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‘Survivor: Second Chance’ Episode 6 Recap: Ciera Missed?

October 28, 2015

"Survivor: Second Chance" (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 Jenn Brown and Max Dawson. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Second Chance”

Last Week: Kimmi didn’t ration because she wanted Whole Foods, Stephen hit someone else’s Target, and Monica saw her GameStop.

39 Days, 20 People, 1 “Survivor” Blog…

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

The Angkor Tribe (wearing yellow)
Abi – Philippines
Andrew – Pearl Islands
Tasha – Cagayan
Woo – Cagayan

The Bayon Tribe (wearing pink)
Jeremy – San Juan del Sur
Kelly W. – Borneo
Kimmi – The Australian Outback
Spencer – Cagayan
Stephen – Tocantins

The Ta Keo Tribe (wearing teal)
Ciera – Blood vs. Water
Joe – Worlds Apart
Kass – Cagayan
Keith – San Juan del Sur
Kelley W. – San Juan del Sur
Terry – Panama

We start things off back at Ta Keo Beach…which is weird because they weren’t at Tribal.

The reason for the odd beginning is quickly made apparent as Probst arrives in a boat with bad news for Terry. Jeff tells him that his son is in the hospital and it’s serious enough that he should go home. Terry says his goodbyes and takes off.

Poor Terry. Just imagining the questions he must have while he goes on those looooong flights seems like a nightmare.

Note: Terry’s son received a heart transplant and is doing well. #dannystrong

The next day, Probst breaks the news to the other tribes. Savage says that he loves the game, but he would run to the airport if he were in Terry’s shoes. Kelly gets really emotional as she agrees with him.

Aaaand…it’s a little dusty in my living room.

Joe thinks the news took the wind out of their sails, but they’re going to make Terry proud.

Once we’re ready to start the game back up, Probst shocks them with another buff dropping. They’re going to become two tribes; Bayon and Ta Keo. Angkor will no longer exist. I’m sure it’ll be remembered as fondly as Ulong.

Alright, we’ve got Jeremy, Kimmi, Tasha, Stephen, Keith, Joe, and Kelley on Bayon and Savage, Kass, Spencer, Abi, Woo, Kelly, and Ciera on Ta Keo.

Oh man, new new Bayon is going to murder new new Ta Keo.

Immediately, Kass lets everyone know that she’s worried about being on a tribe with Spencer due to lingering Luzon issues. Also, Kelley is nervous about being the only classic Ta Keon on her tribe.

Reward Challenge Time: One member from each tribe will race down a slip-and-side and retrieve a hoop. First person to toss their hoop onto a post wins a point. The winning tribe gets a picnic.

Round One: Jeremy barely beat Savage.

Round Two: Kass defeated Stephen.

Round Three: Abi topped Kimmi.

Round Four: Joe scored against Woo.

Round Five: THE KELL(E)Y ROUND! Wigles bested Went to win reward.

We meet up with Ta Keo back at camp as they sit down to their huge picnic.

Spencer asks what middle-era Ta Keo was like and Kass assures him that they were cool because they’re not very dramatic. Kass. Chaos Kass. Not dramatic. Still doesn’t sound right.

Savage is feeling good because he has two classic Bayonians, Woo, and Abi on his side. He also knows that Kass hates Spencer. Well, we all know that.

Savage wants to throw Spencer off of his scent by telling him that they’re targeting Ciera. As you’d imagine, Ciera does not love this idea.

At Bayon, Joe wants to find a way to save Kelley. He thinks the way to go is to say that she’s stronger than Stephen and Kimmi.

Man, a lot of pre-challenge strategy.

Joe tells Stephen that he wants to target Kimmi and Stephen doesn’t like that one bit. He immediately rats Joe out to Jeremy. This concerns Jeremy, but he likes the idea of one-man-show Joe being his meat shield.

Later, Stephen gets really emotional talking about his second chance. It’s really dusty tonight!

Immunity Challenge Time: GROSS EATING CHALLENGE! First tribe to four wins immunity.

Round One: Woo and Spencer ate tarantulas faster than Tasha and Kimmi.

Round Two: Jeremy and Keith devoured water beetles faster than Savage and Ciera.

Aww…Savage gave Ciera a big fatherly hug.

Round Three:  Stephen and Kelley finished the pig snout before Abi and Kass.

Round Four: Kelly downed deep fried frog quicker than Joe. Joe lost?!

Round Five: Kimmi forfeited to Woo when she was asked to eat pig brains.

Round Six: Kelley gobbled a scorpion before Ciera. I did that once.

Round Seven: Tasha swallowed a balut faster than Kass to win immunity for Bayon.

Oh man, now Kass is crying. This episode is sponsored by Kleenex.

Back at camp, it looks like Spencer is the target. Savage takes Spencer aside and tells him to vote for Ciera.

Savage then goes on and on about what a great blindside it’ll be. Uh oh…foreshadowing?

Later on, Ciera pitches getting rid of Woo over Spencer. Wait, why Woo over Savage? So as not to upset classic Bayon?

Kass and Spencer go for a  little chat and Kass admits that Savage targeting him. She pitches teaming with Abi and Ciera to get rid of Woo.

Oh man, Kass can get rid of Spencer and…she’s debating not doing it? Calm Kass vs. Chaos Kass!

That night at Tribal, some folks still need to get fire! Joe and Keith have yet to have fire!

Woo says he’s learned that you need to be cutthroat to win.

Kass thinks it’s hard to manage all of the levels of relationships.

Probst asks if she’s Chaos Kass or New Kass. She says she doesn’t know.

Savage admits that he’s only known “loving, loyal Kass.”  Needs better alliteration there, Savage.

Ciera thinks it’s weird that Savage has grown close to Woo.

Savage doesn’t worry when he hears his name being thrown around because he trusts his judgment. And worst case, he goes home to his hot model/lawyer wife.

Ciera points out that somebody’s plan will not work out.

Voting Time: Savage votes for Spencer, Spencer votes for Woo, and the rest are secret.

JPro tallies and returns. We’ve got one vote for Spencer, one vote for Woo, two votes for Spencer, two votes for Woo, and the sixth person eliminated from “Survivor: Second Chance” is…Woo

Well, Abi got her wish.

Verdict: What a roller coaster this episode was. From the heartbreak of Terry’s news, to the swap, to a legitimate blindside. This season is picking up.

Who’s Going to Win? My girl Kelley is in trouble, but I’m staying Team Wentworth until her torch is snuffed.

Power Rankings Results: OK, Jenn (or whoever did her picks) had Terry in first. Max had him in tenth and I had him in eleventh. Jenn and I both had Woo if spot fourteen while Max had him in spot twelve. So, the current score is Team Jenn 72, Team Max 80, and Team Gordon 74.

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

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‘Survivor’ Power Rankings Round 5: Everything’s Coming Up Jeremy Edition

October 28, 2015

"Survivor: Second Chance" (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 Jenn Brown and Max Dawson. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Second Chance”

The Rules: Each week our three 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 three players will earn. For example, if Abi-Maria is voted out this week, Gordon and Jenn will each receive fifteen points and Max will receive fourteen points. At the end of the season, the person with the most points will be named the “Survivor: Second Chance” Power Rankings Challenge Champion.

Last Week: Jenn had Monica in ninth place, Max had her in fourteenth, and Gordon had her in thirteenth. The current score is Team Jenn 57, Team Max 58, and Team Gordon 49.

Important Note: These rankings are not based on who is most likely to win the entire season. Players tend to rank the players based on their safety in the next episode.

Jenn’s Score = 57

Any questions for Jenn? Drop her a line on Twitter: @jenncantdance

 Max’s Score = 58

Any questions for Max? Drop him a line on Twitter: @fymaxwell

 Gordon’s Score = 49

Any questions for Gordon? Drop him a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
 1. Terry: Terry is number one because I (expletive deleted) like him. He’s just a good solid guy just like my dad. Plus he’s good at challenges. I don’t see him going anywhere anytime soon.   1. Jeremy: Everyone should have Jeremy at the top.
  1. Jeremy: A medical emergency and a tribe swap in the same episode?! Are you kidding me, Probst?! Normally I’d just pull names out of a “Survivor” Hall of Fame coffee mug. But, anyone with an idol should make it through OK.
  2. Jeremy: Jeremy is a likable guy. Good at challenges. Has an idol. There is zero chance in hell that he is going home anytime soon.
  2. Ciera: I don’t know how Jenn keeps forgetting about Ciera.
  2. Kelley: See Jeremy.
  3. Kelley: I like her. She’s good at challenges and she has an idol and she likes Terry. She’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
   3. Spencer: Spencer is just like me and that’s why I put him here. I like people who love the game.
  3. Tasha: And now I have to redo the colors on all of these Power Rankings graphics?! Before a merge?! Again, Tasha and Savage don’t have the challenge strength, but they have plenty of deadwood to vote out.
  4. Ciera: I didn’t watch Tocantins so I don’t even really know who this is. She hasn’t made any waves so she’s probably safe for now.
   4. Kelley: Kelley is in a great spot because she has an idol and a sense of wits about her. 
  4. Andrew: See Tasha.
 5. KEITH NALE: I really like Keith. He’s great. I think that great guys that people really like aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
  5. Joe: This is as high as I will ever put Joe.
  5. Stephen: When you kinda blow a challenge and your tribemates just laugh about it? That’s a good place to be. Kudos to Stephen for turning around his disastrous start.
 6. Andrew: Savage has a really good social game and I think he’s calling the shots at Angkor. I don’t think he’s going anywhere.
  6. Keith: Keith is doing great. What a likable guy. I think he will make it far, just not to the end.
  6. Kimmi: Kimmi went to Tribal for the first time in fifteen years and she totally called her shot. Was it a good call? Meh… Probably won’t matter in the long run. I’m thinking Kimmi is the least-threatening person out there. She’ll go a long way.
 7. Stephen: Just shut the (expletive deleted) up, man. Stop talking. Guys like this really drive me crazy. All they do is talk and think. Come on, man. I’m just like “Chill. I don’t care about anything. I just want to get drunk and eat cheese on a boat and pet Sunnycat.” And all they do is have ideas and talk about (expletive deleted) and worry about life and take Hali’s bed.   7. Tasha: Somehow her tribe avoided Tribal last week. This week they will be incredibly lucky if they do the same. However, her and Savage are somehow running it still.
  7. Ciera: We joke a lot here about not knowing what to write about people who aren’t getting a lot of camera time. But…for reals…we’re hitting episode 6 pretty soon. Give us more Ciera!
 8. Tasha: Tasha is not as in the loop as Savage but she’s good at challenges. I haven’t seen her make strong alliances with people. This should be fine.
   8. Stephen: This guy just likes to shoot himself in the foot. How do you go with Spencer and still come out more of the “Survivor” nerd outcast?
  8. Kass: Remember when everyone thought Kass would be the first target? She still could be, if she ever goes to Tribal.
  9. Joe: Joe. You win all the challenges and cook all the food and make camp life great for everyone and still find time to brush your hair 100 times before bed with a comb that you made from a (expletive deleted) abalone shell. Did you have to go and tell them that YOU ARE THE BIGGEST THREAT IN THE GAME? STOP BEING SO GOOD AT EVERYTHING. STOP BEING SO LIKABLE. STOP MAKING ME LOVE YOU. I really like Joe so I think he’s fine for now, but if he makes the merge he is gone.
   9. Andrew: This guy is pissing off people. That’s how I got voted out. That’s how he’s going to get voted out.
  9. Spencer: Nothing but question marks for young Spencer. He proved he was loyal by voting with Jeremy. But really, what choice did he have? Also, how many alliance members does Jeremy need?
  10. Kimmi: Eh. I haven’t seen that much from her lately so she’s probably going home soon. I don’t see her going home anytime soon.
   10. Terry: I don’t know why I’m putting Terry below Andrew but I am. He’s still doing good for his alliance though. Even though his tribe will probably lose this week.
   10. Kelly: Kelly, Kelly, Kelly Kelly, Kelly… I’ve learned more about Kelly from Woody’s birthday song than I have by watching this show.
 11. Kass: Kass is really growing on me. She’s making friends with Kimmi and doing really good in the challenges. After the season maybe she and I will eat cheese together. She’s probably fine for now.
  11. Kimmi: She did something this week. Congratulations, you finally made it on TV.
   11. Terry: It’s bad news when a tribe of six people makes a final five deal and you’re not a part of it.
 12. Kelly: I don’t even (expletive deleted) know who this is.
  12. Woo: I think his tribe is going to lose and he or Abi are on the chopping block.
  12. Joe: You’re never safe, Joe. I still say you’re done the first time you lose an individual immunity challenge.
  13. Spencer: Dude got lucky. If he didn’t catch that fish he was probably going home. Guys like him talk too much. He just needs to chill and do good at challenges and he’ll probably be fine.
   13. Kelly: I don’t think we’ve seen any more footage of Kelly since Borneo.
  13. Keith: Maybe this is mean, but Keith strikes me as the Ta Keon most likely to have a medical emergency.
  14. Woo: He’s not doing that much so he could be going home.
   14. Abi-Maria: She has to be next out on her tribe. She got so lucky last week. But this week, I don’t think the cards will be in her favor.
  14. Woo: Tasha has got to realize that she can’t control Abi for another 20+ days. And, seeing that her buddy Spencer is safe means she has some options. Keep Woo for “challenge strength” even if it’s really to maintain your sanity.
  15. Abi-Maria: Abi. You have to chill out. You can’t make every story about you. Ummm…you have another person’s (expletive deleted) body part inside you? You have to get over your drama. BTW Monica was right – you can’t just take all of the clams. They don’t just reappear the next day. (Disclaimer: I work on boats so I know about the ocean.)
   15. Kass: Kass.
  15. Abi-Maria: The more time Savage and Tasha spend around Woo and Abi-Maria, the more they’re probably going to gravitate toward him.

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‘Survivor’ Power Rankings Round 4 – Dragon Angkor Down? Edition

October 20, 2015

"Survivor: Second Chance" (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 Jenn Brown and Max Dawson. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

[xfinity-record-button id=”4814958312953183112″ program_type=”series”]

The Rules: Each week our three 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 three players will earn. For example, if Ciera is voted out this week, Gordon and Max will each receive seven points and Jenn will receive twelve points. At the end of the season, the person with the most points will be named the “Survivor: Second Chance” Power Rankings Challenge Champion.

Last Week: Jenn and Gordon both had Varner in spot seventeen. Max had him in fifteen. So, the current score is Team Jenn 48, Team Max 44, Team Gordon 36.

Important Note: These rankings are not based on who is most likely to win the entire season. Players tend to rank the players based on their safety in the next episode.

Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Second Chance”

Jenn’s Score = 48

Any questions for Jenn? Drop her a line on Twitter: @jenncantdance

Max’s Score = 44

Any questions for Max? Drop him a line on Twitter: @fymaxwell

Gordon’s Score = 36

Any questions for Gordon? Drop him a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
 1. KEITH NALE: I’m gonna put Keith up here cause I like him. Likable guys aren’t leaving the game right now.   1. Jeremy: Jeremy said it himself: he’s the JT to Stephen’s Stephen. By extension that makes the branch the avocado. I don’t know about you but I can’t wait to see what kind of bone-headed move Jeremy makes when he returns for Heroes Vs. Villains 2 as a universally-beloved perfect-game winner.
“Rodney–This is a huge turning point in this game…”		  1. Jeremy: Jeremy entered the game wanting a big-guy alliance, but now that he has an idol he won’t have to rely solely on meat shields. Keeping a strategist like Spencer or Stephen around could be a smart move, but which one?
  2. Jeremy: He lost the reward for his tribe and that made me sad. But he still has an idol and an alliance I think. I’m not sure. I forgot. But whatever, he’s great.
  2. Spencer: Alpha males use each other as meat shields. Beta males use each other as nerd shields. Spencer can easily turn any argument for voting him out into an argument for voting out Fishbach. “Sure I’m a student of the game! But I don’t write a blog for People Magazine and co-host a podcast with Rob Cesternino!” “Sure I’m a smart guy! But I didn’t go to an Ivy League school!” “Sure I’m strategic! But I never engineered a cross-tribal Exile alliance and flipped a 6-4 split in my favor!”
  2. Kelley: Kelley’s got to be thinking, “Hmm…with this group they give you bracelets instead of accusing you of stealing them.” Could this be laying the groundwork for a “Sneaky Sneaky Chaos” alliance?
  3. Kelley: I also would’ve thought Kass was up to something sneaky. However, I never would have thought she would do it in plain sight. Double however, your tribe cannot lose and you also have an idol so you’re here and the end.
   3. Joe: Last Wednesday 9.07 million viewers simultaneously found themselves contemplating the same mystery: What happened to Joe’s armpit hair? Wonder no more. As revealed on “Survivor With All the Fixin’s,” my weekly recap podcast for the On The Block Network, Joe does in fact have armpit hair. It just wasn’t visible on camera. Another behind-the-scenes insight revealed on the podcast: according to “Worlds Apart” champ Mike Holloway, Joe sat out the Hero Challenge in order to remind his fellow competitors that Terry is still a challenge beast. This is exactly the sort of thing I’ve been waiting to see from J.A.: an indication that he’s working to shift the target from his back to someone else’s.
  3. Joe: No Joe? No show. Are you telling me that there wasn’t any Joe-ga going on at some point during those three days? Or Joe crafting a refrigerator out of a hollow log?  Or Joe cuddling a puppy? Nothing? Look for ratings to drop this Wednesday.
  4. Terry: Terry!
   4. Keith: Terry sired the final three. Keith sired the reigning Louisiana Chicken Nugget Eating Champion. I know which accomplishment I’m more impressed by.
  4. Tasha: Honestly, Tasha and Andrew should both be way higher on this list. There’s no way either one of them is going home this week…
 5. Tasha: Girl, you need to get rid of Abi-Maria. Come on. Take Woo and then just vote her out. For the sanity of the tribe. And me. And the country.
  5. Terry: Terry’s performance during the Hero Challenge proved he’s barely lost a step since Panama. While good for the middle-aged male ego, his heroics showed everyone that he’s still a massive threat in the individual game.
  5. Andrew: …well…unless…Woo finds the Angkor idol. But that couldn’t happen, right? …right?!
 6. Andrew: I’m just surprised at how tired he was after the challenge because he played college football. 30 years ago.
  6. Kelley: Kass made Kelley a friendship bracelet for her birthday. Awww! How sweet! But what if it wasn’t a friendship bracelet? What if it were some kind of voodoo amulet that caused its wearer to develop a Boston accent, a horse trainer fetish, and an irrational hatred of hairdressers? What if the only way to break its spell were to drink the blood of a llama? I don’t know man you try writing these things every week and see what you come up with.
  6. Keith: Keith’s Ta Keo alliance has the numbers and Keith isn’t one to ruffle (or rustle) feathers. He’s fine. And adorable.
 7. Kass: That was really nice of her to make a bracelet. She’s making friends. I like that she walked up and gave the gift then immediately walked away. I would do that.   7. Ciera: I wonder if Ciera is voting for Donald Trump? Or maybe Ben Carson? I wouldn’t put either past her. I mean, you do realize that she voted FOR HER MOM!?!?
  7. Ciera: Not much camera time for Ciera last week, but how can you possibly compete with “Kass’s Fun Time Arts and Crafts Minute”?
 8. Spencer: He’s trying to throw one of the unseens under the bus. That’s alright I guess.
   8. Stephen: The good news: Stephen has an ally who wants him to feel like he’s in the loop. The bad news: Stephen has an ally who makes him feel like he’s in the loop by sending him on a wild chicken chase for an idol that’s already been found.
  8. Kass: So, I watched quite a bit of “Survivor: Cagayan” this week and I liked Kass a lot more than I remembered. Did her new vibe seep into my brain? Has it seeped into everybody’s brain? Well, everybody except for Max…
  9. Monica: GUYS, SHE SPOKE AGAIN. And it was about nothing really. I didn’t even listen. I just stared at her pigtails.
   9. Kimmi: Last week’s preview gave us a glimpse of the Kimmi we’ve all been waiting 14 years to see again. Here’s to hoping that this week proves to us that while you can take the girl out of Long Island you can never take the Long Island out of the girl.
  9. Stephen: Another solid week for everyone’s favorite stick-sparing, chicken chaser. He’s gotta be wondering what his next step is going to be. He won’t be the first to go if Bayon goes to Tribal, but will he still be Jeremy’s buddy when there’s a merge?
  10. Joe: That was the least I’ve ever seen of Joe in an episode. 13-year-old girls around the country are sobbing and going over his Instagram to see if they can re-like and re-comment on his pics in hope Probst will see it and then dedicate the rest of the season to just b-roll of him doing stuff.
   10. Kelly: I wonder if Kelly still thinks that alliances are gross?
   10. Spencer: It looks like some business goes down this week at Bayon that involves Kimmi and a mysterious “She.” Let ’em fight, Spence. You should be over in the corner whistling and not making eye contact.
 11. Stephen: Eh. I don’t think he’s in a good spot. But he’s not in a bad one and he’s not on a losing tribe so whatever.
  11. Andrew: I played college football. #humblebrag
   11. Terry: Man, why would they make Terry and Andrew square off in a hero challenge? That couldn’t have been good for Probst’s heart.
 12. Ciera: …
  12. Abi-Maria: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection transmitted by cats to their human companions. Toxo alters the functioning of the human brain in ways that cause carriers to behave irrationally or even self-destructively. Scientists suggest it also might be responsible for the strong attractions cat fanciers feel for felines. Infected humans think they’re lavishing attention on their adorable kitties. In reality they’re helping to propagate a nefarious brain parasite that’s causing them to make disastrous decisions.
  12. Kimmi: So, this week’s preview features Kimmi saying that some woman is a “snake in the grass.” Well, there are only two other women on her tribe…
  13. Kelly: I’ll write something about her when she’s in an episode.   13. Woo: What Woo said to Angkor: “Keep me because I’m loyal.” What Angkor heard: “Keep me because I’m clueless.”
  13. Monica: …this woman has been with Kimmi since day one. She doesn’t trust Spencer, but why should anyone? He’s known for being smart and savvy.
  14. Kimmi: See above.
   14. Monica: At long last, Monica speaks! Rejoice, right? Not so fast. The subject of her long overdue confessional? She doesn’t trust Spencer. Monica! Never, ever say that you don’t trust Spencer on camera! It’s like saying “Beetlejuice” three times: One minute you’re doing a confessional. The next you’re going from two tribes to three. Or having an early merge. Or eating dinner at Ponderosa.
  14. Kelly: …and while this woman is new to Kimmi, she doesn’t seem like the “snake in the grass” type. Color me intrigued.
  15. Woo: Again. He’s still at the bottom. His tribe is still definitely losing.  Nice speech though. I’m surprised he cared that much.
   15. Tasha: There’s a meme circulating on social media right now that perfectly encapsulates Tasha’s predicament. “Live by the Abi…Die by the Abi.” (Credit: Reddit user Jack_Payback) Thus far every castaway who has attempted to ride the dragon has been burned by her fire. If history is any indication then Tasha should be next.
  15. Abi-Maria: Unpredictabi.
  16. Abi-Maria: I am hoping so hard that they vote her out this episode. She’s just a drama machine and I cannot stand it. Get over your (expletive deleted). Get over little things like “you talked to him and I wasn’t right there why would you do that I don’t trust you ever.” CHILL OUT.
(Disclaimer: this is just how I feel about her current portrayal on the show. She is just lovely in person, I really like her. I’ve never played “Survivor” with her. The feelings are separate.)
   16. Kass: Kass.
   16. Woo: Woo actually brought it last week at Tribal. I was shocked. Now his only hope is an immunity win or an idol find. There’s no way to break Tasavage up and they won’t want Woo running around winning challenges after a merge.

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‘Survivor’ Power Rankings Round 3: Did Varner Made Abi-g Mistake? Edition

October 14, 2015

"Survivor: Second Chance" (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 Jenn Brown and Max Dawson. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

[xfinity-record-button id=”4814958312953183112″ program_type=”series”]

The Rules: Each week our three 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 three players will earn. For example, if Woo is voted out this week, Jenn and Max will each receive sixteen points and Gordon will receive fourteen points. At the end of the season, the person with the most points will be named the “Survivor: Second Chance” Power Rankings Challenge Champion.

Last Week: Jenn had Peih-Gee in spot fourteen, Max had her in spot sixteen, and Gordon had her in (yikes…) spot four. The current score is Team Jenn 31, Team Max 29, and Team Gordon 19.

Important Note: These rankings are not based on who is most likely to win the entire season. Players tend to rank the players based on their safety in the next episode.

Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Second Chance”

Jenn’s Score = 31

Any questions for Jenn? Drop her a line on Twitter: @jenncantdance

Max’s Score = 29

Any questions for Max? Drop him a line on Twitter: @fymaxwell

Gordon’s Score = 19

Any questions for Gordon? Drop him a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
 1. Jeremy: Dude has an idol and is on a strong tribe. He’s making bonds with Spencer, he’s a likable guy. I think he’s gonna be around for a while. That idol grab was incredible. So sneaky. I like him.
   1. Jeremy: Jeremy marshalls the troops. Jeremy makes Joe his own personal meat shield. Jeremy bonds with his tribemates over Andrew’s meet cute story yet manages to conceal that the love of his life is pregnant with their third child. Jeremy forges ties with the lad who bested him for the title of Mr. Survivor. Jeremy looks like a boss while snagging nuBayon’s idol at the immunity challenge. You read Gordon Holmes. You’re a fan of this show. You do the math.
  1. Jeremy: Those San Juan del Surians are good at scooping up those immunity idols, aren’t they? So, he’s got the numbers on his sub-tribe.  And, his old Bayon buds are in power on their tribes. It’s looking more and more like the baby Val’s carrying is going to have his or her education paid for by CBS.
  2. Kelley: She also has an idol and is on a tribe that cannot lose. Her tribe is safe. The only reason she isn’t #1 is because I haven’t seen her really making strong alliances with people here.
  2. Kelley: Kelley Wentworth is proving that she is as good at playing “Survivor” as she is about retweeting every mention of her name. In addition, she gives amazing .GIF. Is anyone else getting excited about the prospect of her throwing Terry under the bus?
  2. Kelley: While Terry is banking on the new Ta Keo never losing a challenge, Kelley is taking a much more realistic approach. With her voting with the former Bayonians, they’ll have no problem splitting the vote to keep Terry from using his non-existent idol.
  3. Terry: I don’t see Terry going anywhere anytime soon.   3. Spencer: When the new tribe divisions were revealed many superfans immediately assumed that Spencer and Stephen would gravitate toward one another, bro down, and possibly even fall in love. Please. “Survivor” fans hate gamebots. I can guarantee that Spencer and Stephen seethe when they think about how contrived each other’s confessionals must be. “He’s probably calling himself ‘a student of the game,'” Spencer complains to Kimmi while simultaneously rolling his eyes and making a side-to-side motion with his closed hand. “Tryhard,” groans Stephen as Spencer fastidiously folds and unfolds his cargo pants over and over again.
 3. Joe: Joe, Joe…Joe of the Jungle, strong as he can be. Joe, Joe, Joe of the jungle, watch out for that tree! That one over there that you just built a hammock on. And hollowed out and turned into a Keebler Elf bakery. And baked your tribe some delicious cookies. You’re the best, Joe. I’ll be sad when we talk the morning after you lose your first individual immunity challenge.
  4. KEITH NALE: I didn’t even see him this episode. Except for that amazing secret scene where he makes fun of Joe. Keith is also on a tribe that cannot lose. So he is safe and fine and hilarious and he’s great.
   4. Terry: These three guys must be…
  4. Tasha: I believe the measure of a good pro wrestler is if they can have good matches with bad wrestlers. It’s the same with “Survivor.” It’s always much more impressive when someone can make the most out of bad situations.
 5. Ciera: …
  5. Keith: …having so, so much fun not…
  5. Andrew: People love to accuse “Survivor” of favoritism. But, if that’s the case, Andrew would’ve ended up on a tribe with five model/law students.
 6. Spencer: Spencer! You’re doing great making bonds and making friends and all the stuff you said you would do. It seems like nearly getting voted out was a great thing for you. Hopefully you keep this up, cause I’d like to see you go far. Also I really want to know what your girlfriend’s reaction was to that little segment.
  6. Joe: …playing “Survivor.”
  6. Ciera: Ciera is going to get to the merge. That’s bad news for people who aren’t Ciera.
 7. Andrew: This guy, along with Tasha, found his way from the bottom to the top with a very compelling argument and some luckily placed crazies. I think his tribe will lose and continue to lose, but I don’t think him or Tasha are going anywhere.   7. Ciera: There’s good invisible and there’s bad invisible. Ciera isn’t doing – or even saying – much. But at least she’s present. Attendance counts in “Survivor.”
  7. Keith: There’s got to be some kind of “Odd Couple”-esque sitcom with Joe and Keith in development at CBS, right?
 8. Stephen: This guy caught a lucky break. Made a new alliance, has a new tribe full of less testosterone-y men, he has Spencer. They can geek out on the show together. That’s great for him. I think he’s safe.
   8. Stephen: I’d like to have a word with Stephen’s crossfit instructor.
  8. Kass: Hey, what’re you doing this high up?
  9. Joe: I love Joe. And this is maybe the highest I’ll rank him unless he finds an idol. Because even though he is on an unbeatable tribe, I think he will be the first to go the second they get a chance. He’s too likable. He needs to stop smiling so much. He needs to cut off his manbun.
   9. Monica: Remember what I said about “good invisible” and “bad invisible”? I fear that Monica may have crossed over into “bad invisible” territory in the last episode, which is a shame. Monica generously forwent confessionals in Samoa so that Russell Hantz could have an opportunity to periodically explain his side of things to the audience. Let. Monica. Speak.
  9. Stephen: Everyone thinks the swap went in Stephen’s favor, but he’s still on the same beach as his biggest nemesis. Yes, this is a branch joke.
  10. Tasha: See Andrew Savage. The only reason she is this low is because I believe Savage to have a better social and physical game currently. He’s a talker more than she is, and that move at the challenge with Varner was a wildcard thing to do, which is a trait I could see coming back to bite her later in this game.
   10. Kimmi: I see what you did there, Varner. You dirty dog. After the challenge you conspicuously mouth “Kimmi and Monica” in Wigles’ direction so that nuBayon has a reason to be suspicious of them. That’s a very, very slick way of paying Kimmi back for the whole Australia tiebreaker thing.
   10. Monica: We don’t get to see much of you, which is a crime. I didn’t even have to re-do your graphic with a new tribe color.
 11. Monica: SHE HAD A CONFESSIONAL. Holy (expletive deleted). Even though it was monotone, mundane, and literally just stating two sentences of straight facts, she had a confessional. So, I guess she is on the show.
  11. Kelly: At this point nothing short of an outlandish disaster is sending nuBayon to Tribal Council any time soon. That said, if by some odd chance they should finish behind Angkor… LOL, who am I kidding. There’s no way. It’s just not happening.
   11. Kimmi: Wow…if I didn’t update these graphics I’d have almost all Bayon magenta in the top eleven.
 12. Kelly: It’s like they don’t want her or Kimmi to be on the show.
  12. Tasha: Make no mistake: Angkor is screwed. Not only are they subsisting on slop and sleeping in dentists’ chairs in the ice-cold Have-Nots room; they’re also contending with Peak Abi. If there’s anyone who can make it out of this disaster alive it’s Tasha, who knows something about surviving a disastrous tribe. Side note: the green pom-pom headband is so incongruous with Tasha’s no-nonsense demeanor and jacked quads. It’s like somebody put a five-year-old girl’s Easter headband on an inside linebacker.
  12. Abi-Maria: You know those wavy, inflatable arm guys you see at car dealerships and during NXT Women’s Champion Bayley’s entrance? You never know which way those wacky guys are going to go! The same thing with our buddy Abi. She says she’s loyal, but has yet to be loyal to her alliance. Ever.
  13. Kimmi: I still don’t know who this is or if she has had any impact on this game. My guess is no.   13. Andrew: For anyone who ever wondered what Jeff would be like if he were cast on a season of “Survivor” Andrew is your answer.
  13. Spencer: I’ve heard it said that the best way to get someone to like you isn’t to do them a favor, but to get them to do you a favor. That’s exactly what Spencer did with Jeremy. Well played, sir. Now, Spencer still has an uphill battle  because he’s surrounded by old Bayoners, but Jeremy might still be annoyed at Stephen over the whole idol hunting thing in episode two.
  14. Kass: She isn’t going anywhere.
   14. Abi-Maria: After the look Abi gave Woo last week following Peih-Gee’s ouster I’m afraid to even type Abi’s name on my computer, let alone critique her game.
  14. Woo: I’m sure you’ll be fine. Abi-Maria doesn’t seem like the type to hold a grudge.
  15. Abi-Maria: Guys, I have NO idea how Abi keeps sticking around. She is a loose cannon that has more emotional ups and downs than I do when I’m trying to get attention from my cat. And that is a (expletive deleted) ton of ups and downs. Trust me. My cat doesn’t like me most of the time. How she has made it this far blows my mind. Either people are going to carry her to the end because anyone can beat her, or someone is going to come to their senses and get tired of the seemingly ceaseless drama she creates and get rid of her.
   15. Jeff: “Survivor” breakdowns are typically the prerogative of forty-something female castaways. Hence Lisa Whelchel and Dawn filled their respective camps’ wells with their tears before and after every vote, while Monica Culpepper lost the ability to speak in anything other than the third person for 39 consecutive days. After the last immunity challenge, however, Varner’s mid-life manipause sent him into a Walter White-like fugue state during which he completely lost his grip on the game. A week ago I put Varner at number 1. This week I worry that he’s a hot flash away from playing himself out of his second chance. That said, Lisa, Dawn, and Monica all made it to the final 3, so…
  15. Kelly: Yeah, Angkor is in pretty bad shape with their lack of food, and shelter, and tribe harmony, and anything else. But, the next immunity challenge involves blindfolds, so it isn’t a slam dunk for any of the tribes. If new Bayon goes to Tribal, Kelly’s my bet for their boot.
  16. Woo: Woo, man…you are at the wrath of Abi-Maria. A girl who somehow cannot get voted out no matter how much (expletive deleted) she stirs up. It’s like she’s invincible. And now you’re on her list. You are in trouble. The only reason you aren’t last is because you contribute a great physical advantage for the tribe that Jeff doesn’t.
   16. Woo: DAN IS…WRONG AGAIN!
   16. Terry: Yeah, I know Angkor should lose every challenge from here to forever, but what if new Ta Keo throws one? What if Joe gets hit by lightning?
 17. Jeff: Varner. I love you, dude. You’re hilarious. But if your tribe goes to tribal next, I think you and Woo are on the chopping block. Your sneaking pissed off Tasha, one of the heads of your tribe’s alliance. You flipped your lid and let the other tribes know what was going on. Bad moves. You were on the top and now you’re on the bottom. I don’t want to see you go home but I think it’s happening, because I can’t see your tribe winning and I can’t see anyone keeping you around over Woo.
  17. Kass: Kass.
  17. Jeff: It hurts to have you this low, but you made your own bed last week with your post-challenge meltdown. Tandrew only needed you for one week and they seem like the type to value Woo’s challenge prowess over your vote.

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‘Survivor’ Host Jeff Probst Breaks Down the Tribe Expansion – Idols, Camps, and More

October 6, 2015

"Survivor: Second Chance" (XFINITY)

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 Jenn Brown and Max Dawson. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

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SPOILER ALERT! A picture of five of the six new Ta Keo members is hidden in this interview somewhere. If you don’t want to know who they are, you might want to click away.

We’ve seen tribes go from four to two, we’ve seen them go from three to two, and we always see them go from two to one. But this Wednesday we will witness the first-ever tribe expansion when we go from two to three. So basically the new tribe (Angkor) is like the Colorado Rockies and the Miami Marlins.

I had a chance to talk to the man himself, “Survivor” host and executive producer Jeff Probst, about this twist and what it’ll mean for the eighteen remaining Second Chancers.

Gordon Holmes: Hearing “Drop Your Buffs” is either someone’s biggest fear or their greatest wish. Nobody is indifferent.
Jeff Probst: You’re absolutely right.  Three of the most powerful words in the game and it all comes down to luck.  This is definitely a shot to the gut for a couple of people who end up on a tribe that is certainly at least perceived as weaker.  For another Survivor this is the change they were hoping for as it gets them out of a situation in which they felt on the outside.  And for one other…it’s more of the same.  From one bottom to another.   It changed up the game quite a bit.  You can NEVER get comfortable on “Survivor.”  Never.

Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Second Chance”

Holmes: Going from two tribes to three tribes has never been done before. Will the Angkor tribe get some kind of advantage or will they have to start camp from scratch?   
Probst: The Angkor tribe is starting from scratch.  Same supplies that were waiting for them on the beach on day one, but without any of the supplies they were able to get off the boat at the marooning.  It’s a MASSIVE set back.  All their energy now has to go to building a new shelter which could hurt them at the immunity challenges.
Holmes: Yikes, that’s harsh.

Five of the Six Members of the New Ta Keo Tribe (and a mystery person behind Kelley) (CBS)

Holmes: Kelley already has the Ta Keo idol. Will there now be clues at both the Angkor and Bayon beaches?  
Probst: Yes, there is still a clue at Bayon and a new one is waiting for them at Angkor.

Holmes: Vytas and Shirin are two pretty big names to go home early. Are they high-up on the list for the “Third Times a Charm” season?  
Probst: Ha!  No plans for a “third-chance” season but yes it was a bummer to see them go.  When we put this idea together we knew that every week it would be a painful loss as everybody is great.  But when you think about it, that’s all you could ever ask for in a season! It’s only getting started…

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

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‘Survivor’s’ Jenn and Max Accept the ‘Second Chance’ Power Rankings Challenge

September 23, 2015

Jenn Brown and Max Dawson (CBS)

Quick Note: XFINITY TV sent me deep into the Cambodian wilderness to bring you all kinds of “Survivor: Second Chance” goodness. So, be sure to check back for exclusive interviews, photos, and behind-the-scenes tidbits. And, follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

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For as much as I hate the “Dirty 30” nickname, I do adore the “Worlds Apart” cast. And, now that the three-combatant barrier as broken last season with Josh and Reed, it made sense to do it again to include some of my favorite peeps. So, I’m proud to announce that Jenn Brown and Max Dawson have both stepped up to accept the “Survivor: Second Chance” Challenge.

The Rules: Each week our three 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 three players will earn.  At the end of the season, the person with the most points will be named the “Survivor: Second Chance” Power Rankings Challenge Champion.

NOTE: Because I was in attendance for the first Tribal Council of this season, I know who was voted out. Therefore, the first round of the Jenn vs. Max vs. Gordon showdown will take place next week. But to hold you over, we’ve asked Jenn and Maxx to give us their thoughts on which player will be voted out first…

Any questions for Jenn? Drop her a line on Twitter: @jenncantdance
 Any questions for Max? Drop him a line on Twitter: @fymaxwell
 1. Terry: He is amazing and I love him. Also he’s probably going to be at or near the top of my Power Rankings most of the time because I hope he wins…so get used to it, guys. (But really he’s a strategic player, well respected, strong, and put on a tribe with some other old-school players so I think he will be just fine for a while.)
  1. Monica: When all of the challenge beasts and scenery-chewing screen-time monsters have annihilated one another, who will be left standing? Calm, level-headed social gamers like Monica. Monica is one Second Chancer who’d benefit immensely from not changing a thing about the game she played her first time out. If she can once again install herself as the loyal lieutenant of her tribe’s leader and avoid direct conflict she’ll last a long time in this game.
 2. Keith: KEITH NALE! I love me some Keith. After Greg Buis he’s probably one of my favorite “Survivor” players ever. Down to earth, awesome to be around, and a nice dude. I see him going far.
  2. Stephen: During the “Second Chance” campaign a lot was made about how this Know It All’s knowledge of the game would make him an early target. I didn’t buy it then and I don’t buy it now. When the excitement of the marooning wears off and the monotonous reality of camp life sets in the members of the Bayon tribe will quickly realize that Fishy is exactly the sort of guy you want to be stranded on an island with. Loyal. Hard working. Conscientious. A great conversationalist. Stephen is not going anywhere for awhile.
 3. Jeremy: One of my favorites from 29. He got screwed on the jury, but was semi-avenged by Nat, so I’m thinking this go around he’s not going to let that happen again. My only concern is he is also a challenge beast, and that puts a target on him when he gets to the merge.
  3. Kelley: The biggest challenge that Kelley Wentworth will face in the first stage of the game is overcoming social-media withdrawal. Otherwise, unless there is a challenge that requires the castaways to drop a freestyle, Kelley won’t have to break a sweat until well after the merge.
 4. Andrew: This dude is on a tribe with Joe, Jeremy, Tasha, and himself. I don’t think there is any way they are losing the first challenge. The only real brawn person the other tribe has is Terry.  Savage is a beast and also super smart. I think he is going to be just dandy for a while, just like the three above him.  4. Woo: Everybody loves a puppy – at least until you leave that puppy home alone and he breaks into a cabinet and helps himself to some people food. Bad dog. No million dollars for you. Woo should be fine for awhile, provided he plays the loyal lapdog instead of the stealthy weasel.
 5. Kelley: Well she made no impression on me in 29. Hell, I hardly even remember her from 29. I have a bad memory. But she’s cute and on a tribe with some newbies and another chick with her same name, so maybe they’ll team up and be besties. However seeing as she was a pre-merge in her very recent season, she probably feels like she has a lot to prove and has had some time to figure out what she needs to do differently to stay around longer. I’m rooting for her.  5. Keith: By the time you start worrying about Keith Nale it’s already too late. During the first few days of the game Keith’s Bayon tribemates are going to appreciate his work ethic, his easy-going nature, and his challenge prowess. Fast forward three weeks and they’ll be kicking themselves for not getting rid of him when they had the chance.
 6. Jeff: This dude is hilarious. I hope he goes far. I wish he read the news for me every morning where I lived, but I can’t live in the humidity down south, so I will just have to hope he’s on for a while so I can hear him talk.
  6. Kelly: Do you even watch this show, bro?
 7. Shirin: I love Shirin.
  7. Jeremy: Mark my words: Jeremy and Andrew will be swinging their arms in unison by the end of the first episode.
 8. Tasha: Also a challenge beast. I don’t think she will be out first.
  8. Andrew: I refuse to call him Savage. I’m sorry.
 9. Joe: Joe is like a brother to me. I love him to death. He is a challenge dominator and on a tribe with two others that are just like him, only older. This puts him in a bad position, being the young gun with two older fellows with more life/people experience. I think he will be around til right before the merge. If they let him get to the merge I think it’s a big mistake, because he has the possibility of Mike Holloway-ing his way to the end.
  9. Terry: Captain America and Captain ‘Merica. Both faced seemingly insurmountable odds in the post-merge game. Both found hidden immunity idols. Both won five individual immunity challenges. The difference between these patriotic “Survivor” übermenschen? Strategy. Mike understood it. Terry didn’t. As a result, Mike has a million dollars, while Terry doesn’t. Fortunately for Terry it probably doesn’t matter at this point in the game. Just win, Terry, and if you don’t make a big speech about “keeping the tribe strong” while looking at Shirin or Peih Gee or Abi.
 10. Stephen: See “Spencer Bledsoe” but with more life experience.
  10. Tasha: Who did you have in your office pool as “Most likely to annoy everyone at pre-game Ponderosa”? Abi? Shirin? Kimmi? Who would have ever guessed that Tasha would take that distinction? A lot of people seem to have been put off by Tasha’s behavior in the week leading up to the start of the game. That said, given her superior athleticism Tasha should be good for awhile. I wouldn’t even be surprised to see her bro down with Andrew and Jeremy.
 11. Ciera: I have no opinion on her really. She won’t be a first boot but I can’t see her winning. Very middle of the road. Also, she voted out her mom. That’s not cool.
  11. Peih-Gee: The only thing that Peih-Gee could do to screw things up at this point is to link up with Shirin and Abi.
 12. Woo: Athletic, but also has a reputation with the castaways for being a weasel. I don’t see him making it far because of that, but he slipped through the cracks last time so I guess we will see.
  12. Ciera: Did you know that Ciera voted out her mom? No, really, she voted out her mom. Like, she cast a vote that had her mom’s name on it. At Tribal Council. On “Survivor.” And then her mom went home. Actually she went to Redemption Island. Yeah, Redemption Island. It was like Last Chance Kitchen, but worse. But yeah. She voted out her mom.
 13. Spencer: Spencer is a nice dude. But, he’s also like Max Dawson; analytical, and likes the sound of his own voice saying the words “Survivor.” If he makes it past the first couple Tribals he’ll be OK at the merge, but I can’t see that happening just yet.
  13. Jeff: Conference calls. Crotchframing. Neti pots. Hit lists. Untying knots. Holding children. Has any other “Survivor” contestant ever been more guilty of “too fast too soon”? Even if the rakish Varner were to be voted out first he still would leave a lasting impact on this season due to his aggressive pre-gaming.
 14. Kelly: She has had literally 15 years to think about how she came in second. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing for her. Honestly, I don’t know too much about her because the last time I saw her play I was eight. But I’m going to put her here because I don’t think she’s a first boot but not a winner either.
  14. Joe: Instead of text I wish I could just insert here the GIF Joe smiling from the opening credit sequence. Joe’s charm alone should be enough to get him through the first few votes. Unfortunately, his challenge skills should be enough to get him voted out after a tribe swap.
 15. Kimmi: See “Kelly Wiglesworth”
  15. Shirin: Shirin’s best play is to lay low and stay as far under the radar as possible for the first few votes. Do I think that she can do that? Not a chance. As was the case in “Worlds Apart,” Shirin is here to play, and it appears that many of her tribe mates want to play with her. Her choice of partners will seal her fate, much as it did her first time out. My advice to my former partner in crime: avoid aligning with the Max Who Doesn’t Suck at all costs.
 16. Monica: Doesn’t really stand out of the crowd for me. I don’t remember her at all from her first season.
  16. Vytas: Vytas’ name has been coming up a lot in pre-game press. So have words like “calculated,” “sneaky,” and “trouble.” As a yoga teacher, a college-level math instructor, and a newly-reformed bad boy Vytas is the definition of a “Survivor” triple threat. Sure, he’s dangerous. But would his fellow Ta Keo tribe members really go after Bad Aras this early in the game? Ta Keo would have to be crazy to write Vytas’ name down. Unfortunately for Vytas, Ta Keo ended up with most of this season’s crazy people.
 17. Peih-Gee: She’s super nice, but from her previous season can be super confrontational. I don’t think that bodes well for her, just like it doesn’t for Abi-Maria.
  17. Abi-Maria: Were Abi’s interpersonal conflicts with her Phillipines rivals products of cross-cultural misunderstandings or side effects of the world’s longest bout of PMS? Ta Keo is about to find out.
 18. Vytas: I’m not spelling that last name – Vytas has a target on his back from the start I think because of his betrayal of Aras from the last season. I can’t see anyone wanting to work with or trust him after he would do that to his own brother. I wouldn’t trust him, and if they go to Tribal I see him in the running for first boot along with Abi, Spencer, and Peih-Gee.
  18. Kimmi: Kimmi is light. Kimmi is joy. I would say Kimmi is my spirit animal but I’d be lying. Randy Bailey is my spirit animal. I’m worried, though. I’m worried that the first time Bayon loses an immunity challenge Savage and Jeremy and Tasha are going to target her as the tribe’s “weakest link.”
 19. Abi-Maria: Judging on her last season, I cannot see her making it far. She’s going to blow up at something completely minuscule and piss off everyone. In the running for first boot if they go to Tribal.
  19. Spencer: I can imagine Varner convening special conference calls for the sole purpose of talking about Spencer’s crotch framing. “Can you believe him? The nerve! He can’t keep his hands off it. Every time I go on the computer it’s like he’s trying to shove that thing down my throat.” With each additional mention of the lad’s nads Shane grows more incensed. “What are we even DOING talking about this $%$?” he screams into the shattered face of his iPhone. Wiglesworth remains silent. Is she even on the call still? Returning players vote for strategic purposes, but they also take into consideration screen time. No one in this cast gets more of that ego-sustaining substance than the reigning Mr. “Survivor.” That fact alone puts Spencer at grave risk of being the first voted out this season.
  20. Kass: I would love to see her as a first boot. But I can’t see it because I can’t see her tribe losing, but I also can’t see her making it far at all. She pisses off people (and seems to enjoy it, which I can’t fault her for). And just because I can’t see it happening doesn’t mean it won’t. So she’s here.
  20. Kass: Kass.

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‘Survivor: Second Chance’ Spencer: “People…Think Kass and I Are Secret Friends”

August 27, 2015

"Survivor: Second Chance" (CBS)

Quick Note: XFINITY TV sent me deep into the Cambodian wilderness to bring you all kinds of “Survivor: Second Chance” goodness. So, be sure to check back for exclusive interviews, photos, and behind-the-scenes tidbits. And, follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

Name: Spencer Bledsoe
Previous Season: “Survivor: Cagayan”
Finish: Fourth Place
Why You Should Remember Him: This “Young Lad” almost went the distance after “Survivor” host Jeff Probst (and…uh…someone else) went on record saying he had no chance to win.

Gordon Holmes: What’ve you been up to since Cagayan?
Spencer Bledsoe: I’m in a lull between school and work, so I’m a glorified bum. But soon I will be a trader in Chicago.
Holmes: Oh man, I aspire to be a glorified bum.
Bledsoe: (Laughs)
Holmes: You have the most powerful thing a Survivor can have, and that’s XFINITY Power Rankings experience.
Bledsoe: That’s true.
Holmes: Is that unfair to everybody else?
Bledsoe: I think it’s a little unfair. There’s no way you can brush shoulders with a great Power Ranker like yourself and not come out a genius for it.
Holmes: (Laughs) And you were a chess champion to begin with.
Bledsoe: Chess playing was great, but the Power Rankings took me to the next level. I’m just worried about the fierce competition of another Power Ranker in my midst.
Holmes: You’re referring to…?
Bledsoe: Ciera Eastin.
Holmes: Is this something you can bond over?
Bledsoe: Yeah, potentially. There are few things you can bond over more than being Power Rankers. I’m looking forward to playing with Ciera. Has anyone ever beat you?
Holmes: Tons of times; Charlie Herschel, Taj George, Dawn Meehan…
Bledsoe: So, it’s a recent streak.
Holmes: Yes, between that and the press challenge streak, it’s truly an embarrassment of riches.
Bledsoe: Have you done the press challenge yet?
Holmes: Not yet.
Bledsoe: Are you nervous?
Holmes: Horrified. But, I am every time. And it’s awful, because I won the first one and was like, “This is awesome! My life in complete!” And then it started building. And now it’s this six-challenge juggernaut.
Bledsoe: I had the opposite. Everything went wrong.
Holmes: You’re so lucky.
Bledsoe: (Laughs) So, really it can’t get worse. I’m playing Roger Federer and he only has one more set to win, so nothing’s stopping me.

Holmes: You are wildly popular, which based on your pre-game interviews was a shock.
Bledsoe: (Laughs)
Holmes: Does being a fan favorite put a target on your back?
Bledsoe: Yeah, just being recent and being from a very good season like “Cagayan” does put a bit of a target. I think it might be tempered by that pre-game perception that I was a kid who had no idea how to play. So, maybe there’s still some of that lingering. So, maybe if people don’t think I have social skill or self awareness that could help. And I think there might be bigger fish to fry here. For example, Joe could easily steal my thunder. Because he’s from a more recent season, a better looking guy, more athletic, potentially a more popular guy who could take some heat off of me.
Holmes: Well, in your defense, nobody is better looking than Joe.
Bledsoe: (Laughs) I’ve been told he looks like a Greek god. That he should be on the cover of a romance novel.
Holmes: There are so few of us.

Holmes: How do you think people in this cast will perceive you?
Bledsoe: I think more people perceive me as a huge fan, happy to be here. I think there will be the perception that I idolize some of these people. I can make that a positive. If I can be the understudy of someone with a big ego, if I can get under Terry Dietz’s wing and make him think that he’s taking this adoring fan along until it’s time to cut his throat? Then that’s perfect.

Holmes: Do you think you’ll be an early target?
Bledsoe: I think I could be if the tribe make-up is such that people want to get rid of me. I feel like I can work a lot easier here with a lot of the women than a lot of the men. I think a lot of the men probably would want to target me. The strategic people might see me in a threatening way. Or, someone might just want to take down a recent, popular player. And the average age of the guys is sky high.
Holmes: You got a problem with old guys?
Bledsoe: (Laughs) I hate old guys.
Holmes: Cause an old guy can kick your ass in the Power Rankings.
Bledsoe: That’s true. If I can make it work, if I can fit that son/understudy niche it could work out fine. But, if I am threatening to an older guy because we relate to different things, or he feels excluded, or I feel excluded, then it becomes a problem.

Holmes: Who is an early target?
Bledsoe: Anyone who has proved themselves to be a bad ally could be in trouble. I think Kass might be sweating it because she has shown to be disloyal, not a good challenge competitor, not very helpful to her tribe. And then I think that the more threatening players are. There’s a huge gap. There are players who are good and players who aren’t. And those who are good are really threatening players; Jeremy, Vytas, Ciera, some of these players are strong and have great reputations. It’s the people in the middle who probably feel safe.

Holmes: Eleven people didn’t come on this journey, and they’ve already been talking. Since you hopped on that bus there has been a lot of talk about pre-game alliances.
Bledsoe: I’ve tried to err on the side of underplaying that side of the game because I think it’s easier to recover from. When you’re Brad Culpepper and you’re going nuts, having Monica call everyone and hiring software engineers to write code to get you votes? If you’re going that hard pre-game? If you’re calling everyone incessantly, that’s hard to recover from. If you’re keeping it low-key, that’s easy to recover from. I’ve had six or seven people here that I’ve talked with frequently. With who I’ve said, “I trust you on some level.” I feel really good about Shirin, about Kelley Wentworth, Andrew Savage by proxy of some of those people. Stephen Fishbach, that’s a natural pairing. Tasha from my season. I really like Peih-Gee. And then I have people I have surface-level relationships with, just being friendly.

Holmes: There are four Cagayaners…is that correct? Cagayanees?
Bledsoe: That’s probably the lesser of the many evils you could come up with.
Holmes: And the worst is…?
Bledsoe: I think Rob Cesternino has done pretty much every imaginable pronunciation.
Holmes: Having three people from your season along, is that good? Bad?
Bledsoe: I like Tasha, we could be partners. But, it comes out in the wash because it could create a target because people expect to have us together. I think with someone like Kass it’s a negative because we’re not tight and people could suspect that we are. I think there’s definitely a strong, noticeable minority of people who think Kass and I are secret friends.
Holmes: Because that’s true.
Bledsoe: Yup! We’re thick as thieves. I don’t know what she’s thinking. I don’t know if she wants to immediately target me. But we’re not super tight. And given that some people think we’re tight, that hurts me more than it helps me.

Holmes: If there are any twists, what do you think they are?
Bledsoe: Hmm…do you think Jeff Probst has the gall to bring back Redemption Island?
Holmes: I can’t say.
Bledsoe: But you do know!
Holmes: I do. That’s what makes this job fun.
Bledsoe: (Laughs) I do know there is a school-yard pick for the tribes.
Holmes: How do you know that?
Bledsoe: I overheard Dalton (Ross) talking.
Holmes: OK. I’m neither confirming nor denying.
Bledsoe: (Stares at Gordon)
Holmes: I think I know Dalton a little better than that. Basically he’s the Terry Dietz to my Spencer Bledsoe.
Bledsoe: (Laughs)
Holmes: You’re trying to trick me after all we’ve been through?
Bledsoe: (Laughs)
Holmes: I’m not even mad, I’m proud.
Bledsoe: Don’t tell him, I’m going to try the same thing on him. But I do think the tribe division is the heaviest thing on everybody’s minds. We all thought we’d get some clue when wardrobe was decided by color schemes, but then we were told to wear something similar to last time. They could do something like men vs. women. I pray it’s not that. Maybe it’s an age thing? But, the numbers don’t seem to be there. Maybe it’ll just be you ten over here and you ten over there.

Holmes: Alright, we’re going to play “Align or Malign.” In my hand I have nineteen cards featuring your competitors. You’ll go through them and tell me who you’ll align with and who you’ll malign. Trick is, you only get eight aligns.

Bledsoe: Kelly Wiglesworth, she’s tough for me. I don’t know if I can align with someone frozen in a time capsule and doesn’t want to make an alliance. I think I’d have a hard time playing with Kelly because I wouldn’t trust her to not vote off some random person because they’re not helping with camp life even if it contradicts our strategic goals. So, malign.

Bledsoe: Jeremy…I like. We were competitors on Mr. Survivor.
Holmes: And who won that?
Bledsoe: I believe I did. So I imagine Jeremy is out to get me. I couldn’t blame him. I couldn’t deal with someone taking the greatest prize out from under me. So, I have to malign Jeremy before he maligns me.

Bledsoe: Monica is a pretty friendly person from the pre-game interactions. I’ve never talked to her. But at the same time, she seems to be smiling and nodding at everyone. I think she has a lot of strategic chops that we didn’t see in Samoa, so I’m going to malign her as well.

Bledsoe: Jeff Varner…I like. I think it’d be easy to relate to him over the fact that Kimmi is annoying as hell. So, I’ll align with Jeff.

Bledsoe: Vytas…Vytas and I have talked pre-game. But, I trust him, as Jeff Probst would say 0.0%.
Holmes: We’re going to hear about that forever, aren’t we?
Bledsoe: (Laughs) Yeah.
Holmes: You should just get the tattoo.
Bledsoe: Well when I win I’ll have to get a 100.0% tattoo.
Holmes: Nice.
Bledsoe: The thing with Vytas is I think he thinks people buy his (expletive deleted) a lot more than they do. Vytas will go up to and in a seemingly sincere tone say, “Hey man, I just want to go out there and have fun. I just want to make great friends. This is going to be awesome.” I think he thinks people are eating it up when they’re not. I think he could be someone I work with at some point, but I always trust Vytas to what’s best for Vytas. So, malign.

Bledsoe: I really like Peih-Gee. We had brief interaction, but I have a good vibe from her. I’m going to align Peih-Gee.

Bledsoe: Stephen I have a lot in common with. We’re both deep in the RHAP community. He’s someone kind of like Vytas where I trust him to do what’s best for him. But he’s smoother and would be a better ally, so I’ll align with Stephen.

Bledsoe: Tasha, I love Tasha. I’ll align with Tasha.

Bledsoe: Kass? Is there another category other than “Align” and “Malign”? Can we get an “Exterminate” pile? I guess I’ll just malign her.

Bledsoe: Shirin is my favorite person in this group. If I can get a positive Harry Potter word association from her I’ll consider it a successful season.
Holmes: The damn Dirty 30 and their pre-determined word associations.
Bledsoe: You didn’t like that?
Holmes: It did make me feel loved that they took the time to put something together. But, it defeated the purpose.
Bledsoe: I helped her with that.
Holmes: So, you’re to blame.
Bledsoe: Hardcore aligning with Shirin.

Bledsoe: Kelley I really like. We’ve talked a decent bit. I think she’s a better player than she got to show. I’ll align with her.

Bledsoe: Terry…I could go either way. A fun story is that Trish tried to force me and Terry into an alliance. She Facebook messaged me, “I don’t know much, but I know people. You can trust Terry (expletive deleted) Dietz. We’re (expletive deleted) Boston!” Even though he’s not (expletive deleted) Boston. I messaged him, we had a decent chat. He could be a guy who’s plopped out of “Mad Men” and if that happens, then me and the people I want to align with will not be a fan. So I’ll err on the side of maligning.

Bledsoe: Abi-Maria…again I could go either way. I could see her being tolerable. She is the most ridiculously chatty person ever and it will be annoying. It could work out to use her. But, again I’ll err on the side of maligning.

Bledsoe: Ciera, can’t go against a fellow Power Ranker. Align.
Holmes: The tightest bond you can possibly have.

Bledsoe: Woo…I like Woo. I think if I could align with nine people I would align with Woo. But, I don’t know where his head is at. And I’d like to reduce that Cagayan target. So, malign.

Bledsoe: Keith…I don’t have anything against Keith, but I don’t see a particular reason to align with Keith. He could be someone good to take to the end, because even if he played a good game I don’t know if people would respect him or credit him with it. But, I think early on I’m not going to be thinking that far ahead. So, malign.
Bledsoe: Kimmi, she hasn’t even spoken to me yet, but she seems extraordinarily annoying. She doesn’t seem very self aware to me. She doesn’t seem like someone who could bring in new people or bridge gaps, mend fences. So, I’m going to malign Kimmi.

Bledsoe: Andrew, I think he’s really solid. He has definitely a degree of wanting to play loyally which is extremely rare in the 31st season of “Survivor.” So, if I could play with him, I would align with him.

Bledsoe: Last one.
Holmes: And you’re out of aligns.
Bledsoe: You’ve got to take out the golden boy. So, I’m maligning Joe.
Holmes: Sorry, Joey Amazing.

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

“Survivor: Second Chance” will kick off with a special 90-minute premiere on Wednesday, September 23rd at 8 p.m. ET.

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‘Survivor’ Host Jeff Probst Aligns or Maligns the ‘Second Chance’ Cast

August 26, 2015

"Survivor: Second Chance" (CBS)

Quick Note: XFINITY TV sent me deep into the Cambodian wilderness to bring you all kinds of “Survivor: Second Chance” goodness. So, be sure to check back for exclusive interviews, photos, and behind-the-scenes tidbits. And, follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

Gordon Holmes: Alright, I hold before you a deck of twenty cards that feature the “Second Chance” contestants.
Jeff Probst:  I need a set of those!
Holmes: I need them for now, but you can have them when I leave.
Jeff Probst:  Those are super cool. Did you make them?
Holmes: I did. My fiancée is a teacher, she knows all about laminating things. So, the reason they are here is because…
Probst: You’re going to be a great dad. That’s a dad move.
Holmes: (Laughs) I can’t wait. Anywho, we’re going to play a game called “Align or Malign.”
Probst: Oh…I like it.
Holmes: You’re going to go through this deck and you’re going to tell me who you’re going to align with and who you’re going to malign. The catch is you only get eight aligns.
Probst: OK.
Holmes: It was very interesting when I did this with the cast.
Probst:  You did this with the cast?
Holmes:  Oh yeah.
Probst: Wow, you always have one unusual, clever idea.
Holmes: Gordon Holmes, unusually clever.
Probst: (Laughs)
Holmes: Alright, let’s do this…

Jeff Probst’s “Align or Malign”

Woo…malign. He just doesn’t make the cut as far as trusting that I could rely on him strategically and trust his advice.

Spencer…align. I would love to go all the way with Spencer. I trust his instincts and if he came to me and said, “This is what we should do.” I would believe him. I would think he was gunning for me, so I’d have to watch him.

Peih-Gee…malign. Peih-Gee has no shot to win. I know that. She’s going to annoy people. So, I might as well get ahead of that bus.

Shirin…malign, but with an asterisk. I only get eight aligns. I actually think Shirin is a really good person to align with because she is loyal and she does know the game. But, I only have eight choices and she’s not going to make the cut because she’s going to annoy other people and I can’t have that.

Monica…malign. She’s hot and she’s street smart which is a really great quality on “Survivor.” But, I do not think she can get deep enough and I wouldn’t trust her.

Jeremy…align. Jeremy and Spencer? I’m good to go. Jeremy is trustworthy, likable, great strategist. I’d know going into it that he wanted to take me out, but I’d be OK with that.

Vytas…in any other season I would align with Vytas, but in this season I’m maligning him. I think Vytas is one of our villains this season and I think trust is going to be a big issue for him.

Abi…malign. No way.

Kelly Wiglesworth…align. I’m putting Kelly Wiglesworth in my align…maybe it’s because she doesn’t watch television. Maybe it’s because she hasn’t kept up on “Survivor.” There’s something pure about her. She’s physically in great shape. I think I could manipulate her to trust me and just vote the way I tell her to.

Terry…oh, we’re getting down to it…Dietz…I’m going to malign. And the only reason is; I don’t think Terry really, fully understands how to play strategically. But Terry is super likable. I’d love it if he won.

Savage…align. Like Dietz he’s very good physically, very good strategically. And, I think I could take him out before he took me out.

Tasha…align. I love Tasha and if I lost to her I’d be OK with that. Super physical…really smart. And so eager to play that I think she’s a good leader.

Kelley Wentworth…malign. I just don’t have room for her in my alliance and I don’t trust her.

Ciera…align! She’s one of my favorites, she could win the game. I think she’s very underestimated by people who think she just followed along with her mother last time. But, I don’t see that at all. I see a girl who’s been through a lot. I watched her grow. She voted out her mom. She forced a tie, she’s here to play.

Joe…align. I really like him and I wouldn’t mind losing to him. I think he could beat me in challenges and like Jeremy, Spencer, and Savage I know he’d be coming for me and I’d be ready for it.

Stephen…breaks my heart to malign him. But, I don’t think Stephen trusts me and I don’t think I could get past that.

Kimmi…malign. Fun personality, not long for the game. I just can’t spend my time there.

Kass…malign. So glad she’s here, but not in my alliance.

That leaves me with Keith and Jeff Varner who I both love equally. But, I’m going to malign…Keith because I think I’d like playing the game with Jeff more. I like the way he sees people. I like his sarcastic point of view. So, Jeff Varner will be my eighth and final align.

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

“Survivor: Second Chance” will kick off with a special 90-minute premiere on Wednesday, September 23rd at 8 p.m. ET.

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WWE Divas Champion Nikki Bella on the Divas Revolution, Cena’s Broken Nose

August 18, 2015

WWE Divas Champion Nikki Bella (WWE)

WWE SummerSlam is right around the corner and the Divas Revolution is heating up. With the infusion of new talent such as Charlotte, Becky Lynch, and NXT Women’s Champion Sasha Banks, some would say that the Divas division hasn’t been this competitive since Lita and Trish Stratus main evented “WWE Raw.”

I spoke to Nikki Bella in the days leading up to SummerSlam and asked her about the three-team, nine-woman elimination tag match, her new competition, and the possibility of being the longest-reigning Divas Champion ever.

Gordon Holmes: I have a bone to pick with you.
Nikki Bella: Uh oh.
Holmes: I was on WWE.com searching for some kind of application to join Team Bella and I couldn’t find one.
Bella: You know what? I need to discuss this with Team Bella.
Holmes: I could be a huge asset to Team Bella. I can write press releases. I can do a ton of things. Please take it under consideration.
Bella: I will. I can’t believe I haven’t even thought of that. Because technically, Team Bella should be bigger than any other team…and stronger. It should be an army.
Holmes: Exactly, I’m glad we’re on the same page.
Bella: (Laughs) I love it.

Holmes: Alright, we’ve got this Divas Revolution going on with all of these talented youngsters coming up from NXT. You’ve got Charlotte, Becky Lynch, and the NXT Women’s Champion Sasha Banks. Now, I feel like you’ve made some big strides over the past few years to become a very talented in-ring performer. However, these Divas from NXT get all this time and they’re in main events, do they have an unfair advantage?
Bella: They’re fortunate. And by the way, thank you for the compliment.
Holmes: Well deserved.
Bella: They’re fortunate because not only do they get to be at this amazing facility at NXT, it’s like being at a division one college. They get TV on an amazing network, and then they have all this time. And let me tell you, over the years I have learned so much and I have grown in the ring. And the one thing I’ve realized is; some of my best performances are because I have time. I have so much time to tell a story that I can bring the people in. I can make them cheer and I can make them boo.  I think that’s been the one unfortunate thing for main roster girls is we have a lot of talented girls on the roster, but you never get to see it. When you get out there and they’re like, “Three minutes.” How do I get the crowd involved in three minutes and do a finish and have you buy it and believe it? You just can’t. And sometimes I’m working with girls that I’ve never even touched in the ring. I’ve known you for two years, but what do you do in the ring? These NXT girls get to practice together every day and that helps you become good. So, I hate to use the words, “unfair advantage, “ I just think they’re very fortunate. But, if that makes the Divas division better, then I am so for it, because I am having a blast with this Divas Revolution. It’s so fun to have the crowd so involved and to work with girls who are really good.

Holmes: If you had to rank the three newbies, what order would you put them in?
Bella: That’s so tough.
Holmes:  I’m not here to go easy on you, Nikki.
Bella: I know! When you look at Sasha, she’s the total package from looks, in-ring work, gear, personality, she’s the NXT Champion. Then you look at Charlotte; maybe she’s my number two because her dad is legendary, she has Flair running through her blood. She looks like her dad. She has his aura. When Charlotte comes out, she’s very much like Ric. She’s fancy in the ring. This is tough for me, because Becky is…I think, one of the best in-ring workers. Out of all of them, Becky…I think out of all three of the underdogs, I think they’d like to push Charlotte and Sasha. Not that she’s been left out, but she’s kind of a third wheel. But, she’s very good in that ring. And she’s one of the sweetest girls you’ll ever meet in your life. When I broke my leg and was coming back, she was the one girl that would bump for me and work really hard with me. In the end, she’ll probably be the one that shines. Because you know the one that’s not making that much noise in the beginning, watch in the end, she’ll be making a ton. I don’t want to rank them!
Holmes: Mwahahaha.
Bella: But I’d go Sasha, Charlotte, Becky. It makes me feel bad saying that because I like them all a lot.

Holmes: This kind of got brushed under the rug; but during the Wrestlemania pre-game show, Lita made a comment about a potential Bellas vs. Besties match at the next Wrestlemania. Would you and Brie be up for taking on Lita and Trish Stratus?
Bella: That would be a dream. I loved it because Lita was rocking a Brie Mode shirt on “Tough Enough” a few episodes ago. I would love for that to happen. If Brie and I took on Lita and Trish, that right there…if you’re a basketball fan, it’d be like getting on the court with Michael Jordan. Or getting on the field with Babe Ruth or Derek Jeter. For us, that would be legendary. I would love it. I hope it happens. I think it’d be an amazing match. So, cross your fingers.

Holmes: All ten are crossed. I have a beautiful fiancée who I love and adore. I’ve never had to sit by and watch as her nose is smashed in on national TV.
Bella: (Laughs)
Holmes: What is that like exactly?
Bella: It’s horrible!
Holmes: (Laughs)
Bella: I was like a mom freaking out when her kid gets hurt. I ran up to Gorilla and was like, “John’s nose is on the side of his face, why is he still wrestling?!” But, you know him. He’s so strong. I was with him in the hospital that night. He had emergency surgery. And, I was with him all week before I left for the wrestling shows. But, I’ve just never known anyone who heals like him. He’s 100%, and it’s crazy. He’s not lying. He’s fully healed. It was just really hard to watch. And then being at work and watching the replays, I was just like, “OK, I’ve had enough!”

Holmes: At SummerSlam you’ll be participating in a three-team, nine-woman elimination tag team match. What can we expect from Team Bella?
Bella: Um…victory.
Holmes:  (Laughs)
Bella: (Laughs) Right? Dominance, aggressiveness. The one thing about Team Bella compared to the other girls is that Brie and I have been here for almost nine years. Alicia Fox has been here for almost ten years. We have years on our side. Not only that, we have years together. The other teams have some new ones, you have some old ones. And, you’re looking at three very aggressive women. Fox is so athletic and so aggressive. And my sister has fire like I’ve never seen. So, I think we’re going to be very dominant in that match.

Holmes: Who do you like in the Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker match?
Bella: It’s so tough, because I will admit, and I know people will say, “No, Nikki!”, but I like Brock Lesnar.
Holmes: No, Nikki!
Bella: I know! He’s an amazing athlete and he broke the streak. But, Taker is legendary. Everything about him is amazing. I do hope Undertaker gets his revenge on Brock, but I’m a big Brock Lesnar fan.

Holmes: You have held the Divas Championship forever. You’re quickly approaching the record held by AJ Lee. What does it mean to you to be so close to eclipsing that record?
Bella: It’s been 262 days, but who’s counting, right?
Holmes: Precisely.
Bella: (Laughs) To me, it would be the feeling of what an Olympic athlete feels like when they win the gold. To set a record that makes you go down in history as the top of the top? It’d truly be an honor. It’d be a dream come true. It’s funny because there are a few things on my vision board that I look at every day and that’s one of them. That one, I put to be the top Diva. I put it on my vision board four years ago.  What can I do to get to that? And I get a lot of hate for it, and a lot of love for it. In that moment I don’t care what anyone thinks. All that hard work pays off, all those years of missing every family event pays off. All the blood, sweat, and tears pays off. I just would be so honored. I try not to think about it too much. I don’t want to get my hopes up and then I drop the title a week before it. But when it happens I’m going to pop a bottle of champagne and just reminisce about the last ten years.

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

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‘Survivor: Worlds Apart’ Power Rankings – Millionaire Mike or Carolwyn? Edition

May 19, 2015

"Survivor: Worlds Apart" (CBS)

Quick Note: The season might be coming to an end, but stick with XFINITY after Wednesday’s finale for interviews with the final five contestants. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

[xfinity-record-button id=”7116600190773202112″ program_type=”series”]

Finale Rules: For the finals, each player will rank the remaining Survivors in the order in which they think they will finish. The first contestant is the winner, the second received the second most votes at Tribal, etc. Each correct placement is worth two points.  The person with the most total points for the season will be named the “Survivor: Worlds Apart” Power Rankings Challenge Champion.

Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Worlds Apart”

Last Week: Josh and Reed had Dan in spot five while I had him in spot four. So, the current score is Team Josh: 84, Team Reed: 92, Team Gordon 92.

Let’s check in with our three competitors before we put a bow on this season…

Gordon Holmes: So, what’ve you two been up to since we saw you on the show?
Reed Kelly: Since our time in San Juan del Sur, my personal favorite player from season 29 proposed to me on stage during the Broadway Boyfriends cabaret at 54 Below.  No, it wasn’t Missy, it was the ever-cunning Coyopa kingpin, Josh Canfield!  He did a great job of keeping me so focused on prepping for the cabaret that it truly was a #blindside and I could not be more thrilled about it.
Josh Canfield: I’m still on cloud nine and we have now begun to plan the wedding.

Holmes: That’s awesome to hear. How are things professionally?
Canfield: I’ve also gotten back into the swing of theatre.  I recently opened on Broadway in the show “Doctor Zhivago” as Liberius, a morphine-addicted soldier for the wrong side.
Kelly: Professionally, I’m back to doing what I do best: lifting famous girls and kicking my leg for money.  As we speak, I’m getting ready to start rehearsals to bring “Bombshell” (the Marilyn Monroe musical from NBC’s “SMASH” staring Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty) to Broadway.  I’m super excited about getting to revisit this wonderful chapter of my life after having such a blast on “Survivor.”

Holmes: When it’s all said and done, where do you think “Worlds Apart” will rank against the other seasons?
Canfield: Definitely not as good as “San Juan del Sur” ;-), but I thoroughly enjoyed “Worlds Apart” and would probably place it between 10-15 as far as my favorite seasons go.  A lot depends on this finale and who ends up in that final three.
Kelly: I really enjoyed Season 30 and it would definitely make the merge if it were competing against the other “Survivor” seasons: it’s totally dateable.

Holmes: I’ve made my “Second Chance” picks, who are you guys pulling for?
Kelly: I’m thoroughly looking forward to “Second Chances,” especially if Keith gets on and figures out how to actually stick to the plan without talking about it. Other than that; Stephen, Vytas, Spencer, Joe, Mike, and Carolyn are at the top of my list.
Canfield: I’m really looking forward to seeing Vytas, Spencer, Troyzan, Stephen, Carolyn, and Tasha play again! Here’s hoping they all get that Second Chance!

Holmes: Well, before we head into the final round, I really want to thank you two for being such awesome competition.
Canfield: I’m so grateful that I was asked to be a part of the Power Rankings!  It’s fun to voice my thoughts even though I’m often very wrong!
Kelly: I love this game and I love this show.  This whole experience really has been like a fairy tale, and we all know how much I love those too.  Thanks, Gordon and CBS for asking us to do the rankings this season!  #BigSmiles

Josh’s Score = 84

Any questions for Josh? Drop him a line on Twitter: @joshuacanfield

 Reed’s Score = 92

Any questions for Reed? Drop him a line on Twitter: @thereedkelly

 Gordon’s Score = 92

Any questions for Gordon? Drop him a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
 1. Mike: I’m hoping Mike is our winner, it would be a great end to a good season.  We have seen him make mistakes, we have watched him go from the top to the bottom of alliances, and we’ve seen his humor and his dark side.  A very well rounded and satisfying winner. #pleasebethesolesurvivor   1. Mike: Who doesn’t love an against-all-odds, fight-to-the-end, underdog story?  I know I do.  I have my fingers crossed that this is what we are building up to.  As far as Mike’s tribe mates go: they’d be foolish to keep him around until FTC if they can help it, because I believe the jury would reward his underdog story too.
  1. Mike: I’m not usually one to back somebody who needs to win out to get to the end, but Mike is a force of nature.  He’s also been eating regularly (if you consider one big meal every three days “regularly.”) The title for his autobiography will be “From Scorpion Dinner to ‘Survivor’ Winner.”
  2. Sierra: She is the perfect second-place survivor, just look at last season and Jaclyn.  They are similarly edited and are even playing a similar game in ways.  The only reason she will get votes is if you have angry jury members who are voting against someone else. #secondplaceisbetterthaneleventh
  2. Rodney: I can’t figure out if the things we’ve seen from him this season add up to a million dollar win; for me they don’t, but he and Will seem tight and maybe that’ll be enough to get him into the FTC.  I sure enjoyed watching Rodney’s madness.  It reminds me of the time I saw [Sports Icon] miss that [Sports Action] and lose the [Year] [Championship Event]. Yeah, Rodney was just like that.
  2. Sierra: Everyone thinks taking Rodney and Will to the end is a solid strategy, but I disagree. Like Rodney or not, he ran the show for a while. Sierra seems like a safer bet to bring along. Her autobiography will be titled, “Barrel Racin’ and Second Placin’.”
  3. Will: Will is the ideal third-place goat, also look at last season and Missy.  He will make it to the FTC because everyone knows he won’t get any votes, and he doesn’t have a loved one with him to toss a sympathy vote. #whoareyouagain
   3. Will: Good for him for getting this deep into the game.  It takes all kinds to play Survivor.  He apparently had just the right combination of “non-threat” in both the social and physical elements; and the right personality for this group to get to where he is.  From where the viewer is sitting, he seems like the quintessential goat, but who cares?  Goats make great money!
  3. Will: Does Will get a single vote? Even one? Does anyone bring up that he never delivered on his day-one promise to have sandwiches for the No Collars? His book is titled, “Where There’s a Will, There’s Literally No Chance This Dude Is Going to Win ‘Survivor.'”
  4. Rodney: If the final 3 is Rodney, Sierra, and Will, who do you vote for? I guess you force yourself to write Rodney even though you would be screaming and crying as you did so.  Rodney’s “Survivor” legacy is complaining, misogyny, and all around negativity. #nobirthdaypartyforyou
   4. Sierra: Feels like she played a solid game of Make It To The End and sometimes that is the best a person can do within the confines of their season.  I’d be totally cool with getting to see her plead her case at the FTC.
  4. Rodney: Rodney is too well-liked to take to the end. There’s a young voting block there. Better to bring someone who never made a move like Sierra. Can’t wait to pick up his book “First Impressions” when I catch his Vegas show.
 5. Carolyn: The only other person who deserves to win besides Mike, that’s why I think it will be one of these two with the first snuffed torch of the episode.  She has maneuvered this game so well, and has made it to the home stretch.  If she finds herself gone, I will look forward to seeing her on S31.  #SecondChances
  5. Carolyn: Has played a fantastic game throughout and looked good doing it, I just worry for her that people have now clearly figured that out.  If I were anyone else still in the game, I certainly wouldn’t want to go up against her in the FTC.  Right now she would be a super-satisfying winner for me.  All in all, this just feels one episode too soon to be making the last order and I’ve done them like 10 different ways; going with this one finally and can’t wait to see what happens!
  5. Carolyn: Mama C. and Mikey T. (“T” for Texas? I don’t know. Stay with me) are the game’s remaining big guns, and only one of them can win that first immunity challenge.  Her title? “A Second Chance? Yeah, Baby!”

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

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