‘Survivor’ Hall of Fame 2015 Ballot – Rob Cesternino

December 1, 2015 by

2012 "Survivor" Hall of Fame Inductee Rob Cesternino (CBS)

NOTE: XFINITY TV is the place to go for “Survivor: Second Chance” coverage. We’ll have Power Rankings with “Worlds Apart” faves Jenn Brown and Max Dawson, every Wednesday evening we’ll bring you a recap of the most recent episode, and every Thursday you’ll be able to watch the previous night’s episode and read an interview with the eliminated contestant. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for immediate updates.

The “Survivor” Hall of Fame is proud to have 2012 inductee Rob Cesternino as a member of the Executive Voting Committee. As a member of this exclusive committee, Rob (along with Host Jeff Probst and other “Survivor” luminaries) has accepted an awesome responsibility. The committee’s votes will make up 50% of the final tally for entry into the prestigious Class of 2015. The other 50% will come from “Survivor” fans like you.

Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Second Chance”

EDITOR’S NOTE: If you’re not listening to Rob’s “Rob Has a Podcast,” you totally should be.

Rob Cesternino’s 2015 Hall of Fame Ballot

Once again, I would like to thank the prestigious “Survivor” Hall of Fame for including my ballot in this year’s proceedings.  As an old school representative in the “Hall,” I’ll do my part to nominate some fellow players from the early days into the “Survivor” Hall of Fame.

Tina Wesson – (“Survivor – The Australian Outback,” “Survivor: All-Stars,” and “Survivor: Blood vs. Water”): Tina was the game’s first female winner back in “Survivor: The Australian Outback.”  She approached the game in a much more subtle way than Richard but she was equally as effective.  From the point that Tina pulled Colby away from Jerri’s clutches at the Mitchell Olsen vote, Tina was calling the shots in her alliance and won the second season.  Tina then bounced back from being the first player out in the “All-Stars” to make it to fourth place in “Blood vs. Water.”  In addition, Tina always showed an unbreakable resolve and a positive attitude which has inspired many.  In my mind, she deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

Jerri Manthey – (“Survivor – The Australian Outback,” “Survivor: All-Stars,” and “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains”):  Jerri served as a foil to the sweetness of Tina back in “Survivor: The Australian Outback” and became one of the most polarizing figures in America (not just “Survivor”).  While tame by modern standards, Jerri’s “treachery” made her a transcendent figure in the medium and changed the way all reality shows are cast.  Like Tina, Jerri also has a fourth place finish under her belt in her third season but to me, her legacy is that of “Survivor’s” first female villain.

Rupert Boneham – (“Survivor – Pearl Islands,” “Survivor: All-Stars,” “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,” and “Survivor: Blood vs. Water”): As a student of the game, Rupert isn’t going to inspire Stephen Fishbach to marvel at the next evolution of the game anytime soon but the man is a “Survivor” icon.  While his character may have gotten a little long in the tooth after four stints on the show (maybe three and a cameo), Rupert was so huge at one point that “Survivor” gave him a million dollars for being popular.  No matter who you were, if you were watching “Survivor” in 2003 or 2004, you were probably a fan of the real-life bearded pirate in the tie-dye top and a kilt.

To summarize, it’s not lost on me that all three of my nominees once donned the same yellow buff on Saboga beach during “Survivor: All-Stars.”  In my mind, it would be fitting if Rupert could dig out a nice proverbial place for the three of them to sit in the “Survivor” Hall of Fame (or at least until the tide comes in).

Follow @SurvivorHall on Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates.


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Cast Your Vote for the ‘Survivor’ Hall of Fame Class of 2016

December 1, 2015 by

article2016NOTE: XFINITY TV is the place to go for “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X” coverage. We’ll have Power Rankings with “Kaoh Rong” champion Michele Fitzgerald and “Second Chance” favorite Shirin Oskooi, every Wednesday evening we’ll bring you a recap of the most recent episode, and every Thursday you’ll be able to watch the previous night’s episode and read an interview with the eliminated contestant. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for immediate updates.

Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X”

For the past six years, the “Survivor” Hall of Fame has honored the best and most memorable players in the show’s fifteen-year history.

The Class of 2010 included Parvati Shallow, Russell Hantz, Rob Mariano, Richard Hatch, and Sandra Diaz-Twine…

The Class of 2011 included Cirie Fields, Ozzy Lusth, and Tom Westman…

The Class of 2012 included Amanda Kimmel, Rob Cesternino, and Ethan Zohn…

The Class of 2013 included Kim Spradlin, John Cochran, and Jonny Fairplay…

In 2014, the “Survivor” Hall of Fame took a break to pay homage to some of the show’s best Tribal Councils. And thus, the  “Survivor: Borneo” Final Tribal Council, “Survivor: Micronesia” Episode 13 Tribal Council, and “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” Episode 10 Tribal Council were inducted into the Class of 2014.

The Class of 2015 included Jerri Manthey, Ben “Coach” Wade, and Rudy Boesch….

And now, it’s time to induct three new players into the “Survivor” Hall of Fame…

The Rules
Fifty percent of the vote will be based on the ballots of the “Survivor” Hall of Fame Executive Voting Committee. This blue-ribbon panel will consist of “Survivor” luminaries such as Host and Producer Jeff Probst, current members of the “Survivor” Hall of Fame, members of the “Survivor” press corps, and XFINITY TV’s “Survivor” Loud Mouth Gordon Holmes.

The other fifty percent will come from fans like you.

There are three ways to vote…

Voting will end Friday, December 2, 2016 at 5 pm ET. Only one vote a day per voter will be counted.

Who’s Eligible?
Every former “Survivor” cast member is eligible except for…

  • Current members of the “Survivor” Hall of Fame – Parvati Shallow, “Boston” Rob Mariano, Richard Hatch, Russell Hantz, Sandra Diaz-Twine, Cirie Fields, Ozzy Lusth, Tom Westman, Rob Cesternino, Ethan Zohn, Amanda Kimmel, Kim Spradlin, John Cochran, Jonny Fairplay, Jerri Manthey, Ben “Coach” Wade, and Rudy Boesch.
  • “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X” Cast Members

Once all of the votes have been counted, we’ll unveil the members of the “Survivor” Hall of Fame Class of 2016 in the week leading up to the “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X” finale.

So, cast your vote today. And, follow the “Survivor” Hall of Fame on Twitter and Facebook for up-to-the-minute updates and breaking news.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter at @gordonholmes.

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‘Survivor’ Castaway Stephen: ‘My Pants Were Incredibly Clean’

December 1, 2015 by 


stephen150
“Survivor: Second Chance” (CBS)


I know what you’re thinking, “Hey Gordon, why is Stephen’s exit interview on your personal blog?” Well, there are some technical difficulties with the XFINITY blogs at the moment, so this will have to do.


Did the announcement of the return of the “Survivor” Hall of Fame break the blogs? Possibly.


What I can say is; we might be here for a little while. But that’s OK, cause it’s cozy. So, enjoy this nifty little chat and then be sure to cast your vote for the “Survivor” Hall of Fame Class of 2015.


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‘Survivor: Second Chance’ Episode 10 & 11 Recap: Who’ll Stop the Reign?

				November 25, 2015 by  

				

					
"Survivor: Second Chance" (CBS)


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


Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Second Chance”


Last Week: Joe balanced on a boat, Stephen will get to steal a vote, and Kelly was the name that most people voted for.


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


Let’s take a look at the tribe as it currently stands…


The Orkun Tribe (wearing orange)

Abi – Philippines

Ciera – Blood vs. Water

Jeremy – San Juan del Sur

Joe – Worlds Apart

Keith – San Juan del Sur

Kelley W. – San Juan del Sur

Kimmi – The Australian Outback

Spencer – Cagayan

Stephen – Tocantins

Tasha – Cagayan


Two hours? I shoulda took a nap first.


We kick things off after Tribal and Jeremy is hoping that he can get back into Joe’s good, dreamy graces.


But first, he takes Tasha aside and tells her they couldn’t let her know about the vote to get rid of Wiglesworth. Because…you couldn’t trust her? Bad form.


Joe’s trying to keep his cool. He insists that they make sure the Orkun coven doesn’t get to stick around.


Later that night, the rain starts a pourin’. We cut to the next morning and it’s still coming down. Ciera isn’t worried about the rain, but she is worried that the rain keeps her from strategizing. She’s awesome.


Keith says he’d be willing to sit in the rain for 50 days to win a million dollars. They cut to his old, wrinkly, water-logged feet and I almost lost the Wawa sandwich I had for dinner.


Reward Challenge Time: The tribes will be divided into two teams. The teams will fight over a basketball. The first person to sink a basket gets a point for their team. First team to score three points gets to get out of the rain and enjoy a circus.


No joke, this is the worst rain I’ve seen on “Survivor” since Samoa. It’s just coming down in sheets.


The teams are Tasha, Abi, Joe, Spencer, and Ciera against Jeremy, Stephen, Kelley, Kimmi, and Keith.


Round One: Stephen, Kelley, and Jeremy get the best of Joe, Spencer, and Ciera.


Oy, Kelley learns not to wear a bikini top during a wrestling challenge the hard way.


Round Two: Tasha, Abi, and Joe defeat Kelley, Kimmi, and Keith.


Wow, this is violent. Joe totally stiff-armed Kimmi.


Round Three: Joe, Spencer, and Ciera bested  Jeremy, Kimmi, and Fishbach.


Round Four: Joe, Abi, and Tasha scored against Kelley, Kimmi, and Jeremy to win reward.


That last point was intense. Kimmi clung to Tasha leg and was dragged to the basket before Tasha hit the winning shot.


Tasha will always wag her leg in Kimmi’s face.


We meet up with the winners at the circus, and it is really cool! Fire juggling, pipe balancing, the works!


Ciera sees some youngsters who are the same age as her kiddies and starts to get emotional. She pulls it together and pitches them all working with Kelley to take over the game.


Joe pitches getting rid of Stephen, and Ciera’s all for it.


Back at camp, Kimmi let’s us know that if she can deal with her kid’s health issues, then she can deal with anything. Aww… Good moms tonight.


Stephen tell everyone that Jeremy would be winning all the challenges if Joe wasn’t around. Yeah, that’s exactly want Jeremy wants everyone to forget.


Kelley stokes the anti-Joe fire and it seems like everyone is into it.


Later that night, the rain just keeps on a-comin’. As Stephen is sitting there, his stomach starts causing him problems. He breaks down and has himself a little cry. Well, more of a big cry.


The next day it…is…still…raining. Stephen wishes the sun would come out for fifteen minutes. Instead he gets rain. Apparently God is a Kelly Wiglesworth fan.


Jeremy is worried about Stephen because he thinks he might quit. He’ll never quit. It’d kill his know-it-all cred.


Immunity Challenge Time: Players will balance on a small platform while balancing a ball against a block of wood. Last person standing wins immunity.


Fun Fact: This challenge was done during “San Juan del Sur.”


Before the challenge gets underway, Probst tells the troops that a construction crew is at their camp and will build them a waterproof shelter if five of them choose not to compete in the immunity challenge.


How do you sleep at night, Probst?


Each person is given two different colored rocks so they can vote. Everybody gives up immunity except for Joe and Keith. Wow. Keith really thought he was in danger?


Joe says he thinks he can deal with the rain. He should’ve said, “I’m not stupid, without that necklace, I’m the just a  handsome juror.”


Alright, we start off and uh…it’s just two dudes standing there for a while. That is until Keith slips up and drops his ball. Joe wins immunity. Surely that necklace is shaped to fit his neck like a memory foam pillow by now.


The tribe returns to camp and the new shelter is pretty awesome. Not only that, but there are cookies! Totally better than getting Joe out of the game.


Politicking starts off with Stephen targeting Ciera. He thinks he’ll be able to work with Kelley and Abi once she’s gone.


Later, Joe tells Ciera, Abi, and others that they’re gunning for Stephen. Apparently Abi has a nickname for Stephen, “Poopypants.” Well, it’s better than “The Wizard.”


Tasha doesn’t like that Ciera is running the show. She tells Spencer, but he still wants to target Stephen.


Joe meets up with Jeremy, Tasha, and Spencer and tells them that Ciera wants them to get rid of Stephen. Joe tells us he wants them both gone, but he thinks Stephen is a bigger threat.


Jeremy thinks it’s a bad move because Ciera doesn’t have loyalty toward anyone.


Spencer sticks to his guns though, saying that Stephen has an advantage and apparently Kimmi in his back pocket. Wait, who the heck is Kimmi?


That night at Tribal, Kelley admits to crying because of the rain.


Stephen says his low point was his severe gastrointestinal distress. Oh, is that the poopy pants?


Ciera was willing to sacrifice for the team in order to get a better shelter.


Tasha thinks the people who stepped out of the challenge were unselfish.


Joe points out that he’d be going home if he didn’t compete in the challenge.


Keith says he stayed in because he was trying to kill the golden boy. “Kill” seems a little harsh.


Stephen has no idea what’s going to happen with the vote. Seconded.


Jeremy agrees that the voting blocs are confusing. Seconded.


Stephen knows the advantage puts a target on his back. He calls it a “disadvantage.”


Ciera doesn’t think they’ve established lines yet.  She also thinks it’d suck if she was blindsided.


Tasha thinks the person who is voted out will have made a million-dollar mistake by sitting out of the challenge.


Voting Time: Abi votes for Stephen and that’s the only vote that’s shown.


Probst tallies and returns. He asks if anyone wants to play an idol and…Jeremy says something as we go to commercial!


Cruel!


We come back and Jeremy busts out one of his sixteen idols for Stephen. Poopy pants is safe!


We’ve got four votes for Stephen, two votes for Ciera, two votes for Kimmi, and the eleventh person eliminated from “Survivor: Second Chance” and the fourth member of the jury is…Ciera.


Wows.


Jeremy tells Spencer he’d do the same thing for him as Ciera makes her exit.


Back at camp, Stephen is blown away that Jeremy saved him. Jeremy tells him that the other players don’t trust him. Stephen swears total allegiance to Jeremy.


Dude, you should name your first-born child “Jeremy.”


The next day, it’s mooooooore rain. And Stephen is annoyed with himself that he didn’t see the vote coming. He’s bummed because he claims to be a know-it-all. False advertising!


Reward Challenge Time: The players will be told a story about Cambodian history. Then they’ll race into the jungle to answer questions. The first person to answer five questions wins a chopper ride to a resort where they’ll be treated to delicious foods.


Best of all? This is being held in the dark. I miss nighttime challenges!


There will also be an idol clue hidden in the answers.


We start off and there isn’t much to describe except for runnin’ and question answerin’.


Keith does his best Rudy Boesch impersonation by getting most of his answers wrong. Hilarious.


Kelley finds the immunity idol clue. Sneaky sneaky.


Spencer is the first to get four answers. There are a few people with three.


Stephen catches up with his fourth.


It’s down to Spencer and Stephen and…Stephen wins it! Who knew being smart could be so exciting?!


Stephen chooses Jeremy and Tasha to go along on his reward. Tasha because he wants to regain her trust, and Jeremy because he sooooo owes him.


Back at camp, Kelley’s clue tells her that the idol is under the shelter. She can’t see under the shelter at night, so she’s going to go for it the next day.


At the reward, the threesome fills up on wings, steak, and other goodies. Much better than a Wawa sandwich.


In the spirit of openness, Stephen tells them that he can steal someone’s vote. He busts out some math and tells them that it’s a three-vote swing.


Tasha points out that Joe has to lose immunity. In other news, water is wet.


At camp, Keith points out that Jeremy, Tasha, and Stephen are a threesome. In other news, the sky is blue.


When Kimmi goes away, the rest of the group starts discussing strategy. Spencer wants to get rid of Stephen. Abi is worried about the advantage bouncing back and eliminating her. She asks Joe to give her immunity. He smartly says, “No.”


They end up agreeing to target Stephen, and if he wins immunity they’ll go for Tasha.


Eventually everyone goes off on their merry way. Everyone except for Abi. This drives Kelley crazy because she wants to swipe that idol.


If you want Abi to leave, tell her to stick around. Doy.


Abi finally goes to lay in the hammock and Kelley makes her move. She snags the idol before anyone sees her.


Immunity Challenge Time: The players will make a tower of blocks and plant a flag using only their feet. First person to complete their tower wins immunity.


Fun Fact: This challenge was also first used in “San Juan del Sur.” It’s the same challenge that was played the day Jeremy was voted out.


We start off and Joe is off to a fast start. #surprise


Wentworth manages to catch up and pass him. Spencer and Keith aren’t far behind.


Joe’s tower collapses just as Probst mentions that he’d be the fifth person to win five immunities in one season. #probstcurse


Spencer takes the lead, but Joe’s not out of it yet.


It’s close, but Spencer manages to pull out the win. Say it ain’t so, Joe!


Back at Orkun beach, Stephen points out that this is the first time Joe has been vulnerable in the game. Well, maybe he’s been emotionally vulnerable.


As soon as Joe leaves to lie in one of his many hammocks, everyone agrees to target him. They decide to use Abi as the fake-out. Oh…she’ll love that.


However, Kelley would rather target Fishbach because Joe is one of her numbers. Yeah, just get rid of Joe the next time he loses immunity.


Later, Abi doesn’t believe that Joe is going to work with Kelley and vote for Fishbach. Spencer tries to assure her to stick to the plan and vote for Fishbach. But, she claims she’s going to make up her mind at Tribal.


Then, Stephen decides he wants to split the votes and use his advantage in case Joe has an idol. He goes to Spencer with this idea and tells him what the advantage is. This freaks Spencer right out.


As it should.


That night at Tribal, Joe hopes that the trust he’s built with people will keep him around.


Abi thinks it comes down to which alliance is most loyal to you.


Tasha doesn’t think the voting bloc is the most effective method going forward. She needs people to lock it in.


Kelley thinks there are alliances because Stephen took Tasha on the reward to mend fences.


Stephen is still worried that he could be on the chopping block.


Spencer is overwhelmed by all of the variables with idols, advantages, and blocs.


As we’re about to vote, Fishbach decides to play his advantage. He chooses to steal Joe’s vote.


Joe thinks “that sucks.” Well, he’s not wrong.


Voting Time: Stephen votes for Abi…and Joe. Wow, so Joe voted for himself. The rest of the votes are secret.


The math is making my brain hurt.


Probst tallies and returns. He asks if anyone wants to play an idol…and nobody does. We’ve got one vote for Joe, one vote for Abi, one vote for Stephen, one vote for Joe, two votes for Abi, two votes for Stephen, and and the twelfth person eliminated from “Survivor: Second Chance” and the fifth member of the jury is…Stephen.


Verdict: Wow…that was a lot to process. Interesting that the two times people have used extra/stolen votes they’ve gone home.


Who’s Going to Win? Everybody on board the Wentworth train! Woo woo!


Power Rankings Results: Jenn and I had Ciera in spot seven. Max’s Blue Collar buddies had her in the first spot. Max and Jenn has Fishbach in spot nine. I had him in spot eight. So, the current score is Team Jenn 116, Team Max 113, and Team Gordon 107.


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

				


				
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‘Survivor’ Power Rankings Round 9: Blue Collar Takeover Edition

				November 25, 2015 by  

				

					
"Survivor: Second Chance" (CBS)


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


Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Second Chance”


The Rules: Each week our three combatants will create separate power rankings. The ranking of the person who is voted out of the next episode will determine the number of points the three players will earn. For example, if Stephen is voted out this week, Max and Jenn will each receive nine points and Gordon will receive eight points. At the end of the season, the person with the most points will be named the “Survivor: Second Chance” Power Rankings Challenge Champion.


Last Week: Jenn had Kelly in fifth place, Max had her in sixth, and Gordon had her in fourth. So, the current score is Team Jenn 100, Team Max 103, Team Gordon 92.




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


A Second Important Note from Max Dawson: Happy Thanksgiving! I’m spending the holiday with a few of my “Worlds Apart” castmates. Here are their thoughts about the remaining castaways…















Jenn’s Score = 100


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




Max’s Score = 103


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




Gordon’s Score = 92


Any questions for Gordon? Drop him a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes













 1. Jeremy: The guy has two idols. Come on. At a certain point it becomes just unfair. 


  1. Ciera: Kelly Remington – Ciera’s playing hard, and she has to because she’s at the bottom. I like that she’s telling people to play, to get real.




Mike Holloway – So many people are not going to see her as a threat until it’s too late. Meanwhile she’s got so much power. Last week Stephen bit into the apple and he basically surrendered his power to her.




Sierra Dawn Thomas – I see Ciera as like Rodney from our season. She’s making a lot of noise and yet no one seems to be that worried about her. You might want to take her to the end, but if you do you might regret it later.

 1. Keith: There are two episodes this week, so I have to keep the people who are most likely to survive two Tribals high in my rankings. So, last week’s vote probably left poor Keith scratching his head. But, if he keeps quiet, he’ll be fine. Now’s the time to take out the big guns.













  2. Keith: Keith is just doing Keith and it’s just fantastic. No one is going to blindside Keith anytime soon. Why would they! He’s great and just cruises on thru the game and I love it.


  2. Jeremy: Mike – Having two idols might seem like a clear path to the end. Right, Gravedigger James? I don’t know how much you can tell from the edit, but we’re seeing the game from Jeremy’s perspective…a lot.


 2. Kimmi: Eliminating Joe’s right-hand woman should send a clear message to the Joe-ga master. Knowing his right hand is ready to make big moves should put Jeremy on high alert. Now’s the time for the Kimmis and Keiths of the world to hang back and let them duke it out.













  3. Spencer: The Survivor gods love this guy. And he’s very smart and also playing super hard. Stephen getting that advantage was the best thing for Spencer, because now the heat is over on the other side of the two.


  3. Kelley: Kelly– She did well with her idol. She played it amazingly.Sierra – She’s not afraid to make a move. The witches are more powerful than the others even realize, and Kelley is a big part of the reason why.
 3. Jeremy: Normally a guy packing two idols would be at the top of my rankings, but things have the potential to seriously break down. If anything, Stephen proving that he’s not willing to let the JTs of the world dominate the game should have Jeremy very concerned.













  4. Tasha: She hasn’t been making any moves really and it’s boring. I want to see more happening, and this late in the game you gotta do SOMETHING if you want to win. I don’t think she has a chance of winning, so she’s not a threat, so she’s not going home. You wanna keep people like that around.


  4. Keith: Sierra– I like where Keith is sitting right now. He’s not causing controversy.Mike – He’s almost forgotten, which is insane because he’s always the one on Joe’s tail in every immunity challenge.
 4. Spencer: With all of the talk of voting blocs and the evolution of the game, Spencer might be the one who’s doing it best. More than anyone else, he can play the “I was on the bottom and scrambling” card at final Tribal.













 5. Abi-Maria: These three girls finally made it happen and stayed safe.
   5. Abi-Maria: Mike– Ugh. Another person who didn’t learn anything from her first season.Kelly – I agree. Is everyone else sick of Abi? To be fair I guess she has toned it down a little bit in the last few weeks.Sierra – But she’s still playing. Despite everything, she’s still in the game. She’s clearly doing something right.
 5. Abi-Maria: Abi is in an interesting position in that she’s the coven member most people secretly want to take to the end. If the main alliance manages to patch things up, they’ll target Kelley or Ciera first.













 6. Kelley: But now people know they can talk their way into anything…


   6. Spencer: Kelly – He’s working hard, because he’s always on the bottom. Mike – That’s one thing I respect about Spencer; he has no quit in him. He’s actively searching for a way to improve his position every week.


Sierra – Strategically he is in a great position.




Kelly – And what he did with Kass? Amazing.

 6. Tasha: Well, it’s never good news when the person you vote for stays in the game. Maybe that means you aren’t as close with Jeremy as you thought you were. How close are you with your former Brainy buddy Spencer?











 7. Ciera: …and that will make everyone paranoid of them.
  7. Kimmi: Mike – Kimmi’s awesome. But she’s not performing well in challenges. I think that’s going to matter with this jury. The days of Sandra not winning a challenge and still winning the game are over. Sierra – She’s playing a safe game, and she’s not a physical threat, so she’s not in any real danger. But in my eyes she hasn’t made the kind of big move that she’ll need to get jury votes.
 7. Ciera: Ciera’s gift is that she can stay alive long enough for a bigger problem to present itself. You think Joe is targeting the coven now? You think Jeremy’s more worried about Ciera than Stephen?













 8. Kimmi: It’s like they don’t even want to feature her in episodes. 


 8. Tasha: Mike – Being on the brains tribe her first season you would think that she would be smarter about her gameplay. I’m just not seeing her display that game intelligence that I saw from her in her first season. Last week she was like Woo. She had no idea what was going on. Sierra – Her alliance is non-existent now. She went from the top to the bottom in a matter of three days. That’s scary. But that’s “Survivor.”
 8. Stephen: Stealing a vote is a lot cooler than an extra vote. However, it’s nothing an idol or two can’t handle.













  9. Stephen: Having an advantage in the game that everyone knows about is like the opposite of having a hidden immunity idol. It makes you dangerous, makes people suspicious, and then they get paranoid and then they vote you out because an unknown advantage is terrifying in this game.


  9. Stephen: Kelly – Fishbaaaach. You don’t cry on “Survivor.”Mike – I get the emotion, because he’s loved this game for so long and wants to win so bad. Yet he doesn’t have a JT who will protect him until the end of the game this time.


Sierra – I love that he’s passionate, but when you’re in the game you don’t want to be surrounded by that. It drives you crazy. I love watching him, but I wouldn’t be able to put up with him out there.

 9. Kelley: I’m predicting that one of two things will happen during the first vote on Wednesday; either the Meat Shield alliance is dead and Joe, Jeremy, and Stephen are targets. Or, the Meat Shields patch things up and go after Kelley.













  10. Joe: There is zero chance in hell that he will not be voted out if he loses. IF HE LOSES. WILL HE EVER LOSE?!


   10. Joe: Mike – Joe is in the absolute worst position in the game. I told him before he went out, “When you get to the merge you cannot go on your winning streak early. You have to let people think that they can beat you.”Sierra – He’s just being Joey Amazing. He’s winning challenges, cooking, keeping the camp running. But he’s not making the relationships he’s going to need to survive a week where he doesn’t have the necklace.
  10. Joe: There’s going to come a day when the immunity challenge won’t involve balancing, or hammock-building, or being handsome. And on that day, Joseph, your number may finally be up.







				


				
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(UPDATED) All 32 Seasons of ‘Survivor’ in One Logo

				November 24, 2015 by  

				

					
multilogoheaderNo kid likes going to the doctor’s office. It’s boring, it’s stuffy, and odds are you’re going to end up getting some kind of gross medication (or worse, a shot!) The only good thing about those check-ups was getting to read “Highlights” Magazine in the waiting room.


Now, I’m sure kids these days have their iPwns and their Nintendo Wii U Xboxes to entertain them. But back in my day, we had to keep ourselves busy with those cool Hidden Picures puzzles.


So, in honor of “Survivor” busting out a special two-hour episode this Wednesday, I’ve decided to try my own twist on those Hidden Pictures puzzles…


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‘Survivor’ Castaway Kelly: ‘Jeremy’s Vote Was a Surprise, That Was Hurtful’

				November 19, 2015 by  

				

					
"Survivor: Second Chance" (CBS)


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


Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Second Chance”


When Kelly Wiglesworth first played “Survivor” fifteen years ago “alliance” was a dirty word, hidden immunity idols didn’t exist, and Spencer was in elementary school.


Things have definitely changed.


I spoke with the original Survivor the morning after her second chance was cut short and asked her about her friendship with Joe, Stephen’s advantage, and Jeff Varner’s infamous conference call…


Gordon Holmes: A popular theme this season is old school vs. new school. Did you enjoy the new-school aspects of the game or were they a little too hectic.

Kelly Wiglesworth: A little bit of both. (Laughs) I felt there were some fun changes in the game. There were some fun challenges. But right out of the gate, instead of getting the necessities squared away, getting shelter, getting fire. It was like, “Nah, let’s not worry about that. Let’s run off into the woods and plot about who we’re going to vote out and get the alliances going.” Within seconds of hitting the beach. That was startling.


Holmes: When you and I talked during the pre-game, I asked if you had any pre-game alliances. You said you didn’t, but Jeff Varner spilled the beans about a conference call you were a part of.

Wiglesworth: I didn’t take it seriously. People were reaching out to me trying to make contact. I was very vague. I’d say, “Let’s see what happens when we get out there.” I didn’t want to make any real pre-game alliances. I didn’t really know anybody. Jeff was somebody that I sort of knew. I’d met him a few times at reunions and charity events.


Holmes: We saw your relationship with Joe for the first time last night. How long had you two been close?

Wiglesworth: We had just met at the merge. We happened to click. We’re similar people with similar interests. We just got along well and had a mutual respect for each other. I guess other people perceived us as sort of a power couple. I heard that term a few times. It even got to the point where we’d have to say, “OK, don’t talk to me today.” Other people were close too. Joe and I were seen as threats in the game, people were very bothered by that.


Holmes: When the vote went down last night, did you have a good idea of who flipped?

Wiglesworth: I figured who it was. I wasn’t surprised. Jeremy’s vote was a surprise, that was hurtful. I was shocked by him. I wasn’t surprised by Spencer or Fishbach or any of the girls. It was a blindside for me. That’s all the rage, the blindside. Everybody loves the blindside. But, when I turned around and grabbed my torch, I did look at Joe. The look said, “Please tell me it wasn’t you. Please tell me you had nothing to do with it. I don’t give a crap about anybody else, but if you did, my heart would literally break.” And my second look was, “Alright dude, you’ve got this. You’ve got to take it now.”

Holmes: I guess you never truly know until you watch it on TV. Was it a relief to get that verification?

Wiglesworth: Definitely. In my heart, I really didn’t think he did. But when you’re out there you never know. One side of you thinks you can trust people, but you don’t really know these people. You only met this dude seven days ago. There’s this second of, “Did someone just really stab me in the back?” But, I didn’t believe he did. Him or Keith. That would’ve made me sad. Kimmi also I knew didn’t have anything to do with it. Tasha didn’t have anything to do with it. The real surprise was Jeremy.


Holmes: What was your plan going forward?

Wiglesworth: I was looking to win immunities. I didn’t feel like I had any other choice than to play the same game I played the first time. Lay low…be cool with everybody. Then win challenges as much as you can. That’s where I was intending to go with it. You hope you can have a strong alliance, but with this season nobody had any loyalty. At the end of the day, if you want to stay in the game you’ve got to have that necklace.


Holmes: What was going through your mind last night when Probst offered the chance for an advantage if you quit the immunity challenge?

Wiglesworth: I was so focused on what I was doing that I wasn’t really listening.

Holmes: (Laughs) Tuning Probst out during challenges is never a bad strategy.

Wiglesworth: (Laughs) I didn’t really get what was going on until it had happened. Spencer and Fishbach were already in the water.

Holmes: What story did Fishbach give when he was asked what his advantage was?

Wiglesworth: He didn’t say anything. We all speculated and he was like, “Can’t tell you.” At least that’s what I heard when I was around. He was like, “Maybe I’ll tell you later.” But the general consensus was that it put a target on him.


Holmes: Alright, word association time. Let’s start with Monica.

Wiglesworth: Fruit.

Holmes: Abi?

Wiglesworth: (Laughs) I don’t know if I can say it.

Holmes: Sure you can.

Wiglesworth: (Laughs) Tension.

Holmes: Chicken. Savage?

Wiglesworth: Mellow.

Holmes: Tasha?

Wiglesworth: Feisty.

Holmes: Jeremy?

Wiglesworth: Confusing.

Holmes: Wentworth?

Wiglesworth: Quiet.

Holmes: Stephen?

Wiglesworth: Funny.

Holmes: Ciera?

Wiglesworth: Games.

Holmes: Joe?

Wiglesworth: Little brother.

Holmes: Kimmi?

Wiglesworth: Mama.

Holmes: Varner?

Wiglesworth: Crazy.

Holmes: Vytas?

Wiglesworth: Talkative.

Holmes: Woo?

Wiglesworth: Awesome.

Holmes:  Keith?

Wiglesworth: Good guy.

Holmes: Shirin?

Wiglesworth: Busy.

Holmes: Spencer?

Wiglesworth: Spinning around in circles.

Holmes: Peih-Gee?

Wiglesworth: Smart.

Holmes: Kass?

Wiglesworth: I…I can’t think of anything for Kass.

Holmes:  Terry?

Wiglesworth: Strong.


Holmes: Has your Second Chance experience changed your opinion of the game?

Wiglesworth: When I first heard about “Survivor”, we didn’t know what the full experience was going to be. I was looking forward to the actual surviving. I really believed people were going to start dropping out because it’s so difficult. I thought people would volunteer to leave or the options to vote out would be more obvious. But, it was much more of a psychological and social game. Knowing that, I was shocked at how that was so much more of a focus. I don’t feel like there was an effort from the new-school players to really try for the survival part. Or try hard in the challenges. It was very, “Let’s focus on someone and get them out.” Why can’t we win a challenge, then we don’t have to worry about that. Let’s worry about it when we have to.


Holmes: One of the criticisms of you game is that you weren’t doing enough strategizing even after losing a challenge. Was that part of the plan?

Wiglesworth: Yeah. I felt like I was one of the biggest targets out there. I had to lay low and be mellow and not try to be as physically strong in challenges. Everyone felt like I didn’t know what was going on and I wasn’t there to play, but that was my strategy. I had to do that.  And later on is when I felt like I was in a position to start making moves. I felt like I was just getting started. I was just getting over my fifteen-year hangover.


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

				


				
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‘Survivor: Second Chance’ Episode 9 Recap: The Witching Power?

				November 18, 2015 by  

				

					
"Survivor: Second Chance" (CBS)


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


Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Second Chance”


Last Week: Stephen made Joe worry, Kelley played her idol in a hurry, and at least Savage made the jury.


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


Let’s take a look at the tribe as it currently stands…


The Orkun Tribe (wearing orange)

Abi – Philippines

Ciera – Blood vs. Water

Jeremy – San Juan del Sur

Joe – Worlds Apart

Keith – San Juan del Sur

Kelley W. – San Juan del Sur

Kelly W. – Borneo

Kimmi – The Australian Outback

Spencer – Cagayan

Stephen – Tocantins

Tasha – Cagayan


The evening’s festivities kick off at Orkun beach immediately after Savage’s outcastin’. Kelley says that she feels betrayed by some people. However, she does not go into specifics.


Later on, Kimmi tells her alliance that they need to get rid of the “witches’ coven.” This is of course referring to Abi, Kelley, and Ciera. Stephen assumes she’s comparing them to the three witches from “Macbeth.” I doubt it, Stephen. Knowing Kimmi, she probably meant from “Hocus Pocus.”


The next morning, Abi catches Joe looking for an immunity idol. Kelley takes this as sign that people are scared and are willing to make moves. Yeah, that or they’ve seen the show before and just want an idol.


Reward Challenge Time: The tribe will be divided into two teams. They’ll use poles to build a staircase. They’ll climb up and work their way through a maze and down a slide. Then, one member will work a key through a series of poles. Finally, they’ll unlock a puzzle that reveals a combination. The first tribe to unlock their chest will receive a trip to the “Survivor” spa.


More spa time for Keith? Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease…


Fun Fact: This is yet another challenge from Cagayan.


OK, we’ve got Tasha, Fishbach, Spencer, Joe, and Ciera on the purple team. The green team is Wiglesworth, Keith, Wentworth, Kimmi, and Jeremy.


Abi was not selected in the pick’em, so she doesn’t get reward. Aww…I hate that rule. Let her bet on the winner!


We start off and the pink tribe jumps off to a huge lead when the green team can’t figure out the staircase.


In fact, the green team doesn’t finish the stairs until Spencer and Ciera are already working on the puzzle.


It’s a blowout, the pink team takes it easily. Remember when Stephen hitting someone else’s target was the most embarrassing challenge moment?


We meet up with the winners at the spa…which is a series of tables in the wilderness. Meh…whatever works.


Ciera immediately starts talking strategy. She points out that anyone who goes to the end with Jeremy will lose. Well, she’s not wrong.


Ciera also thinks Wiglesworth could win. Wait, from season one? She’s back? They should totally show her.


Back at camp, Jeremy sneaks away for an idol hunt. And…he finds himself a clue. Oh man. Thirty more idols and he could have as many as his wife claimed to have!


The clue instructs Jeremy to sneak out at night and find a lantern. He does so and is rewarded with his second idol. Wow.


He says the idol is for his wife…and his kids…and his unborn kid. He starts to get all teary-eyed. I don’t get all teary because I’m tough and strong.


(Gimme a minute.)


OK, the next morning Stephen lets us know that Joe and Kelly are really close and it makes him nervous. He approaches Ciera, Kelley, and Abi and tells them he’ll work with them, but he doesn’t want to tell them what to do. They say they’ll do anything to save their cauldrons. Eventually Wiglesworth’s name comes up.


Immunity Challenge Time: The players will stand on doghouse-shaped rafts in the ocean. As time goes on, they’ll have to move to higher perches on the platform. Last person standing wins immunity.


Quick Aside: Another Cagayan challenge? Oh well, at least it isn’t balls on a disc.


We start off and everyone is hanging tough. Well, that’s until Probst pulls a fast one and reveals a buoy for each player. The first person to touch their buoy will lose their shot at immunity, but will receive an advantage.


Spencer and Stephen dive after it and Stephen wins. Who saw that coming?


The time expires and everyone moves to the top of the platform.


Kelley, Jeremy, Ciera, Kimmi, and Tasha all fall during the transition.


Keith falls in at the ten-minute mark.


After twenty minutes pass, they have to balance on one foot. Kelly can’t make the transition and is eliminated. It’s down to Joe and Abi.


Joe wiggles and wobbles, and Abi hangs in their until her butt starts cramping. (Those were her words.) She falls in and Joe wins yet again.


Alright, it’s time for a Shakespeare trivia immunity challenge.


Back at camp, Kimmi wants the witches to hit the road. She wants to split the votes between Wentworth and Ciera. It’s decided to throw most of the votes toward Wentworth. Boo…


Later, Stephen cracks open his advantage and learns that he gets to swipe a vote from someone at Tribal. During the vote, he’ll have to tell Probst that he wants to use his advantage. He tells us he won’t use it tonight because he doesn’t need to.


Stephen approaches Spencer and Jeremy with the idea of voting for Wiglesworth. Spencer would like her gone from the game, but he doesn’t want to trust the witches.


Note: When I use the term “witches,” I’m using it as a convenient alliance name. I adore all three of those women.


Jeremy trusts Stephen, but he doesn’t trust the Orkun coven. Oh…”Orkun Coven” feels much less offensive.


That night at Tribal, it is pouring. Like cats and dogs…living together…mass hysteria.


I just blew up that metaphor.


Keith is frustrated because the rain makes it hard to concentrate. Stick to the plan!


Kelley says that her idol play made people open to making moves.


Ciera thinks the idol scared people and now they have to play or get played. Joe agrees.


Jeremy states that last week’s nine-person vote was more of a set of voting blocks and not an alliance.


Wiglesworth hopes that everyone is going to do what they said they were going to do.


Spencer thinks the game is evolving because people are flexible with their votes and alliances.


Tasha believes that people still need to have numbers they can trust.


Probst asks who is nervous. A lot of people raise their hands.


Voting Time: Tasha votes for Ciera, Keith votes for Wentworth, Kelley votes for Wiglesworth, and the rest of the votes are lost to the magic of editing.


JPro tallies and returns. We’ve got one vote for Ciera, one vote for Wentworth, one vote for Wiglesworth, one vote for Ciera, one vote for Wentworth, one vote for Wiglesworth, one vote for Ciera, two votes for Wiglesworth, and the tenth person eliminated from “Survivor: Second Chance” and the third member of the jury is…Kelly Wiglesworth.


Verdict: Wow…just wow. This season is full of surprises. I don’t even feel bad for sucking at the Power Rankings.


Now we’ve got Stephen with a vote swipe and Jeremy with two idols. Crazytown.


Who’s Going to Win? That vote probably broke the game wide open. Kelley might have enough room to maneuver and win it. That is, if they can flush Jeremy’s forty idols.


Power Rankings Results: Jenn had Kelly in fifth place, Max had her in sixth, and I had her in fourth. So, the current score is Team Jenn 100, Team Max 103, Team Gordon 92.


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

				


				
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‘Survivor’ Power Rankings Round 8: Wentworth the Wait Edition

				November 18, 2015 by  

				

					
"Survivor: Second Chance" (CBS)


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


Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Second Chance”


The Rules: Each week our three combatants will create separate power rankings. The ranking of the person who is voted out of the next episode will determine the number of points the three players will earn. For example, if Joe is voted out this week, Gordon and Jenn will each receive eleven points and Max will receive eight points. At the end of the season, the person with the most points will be named the “Survivor: Second Chance” Power Rankings Challenge Champion.


Last Week: Jenn had Savage in spot ten, Max had him in spot four, and Gordon’s pinch hitter Gregory McBean had him in spot eleven. So, the current score is Team Jenn 95, Team Max 97, and Team Gordon 88.




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













Jenn’s Score = 95


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


Max’s Score = 97


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


Gordon’s Score = 88


Any questions for Gordon? Drop him a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes













 1. Keith: Keith is up here purely for the best scene I have ever seen in an episode of “Survivor.” That tuk-tuk ride was just great, and pointless, and finally something more than just constant strategy on the show. I love it when the producers show the fun things that happen too, not just all business. Also Keith is going nowhere. Has his name ever even been brought up? No way. Everyone loves Keith. Keith is sticking around.


 1. Jeremy: Andrew: “Jeremy, we need to vote Stephen out. He’s a spineless, lying, amoral, pantywaist. And get this – on day 1 I asked him what his favorite NFL team is and he said he doesn’t have one. What kind of man doesn’t have a team?”

Jeremy: (Swinging in hammock.) “Nah, bro.”

Andrew: “OK. Let’s vote out someone else then. That’s probably a better idea anyway.”

Jeremy: (Continues to swing in hammock.)


 1. Jeremy: So, Jeremy is pretty much running the show. And, if there’s a breakdown around camp he won’t be the first target. Looks like his “meat shield” plan is working. Throw an idol on top of that and this fireman is on fire, man.













  2. Jeremy: Jeremy technically got Savage voted out. Sorta. I mean if he hadn’t nixed the Fishbach idea then Kelley would’ve played the idol for no reason and Savage would still be around. But this shows what a power he has over the groupthink, and he does it subtly. AND HE HAS AN IDOL STILL. Jeremy is just really kicking ass this season. Even if he sucked at this past immunity challenge. And now he knows that Kelley knows where idols are hidden. Maybe he can find a way to use that to his advantage. We shall see.


  2. Tasha: You can divide the remaining Second Chancers into four categories: 1) People who seem dead set on voting out a rival (Stephen, Joe). 2) People who are targets (Abi, Ciera, Kelley). 3) People content to have others tell them whom to vote for (Kelly, Kimmi, Spencer, Keith). and 4) People who the others come to for permission or guidance (Tasha and Jeremy). It’s good to be in category 4.


 2. Keith: If anyone could sneak to the end with two jerks and win based on their personality, it’s Keith. Problem is, are there two people left that people universally despise? Maybe they could bring back the Sprint Player of the Season. I’d love to see the tricked out tuk-tuk Keith could build with $100,000. 













  3. Spencer: This was the first episode I saw that wasn’t like, SPENCER LOOK SPENCER IS ON THE SHOW LOOK AT SPENCER DOING THINGS AND TALKING SPENCER.  So that’s cool that there were other people on the episode. I like Spencer though, I think he’s a good guy and in a good spot right now.


  3. Keith: While I don’t think Keith is really a factor in the game at this point I do think that he is the most delightful human being to appear on American television in recent memory. Keith deserves his own spinoff. My pitch: a show about Keith having new life experiences. In one episode he gets a massage and tries spa food! In another episode he snuggles with a Broadway star! In another he eats a bagel and drives a tuk-tuk. The possibilities are endless.


 3. Kimmi: Hey, Kimmi! You know when Ciera is begging the people on the bottom of the dominant alliance to not settle for fourth and fifth place? She’s totally talking to you.













  4. Tasha: I don’t see her going home this week but I didn’t see much from her this past week either.  She seems to be in an alright spot, but I’m starting to get vibes that people will want to take her to the end for the easy win.


 4. Kimmi: Somehow Kimmi has put herself in the position that I thought Monica would occupy: the quiet and relatively level-headed accessory ally who stays above the fray and off her fellow competitors’ radars.


 4. Kelly: We all had awesome visions of Kelly Wiglesworth returning to right a fifteen-year wrong. Instead, she’s going to be someone’s vote until she’s no longer useful.













 5. Kelly: She won the group reward for everyone! That’s great! She got to be carted around in a tuk tuk by Keith, which may or may not be one of my life goals now. But that’s all we saw from her. I don’t know really where she stands in the alliances, but for some reason no one seems to think they’re on the bottom of the majority. I think she might be (after Joe, of course).
 5. Spencer: I think last week contained the least amount of Spencer of any of the episodes in either of his two seasons. To me that means he is safe for the time being.


 5. Tasha: Joe’s the biggest challenge threat in the game. Then Spencer, then Jeremy and Tasha?













 6. Kimmi: The whole clam thing is still kinda getting to me. Like, definitely don’t eat all the food you have all at once. Don’t do that. Because then later you starve. I think that also rubbed some people the wrong way, and she might’ve pushed some buttons. However we didn’t see much from her this week, and like Kelly, she doesn’t seem to think she’s on the bottom. Again, I think differently.


  6. Kelly: Brett. Kelly. Rick. Carter. Brenda. Wiglesworth? At least let her describe how thin the lox were cut.


 6. Spencer: It’s kind of funny that Spencer is playing the same role he played in Cagayan. He’s voting with the dominant alliance, but he’s not really a part of them. He’s always in danger. That would make a compelling story for a jury…












 7. Abi-Maria: Her comment to Savage made me laugh so hard. So hard. She’s in a bad spot being in the minority but Abi is scrappy AF and always finds a way to not go home. I think that will be the case again this week, but who knows how much longer she can keep it up.  I don’t. I don’t know the future. If I did I think I’d be a lot richer and have a private jet filled with baby tigers.
  7. Ciera: Ciera knows that the Three Amigas’ long-term survival is contingent upon their ability to fan the flames of the Goofus and Gallant rivalry. Expect Ciera to blow on that fire with everything she’s got.


 7. Abi-Maria: Oh, Abi. Your “jury” comment to Savage as he was on his way out was comedy gold. Unfortunately it was also jury management lead.













 8. Kelley: I think what she did was an awesome move. I don’t know why people never split the votes anymore, they should’ve in my season and they should’ve in this situation, but they didn’t and, just like 30, the young blonde chick survives another day. However she is in the minority alliance, and no longer has an idol to protect her. She needs to start looking around challenges ASAP, or make some changes in alliances.


 8. Joe: Gallant makes hammocks for his entire tribe and wins all the challenges and says “please” and “thank you” and paints an amazing merge flag and has fantastic hair.


 8. Ciera: Poor Ciera is starting to sound like a broken record with her “Please, play to win” speeches. But, she’s not wrong. Right now her best bet is to play up the fact that odd votes are the best time to make moves. Maybe she can get Joe, Spencer, and one other person on her threesome’s side.













  9. Ciera: She too is on the bottom of the small alliance of ladies. Tried her damnedest to make some moves, but the boys weren’t budging. Luckily one of her buddies had an idol and… well didn’t do much for Ciera except keep her small alliance the same size.


  9. Stephen: Goofus looks for idols and hits the other tribe’s target and talks about people behind their backs and yawns when his friends tell their meet-cute stories.


 9. Kelley: You killed it last week, Kelley. But, the problem with the idol is it can only be played once.













  10. Stephen: This guy continues to be a target, got caught scheming, and had a wonderfully hilarious reaction to the reward challenge that he didn’t win. I swear this episode was just funny. I really enjoyed it. But back to Stephen. He doesn’t seem to really have a strong alliance, and the “bros” are targeting him after he suggested getting rid of Joe (which literally everyone else probably has too, but I digress).


 10. Abi-Maria: During the pre-merge stage we heard a lot of people talk about bringing Abi to the end as a goat. Most of the people who floated that idea are now on vacation in Vietnam. The players who are left aren’t thinking about goats. They’re thinking about bumping off the opposing alliance.


  10. Stephen: OK, we’re all ready to put this “Stephen returning was a mistake” talk to bed, right? He’s in the thick of it and is one of the five or six people left who are capable of winning. In fact, the only reason he’s this low is because Joe knows he was targeting him.













 11. Joe: Joe is gone the second he loses immunity, there is no way in hell anyone in their right mind would keep him around if they have the chance to get rid of him, not even his alliance. (And hell, now that Savage is gone, the meat shields are dwindling.) I’m just going to keep him down here for the rest of the season I think, because he has to lose sometime…right? RIGHT?


 11. Kelley: Kelley bought herself 3 more days in the game in the most spectacular manner imaginable. But what’s her plan now? Laying low is not an option. Kelley will need to make another big move to survive the next vote.


  11. Joe: The only time you’re safe is when you’re wearing a necklace, Joe.







				


				
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‘Survivor’ Castaway Andrew: ‘We Honestly Didn’t Think Idols Were in Play’

				November 12, 2015 by  

				

					
"Survivor: Second Chance" (CBS)


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


Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Second Chance”


Life isn’t always fair. Neither is “Survivor.”


One minute you’re coasting through with a 40-person alliance and the next you’re flipping the bird to Brazilian dragon.


(That last sentence sounds so weird out of context.)


I spoke to the bird flipper the morning after Kelley Wentworth idol’d him out of the game and asked him about balancing balls, splitting votes, and Joe-adoring daughters…


Gordon Holmes: So, what was the mood like in the Savage household when the “Joe is perfect” story was broadcast to America?

Andrew Savage: (Laughs) The reaction from both of my daughters…here’s the thing…before I left for Cambodia I said to my daughters, Mackenzie and Skyleur, “If I’m on a tribe with Joe, I’m going to tell him that story.” And they both looked at me and said, “Yeah, daddy. We’re OK with that.” And I thought there was a zero percent chance that would make the airwaves. Then, it airs and my daughter’s first reaction was, “Oh my God, Dad. I can’t believe you told that story.” And then my older daughter Mackenzie stepped up and said, “You know what? That’s how I feel about Joe and I’m happy to tell the world.”

Holmes: If it makes them feel better, I’m sure a lot of people feel that way about Joe.

Savage: (Laughs) Exactly. That’s the consensus.


Holmes: Why didn’t we split the votes last night?

Savage: There was a lot of talk about it. In the prior episode we split the vote between Kass and Ciera. And that’s an exhausting exercise. Splitting the votes is dangerous. They can flip against you and you can get  it wrong and folks can go home that shouldn’t go home. What you didn’t see was one of my toes was badly infected. I was pretty sick. And we’re all huddled around and I said, “Can we split the votes?” And others were saying, “Do we have to do that?” And then we started talking about idols. And the reality is, the only two people who knew idols were in play were Wentworth and Jeremy and they didn’t tell a soul. So, Joe and me and Tash, we all spent hours looking for idols. We’re scouring through all the reward challenge stuff. We found nothing. We honestly didn’t think idols were in play. We thought Wentworth wouldn’t see it coming. She’ll think we’re going after Ciera. So, we decided to load up Wentworth and send her home. We’ll live another three days and figure it out after that. I wanted to get Fishbach out at the next one. But we did talk about splitting. And I can’t believe we didn’t split the vote.


Holmes: It was mentioned a few times that the dominant four included yourself, Jeremy, Tasha, and Joe. Was that accurate?

Savage: Yeah, that’s spot on. You don’t see a lot of it, but the four of us were super tight and were running the show. We’re joined at the hip. We had very discreet, quick conversations. And no one is making all of the decisions. We were making them together. It was working so wonderfully. It’s a shame to see it get derailed like that. It was tough for me to watch with my girls, they’re so protective of me. But, that’s part of the reason we love this game. It was brilliant.


Holmes: You were famously a victim of the Outcasts twist that many people, myself included, found unfair. Idols are a part of the game, idols happen. Does it make it easier that you were eliminated by more traditional means this time?

Savage: Yeah. Idols have been a part of “Survivor” history. That’s a known element. It’s totally acceptable. The Outcast twist? If I’d known about it it would’ve been more palatable. I welcome idols.

Holmes: And if those Outcasts had been suffering in some way.

Savage: (Laughs) Yeah! If they would’ve not been in a cabana sleeping on cot with running water and three meals a day. That would’ve been a little different.


Holmes: If the vote had gone your way, Kelley is gone. The next week you try to get rid of Stephen. What were your plans for deeper in the game?

Savage: I’m an old school Survivor, Gordon. So, it was boring. Frankly. We had the majority and we were going to Pagong the rest of them. Wentworth, we wanted Stephen gone. I just didn’t trust him. My gut said he was going to make a huge move and that’d be getting rid of Joe, Jeremy, or me. I was not OK with that. I could see his mind racing. Then Ciera, Abi…and we didn’t have further conversations about final seven or eight.


Holmes: If you’d known that balancing balls on a platform was going to be such a big part of this season…

Savage: If I’d have known I would’ve been practicing all the time. I would’ve been in my backyard with a  ball and a plate for five hours a day. Those challenges are so frustrating because one gust of wind or one twitch of your finger and it’s gone.


Holmes: You and Abi had a tense exchange last night where she made fun of your “making the jury” statement. You responded with one of Kass’s trademark hand gestures. Was there any animosity between you two earlier?

Savage: My relationship with Abi was terrific on Angkor. We were super tight. She was the first one to come to our side. Tash took Abi, I took Varner and Woo. We were going to divide and conquer. It was incredible. So, Abi and I got along really well. She has her issues and she takes things different ways than they’re meant. And that’s OK. Abi and I went a little south on the new Ta Keo tribe when she chose to go with Ciera and Kass and blindside Woo.

Holmes: Kass was wary of you after you told her you didn’t trust her. Did you know that you were almost a target there?

Savage: I didn’t know until Kass’s exit interviews that Kass was gunning for me on Ta Keo but Abi said, “I’m not voting for Savage.” That really touched me. That speaks to what we went through at Angkor. And I love that about Abi. She’s a loyal person.  I have nothing but respect for her. Except for when she snickered at me when I made the jury. That was not from the heart, that was not genuine. Everything was so raw to me. I couldn’t do anything except flip her off.


Holmes: Alright, word association time. Let’s start with Tasha.

Savage: My little sister. Love her to death. Courageous. A wonderful lady.

Holmes: Jeremy?

Savage: A close brother of mine. He’s strong and trustworthy.

Holmes: Joe?

Savage: Like my little brother. I love Joe. He’s a competitor. He’s honest.

Holmes: Woo?

Savage: A close ally. There were things he did with food that made it difficult to trust him.

Holmes: What was he doing with food?

Savage: We won that hero challenge and he ended up sneaking away and taking all the sugar, all the cinnamon sticks, and hoarding everything. It just wasn’t right. On “Survivor” that’s like stealing money from somebody. That rubbed me the wrong way.

Holmes: Abi?

Savage: Loyal, complicated, trustworthy in some situations, and dangerous.

Holmes: Wentworth?

Savage: Good competitor, I just never trusted her.

Holmes: Wiglesworth?

Savage: Honest, great competitor, good friend of mine.

Holmes: Kass?

Savage: Wow…I think of Chaos Kass. That’s a big part of who she is. She denies it this season, but the element of Chaos Kass was always lingering at the surface…ready to pounce. And it pounced a lot more than you saw.

Holmes: Ciera?

Savage: Dangerous. Not to be trusted.

Holmes: Monica?

Savage: Blank. (Laughs) I never really spoke to her.

Holmes: Stephen?

Savage: Decent guy. Great strategist. Not to be trusted.

Holmes: Kimmi?

Savage: Wonderful woman. Big heart.

Holmes: Varner?

Savage: The Jeff Varner you saw the first two episodes? I never met the guy. The Jeff Varner who showed up on the Angkor tribe slept all day. He only left the shelter to go to the bathroom. He had no strategy. He had no nothing. So, I don’t know the Jeff Varner from the first two episodes. So, my gut reaction is that he was a non-entity.

Holmes: Well, at least he left the shelter to go to the bathroom.

Savage: (Laughs) That would’ve been trouble if he hadn’t.

Holmes: Peih-Gee?

Savage: Probably a nice person, but she was mean to me and Tash at Angkor. She treated us like the position we were in, which was the bottom of the list.

Holmes: Keith?

Savage: A very likable, honest fireman. A good friend of mine.

Holmes: Let’s finish with Spencer.

Savage: A brilliant young kid. I’ve got a lot of respect for him.


Holmes: We talked earlier the Outcast twist sticking with you. This season you were on the bottom of Angkor and overcame it, you had that performance in the grueling hero challenge. Did your second chance help you get over Pearl Islands?

Savage: The Outcast twist was b.s. But, I didn’t do enough to overcome it. I had a lot of challenges in my second chance season and I drew upon the pain I had for twelve years, I did everything I could to not let history repeat itself. I didn’t want to let myself down and I didn’t want to let the fans who voted me in down. So, my takeaway is, similar to life, you do the best that you can. And I did the best that I can with who I am and how I’m wired. There are certain things at “Survivor” that I’m not good at. I focused on my strengths and I take away a lot of pride.


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

				


				
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