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Five Reasons to Be Excited for Tonight’s ‘Survivor: Worlds Apart’ Premiere

February 25, 2015

"Survivor: Worlds Apart" (CBS)

NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Worlds Apart” scoop! I delved deep into the Nicaraguan wilderness on a mission to bring you all kinds of stuff including behind-the-scenes tidbits, pre-game interviews with the cast, insights from “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer, a look at the first Tribal Council, and much more. I’ll be cranking out this goodness daily in the weeks leading up to the premiere, so be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates on all of this season’s “Survivor” fun.

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It’s hard to believe, but tonight is the premiere of the 30th season of one of the most popular and influential reality shows of all time. I’ve been providing “Survivor” coverage for XFINITY since season seventeen (“Survivor: Gabon”) and have never felt the need to write an article like this before. That should tell you how impressed I was during the first three days of filming.

Best Original Cast Ever?
“We have, maybe the best collection of combined smarts and game savvy that we’ve ever had.” – Jeff Probst

Jeff and I don’t agree on everything, but I’d like to second that quote. As I sat to figure out the order to present my pregame interviews, I knew I wanted Shirin first and Max last. From there, I figured I’d alternate between the more interesting and least interesting interviews. But, as I started transcribing, I realized that the dull interviews were few and far between.
The First Challenge Will Have You Talking
As a way to show how the different Collars think, the first challenge was designed with several different choices. Will they unlock or untie the ladder? Which puzzle should they choose? This opens it up to a wide variety of strategies that you’re sure to be debating with your “Survivor” friends the next morning.
The Game Is Afoot
During my “Survivor” visits, we spend about an hour at each of the tribe camps. Of the eleven camp visits I’d done before “Worlds Apart,” only one of those resulted in seeing tribe members actually engaging in strategy conversations. (I watched “Coach” Wade and Sophie Clarke plotting their moves in “South Pacific.”) But this time? All three of the tribes were already heavily playing the game.
Water Challenges Are Back
Nicaragua is kind of awesome. The people are wonderful, it’s only a three-hour flight from the United States, and there’s delicious Tona beer. However, the surf tends to be too rough for Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer and his crew to host water challenges. They tried to work around this in “Survivor: Nicaragua” and “Survivor: Redemption Island” with a weird pool, but it just wasn’t the same. I’m happy to report that a pleasant little cove has been located that is perfect for their needs.

The First Tribal Is a Doozy
You only see five minutes of Tribal during an episode of “Survivor,” but the whole process usually takes about two hours. I’d seen five Tribals in person before “Worlds Apart,” and they were all pretty tame affairs where the person being sent home was never in doubt. That is not the case this time around. I’m not sure what they’ll show tonight, but if they ever decide to use a full Tribal as a DVD extra, this would be a good one to start with.

Don’t miss the 90-minute premiere of “Survivor: Worlds Apart” on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 8 pm ET on CBS.

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‘Survivor’s’ Josh and Reed Accept the ‘Worlds Apart’ Power Ranking Challenge

February 24, 2015

"Survivor" (CBS)

NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Worlds Apart” scoop! I delved deep into the Nicaraguan wilderness on a mission to bring you all kinds of stuff including behind-the-scenes tidbits, pre-game interviews with the cast, insights from “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer, a look at the first Tribal Council, and much more. I’ll be cranking out this goodness daily in the weeks leading up to the premiere, so be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates on all of this season’s “Survivor” fun.

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 Over the years, the XFINITY “Survivor” Power Rankings has featured one-on-one battles between former champions, Hall of Famers, a Dragon Slayer, a Mr. Survivor, a Miss Survivor, and a member of S.W.V. Now we’re proud to announce that for the first time ever, three competitors will square off in a Power Rankings triple-threat match!

And, who knows more about being a triple threat than San Juan del Sur’s Broadway Boyfriends (now Broadway Betrothed) Josh Canfield and Reed Kelly?

The first round of the Josh vs. Reed vs. Gordon showdown will take place next week. But to hold you over, we’ve asked Josh and Reed to give us their pregame thoughts on the eighteen new players…

Any questions for Josh? Drop him a line on Twitter: @joshuacanfield
 Any questions for Reed? Drop him a line on Twitter: @thereedkelly
 1. Joe: Pros:  Pre-game favorite male.  How do you not like Joe?  Capable, athletic, smart, fun, sweet.  This guy could go all the way.
Cons: Becoming a threat after the merge because everyone likes him, and he’ll have the potential to go on an immunity streak.		  1. Joe: What’s not to like?  Looks sturdy, speaks well, sounds clever, is cute and comes across as the very personable boy-next-door.  Things look good on paper.  My only concern is that if he gets deep into the game people will cut him loose because he seems like too much of an all-around threat.
  2. Lindsey: Pros:  My favorite pre-game female.  She seems fun, flirty, smart, and willing to do what it takes to actually win this game.  
Cons:  She may irritate some of the other females, and the elements plus lack of sustenance may wear her down.
  2. Shirin: Bright, articulate, and oddly eager to put random things in her mouth.  All are qualities that come in useful in this game.  Can see her getting into numbers and doing very well. I hope her quirkiness works for her and not against her out of the gate.
  3. Shirin: Pros:  She is fun, likable, and seemingly easy-going.  I think she has amazing potential to go all the way.  Her alliance won’t see her as a threat until it’s too late.
Cons:  She could be a first or second boot on her tribe based on her physicality and the fact that the rest of the white collars seem extremely fit.
  3. Lindsey: I want to see her come onto the beach and break stereotypes.  May she show the world that not all tatted-up hairdressers named Lindsey quit “Survivor.”  I love a redemption story.  I hope she uses her open personality, physicality, and her “quieter, more grounded, sneaky side” to her advantage as she has planned in pre-game.

 4. Hali: Pros:  I don’t see any good reason to vote out Hali.  She has her southern charm and seems to be prepared for the rough challenges, and intense strategic game.
Cons: Will she be able to make moves that will win her votes at the FTC?  Not sure if she will be able to manipulate an alliance.		  4. Max: I would really like to see this fan, who has spent so much time studying/appreciating the game, do well.  He seems like a smart, clear thinker who I’d be willing to work with.  If he doesn’t make too big a deal about his extra “Survivor” knowledge back at camp, ruffling feathers of other aficionados in the process, it may serve him better.
 5. Max: Pros:  Well, he obviously knows “Survivor.”  He is ready, eager, intelligent, and someone I would definitely want as an ally. He will be great at challenges, whether physical or mental.
Cons:  He may know too much (if that’s possible) and over-think every decision. After the merge will he be the biggest target?		  5. Sierra: She appears agile and athletic, two nice qualities to have in a tribe-mate to keep you out of Tribal at the beginning.  She has potential to fit in well if some of the other girls aren’t threatened by her stature.

 6. Carolyn: Pros:  I think she will be able to slip into the dominant alliance as a female who is strong but doesn’t seem to pose a huge threat.  She seems strong and able to discern where she should place herself in the game.
Cons: Her age may become a factor.  The cold nights in Nicaragua will be difficult for her to handle.		  6. Kelly: I like her energy and her attitude.  She has already talked about maybe playing too hard pre-game, which has me a bit uneasy about her playing too aggressively too soon.  This season feels replete with gamers with their heads already in the game however, so it may all be fine.  Hoping her over-emphasis on trust doesn’t become a stumbling block for her.

 7. Sierra: Pros:  I think Sierra will stay in the game for awhile based on her athleticism and that she won’t be perceived as a threat.  She will make a great #2 for someone who is more dominant.
Cons:  She may lack drive to make the moves that will need to be made to keep herself on top.
  7. Jenn: All this talk about wine reminds me of Jon!  I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with Jenn though.  I think she’ll either click with others or she won’t, not sure how much in-between there is for her because of her big personality. My goal for her would be to not alienate the other girls by doing too bro-focused.
 8. Vince: Pros: I would want to work with Vince because he would take the focus off of my gameplay.  If Vince is self-aware enough to realize how tribemates perceive him, he could do wonders.
Cons:  He may rub people the wrong way in the long run, and be a little too unpredictable.		  8. Carolyn: Seems like a cool chick who has now grown up and had kids.  This may lend to being able to relate to people well, but will she be able to keep her opinions in check?  I’m not sure … and neither is she.  If she’s able to keep her tongue tame until her confessionals, I could see her being ensconced in numbers quite easily.
 9. Tyler: Pros:  If Tyler plays his cards correctly he could do very well in this game.  He doesn’t seem like he will make too many enemies, and potentially be an underestimated strategic mind.
Cons:  He may become a threat in challenges, and I can see him trusting the wrong person, that will ultimately be his downfall.
  9. Tyler: Appears physically capable and smart.  We like those qualities in tribe mates early on because they keep us out of Tribal, plus later you can point to them as bigger threats.  Wonder though if his quest to be a “difference maker” will backfire by overcomplicating things for himself.  As with most agents, I’m hoping he’s not too slick for his own good.
 10. Jenn: Pros:  Easy-going, athletic, and probably really great to hang out with.  I think she can easily make allies, and can use the trust everyone will give her for her own advantage.
Cons:  She may become a target from other girls who will find her connection with the guys an issue.
  10. Hali: I think people may underestimate her, which could work to her advantage.  If there really is more under the surface, to which she hints, I’d love to see that come into play.  Having a harder time seeing her running the game though.  My fear for her is that she may get too caught up in her attempt to bond with one person to the end and pay the ultimate price for it.
 11. Rodney: Pros:  Will most likely be great in challenges and be someone who is useful around camp.
Cons: May be too alpha male for his own good.  Later in the game his alliance will want to take him out when he tries to make all the decisions.
  11. Dan: This is the second Gorham, Maine contestant to be on the show.  Will he flirt as hard with Jeff Probst as the first one did?  Fingers crossed that he spent some time thinking through some game strategies between making all those audition videos, because he may be staring off with a bit of a handicap because of the age difference.

 12. Mike: Pros:  Will be of great use in the challenges at the beginning.
Cons:  Uncertainty of how he will play the game may lead to unpredictability.  His stature will make people immediately think that he is a threat, and after his alliance has used his strength, they will say “bye, bye.”		  12. Mike: Whenever someone says they’re a hero in their real life but wants to come out and be a villain on “Survivor,” it always makes me always wonder why. I don’t trust it, but it’ll likely make for some interesting TV.  He could be useful brawn in strength challenges and heavy lifting around camp early on, but not sure just yet where his place is after that.
 13. Kelly: Pros: Strong and willing to play hard.  The elements won’t bother her.
Cons: Don’t feel like she will connect to the other players, and probably will find herself outside of the numbers fairly quickly.		  13. Rodney: He’s another who would be good muscle to have in challenges and around camp, but comes across a bit less worldly than many of the other players out there. Wondering if he’ll be out of his depth with these self-proclaimed strategic thinkers due to his prevalent posturing and alpha-male attitude. GTL for life, baby.

 14. Will: Pros: The rest of the tribe won’t expect him to get very far, so he could potentially fly under the radar.
Cons:  I don’t expect him to get very far.  He may be a little lost out there once the game begins, and if the strongest thing you have going for you is that you are nice and a people-person, then I fear for your torch.		  14. Nina: Seems sweet, nonthreatening and says she’s great at manipulating.  I like all of those things for her game.  Could be a solid vote to count on if she’s not taken out right away.  I worry that her need to have people talk one at a time may hinder her game play or alienate her, but it could actually endear her even closer to some tribe-mates – time will tell.

 15. Dan: Pros:  Eager, eager, eager.  He really wants to be here, which I love.  He’s going to try really hard.
Cons:  Unless something crazy happens, he would be first boot on his tribe.  He may not fit in with the rest of his tribe who will see him as a liability.		  15. Vince: Holy feathers, Batman.  This guy looks physically capable.  Wondering who is going to fall for his guru magic because apparently some do in real life.  Curious to see how this Icarus’ personality will integrate with other tribe mates because it could honestly go either way.

 16. Joaquin: Pros:  Has potential to charm the ladies who are blinded by his physique. Great goat to take with you to the end. Athletic.
Cons: Cocky, Brash, and doesn’t seem to be self-aware.  “Basically a bad-ass.”
  16. Joaquin: He’s clearly amazing … just ask him.  Everything about Joaquin screams basically a badass. It’ll be interesting to see which girl gets swept off her feet by his megalomania, because there’s always one.  I’m shocked he’s still single.
 17. Nina: Pros:  Sweet, confident, and unassuming.  She could play under the radar the whole game if she wanted to, and suddenly end up in the final 3.
Cons: But can she make it past the first few votes?  She may be an easy target for her tribe to take out.		  17. Will: He said he was going to use his Spidey-senses, so he wins points there with me, lol. Doesn’t feel too threatening, which could make him most useful as a vote, but worries me when he says he’s “trusting to a fault.”  Could fall victim to being picked off in the as-long-as-it’s-not-me first few days.
  18. So: Pros:  She’s pretty, smart, and athletic.  She understands the game and could be very dangerous.
Cons:  I think her tribe will see her as a threat because she won’t be able to hide that she is playing the game hard.
  18. So: She comes across as pretty and smart and others will pick up on it.  This can cut both ways depending on your tribe.  She touts that she is strategic and looking to “stir up some trouble” which could spell disaster if she gets things too complicated too quickly.

Don’t miss the 90-minute premiere of “Survivor: Worlds Apart” on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 8 pm ET on CBS.

Special thanks to Tim Cabiah for the Power Rankings graphics.

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‘Survivor’ Strategy Roundtable: Jeff Probst, Parvati Shallow Take on the All-Stars

February 23, 2015

"Survivor" (CBS)

NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Worlds Apart” scoop! I delved deep into the Nicaraguan wilderness on a mission to bring you all kinds of stuff including behind-the-scenes tidbits, pre-game interviews with the cast, insights from “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer, a look at the first Tribal Council, and much more. I’ll be cranking out this goodness daily in the weeks leading up to the premiere, so be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates on all of this season’s “Survivor” fun.

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This past week, I thought it’d be fun to see how “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and “Survivor” champion Parvati Shallow would work with the White Collars, Blue Collars, and No Collars if they were in the game together.

For a special bonus round, I asked them the same question about a variety of characters from “Survivor” history…

 

“Boston” Rob Mariano
Jeff Probst: Oh dude, I’m playing with “Boston” Rob until the end! Are you kidding? This is a dream come true. The only thing that bugs me is I’m pretty sure that he’d vote me out before I’d realize I should vote him out. And that would hurt. I’d wonder for years in therapy whether he ever really liked me or if he was just using me.
Parvati Shallow: I would get rid of “Boston” Rob real quick, only because Jeff loves him so much and everyone knows a couple’s alliance is a real threat.
Gordon Holmes: (Laughs) I can’t follow that. Parv’s right though, I’d lose “Boston” Rob before he had a chance to break out his rulebook. He doesn’t seem to miss any angles.

Rupert Boneham
Shallow: Ohhhhh…hell no. I’ve played with Rupert once, and I will never do it again. Anyone who goes to war over bananas is straight up cray.
Probst: OK, here’s the truth about Rupert. The fans love Rupert. They love him. He is the most adored player in the history of “Survivor.” And that surprises me. But, Rupert is not the best player by a longshot. I don’t think he knows that. So, with all due respect, I think Rupert is easily played and I would keep him at arm’s length for a while. There’s no reason to get rid of him because he is a worker. I don’t mind his complaining. And, I’d see how I could utilize him. But he’s absolutely no threat.
Holmes: My understanding of Rupert has always been; the fans love him while the players don’t. I’m not out there to get the fans to love me, I just want five or six jurors to give me their vote in the end. So, I’d happily work with Rupert. I’d build him up, tell him I’ve been a fan of his since Cooks (EDIT: er…Pearl Islands),  and I’d happily take him to the end.
RC Saint-Amour
Holmes: RC just didn’t have anyone to trust her last time around. I’d go out of my way to prove she could trust me. We clicked when we chatted in the Philippines, I’m hoping we’d click again. We could pair up and run the whole show.
Shallow: RC and I would be the best of friends and the fiercest of allies. I think I could trust her to do my bidding and she’d be able to play some of the others easily with her cute little smile and a dagger in her bikini bottoms.
Probst: I liked RC…we wanted to bring her back and it didn’t work out. We were going to have her on “Blood vs. Water.” She just needs a little love. Somebody to say, “I think you’re good enough, just as you are.” If I said that to her, I’d have her in my pocket, then we could do some damage.
Gordon Holmes
Holmes: Yeah, I know I’m not a “Survivor” All-Star, but I open everyone else up to this scrutiny, so I might as well take some shots myself.
Probst: Gordon…you have a much darker side than I first knew when I first met you. I think you’re a bit of a contrarian. You like to mix it up. I like that in my normal life, I’d love to go to dinner because you would be challenging me all (expletive deleted) night. “Yeah, but that’s not…” But in terms of the game, that scares me. I want someone I can get into the sand with and go “A or B?” And they say “B” and I trust it. And with you, you would love nothing more than to say, “I voted Probst out.”
Holmes: Get out of my head. Stop describing my dreams.
Probst: (Laughs)  I think I’d approach you and say, “This is real life, you know me, I know you. I think I’m better at this game than you are. You may challenge me on that. But I’m better at reading people than you are. And I think I know you better that you think I do. So, if you want it, come get it. Cause if not, look out for that knife cause I will take you out and I won’t miss you at all.”
Holmes: That part at the end was hurtful.
Probst: That’s what I want! And if you come to me and say, “I’m not that bad.” I’ll say, “Good, now you have to prove that every (expletive deleted) day.” And I would keep you wanting to please me. Parent/lover/friend. That’s how I’d play the game. I’m either going to be a parent to you, a lover to you, or a friend. Depends who you are.
Shallow: I would get Gordon on my side by letting him win some challenges and making him feel really good about himself. He thinks he knows everything so it would be fun to mess with him by really feeding his ego and giving him an opportunity to be the teacher. At some point I’d gather the girls and we would have him wear tribal paint and chase a fake wild boar with a spear made out of a stick. Then, I would get Sierra and RC and we’d slit his throat and watch him hobble away with two idols in his pocket. Ouch.
Holmes: Ouch, indeed.
Russell Hantz
Holmes: Russell doesn’t have a history of working with guys like me, and I doubt there’s much I could do to change his mind. If he approached me, I’d be open to it because it’d be a fun ride and he has a history of coming out on the right side of crazy votes, but otherwise, I’d probably do my best to get rid of him early.
Shallow: I would burn all of his clothes. Every last one of them. And then I would laugh when Sandra burns his hat.
Probst: (Laughs) Well, the showdown that “Survivor” fans will want to see is either Russell destroying me, and they’ll take absolute joy in that. And others will want to see me destroy Russell. I don’t like to lose, but I’m enough of a storyteller to want Russell around for a while. So, I’m going to go to Russell and say, “You and I are the story this season. We can both blow it, cause I’m not going to win and you’re not going to win. So, you can vote me out and you’ll be out a couple of weeks later. Or, we can make a devil’s pact and say, let’s go to the merge. And from then on, if we can get each other out, we got for it.” And then every night I would lie awake wondering.

John Cochran
Probst: I would trust Cochran. I do think Cochran sees me as a mentor and there’s a part of him that says, “I can’t do that to Jeff. Even though I can do it to anyone else I can’t do it to Jeff.” I would play on that. And I would say, “Here is how you pay me back…and brother, you need to pay me back.” Even though he doesn’t have to pay me back for anything. I would just put that thought in his head. I’d try to play on his insecurities that he’s not quite as cool as he thinks he is. Then I would try to get rid of him in the end cause there is no chance I let Parvati, Cochran, or “Boston” Rob beat me in the finals.
Holmes: I’d work with Cochran, but I would always keep an eye on him. He’s too smart to think that the same strategy he tried last time would win it for him again. So, I don’t know what he’d be up to.
Shallow: Cochran is way too likable to let him get far. People underestimate him, and they want to see him succeed because he’s such a lovable nerd. I would really want to work with him, but I would have to get rid of him early on before everyone fell in love with him.
Dawn Meehan
Probst: Dawn’s tricky. I would say, “I think you’ve been underestimated. I think you’re smarter than people give you credit for that. And the reason is because you’re too emotional. So, I’m going to help you with your emotions. We’re going to develop some kind of hand system. When I go to my hand, you relax. I’m going to trust your instincts on how to play the game.” That’d be our quid pro quo.
Shallow: Dawn needs a pillar of strength. I would be the Cochran to her Meehan, calming her down in times of extreme anxiety by simply standing still within the storm. With a Meehan on your hands, you have to just relax, ground yourself and reel her in. She’s not winning in the end, so I’d be happy to make her my number 1.
Holmes: I feel like Dawn took all the heat in Caramoan. I’d team with her in a heartbeat, and I’d let her know that I was willing to take my fair share of bullets. Whether or not I actually did would be another story.

Parvati Shallow
Probst: Parvati is…
Holmes: She’s a nightmare.
Probst: Not a nightmare.
Holmes: Is she still behind me?
Shallow: I’m right behind you Gordon.
Probst: Parvati…is tricky.
Holmes: Not really, have you seen her in challenges recently?
Probst: (Laughs) Well, Parvati won and the reason she could win again is because the male/female dynamic is central in “Survivor.” It can be mother/son, it can be boyfriend/girlfriend, it can be “I just want to sleep with you.” With Parvati, she’s such a good flirt, I could never trust her, and I’d want to. Because she’d be fun to play with because she’s so good. Parvati and “Boston” Rob and Cochran are three people off the top who if they said, “I’ve got a plan.” I’d say, “Great.” And I’d trust it because I’d know they’d thought through it. But with Parvati I could catch myself thinking,  “She’d never do that to me.” And then I’d be super pissed. I’d never live it down. I’d have to move to one of these islands.
Shallow: This girl is really smart and seriously pigeon-holed by Jeff Probst. I would play with Parvati because I would think she’d already burned her flirt identity, played out her Black Widow persona, and outlasted as the underdog. What’s left? The lovable mother. I think Parvati would be a sweet little pussycat in round four.
Holmes: I’m going to second that. People always say Parvati is a flirt, and I just don’t see it. Parvati is more like Regina George from “Mean Girls.” And I’m referring specifically to the part where they say that you want her to like you. You just do. And it’s not exclusive to gender, everyone wants Parvati to like them.

Don’t miss the 90-minute premiere of “Survivor: Worlds Apart” on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 8 pm ET on CBS.

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‘Survivor’ Strategy Roundtable: Jeff Probst, Parvati Shallow Take on the Blue-Collars

February 19, 2015

"Survivor: Worlds Apart" (CBS)

NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Worlds Apart” scoop! I delved deep into the Nicaraguan wilderness on a mission to bring you all kinds of stuff including behind-the-scenes tidbits, pre-game interviews with the cast, insights from “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer, a look at the first Tribal Council, and much more. I’ll be cranking out this goodness daily in the weeks leading up to the premiere, so be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates on all of this season’s “Survivor” fun.

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

The days before the launch of a new season of “Survivor” are full of fun little “what-ifs.” What if Corinne Kaplan and Ace Gordon team up to rule Gabon with a cruel, yet hilarious iron fist? What if Michael Skupin literally loses a limb? What if the young tribe tries to trade the Medallion of Power for some Fun Dip?

So, I thought it’d be a fun exercise and a chance to learn more about this season’s contestants if I asked; what if “Survivor” host Jeff Probst, “Survivor: Micronesia” champion Parvati Shallow, and some other random dude played with the “Worlds Apart” cast?

Jeff Probst: Dan I would say, “You’re right, dude…you’re right. Funny story!” And until he got in the way, he’s fine. I like Dan. He’s not a bad guy. He’s got a lot of stories. I’m alright with that.
Gordon Holmes: You’ve got to either work with Dan until the end, or cut him immediately. Dan has been dying to play “Survivor” forever. He’s going to want to get in there and make moves and stir things up. And if he’s on the outs, there’s no telling what he’ll do. He reminds me of Jimmy Tarantino in that he has a BIG personality that could rub some people the wrong way. That makes him a solid choice to take to the end. So, work with him or boot him first, nothing in between.
Parvati Shallow: Oh, this guy. No. He’s on par with Rupert for me. Outskies.


Shallow: I would want to work with Kelly. I think she’d easily make friends and allies and could be a valuable source for gathering intel.
Holmes: Kelly worries me because she isn’t going to tell people that she’s a State Trooper. That lie is going to be a tough lie to keep up, just ask Tony. I’m just not a fan of that strategy. It makes me worry what other questionable strategies she has lined up. I’d work with her if I had no other options, but otherwise I’d get rid of her early.
Probst: I’d keep Kelly at arm’s length. I know a lot of people in law enforcement. They’re savvy for a reason. They don’t trust people and they can read people. Kelly, I don’t feel like I could ever trust that she would trust me. I’d have to vote her out.
Probst: I don’t think Lindsey will trust me, so I’ll have to work hard to get her to trust me. I’ll say, “Lindsey, I want to work with you. I’m a lot more like you than you know. And I’m going to prove it to me. Anytime you want, give me a trust challenge and I will pass it.” And then I would do it. If she said we’re going to vote this person out, I’d say, “Sure.” “But they’re you’re best friend.” “I don’t care. I want to work with you.” You’ve got to get Lindsey, she doesn’t trust.
Shallow: Lindsey wants to be included but works hard on looking different. She’s sweet, but she’s also covered in tattoos and is a young mother — so she’s also tough and capable. I think she’s a little too unpredictable to keep around for too long. I could see her messing up one of my plans by wanting to do something her way.
Holmes: Lindsey, Lindsey, Lindsey…out of this cast, she could be first out or she could take the whole thing. I would wait a bit to see how well she gets along with everyone else before approaching her. Don’t get me wrong, I’d try my best to get on her good side, but I’d be wary to talk strategy at first. I guess I’d really need to make sure we clicked before moving forward with her.

Holmes: I love me some Mike. But, playing with him would depend on which Mike we see. If he’s a big bulldozer and he’s driving people crazy, I’d partner with him and let him take all the bullets. If he’s lovable Mike that’s everybody’s bestie, I’d probably have to cut him loose after the merge.
Shallow: He’s too easy. He thinks he’s hard and in control, and I could see him wanting to get rid of the cute girls right away just to prove a point.  
Probst: I’d align with Mike and I would trust Mike. I’d go straight up and say, “I’m from the Midwest, you’re from the Midwest. Let’s just get it done. And I’ll never betray you.” And all of these, it goes without saying, if I’ve got to betray someone? No problem.
Shallow: Yes. I would work with this one. He’s strong and rough and I would play him soft and flirty. He just wants a little affection and feminine sweetness to balance his rugged masculinity.
Probst: I want Rodney around because he’s so fun. If I had to work with him? Rodney’s used to being in charge. I guess I’d go to Rodney and say, “I trust you, man.” Then I’d slowly try to convince him of my ideas.
Holmes: Which sounds better; Team Roddon or Team Gorney? I wouldn’t even need a turkey sandwich and a couple of beers, me and this Boston bad boy are going to the end. He’s a good guy, I’d make him laugh. We’d have a blast. And when it came time to talk strategy I’d be like Jiminy Cricket, not telling him what to do, but offering sound advice.

Probst: I like Sierra, she’s a dark horse.  I think she can malleable enough that she’ll work with you. But, I think she’s got her own ideas, she’s just not used to showing them because she’s kind of a loner in terms of her job. So, I would approach her and say, “I don’t quite get you, but I’m interested.” I would try to get her to woo me.
Shallow: I would play with Sierra. She’s shown she’s capable of pulling off big heists, and I like her determination. She’s also a little nasty and you need that to go far in this game.
Holmes: As a person, Sierra seems awesome. As an alliance buddy, I feel like it would take a lot of time and effort to keep her from being wooed by other alliances. I think her unfamiliarity with the show is what’s giving me pause. But, if she seems solid and isn’t running off to get water and firewood with every other person, we could make a run of it.

Don’t miss the 90-minute premiere of “Survivor: Worlds Apart” on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 8 pm ET on CBS.

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‘Survivor’ Strategy Roundtable: Jeff Probst, Parvati Shallow Take on the No-Collars

February 18, 2015

"Survivor: Worlds Apart" (CBS)

NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Worlds Apart” scoop! I delved deep into the Nicaraguan wilderness on a mission to bring you all kinds of stuff including behind-the-scenes tidbits, pre-game interviews with the cast, insights from “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer, a look at the first Tribal Council, and much more. I’ll be cranking out this goodness daily in the weeks leading up to the premiere, so be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates on all of this season’s “Survivor” fun.

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

The days before the launch of a new season of “Survivor” are full of fun little “what-ifs.” What if Corinne Kaplan and Ace Gordon team up to rule Gabon with a cruel, yet hilarious iron fist? What if Michael Skupin literally loses a limb? What if the young tribe tries to trade the Medallion of Power for some Fun Dip?

So, I thought it’d be a fun exercise and a chance to learn more about this season’s contestants if I asked; what if “Survivor” host Jeff Probst, “Survivor: Micronesia” champion Parvati Shallow, and some other random dude played with the “Worlds Apart” cast?

Parvati Shallow: Hali’s really cute, she’s smart. She has a good perception of other people. I would definitely work with her and trust her in my alliance. As far as getting to the end with her, I think she’d be a clear threat to win the game. So, I’d take her to the end, but not all the way to the end.
Gordon Holmes: I’m really on the fence about her. This cast wants to make moves and I’d have to convince her that the best moves for her would involve keeping me around. We’d need a common enemy instead of just picking off random people we’re not aligned with. I guess the fact that I’m so wary of her speaks to how much respect I have for her potential.
Jeff Probst: So much potential. She’s one of my favorites on this season. When she walked in the door I fell in love. I like the underdog. Me and her to the end.


Probst: My concern would be that she’s going to change her mind. She’s going to get a better offer. She might think it’s fun to vote me out even though it makes no sense. I wouldn’t mind stabbing her in the back. I like Jenn. I’d love to be on a boat that she’s sailing. She’s a blast.
Shallow: (Laughs) I agree with a lot of that. I think Jenn is a bit of a wild card. You want to trust her, you want to like her. She’s definitely incredibly likable. I’d like to play the game with her and hang with her on the beach. But, I think she could go whichever the wind blows. I could see her being manipulative and the kind of person who wants to make a big move. Make a big splash. Make a name for herself.
Holmes: I really like Jenn. She is a mega-ton of fun. But she is scary. I could see myself being very paranoid whenever she wanders off to get water. I’d work with her, but I wouldn’t make any long-term plans with her. Fortunately, I could see her being a juror that would respect and reward you if you cut their throat.
Probst: I’m not going to align with Joe. He’s just too young for me, I don’t trust his life experience. Way too likable and good-looking for me to give him a chance to go deep in the game. I’m going to use him until I can get rid of him.
Shallow: I disagree. I really like Joe and I don’t think he’d be able to beat me at a final jury. I’d take him all the way to the end. And I think that he and Hali would be a good combination. I’d work with those two. Something about Joe makes me really want to trust him.
Holmes: Joe is my dream alliance. Golden boy, challenge stallion, I’d be no threat in his eyes. He can take all of the attention off of me and what I’m doing. I’d just have to get rid of him in the final stages. No way I’m sitting next to this guy at the end. And if the tide does turn against us, him getting voted off would give me time to scramble.

Shallow: Nina reminds me of Kathleen Sleckman from “Micronesia.” She’s one of those people I think wants to be liked. So, if she feels comfortable, and liked, and valued, and included, then she can be an asset and a vote. But as far as relying on her for strategic plans? I wouldn’t do that. She’d be like Will to me. You’d tell them how to vote.
Holmes: Yeah, in a season that seems overrun with hardcore players, she’s going to be someone who’s happy not to be first and then happy not to be second. I think I’d try to do a thing where I’d make others think she’s on the outs like Monica Culpepper in “Blood vs. Water.”
Probst: Eh…Nina…it’s not happening. She’s not meant for this game long term. Nice woman, but I wouldn’t even consider aligning with her.
Holmes: Harsh.
Probst: Hey, it’s how I feel.
Holmes: I like Vince. I think I could definitely work with him. Let him take the lead, hang back. “Yeah Vince, you’re right Vince.” Then I’d have to get a gauge on how potential jury members were liking him before deciding when to make a move on him. If he was rubbing people the wrong way, I’d try to take him to the end.
Probst: He’s not going to be in my alliance. If I was on a tribe with him and I had to align with him, my approach would be, “Brother, just tell me what to do. You’re clearly the wise one. You’ve lived on the streets. I haven’t.” Then I’d follow his lead and hope for a switch or a merge.
Shallow: Yeah, I agree. This guy reminds me of Coach so much. I would appeal to his ego. I’d fan the ego, give him a lot of praise, a lot of compliments. I’d make him feel really comfortable, like he’s running the show. And then, get rid of him whenever you need to.

Probst: I would probably align with Will. And I’d make him want to please me. I’d say, “This is the way it’s going to go; my way. I know this game, you don’t. If you move left when I tell you to move right? You’re done.” And eventually I’d get rid of him because he’s super likable.
Shallow: He’s really likable. But, he could also be a liability. He doesn’t seem to really know the game much. I wouldn’t get that close to him. I’d think he’d go with the last person that told him what to do. I’d make sure I was that last person he spoke with before Tribal Council.
Holmes: Yeah, he’s my Edna Ma. If he’s loyal and listens, we can go a long way. If he wavers, he’s gone. I think this cast is a bunch of players and the jury will really appreciate gameplay. So, if I can get a coaster on my side, all the better for the final Tribal.

Don’t miss the 90-minute premiere of “Survivor: Worlds Apart” on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 8 pm ET on CBS.

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‘Survivor’ White Collar Carolyn – “I’m Used to Being the Boss”

February 9, 2015

"Survivor: Worlds Apart" (CBS)

NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Worlds Apart” scoop! I delved deep into the Nicaraguan wilderness on a mission to bring you all kinds of stuff including behind-the-scenes tidbits, pre-game interviews with the cast, insights from “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer, a look at the first Tribal Council, and much more. I’ll be cranking out this goodness daily in the weeks leading up to the premiere, so be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates on all of this season’s “Survivor” fun.

Name: Carolyn Rivera
Age: 52
Current Residence: Tampa, Florida
Occupation: Corporate Executive

Gordon Holmes: What does it mean to be a Vice President of Learning and Development?
Caroyln Rivera: I am responsible for training for all of the associates in the financial institution.
Holmes: How many people report to you?
Rivera: Forty four.
Holmes: Obviously you are a leader. You do that everyday. Is that something you’re going to pursue out here or is that something you’re going to avoid?
Rivera: I’m going to be a behind-the-scenes leader. Most leaders get voted off pretty quickly. I’m going to take a backseat role. I’m going to be the leader, but people aren’t going to feel like I’m the leader.
Holmes: Is it going to be tough to suppress some of your instincts?
Rivera: It will. I think that’s going to be the toughest thing for me. I’m used to being the boss. So, I’m going to embrace the confessionals very deeply. (Laughs)

Holmes: You’re a karaoke singer?
Rivera: I am.
Holmes: What’s your signature jam?
Rivera: “I Will Survive.”
Holmes: A little on the nose.
Rivera: (Laughs) My go-to song.
Holmes: And if you get in trouble here, you can wow them with a  little tale of how at first you were afraid, you were petrified.
Rivera: Yeah, I’ll break it out. (Laughs)

Holmes: Seeing as you have a very prominent and I’m assuming lucrative career, are you less financially driven than some of the other players?
Rivera: I’m financially driven, but the adventure is just as important.

Holmes: Are you a fan of the show?
Rivera: I am. I’ve been watching it since season one.
Holmes: That’s what I like to hear. Is that an advantage?
Rivera: I think it’s an advantage. You see how other people have played. You see what strategies haven’t worked so well. I don’t believe I’ll be shouting that from the rooftops. But, you take the learnings from each and every game and use them to your advantage.

Holmes: You hate being lied to…
Rivera: Which is a problem in this game.
Holmes: Yes, it is.
Rivera: In this game you have to tell white lies and do things you might not normally do. But, it’s a strategy, it’s a game. The difference is how you do it. It’s what gets you votes at the end.
Holmes: Are you comfortable lying?
Rivera: I’m not really that good of a liar. So, I’m going to have to work on that.
Holmes: But you’re not opposed to lying out here.
Rivera: If I have to I have to. I probably won’t be swearing on my kids lives though.
Holmes: So there is a line?
Rivera: Yes, there is.

Holmes: Flirting is a big part of this game. Is anyone back home going to be upset if you’re flirting out here?
Rivera: I’m pretty sure my husband knows I flirt anyway.
Holmes: So that’s on the table?
Rivera: I don’t think that’s the strategy I’m going to go for. I’ll be friendly, but I’m too old to be wooing people.
Holmes: You never know.
Rivera: (Laughs)

Holmes: Any experience in the outdoors?
Rivera: Yeah, I’ve gone camping, I’ve done whitewater rafting. I’m an outdoorsy kinda gal.
Holmes: Anything as extreme as starving yourself for 39 days?
Rivera: No. But I don’t eat that much. My family would say I normally starve myself. Food is not that important to me.

Holmes: If there is a twist, what do you think it’ll be?
Rivera: This is season thirty, there’s going to be a big twist.
Holmes: Any guesses?
Rivera: I think it’s going to start out with three tribes. I don’t know why I think that. There’s way more old people on this season than normal.
Holmes: What does that mean?
Rivera: I don’t know. It’s never happened. That’s a twist.
Holmes: What’re your first impressions of this cast?
Rivera: I think there are four people who haven’t started playing the game yet. They’re late to the party. There are one or two people who are heavy into starting. And, when you start looking at people and you see facial expressions, you know who you want to team up with.
Holmes: Why do you think you were cast?
Rivera: I think I’ve got what it takes. I’m a New Yorker, and we’re good TV.
Holmes: That’s true.
Rivera: (Laughs) I’m outgoing, I’m outspoken. I think I was cast because of that.

Holmes: If you could align with any past Survivor, who would it be?
Rivera: It’s interesting you should ask that, because with “Boston” Rob, you can see his evolution over the four times that he’s played. The first time he wasn’t successful, and by the fourth time he won the whole thing. That’s why I’d align with “Boston” Rob.  I saw him throughout the years change his strategy, that’s what I’m going to do.

Holmes: Alright, I’m going to mention some things, you tell me how well you deal with them.
Rivera: OK.
Holmes: Excessive sun and heat?
Rivera: Love it. I moved to Florida from New York because of the sun and heat.
Holmes: Starvation?
Rivera: Not a problem.
Holmes: People you don’t get along with?
Rivera: I’m going to have to keep my mouth shut which is not what I normally do. That’s going to be a challenge.
Holmes: Paranoia?
Rivera: In order to be successful in this game you have to be paranoid. Every single day. You have to think what the next person is thinking before they think it. That’s the fun of the game.
Holmes: How well do you relate to younger people?
Rivera: I think I relate well to all kinds of people. I’ve got three younger kids. Probably the ages that are on this show. So, I’ll be the fun parent.

Don’t miss the 90-minute premiere of “Survivor: Worlds Apart” on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 8 pm ET on CBS.

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Take a Look at the First ‘Survivor: Worlds Apart’ Immunity Challenge

February 3, 2015

"Survivor: Worlds Apart" (XFINITY)

NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Worlds Apart” scoop! I delved deep into the Nicaraguan wilderness on a mission to bring you all kinds of stuff including behind-the-scenes tidbits, pre-game interviews with the cast, insights from “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer, a look at the first Tribal Council, and much more. I’ll be cranking out this goodness daily in the weeks leading up to the premiere, so be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates on all of this season’s “Survivor” fun.

One of the most exciting parts of any “Survivor” press junket is the day the press gets to participate in an immunity challenge against Jeff Probst’s beloved “Dream Team.” (Quick Note: The Dream Team is a collection of athletic young men and women who test out the challenges to make sure they’re safe, fair, and exciting.) This exhibition lets us know how grueling the challenges are, it lets us experience the stress of competing in front of a ton of people, and it gives Jeff Probst a chance to yell at us.

Win/win.

I’ve had a blast competing in these events over the years. Mainly because the dynamic has shifted from the press being humiliated by the younger, stronger, better-looking, better-smelling Dream Team to the press actually being able to hold their own.

In fact, ever since my first loss in Gabon I’ve managed to rack up an Ozzy-esque five consecutive victories. Now, you may think winning exhibition challenges in a reality show isn’t a big deal, but I fully intend to have “Five Straight Immunity Challenge Victories” inscribed on my tombstone, Royal Tenenbaum-style.

The Immunity Challenge:

All three of the tribes will sprint down a tilted runway into a pile of hay. Once they manage to free themselves from the hay, they’ll have to maneuver over a high-step obstacle.

Then it gets tricky. One member from each tribe will have to release a ladder from a box. To do this, they’ll either have to untie about a jillion knots.

Or, unlock three padlocks using a ring full of keys.

From there, they’ll use the ladder to climb up a platform, cross to a second platform, and then climb down.

Next up, they’ll have to pass the ladder through two table puzzles.

Finally, our poor, overworked ladder will be used to retrieve one of three bags of puzzle pieces. The puzzles come in different varieties…

  • A 50-Piece Puzzle – Basically a picture puzzle made of squares.
  • A 10-Piece Puzzle – A tree-shaped puzzle similar to the one used in “Survivor: One World.”
  • A 5-Piece Puzzle – The player must use five flat shapes to create a perfect, 2-D square.

The 50-piece puzzle is the easiest, but takes the longest to complete, the five piece can be done in ten seconds if you can figure out how it works, and the ten piece is somewhere in the middle.

One person from each tribe will tackle the puzzle. The first tribe to complete their puzzle wins bragging rights and first dibs on sandwiches from craft services.

The Twist

There would only be two actual journalists competing in this little exhibition; myself and “Survivor” Hall of Famer Parvati Shallow. So, we would had to fill out the rest of our tribe ranks with Dream Teamers.

Ew.

But, if He-Man could partner with Skeletor to take out Hordak, I guess I could team up with my mortal enemies to take down a former “Survivor” champ.

The third team would be led by Samantha, the daughter (and for this trip, the assistant) of CBS’s lovable photographer Monty Brinton.

As the guy who lives behind a computer, it made sense that I’d be White Collar leader. Yoga superstar Parvati headed up the No Collar tribe. And, Samantha was Blue Collar pretty much by default.

The 2nd Twist:

This challenge is all about choices. How do you free the ladder? Which puzzle do you choose? So, Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer insisted that Parvati, Samantha, and I do all of the tasks for our tribe. He claimed that he wanted to pick our brains afterward to see why we made our choices, but I bet he really wanted one of us to be solely responsible for our tribe’s loss. Oh good, no pressure.

The False Start:

The three of us climbed to the top of the ramp and started to talk strategy with our teammates. To add to the degree of difficulty, Kirhoffer made them promise to not give us any tips. While I was deciding which Dream Teamer would be the one we’d send up after the puzzle pieces, I heard a familiar, Emmy-winning voice yell out, “Survivors, ready?!”

In unison, Parvati and I both rushed to the front of the platform and screamed back, “NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!”

Everybody had a good laugh at that.

Probst laughed himself, then gave me grief for not giving him a warmer welcome. I told him I was in the middle of something, but would be sure to give him a sweaty post-victory hug when I was done.

The Real Deal:

Once the strategy session was over, we took our marks. Probst started the festivities with his trademark line and we were off.

Now, most people simply ran down the ramp and into the hay, then stomped around to free themselves. I had a different, probably dumber strategy; I ran down the ramp, then tucked into a forward roll. Yeah, I might’ve gotten hay in every orifice in my head, but I cannonballed right through that mess and was the first one into the next obstacle.

With my tribe right behind me, I was the first one through the high-step course. I went to work on the knots with a slight lead.

Why did I choose the knots? Honestly, the locks scared me. I’d done really well with the knots in the Philippines and I  knew no matter what I’d be able to finish. I worried that a rusty lock or a faulty key could cause some serious problems.

(Note: A few days later when Probst walked the actual players through the challenge, he showed them that the locks are perfectly fine. They may look old and rusty, but they’re totally functional.)

Parvati decided to try the locks, while Stephanie took on the knots.

All the knots…

So many knots…

Actually, twenty ropes of ten knots apiece for a grand total of 200 knots.

When I was done with a rope, I’d pull it completely out of the hole so we’d have no problem freeing the ladder. This strategy led to a pretty nasty rope burn on my hand. As I looked down at my bleeding finger, Probst gleefully shouted out, “Holmes is worried about his manicure!”

No sympathy from that guy.

Meanwhile, Parvati was killing the locks. In fact, she had opened all three of them and removed her ladder while I still had about ten ropes to go.

To make matters worse, I looked back and Samantha had about seven ropes to go.

Samantha would later tell me that she was hooking her thumbs in the ropes and pulling them apart while I had been griping the individual ropes.

Samantha destroyed me. I went in a with a lead and she passed me by a significant margin.

Probst was loving it.

Eventually, I learned that there’s one thing worse than Jeff Probst standing over you and saying things like, “Your 401K can’t save you now, Holmes!” in front of the entire “Survivor” crew. And that’s when he has to stop making fun of you so he can rush to the end of the challenge to call Parvati and Samantha working on their puzzles.

Yes, it was that bad.

With numb fingers and a bruised ego I finally got through that 200th knot. My compassionate teammates hopped into action as we tried to salvage the challenge. We were quick to get up, across, and over the platforms.

Then, as we were plowing through the two table puzzles, I noticed that the other tribes weren’t celebrating just yet. Apparently Parvati had chosen the five-piece puzzle, Samantha had chosen the ten-piece, and neither had made any significant progress. Now, I had a decision to make.

Going into the challenge, I thought I’d go for the 50-piece puzzle if I had a lead. And, if I was behind I’d go for the 10-piece. Thinking of how difficult that five-piece puzzle must be completely psyched me out. I wasn’t going near that one.

We quickly retrieved the ten-piece bag and I went to work. I emptied all of the pieces onto one side and one by one, rotated them around the tree-shaped frame looking for a combo that fit…and I didn’t find one. Uh oh.

It was at this point that both Parvati and Samantha made the call to switch to the 50-piece puzzle. Now we’d all pretty much be starting from scratch.

I kept with my strategy. Eventually it dawned on me that there was some empty space in the puzzle. Once I figured that out, it was off to the races. With each piece that I put into place, the puzzle got easier and easier. Even Probst had to admit that I was in the midst of a miracle comeback.

And once that tenth and final piece was secure, I was finally able to give Probst that sweaty embrace I had promised him.

After I shared hugs and high-fives with my Dream Teamer besties, Probst took me aside and made a simple request…

“You know, you can go talk trash to Parvati if you want.”

And talk trash I did.

As I strolled over to my press team sibling, I noticed that Samantha was getting the best of the situation. Parvati tried to ignore me, but I managed to get in her ear and convince her to switch to the ten-piece. However, by the time that bag was opened, the challenge was over and the No Collars were on the losing end.

The Aftermath:

When it was all said and done, we went over our strategies and hypothesized as to which ones we thought the future players would undertake. The Dream Teamers admitted that the locks were always the way to go and that the five-piece puzzle is a nightmare if you don’t know the trick.

Personally, I came to the conclusion that my hay approach was foolproof, my knot skills could use some work, the Dream Teamers aren’t so bad, and my Tenenbaum tombstone will now have to read “Six Straight Immunity Challenge Victories.”

Don’t miss the 90-minute premiere of “Survivor: Worlds Apart” on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 8 pm ET on CBS.

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‘Survivor’ No Collar Will – “I’m Not Going to Compromise Who I Am”

January 30, 2015

"Survivor: Worlds Apart" (CBS)

NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Worlds Apart” scoop! I delved deep into the Nicaraguan wilderness on a mission to bring you all kinds of stuff including behind-the-scenes tidbits, pre-game interviews with the cast, insights from “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer, a look at the first Tribal Council, and much more. I’ll be cranking out this goodness daily in the weeks leading up to the premiere, so be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates on all of this season’s “Survivor” fun.

Name: Will Sims II
Age: 41
Current Residence: Sherman Oaks, California
Occupation: YouTube Sensation

Gordon Holmes: It says here that one of your hobbies is karaoke. What’s your go-to jam?
Will Sims II: My go-to jam is “Living on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi. Last year me and my wife got pranked at the gas station by Jay Leno. I sang “Living on a Prayer” and she did “Sweet Dreams” from the Eurythmics.  And we had 25 million hits on YouTube.
Holmes: What was it like to have that level of notoriety for something so odd?
Sims: It was crazy. That’s just what we do. We have fun. Going to the gas station and singing? And 25 million hits later Bon Jovi sent us a video message. When patrons come to the bar they keep looking, then they finally figure out who I am. They take a picture, I give them a drink, and they leave me a nice tip.
Holmes: And if you get in trouble in the game you can be like, “You can’t vote me out because the union’s been on strike and I’m down on my luck…it’s tough…”
Sims: (Laughs) So tough. I don’t know if I’ll sing, but I’ll use my people skills to maneuver. It’s hard to vote someone off that you like.
Holmes: Are you going to share your adventures at the gas pump with your tribemates?
Sims: If they ask I’ll indulge. But if they don’t, no. I just want them to know me as Will.

Holmes: Are you a “Survivor” fan?
Sims: I am a “Survivor” fan. Probably not as big as everyone else, but I do enjoy the show.
Holmes: How often have you watched?
Sims: I’ve probably seen seven or eight seasons.
Holmes: Your bio says the “Survivor” you’re most like is Rupert, but it doesn’t expound on that. What Rupertarian characteristics do you possess?
Sims: Rupert was just a fun-loving guy. He took things as they came, he never really got stressed out.
Holmes: Fairplay might disagree with that.
Sims: (Laughs) Well, he stayed true to his self. That’s the kind of game I’m going to play.
Holmes: If you could align with any past “Survivor” who would it be?
Sims: I liked Tony, I liked Fairplay, and I like Rupert.
Holmes: How would they help your game?
Sims: Rupert and I would balance each other out. He’s a bigger guy. Fairplay, he’d bring out the sneakiness in me. I’d have to dig deep in my soul. The way he played it with his grandma, that was a little bit extreme for me.
Holmes: But ten years later we’re still talking about it.
Sims: Yeah, and Tony played the game well. Tony was just smart.

Holmes: There’s quite a bit of deception in this game. Are you comfortable lying or is that a line you won’t cross?
Sims: You have to. This game is about Outwit, Outplay, Outlast. Whatever I need to do, I’m going to do.
Holmes: Are you a good liar?
Sims: I’m a great liar. (Laughs)
Holmes: Are you able to detect when other people are lying?
Sims: Most of the time. There’s a difference between manipulating and blatantly lying. People who blatantly lie and you know they’re lying? That’s my pet peeve. But, if you embellish a little, that’s fine.

Holmes: Is your wife going to be upset if you need to get close to some of these ladies out here?
Sims: I’m a bartender, so I flirt to make tips. That’s not a problem. I just have to know the level of flirtation.
Holmes: Do you and your wife have a level that’s acceptable?
Sims: No, she trusts me. At the end of the day I am married and I’m faithful to my wife. I’m not going to be this male chauvinist and be like, “Hey…baby!” I’m going to…
Holmes: Is that you’re game? “Hey, baby!”
Sims: (Laughs)
Holmes: Cause what I do does not work. I might steal that.
Sims: (Laughs) I’m not going to compromise who I am just to get a million dollars.

Holmes: Do you have any experience roughing it?
Sims: Not like this.
Holmes: Nobody does.
Sims: (Laughs) Yeah, nobody does it like this. I’ll go to the beach, I fish, but nothing to this extreme.

Holmes: I’m gonna throw out some things that are in your future and you tell me how well you’ll deal with them. Let’s start with excessive sun.
Sims: That’s going to be tough. The sun is not my friend. I’ve got sensitive skin. I’m not worried about dehydration or starvation, I’m worried about the sun killing my skin.
Holmes: What about lack of sleep?
Sims: I’m used to going on three or four hours of sleep because I work nights. That’s not going to be a problem.
Holmes: Lack of food?
Sims: That’s no problem, I get sleepy.
Holmes: What about paranoia? People running off into the woods to talk about who knows what.
Sims: I think it’s something I’ll have to deal with as soon as we get into the game. You get a good sense of people. Hopefully I’ll get a good read and I won’t be too paranoid.

Holmes: If there is a twist to this season, what do you think it will be?
Sims: I think the only twist that could be a downfall for me is if I trust someone and they backstab me.
Holmes: That’s not a twist, that’s just something that happens. Often.
Sims: (Laughs) Yeah, but because I’m playing it, I’m going to take it personally.
Holmes: That does happen. There are friends who never talk again after the show because of something that happens out here.
Sims: It’s for a million dollars!

Holmes: What do you think of the cast so far?
Sims: I think we’ve got a good mix. I’m getting a good read. There are a couple of parents like me. I’m getting a good vibe from them. There’s one dude, I think he’s military, I’m getting a good vibe from him. Then we’ve got a couple of artistic people. We’ve got a guy that I call Fabio Jr. He’s got these feathers in his hair. I think it’s going to be a great season.

Holmes: I always feel like being a bartender is a great job to prep you for “Survivor.” You meet a wide variety of people and you need to make them like you.
Sims: Yeah, I think that’s going to be my strength. I think most of the gamers here know the game. I’m not as well adapted to the game as they are. I’ll have to use my people skills to know when to zig or to zag.
Holmes: You’re a bigger guy. How are you feeling about these challenges?
Sims: I’m excited. Puzzles I’m not too good at. So, hopefully during the single immunities  I won’t have any puzzles.

Holmes: What’re you going to do with that million dollar check?
Sims: I’m going to cry.
Holmes: (Laughs)
Sims: And then me, my wife, and my daughter are going to go on a vacation to South Africa for a few weeks.

Don’t miss the 90-minute premiere of “Survivor: Worlds Apart” on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 8 pm ET on CBS.

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‘Survivor’ White Collar Joaquin – “I Love Women, But I Love Money a Lot More”

January 29, 2015

"Survivor: Worlds Apart" (CBS)

NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Worlds Apart” scoop! I delved deep into the Nicaraguan wilderness on a mission to bring you all kinds of stuff including behind-the-scenes tidbits, pre-game interviews with the cast, insights from “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer, a look at the first Tribal Council, and much more. I’ll be cranking out this goodness daily in the weeks leading up to the premiere, so be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates on all of this season’s “Survivor” fun.

Name: Joaquin Souberbielle
Age: 27
Current Residence: Valley Stream, New York
Occupation: Marketing Director

Joaquin Souberbielle: So, this is your job? You come to a beach and interview people?
Gordon Holmes: It’s not all I do, but it’s part of it.
Souberbielle: Do you have any openings? Need an assistant?
Holmes: You’ll have to get in line behind my mother and my girlfriend.
Souberbielle: Alright. (Laughs)

Holmes: It says here that you are “the best bull (expletive deleted) artist you’ve ever seen, hence my job.” How does that artistry tie into your job?
Souberbielle: I basically bull (expletive deleted) all day. I bull (expletive deleted) with the girls at the front desk to try to break down that barrier to find out who I need to get in contact with. And after I get into the office, I bull (expletive deleted) the doctor to let him know that he needs the services that we offer when the majority of the time he’s perfectly fine without them.
Holmes: And you’re very successful in this endeavor?
Souberbielle: Yeah, I’ve been doing sales my whole life, but I’ve been doing this since I graduated college in 2010.
Holmes: So you aren’t concerned about squaring off against some potential liars in this game.
Souberbielle: No, no I can tell when people are lying just by their mannerisms. The way they conduct themselves, the way they conjure up sentences. I have a really good way of telling. I’ve got like a lie meter.
Holmes: But how can you trick other people’s lie meters?
Souberbielle: Umm…
Holmes: It’s just a gift?
Souberbielle: Yeah. Sometimes I catch myself bull (expletive deleted) when I don’t need to bull (expletive deleted). Just to get one over on people when I shouldn’t be doing it. It’s fun for me, honestly. This is going to be a lot of fun for me. I honestly don’t think people have been working their whole entire lives to be a bull (expletive deleted) artist like I have.

Holmes: Derek Jeter is your inspiration in life, not because of his accomplishments on the baseball diamond, but for his legendary status as a ladies man.
Souberbielle: He’s a champ on the field, man. But you should see his resume of women he’s running through. He’s an all-star in my eyes. The guy’s a stud.
Holmes: Yankees fan?
Souberbielle: Yeah, I’m from New York.
Holmes: Cards fan.
Souberbielle: Oh, sorry to hear that.
Holmes: This interview is over.
Souberbielle: (Laughs)
Holmes: And in the rest of my interviews I’m going to tell everyone everything about you.
Souberbielle: (Laughs)
Holmes: Joaquin is a billionaire puppy murderer.

Holmes: You list “women” as one of your hobbies.
Souberbielle: I love women.
Holmes: Some people do puzzles and you…
Souberbielle: And I do women. I love all kinds of women. Short, tall, skinny, fat, dark, light…
Holmes: Life’s a buffet, my friend.
Souberbielle: It is, but I prefer brunettes. I don’t really do blondes. They were never really my cup of tea. I love women, but I love money a lot more. I won’t be blinded by the booty on this show.
Holmes: But flirting is in your arsenal.
Souberbielle: It’s key! It’s key to everything. In my job it’s the number one thing I have to do to get into these hospitals. The young girls, the wrinkly grandmothers, it doesn’t matter. I have no shame in my game. I do whatever I have to do to get what I want.
Holmes: Is there anyone at home who’s going to get annoyed if they see you flirting on “Survivor”?
Souberbielle: No, Joaquin is single. And, I like it that way. It keeps me out of trouble. I can do whatever I want. I’m going to have fun with these girls, I’m going to play with their minds. I’m going to play with their hearts.

Holmes: I like that one of the three things you’d take on an island is condoms. It shows you’re responsible.
Souberbielle: I’m a gentleman at the end of the day. Unfortunately we don’t have any on the island.
Holmes: I think there’s some kind of first aid kit.
Souberbielle: I think so, so maybe a rubber glove or something.
Holmes: Talk to Jeff.
Souberbielle: They want us to stay safe.
Holmes: The last thing they want is an island pregnancy.
Souberbielle: (Laughs) They might want that. It’s a nice story.
Holmes: You show up at the reunion with a little bundle of joy.
Souberbielle: The reunion is in June, that’s in nine months.
Holmes: For a reward you have pre-natal vitamins.
Souberbielle: (Laughs)
Holmes: This conversation went to a very weird place.
Souberbielle: That’s OK. I’m comfortable.
Holmes: That’s my goal.

Holmes: If there’s a twist, what do you think it’ll be?
Souberbielle: Oh man… Who the (expletive deleted) knows? Maybe they swap players? Maybe they bring back Redemption Island? I don’t know. No immunity idols? Who knows? Who cares? I’m here to win this thing regardless of what they decide to do.

Holmes: So, you aren’t like any “Survivor” player ever?
Souberbielle: It’s such a bull (expletive deleted) question. I’m from New York, Tony’s from New Jersey. He’s a sly bastard just like myself. It’s so cliché cause he’s the last one and he won it.
Holmes: I like to ask; who would you align with? That gives me a better idea of what you’re looking for in an alliance mate.
Souberbielle: I’m a very social guy. I can make friends with all walks of life. I’ve traveled, I’ve been to 23 different countries. I’ve seen all different kinds of people. I’m not afraid of new things. I’d align with a social butterfly. Someone who can speak to anybody. You can know everyone’s information. I’m going to be that guy that everyone thinks is very trustworthy.

Holmes: In the game, if two people walk off to get water. They aren’t really getting water. They’re plotting, they’re looking for idols, or whatever. Are you ready for 39 days of paranoia?
Souberbielle: I wouldn’t say paranoia. But I’ll have my eye on them. If I leave with someone, I’m doing the same thing. It’s something you have to deal with, you signed up for this game. If you see that, don’t be a fool. They’re here for the same reason I am.

Holmes: Why do you think you were cast?
Souberbielle: I’m very outspoken. Very social. Obviously everyone here is a good-looking person. And my background in sales and bull  (expletive deleted). I can talk to anyone.  I can find something compatible with each person.
Holmes: What do you think of this cast?
Souberbielle: They’re a bunch of (expletive deleted) characters. I love it. You have beautiful women of all walks of life. The guys are super cool, some of them are a bunch of (expletive deleted). It’s what I expected, honestly. These people are from all over and are from every walk of life. It’s typical of every single “Survivor” cast.

Holmes: What’re the plans for the money when Probst hands you that check in May? Besides diapers, of course.
Souberbielle: (Laughs) I’ve already planned yacht week. The first week of July in Croatia. I’ll spend a nice amount of it there. I’ll buy a house, give some away to my family. And then invest a lot of it. I dunno, after taxes it’s chump change. You can’t live off of it.

Holmes: Any experience in the outdoors?
Souberbielle: No, I’m your typical Long Island boy. I like the lavish life. Fast money, loose women, expensive champagne. I’ve been camping once and that was at a music festival.
Holmes: Alright, let’s talk about some of the things you’re about to experience and how you’ll handle them. Let’s start with the sun and the heat.
Souberbielle: Not a problem. I’ve been practicing. I’m fairly tan right now. I’ve been at the beach every single day. For a solid month I’ve been sitting in the sun.
Holmes: Lack of food?
Souberbielle: Hmm…I’ve been training my stomach. I don’t think it’ll be a problem. I’ll be irritable every morning. But I have to wake up every morning and tell myself what a blessing it is. Look at how beautiful it is where you are. People would die to be in the position I’m in. I didn’t apply to be on this show. They found me when I was on vacation in L.A. So, like the rest of my life, I’m winging it.
Holmes: So, you’re not a “Survivor” fan?
Souberbielle: No, I watched four seasons between the end of May and the middle of July. I wanted to see what I was getting myself into. And, after you’ve watched four seasons, it’s basically the same (expletive deleted) over and over.

Don’t miss the 90-minute premiere of “Survivor: Worlds Apart” on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 8 pm ET on CBS.

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‘Survivor’ Blue Collar Kelly – “I’ll Buy My Girlfriend a Nose Job”

January 28, 2015

"Survivor: Worlds Apart" (CBS)

NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Worlds Apart” scoop! I delved deep into the Nicaraguan wilderness on a mission to bring you all kinds of stuff including behind-the-scenes tidbits, pre-game interviews with the cast, insights from “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer, a look at the first Tribal Council, and much more. I’ll be cranking out this goodness daily in the weeks leading up to the premiere, so be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates on all of this season’s “Survivor” fun.

Name: Kelly Remington
Age: 44
Current Residence: Grand Island, New York
Occupation: State Trooper

Gordon Holmes: Kelly, I read something troubling in your bio…why are you using your nightstick, taser, and pepper spray before you leave the house?
Kelly Remington: (Laughs) You don’t know my girlfriend.
Holmes: No, but I want to.
Remington: She doesn’t listen, so I have to bring down the law.
Holmes: I don’t approve of any kind of partner abuse. But as long as it’s between consenting adults, I’m all for it.
Remington: We get bored easily.

Holmes: Your pet peeve is commitment? I need a commitment before I let someone pepper spray me.
Remington: It’s not my pet peeve, I’m just scared of it. To stay with someone for the rest of your life? To be with one person? But once you find that true person it won’t be that difficult.
Holmes: How long have you been with your partner?
Remington: A year. I’m getting close. I’m thinking this is maybe, possibly the one.
Holmes: Maybe, possibly. Sort of…kind of.
Remington: (Laughs)
Holmes: Does that mean flirting is off the table, or do you and her have an agreement?
Remington: Anything is on the table. She knows this is a game. We’re strong, we’re solid. Whatever it takes, she’s good with it. She’s not one of those jealous freaks.
Holmes: Well, she definitely knows you won’t commit to anyone out here.
Remington: (Laughs) She definitely knows that!

Holmes: Are you going to let people know about your sexual orientation?
Remington: I’m not, because guys think with their penis, and if they think they’re going to score, I’m definitely going to let them think that. And I get along better with guys than with women, so I think I’m going to get along fine. And I don’t think they need to know because that could play against me. I’m just going to be low key.
Holmes: Does that ever cause you problems at your job?
Remington: No. The guys respect me and I respect them. We talk about things…like…
Holmes: What things?
Remington: You know…different things about women. We have fun.

Holmes: You refer to yourself as someone who’s good at lying.
Remington: I can lie with the best of them. I can tell when they’re lying and I can make them believe things.
Holmes: Are you going to go the Tony route and hide the fact that you’re a police officer?
Remington: I’m not going to let them know what I do for a living. I’m going to look them right in the eye and I’m going to swear on my children, which I don’t have, and I’m going to make them believe something that’s completely not true.
Holmes: You’re going to tell them you have children?
Remington: Actually, I’m not. I’ll swear on my nieces, maybe. I don’t want to get caught up in a big lie.
Holmes: What is your pretend occupation?
Remington: Bartending and I’m going back to school and I’m in the military.
Holmes: And you know enough about those fields to be convincing?
Remington: Yeah, I think so. I’m going to say I work at a corner bar. Beer and shots, nothing extravagant.
Holmes: So, if someone’s like, “Boy, I could go for a Tom Collins,” you’d know what was in that?
Remington: Yes.
Holmes: Good. Cause I don’t.

Holmes: Are you a “Survivor” fan?
Remington: Huge! Since the beginning.
Holmes: Is it an advantage to come in with that much knowledge or is it better to trust your gut?
Remington: Being a fan is a huge advantage. From Richard Hatch to when Tony just won, you’re trying to get to their emotions. It’s more of a mental, social game. Who’s good at a party is going to be good out here.

Holmes: What’re we doing with this million dollars after you win?
Remington: First, I will buy my mom a nice little place because she doesn’t live in the best place. Then I’ll buy my girlfriend a nose job because she snores at night and I don’t get any rest. (Laughs)
Holmes: Man, I wish my girlfriend would win “Survivor.”
Remington: (Laughs) Then we could get some sleep!
Holmes: You should try ear plugs.
Remington: I do! It’s horrible. But, she’s tried everything. She’s a tall 5’11” beautiful blonde, but she snores like a man. I’ll wake up and think, “Did I get drunk and go to sleep with a guy?”
Holmes: She must love that this is going to be a part of our interview.
Remington: (Laughs) Every word of this?
Holmes:  Every word.
Remington: I love you! You’re my lover!

Holmes: It doesn’t say which “Survivor” you’re like, which is good because I hate that question.
Remington: Right.
Holmes: I want to know which “Survivor” you would align with.
Remington: Definitely with Tony.  He knew how to play the game and how to focus on people’s best interests. He knew how to play people’s emotions. He was so in tune with what people were doing.

Holmes: One of the big things in Tony’s season is when he swore on his badge. Sarah really hated that. Is that a big deal?
Remington. No…he did a great job. Sarah was just pissed because…Sarah’s young. It’s for a million dollars, who gives a (expletive deleted).

Holmes: How do you do without food?
Remington: I’m good.
Holmes: I’m the worst.
Remington: Nah, I’m fine. PMS is the worst for me.
Holmes: I don’t have to worry about that. What about paranoia? Thirty nine days of people wandering off into the woods and talking about me seems like a nightmare. I’d imagine as a police officer, you have to be aware 24/7.
Remington: Yeah, being out here now…when we got together…the game’s being played right now. We’re in it. You’re thinking of who’s smiling at who, who isn’t doing anything, who’s laid back, who’s giving eye contact? It’s game on.

Holmes: What are your early thoughts on the cast?
Remington: I already know who I’m aligned with. I already know who I want to get out first. I know who the strong people are, who the weak people are.
Holmes: Alright, spill it.
Remington: It’s obviously Brains vs. Beauty vs. Brawn. I already know the six I’m with. The military, maybe one of the older ladies. I know who the beauties are because they’re beautiful. And, I know who the brains are cause their noses are in books. I know who I’m aligned with, I know the annoying ones, I know the ones who are arrogant and who think they’re going to win this.

Holmes: Do you have any experience roughing it in the outdoors?
Remington: Yeah, I’ve been in the military. So, being out here is not a big deal. Sleeping in these tents has not been a big deal.
Holmes: Yeah, but there are no tents in your future.
Remington: I think it’s going to be fine. We’re gonna have a good shelter, lots of firewood, we’re the strong tribe. We’re the brawn tribe.

Don’t miss the 90-minute premiere of “Survivor: Worlds Apart” on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 8 pm ET on CBS.

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