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‘Survivor: Caramoan’ Episode Recap: A ‘Survivor’ First and a ‘Survivor’ Worst?

March 13, 2013

'Survivor: Caramoan' (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 Michael Skupin. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

[xfinity-record-button id=”6680657917899399112″ program_type=”series”]

Last Week: The favorites were visited by a bushman named Tata, while a grain of sand and a lack of challenge prowess respectively forced Shamar and Laura to say, “Ta ta.”

39 Days, 20 People, 1 “Survivor” Blog

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

The Bikal Tribe (wearing purple)
Andrea – Entertainment Host and Writer, 23
Brandon – Chemical Disposal, 21
Brenda – Paddleboard Company Owner, 30
Cochran – Harvard Law Student, 25
Corinne – Pharmaceutical Sales, 33
Dawn – English Professor/Power Rankings Champ, 42
Erik – Comic Book Artist, 27
Malcolm – Bartender, 25
Phillip – Chief Executive Officer of Enter Software Sales, 54

The Gota Tribe (wearing orange)
Eddie – Firefighter/EMT, 23
Julia – Racecar Driver/Student, 21
Matt – Brand Manager of Two BMX Brands, 38
Michael – Event Planner, 44
Reynold – Sales, 30
Sherri – Fast Food Franchisee, 41

The countdown to Hantzageddon kicks off with a seemingly calm Gota camp after Tribal Council. See, one speck of sand helped bring the Gotians together. And while they aren’t yelling at each other, they do make it clear that Idol Hunt Part Deux is going to kick off at dawn.

Over at Bikal, Brandon is feeling bad about leaving his family to play “Survivor.” He tells everyone to vote him off the next time they go to Tribal Council. Wait, is this a “South Pacific” rerun?

The next morning, Brandon tells everyone that he doesn’t want to leave, he wants to play. Buh…

Reward Challenge Time: Two members from each tribe will hold onto ropes that are holding up nets. Members of the other tribe will shoot coconuts into the net basketball-style. When both of a tribe’s nets drop, they’ll lose. Winning tribe gets everything needed for a delicious barbecue.

Andrea, Dawn, and Erik will sit for Bikal.

Brandon and Phillip will hold nets for Bikal, Michael and Matt will hold for Gota.

Quick Note: This is very similar to a challenge that was used in the original “Fans vs. Favorites.”

Not much to describe here except for Phillip shouting out some kind of weird strength chant. Kinda like Alan Rickman in “Galaxy Quest.”

Another Quick Note: “Galaxy Quest” is very underrated.

Brandon is the first to drop his net, he’s followed by Matt. It’s a tough struggle between Phillip and Michael, but Michael can’t last and his net drops. Favorites win reward.

Yet Another Quick Note: When the Favorites went to pick up their barbecue stuff, Corinne made a beeline for the wine. That’s my girl.

Back at Gota beach, Sherri is not pleased that getting rid of Laura didn’t results in a challenge win. Because Laura would’ve been great at holding up twice her weight in coconuts.

The Gota idol hunt commences, and Matt lets us know that he definitely wants to find the idol. Thanks, Matt.

However, that’s quickly a moot point, because Reynold finds it again. This dude has won one challenge and found two idols.

Meanwhile at Bikal, Brandon is in a bad mood again.

Brenda pitches the idea of repositioning the tarp, but Phillip would like to conserve energy for challenges. Brandon comes to her defense (and Phillip wasn’t being confrontational) and says that Phillip is acting like a dictator.

Phillip stays level-headed, but Brandon wants to argue. Wow, I never thought I’d type the words, “Phillip stays level-headed.”

The two try to make peace…somewhat. They shake hands, but Phillip lets us know that Brandon’s going home at the next opportunity. Later, Phillip says that he’ll throw the challenge to get rid of Brandon. He even sounds concerned that Brandon could be a physical danger to someone. That’s telling.

Brandon and Phillip chat again and it goes downhill fast. The breaking point might be when Brandon starts making fun of the Stealth R Us Too nicknames. Too far, Brandon.

Oh wait, Brandon snaps and dumps out all of the beans and rice. He then yells at Phillip as Phillip smartly walks away. OK, that’s too far.

Quick Take: I will say that this is easily the least shocking “shocking” moment of all time. During our pre-game interview, Brandon was ready to flip out in an air-conditioned office. What did they expect would happen under the stressful, luxury-deprived conditions of “Survivor”? Actually, that’s probably exactly what they were expecting…

Immunity Challenge Time: Two members from each tribe…

Just kidding. Brandon tells the Fans not to let Phillip get to the end of the game. Reynold wants to know where Brandon is going to be.

Corinne steps up as the Favorites designated spokesmodel and says that they would like to forfeit the immunity challenge. This announcement doesn’t break the Fans’ hearts.

Probst smartly calls Brandon over before he gets a chance to straight up murder one of the Favorites.

Once Brandon has his own platform, he outs the Stealth R Us Too alliance and claims that Boston Rob is the only reason Phillip got to the end of “Redemption Island.” Well, he’s got a point there.

From there, Brandon rants on about a dozen other topics. This is not fun to watch.

Andrea breaks down and cries because she’s grown close to Brandon during their time together.

Brandon then claims that he dumped the rice to make things even for the Fans. Uh huh…

Phillip thinks Brandon needs to grow up. Brandon thinks Phillip needs to shut up. I think that when they look at me they throw up. (“Stand by Me” and “Galaxy Quest” in the same recap!)

Phillip brings up Brandon’s kids and that’s too much. Brandon starts to step toward Phillip, but Probst quickly diffuses the situation.

Probst then has the Favorites give the idol to the Fans. Reynold wants Probst to declare them the winners, which is hilarious.

From there, JPro let’s us know that they’re going to do Tribal right there and then. Sweet, night off for the crew.

Voting Time: Brandon votes for Phillip, everyone else votes for Brandon.

The sixth person to be eliminated from “Survivor: Caramoan – Fans vs. Favorites” is…Brandon.

Verdict: Well, that certainly happened.

I’ve often compared “Survivor” to a circus in that there’s really something for everyone. If you don’t like the smart strategy or the big personalities you might like the buff bodies or the physical challenges. And if you don’t like any of that, here’s some dude freaking out.

Are some people into that? Sure.

Is it my cup of tea? No.

“Survivor” at its best is a triumph of the human spirit over adverse conditions. When people from different walks of life can work together and create a community.

This was the exact opposite of that.

So, now that the Jerry Springer-inspired portion of the season is over, I’m looking forward to what the people who have a chance of winning this game are going to do.

Was It Irresponsible to Have Brandon Back? This reminds me of one time when I was babysitting my niece and my nephew. He was smaller than her and had knocked over some block structure she had built. She was livid, literally shaking. Ever fiber of her being wanted to knock that poor kid into next week. You could just sense it. She even raised her hands as if she was about to clobber him.

But she didn’t.

Why? Because she knew she would have been in serious trouble if she did.

It’s probably the same with Brandon. If he was truly crazy he could’ve just punched Phillip in the mouth.

So, I’ll reserve judgment on this issue until I’ve had a chance to interview some of the other members of Bikal. If they felt like they were in physical danger, then bringing him back was a mistake. If not, then it’s all part of the game.

Who’s Going to Win? If Reynold can find thirteen more idols, the million dollars is his. If not, my money’s still on Erik.

Power Rankings Results: Clearly Michael Skupin and I are psychic. How else could we have predicted that it was Brandon’s time to go home? We both had him in the bottom spot. The current score is Team Skupin 65, Team Lightning Punch 81.

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

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‘Survivor: Caramoan’ Power Rankings: Meltdown Edition

March 12, 2013

Brandon Hantz (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 Michael Skupin. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

The Rules: Each week Michael and Gordon will create separate Power Rankings. The ranking of the person who is voted out of the next episode will determine the number of points the two players will earn. For example, if Cochran is voted out this week, Michael will receive 4 points and Gordon will receive 2 points. The person with the most points at the end of the season will be crowned the ‘Survivor: Caramoan’ Power Rankings champion!

Last Week: Michael and I both had Shamar in spot seventeen. Michael had Laura in twelve, while I had her in spot thirteen. So, Michael gets 29 total points, and I get 30. That brings our current score to Team Skupin: 50, Team Lighting Punch: 66.

Before we kick off this week’s rankings, let’s check in with our competitors…

Michael Skupin: Two challenges are back!
Gordon Holmes: Oh, I knew that would make you happy. What’d you think of last week’s episode?
Skupin: The fans are still wearing shoes for every water challenge…what a disadvantage…think competing in soggy, heavy, squishy sneakers. And we got a celebrity appearance from a man named after women’s floatation devices, “TaTa” and he certainly lived up to his name. I was as interested in his shelter building as I was his island chef routine. The fans “sans tarp” sure could have used him. And for the recond, I loved the “local flavor” of this twist!

Holmes: Any parting words for Shamar?
Skupin: There’s so much irony in a man that did two tours in Iraq (90+% sand) and one grain of sand takes him out of this game.  I’m sure the pain was intense, but enduring pain on “Survivor” is part of it. As a soldier, you have ALL my respect and admiration forever no questions asked, as a Survivor…you never quite got it.  I’ll miss you out there.

Holmes: And for Laura?
Skupin: A gutsy, semi-strategical game we saw out there. You were potentially a couple of sessions through P90X short of making the merge.

Holmes: Do you think Gota can turn this thing around?
Skupin: Although it appears the fans have a decimated tribe (which is partially true), it may have actually been strengthened. Although a beast, what role would Shamar have played in the immunity challenge?  They remind me a bit of Matsing (blue tribe from “Survivor: Philippines”) when they were down to three pretty powerful athletes, Malcolm, Denise, and Russell Swan, but ended up one rice pot short of a victory.

Set Your DVR to Record ‘Survivor: Caramoan – Fans vs Favorites”

Michael’s Current Score: 50

Any advice for Michael? Drop him a line on Twitter: @mikeskupin

Gordon’s Current Score: 66

Any advice for Gordon? Drop him a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
 1. Brenda: Stays at number one. We didn’t see much of the favorites…Tata got all their airtime and was certainly more interesting. A challenge beast again, this chica came to play.
  1. Malcolm: Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that this Wednesday’s episode will be forever known as “The One Where Brandon Freaks Out.” I’m assuming it’ll also be a perfect example of why Malcolm is so dangerous in the game of “Survivor.” Namely, the dude knows when to duck into the background and let other people fight. When Russell Swan was losing it, Malcolm was quiet. When Tandang was imploding, Malcolm was quiet. I expect to hear next to nothing from Malcolm this week.
 2. Malcolm: After living in Malaysia for 18 months and often catching his own dinner to make ends meet, he likely was the most entertained by Tata. Even with two challenges, nothing happened to make the favorites change any of their positions, although they didn’t put Malcolm in charge of the carnival games for the first time.
  2. Cochran: It’s hard to write about any member of Bikal this week without tying it into the impending meltdown. So, instead of going into how I think everyone should fade into the scenery, I’ll give odds on how that person set Brandon off… Odds – 30 to 1: Cochran asks for his “South Pacific” sweater vest back and Brandon is overcome with grief because he left it in Samoa.
 3. Dawn: She may have taken a vacation in this episode…maybe “mom” was out shopping or at the mall.  3. Dawn: Odds – 1000 to 1: Brandon has had it with Dawn’s constant cursing and spitting around camp and finally gives her a piece of his mind.

  4. Cochran: Although the red hue in his arms appears painful, understand pain is a part of the game. If Cochran ever says he was going “deer” hunting for food, we now know he’s more than likely “dear” hunting. I’m voting him most likely to be blindsided by Victoria’s Secret (she’s in this season … right?)
  4. Erik: Odds – 50 to 1: Erik proposes starting up a “Guys Who Foolishly Gave Away Their Immunity Idols Right Before Being Voted Out” support group. Brandon doesn’t react well to this idea.

  5. Michael: They haven’t shown any real relationship or alliance with Sherri but I see one brewing here. He moved up in the rankings because it appears he’s beginning to follow the power in his tribe. If the Michael/Matt alliance explodes, I’m afraid “The Beard” will be seen as the bigger threat and rightfully so. His “we’re not winning with you guys” rant regarding Reynold and Eddie was spot on.
  5. Michael:  Michael and Matt are two peas in a pod. They’re running the show over at Gota. However, Michael is doing a slightly better job, because it doesn’t come off like he’s controlling the game as much as Matt is.
 6. Sherri: The best expression at Tribal Council since Eliza Orlins! She lost a few spots based on her “yes, I said that,” uncharacteristic of her level-headed play thus far.  She’s still in a strong position and her name is not coming up during the many Tribal Council conversations swirling around the Gota tribe since they’ve gone three straight times.
  6. Matt: Basically what I said about Michael, but a little less subtle. And, the reason I’m pushing this point is it looks like Gota is going to hit the merge down numbers. When that happens, you don’t want to be the guy people are viewing as the leader. He’d be better off letting the remnants of Gota pitch ideas rather than coming up with them by himself.
 7. Matt: We’re way underestimating this guy I put as 19th in the Power Rankings week one.  He steadily moves up the charts. Matt’s methods are working great and I believe he literally has an alliance with everyone on his tribe.  He’s underestimated physically and has this calm…“It’s all good” non-threatening way. 
  7. Sherri: Alright Sherri, you’ve got some reorganizing to do. You lost your Phillip and your Natalie in a two-day period. That’s no good. I’m not too worried about you though. You should make it to the merge easily, and then have some room to maneuver while the alpha-types battle it out.
 8. Phillip: The first seven minutes of the episode were all Phillip and his antics. If corporations and coconuts have anything to do with success, we’re seeing the next Zuckerberg.  There’s so much other drama from what should be a drama-free, winning, eating, Tata-loving tribe…he’s beginning to fall under the radar.  Although it appears he’s scorning the most strategic player out there, Andrea.
  8. Andrea: Odds – 25 to 1: Brandon is mad that Andrea took him down last week with a side headlock takedown. However, Andrea refuses to give him a rematch.
 9. Andrea: She’s been scrambling it seems since day one out there but there are few more capable.  She’s good in challenges and strategically I think she’s safe.  She’s a farmer out there as she is constantly planting seeds and watching what blooms. 
  9. Corinne: Odds – 2 to 1: Brandon loses his cool when Corinne calls him “An unemployed, uneducated leech on society, and the only thing I’d vote to give you is a handful of anti-depressants so that no one else has to be subjected to your constant crying anymore.”
 10. Eddie: He appears to be less of a threat, yet less of a challenge beast than Reynold.  He’s been on the wrong side of every vote thus far.  If he could start playing both sides, he could possibly save himself if he makes it to the merge and create an entirely new game for himself. 
   10. Brenda: Odds – 10 to 1: Brenda’s…um…attractive physique…accidentally sparks some kind of Mikayla flashback.
 11. Julia: Although she was outted at Tribal Council as being the strongest female, and although strategically she doesn’t appear to be playing a strong game or in a good position, I think she’s safe for now.  She’s not this low in the ranking based on her safety in the game but based on her “power” in the game to change it. Step on the gas, race-car driver!
   11. Phillip: Odds – EVEN: Phillip’s crazy mixes with Brandon’s crazy and they have a bit of a crazy showdown.
 12. Corinne: I had so much hope for you out there this time.  The shift in your game play was awesome until you got over-charmed by Malcolm as so many have.  Instead of joining a two-person alliance, and being a three-headed force, you joined the new guy out there who is scrambling to find his place out there.
   12. Eddie: You and Reynold are kind of a matched pair at this point, but you might want to distance yourself from him. Reynold seems to be rubbing everyone the wrong way, but people seem to really like you. Maybe you, Julia, Sherri, Matt, and Michael can hold numbers until the merge.
 13. Reynold: Goodbye, “Not-so Hidden Immunity Idol.” Goodbye, chance of making the merge. The only reason you’ll live to see another day is you finding a way to beat the favorites in the immunity challenge. Sadly, your time left out there may be as short as your shorts. I really wish you understood this game, you’re a heck of a competitor. And one lesson you need to learn…people lie on “Survivor.” Even my day-one alliance and good friend Lisa Whelchel learned that eventually.
   13. Julia: If Gota loses again, they’re in deep trouble. As in, Pagonging-on-the-on-deck-circle kind of trouble. (How’s that for a mixed metaphor?!) Anywho, Sherri’s proven that she’s in well enough to avoid the “We need to get rid of challenge liabilities” hammer. And while Julia may be better in challenges, Matt and Michael are the ones calling the shots and they saved Eddie and Reynold last week.
 14. Erik: He seems a little in over his head this season. He may be the most athletically gifted in challenges but mentally and emotionally I think he’s still playing the “what if” game from his last time out there. 
 		  14. Reynold: C’mon, Reynold. You need to win friends and influence people. Instead you’re telling everyone how you don’t trust them. Matt and Michael appreciate that they need you if they’re going to get to merge in decent shape. Play nice and act like you want to align with them even if you don’t.
 15. Brandon: Although I loved his challenge beast-ness, Brandon may have too much pride for this game.  Pride may be a softer word than ego in this case.  All Hantzs have a lot of fight and a lot of passion in them.  Russell strategically channeled his fight. Brandon sadly doesn’t have that skill set yet. He’s definitely entertaining. Team dynamics are as big as alliances this early in the game. Brandon’s doesn’t appear to be playing a “team game.”   15. Brandon: Are you shocked that Brandon is going to freak out? I’m not. Other members of the press who interviewed him before the game started aren’t shocked either. The guy just doesn’t respond well to the pressure of “Survivor.”

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‘Survivor: Caramoan’ Power Rankings: Round Three

March 5, 2013

The XFINITY TV 'Survivor' Power Rankings Alliance (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 Michael Skupin. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

The Rules: Each week Michael and Gordon will create separate Power Rankings. The ranking of the person who is voted out of the next episode will determine the number of points the two players will earn. For example, if Cochran is voted out this week, Michael will receive 5 points and Gordon will receive 2 points. The person with the most points at the end of the season will be crowned the ‘Survivor: Caramoan’ Power Rankings champion!

Last Week: Michael had Hope in spot thirteen, Gordon had her in spot seventeen. That brings our current score to Team Skupin: 21, Team Lighting Punch: 36

Before we kick off this week’s rankings, let’s check in with our competitors…

Gordon Holmes: We were definitely treated to “The Gota Show” last week.
Michael Skupin: Back to one challenge for the second week in a row, how Season 25 of them :(. We were spared Phillip’s nickname game, we were “treated” to his new island workout routine. I’m not confident we’ll begin seeing “buns of steel” developing out there as energy conservation will become a necessity shortly.

Holmes: Any parting words of advice for lovely Hope?
Skupin: Goodbye, Hope. Is it fair to say now that the CKLTA (Cool Kids Lunch Table Alliance) is now as extinct as minty fresh breath out there? Shamar served you up your seven-figure safety net but you said you wanted to play the game with integrity…yet you participated in trying to blindside Shamar in week one. Note to fans: there’s no honor in honor on “Survivor,” especially when on day one, you’ve already dishonored your honor. I applaud your attempt to stay in the game by throwing Shamar under the bus…you went out fighting!

Skupin: Why are so many so afraid to make big moves in this game? Fear is an amazing motivator.
Holmes: It’s that. Some people aren’t that strategic. Some people can’t see past the next few rounds.

Holmes: We can’t talk about last week’s episode without talking about Shamar.
Skupin: I realize there’s a “get rid of Shamar” fan club out there but remember the game he’s playing. Weakening your tribe this early is strategically questionable and keeping Shamar keeps the heat off some other type As out there (Sherri). If Reynold could only see what an easy path he could have to the merge, but like our famous returning player hater Jeff Kent, he’s forgetting that while he’s busy sparring with Shamar, there’s a game going on that he’s missing out on.

Holmes: Looks like this next episode is going to be a wild one.   
Skupin: In scenes from our next show, they showed everyone freaking out when the rats arrived in the shelter, and all I can think about is they’re getting served breakfast in bed.  What a treat!

Set Your DVR to Record ‘Survivor: Caramoan – Fans vs Favorites”

Michael’s Current Score: 21

Any advice for Michael? Drop him a line on Twitter: @mikeskupin

  Gordon’s Current Score: 36

Any advice for Gordon? Drop him a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
 1. Brenda: Can’t say enough about how impressed I am with her evolved game. She knew how she would be perceived and she’s so far under the radar, she’s in submarine territory.  She definitely is here to win this game.  In the challenges, she’s an asset and still found the energy to work out on the beach.  Her ability to avoid the drama is extraordinary. Don’t be fooled, she’s playing really hard!
  1. Malcolm: Hidden immunity idols are attracted to Malcolm like lovely ladies are attracted to Malcolm. Now, some people may think that finding it with Corinne wasn’t his ideal situation, but Corinne has proven to be very loyal in the past.
 2. Malcolm: In Russell Hantz-like fashion, Mr. Hidden Immunity Idol finder has success two seasons in a row without a clue (but Malcolm really does have one).  Although he was beat by Reynold again in the carnival game portion of the challenge, he’s still a positive factor in the challenges. I’m worried that he said “game-set-match” when he found the idol, isn’t that what he said last time? I hope he realizes it can help you but it certainly guarantees nothing. Spending too much time with his favorite female out there (Corinne) has the other favorites worried now. I’m smelling a blindside at Corrine’s expense if the Favorites lose and Malcolm goes along with it.
  2. Cochran: Andrea hatches a plan to do some restructuring within Stealth R Us Too and who does she go to? Our good buddy Cochran. Cochran’s everyone’s BFF. Nobody’s worried about good ol’ Cochran. Which is exactly what he wants. Nothing to see here...
 3. Dawn: We saw a quiet week from Dawn but a strong underwater performance from the 42-year-old mom. No tribe will get rid of her as a challenge weakness. “Survivor’s” favorite mom is in a good place once again.  3. Michael: Man, the Fans are just a mess. Everybody has a reason that someone could target them. Eddie and Reynold are the remnants of the non-dominant alliance. It’s obvious that Sherri is protecting Shamar. Julia has health issues, Laura is a challenge liability, Matt hasn’t been able to stay out of fights. And Shamar is…well…Shamar. Everyone has a target except for Michael. Well played, sir.

  4. Sherri: Dropped four spots only because we saw Eddie finally get to her in the scenes from episode four. Her brilliant strategy saw a crack as her type A+ personality is finally let out. Also, Hope was one strategic move away from disrupting all her plans. I love your looks at Tribal Council each week as your plans unfold perfectly and talking Shamar off the “quit” ledge shows you really understand the game.
  4. Erik: Brandon, you could learn a lesson from your new buddy Erik. The reason you don’t burn down the shelter when things aren’t going your way is because you never know when things are going to be shaken up. You never know when there’s going to be a tribe swap or when an alliance is going to turn on itself. Sometimes it’s best to wait for some cracks to appear and then make a move. And if all else fails, then you urinate in the rice.
  5. Cochran: Living his Wednesday night at 8pm may be a first ever reference to CBS by a castaway and this actually being a show. I’m not sure how him being around beautiful girls is a Freudian picnic (I even Googled it) but it was funny nonetheless.  He’s still positioned perfectly strategically. 
  5. Dawn:  Alright, Dawn. From here on out you’re like a bottle of baby shampoo…no more tears. Cracks are forming in Stealth R Us Too, but Dawchran seems like they’ll be fine no matter which way the pieces fall. Slow and steady, guys. Slow and steady.
 6. Michael: They haven’t shown any real relationship or alliance with Sherri but I see one brewing here. He moved up two spots because it appears he’s beginning to follow the power in his tribe.
  6. Matt: I’ve got to hand it to the Bearded Wonder, he has a lot more strategic fire than I had anticipated. My only question is; how good is he at hiding it? Eddie and Reynold already know that he can be shifty. It might have been best just to side with Team Sherri without pretending to be with the Cool Kids. However, this is all just nit picking at this point. Matt’s in good shape with his current alliance.
 7. Andrea: Many have questioned the strategic logic of her going to Brandon with her plan but it’s a proven “Survivor” method; go the person on the bottom of another alliance to gain traction. She’s also made sure that the budding showmance of Malcolm/Corinne has been noted by all. She’s playing this game as hard as anyone strategically. The reason she’s not ranked higher is too many people know how hard she’s playing and I haven’t forgotten all those votes in episode one.
   7. Sherri: A lot of people think Sherri is playing a perfect game over on Gota beach, but the world’s hottest Cardinals fan Hope said that everyone knows that Sherri is protecting Shamar. That’s not good. In the same way showmance couples are quickly disposed of, the new trend could be to get rid of any Boston Rob/Phillip dynamics.
 8. Corinne: She dropped a few spots because she’s broadcasting her alliance with Malcolm in front of very strategic players, yet has the distinct disadvantage in that pair of having her game seen before. If one of them has to go, it’ll be her first.  She believes Malcolm would share the idol if she was in trouble but we all saw that Malcolm had two idols last season and wouldn’t give one to Denise, which cost him the seven-figure payout. I’m not sure a two-person alliance with the newbie on the Favorite’s team is her best game play.
  8. Phillip: I’m interested to see how he feels about Andrea going into business for herself with that little recruiting mission. Phillip has made it clear that Brandon isn’t worthy of a slick nickname and a stylin’ red Power Rankings graphic just yet.
 9. Matt: Matt dropped three spots as he again decided to pick a fight after Tribal Council with Shamar. Aside from his verbal head-butting with Shamar, he’s playing a pretty solid game. Picking a fight with Shamar is a strategic blunder.  Shamar may not understand the game the best, but he’s smart enough to expose parts of your game the others may not see.
  9. Andrea: Is Andrea playing the game too hard, too early? Time will tell. I’ll give her this though; there isn’t a duo I’d rather take to the final three than Phillip and Brandon. However, keeping those two in line is probably harder than pushing smoke into a Coke bottle with a baseball bat. (Special thanks to Dr. Peter Venkman for that analogy.)
 10. Erik: The only thing we saw on Erik was his rear end during the challenge and there was only one of them. It appears his alliance with Brandon and Brenda won’t stay a threesome in the long haul.  His best bet is to stay buddied up with Brenda and let Phillip continue to think he’s the CEO of coconut land.   10. Corinne: Buh. I hate to see a target on your back for something as innocent as buddying up with Malcolm. But, that’s the game we’re playing these days. Anything that looks like a showmance or an over-aggressive strategy is going to raise eyebrows. That, or maybe Andrea doesn’t like that you’re not acting like a pain-in-the-ass like everyone was probably expecting.
 11. Phillip: I doubt Phillip’s coconut bench-pressing work-out will ever make it to retail and if getting “all-air” (which means missing the basket completely) is now a good thing in basketball…I’m watching the wrong channels (or was the all-air comment about his nicknames and corporation?) …And this has what to do with “Survivor”?  Unfortunately, this is what we’re subjected to when there’s only one challenge. Don’t get me wrong, I find Phillip entertaining; I just want my Wednesday nights at 8pm to be filled with “Survivor.”
   11. Eddie: I’m pretty sure you and Reynold are safe. At this point there is no way Gota can afford to lose any challenge strength.
 12. Laura: I’m still trying to decide if she’s playing a good game or not but I do like the fact that she is playing. After threatening to defect with the Reynold-Eddie-Hope group, she stuck with her original alliance. That would have put her on the bottom of a five-person alliance instead of near the top of a six-person alliance.  When she said there was a fun part to Shamar, it leads me to believe there is a fun side to Shamar that we’re not seeing. Her swimming weakness was exposed as a factor and made her a potential liability, but I did chuckle when I saw a person who can’t swim try an advanced stroke like the back-stroke…butterfly would have been a much better option.
   12. Reynold: It’s time for you and Eddie to wheel and deal. Promise to play nice with Shamar. Remind them that they’re dead in the water if they go against the Favorites down in the numbers. Then do your best to get to the merge or the tribe shuffle. (C’mon, we all know a tribe shuffle is coming, right?)
 13. Brandon: Although it sounds like an oxymoron, we actually saw a calm Brandon for an entire episode. Watch out when they lose a challenge and Phillip goes on a rant, I bet we see the Mad Urinator resurface. Although he’s a beast physically in every challenge, his torch will only remain hot if his temper doesn’t.
   13. Laura: Laura is playing a very smart game. However, she is a challenge liability on a team that is being beaten badly. The Fans have lost three out of the four challenges and the one they did win was extremely close. If they lose again, loyalty is going to take a backseat to challenge strength.
 14. Eddie: Eddie finally ruffled the feathers of the kingpin or queenpin (Sherri) during the scenes from episode four. His cocky has turned to funny and he’s now less of a threat than his bro-mance (Reynold). We’re potentially seeing a strategic side to him and if he can turn on Reynold quickly, he can make it to the merge and create an entirely new game.   14. Brandon: “Survivor” is a funny game. Just when you’re about to unleash a yellow flood of vengeance on those who have wronged you, a blonde angel from America’s Dairyland descends from the heavens on a winged unicorn and offers you a lifeline. Even if that doesn’t pan out, the very fact that Andrea approached you with a deal could be enough to break Stealth R Us Too wide open.
 15. Julia: The burns are healed and we’re seeing the Julia that casting saw emerge slightly… Although strategically, she’s not in a good place, if she can just get to the merge, she may make it to at least mid-game. Fear of a big move may hold her back.   15. Julia: Julia is in the same boat as Laura. Julia is probably better at challenges, but she’s had some health issues with her severe sunburn. While she may be over it now, things like that can linger with people who are scrambling and looking for a reason for someone else to go home.
 16. Eddie: It’s been since season two (“The Australian Outback”) that we saw someone go back for a contestant with sub-par swimming skills (Rodger Bingham and he made it to 5th place.) But, Reynold’s temperament and Shamar-bashing is getting him in hot water. Even the idol isn’t going to save this guy. “Survivor” is a social game and making friends is paramount.
   16. Brenda: Brenda is still this low in the rankings because I’m not convinced that Andrea’s plan to get rid of Corinne was set in stone. If Bikal loses and Brandon hasn’t had his Hantz-brand meltdown, Brenda will stick out as the most strategically threatening member of Stealth Rn’t Us.
 17. Shamar: I believe the entertainment we’ve enjoyed from Shamar may end soon. It seems no-one but Sherri understands him so it’s gotta be pretty lonely out there.  His demands for calories and water have to be 3-4 times that of the rest of his tribe and it’s going to take a toll on him physically and emotionally.  Sans fishing kit, the fans are weakening by the minute and when they lose Shamar a Pagonging is in their future. The “no-talk” list will be talked about for seasons to come.   17. Shamar: Alright, Shamar. If all of this is an act, if you’re just trying to upset everyone so they’ll quit, then you need to clue us in during a confessional because America is hating you. As far as the game goes, you’re getting to be too much of a liability for Sherri to keep around. Eventually they’re going to have to pull together as a tribe and start winning challenges.

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‘Survivor’ Castaway Hope: ‘Shamar Was Sherri’s Puppet’

February 28, 2013

Hope Driskill (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 Michael Skupin. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

[xfinity-record-button id=”6680657917899399112″ program_type=”series”]

Let’s take a look at the list of reasons why people are early targets in the game of “Survivor.”

Always arguing?
Not helping around camp?
Spilling their alliance’s plans?

All of those things apply to “Survivor’s” newest problem child, Shamar. And yet he’s safely by Sherri’s side while Hope was sent to hang out with her buddy Allie.

I spoke with Hope the morning after her elimination and had a chance to ask her about the Sherri/Shamar alliance, why she didn’t take the offer to flip, and why Reynold held on to his idol…

Gordon Holmes: I’m very bummed to see you go. We don’t get nearly enough Missouri girls on “Survivor.”
Driskill: I know! I’m so bummed that I didn’t last longer. It’s hard to watch your torch get snuffed.
Holmes: And your name is so good for puns. The fans are Hopeless, Hope is lost. The one everyone missed? The fans have Driskilled their chances.
Driskill: (Laughs) I know, and I was waiting to see the #keephopealive trend start going.

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Holmes: So, last night Shamar was trying to get you to vote for Eddie. Why didn’t you make that move?
Driskill:  The entire day had been filled with everyone running around, talking, panicking… There were so many trust issues going on. Everyone was talking and strategizing with everybody else. And I was sitting there in the water and I was looking at Shamar and I honestly didn’t know if I could trust him. I didn’t know if he was telling me the truth. Or, if he was telling me something that his alliance had told him to tell me. I know that he didn’t really like me. But at the same time, there was something in his voice that made me think he was telling the truth. He hates Eddie enough to do this. So, I went back and told the tribe what he had said in hopes of maybe getting them to see that he was untrustworthy and potentially vote him out.
Holmes: Before the challenge, Shamar had talked about quitting, but Sherri talked him into sticking around in case you lost the challenge. After the challenge, was there any more talk of Shamar just quitting at Tribal?
Driskill: I’ll just say this about Shamar…he really didn’t want to be there. He was just making everyone miserable. He said that himself, that was his strategy to make life miserable. He for sure did that. My whole logic on this was, “Let’s put him out of his misery. He doesn’t want to be here. Let’s send him home.”
Holmes: Whoa…hold the phone here, Hope. You’re trying to tell me that Shamar was making people miserable? Cause I talked to Allie last week and she seemed to adore him.
Driskill: (Laughs) Oh, he was so much fun to be around. It was great.

Holmes: Sherri has taken Shamar under her wing as her Phillip. Was it obvious to you guys that that was her plan?
Driskill: Shamar was Sherri’s puppet. It was obvious to me while we were out there. There were so many interviews…which you probably didn’t see of me…but Shamar was her puppet. He was doing every single thing that she was telling him to do. And she was loving it. She was living it up. She’d get him rice and water, and let’s make Shamar comfortable. It was so irritating to watch. That played in to why I didn’t switch my vote and vote for Eddie. I knew that Shamar was completely being played by Sherri and that fed into the lack of trust that I had for him.
Holmes: You, Reynold, and Eddie had been on the outs for a few days. But do people like Matt, Michael, Julia, and Laura appreciate what’s going on? Does the Sherri/Shamar alliance concern them at all?
Driskill: I think. The day I got voted out, I do think that it was a little concerning to them because we’re all there for the same reason, to win. So, in the back of your mind you can’t really trust anyone. I think they all knew that Sherri was extremely strategic. And if she’s using Shamar like this, she’s going to keep him around as long as possible.

Holmes: Was getting the tribe to turn on Shamar the only angle you guys were working before Tribal?
Driskill: They didn’t show how much of a huge panic we were all in. Everyone was pulling people to the side. There was so much talking going on. Just thinking about it is stressful for me. There was a lot of talk very early on about Laura and her performance in the last challenge. So, we all thought at first, let’s talk to Matt and Michael and get Laura out. She’s not helping in the challenges and we need to start winning.
Holmes: Don’t be stressed out, this is a safe place.
Driskill: (Laughs) I’m safe now.

Holmes: Being down six to three, you couldn’t really use the idol to defend against a split vote. Was there any talk of trading the idol straight up for safety for your alliance?
Driskill: There really wasn’t. We had our hands full with talk of them trying to flush the idol. And all of the talk of them splitting the vote, it just made Reynold nervous. So, he kept the idol to himself knowing he’d need it later. And I don’t blame him at all for that.

Holmes: Alright, let’s do some word association. We’ll start with Allie.
Driskill: Friendship.
Holmes: Eddie?
Driskill: Clown.
Holmes: Did you say “Frown”?
Driskill: (Laughs) Clown! Like a class clown.
Holmes: OK, I had to be sure because I messed up last week. Allie said “Hero” and I thought she had said “Virile.”
Driskill: She told me about that, we were laughing.
Holmes: He’s both, but that’s not my call to make.
Driskill: (Laughs)
Holmes: Sherri?
Driskill: Strategizer.
Holmes: Laura?
Driskill: Swimmer.
Holmes: Julia?
Driskill: This is bad…but I think of puss blisters.
Holmes: That is bad. Michael?
Driskill: Jokester.
Holmes: Shamar?
Driskill: (Laughs) Sleepy.
Holmes: Let’s finish with Reynold.
Driskill: Actor.

Holmes: You were out there for nine days, which in “Survivor” isn’t a long time, but for the real world, nine days in that situation is a big deal. Did that time change you at all?
Driskill: I went on “Survivor” because it was something that was so out of my comfort zone. And I like to keep life exciting. I didn’t last as long as I wanted to, but I was out there for a decent amount of time. I did get to sleep in the rain and experience dehydration and all of the hardships. And I think that after the show I’m proud that I did it and it’s made me appreciate a lot of things in my life. It’s opened my eyes that I don’t need as many materialistic things as I thought I did.

Holmes: Alright, this is probably the most important question…
Driskill: (Laughs) There’s no telling what this could be!
Holmes: It’s a tough one. How hard was it to be away from Cardinals baseball during your time out there?
Driskill: (Laughs)
Holmes: That seems like a nightmare.
Driskill: It was a nightmare and I was nervous about that. But, it was so far from my mind. All I thought was, “We need to boil the water.”
Holmes: So it goes water, food, shelter, baseball?
Driskill: It was water, shelter, baseball, then sunburn.

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

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‘Survivor’ Castaway Francesca: ‘I’m Either the Worst Player or the Unluckiest’

February 14, 2013

Francesca Hogi (CBS)

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

Set Your DVR to Record “Survivor: Caramoan – Fans vs Favorites”
I have come not to mourn Francesca Hogi’s unprecedented second first elimination from the game of “Survivor.” I have come to celebrate the fact that she was not content to coast along as so many have done before. And in the words of the immortal Def Leppard…

“It’s better to burn out, than fade away.” – “Rock of Ages*”

I had a chance to speak with Francesca the morning after her heartbreaking loss and asked her about her shocking elimination, her Bikal tribe mates, and the fine art of rock cuisine.

*Yes, I know those lyrics also appear in Neal Young’s “My My, Hey Hey.” But what do you want? I’m a kid of the ‘80s.

Francesca Hogi: Hey, Gordon!
Gordon Holmes: Hi, Francesca…
Hogi: (Laughs) You sound so disappointed.
Holmes: I’ve never had a situation where everybody I know sent me emails saying, “When you talk to Francesca, give her our love.”
Hogi: (Laughs) Aww… That is so sweet.
Holmes: Because you know me, I love me some backstabbing and some deception, but…I didn’t feel clean last night when it was all said and done.
Hogi: (Laughs) It was a dirty, dirty move.
Holmes: I’m glad to hear you’re laughing. How are you holding up?
Hogi: I’m fine, I didn’t actually watch it. This obviously happened a long time ago and what can you do? It happened. You just have to keep it in perspective. There are much more important things in life. I wish this was the worst thing that ever happened to me, but I’ve actually suffered real loss in life. At least I get to be the polar opposite of Sandra.
Holmes: The Anti-Sandra.
Hogi: That’s kind of cool. All the hundreds of people who have played the game are somewhere in the spectrum between me and Sandra. I’m either the worst player or the unluckiest player. It’s kind of cool.
Holmes: Your attitude is amazing. I keep thinking of Russell Swan who was dealt two pretty bad hands in the game, and he had a rough time coming to terms with it.
Hogi: Thank you. But, what else can you do? It’s just “Survivor.”

Holmes: Today is Valentine’s Day.
Hogi: I’m in China, so Valentine’s Day was yesterday.
Holmes: When I have dinner with my girlfriend tonight, I was wondering if you had a recommendation for which wine goes best with rocks.
Hogi: (Laughs) I have so much heat for this comment, that I don’t even remember making. It almost makes me want to watch the episode so I can verify it, but I really don’t want to watch it. I didn’t think I was going home, I thought they liked me, I was an asset to my tribe. But, I’m not going to eat a rock. I will only eat a rock if Jeff Probst brings the exact rock that I had in my hand when I made that comment.
Holmes: So you’re willing to bet that CBS production won’t trek back to the Caramoan Islands to hunt down that rock?
Hogi: If they do that, I’m going to want some kind of forensic, CSI analysis to be sure it’s the exact rock.

Holmes: You and Andrea were in an alliance last night, but she was also a part of the new Stealth R Us. However, Andrea is someone who you had a relationship with before this season. You were both on “Redemption Island” and casts tend to become close with the reunion and all.
Hogi: Without getting into too much outside of the game, it’s no secret that I had a relationship with Andrea. For that reason, not that I was like, “Andrea, you and me to the end.” It wasn’t anything like that. But, I wasn’t targeting her, so as far as I was concerned she knew that and she didn’t have any reason to think any different. So, we have to ask Andrea why she made the decision she made.

Holmes: Can you walk me through the pre-Tribal scramble? All hell seemed to break loose toward the end.
Hogi: It was a stupid day. We were all in shock that we lost the challenge. No one wants to be seen as the person scrambling, so everyone sat around and we all just talked and told stories. Then we were like, “OK, we need to actually figure out who we’re voting for.”  I thought that Phillip was an easy choice because he’s insufferable and he’s not particularly good in challenges, and nobody really likes him as a person. So, this is an easy choice. Let’s get rid of the insufferable buffoon who’s not helping in challenges. But, there’s logic in that and that doesn’t always work in “Survivor.” I knew there was a hidden immunity idol. I suspected that Corinne and Malcolm had found it and that they had possibly shared it with Phillip. And, this goes without saying, but Phillip was acting bizarre.
Holmes: I was going to say, you need to be way more specific than that.
Hogi: (Laughs) Right? Even more so than usual. So, I knew they were up to something. Phillip is going to assume that I’m going to vote for him, so we need to do something differently because they could have an idol. That was what started the whole scramble and the splitting the vote.
Holmes: And were you leading all of this?
Hogi: I wanted to take a backseat. I didn’t want to be the person that was calling the shots. I just wanted to chill out and fly as far beneath the radar as possible. But nobody was doing anything. It just turned into a big (expletive deleted) show.

Holmes: Alright, let’s do some word association. We’ll start with Brenda.
Hogi: Stoic.
Holmes: Brandon?
Hogi: Sensitive.
Holmes: Erik?
Hogi: Amicable.
Holmes: Phillip?
Hogi: Insane, buffoon, choose any of those.
Holmes: I’ll use them both. Dawn?
Hogi: Weepy.
Holmes: Andrea?
Hogi: Conniving.
Holmes: Malcolm?
Hogi: He’s easy-going, but he’s not really. He’s calculating.
Holmes: Corinne?
Hogi: Snarky.
Holmes: And we’ll finish with Cochran.
Hogi: Oh…three-legged dog.

Holmes: My last question was going to be to ask what your takeaway from this crazy set of experiences is, but you hit on that pretty well at the beginning. I guess my last thought is how much it had to suck to take those long flights to the Philippines for such a short stay.
Hogi: Seriously, I was like, “Please let me go home.” I’d be gone a week, and it was an adventure, but whatever. But it felt like such a huge waste of time. I could’ve just stayed in New York. You know how people always say you need to say “Yes” to more things.
Holmes: Yes.
Hogi: I need to say “No” to more things.
Holmes: But you said “Yes” and now you’re in China.
Hogi: (Laughs) That’s true. I love it here.
Holmes: Well, thanks for your time and I look forward to talking to you before “Survivor: 30.”
Hogi: (Laughs) Now that is hilarious.

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

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‘Survivor: Caramoan – Fans vs Favorites’ Pre-Game Rankings

February 13, 2013

'Survivor: Caramoan' (CBS)

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

“Survivor: Caramoan – Fans vs. Favorites”

Ingredients:

10 of the show’s recent memorable faces
10 of the show’s biggest fans

Instructions:

1.    Place on the piping hot Caramoan Islands
2.    Sprinkle liberally with hidden immunity idols
3.    Let sit for 39 days

The last time this recipe was served up it resulted in one of the most entertaining “Survivor” seasons ever. This time? Who knows. (But, we have been hearing good things.) So, before we sit down to tonight’s generous 90-minute helping, I thought I’d take a minute to run down the contestants and give my thoughts on how I think they will do.

Set Your DVR to Record “Survivor: Caramoan – Fans vs. Favorites”

Alright, I want to start off this ranking by saying that the days of pretending that returning players are at a disadvantage are over. Let’s look at the facts…

• “Survivor: Micronesia – Fans vs. Favorites” – Your final three is made up of future “Survivor” Hall of Famers Cirie Fields, Amanda Kimmel, and Parvati Shallow.
• “Survivor: Redemption Island” – “Boston” Rob destroys everything in his path.
• “Survivor: South Pacific” – Ozzy Lusth and Benjamin “Coach” Wade are two of the final four.
• “Survivor: Philippines” – Michael Skupin gets to the final three. And, Jonathan Penner would’ve probably won the whole thing if it weren’t for a single fatal mistake.

So, you’re going to notice that this listing is very Favorite heavy at the top…

Read Erik’s Pre-Game Interview Read Andrea’s Pre-Game Interview
 1. Erik: Quick, what’s the first thing you remember about Erik? I’m betting it’s when he foolishly gave up his immunity idol to Natalie Bolton and was promptly voted out of the game. Don’t feel bad, that’s what everyone remembers. It’s probably safe to assume people are going to underestimate the former ice cream scooper. But, do you remember how well Erik was doing in immunity challenges up until that point? Do you remember how everyone around camp seemed to love him? I think an older, wiser, underestimated Erik is going to be very dangerous.  2. Andrea: I think Andrea is the perfect type of person to go far in “Survivor.” She helps around camp but isn’t a crazed workhorse. She’s useful in challenges but isn’t a dominant threat. Her personality doesn’t alienate tribe mates, but she isn’t tagged as “too nice” to take to the end. Add to that the fact that she’s prepared to shake the “Boston Rob Follower” tag and you have a very serious competitor.
Read Cochran’s Pre-Game Interview Read Corinne’s Pre-Game Interview
 3. Cochran: Cochran did a fantastic job of laying out the reasons why he should be the first to go home. He stabbed Savaii in the back, he isn’t good in challenges, and his skin is very prone to sunburn. (I call dibs on the term “Coch Lobster.”) However, everybody I talked to was trying to figure out a way to get Cochran into their alliance. Right now the only thing that could keep him from going deep into the game is if the Favorites have some kind of Matsing-esque losing streak.
   4. Corinne: If “Survivor” is “Mean Girls,” then Corinne Kaplan is its Regina George. Everybody who mentioned Corinne in the interviews was a little intimidated by her. Sounds like a recipe for a first boot, right? I disagree. More than anyone, the Favorites know how the show’s editing can make someone look. She’ll definitely have a second chance to make a first impression. Another thing working in her favor is how loyal she was to her alliance in Gabon.
Read Allie’s Pre-Game Interview
  Read Sherri’s Pre-Game Interview
 5. Allie: If you’re having problems telling the three hot, blonde fans apart, here’s a trick; just remember that Allie is All-in. The New York-based bartender spent the days before the game learning as much as she could about her competition. The CBS reps that had been trained to keep information away from her couldn’t do it. Her observation skills could take her far.
  6. Sherri: There’s one player every season who tries to sneak information out of the pre-game interviewers. This season it was Sherri. After her session was completed and I’d turned off my recorder, she tried to get my opinions on Matt. Granted, she wasn’t successful, but you’ve got to give her credit for thinking outside of the box. She’s definitely someone to keep an eye on.
Read Michael’s Pre-Game Interview Read Dawn’s Pre-Game Interview
 7. Michael: Michael is going to have a lot of chances in this game. He isn’t going to be a first target when the fans eventually lose immunity. And, he isn’t going to be an obvious challenge threat at the merge if his alliance is down numbers. His best bet is to let the game happen and pick and choose his spots.
  8. Dawn: I love Dawn. J’adore Dawn. (That’s how you know I mean it, I dug into my terrible seventh-grade French and I italicized it.) That being said, the last person I want to see sitting next to me at the end is the uber-nice, mother of forty, who sends bread to people for fun. Not to mention that she is a formidable challenge force. Red flags are popping up everywhere. She might end up in the majority alliance because it’s easy to trust her, but the more devious members of that alliance are going to want to send her packing before it gets to the final five.
Read Brenda’s Pre-Game Interview Read Malcolm’s Pre-Game Interview
 9. Brenda: Remember during “Heroes vs. Villains” when everyone was scared to death of Parvati? That’s how the Favorites feel about Brenda Lowe. She has a reputation for being a shrewd strategist and a cool customer. If she can get into the right alliance quickly, she should have room to maneuver, but she’s someone who could end up getting a fast exit if people are to afraid of her.   10. Malcolm: I’m not happy about this. Malcolm should be on the top of every ranking ever. But, the fact remains that Malcolm is facing two problems he didn’t have to worry about last time. First, competing in back-to-back seasons is no joke. Russell Hantz, who isn’t one to admit to any kind of weakness, readily admits that going from “Samoa” to “Heroes vs. Villains” left him “mentally exhausted” and “whipped.” And second, everyone out there has to be wondering what Malcolm did to be invited back so quickly. Malcolm’s second journey could be a short one if people are worried that he’s the second coming of Russell.

Read Laura’s Pre-Game Interview
 Read Francesca’s Pre-Game Interview
  11. Laura: Laura is another one like Michael who is going to have some wiggle room if she isn’t a part of the dominant alliance. But, she shouldn’t have to worry about that. I’m betting the twenty somethings dominate the Favorites tribe. The question is; if she does make a run after the merge, how will she differentiate herself from the other youngsters?
   12. Francesca: Francesca was the hardest person to rank this season. I wouldn’t be surprised if she won the whole thing and I wouldn’t be surprised if she was the first one sent home. So, I’m placing her safely in the middle. I just wish her name was a little bit shorter so it wouldn’t cover up her face in the Power Rankings graphic.
Read Reynold’s Pre-Game Interview Read Julia’s Pre-Game Interview
 13. Reynold: Reynold is a great guy. He’s smart, he’s charismatic, and he has lived life. However, in the game of “Survivor” I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him. (“Well, with your bad knee, Ed, you shouldn’t throw anybody.”) There’s something about his salesman background and winning smile that would have me constantly questioning his motives.  14. Julia: Everybody wants to compare Julia to Sophie Clarke. That doesn’t feel right to me. Sophie is like a grumpy 70-year-old spirit stuffed into a young body. (Note: As the world’s youngest curmudgeon, that’s the highest compliment I can pay someone.) While on the other hand, Julia is super smart, but still feels super young. If the Fans are a youth-heavy group, this won’t be a problem. If Julia has to mix with her elders, it might be.
Read Eddie’s Pre-Game Interview Read Shamar’s Pre-Game Interview
 15. Eddie: I’d love Eddie to win just so I could visit his bar/veterinary clinic in New Jersey. However, he’s going to have a huge target on his back. Not only will he be the first person people are targeting after the merge because of his physique, but…  16. Shamar: OK, stick with me on this one. The “Fans vs. Favorites” concept screams for tribe swaps at some point. That’s bad news for the dominant challenge forces on the tribe that is down numbers. If you end up on a new tribe and are outnumbered, you’re going to be the first target. Eddie and Shamar should ask Tyrone Davis and Aaron Reisberger how that worked out for them.
 Read Phillip’s Pre-Game Interview Read Matt’s Pre-Game Interview
 17. Phillip: It’s easy to write Phillip off as “That Wacky Phillip.” Anyone who does that is leaving themselves open for a big blindside. Everything Phillip is doing from his pink undies to his ridiculous sneakers to his trademark feather is a calculated maneuver. My problem with this strategy is; he’s making it way harder than he needs to. Just because you were annoying for 39 days on purpose doesn’t change the fact that people had to put up with that annoyance.  18. Matt: Matt’s reason for being this low in the ranking has little to do with him as a person. He’s a super nice guy who seems to have a great life doing something he’s passionate about. However, sometimes people who stand out for physical reasons are early targets. Wendy Jo from “Survivor: Nicaragua” is a prime example of this. She hadn’t said a word to anyone before the game started and yet people were ready to send her packing because of her cowboy hat and boots.
Read Hope’s Pre-Game Interview Read Brandon’s Pre-Game Interview
 19. Hope: It kills me, KILLS me to put a sweet Missouri girl this low on the list, but she just doesn’t strike me as someone who’s going to make any waves this season. Don’t get me wrong, she could still get to the end in the same way Natalie Tenerelli got to the end, but I don’t expect much from her when it comes to gameplay.  20. Brandon: My pre-game interview with Brandon was easily the most uncomfortable moment in my “Survivor” career. He was a just a ball of unbridled energy who would say the first thing that popped into his head. At different moments I wasn’t sure if he was going to hug me or punch me in the face. Add that to his history of breaking down at Tribal Council, and the fact that women will be nervous about aligning with him, and you have my pick for this season’s long shot.

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‘Survivor: Caramoan’ Fave Malcolm: ‘Girls Are More Terrifying Than Guys’

January 23, 2013

Malcolm Freberg (CBS)

I had a chance to sit down with all twenty of the “Fans vs. Favorites” competitors the day before they left for the Caramoan Islands. I’ll be posting exclusive interviews with each contestant every weekday until we get through all of them. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for tons of updates.

Name: Malcolm Freberg
Age: 25
Hometown: Hermosa Beach, CA
Occupation: Bartender
Previous Finish: Malcolm came in 4th place in “Survivor: Philippines”
Memorable Moment: Malcolm allowed Lisa Whelchel’s brother to visit the tribe’s camp. Lisa’s brother promptly told her to vote Malcolm out.

Note: The “Survivor: Caramoan” pre-game interviews are unlike the pre-game interviews we’ve done in the past. Usually, the interviews take place on location, this time they took place in Los Angeles before the players flew out. At this point, all the “Favorties” know is that they’re flying out in the next few days. They have seen each other, but haven’t seen the new players.  They don’t know for sure where they’re going, and they don’t know any of the season’s twists.

Another Note: Since “Survivor: Philippines” hadn’t aired yet, I knew nothing about how Malcolm had performed.

Gordon Holmes: Whenever we go to “Survivor,” me, the press, Probst, we all sit down and we talk about who we like. I liked me some Malcolm.
Malcolm Freberg: My man. Appreciate that.
Holmes: So, you can’t tell me a thing about what happened in the Philippines, which is fine… and don’t do it. I need to stay pure and unspoiled for the Power Rankings.
Freberg: I won’t.
Holmes: When I left the Philippines you were in bad shape. Zane was voted out. You were on a tribe that seemed like it was destined for destruction.
Freberg: (Laughs)
Holmes: So…when I saw your name in the bios, I was super psyched. But, then that elation was followed by immediate depression.
Freberg: Depression?
Holmes: Because seeing your quick return made me think you didn’t win. Also, I’m thinking the reason you were brought back is because you did something super evil or super stupid.
Freberg: (Laughs) You’ll just have to wait and see.

Holmes: You are basically the new Russell Hantz in the sense that you’re going back into the game and nobody knows a thing about you. Is that a benefit or a detriment?
Freberg: I’m the new Russell…plus a foot. I just walked by Brandon Hantz in the hall and he barely scrapes my nipple.
Holmes: (Laughs) We just started and you’re already taking us way off track.
Freberg: (Laughs) It’s a double-edged sword. Because of Russell it’s a detriment because of how notorious he was. Everyone felt more duped because they didn’t have a chance to see him play first. That’s not necessarily the way I’m going to play it, but there’s a stigma that I have an advantage because nobody has seen me play. But, at the same time I’m a complete wild card. There are people out there who have negative stigmas already attached to them for what they did on their seasons. So, when it comes to going with someone you know is going to be a liability versus someone you don’t know anything about. Maybe you go with the wild card in that instance.
Holmes: But sometimes people will take the devil they know over the devil they don’t know. If I’m playing, here’s this kid I’ve never seen play before, and he had to do something to be brought back so quickly.
Freberg: The story I’m going with is I’m coming back because of the wonderful bounce in my hair.
Holmes: No sane person could debate that fact.
Freberg: Now that I have a look at who’s back, I’m not as worried about being shunned. Just because of aspects of the game that are important early in the game. Looking at some of the guys here, not to name names, but they’re not big physical competitors.
Holmes: You can name names, I can’t.
Freberg: OK, maybe you can give Brandon and Erik a little credit, but there are no other big guys. If someone’s going to try to take a hold of this game, they’re going to need to keep me at least a little while. It gives me time to show that I’m not this crazy, egomaniacal, kill-all, destruction strategist like Russell.

Holmes: You’re a huge “Survivor” fan.
Freberg: I am.
Holmes: What do you think the twist is, if there is one other than bringing back guys with amazing bounce in their hair?
Freberg: So, there’s ten favorites back, five guys, five girls. I’d imagine that we haven’t seen another ten. They’re probably not returnees. So, a repeat of season sixteen, Fans vs. Favorites. If that’s the case, more power to me. There were returning players in my season and I know what it’s like for the new people to see people they’ve seen on TV and have to play with them. The aura that’s around them, people get timid around that. People aren’t going to be as aggressive or as confident around people that they’ve seen on TV. You’re just the rookie on the baseball team. It’s your first at bat and you’re having to go against Mariano Rivera. You might be the best stud batter out of college, but you’re going to be nervous going against the veteran.

Holmes: Based on who you’ve seen, is there anyone you want to align with, anyone who scares you?
Freberg: Scares me? Nobody scares me, Gordon.
Holmes: I’m an idiot. Terrible choice of words.
Freberg: Phillip Sheppard and his underwear keep me up at night.
Holmes: See, you’re not a machine, you’re a human being.
Freberg: If he wears those things again…he’s already walking around with a feather. (Laughs) I was hoping maybe he’s a sane guy and we could have a rational conversation, but then I saw that.
Holmes: If that dude doesn’t finish the season with a full headdress I’m going to be so disappointed.
Freberg: I’m going to give him a new feather every day.
Holmes: Off track again!
Freberg: Allies… Strategically, the girls are more terrifying than the guys.
Holmes: Like who?
Freberg: Brenda, Andrea’s pretty smart, Corinne’s terrifying…but she didn’t really do anything strategically, but at the same time, they’re very Type-A girls. Wait, is that a thing?
Holmes: Yeah, you’re thinking of alpha males, but there are Type-A girls.
Freberg: They’re super Type-A girls where it seems like the guys didn’t come out of the gates as dominant on their first season.
Holmes: Knowing that, are you more likely to follow or work with a Type-A girl or lead around some of these guys?
Freberg: I don’t do critical thinking well around pretty girls. I learned that about myself the first time around. So, probably can’t do the girls just because my brain gets befuddled when pheromones start running. So, I’m naturally drawn to go with the guys, but Cochran will turn on you in a second, Brandon…I can’t even discuss Brandon, and Phillip’s crazy. And, Erik…I guess maybe I should align with Erik.
Holmes: What does all of this say about you?
Freberg: I know. (Laughs) What did I do that was so bad?

Holmes: This interview sucks.
Freberg: (Laughs)
Holmes: Seriously, this is really hard to do without knowing what happened in the Philippines.
Freberg: I’m thinking about my answers too, which is much less fun.
Holmes: OK, without getting spoilery, why do you think you were brought back?
Freberg: It can’t just be your looks. It can’t just be because I’m funny.
Holmes: Yes, but that combination can’t be denied.
Freberg: (Laughs) But there needs to be more!
Holmes: As the first Survivor to kill a man during the game, they had no choice but to bring you back.
Freberg: Being the first Survivor to take off his ice skate and stab somebody.

Holmes: Did you learn anything your first time around? Will you do things differently?
Freberg: You have to learn. When you play a football game, you go back and watch the tape. Having done it once, I know I can do certain things well in the game of “Survivor.” There are things I’m not great at. Now there’s no learning curve, especially having just done it. I’m going to hit the beach on day one and know exactly what I’m supposed to start doing.

Holmes: Playing back-to-back seasons took a big toll on Russell. Are you worried that you might not be physically up to it?
Freberg: I’m definitely not where I was the first time I went in, just muscle-mass wise. I only had a few weeks in the States in between seasons. I haven’t been eating healthy at all. It’s basically ice cream and beer. (Laughs)
Holmes: That’s pretty much my diet. I’ve been putting on sympathy weight for you.
Freberg: Appreciate it. But I’ve got cake batter on one love handle and chocolate chip cookie dough on the other and then beer in the middle. So, physically I am not in the same space that I was. But, I’m still in the upper tier as far as physical strength goes. But, part of the game is turning your strengths into weaknesses. At some point being strong is a weakness. If I can get really broken down for a few weeks, maybe that’s a move I pull out of my belt. Maybe it’s a feint I use a couple of weeks into the game

Holmes: I’m going to say something that’s probably going to break your heart.
Freberg: Oh no…
Holmes: Which is a shame.
Freberg: Because I have a fragile heart where you’re concerned.
Holmes: I’m aware. You’re human. When we spoke in the Philippines I said to myself, “If Malcolm does well out there, I’d love to have him do the Power Rankings for Season 26.” And then you went and got yourself cast on Season 26.
Freberg: (Laughs)
Holmes: How does it feel to miss out on the chance of a lifetime?
Freberg: I love the Power Rankings. Dawn just won.
Holmes: Dawn cleaned house.
Freberg: I guess I’m going to have to walk out of this interview. A chance at a million dollars is nice, but the chance of winning the Power Rankings… Wait, what do you win if you win the Power Rankings?
Holmes: One year it was a Jeff Probst bobblehead that was painted gold.
Freberg: Tell you what, you promise me a three-foot-tall, gold Jeff Probst statue with a snuffer, I’ll walk out right now. Oh, now she (the CBS Representative) looks nervous.
Holmes: You don’t have back-ups ready if he bolts?
CBS Representative: (Laughs) We’ve got nothing.
Holmes: The lure of the Power Rankings is too strong.
Freberg: It’s like I’m engaged to one girl now, but you’re so much prettier.
CBS Representative: Can’t he do it after this one?
Holmes: I guess.
Freberg: Maybe the magic will be gone.
Holmes: He’s going to be all changed after he’s been featured on national television.
Freberg: It’ll be like your high school girlfriend. She’ll always be your first love, but you’re not the same people anymore.
CBS Representative: But he hasn’t changed.
Holmes and Freberg: Not yet.
Holmes: Come talk to this guy in December when he’s a (expletive deleted).

Don’t miss the two-hour premiere of “Survivor: Caramoan – Fans vs. Favorites,” Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

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‘Survivor: Caramoan’ Fan Reynold Toepfer: ‘You Have to Be Cutthroat’

January 16, 2013

Reynold Toepfer (CBS)

I had a chance to sit down with all twenty of the “Fans vs. Favorites” competitors the day before they left for the Caramoan Islands. I’ll be posting exclusive interviews with each contestant every weekday until we get through all of them. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for tons of updates.

Name: Reynold Toepfer
Age: 30
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Occupation: Sales

Note: The “Survivor: Caramoan” pre-game interviews are unlike the pre-game interviews we’ve done in the past. Usually, the interviews take place on location, this time they took place in Los Angeles before the players flew out. At this point, all the “Fans” know is that they’re flying out in the next few days. They have seen each other, but haven’t seen the returning players.  They don’t know for sure where they’re going, and they don’t know any of the season’s twists.

Gordon Holmes: Alright, how does a guy who lives in San Francisco become a Tom Brady fan?
Reynold Toepfer: My first job posting was in Boston and I grew up in Ohio with losing teams, the Bengals in particular. And then I went there and worked with all Pats fans and drank the Kool-Aid. And, I have a respect for the game, I played. And I think he brings out the best in everyone around him. So many different rosters and he keeps winning.
Holmes: What level did you play up to?
Toepfer: High school, and I played rugby in college.
Holmes: Rugby? That’s a tough sport.
Toepfer: Yeah, I was good in Ohio, but then I played overseas in Australia and got my ass kicked.
Holmes: When did you live in Australia?
Toepfer: Let’s see…I’ve been back in the States for two years. So like 2007 to 2010.
Holmes: They have giant spiders there, right?
Toepfer: Yeah, but they don’t bite you. The huntsman spider, it’s big, it’s hairy, it’s the size of my hand.
Holmes: Screw that.
Toepfer: It’s the little ones that will kill you. The little brown and black ones.

Holmes: Why do you think they picked you to play?
Toepfer: I’ve always been told that I have an energy about me. I was recruited, Lynne found me on the street. I’m a big believer in fate and destiny and things like that. I was watching Season 2 when I was in high school, I was too young to send in a video. And, I was watching Colby Donaldson and I was like, “God, I could be that guy.” And I really could feel this connection. I was like, “That’s going to be me one day, but not yet.” I lived my life, I went to Boston, I went overseas, I traveled Europe, and I lived my life very happily and very fully. And I got spotted in LA.
Holmes: Just off the street?
Toepfer: Just off the street. It was one of those LA stories.
Holmes: For someone like yourself who believes in fate, that’s exactly how it would happen.
Toepfer: It was kind of magical, you know? It was meant to be. So I feel very comfortable.

Holmes: Let’s talk about your gameplay. How comfortable are you lying to people?
Toepfer: I’m not that comfortable lying. But, I have a slew of ex-girlfriends that would tell you otherwise. So, maybe I’m in denial about it. I come from a Midwestern Ohio upbringing. My dad is very big on honesty. So, it was funny talking to them about the game. My dad was like, “Be honest, no lies!” And my mom was like (whispering), “You’ve got to do whatever you’ve got to do.”
Holmes: (Laughs) So you have the cartoon angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other.
Toepfer: (Laughs) Yeah, and I’m really a hybrid of the two of them. My mother is a little more cutthroat and my father is a little more old fashioned.
Holmes: How do you feel about being lied to?
Toepfer: It’s a game. I think some people have made it personal, which I’m not cool with. Colton (Cumbie) was making personal attacks and there’s no need to go there. I will never go there. That’s where I draw the line. But as far as lying to play the game and win the game? I’m OK with that. That’s what we all signed up for.
Holmes: The only time lying bothers me in the game is when it doesn’t serve a strategic purpose. I think of “Heroes vs. Villains” where it seemed like Russell Hantz was riling people up without a real purpose behind it.
Toepfer: Saying, “We’re going to be the final two” to people that didn’t even fit his strategy. It was like this shotgun approach of just saying it to everybody. And a huge difference between he and I is that I would only do it for purpose and I’d get no enjoyment out of it. I’m not the “he he he, I really got you” type. I’m going to be more conflicted. I’ve formed a relationship with this person, but this is what I’ve got to do.
Holmes: Is there anything about your personal life that you feel you need to conceal?
Toepfer: No, I’m in sales and I’ve found that in sales people can smell honesty. So, even if I say, “I don’t have the best product, but here’s where I can help you.” People like that better. They like real. And I think the real me is a character that I would create to win this game.

Holmes: You’re a handsome gentleman, if you don’t mind me saying.
Toepfer: Thank you. But, I’ll be on TV looking my worst. (Laughs)
Holmes: Hey, some people get on that show and look better.
Toepfer: I know!
Holmes: Like Christina (Cha)? On day 30-whatever she was looking good.
Toepfer: I know. Chelsea (Meissner) was looking good too.
Holmes: We’re way off track here. My question was, are you OK flirting to get ahead?
Toepfer: Yeah, and I’ve been accused of being a flirt. It’s just my nature. And I do it playfully, usually in regular life without seeking anything. It’s fun.
Holmes: Is there a girlfriend or wife at home?
Toepfer: No wife. No girlfriend…well…it’s complicated.
Holmes: Is there anyone who’s going to be pissed off if they see you flirting?
Toepfer: Probably. But…not really. I don’t know. It’s not enough to stop me. She’d be all about me winning the game.

Holmes: You lived in Australia for three years. Did you take the opportunity to camp out, rough it a little?
Toepfer: Yes, but not to the extent of what I’m about to experience.
Holmes: Few people do.
Toepfer: (Laughs) Yeah.

Holmes: If there is a twist, what do you think it will be?
Toepfer: You’re thinking, one world, one camp, boys vs. girls, heroes vs. villains… I don’t know. All I know is that they’re wildly unpredictable. And within your strategy, you need to be planning for them to turn it on its head. Anytime you think you have the game under your control, they’re going to do something. I have no idea what it is, and I’m not going to try to guess because it will only screw me up.
Holmes: That’s a good attitude to have. One day you’re perfectly comfortable and the next Jeff is handing you a new buff. The person you were a jerk to could be part of the new dominant alliance.
Toepfer: Absolutely. So, it’s a juggle. Alliances are a necessary part of the game, but you’ve got to do your groundwork with the people who aren’t in your alliance.
Holmes: But, you can’t be too obvious about it or your alliance won’t trust you.
Toepfer: Yeah, I know.
Holmes: The game has gotten so complicated.
Toepfer: But a good defense there is, “We’ve got to play the game, we’ve got to keep up appearances. You should be doing it too.”
Holmes: Seems like you’ve been mentally preparing for this.
Toepfer: My biggest fear is being voted out first because they want to blindside someone who looks like a strong character.
Holmes: I don’t know, I feel like it’s tough to be voted out first. Now watch, you’ll be voted out first.
Toepfer: Yeah, thanks!
Holmes:  There’s almost always an obvious first person to target. Either they’re annoying or a big challenge liability. You’re a young guy in good shape, that’s very valuable to a tribe.
Toepfer: I feel like it’s a bit of an insurance policy until the merge. And then by then, I hope I have enough of a social game to carry me. It’s a fascinating game. It’s not like with Colby where you can be honorable. You have to be cutthroat and keep your head on a swivel.

Holmes: What are your first impressions of your castmates?
Toepfer: I like them. I like people. I like different types of people. I think they threw out some grenades in the form of beautiful women that I’m going to have to be careful around. But, I’m excited to meet them. I think that’s part of the fun of the game.
Holmes: What do you think their first impressions of you be?
Toepfer: I think I have my work cut out for me. I’m a bit over the top. I’m a big guy, I create a lot of presence. Like in the finals week in LA I was an embellished version of myself.
Holmes: What were you doing?
Toepfer: I was showing off in the pool a bit.

Holmes: What’re you going to do with that phat million-dollar check?
Toepfer: Being completely honest, I’m a minimalist. It doesn’t take much to make me happy. I live in San Francisco and that’s expensive. So, this will help alleviate some of that pressure. But, the most important thing to me would be to spoil my parents.
Holmes: Especially if you had to lie and upset your father.
Toepfer: Exactly. (Laughs) He’ll change his mind when he’s on a boat on the Mediterranean drinking some nice wine.

Don’t miss the two-hour premiere of “Survivor: Caramoan – Fans vs. Favorites,” Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

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‘Survivor: Caramoan: Fans vs. Favorites’ Cast Revealed

January 11, 2013

'Survivor: Caramoan' (CBS)

The cast list for the 26th (26th?!) edition of “Survivor” was announced by CBS early this morning. The new season, which premieres Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 8 pm ET, will feature a tribe of ten fans squaring off against ten of the show’s recent favorites. Included in this list are…

•    Two players from “Survivor: Redemption Island” who have a major grudge.
•    Two players who paid the price for giving away immunity at Tribal Council.
•    One of the show’s most notorious female villains.
•    Three former “Survivor” Power Rankers.

Quick Note: I had a chance to sit down with all twenty of this season’s competitors the day before they left for the Caramoan Islands. Starting next Monday I’ll be posting exclusive interviews with each of them. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for tons of updates.

Name: Andrea Boehlke
Age: 23
Hometown: New York, NY
Occupation: Entertainment Host and Writer
Previous Finish: Andrea came in 5th place in “Survivor: Redemption Island”
Memorable Moment: Andrea is the only woman to ever come back from Redemption Island.
Fun Fact: Andrea loves unicorns more than you love anything.
Name: Brandon Hantz
Age: 21
Hometown: Katy, Texas
Occupation: Chemical Disposal
Previous Finish: Brandon came in 6th place in “Survivor: South Pacific”
Memorable Moment: Brandon was voted out immediately after giving his immunity idol to Albert Destrade.
Fun Fact: A Hantz has appeared in five of the last eight seasons of “Survivor.”
Name: Brenda Lowe
Age: 30
Hometown: Miami, FL
Occupation: Paddleboard Company Owner
Previous Finish: Brenda came in 10th place in “Survivor: Nicaragua”
Memorable Moment: Brenda is the very first person to wield the awesome responsibility of the Medallion of Power.
Fun Fact: Brenda choreographed the dance the La Flor tribe did on their way to their first immunity challenge.
Name: Corinne Kaplan
Age: 33
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Pharmaceutical Sales
Previous Finish: Corinne came in 7th place in “Survivor: Gabon”
Memorable Moment: Corinne’s final Tribal Council speech to Jessica “Sugar” Kiper is a close second to Sue Hawk on the list of all-time most shocking finals moments.

Fun Fact: Corinne Kaplan was my original pick for the dream returnee “Survivor” Question of the Week. But, I didn’t want to ruin the surprise.
Name: Dawn Meehan
Age: 42
Hometown: South Jordan, Utah
Occupation: English Professor
Previous Finish: Dawn came in 10th place in “Survivor: South Pacific”
Memorable Moment: Dawn won an immunity challenge for the Savaii tribe by outlasting Stacey Powell in an impressive weight-holding challenge.

Fun Fact: Dawn is the most dominant Power Ranker in XfinityTV history, having defeated myself, Jim Rice, Sophie Clarke, Christine Shields-Markoski, and a “Survivor” Hall of Fame Coffee Mug.
Name: Erik Reichenbach
Age: 27
Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA
Occupation: Comic Book Artist
Previous Finish: Erik came in 5th place in “Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites”
Memorable Moment: Erik was voted out shortly after giving his immunity idol to Natalie Bolton.
Fun Fact: Erik is the only person to ever go from being a “fan” to being a “favorite.”
Name: Francesca Hogi
Age: 38
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Occupation: Attorney
Previous Finish: Francesca came in 18th place in “Survivor: Redemption Island”
Memorable Moment: Francesca’s opening-scene comment that the returning players were “sizing us up like prey” may have led to her early elimination
Fun Fact: Francesca is the first person to return to the show after being voted out first.

Name: John Cochran
Age: 25
Hometown: Washington, DC
Occupation: Harvard Law Student
Previous Finish: Cochran came in 8th place in “Survivor: South Pacific”
Memorable Moment: Cochran’s jump from Savaii to Upolu was his season’s pivotal event.
Fun Fact: Cochran is the only person in the history of the world to successfully give himself a nickname.
Name: Malcolm Freberg
Age: 25
Hometown: Hermosa Beach, CA
Occupation: Bartender
Previous Finish: Malcolm came in 4th place in “Survivor: Philippines”
Memorable Moment: Malcolm allowed Lisa Whelchel’s brother to visit the tribe’s camp. Lisa’s brother promptly told her to vote Malcolm out.

Fun Fact: Since the other Favorites hadn’t seen “Survivor: Philippines” before they left for “Survivor: Caramoan,” none of them knew who Malcolm was. One of them even thought that he was a lighting grip or a camera man.

Another Fun Fact: Before “Survivor: Philippines,” Malcolm told me that the former Survivor he’d most like to align with is Corinne Kaplan.
Name: Phillip Sheppard
Age: 54
Hometown: Santa Monica, CA
Occupation: Chief Executive Officer of Enter Software Sales
Previous Finish: Phillip came in 2nd place in “Survivor: Redemption Island”
Memorable Moment: Phillip’s feud with Steve Wright made for some uncomfortable times around the Murlonio campfire.
Fun Fact: Phillip listed Cochran and Andrea as two of the players he is most like.

Name: Alexandra “Allie” Pohevitz
Age: 25
Hometown: Oceanside, NY
Occupation: Bartender/Nanny
Fun Fact: Allie sent in her “Survivor” audition tape at the last possible moment.
Name: Edward “Eddie” Fox
Age: 23
Hometown: East Brunswick, NJ
Occupation: Firefighter/EMT
Fun Fact: Eddie intends to use the money to pay off school loans, buy a house, and open a bar that offers healthcare care for dogs.
Name: Hope Driskill
Age: 23
Hometown: Jefferson City, MO
Occupation: Recent Graduate of the University of Missouri
Fun Fact: Hope is a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, just like “Survivor: Nicaragua” winner Judson “Fabio” Birza.

Another Fun Fact: Cardinals fans are the world’s best people.

Yet Another Fun Fact: Hope named Andrea Boehlke and Brenda Lowe as former Survivors that she is most like.
Name: Julia Landauer
Age: 21
Hometown: Stanford, CA
Occupation: Racecar Driver/Student
Fun Fact: Things that drive Julia crazy; shoelaces that aren’t the same tightness, tan lines, and wall hangings that aren’t even.
Name: Laura Alexander
Age: 23
Hometown: Washington, DC
Occupation: Administrative Officer
Fun Fact: Laura grew up in the same town as “Survivor: All Stars” winner Amber Brkich Mariano.

Another Fun Fact: Laura named Brenda Lowe as a former Survivor that she is most like.
Name: Matt Bischoff
Age: 38
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Occupation: Brand Manager of Two BMX Brands
Fun Fact: Matt has a back tattoo that needs to be seen to be believed. It’s a thing of beauty.
Name: Michael Snow
Age: 44
Hometown: New York, NY
Occupation: Event Planner
Fun Fact: Michael considers himself to be someone who will say what’s on his mind, but won’t be a blabbermouth.

Name: Reynold Toepfer
Age: 30
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Occupation: Sales
Fun Fact: Reynold doesn’t think he’s good at lying, but he thinks he might have some ex-girlfriends who disagree.
Name: Shamar Thomas
Age: 27
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Occupation: Iraq War Veteran
Fun Fact:Both Shamar and his mother served in Iraq at the same time.

Another Fun Fact: Shamar earned national fame with his “One Marine vs. Thirty Cops” YouTube video.
Name: Sherri Biethman
Age: 41
Hometown: Boise, ID
Occupation: Fast Food Franchisee
Fun Fact:Sherri owns two Wetzel’s Pretzels, two Jimmy Johns sandwich shops, a Cinnabon, and a Haagen Dazs.

Another Fun Fact: Sherri named her son after “Survivor: The Australian Outback” runner-up Colby Donaldson.

 

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‘Survivor: Philippines’ Power Rankings: Round Eleven

December 4, 2012

'Survivor: Philippines' (CBS)

XFinityTV is blowing up their coverage of “Survivor: Philippines.” Every Tuesday I’ll be squaring off against “Survivor: One World” favorite Kat Edorsson in this season’s Power Rankings challenge. Every Wednesday briefly after the show we’ll have a full episode recap and every Thursday we’ll have an interview with the latest eliminated player.  Follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for all the updates!

The Rules: Each week Kat and Gordon will create separate Power Rankings. The ranking of the person who is voted out of the next episode will determine the number of points the two players will earn. For example, if Malcolm is voted out this week, Kat will receive 5 points and Gordon will receive 4 points. The person with the most points at the end of the season will be crowned the ‘Survivor: Philippines’ Power Rankings champion!

Last Week: Kat’s still cutting down on what was once a monster lead. She had Penner in spot six while I had him in spot five. So, the current score is Team Kat: 122, Team Awesome Thunder: 123.

Set Your DVR to Record ‘Survivor: Philippines

Kat’s Current Score: 122

Any advice for Kat? Drop her a line on Twitter: @KatEdorsson

Gordon’s Current Score: 123

Any advice for Gordon? Drop him a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
 1. Michael: This could be a long shot but “Survivor: Philippines” is anyone’s game right now. And today, just because Skup’s got seven kids, I’m picking him for the win this week! I know, I know, I know… but what do you want from me? I have too many favorites! We have powerhouses playing in this game right now and it could go any which way. Skupin is a veteran, and since he’s the only one left he can definitely swing votes. For crying out loud, give it to the man! He’s playing a great game and I love how everyone has forgotten he can be a potential threat to this game.
  1. Denise: Sooo…the only thing standing between Denise and the money is her buddy Malcolm. She’s got to get rid of him, hopefully in a way that doesn’t kill her jury chances. Now, she can’t do it now because we’re at even numbers. But, he has an idol and I think final five is the last time he can use it. Even worse, Lisa is not cool with breaking her word and as she goes, so goes Skupin. So now the only shot to send him packing is at final four? The more I look at this, the more I think Malcolm is the champ.
 2. Denise: She’s just incredible and I love watching her. I don’t want to keep repeating myself because everyone knows I am a Denise fan, but I believe she has what it takes to make it to the final three. Naturally, this is really anyone’s game and depending on who wins immunity, decides who will stay and who will go home.
  2. Lisa: Oh Lisa… I love you. Jo and Tootie should be very proud of you. You’re a fantastic person, but this game clearly is not for you. Everyone who signed up to participate in this fiasco knew they were going to be lied to at some point. Don’t get me wrong, honesty can work in your favor, but the wishy-washy crying probably isn’t earning you any brownie points.
 3. Lisa: Lisa would be final-three gold! She will be clueless to how she got there and it’s going to be an outer-body experience for her. But, that is what happens when you’re final-three gold. The family visit is coming up and I am so excited to see her interact with her family because you can tell she needs a hug from a loved one to keep her sanity in this game.  3. Michael: Nobody was more psyched than I was when it was announced that Skupin was coming back. He’s been a ton of fun to watch and he’s destined for at least the final four. Sadly, the end story for “Survivor: Philippines” won’t be a phoenix rising from the ashes with a million-dollar check In his beak. There are just a few too many broken alliances in his wake for that to happen at this point. Unless…what if he can get Denise to be the main reason Malcolm’s torch meets the business end of a snuffer…?

  4. Abi-Maria:  Give it up to this girl!!! Yes, it’s happened; I’m an Abi fan! How did this happen you might ask? Did you see last week’s episode? This girl #TurnedUp the heat! She played the game and won immunity fair and square and I have nothing but respect for her. I think she has burned too many bridges to ever win the title sole survivor, however I tip my hat to those who give it all they have. When I played I was too delusional to understand the nature of the game, my social game was on point but I didn’t know when to pull back. So, I am happy to see Abi make such a comeback. Did you see how she made up a second clue during the challenge in case she needed to create chaos back at camp? Priceless #Villain
  4. Malcolm: Penner thinks Lisa and Skup’s decision to send him packing was like writing a million-dollar check for Malcolm or Denise. I think he’s right. And between the two of them, Malcolm’s the obvious choice. Booting Malcolm has become a necessity. First, he probably won Abi’s vote last week, which could earn him Pete and Artis’s votes. He’s a Matsing survivor, and he’s a challenge threat. If they don’t stop him soon, they won’t stop him.

  5. Malcolm: With Malcolm’s idol and his dynamic duo still going strong he definitely still has what it takes to make it to the final three. However, did you see the previews? I’m nervous his brother might make a mess of things. Malcolm needs to fly under the radar while everyone still believes Abi and Carter are the biggest targets.  5. Abi-Maria: Umm…I’m starting to kind of like Abi again… My least favorite thing in “Survivor” is when somebody’s number is clearly up and they don’t try to do anything about it. Nobody can accuse Abi of this. Her auction move kept her safe last week and might keep her safe this week. Of course, Penner said that he didn’t think anyone believed her about the idol clue, but she might’ve planted enough doubt that they might split the vote or target Carter first.
 6. Carter:Carter DOMINATES in challenges! Total disadvantage to the norms on the rest of his previous tribes. The man teaches crossfit in case you didn’t know.  He’s a beast! Anywho, without an idol Carter would be the next obvious choice. It would be dumb to take out Abi now when you know Carter’s a bigger threat and he’s not in the final-four alliance, so he is playing this game alone and he’s in it to win it. The only problem is he has a 1-in-6 chance to win immunity or he’s going home.   6. Carter: Carter has one path to victory, and it involves a Lusth-esque challenge run. Is it possible? Of course. Carter clearly has Lusthian skills. Is it probable? Doubtful. You just never know when challenge producer (and foosball superstar) John Kirhoffer is going to make you do something weird like stack tiles or balance balls on a platter. So, when the immunity wins come to an end, so too will Carter’s time on this show.

 

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