whatever Brad decided. I love the insight that Brad’s poor leadership, even considering his muscle, could possibly be the reason they were losing. I love that he did it loud and proud and last minute at Tribal, and now John has competition for my heart. The problem is now he’s the figurehead leader on a really bad tribe, and that’s not a great spot. Just ask Brad.
 9. Laura B. is Invisible Smurf from “The Smurfs” – Remember the one Smurf that was all important in the beginning, but then Gargamel made him invisible and it’s like he never existed? Except occasionally you’d see him during Smurfberry reward challenges? That’s Laura.
 10. Monica – So everyone everywhere on Earth thinks throwing the clue away was brilliant because she kept a target off herself. And, as much as I was yelling at the TV when it happened, it probably was the right move for Monica. But because we’re likely to see that exact situation again, and because I’m kind of weird in that I like having idols in my pocket, I argue that some other castaways should keep a clue if it’s given to them. This was the right move for Monica because she’s not a power player – her best bet to win is to not take over the game but to fade into the background and slip to the end. That is not, however, a winning strategy for everyone. People who are viewed as threats and/or driving forces in the game, currently people like Caleb or Vytas or Aras, could use an idol to great effect. John’s epic mishandling of the situation shouldn’t scare everyone else off. Because of the public nature of the clues it has to be handled carefully and creatively, but the idol is still a massive advantage and weapon if used properly. So good move Monica, but it shouldn’t necessarily be mimicked every week.
   10. Monica is LeFou from “Beauty and the Beast” – If Brad is this season’s big, burly, not-quite-aware-of-what-people-really-think-of-him Gaston, then surely Monica is his sidekick LeFou. I liked the move to burn the clue. If John wasn’t able to find the idol with two clues, I’d assume it’d be tough to find it with just one. So, she was figuratively burning a target that the Codys were trying to place on her back. From this week’s preview it looks like Monica offers to take Brad’s place at Redemption Island. But I can’t imagine he’ll let her. “No one takes Tribal Council abuse like Gaston…”
 11. Katie – She makes funny faces at tribal and she’s not as terrible as Ciera. So yeah.   11. Caleb is Pinky from “Pinky and the Brain” – A mismatched duo where the smart one always gets it wrong and the supposedly simple one gets it right? Works for me. Now here’s hoping Caleb‘s last-minute move doesn’t make him to risky to keep around.
 12. Kat – I’m really thrown by who gets told to sit out for Galang. I understand the logic behind not letting Kat do a puzzle, but why not rowing? For whatever reason, she’s on the bottom of a tribe that never has to go to Tribal, but once they do she’s going camping with the Codys.
   12. Kat is Ariel from “The Little Mermaid” – The question is; who’s the Ursula who stole her voice?
 13. Ciera –  No one is more thrilled than I that you got bailed out bigger than Wall Street last week, but it still may be a temporary stay of execution. Your tribe hasn’t won a thing, and all the boys seem to get along and think you’re about as useful as a doodie-flavored lollipop. As much as I don’t want you this low, you have to be until there’s some sort of switch/merge.   13. Ciera is the Baby from the “Tom and Jerry” episode “Tot Watchers” – I know this one is obscure, but stay with me. Remember the one where Tom and Jerry have to watch after a baby and it gets away and crawls into a construction site? There are a dozen times where the baby should be a goner, but blind luck keeps saving it. Now, is the Five Guys breakup the steel beam Ciera needs to keep crawling, or has her luck finally run out?
 Redemption Island Picks: Candice and John – Brad’s ego isn’t going to let his wife sub in, which actually increases the odds of him surviving his first truel. But I, along with the rest of the civilized world, am rooting for the Codys so hard my heart hurts. Also, can we discuss “Survivor” potentially giving us a “Hunger Games,” Peeta and Katniss scenario? What if they’re both at the last RI before re-entering the game and it could be the greatest “Survivor” love story ever? Do the Codys get a shot at double Redemption?   Redemption Island Picks: Candice and John are The Wonder Twins from “Super Friends” – They don’t quite fit in with everyone else, but you’d better watch out when they’re together. The only difference is instead of animals or water-based items, these two transform into challenge juggernauts. Bad news for Mr. Culpepper.

Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Blood vs. Water“

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‘Survivor’ Castaway Marissa – ‘My Mother Couldn’t Beat Me in a Challenge’

October 10, 2013

'Survivor: Blood vs. Water' (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 Malcolm Freberg. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

[xfinity-record-button id=”6541379645042428112″ program_type=”series” cid=”45576771592″]

The first Tribal Council of any “Survivor” season is usually a pretty simple affair. Either someone didn’t help around camp. Or someone is terrible at challenges. Or someone is too annoying.

This is the first season where someone was voted out because their uncle was too annoying.

I spoke with “Survivor’s” unfortunate niece, Marissa Peterson, the morning after her elimination and got her thoughts on her uncle’s trash talking, the politics around Tadhana, and her famous catchphrase…

Gordon Holmes: I have some good news.
Marissa Peterson: What’s that?
Holmes: You and I are going to be rich.
Peterson: How?
Holmes: Here’s the plan…we get t-shirts, coffee mugs, bumper stickers…and we put “F*** You, Brad Culpepper” on them.
Peterson: (Laughs) People were hashtagging that!
Holmes: I think you’ve started a movement and we need to strike while the iron is hot.
Peterson: (Laughs) That’s a good idea, just send me the design layout.
Holmes: Will do.

Holmes: What is it about Mr. Culpepper that inspires that level of hatred?
Peterson: A lot of people are natural leaders. I feel like I’m a natural leader. But in this situation I decided not to step up. Brad did step up. He’d say, “I’m used to leading a household, leading a family, so I’m going to lead this tribe.” He was in the perfect situation to make these moves and make these calls. But, it was interesting how he’d back down in front of people. He’d be like, “Oh, I’m not calling the shots.” And then in his confessionals  he’d say, “Oh, I am calling the shots.”
Holmes: Candice last night mentioned him specifically shushing the women. Did he ever shush you?
Peterson: That was something I’d heard, but me personally I didn’t get shushed. He would just flat out tell me “No” or put his hand up when I was talking and say, “No, we’re not going to do that.” It’d be like, “OK, we don’t need your opinion right here, right now.” Nobody’s ever told me my opinion was wrong. We’ve been trying to make fire for two days and he told me not to help. Every time I made a suggestion he’s like, “No, we’re not going to do that.” That’s where I was coming from with the disrespect. I didn’t see him doing that to the guys so much. I did feel disrespected.
Holmes: Candice had a reason to be upset with him voting out her husband John, but she really rolled in there with the guns blazing…or maybe middle fingers blazing is more accurate.
Marissa: (Laughs) I wasn’t expecting that. It was more like, I knew I’d gotten on Brad’s radar when I said, “I don’t want you on my tribe if you’re thinking of giving up a challenge for your wife.” That was strike one. Gerv? That was strike two. I knew Candice was definitely upset that her husband was on Redemption. And I think maybe Monica voted for her in the beginning. I think that’s part of the reason she was feeling like that toward Brad.
Holmes: There’s just a heated Culpepper/Cody feud going on.
Peterson:  Right? (Laughs)

Holmes: I was there for Gervase’s disastrous immunity challenge. I love the guy, but it was a mess. Before the Tribal that sent you home, did you know Gervase had put you in a rough spot?
Peterson: Yeah…right when we got back to camp I was letting them know that I wasn’t OK with how he reacted in that situation. I was trying to separate myself from that. But, that’s a stupid reason to put a target on my back. Katie’s the reason the tribe lost that challenge. We had a head start and Gerv didn’t have anything to do with anything. Everyone was saying Katie has to go. So, I thought after Tribal Council I’d handle the Gervase situation again. But, it was too late.
Holmes: How hard did you try to get Gervase to replace you on Redemption Island?
Peterson: When I think about it, I don’t know what it would have been like if I was all of the sudden on Galang. Would I have a target right off the bat like Rupert’s wife or would I get to hang back?
Holmes: I would have given that man a serious guilt trip.
Peterson: (Laughs) You know, Brad has played football games and what Gervase did wasn’t even half the celebration or half the (expletive deleted) talking that people do on the field. Hayden’s played collegiate baseball and he’s getting upset by some 40-something-year-old man? Especially after that swimming performance? Why are you taking this so personally?
Holmes: Was it nice to watch Brad get the boot last night?
Peterson: I thought that was great.

Holmes: Alright, let’s do some word association. We’ll start with Hayden.
Peterson: Glass of water. I don’t know…he seems bland. I guess I didn’t get enough from him.
Holmes: Vytas?
Peterson: Kumbaya in disguise. He puts on this front…it might be his real front. You don’t see him making moves, but later someone told me Vytas brought my name up.
Holmes: Katie?
Peterson: (Laughs) Bump on a log. I was really disappointed when I saw her get beat by her mother in the physical contest.
Holmes: Ciera?
Peterson: Lucky. She’s in jeopardy but she manages to point the fingers away from her. She got beat by her mom three times.
Holmes: Marissa, are you trying to tell me that your mother couldn’t beat you in a physical challenge?
Peterson: No, my mother couldn’t beat me in a challenge.
Holmes: Brad?
Peterson: Douchebag. I’ve never met anyone like him before.
Holmes: Caleb?
Peterson: America’s sweetheart. You have all these people who dislike Colton so much and Caleb doesn’t even care. Nobody’s opinion of Colton affects how he feels about his fiancé.

Holmes: Whenever someone is the first one out, it’s usually that person’s fault. That doesn’t seem to be the case with you. Do you feel cheated at all?
Peterson: “Survivor” is not real life. In real life I think all of the things I had going for me would have been seen and someone else would’ve been voted out. “Cheated” is not the word, I just got played by the game.

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

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‘Survivor: Blood vs. Water’ Recap: The Brad News Bears

October 9, 2013

'Survivor: Blood vs Water' (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 Malcolm Freberg. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

[xfinity-record-button id=”6541379645042428112″ program_type=”series” cid=”45576771592″]

Last Week: Colton threw in the towel, Marissa threw out some obscenities, Tyson threw out his shoulder, and Brad threw John out of Tadhana…

39 Days (well…technically 39.5), 20 People, 1 “Survivor” Blog

Let’s take a look at the tribes as they currently stand…

The Galang Tribe (wearing yellow)
Aras – Musician, 31
Gervase – Cigar Lounge Owner, 43
Kat – Full-Time Student/Sales, 23
Laura B. – Merchandiser, 44
Laura M. – Co-Owner of Morett Construction, 43
Monica – Homemaker, 42
Tina – Motivational Speaker, 52
Tyson – Store Manager, 34

The Tadhana Tribe (wearing red)
Brad – Attorney, 44
Caleb – Post Office Manager/Farmer, 26
Ciera – Cosmetology Student, 24
Hayden – Real Estate, 26
Katie – Hedge Fund Support, 25
Vytas – Yoga Instructor, 33

Our evening’s fun starts off at Redemption Island where we learn that Candice can’t recognize her husband’s voice in the dark.

John is bummed that Brad would turn on him. Dude, you married Candice Woodcock. Anyone who’s watched her play should know that sometimes you’ve got to switch allegiances.

Back at Tadhana, Brad thinks they need to start focusing on an alliance that has loved ones on the other side. For some reason this worries Caleb which is weird because Colton wasn’t voted out.

Wait…nevermind.

Next, we’re off to Redemption (Still Not an) Island. Candice greets Brad with a one-finger salute. Nice to see that her and Marissa have found so much in common during their time together.

Monica tries to defend Brad saying he’s not the only one who’s voting. Candice responds to this by accusing Brad of shushing all of the women. John says he never saw that, but Tadhana should consider knocking the king off of the throne.

Redemption Island Duel (ahem…Truel) Time: The players will have to maneuver a key through a ladder bridge. Once they get to the end they’ll use the key to unlock a bag of puzzle pieces. The first person to complete the puzzle gets to stay and give away an immunity idol clue. The second person just gets to stay. The last person will be out of the game.

The challenge starts and Marissa and John are neck and neck. Candice is only slightly behind them. John eventually releases his bag first with Marissa only a second or two behind.

Candice eventually catches up and all three are working on their puzzles. Brad starts giving John advice in the hopes of someday winning him back.

John pulls away and completes the puzzle first. Marissa grows frustrated and this allows Candice to sneak by for the win.

Candice tells John he should give the clue to Monica so Galang will turn on her. Oh…that’s evil. I like that.

Brad tells Monica to burn the clue…and she does! Brilliant! This season is insane!

Also…and sorry for thinking this…with a married couple alone on Redemption Island (or Camp Cody) this could be the first time there’s some…uh…funny business during the game.

If this shelter’s a rockin’…

Sorry, I’ll stop.

Over at Galang, Monica has a bit of a breakdown because of the abuse Brad is taking. Her tribemates are cool though and try to cheer her up. Gervase puts it in a good context, reminding her that it’s a game and somebody has to run the show. That’s actually an excellent example of how solid Gervase’s social game is. He’s funny and personable, but he can be real when he needs to be.

At Tadhana, Brad is considering getting rid of Caleb because he doesn’t have a loved one on the other side who’ll be mad about it. However, we then learn that Hayden, Caleb, and Vytas are tight and Brad is on the bottom. Man, that Five Guys alliance really is out the window.

Later on, we meet up with Tyson and Gervase as they’re sneaking off to drink coconuts. C’mon guys, that’s a serious breach of banana etiquette. James would be livid.

Apparently the “Coconut Bandits” have bonded over this deception and are now an alliance.

Immunity Challenge Time: The teams will take a boat out on a mission to retrieve some huge crates. Once they have them all, they’ll return to the beach and build a staircase. Then two players will complete a puzzle to get the combination to a key. First tribe to climb the steps, use the key, and raise their flag wins immunity and their choice of coffee and treats or fishing gear.

Tina and Kat will sit out for Galang. Look at Tyson toughing it out.

The challenge starts off and Galang reminds us that they still suck at rowing boats. Things eventually even out and Laura B. is really proving that she’s a heck of a challenge competitor. Rupert must be beaming.

Tadhana retrieves all of their crates first, but their boat tips over and Galang takes the lead.

During the stair-building portion, Tadhana manages to regain the lead. But Laura M. and Tyson tear through the puzzle much quicker than Ciera and Vytas. Tyson retrieves their key, raises their flag, and sends Tadhana to their fourth straight Tribal Council.

There’s a serious Ulonging going on here.

Once again, Mama Morett laid the smack down on her daughter. Will this be the one that sends Ciera packing?

After the challenge, Brad tells Ciera and Katie that they’re going to target Caleb. But after Caleb’s gone, it will be “nut-cutting time.”

Uh…

Caleb, Vytas, and Hayden are all ready to vote for Ciera, but the way Brad was talking to the girls has Caleb nervous.

That night at Tribal Council, Brad throws Ciera under the bus for being bad at puzzles.

Ciera admits that she isn’t as good at puzzles as she thought, but she’s not going to whine about it.

Brad admits that it’d be great to vote out someone without a loved one so he wouldn’t get heat at Redemption Island. Caleb didn’t love that comment.

Caleb feels like he’s the low man on the totem pole and didn’t like that Brad was campaigning against him.

Brad says it was just a discussion, not a campaign.

Caleb tells Ciera that he’s going to write Brad’s name down and everyone else is welcome to follow suit.

Brad tries to save face by saying he’s not going to vote for Caleb.

Voting Time: Caleb votes for Brad, Brad votes for Ciera, and the rest of the votes are lost to the magic of editing.

JPro tallies, then returns.  We’ve got one vote for Brad, two votes for Ciera, one vote for Brad, one vote for Ciera, and…one vote for Brad.

A tie! This season is the greatest train wreck ever!

Voting Time Again: Katie votes for Brad, Hayden starts voting for Ciera….then scratches it out! And that’s all we get to see.

Note: Hayden, buddy…just grab another piece of parchment.

JPro tallies, returns…and we’ve got one vote Brad, one vote Ciera, one vote Brad, and the sixth person to be sent to Redemption Island is…Brad!

Oh his way out, Brad tells everyone that he isn’t mad at them. That’s actually a very smart strategy in this game.

Verdict: So basically, with his first strategic maneuver ever, Caleb made a better move that Colton did in two whole seasons. Good times.

This season is delivering in a big way. I’m hoping Jeff Probst isn’t the kind of guy to say, “I told you so.”

And who isn’t psyched to see Camp Cody square off against Big Bad Brad next week?

Who’s Going to Win? Buh…Vytas? Who knows…this season is nuts.

Power Rankings Results: Malcolm had Brad in spot 13, I had him in 12. Malcolm had both of the Codys surviving at Redemption, I only had Candice. So, the score for this round is Team Malcolm 15, Team Gordon 13. The current total score is Team Malcolm 56, Team Gordon 55.

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

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‘Survivor: Blood vs. Water’ Power Rankings – Wager Edition

October 7, 2013

'Survivor: Blood vs. Water' (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 Malcolm Freberg. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

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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 two players will earn. For example, if Tyson is voted out this week, Malcolm will receive 8 points and Gordon will receive 6 points. Also, each player will pick the players they think will win at Redemption Island. They’ll receive a bonus point for each correct pick. At the end of the season, the person with the most points will be named the “Survivor: Blood vs. Water” Power Rankings Challenge Champion.

NOTE: If a current player decides to swap places with their loved one at Redemption Island, they’ll also swap places in the rankings. For example, if Gervase swaps places with Marissa, Marissa will take the 5th spot in Malcolm’s rankings and the 4th spot in Gordon’s rankings.

Last Week: Malcolm had Colton in spot 14, I had him in spot 16. Malcolm had John in spot 12, I had him in spot 11. Malcolm earned one Redemption Island bonus point for guessing Candice correctly, I earned two for guessing both winners. So, the current score is Team Malcolm 41, Team Gordon 42.

Before we get into this week’s festivities, let’s check in with the two combatants…

Gordon Holmes: Malcolm, thanks again for participating this season. What’ve you been up to since we saw you last?
Malcolm Freberg: As much as you want me to say I’ve been studying Power Rankings strategies all summer, fact is I am just putting the finishing touches on a memoir of the year I spent as a teacher in the Marshall Islands. I also launched a self-help website, www.whiskeyandninjaturtles.com, with week-daily updates.
Holmes: How are you liking the season so far?
Freberg: Really good so far. The addition of family members adds an element of emotion to what had evolved into a really strategic, Machiavellian experiment. The new layer of complexity from the twist throws a wrench in all the hardcore viewers’ preconceived notions of how the game should play out. Also, I will never be a ‘fan’ of the Redemption Island twist for reasons too long to list here, but I’ll admit that, if it HAS to be done, the family members season was the time to do it.
Holmes: Since I would obviously be your loved one, what strategies would we have discussed going into this season?
Freberg: Obviously you would sacrifice yourself for me whenever I asked. Duh.

Holmes: That’s not very loving. Alright, we’re going to be doing a weekly wager here to spice things up. We’ve put a variety of topics into a hat. The loser of this week’s ranking will have to incorporate the topic into next week’s picks. And, it looks like the topic will be…’80s Cartoon Characters.
Freberg: Not ‘80s, I’m not that old.
Holmes: Fine, then just cartoon characters. However, I’m going to point out that the Ninja Turtles did start in the ‘80s.

Malcolm’s Current Score: 41

Any advice for Malcolm? Drop him a line on Twitter: @MalcolmWHW

Gordon’s Current Score: 42

Any advice for Gordon? Drop him a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
 1. Aras – Most of the action at Galang was Colton- and Tyson-centric, so the status quo hasn’t changed. I suspect Aras has used all this free time to construct an open-air bamboo yoga studio complete with a wheatgrass bar and wind chimes.
  1. Aras – My exit interview with Colton shed a lot of light on the politics around Galang and apparently it’s an Aras lovefest. Between that and the way he spoke openly and honestly with Colton before Redemption Island, it’s apparent that Aras is playing the exact game he wants to be playing.
 2. Tina – When she’s not signing up non-alliance members for pre-merge trial memberships at the Galang Hot Yoga, she’s calmly telling quitters to shove it and continuing to embarrass her child on national television. It’s actually been really impressive so far.
  2. Hayden – Sending John to Redemption Island made Hayden 100 times more valuable to Brad and the tribe as a whole. Best of all, Hayden doesn’t have any blood on his hands.
 3. Hayden – He’s now proved that he’s a vicious killer of Mormon’s dreams and is probably not safe in the state of Utah anytime soon, but he’s in good shape on Tadhana’s beach. He’s a strong guy on a bad tribe that’s involved in the strategy discussions but not sticking out for being a threat yet.
  3. Tina – This wasn’t on purpose, but I’ve got all of the former champs at the top of my list. Tina’s golden right now. She’s the least threatening member of the dominant alliance in the dominant tribe. She’s also smart enough to know that the only time it’s safe to trash talk someone is when they’re in the process of quitting the game.

 4. Vytas – If Aras runs a yoga studio, Vytas is the sensei of Cobra Kai. I support the taking advantage of a merciful enemy, but don’t get beat doing so or you create a hero out of your opponent – which, in this case, is the guy you already hate for being a hero. Ouch. Good things he’s still safe pulling the strings of Tadhana with Hayden.
  4. Gervase – Good for Gervase for being the cooler head at last week’s Redemption Island. It looks like he’s safe and sound in Galang’s old school alliance. Which considering how disastrously he performed in the premiere is a miracle. If Gervase makes the merge, and at this point I can’t imagine him not making the merge, he’s going to be a threat to win this thing.

  5. Gervase – Still not in love with the guy, but he’s safe working under Aras and Tina as loudmouth lightning rod/studio security. He’d be placed at the bottom of this list if murder was an allowable way to eliminate a castaway because Brad wouldn’t hesitate.
  5. Vytas – Brad booting John really opened the door for a lot of options at Tadhana beach. Could Vytas take the lead and send Brad packing? Absolutely. Is that the smartest move? Probably not. Best to let Brad keep on being Brad. As far as losing the immunity challenge to his younger sibling, that might turn out in his favor if they’re ever looking to get rid of the more-threatening brother.
 6. Monica – I thought it was interesting that she sat the challenge, though I’m not sure how much to read into it. It may have just been that the moms asked to crush their daughters? Either way, Colton leaving clears away any doubt arising from her comments about possibly playing with him, so I think she’ll sit comfortably in the majority for a while.
  6. Tyson – Lost in all of the craziness of last episode was Tyson’s shoulder injury. Hopefully it isn’t too bad, because he has been tearing up the challenges so far. Also, when you see how Tyson treats Rachel, there’s no possible way he belongs on a “Villains” tribe ever again.
 7. Caleb – His handling of Colton wanting to go home was perfect. Now he’s freed from that loud, pink polo-sporting burden and can quietly maneuver his way through the game. Oddly, we’re never hearing his take on all the chaos on Tadhana, which is worrisome for his odds of ever becoming an end-game force, but also means he’s not putting a target on his back early like some are.
   7. Monica – Welp…it looks like Monica is doing everything she should be at Galang. She seems to be well-liked and is in good with the cool kids. But how many times do her alliance-mates need to see their loved ones chewing out Brad before it starts to get to them?
 8. Tyson – Never let Rachel go. She should be awarded girlfriend of the year for telling her proven challenge-beast boyfriend to sit tight and trying to make a go of RI alone. Now, Tyson’s safe in his alliance and I really don’t think he’s in any trouble, but if that shoulder doesn’t get better quickly he may become a liability. But I hear some light stretching and breathing exercises may do great things for your recovery, speak to Tina for more details.
  8. Laura M. – There appears to be a five-person alliance in Galang, and Laura isn’t in it. Fortunately, there are a few more obvious cuts before they get to her. And the way things are going, it’s possible Galang might never lose immunity. If Laura can get to the merge, everyone had better watch out. She’s done well in the immunity challenges so far and she was a significant force in Samoa.
 9. Laura M. – I knew those hesitations at the challenge were just for show — you couldn’t wait to run over dear old daughter. The moms are having their way with their daughters and it’s hysterical. A whole lot of silence in regards to the drama this week, so no real change in opinion.
 9. Caleb – So, Colton claims he quit because he knew he’d be voted out and Caleb would insist on taking this place at Tribal Council. That’s very sweet. But it makes me wonder if Caleb is going to be willing to make the cutthroat moves that are usually necessary to win this game.
 10. Laura B. – I’ve decided Rupert was never that good of a competitor, but that tie-dye imbues one with superhuman strength. She looked good in the challenge, but, just like her similarly named tribe mate, we didn’t hear much else, so this spot looks good I guess…
   10. Laura B. – Hey, I remember her! That may seem like a knock, but Laura is doing exactly what she needs to be doing. She’s being useful around camp, and she’s staying out of the drama. Once they hit the merge she’ll be able to coast and weigh her options.
 11. Katie – So the girls aren’t out of the woods by any means on Tadhana, but Katie gets a bump up because her loss to her mom was marginally less embarrassing than Ciera’s loss to hers, and Brad is doing everything in his power to get booted ASAP.   11. Katie – Well, the guys laid it out pretty clearly with last week’s vote. Katie and Ciera both did poorly in the challenge, but Katie helps around camp and Ciera doesn’t. The question is; is being the 2nd boot enough for Katie, or does she try to rally the guys against the now untrustworthy Brad?
 12. Kat – She’s so stealth mode you don’t even know she’s still at Galang until she appears in the challenge just long enough to one-shot one-kill Ciera. Her problem is Galang doesn’t need physical competitors — they haven’t struggled in challenges. And, outside Colton, she’s the only name we’ve heard kicked around by the majority alliance. Lieutenant Corporal Sniper Edorsson looks like the first boot of Galang.
   12. Brad – OK Brad, you’re taking all of the bullets at Redemption Island. That sucks, but it’s something your tribe mates probably appreciate. But then you decide to weaken your floundering tribe by getting rid of John? Then you suggest Tadhana all stab John in the back while you get to keep your hands clean? You’re playing too hard, too early and now I’m doubting you’ll make the merge.
 13. Brad – The Grand Poo-Poo of Tadhana is catching all the flak at RI and at camp for the decisions he’s making and the graceless way he defends them. Usually I’d insert something about not necessarily deserving it, but it’s starting to look like he deserves all of it and more. He’s the nail that’s sticking out the farthest, and he’s going to get knocked down sooner rather than later.
   13. Kat – There’s an older alliance at Galang and Kat just doesn’t fit in. Which is a shame, because she’s nice enough and has pulled her weight in challenges. Maybe she could use the Brad ill-will to turn people against Monica?
 14. Ciera – Because Tadhana won’t sacrifice more muscle if they lose again. Because she was the girl Brad threw a vote at instead of Katie. Because she left her pulse at camp during the last challenge. And finally, because I think I cursed her by putting her #1 preseason. I’m sorry, Ciera, I’M SORRY.
   14. Ciera – Your number is up on a tribe that isn’t winning immunities and just booted one of its strongest competitors. Brad did you a favor by turning on John. Now you should return the favor by getting everyone else to turn on Brad. An obvious angle you can take is, “He can’t be trusted after turning on his buddy.” But, you could also try “I saw Brad with the idol.”
 Redemption Island Picks: Candice and John – I don’t mean to constantly doubt Marissa – I mean I guess I do since I keep doing it — but she’s not exactly getting through these challenges in grand fashion. Also, Candice has proven to be the RI monster, and now she’s going to be able to help out hubby dearest once she’s done with the challenge three hours before the other two.
 		  Redemption Island Picks: Candice and Marissa – My first instinct was Team Cody all the way, but Marissa has proven she’s got some skills. I think I’m going to stick with this duo until they lose. Either way, I hope Candice wins the clue and then tosses it in the urn.

Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Blood vs. Water“

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‘Survivor’ Castaway Rachel – Brad Culpepper Is a ‘Bonehead’

October 3, 2013

'Survivor: Blood vs. Water' (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 Malcolm Freberg. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

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Looking for more proof that this is the craziest season of “Survivor” ever? Here are the facts…

•    Rupert was eliminated without ever receiving a vote.
•    Marissa was voted out because her uncle was talking trash.
•    Colton quit the game because he knew he’d be voted out and his fiance would insist on replacing him at Redemption Island.

And then you have poor Rachel who was targeted in an attempt to lure her challenge stallion boyfriend Tyson to Redemption Island.

So weird.

I spoke with Rachel the morning after her elimination and had a chance to ask her about Brad’s leadership, Tyson’s influence, and Candice’s attitude…

Gordon Holmes: You two broke my heart last night.
Rachel Foulger: (Laughs) We didn’t mean to!
Holmes: You guys are a-dorable.
Foulger: Thank you. I’m sorry our conversation is not going to get as dirty (as the pre-game interview) because Tyson’s not here.
Holmes: And thank goodness for that.
Foulger: Thank goodness!
Holmes: Tyson is a terrible influence on me.
Foulger: Me too! (Laughs)

Holmes: Tell me about Tadhana. All we’re seeing is the five guys ruling the roost. What else was going on there?
Foulger: It was definitely very obvious with Brad. Brad wasn’t secretive about anything. He was dominating that tribe, telling everybody what to do. It was very obvious there was a guy alliance. I only had two choices; either get the girls and try to pull one of those guys which I thought would’ve been hard. Or, forget the girls and try to make a strong alliance with the guys.
Holmes: Let me get this straight; you’re saying Brad wasn’t subtle?
Foulger: (Laughs) Did it look subtle on TV?! He was obvious about everything.

Holmes: Before the game, Jeff Probst and Tyson both mentioned that they were worried about how you would do emotionally. From what we saw it seemed like you were doing a good job out there.
Foulger: Jeff told me before the show that I was his question mark before the game. I told him I didn’t know what I was going to do either.  I am a very strong person, but I have emotions too. When I got out there I was pretty strong actually. I did pretty well out there.

Holmes: Tadhana voted Laura Boneham out of the tribe immediately. We never found out why.
Foulger:  I didn’t even know everybody’s name. They didn’t show my vote. I actually voted for Katie. I had to put down, “Tina’s Daughter” because I didn’t know her name. It was very stressful. But I think at that point the only thing you can do is go by physical appearance. How good are these people going to be in challenges? With her being the older woman, looking like maybe the weaker of the girls, I think that’s why she was targeted.

Holmes: I was there for that first challenge and you guys dominated the water portion. The puzzle team blew it, but they’re all still there. Why wasn’t there any blowback from their performance?
Foulger: I still don’t understand that. Katie, Ciera, and Caleb did the puzzle and not only did we lose, but we lost pretty badly. There were three rounds to that puzzle and they didn’t finish the first round. For one of them to not be on the chopping block doesn’t make sense to me. But, that’s where Brad comes in. Brad likes that they volunteered for that part of the challenge because it is higher stress. He appreciated that.

Holmes: The moment you and Tyson shared last night was very heartwarming. I’m not used to that from Tyson. Tyson tends to be too-cool-for school. I’m worried that having you in the game ruined his reputation as a bad boy.
Foulger: (Laughs) I don’t think it ruined his reputation. I think it’s nice to see a different side of Tyson. It’s a sweeter side.

Holmes: Alright let do some word association. We’ll start with Brad.
Foulger: Bonehead.
Holmes: Hayden?
Foulger: Meathead.
Holmes: Marissa?
Foulger: Sassy.
Holmes: Candice?
Foulger: Bitchy.
Holmes: Ciera?
Foulger: Mousey.
Holmes: Katie?
Foulger: Sincere.
Holmes: Vytas?
Foulger: Sneaky.
Holmes: Caleb?
Foulger: Strong.
Holmes: John?
Foulger: Trustworthy.

Holmes: We need to jump back into that. Why is Candice bitchy?
Foulger: She just is! She’s super bitchy. Being out there on Redemption Island…she is pissed. They aren’t showing it, but she is pissed that her name was written down that first day. There’s the bitchy side there and you’re going to get to see it next week I think.
Holmes: It did look like that from the preview.

Holmes: It never occurred to me that one tribe would target someone in an attempt to get their loved one to swap out.
Foulger: That part of the game was a surprise. I went both ways with it. I thought I’d be targeted because they want Tyson out. Or, people who are on the chopping block are not going to want Tyson to be in the arena fighting challenges. I wasn’t positive which way it would go.

Holmes: See how clean this interview was?
Foulger: Yeah, it was pretty clean.
Holmes: That’s the thing; when Tyson and I talk it’s awful. When you, me, and Tyson talk it’s awful. When just you and I talk it’s super pleasant.
Foulger: (Laughs) I know! Is that OK with you?
Holmes: It is, I just wanted you to realize what the common denominator was.

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

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