survivor | More Whatnot

Posts Tagged ‘survivor’

‘Survivor’ Sierra: ‘(Tony’s) Already Been Jumping Out of Bushes at Ponderosa and Scared the $%#* Out of Me’

February 9, 2017

Sierra Dawn Thomas (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: The good folks at XFINITY sent me deep into the Fijian wilderness to bring you an exclusive look at “Survivor: Game Changers.” While I was there I conducted interviews with “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and the entire 20-person cast. I also captured exclusive photos and other behind-the-scenes tidbits. So, be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

Name: Sierra Dawn Thomas
Age: 29
Hometown: Roy, UT
Previously Played On:
“Survivor: Worlds Apart” – Finished 5^th and Jury Member
Best Known For: Receiving the worst apology ever from Dan Foley.

Gordon Holmes: You’re a professional barrel racer.
Sierra Dawn Thomas: Yes.
Holmes: What do you do with the barrels once you catch them?
Thomas: (Laughs) Funny.
Holmes: And is that the first time you’ve heard that joke or like the hundredth?
Thomas: The hundredth. (Laughs)

Holmes: You are a member of the Dirty 30. (That’s the nickname for the “Worlds Apart” cast.)
Thomas: Yes I am.
Holmes: They are the worst.
Thomas: What?! They’re the best ever! My friends!
Holmes: What advice did they give you?
Thomas: Max, Tyler, Joe, and Mike…they all gave me really good advice. They said to play the same game I played before, but I need to make a move. People are going to love you, they’re going to want to keep you around. But, you’re going to have to do something if you want to win. I learned a lot about myself the first time. I learned what I’m capable of and what I can do. So, I’m really excited to do something big.

Holmes: Now, I’m told that Jeff Probst already told everyone that the theme is Game Changers.
Thomas: Right.
Holmes: How did you change the game?
Thomas: I think I changed the game in “Worlds Apart” because I wasn’t a loud player. I wasn’t rambunctious and all over the place. Sometimes the people who sit back are the ones you have to worry about. I played more of a quiet game. And the things that I did do went unseen. And I’m OK with that because it got me far. Now I’m going to have to do something…

Note: At this point in the interview a giant bug dive bombed Sierra’s head.

Thomas: Whoa!
Holmes: Yikes.
Thomas: I lost my train of thought.
Holmes: Now you’re going to have to do something…
Thomas: Oh, that people will appreciate.
Holmes: That thing was the size of a golf ball.
Thomas: (Laughs) Oh man.

Holmes: What are your thoughts on this cast?
Thomas: I think they’re amazing. When I first saw them I started giggling. I have no idea. I’m scared of them. I’m excited. I want to play with them. There are so many different emotions. And they’re gamers. I’m going to have to come out playing from day one.

Holmes: Is there anyone you’re looking forward to working with?
Thomas: There are a lot of guys I’m looking forward to working with. Granted, I get along with guys better than girls usually. But Troyzan, Ozzy, Malcolm, those big players…I want to play with them.
Holmes: Malcolm dated So from your season. Have you and he had any interactions prior to this?
Thomas: Like game talk? No. I know Malcolm from him dating So. I spent a lot of time with those two. But, we’ve never really talked the game.
Holmes: What’s your relationship like with Hali?
Thomas: Pretty much like it was in the game; non-existent. (Laughs) I love the girl. I think she’s gorgeous, sweet, all of the above, but we don’t communicate.

Holmes: Do you have any early targets?
Thomas: No, honestly. There are people that I don’t want to make it to the end, but I might need them in the beginning.

Holmes: Alright, I put together an exercise to help you out. Cause you’re part of the Dirty 30 and that’s one of my seasons.
Thomas: Aww…that’s so sweet.
Holmes: Like, super sweet. OK, we’re going to play a game called, “The Best Defense.” I’m going to give you a reason that someone might use to get rid of you, and you have to defend against it.
Thomas: Got it.
Holmes: OK, Sierra was always on the verge of making a switch in “Worlds Apart” but she never did. So, I’m worried that she’s a little wishy-washy and we can’t trust her.
Thomas: But I was loyal. I could’ve stepped away from people who treated me like (expletive deleted), who were awful to be around, who almost sent me home. I stuck to my tribe, I stuck with the people I was first with all the way to the end. That says a lot about my loyalty.

Holmes: Sierra is very likable. I don’t want to sit with her at final Tribal. We’ve got to get her gone.
Thomas: (Laughs)
Holmes: Get her gone. That just came out of my face.
Thomas: (Laughs) That’s something I would say. Yeah, but the nice person usually doesn’t win “Survivor.” If I get there just by being nice, I’m not going to win. Usually it’s people who do these big things and are kind of mean.

Holmes: Sierra flew under the radar last time. I don’t want her flying under the radar and winning this thing because she didn’t get any blood on her hands.
Thomas: It’s better to have somebody there that you can rely on and trust than somebody who is wild and out of control and causing a scene and making you nervous. You can confide in me and feel comfortable.
Holmes: OK, I’ll keep her around.
Thomas: Yes!
Holmes: How do you feel? Prepared?
Thomas: I do now! But, I feel so weird defending myself. I’m never good at it and I know I need to be.

Holmes: You’re about to face seventeen people you know and two people you don’t. When you have unknown commodities like the two people from Season 33, how do you handle them?
Thomas: I know how everybody plays, but they’re probably going to play differently. So, those two are no different than anyone else. I’d love to have seen how they played, but your true character comes out really quickly when you’re out there.

Holmes: There’s always talk of pre-game alliance in returnee seasons. Are you a part of one? Have you heard of anyone else starting one?
Thomas: I have one. I wish I had more. Although, I think when you get out there they can fall apart. But, me and Troyzan have…from what I would like to believe…a very good alliance.

Holmes: You’re in lockdown now. You’re not allowed to talk, but there is smiling, winking, etc. Have you been doing any of this?
Thomas: Absolutely. I can’t help but be giggling. I look at people and I can’t stop laughing. There’s winks, there’s smiles. There are little whispers. We all know each other, so it’s hard not to interact. The bumps, Malcolm has been bumping into me.
Holmes: You need to knock that (expletive deleted) over.
Thomas: I’m going to. Stick my foot out next time and trip him.
Holmes: Have you caught anyone interacting with anyone else?
Thomas: Yeah, but when I do hear them talking, it’s not about the game.

Holmes: There are four people from “Kaoh Rong.” Is that a concern?
Thomas: Absolutely. They can say, like I say with Hali, that they have no relationship, but four people? That’s scary. We need to look at that.

Holmes: If there is a twist, any predictions as to what it could be?
Thomas: Oh my gosh, I think there is going to be a (expletive deleted) ton of twists. I feel like there might be a challenge on day one. I think it’ll be full of twists.

Holmes: Alright, I’m going to name a twist. You tell me if it’s awesome or awful. Hidden immunity idols.
Thomas: Awesome.
Holmes: Redemption Island?
Thomas: Awesome.
Holmes: Exile Island?
Thomas: Awesome.
Holmes: The Medallion of Power.
Thomas: Awful.
Holmes: Extra votes?
Thomas: I don’t like that one. Awful.
Holmes: Stolen votes?
Thomas: Awful.
Holmes: Eliminate a juror?
Thomas: I think that’s awesome.

Holmes: You were on Dan Foley’s season where he had that trainwreck of a reunion with Probst.
Thomas: Oh, My…lanta.
Holmes: The way they were able to call him on something he claimed never happened, does that make you a little more wary of the cameras?
Thomas: You know, in life I try to do that. I try not to upset too many people. It’s unfortunate what happened with Dan. He’s a great guy, but you have to watch what you say and do. You have to take some responsibility for your actions.

Holmes: Alright, I have a deck of cards with eighteen faces on them. The two players from Season 33 are not included because we don’t know anything about them. I’m also going to take this barrel racer out of the deck…
Thomas: Aww…she’s so cute.
Holmes: She’s adorable.
Thomas: (Laughs)
Holmes: Because that’s how a grown adult wants to be described.
Thomas: (Laughs) No, that means you’re semi-ugly.
Holmes: So cute.
Thomas: So cute.
Holmes: I’m going to hand you three cards at random. You tell me who is first out, who will you work with but eventually eliminate, and who will you take to the end?
Thomas: So, it’s kind of like (expletive deleted), marry, kill?
Holmes: Just like that.
Thomas: (Laughs) I thought that’s what we were doing!
Holmes: It’s a PG version of that.
Thomas: (Laughs)

Round One: Tai, Debbie, and Malcolm
Thomas: First out…(expletive deleted) (expletive deleted) (expletive deleted) is Malcolm. He’s such a competitor. Can I take it back?
Holmes: Do what you’ve got to do.
Thomas: OK, first out is Debbie because I don’t think she’s going to like me. I just don’t think as women we would get along and I don’t think I could trust her and her many occupations. I’ll work with Tai. He’ll love me and we’ll get along. And I’ll take Malcolm to then end because I love him. He’d probably win. (Expletive deleted)
Holmes: You’re very bad at this.
Thomas: (Laughs) I am!
Holmes: Malcolm went from, “First out! That guy shoved me!” To, “Aww…I’ll let him win.”
Thomas: (Laughs)

Round Two: Caleb, Cirie, and Ciera
Thomas: First out…Cirie. She’s a good gamer. She’s very manipulative. I’m worried about what she could talk me into doing. I’ll work with Ciera. She’s also very good at this game. I think she could help my game a lot and she could take the focus off of me because she’s loud. And I’d take Caleb to the end because all he has to offer is the physical aspect and that won’t win it for you.

Round Three: Tony, JT, and Jeff
Thomas: I’m going to get rid of Tony first. He terrifies me. He’s already been jumping out of bushes at Ponderosa and scared the (expletive deleted) out of me. And for that I want him gone. I screamed. I’ll work with JT. I feel like he’s my kind of people. I really like him. I’d take Jeff to the end because I don’t feel like he’s going to do much and he might piss off a lot of people.

Round Four: Hali, Ozzy, and Troyzan
Thomas: First out is Ozzy because he’s a bad ass and I don’t know if I could trust him. I’m going to work with my man Troyzan all the way, but I’m not going to take him to the end. I’m going to take Hali to the end because she is a space cadet. I don’t feel like people will think she played a good game.

Round Five: Sandra, Sarah, and Brad.
Thomas: First out…I’d get rid of Brad because he’s loud and I don’t want to be associated with that. I would work with Sandra, probably. But, then I’d get rid of her because that’d be a big move.
Holmes: You’d be the person to finally get rid of the most dominant player ever.
Thomas: I would. And then I’d take Sarah to the end. She awesome, but I don’t feel like she’d do much.

Round Six: Andrea and Aubry
Holmes: Alright, only two cards left. Work with one and boot the other.
Thomas: Oh my gosh. I think I’d have to get rid of Andrea because she’s very good at this game and very manipulative. And I’d work with Aubry because she’s smart. She reminds me of Shirin. She’s geeky, she’s smart, but she might get herself out because of her actions.

Don’t miss the two-hour season premiere of “Survivor: Game Changers,” Wednesday March 8, 2017 at 8 p.m. ET.

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

Tags:sierra dawn thomas, survivor, survivor game changers
Posted in General, RealityTV, survivor | Comments Off on ‘Survivor’ Sierra: ‘(Tony’s) Already Been Jumping Out of Bushes at Ponderosa and Scared the $%#* Out of Me’

Meet the Cast of ‘Survivor: Game Changers’

February 8, 2017

‘Survivor: Game Changers’ (CBS)

The cast for the 34th season of “Survivor” was revealed by CBS on Wednesday afternoon, and they certainly are a familiar bunch. The group of returning players includes three former winners, six people who have played in the last two seasons, and four “Survivor” Hall of Famers.

	Name: Aubry Bracco Age: 30 Hometown: Cambridge, MA Previously Played On: “Survivor: Kaoh Rong” – Runner Up Best Known For: Almost quitting early, then rallying to make it to the end. Read Aubry’s Interview
	Name: Caleb Reynolds Age: 28 Hometown: Hopkinsville, KY Previously Played On: “Survivor: Kaoh Rong” – Medically Evacuated Best Known For: The first person to play a second time who didn’t attend Tribal Council his first time. Read Caleb’s Interview
	Name: Ciera Eastin Age: 27 Hometown: Salem, OR Previously Played On: “Survivor: Blood vs. Water” – Finished 5^th and Jury Member “Survivor: Second Chance” – Finished 10^th and Jury Member Best Known For: Voting out someone. I don’t remember who. Read Ciera’s Interview
	Name: Hali Ford Age: 26 Hometown: San Francisco, CA Previously Played On: “Survivor: Worlds Apart” – Finished 11^th and Jury Member Best Known For: Loving nature. Read Hali’s Interview
	Name: Jeff Varner Age: 50 Hometown: High Point, NC Previously Played On: “Survivor: The Australian Outback” – Finished 10^th “Survivor: Second Chance” – Finished 17th Best Known For: Trying to make Tina Wesson vomit. Read Jeff’s Interview
	Name: Malcolm Freberg Age: 29 Hometown: Hermosa Beach, CA Previously Played On: “Survivor: Philippines” – Finished 4^th and Jury Member “Survivor: Caramoan” – Finished 9^th & Jury Member Best Known For: Asking a bro to, “Hold up.” Then using two idols to eliminate Philip Sheppard. Read Malcolm’s Interview
	Name: Michaela Bradshaw Age: 25 Hometown: Fort Worth, TX Previously Played On: “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X” – Finished 14^th Best Known For: Not letting a wardrobe malfunction keep her from dominating a challenge. Read Michaela’s Interview
	Name: Sandra Diaz-Twine Age: 41 Hometown: Fayetteville, N.C. Previously Played On: “Survivor: Pearl Islands” – Winner “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” – Winner Best Known For: Being “Survivor’s” only two-time winner, burning hats. Read Sandra’s Interview
	Name: Tony Vlachos Age: 42 Hometown: Jersey City, NJ Previously Played On: “Survivor: Cagayan” – Winner Best Known For: Spy shacks, llama calls, and finding approximately 40 immunity idols. Read Tony’s Interview
	Name: Troy “Troyzan” Robertson Age: 54 Hometown: Miami, FL Previously Played On: “Survivor: One World” – Finished 8^th and Jury Member Best Known For: The only player to own the island he was competing on. Read Troyzan’s Interview

	Name: Andrea Boehlke Age: 27 Hometown: New York, NY Previously Played On: “Survivor: Redemption Island” – Finished 5^th and Jury Member “Survivor: Caramoan” – Finished 7^th and Jury Member Best Known For: Being the first woman to come back from Redemption Island. Read Andrea’s Interview
	Name: Brad Culpepper Age: 47 Hometown: Tampa, FL Previously Played On: “Survivor: Blood vs. Water” – Finished 15th Best Known For: Being cursed out by Marissa Peterson Read Brad’s Interview
	Name: Cirie Fields Age: 45 Hometown: Norwalk, CT Previously Played On: “Survivor: Panama” – Finished 4^th and Jury member “Survivor: Micronesia” – Finished 3^rd and Jury member “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” – Finished 17^th Best Known For: Convincing Erik Reichenbach to give up his immunity idol. Read Cirie’s Interview
	Name: Debbie Wanner Age: 51 Hometown: Reading, PA Previously Played On: “Survivor: Kaoh Rong” – Finished 9th and Jury Member Best Known For: Nursing Aubry back to health. Read Debbie’s Interview
	Name: James “JT” Thomas Jr. Age: 31 Hometown: Mobile, AL Previously Played On: “Survivor: Tocantins” – Winner “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” – Finished 10th and Jury Member Best Known For: Receiving Every Vote at Final Tribal Council. Giving Russell Hantz more ammunition. Read JT’s Interview
	Name: Oscar “Ozzy” Lusth Age: 34 Hometown: Venice, CA Previously Played On: “Survivor: Cook Islands” – Runner-up “Survivor: Micronesia” – Finished 9^th and Jury Member “Survivor: South Pacific” – Finished 4^th and Jury Member Best Known For: Being one of the most dominant challenge competitors ever. Read Ozzy’s Interview
	Name: Sarah Lacina Age: 32 Hometown: Marion, Iowa Previously Played On: “Survivor: Cagayan” – Finished 11^th and Jury Member Best Known For: Figuring out that Tony was a police officer before they had ever spoken. Read Sarah’s Interview
	Name: Sierra Thomas Age: 29 Hometown: Roy, UT Previously Played On: “Survivor: Worlds Apart” – Finished 5^th and Jury Member Best Known For: Receiving the worst apology ever from Dan Foley. Read Sierra’s Interview
	Name: Tai Trang Age: 52 Hometown: San Francisco Previously Played On: “Survivor: Kaoh Rong” – 2^nd Runner-up Best Known For: Being rewarded for befriending a chicken by singing star Sia. Read Tai’s Interview
	Name: Zeke Smith Age: 28 Hometown: Brooklyn, NY Previously Played On “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X” – Finished 9^th and Jury Member Best Known For: Having the greatest cast introduction video ever. Read Zeke’s Interview

Don’t miss the two-hour season premiere of “Survivor: Game Changers,” Wednesday March 8, 2017 at 8 p.m. ET.

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

Tags:survivor, survivor game changers
Posted in General, RealityTV, survivor | Comments Off on Meet the Cast of ‘Survivor: Game Changers’

‘Survivor’ Tony: ‘I’m Going to Play It Maybe Faster This Time. I’m Going to Turn It Up Two Notches’

February 8, 2017

Tony Vlachos (CBS)

Name: Tony Vlachos
Age: 42
Hometown: Jersey City, NJ
Previously Played On:
“Survivor: Cagayan” – Winner
Best Known For: Spy shacks, llama calls, and finding approximately 40 immunity idols.

Gordon Holmes: The llama whisperer!
Tony Vlachos: (Laughs) I’m the llama whisper.
Holmes: Are you going to branch out with any new animal noises, or are you sticking with llamas?
Vlachos: It’s got to be situational. If I see any animals out there that need to be spoken to, I think I can adapt.

Holmes: So, last time you had forty idols. How many are you hoping to find this time?
Vlachos: (Laughs) Oh man, I hope I can continue my idol hunting skills. That’s going to be one of my priorities. Obviously I’m a big threat, so I’m going to try to find as many as I can.

Holmes: What’ve you been up to since your big win?
Vlachos: You know, family things. I got home, I got my wife pregnant, so now I have two babies. And I’ve just been being a dad, man. It’s so stressful.
Holmes: That’s why you need that second million, to pay for that second kid.
Vlachos: Second $500,000.
Holmes: Oh, after taxes. So it’ll complete that first million.
Vlachos: That’s right. I’m here for the other half.
Holmes: Some “Survivor” winners just keep the whole million and pass on paying the taxes.
Vlachos: No, no. I’d go to jail.
Holmes: And they love cops in jail, right?
Vlachos: (Laughs) Yeah, I can’t do that. But I’ve been out of the “Survivor” loop for a while. But, when I got this call, you can’t say no.

Holmes: So, Probst has already told you that the theme of the season is “Game Changers.” How would you say you changed the game?
Vlachos: I don’t know. I’d say that the jurors I had changed the game. People that played aggressive in the past, the jurors didn’t vote for them. So, the players had to simmer it down for the jurors so they don’t get too bitter. I did do fun stuff like the spy shack. I did find an idol without a clue, but that’s been done before. I did bluff on the special idol. I made that story up completely. I swore on my family, I broke promises. I knew when I could distinguish real life and game life. If I stuck with my word like I would do in real life, I would have sunk with the ship. I knew enough to separate life from the game.
Holmes: I was thinking it was because you played such a…(expletive deleted) insane game…
Vlachos: (Laughs)
Holmes: …that how-can-you-stay-mad-at-this game. Like a scoundrel who admits he’s a scoundrel can become charming.
Vlachos: (Laughs)
Holmes: How can you stay mad at someone when you say, “Hey! You stabbed me in the back!” And he responds, “Yeah, I stabbed everyone in the back.”
Vlachos: I know! But that’s what I’m saying, I ruined people’s chances of winning. They have to be mad, right? I did play the game fast, I’m going to play it maybe faster this time. I’m going to turn it up two notches.
Holmes: How is that even possible?
Vlachos: We’ll see, I played at a six then, I’m going to play at an eight now.
Holmes: I was thinking maybe if you lit your hair on fire, but…
Vlachos: The sides grow like Bozo. (Laughs)
Holmes: (Laughs)
Vlachos: I’m coming reloaded, I’ve got some new tricks in my bag. Ask me about them later.

Holmes: What do you think of this cast?
Vlachos: There are a lot of heavy hitters. I’m not underestimating anybody. I see a lot of challenge beasts. I see a lot of man buns running around. I see a good cast, man. I see some strategic threats. I see Sarah, the girl I played against in Cagayan. The cast is gonna play hard.
Holmes: What’s your relationship like with Sarah?
Vlachos: I think she’s the only one I’m going to gravitate to. That’s the only one I know. And it’s all situational. As soon as someone opens their mouth I’m going to know if I want to work with them or not.
Holmes: Is there any concern working with Sarah after the whole swearing on the badge incident?
Vlachos: You know, when I first saw Sarah I thought, “Oh man, she’s going to gun for me right away.” But if you think about it, she gave me a vote to win a million dollars. It wasn’t like bitter Tasha. I know bitter Tasha would be out to get me. So, I know there’s no bad blood there. So, we’ll try to reunite that Cops R Us alliance.

Holmes: Is there anyone you’re going to target early?
Vlachos: It’s all situational, but Sandra…she’s here for a triple crown. You can’t say it’s a fluke with her winning twice. Maybe the first time it was a fluke, but the second time? You’ve got skills. Those skills were good pre season 25. Now it’s a whole new era. I mean, look at us; game changers, right? It’s a faster game now. You’re not flying under the radar and winning. And besides, how long has it been?
Holmes: Seven years?
Vlachos: Yeah, she’s been the queen of “Survivor.” And there hasn’t been a king of “Survivor.” I’m out here, I have one win and no blemishes. If I win I get the throne. The King of “Survivor!” King TV!

Holmes: Alright, I’m here to get you prepped for this show. So, I’ve got a game called “The Best Defense.” I came up with a few reasons to vote you out, and I want you to defend yourself against them.
Vlachos: You got it.
Holmes: Tony is a wild man. You saw him in Cagayan. He turned the game upside down and still won. We can’t risk it, we’ve got to get rid of him.
Vlachos: We all know that I’m not going to do nothing come merge time because I can’t win any challenges. We all know that there are four people from Kaoh Rong. We’ve got Debbie, we’ve got Caleb, we’ve got Tai, we’ve got Aubry. Those are four strong. You get rid of me and you’re going to leave these four strong. There’s three winners, you’ve got JT, Sandra, and me. You don’t want Sandra to win twice. If anything, she should be the first target, not me. You have two people you don’t know anything about from season 33. You know that they did something enough to change the game and bring them back. I shouldn’t be a target first.

Holmes: Tony won $500,000 after taxes. He’s had his shot. He’s gotta go.
Vlachos: Oh man, that’s what they should be saying! (Laughs) All of those losers need to stick together. That’s what they’re supposed to say. Tony will get his chance, but right now we have to take care of bigger threats which is the challenge guys. They’re going to run away with the game. They’re going to stick together and start voting everybody out. You can get rid of me anytime after the merge. I can’t win challenges, that’s proven.

Holmes: I watched that dude vote out his allies left and right.
Vlachos: (Laughs)
Holmes: I don’t want to be one of his allies who ends up on the jury.
Vlachos: Let me be your number. I won’t be calling the shots like last time. You tell me who to vote for and I will. It’s going to be tough.
Holmes: I believe in you.
Vlachos: (Laughs) Thank you. You know, if I can’t lie to you, then I gotta lie about you.
Holmes: (Laughs)
Vlachos: That’s the truth!
Holmes: That’s a t-shirt slogan.

Holmes: You mentioned the two people from season 33, they’re unknown quantities. How do you handle that?
Vlachos: Personally? They should be target number one. We all know everybody’s game. We know who we’re dealing with. These people we know nothing about. We don’t know if they’re loyal, we don’t know if they’re Tony on steroids. They should go first. See ya. We lose a challenge, they’re the sacrificial lamb.

Holmes: With these returnee seasons, there’s always talk of preseason alliances. Have you been talking to anyone?
Vlachos: Absolutely not. Once I heard I was a contestant, I deleted my Twitter, I stopped talking to everybody, I stopped doing podcasts. I do not want anybody to reach out to me and nobody has. That’s not how you play the game.
Holmes: Have you heard any rumors of people working together?
Vlachos: I haven’t heard any rumors, but you go on social media and you see Tai going to Caleb’s wedding. You see Aubry going to “Survivor” functions. Most of the people have some history. But again, I think it would behoove them to stay away from that pregame stuff.

Holmes: You’re on lockdown now, you’re not allowed to talk. But people smile, people wink, people sit next to other people. Have you caught anybody doing any of that?
Vlachos: It’s not our first rodeo, they know they don’t want to get caught sitting next to each other. Everybody knows the deal.

Holmes: You mentioned that there are four Koah Rongers here. What do you do with that?
Vlachos: It’s all situational, I don’t know who will be on my team. Everybody watched the same show I watched. They watched Aubry, they watched Debbie, they watched Caleb and Tai being real close. I know they’re going to gravitate real close. Just like Sarah and I care going to gravitate real close. As fans of the show, we know who’s going to work together. And when you see who’s talking to who, you’re going to work together. I won’t worry about it till we get on the beach and I can see how people are interacting with each other. I’m going to go in there with a clean canvas and on day 39 when I’m sitting in front of the jury, I’m going to unveil my masterpiece.
Holmes: You are a human t-shirt slogan machine.
Vlachos: I like that one.
Holmes: Mr. Soundbite.

Holmes: Any guesses as to what twists we might see?
Vlachos: I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of twists and turns, because if there are pre-game alliances, they’re going to run away with the show. One of my fortes is to expect the unexpected, other people are going to panic. But, that’s where I come in and that’s where I shine.

Holmes: Alright, let’s play Awesome or Awful. I’ll give you a twist you tell me if it’s awesome or awful. Hidden immunity idols?
Vlachos: Awesome.
Holmes: Tyler Perry idols?
Vlachos: Awesomer! (Laughs)
Holmes: Redemption Island?
Vlachos: Awful.
Holmes: Exile Island?
Vlachos: Awful.
Holmes: The Medallion of Power?
Vlachos: Awful.
Holmes: Extra vote?
Vlachos: Awesome.
Holmes: Steal a vote?
Vlachos: Awesome.
Holmes: Eliminate a juror?
Vlachos: Awful. That’s (expletive deleted) awful. I hated that.

Holmes: As a former winner, is there any concern about tarnishing your legacy?
Vlachos: A lot of people ask why I’m coming back when I’ve got this legacy, the only reason I came back is because I won. Had I lost, I’d never play this game again. It’s not worth it to go out there for 30 (expletive deleted) days and come back with $50,000/$40,000. To put yourself through that, I wouldn’t do it.
Holmes: Are you talking about the stress of the game? The physical toll of the elements?
Vlachos: Everything! Leaving your family behind for 50 days. Destroying your body, mentally, physically, emotionally.
Holmes: I think the most misunderstood part of this game is how rough constant paranoia is on you.
Vlachos: Yeah! I don’t sleep. I stay up all night. I watch everything. I go over every scenario. And the second you’re not paranoid, you lose.

Holmes: Alright, I’m going to hand you three cards at random. You tell me who you’re going to vote out first, who you’re going to work with but eventually eliminate, and who you’re going to take to the end. (Note: Michaela and Zeke were not a part of this exercise because nobody knew who they were at this point.)

Round One: Sandra, Aubry, and Jeff
Vlachos: This is funny because Sandra, I want to get rid of her. But, when I have these three, I’ve got to work with her because she’s another winner. But, it’s conflicting to what I want! Aubry, she’s going to have a good case, so I don’t want her in the end, so she goes first. Jeff, I would work with, but I’m going to take Sandra to the end because I don’t think anyone is going to give her a triple crown. And if I’m taking her to the end, I’m sure she’s using that fly-under-the-radar strategy that she used ten seasons ago and that’s not going to cut it nowadays. What’s crazy is I wanted her out first.
Holmes: That’s the point of this exercise, you don’t always get what you want. Sometimes the situation is going to force you to change your plans.
Vlachos: I like it!

Round Two: Hali, JT, and Brad
Vlachos: (Laughs) Oh man…I’ll take Hali to the end. I remember her game and she’s under the radar. She won’t have a strong argument with a good resume at the end. JT…I won’t take to the end because he’s a likable person and he’s a challenge beast. I’ll work with him. And voting Brad out because I don’t know a lot about him.

Round Three: Tai, Malcolm, and Caleb
Vlachos: I’m going to take Tai to the end. I want a proven loser in the end. I’ll take him. And these two beasts…I’ll work with Caleb because I think he’s more soft in nature and a little more passive. And Malcolm, I’ll vote out first because he’s too strong-minded. He wants to call the shots.

Round Four: Sierra, Ciera, and Ozzy
Vlachos: I’ll take Sierra to the end because she’s very passive and won’t have a strong resume. I’ll work with Ciera because she does what’s best for her. And I’ll vote out Ozzy. I can’t let him get too deep because he’s a challenge beast and he’ll run away with it.

Round Five: Cirie, Debbie, and Troyzan.
Vlachos: I’ll get rid of Cirie first because she’s sneaky. I can’t trust her and I’m sure she can’t trust me. I’ll work with Debbie. She’s so eccentric and I think if I feed into whatever she thinks is right, we’ll get along fine. I can adapt to that. And Troyzan, I’ll take him to the end. He’s a sweetheart, but he won’t have a good resume.

Round Six: Andrea and Sarah
Holmes: Alright, only two cards left. Work with one and boot the other.
Vlachos: I’ll work with Sarah. I’ll try to start up Cops R Us again. And I’ll boot Andrea. And I don’t know why. I don’t know her.

Holmes: Alright, you said you had a few tricks in your bag and you wanted to save them for last. Let’s hear it.
Vlachos: I’ll give you some teasers. There’s going to be spying, but it’s going to be underground.
Holmes: Underground? (Laughs)
Vlachos: I’m taking it underground. Somebody is going to be idoled out without there being an idol played, and there’s going to be “Survivor” clones.
Holmes: (Laughs) I’m sorry. Teasers alone won’t do. You have to explain this.
Vlachos: There’s going to be a spy bunker. When everyone is sleeping I’m going to prepare… wherever the trail is, wherever they congregate, which is probably the water well, I’m going to start digging. Then I’ll put all of this debris on me. It’ll be my bunker for when it’s time to spy.
Holmes: And how do you idol someone out with an idol?
Vlachos: OK, I’m going to need an idol first for this one. Let’s say I’m going after target A, I’ll say, “Target A, I’ve got something important to tell you. Meet me by the water well.” When Target A goes to the well I’ll say to everyone, “Target A wants to tell me something. I’ll be right back and tell you what they said.” Now everybody knows that Target A is inviting me to the rendezvous. I’ll talk to them for five minutes or so about whatever, then I’ll start hauling ass back to camp. When I get back, I’ll say, “Target A has the idol, he just told me! Look in his bag!” By this point I will have already planted my idol in their bag.
Holmes: And since that’s technically your idol, they can’t keep it or dispose of it.
Vlachos: Yeah, that’s my idol. They can’t touch it. But I got to make it look real. It’s Hollywood acting. So, I’m idoling him out without playing the idol.

Holmes: You’re insane. I love it. Tell me about the “Survivor” clones.
Vlachos: On Cagayan, I got two rocks from the beach. One represented my wife, one represented my daughter. They knew I kissed them and those rocks were very sacred to me. This time I’m going to have three rocks because I have a son. So, I’m going to introduce the rocks to everyone and everyone will see me cherishing these rocks. What I’m going to do is, to get somebody comfortable, I’m going to find clones of these rocks. And to make somebody comfortable I’m going to say, “You’re not going home. And to make sure, you can hold onto my family. These are sacred to me. I want them back tomorrow.” And they’ll go out with the clones in their pocket.
Holmes: (Laughs)
Vlachos: And that’s not a one-trick pony. I can do that over and over. The problem is if I get to day 39 they can (expletive deleted) stone me.

Don’t miss the two-hour season premiere of “Survivor: Game Changers,” Wednesday March 8, 2017 at 8 p.m. ET.

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

Tags:survivor, survivor game changers, tony vlachos
Posted in RealityTV, survivor, TV News | Comments Off on ‘Survivor’ Tony: ‘I’m Going to Play It Maybe Faster This Time. I’m Going to Turn It Up Two Notches’

‘Survivor’ Host Jeff Probst on the ‘Game Changers’ Theme, Idols, Twists, and More

February 8, 2017

‘Survivor’ Host Jeff Probst (CBS)

Gordon Holmes: Alright, “Game Changers.”
Jeff Probst: (Laughs)
Holmes: I can already feel the Internet getting pissed off.
Probst: Why?
Holmes: It took me a while to figure this out. And what I came up with is…Major League Baseball has 30 All-Stars a year. They only have a handful of Game Changers. I’m thinking Babe Ruth, I’m thinking Jackie Robinson.
Probst: Interesting.
Holmes: I love me some Tai and Hali, but that term seems very grandiose for how their initial runs went.
Probst: I hear your point. When you hear “Game Changers” you think these are people who changed the game dramatically. My feeling about “Survivor” has always been, most moves aren’t going to work, but you have to have the courage to make a move. That’s who these people are. We could have called this season “Move Makers” or whatever, but it seemed like “Game Changers” because the game changes as a result of moves. You have to be willing to make those moves. And there are definitely people here whose moves have not worked. They’re still game changers to me. I guess you’re going to have to look at it through my filter which is having the courage to try something without any certainty that it will work. Some of them make big moves, some of them make quiet moves, some of them make moves that work, some of them make moves that don’t. But, they were all willing to make a move. And I think if you look back historically at the majority of players, it’s not even close the amount that didn’t make any moves. They just hoped that something happened to someone else.
Holmes: Is a way to look at this…hold on… OK, Kelley Wentworth didn’t have much of a chance to do anything her first time around, but you knew she had that potential in her?
Probst: A hundred percent. I think you’re on to something good here, Gordon. We have the insight into having spent not just 39 days, but hundreds of hours with these people. I always bring this up; there were two people that wanted Amber Brkich back; it was me and Lynne (Spillman). People say, “I don’t see it.” Well, I see it. There’s a subtle gameplay in Amber that was overlooked by a lot of people. I see that in Ciera Eastin. Her biggest thing people remember is her yelling for people to play the game, she voted out her mom, she forced a rock draw. That’s a girl that willing to make a move. She hasn’t made a great move yet, but she’s making moves.

Holmes: What’ve we got as far as twists this season?
Probst: Well, we’re splitting into three tribes after the second episode. That will really mess up the game. And it’s one of the things that the audience counts on because players come in with these pre-conceived ideas, “I’m going to lock in an alliance on day two and I’m going to take it to the end.” Until we split up the tribes and you don’t know if you’re ever going to see that person again. It forces you to reevaluate. And it rarely fails. I know I promised my loyalty to someone else, but they’re not here anymore. “Survivor” is not that complicated in terms of the twists we do. It’s just the impact of those twists that is devastating. You get the odd colored buff and you’re sent to Exile Island. “Oh man, I didn’t do anything wrong.” Nope, it’s the luck of the draw. You might be done.

Holmes: Any tricks planned for the idols this season?
Probst: What we’re doing with idols this season is something we’ve never done before which is; every idol that is placed is inconsistent. Usually there’s a theme to how you find idols. This season is, the theme is there is no theme. You might find one idol in a very traditional way, you might find another idol at Tribal.
Holmes: Interesting, this sounds like it’ll curb the problem of someone figuring out the drop style and then having that advantage when an idol is replaced.
Probst: Exactly. And if we go deep enough, we have a long list of where they might show up. It just matters how often they get played. Because as you know, if they hold on to the idols or they don’t find them, then sometimes they aren’t reintroduced. So, we have a cool, long list, but there’s no consistency. That’s going to throw people off.

Holmes: “Kaoh Rong” just ended, and there’s been a lot of talk about a juror’s responsibility. You don’t say vote for the person who made the biggest moves or vote for the person who’s the best at challenges or vote for the person you like the most. You just say, “Vote.”
Probst: If there’s one flaw in our game, it’s that the jury all lives together as the game continues and they can influence each other. They can influence each other by spreading lies that aren’t even true. Someone gets voted out and they can decide to sabotage the remaining players. They can tell a lie to the jury and taint the vote. And it drives me nuts. But, I also have to remind myself that the jury has experienced the game in their own way. I’m experiencing it my way. And I don’t have a vote, and the audience doesn’t have a vote. But what can you do with the jury? The only thing we can do is try to find ways to hold the jury more accountable. It’s something that I’m working on, but I haven’t figured it out yet.
Holmes: The players are in lockdown before the game. They occupy the same space, but they’re not allowed to talk. Is it just too long to have someone on lockdown for two-and-a-half weeks?
Probst: Yeah. It’s just too long.
Holmes: If you and I are playing the game and you vote me out. Right now there is nothing stopping me from telling the other jurors that you were making racist comments, sexist comments, anything.
Probst: “Survivor” is a microcosm of life. Some people say, “No, it’s not. It’s a gameshow. It’s contrived, you put people on an island, there are always cameras around.” But human nature is the same no matter where you are. And when you’re stripped to your core, you’re left only with yourself. You get desperate. Your truth comes out. But, the one thing that doesn’t change, in the game, in the office, is the politics of being a human are always at play. And if there is someone who is jealous of you because you got a promotion they think they should have had, there’s every chance that they start dropping little social bombs to the boss. I just heard he was partying too much, I hear he’s mean to his children. That’s the way it goes. That’s the part of me that says you can’t control the vote because it’s a social game. But, I have to say, with the exceptions of “Kaoh Rong,” we’ve had a string of juries who have done a wonderful job of rewarding the winner even if the winner is the one who betrayed them. So, I’m optimistic that the people who are voted out of the game respect it enough to give it to the person who played the best.

Holmes: A lot of my friends have kids who watch “Survivor.” Now, it isn’t necessarily children’s programming, but there’s adventure and fun games and you can see the appeal. There have been quite a few instances of bullying on the show recently. If I’m writing a fiction story, my bully is getting some comeuppance. “Survivor” does not always work like that.
Probst: Nothing has excited me as much in the last six or seven years than the amount of kids who are watching “Survivor.” Nothing comes close. And we make this show for families. That is a known fact out here. I’m constantly saying, “Imagine a ten year old.” The challenge has to be exciting, underwater shots, dramatic facial expressions, and it has to be easy enough to understand for a kid watching. So, when it comes to something like bullying, I actually am glad that these things happen because I think they’re teaching moments. The way the world works, sometimes the bully does win. In Kaoh Rong when we had Jason and Scot and Alecia, what parents said to me was, “We sat with our kids and asked them ‘What would you do?’ What would you do if your friend was a bully? What would you do if it was your friend that was getting picked on?’” I love it. I love that “Survivor” shows the way the world works. I love that “Survivor” shows that a nerd like Cochran can rise above and claim the prize and a guy like Ozzy can dive down 20 feet and catch a fish with a spear. All of these things are possible. You can be a girl who comes from the city and loves computers like Aubry and make it to the end. You can be Cirie who gets up off the couch in her forties and says, “I want to give it a try.” I get so excited by “Survivor.” I feel like somehow my life ended up exactly as it should be and I’m so proud of the stories we tell because they’re honest. The good guy doesn’t always win.

Holmes: Who’s gonna win this whole thing?
Probst: Well, I have a few thoughts. Cirie is a favorite for me. I think the audience would love to see her win. If Cirie makes it deep, it probably means that Sandra is somewhere behind. Varner might be in there with them. I think those old-school type of players might get together and say, “Look, we have no kind of chance against the younger kids unless we take over.” And they have to trust that no matter what happens, no matter what tribe they find themselves in, they need to stay true to each other. If not, I’m putting my money on Ciera. I really want to be like Ciera. I want to be courageous enough to be someone who says, “I’m going for broke.” And not just talk it, but actually show my kids this is how you win. You look for the fastball and you swing. And if it’s a curveball, you’re out. But if it’s down the middle and you keep your eye on the ball and you connect. But, don’t play for a single. Don’t hope for a walk. That’s (expletive deleted). I’d play hard on “Survivor” every (expletive deleted) day.

Holmes: Who’s going to go home early?
Probst: You’ve got to believe Tony is in trouble because he’s so strong in his bravado. But, I don’t know what the gameplay is going to be. I’d hope the game players would get rid of who they think are the weakest players. But honestly Gordon, I really don’t have any idea. I think you could make six or seven pitches for how this season could go. Troyzan could be at the end or he could be the first one off. Tai would seem to be in trouble, or is that a guy that you drag to the end.
Holmes: I always say; “‘Survivor’ is Jeff Probst dumping out a bowl of marbles. They’re never all going to go the same place twice.”
Probst: That’s great. I love that.

Holmes: I don’t just come out here to interview twenty contestants. I come out here to get those twenty contestants ready for the game.
Probst: (Laughs) Love it. I can’t wait.
Holmes: One of the ways we did it this time is called, “The Best Defense.”
Probst: (Laughs)
Holmes: You and I arrive on the beach on day one and I want you gone. I’ll give you some of the ways I’m going to try to accomplish that and you have to defend against them.
Probst: Got it.
Holmes: Probst is a likable guy, this crew seems to dig him. I don’t want to sit next to him in front of a jury. Let’s get rid of him now while we still can.
Probst: Guys, I just overheard Holmes talking about me. And I’ll say this; I own everything he said. I like to think that the crew likes me. I like to think that people enjoy me on this show. But if you’re going to let that guy come in and sully my reputation? That’s a guy I don’t want around. I’m owning my stuff. I’m willing to play with you, and if you’re going to vote me out because I’m a nice guy, that’s (expletive deleted). I say we take Holmes out right now. Because he’s going to do it to all of you. He’s got his little traps for everyone.

Holmes: Probst is the producer for a popular TV show that has been on the air for 40 years.
Probst: (Laughs)
Holmes: I’m sure this guy is loaded. He doesn’t need the million. Let’s send him packing.
Probst: Again, I heard Gordon talking about money being a factor. I definitely have plenty of money. I’ve done well from “Survivor” and I’m not embarrassed about it. I’m out here to win. But I want to ask you, do you want to beat the best? Because one thing I am good at is social politics. I’m as good as anyone out here. And the game has advanced to a point where a schlub like Holmes ends up here and he’s got nothing. He’s a used car salesman. He’s trying to sell you a Ford when you know I’ll get you a Tesla. And I don’t want to defend anything else. You should come hard at me. But, let’s get rid of the drab first and then let’s play.

Holmes: You ever see “Two and a Half Men?” Probst was on it in his birthday suit and he looked like a million bucks. You want to go toe-to-toe with that guy for individual immunity? I don’t.
Probst: OK, on this one I’ll be honest. I am 54 years old. I know you’re surprised to hear that, but it’s true. I’m the oldest person out here. And I have run a lot of these challenges when we rehearse them, and I’m not going to lie…I rarely win. I want to win and I will work hard to win, but I give you my word right now, if I win more than two challenges, I will stop competing in them. I will give up and not compete. You can all vote me out. I will literally say to Probst, the other Probst…whoever will be hosting.
Holmes: (Laughs)
Probst: (Laughs) I will to say to Rove McManus who is now hosting, I will literally say to “Boston” Rob who is now hosting, that I will not compete anymore. Because if I can win two, I’ll go home a happy man.
Holmes: That’s the strategy? Quit after you win two?
Probst: No, if you want to vote me out, vote me out. Because honestly I never thought I’d win two. Whether or not I’d really sit out at the point depends on where I am in the game. If I’m strong with my alliance and you want me to stick around? Are you sure? Alright, I’ll stick around for you.
Holmes: Outside-of-the-box thinking, that’s a Tony move.
Probst: It’s Tony Robbins. Change your state. I just went from “I can kick your ass” to “I trust you.” And here’s the real truth. The humanitarian in me knows what it’s like to win. I didn’t think I would. I am honestly shocked. That necklace felt great, I’d like to feel it again. But Hali, I’d rather you have a shot at winning. And I think you’re going to love how it feels. I still want to beat you, but I want you to have the experience. Just don’t vote me out for that. If you vote me out for something else, that’s fine. We should all do it. Once we win we should step down so we can all have that feeling and control this game.
Holmes: Interesting. And that jerk Holmes has won eight immunity challenges in a row. He’s a victory hog.
Probst: (Laughs) That number is impressive. But Holmes…you know what it is…this is the tricky part. Holmes is the guy who never got laid. And he’s trying to take out someone who’s more popular than him. Which is not true if he knew my life. Holmes is an easy guy to get out. He’s married, he’s got his hot chick, so he’s good to go. Little does he know she’s going to leave him in six-to-seven years because he’s been hunched over the computer for too long.
Holmes: My impending divorce might earn me some sympathy votes.
Probst: (Laughs) Exactly! Get rid of him!

Holmes: A little bird told me the first challenge involves digging. How much do you want Caleb to give that a second shot?
Probst: (Laughs) I didn’t even think of that.
Holmes: Liar.
Probst: (Laughs) I didn’t! But he’ll do it. That’s the kind of guy he is.

Don’t miss the two-hour season premiere of “Survivor: Game Changers,” Wednesday March 8, 2017 at 8 p.m. ET.

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

Tags:jeff probst, survivor, survivor game changers
Posted in RealityTV, survivor, TV News | Comments Off on ‘Survivor’ Host Jeff Probst on the ‘Game Changers’ Theme, Idols, Twists, and More

‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X’ Castaway Interview with David, Bret, and Jay

December 15, 2016

‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X’ (CBS)

Gordon Holmes: I know what you guys are thinking; it was one of the biggest nights of your lives, you were out partying, now you can’t wait to get up at the crack of dawn and talk to the press.
David Wright and Bret LaBelle: (Laughs)
Jay Starrett: It’s a dream come true!

Holmes: Alright, David. You promised to report back to me on this after the pre-game interview; how was the aqua dump?
Wright: For me, aqua dumping wasn’t the ideal way to go to the bathroom. You go in the water, you pull down your shorts, and you do your business. You’re supposed to let the poop float away. In my case, a whole bunch of fish swam up and started eating it.
Holmes: I immediately regret this question.
Wright: (Laughs) It was awful.
Holmes: Was that the worst part of your experience?
Starrett: No, it was the fact that he didn’t work with me.
Wright: That might be it actually.
Holmes: What was your pitch to get David over to your side?
Starrett: I gave that guy so many pitches. He wasn’t biting for nothing.

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

Holmes: Jay, on a scale of Jason Siska being a zero and Bob Crowley being a ten, how impressive was that fake idol?
Starrett: (Laughs) I don’t even want to rank it and give this guy credit.
LaBelle: I’ll rank it. It was a ten!
Starrett: There you go, Bret gives it a ten.
Holmes: David, how on Earth did you glue that thing together?
Wright: A lot of people thought that was glue. What I was actually doing was mixing the red and white paint to make pink. It was one of the colors that wasn’t available back at camp. That way it wouldn’t look like something we could have done. No glue involved.
Holmes: Jay, the fake idol was so different than the ones used earlier in the game. I know there had been talk in other seasons about having a variety of idols, is that what you were thinking?
Starrett: Honestly, the adrenaline was pumping so hard, I just put it in my pocket and got out of there. The moment I put it away, I never brought it out again until I needed it.
Holmes: You talked a lot of trash as you were handing it over.
Starrett: I know. It was so funny, I’m looking at David the whole time last night. He says he’s going to catch a fish and we were both cracking up.
Holmes: I’ll give you credit for this though, when you were voted out, you had such a good attitude. It was fun to watch.
Starrett: I was tricked, and I was like “damnit, I lost” and that was it.

Holmes: Bret, the argument people would use against you was that your game was more social and not reliant on big moves. How do you think the jury would have reacted to that if you had gotten to the final three?
LaBelle: There were big moves that I tried to make that didn’t work. We had the Jess vote and then David pulled an idol and it didn’t go through. I knew my game was a social game, that’s my strong point. I think if I got to the jury with Hannah and Ken I would have won it. I think these guys would say the same thing. I think Jay wins it, I think David wins it against all of us. Even though I wasn’t the most strategic player in the game, I don’t think you need to flip flop all the time. I also don’t think you need to be like Will and have this great report card to win the game. It’s all about the relationships that you make.
Starrett: (Laughs) Report card.
LaBelle: I’m sick of this report card! Which Survivor aficionado decided that you need to have this great report card? You’re working for CBS with all of this report card crap. You’re trying to make a great show. We’re on Reddit and we think you need this…no…you’re helping CBS.
Holmes: Is that a Gen-X/Millennial thing where Gen-Xer will have a resume and a Millennial will have a report card?
LaBelle: No, that’s a high school thing.
Holmes, LaBelle, Wright, and Starrett: (Laughs)
Holmes: A high schooler has a very different life experience than a Boston cop or a TV writer, did that stand out?
LaBelle: Will had a great social game. Will’s a real likable guy. I don’t know where he got it in his head that he had to make a great move. Jay said he has to do it at the right time. He made a good move, but it ruined him because we went after him the next time.

Holmes: David, when did you first suspect that Ken could be gunning for you?
Wright: This is going to sound incredibly naïve, but Ken was truly the only person I trusted in the game. And I thought at worst it would be a tie and it’d go to a fire-making challenge. When I walked into Tribal I felt really good, but a minute into it I realized it wasn’t going to go my way. And then I was sure that I was going to go home. I think Ken made the right move for him.
Holmes: What was said that tipped you off?
Wright: I don’t remember specifically, but the way the conversation was going…they had no plans of keeping me in the game.
Starrett: I did.
Wright: (Laughs)

Holmes: Jay and Bret, if it had gone to a fire-making challenge and David had lost, and Ken was able to go to the final Tribal saying he had been loyal the whole game, could that have swayed your vote?
LaBelle: Nope.
Starrett: Nope.

Holmes: What was the mood of the jury before that final Tribal started?
LaBelle: I think we were all in a good mood. I think we all knew how we were going to vote. Jay, what do you think?
Starrett: I think you were drunk.
LaBelle: (Laughs)
Starrett: No, I think we were ready to vote and get out of there.
Holmes: Had everyone already reached a consensus that Adam was going to win?
LaBelle: I think he had it. Anyone who sat in that seat would have had it.
Holmes: So anyone who faced Ken and Hannah?
LaBelle: They’re not saying it, but I’m saying it.

Holmes: Adam brought up his mother’s battle with cancer during the final Tribal. Now, this is question I hate to ask, but it’s also “Survivor.” Did any of you have any doubts about what Adam was saying?
LaBelle: That did cross my mind, but knowing Adam the way we all got to know him, that literally left my head fast. I didn’t know him to be that kind of a person. He’s a sincere, emotional kid.
Wright: I agree.
Starrett: He’d told me earlier.
Holmes: Since you knew back in the hammock, did you ever debate using that as a reason to target him?
Starrett: No, that’s out of respect. I can’t do that to the kid. I’m not going to put all of his stuff out there. There’s no way I’d do that because I know I can beat him anyways.

Holmes: That’s a perfect example of what seems to be a very drama-free respectful season. Do you hope “Survivor” continues in this kinder, more civil fashion?
LaBelle: Yeah, cause maybe we’ll get to play again. It was fun to watch, it was fun to play. Take me and Dave, we went head to head and we all have a lot of respect for each other. But, I’m not sure that you’ll see this again.
Wright: As Bret said, we’d vote someone out and the next morning we’d watch the sun come out together. It was really cool.
Holmes: There’s no villain.
LaBelle: I don’t think there’s a villain.
Wright: I agree.

Holmes: How are we feeling about Michelle’s dragon dress last night?
LaBelle: Absolutely fabulous.
Starrett: Hot as hell.
Wright: I can offer that the dragon’s name is “Freckles.”
LaBelle: That’s why I love you, Dave. I never would have asked her what the friggin’ dragon’s name is.
Wright: (Laughs)
LaBelle: Gordon, what was your take on that thing?
Holmes: I think Michelle could wear a barrel and make it look good.

Holmes: Jay, at final six, what was your dream final three?
Starrett: I wanted to go with David and Adam.
Holmes: At this point, it seems like you’re taking the two biggest threats. What argument would you have used with the jury?
Starrett: I would’ve just smiled.
Holmes: You’d get my vote.
Starrett: (Laughs) With David and Adam I’d say, “They’ve been controlling the votes for a while. They’ve been making alliances and I had nothing. And I’m sitting right next to them.”
Wright: Jay was enormously likable. I think he had a lot of jury votes locked. He was a real threat.
Starrett: It would have been such a battle.
Wright: Yeah, I wish we had sat next to each other in hindsight. I would’ve loved to have seen if it’d come out as a tie.
Holmes: David, you said Jay was likable. Are you saying that he isn’t likable now?
Wright: (Laughs) Oh no, he’s completely likable. Jay is more likable with each day that passes.
LaBelle: Except for when he gets drunk and jumps on my back.
Starrett: (Laughs)
Holmes: You’re telling me Jay gets drunk? I don’t believe that for a second.
LaBelle: (Laughs) He’s very reserved.

Holmes: Bret, how about you at final six?
LaBelle: Yeah, at final six, Jay and David had to go and I think I would have had a good shot against anybody else. Now, I didn’t know Adam’s story at that time. So, I don’t know if I could have beat him. I still think I have a shot.
Holmes: How would you have pitched yourself to the jury?
LaBelle: I love Adam, he’s a great kid, but once he started with the waterworks I would have had to have come up with some kind of a gay, cop, my life sucks, story.
Starrett: I just want to clarify; Bret, you’re a cop.
LaBelle: Yeah, I understand that Jay. I have to give Jay props; he called me out but I never caved.
Starrett: (Laughs)
LaBelle: Once you start a lie like that, you can’t go back.
Holmes: Do you think things like your background and Adam’s home situation will sway votes or are jurors focused on what happens in the game?
LaBelle: Personally, it might have swayed my vote. It’s moving that someone can go out with something like that going on in their lives. But, in the same respect, there were a lot of Millennials that didn’t like Adam and I think I could have had a shot against him.

Holmes: David, at final six you were with Hannah and Ken. What’s your final argument to the jury?
Wright: My growth, my moves…my report card. (Laughs) But yeah, I think I had a good story.
Holmes: I’ve been doing pre-game press since Gabon, you might be the first person who I was actually worried for their physical well-being.
Wright: (Laughs)
Holmes: The change has been amazing. What has been the reaction like from people who know you?
Wright: I never intended to cry so much and be so vulnerable. The game tore my walls down, they nearly medically evacuated my due to dehydration from crying. And when I came back, people said I seemed like a different person. Part of that was because I was walking around in a daze thinking, “Did I just play ‘Survivor’?” I think today is the first time that I’ve accepted that it really happened.

Holmes: Alright, word association time for Jay. Let’s start with Mari.
Starrett: Cool.
Holmes: Figgy?
Starrett: Sensitive.
Holmes: Michaela?
Starrett: This is an inside joke; I just thought of CeCe.
Holmes: Michelle?
Starrett: Hot as (Expletive Deleted).
Wright: (Laughs)
Holmes: Taylor?
Starrett: My boy.
Holmes: Chris?
Starrett: Strong.
Holmes: Jessica?
Starrett: Nice. I don’t know.
Holmes: Zeke?
Starrett: Funny.
Holmes: Will?
Starrett: My brain is going so slow this morning. Report card.
Holmes: Sunday?
Starrett: Mom.
Holmes: Bret?
Starrett: Super gay cop.
LaBelle: (Laughs)
Holmes: David?
Starrett: The man.
Wright: Aww…
Holmes: Hannah?
Starrett: Ridiculous.
Holmes: Ken?
Starrett: Different.
Holmes: Let’s finish with Adam.
Starrett: Respect.

Holmes: Alright, you’re up Bret. Let’s start with Rachel.
LaBelle: Who?
Starrett: She’s hot as (Expletive Deleted) too.
Holmes: Paul?
LaBelle: Good guy.
Holmes: Lucy?
LaBelle: Tenacious.
Holmes: Cece?
LaBelle: Funny.
Holmes: Michelle?
LaBelle: Beautiful.
Holmes: Taylor?
LaBelle: Blue eyes.
Holmes: Chris?
LaBelle: Gross.
Wright and Starrett: (Laughs)
Wright: It’s his last dig.
LaBelle: Can I take that one back? I’ll say handsome.
Holmes: Jessica?
LaBelle: Strategic.
Holmes: Zeke?
LaBelle: My drinking buddy.
Holmes: Will?
LaBelle: Report card.
Holmes: Sunday?
LaBelle: Awesome.
Holmes: Jay?
LaBelle: Surfer dude.
Starrett: Atta boy.
Holmes: David?
LaBelle: Brilliant.
Holmes: Hannah?
LaBelle: Flipper.
Holmes: Ken?
LaBelle: Serious.
Holmes: Let’s finish with Adam.
LaBelle: Deserving.

Holmes: David, your turn. We’ll start with Rachel.
Wright: Endearingly sweet.
Holmes: Paul?
Wright: Rock and roll.
Holmes: Lucy?
Wright: Chef, super chef!
Holmes: Cece?
Wright: Spartan.
Holmes: Michelle?
Wright: Call me.
LaBelle and Starrett: (Laughs)
Starrett: Oh, buddy.
Holmes: We also would have accepted “Hot as (Expletive Deleted)” apparently. Taylor?
Wright: Buried treasure.
Holmes: Chris?
Wright: Barnhouse lawyer.
Holmes: Jessica?
Wright: A rock-drawing rock.
Holmes: Zeke?
Wright: Gay me.
LaBelle and Starrett: (Laughs)
Holmes: Will?
Wright: Super fan, cool guy. That’s a lame phrase.
Holmes: Sunday?
Wright: Secret bad-ass.
Holmes: Jay?
Wright: Challenge beast.
Holmes: Bret?
Wright: Life of the party.
Holmes: Hannah?
Wright: Female Jewish me.
Holmes: Ken?
Wright: Loyal abs.
Holmes: Let’s finish with Adam.
Wright: Deserving.

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

Tags:survivor, survivor millennials vs gen x
Posted in survivor | Comments Off on ‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X’ Castaway Interview with David, Bret, and Jay

‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X’ Finalist Hannah – ‘I Thought Being a Strong Woman Like Jessica Would Get Me Targeted’

December 15, 2016

‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X’ (CBS)

Gordon Holmes: Good morning, Hannah.
Hannah Shapiro: Good morning! I’m sorry if my voice cracks and you can’t understand me. My apologies.
Holmes: I’ll let it go one or two times, but so help me if there is a fourth!
Shapiro: Hang up and say Hannah is the worst.
Holmes: I was going to give her my vote for the million, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to vote for a voice cracker.
Shapiro: That’s why I lost. The article headline should be, “Hannah’s Voice Cracks at Final Tribal, Nobody Wants to Vote for Her.”

Shapiro: It’s so nice to speak to you again. We talked before I went to the island, we’re talking now.
Holmes: We’re bringing it full circle. We get 42 minutes with you a week and we don’t get to see everything, so now we get your side of the story.
Shapiro: I love being heard.
Holmes: I am your voice.
Shapiro: I would choose no one else.

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

Holmes: I kind of half pay attention to the reunions. I’m putting together my recap and other stuff. A member of my staff texted me to ask if there’s something romantic going on with you and Ken. Did I miss something?
Shapiro: There’s nothing romantic between me and Ken. I was making a point that Probst called me out for being a flirt, and if I’m a flirt I’m a very untraditional flirt in the history of the show. I wanted to make the point that you can be weird and quirky and flirt with a real pretty man and be bold in your life in every aspect. In the past they’d cast these beautiful women and these guys would make these comments about them. I wanted to flip the script and objectify a bunch of men on national television.
Holmes: Did you think your objectification of men was going to help you with the jury?
Shapiro: I think it helps me every day.

Holmes: We’re making light of this, but before the game you said that you’ve seen men who act like you win “Survivor.” Spoiler Alert: David even says in his word association that you are a “female, Jewish” version of him. Do you think you would have been viewed differently by the jury if you were a man?
Shapiro: I absolutely think that. There are exceptions to the rule, but if you make a move as a man, you’re a game player. If you make a move as a woman you’re a flipper. I think if you’re loyal as a man, you’re loyal. I think if you’re loyal as a woman, you’re a goat. Especially in a season with a primarily male jury and male merge. Perception is everything in this game. And it’s something I knew going into the game. Gender is probably something I should have taken into deeper consideration as I tried to figure out how to maneuver my way to the end. I do not think I lost because of a gender thing, but I do think that when you’re primarily playing with dudes that it becomes tricky. And, it’s not like a woman hasn’t ever been able to beat two dudes. And because I’m a quirky female, it may have more personally hurt than if I was a dude.

Holmes: Bret’s voted out and he calls you a flipper. Will changes his alliance and it’s a resume builder.
Shapiro: Yeah! It’s funny, I think women have to play “Survivor” differently. For the Bret thing, when Zeke convinced Bret to go to rocks for him, Zeke convinced a man whose ally he had voted out to passionately put his hand in a bag of rocks. And one of the ways he did this was by convincing Bret of the narrative of me as a crazy flipper. Bret played a very emotional game and he didn’t always understand the strategy that was going on. I love Bret, and he was playing a fantastic social game, but he’d say he’s playing with idiots and that’s a reflection of not understanding some other people’s strategy.

Holmes: This argument about women and men being viewed differently is a very strong one. But, you’re pitching to a mostly male jury.
Shapiro: Yeah. I thought about saying that, but you can’t tell a bunch of dudes…I remember after the game I told Will that I thought gender does play a role in things and he got really defensive. A month later, we talked and he said, “You know Hannah, I thought you were calling me sexist, but I now kind of understand what you were saying.” It’s tricky. We see the state of the world. I think everything about yourself plays a role in “Survivor.” What I regret is not taking into account certain elements of perception.

Holmes: Ken obviously made the call to vote out David himself, but Adam gets credit for that move from Chris and presumably the rest of the jury. What was your take on what happened there?
Shapiro: Ken was key to my game. I thought I could beat him. And he would go on these hour-long ramblings about loyalty. So, I knew I couldn’t take out his ally in a more traditional way with a blindside because I knew I would lose Ken’s trust. I had been working on how to create some kind of wedge between him and Dave. I love Dave, the jury loved Dave too. When Dave made the fake idol, Ken was sort of hurt that Dave didn’t tell him about it. We were sitting on the beach and Ken said, “I can’t believe Dave didn’t tell me about his fake idol.” I was like, “Yeah, I know. Maybe he isn’t as close to you as you think he is.” And part of voting out Bret was showing how the jury would react to Dave not being voted out. And I’m not saying Adam didn’t argue as well, but I lead with being quirky and goofy. I thought being a strong woman like Jessica would get me targeted. So, with Chris I lead with sports and goofy. If Chris’s perception of me is goofy and his perception of Adam is strategy, he’s going to give that credit to Adam. And people say, “Why didn’t you fight Chris?” I fought as hard as I could at final Tribal on every point that everyone threw at me. There was no point where I sat there quietly.

Holmes: Alright, word association time.
Shapiro: I read Zeke’s, I’m so nervous.
Holmes: As you should be, you’ll be graded later. Let’s start with Mari.
Shapiro: The coolest, most bad-ass chick I’ve ever met.
Holmes: Figgy?
Shapiro: Very pretty.
Holmes: Michaela?
Shapiro: Strong, smart…independent.
Holmes: Michelle?
Shapiro: Dragons.
Holmes: Michelle’s dragon dress?
Shapiro: Phenomenal.
Holmes: Taylor?
Shapiro: Goofy blue eyes
Holmes: Jessica?
Shapiro: Like a powerful lady.
Holmes: Zeke?
Shapiro: The best human in the world.
Holmes: Will?
Shapiro: More mature than I was at eighteen.
Holmes: Sunday?
Shapiro: A sweetheart.
Holmes: Jay?
Shapiro: Game player.
Holmes: Bret?
Shapiro: Life of the party.
Holmes: David?
Shapiro: Gen-X me.
Holmes: Ken?
Shapiro: Open to the world.
Holmes: Let’s finish with Adam.
Shapiro: A brother to me. Did I do better or worse than the lightning round before the game?
Holmes: I don’t remember.
Shapiro: You yelled at me because I was taking so long.
Holmes: Lightning round, Shapiro!
Shapiro: (Laughs) I was so bad it. I was thinking, “I’m going to be so bad on the island, I can’t even handle a lightning round!”

Holmes: Jay, Adam, and David are all big threats headed toward the end of the game. Was there anything you could do to whittle them down closer to the Sunday vote?
Shapiro: I think even Sunday doesn’t fully understand, but I knew if Jay won immunity and Bret and Sunday were still in it that me, Adam, and Ken were in trouble. That scared me. I was playing with the intention of sitting at the end with Adam and Ken. Watching it back, it’s easy to see where things were headed. But at the time, it’s what made the most sense. I will say, was it the right move to get Bret out so Sunday would have been an option? Yes, probably the better move, but for me it was the wrong time to take out David.

Holmes: I wasn’t keeping track, but your voice squeaked more than four times.
Shapiro: (Laughs)
Holmes: And I let it go.
Shapiro: Well, thank you.

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

Tags:survivor, survivor millennials vs gen x
Posted in survivor | Comments Off on ‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X’ Finalist Hannah – ‘I Thought Being a Strong Woman Like Jessica Would Get Me Targeted’

‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X’ Winner Adam – Jay Is the ‘Batman to My Joker’

December 15, 2016

‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X’ (CBS)

Gordon Holmes: Am I speaking to “Survivor” champion Adam Klein?
Adam Klein: (Laughs) Oh my goodness. I can’t believe it.
Holmes: How does that feel?
Klein: It’s incredible. It’s a total dream come true.
Holmes: I have dreams about “Survivor,” but they’re more like stress nightmares.
Klein: (Laughs)
Holmes: We’re always two episodes into the season and I’m scrambling because I’m on the bottom.
Klein: Your nightmare was my reality! I had that experience when Mari went home. She was one of my closest allies. This is what it feels like to be blindsided, I do not want that to happen again.
Holmes: Your nightmare ends with Probst handing you a million-dollar check. Mine ends with me waking up sweaty.
Klein: (Laughs)

Holmes: Were you sure you had Ken’s vote as you were heading into that final four Tribal?
Klein: I was feeling pretty confident that Ken was going to go my way, but I hated that it was in his hands. The whole idea of taking out Dave at the final five Tribal Council was that we didn’t have to rely on Ken making this difficult, emotional decision to take out his closest friend in the game. We were going to do it without him. But Hannah, by voting out Bret instead of Dave put us in the position where no matter what, no matter who won immunity, we needed Ken’s vote. Even if I had won immunity and Ken votes for Hannah, they go to fire-making. Ken has been living in the fire for 39 days. He literally puts ashes in his pocket and sleeps on top of it. It wasn’t going to end well. So, we needed Ken there. And when he came through it was a huge relief.
Holmes: Chris gave you credit for Ken’s flip. Why do you think he gave it to you instead of Hannah?
Klein: First of all, I did have conversations with Ken about Dave that weren’t shown on the broadcast. I had a very important conversation with Ken the night that Bret was voted out where I actually, and this is going to sound crazy because it’s the wrong time to give someone a reason to get rid of someone, but I actually told Ken about my mom. Ken is an incredibly genuine person and believes that the best people should get to the end. And I wanted him to know that there was no shame in going to the end with me. He was playing for his daughter and I was playing for my family as well. Dave was standing in the way of both of us winning. I had a final three deal with Ken and so did Dave, so he was going to have to break his deal with one of us. I wanted it to seem equal in terms of how bad it would feel to get rid of both of us. Then it would come down to who he thought he might be able to beat and I knew that he’d side with me on that. On terms of the jury perspective, they didn’t know about that conversation, but time and time again they saw that I was the guy saying, “Dave is the biggest threat.” That was very intentional. I knew he wasn’t going to vote me out until we got to the final five. He needed my vote. But, he was also someone who, because we were talking him up so much, would absolutely win a jury vote. That’s part of the danger of talking him up so much. So, they saw what I was doing at Tribal Council.

Holmes: You shared the information about your mother with both Ken and Jay. In a more cutthroat season, that could’ve been used to get rid of you.
Klein: The moments where I opened my heart to them were very genuine moments. I really trusted them as human beings beyond the game. But, I was never going to do anything that would jeopardize my game. I was out there to do well for my family. With Jay, he’s been through this. His mother has had significant health problems. I knew that he would get it and that he needed me in the game. It wouldn’t be in his best interest to run and make me a bigger threat. He knew that he would never make me a bigger threat than he was. And, he’s an incredible enough guy that he would never say anything.
Holmes: I don’t think Jay wants anyone to know this, but he seems like an incredible guy.
Klein: (Laughs) Jay has this exterior where he’s just this bro, but he’s incredibly genuine. And the way he went out of the game was one of the best ever. Just laughing the whole time. That’s the kind of guy he is. He’s a warrior, but he respects the game as well.

Donate to Stand Up To Cancer’s Cancer Research Programs

Holmes: Jonny Fairplay proved that some players will do anything to get ahead in the game with his grandmother lie in “Pearl Islands.” Was there any concern that people might have doubted that your story was genuine?
Klein: No. I know that the feelings were genuine. I know that they’d come across as genuine. People keep saying, “Why do they keep talking about this storyline? I’m sick of this storyline.” It’s not a storyline to me, it’s my life. That’s what matters to me. It’s the most important thing in my life. Of course I’m going to talk about it. The game doesn’t just exist outside of reality.

Holmes: You mentioned that you and your mother auditioned for “Blood vs. Water.” She would have won, right?
Klein: (Laughs) Yeah. At the time we applied she was in much better shape than I am. I’ve been getting in shape for the last couple of years. She would have run circles around me. She worked out every day, she was a health nut.
Holmes: How would her social game have been?
Klein: Incredible. The hardest part for her would have been voting out people that she loved. If she met someone like Jay where she really connected, she’d have a hard time doing what needed to be done. But, if I were on the season, I’d have said, “We’ve gotta take these people out, that’s the game.” She was the most warm-hearted person you can possibly imagine.
Holmes: I’m picturing this challenge beast with you as the little devil on her shoulder.
Klein: Yeah, that’s exactly right. (Laughs)

Holmes: This is the first season of “Survivor” in recent memory that didn’t really have any villains. Were you guys aware of that when you were out there?
Klein: I couldn’t believe that we were as supportive of each other as we were. And how gracious everyone was when they were voted out of the game. They’d give these speeches like, “Good luck, you guys are awesome.” I figured people made these speeches every season and they were edited out.
Holmes: I’ve been to a few Tribal Councils, I’ve never seen that.
Klein: I guess we really were unique. I love this group of people. There isn’t a villain because everyone is genuinely awesome. I’ll be friends with this whole group for the rest of my life.
Holmes: As a “Survivor” fan, is that a trend that you hope continues?
Klein: Personally, I don’t need to watch people that are despicable. I think you can play the game hard and still respect each other after it.

Holmes: Alright, word association time.
Klein: Oh, I’m ready for this!
Holmes: Did you prepare something ahead of time?
Klein: I would never.
Holmes: Thank you. The “Worlds Apart” cast almost destroyed my gimmick.
Klein: (Laughs)
Holmes: Let’s start with Mari.
Klein: She went far too soon.
Holmes: Figgy?
Klein: Actually a friend of mine in real life.
Holmes: Michaela?
Klein: A challenge beast.
Holmes: Michelle?
Klein: So much fun. I always have a blast hanging out with her.
Holmes: Michelle’s dragon dress?
Klein: The star of the season.
Holmes: I’m told its name is “Freckles.”
Klein: Yes! You nailed it. The dragon does not actually have freckles.
Holmes: Taylor?
Klein: A total free spirit.
Holmes: Chris?
Klein: The strongest guy I know.
Holmes: Jessica?
Klein: My closest ally in the game.
Holmes: Zeke?
Klein: Brilliant.
Holmes: Will?
Klein: Very mature and played at a much higher level than you’d expect from someone his age.
Holmes: Sunday?
Klein: The sweetest, warmest woman ever.
Holmes: Jay?
Klein: The Batman to my Joker and my brother for life.
Holmes: Bret?
Klein: Hilarious.
Holmes: David?
Klein: The most impressive person in our season.
Holmes: Hannah?
Klein: My sister, friend for life.
Holmes: Ken?
Klein: One of the most genuine people I know.

Holmes: Alright, Mr. Millionaire, last night you said you’re making a big donation to Stand Up To Cancer which is awesome. Any other plans for the money?
Klein: A lot of it is going to taxes, especially living in California. And I’m going to save the rest because that will allow me to do the non-profit work that I like to do.
Holmes: You could put that up as a prize for next season’s Power Rankings.
Klein: (Laughs) No no no…but I would love to do the Power Rankings if you want me.
Holmes: Consider this an official invitation. You don’t even have to put up your prize money.
Klein: Awesome! I can’t wait. I saw that Zeke wanted to do Power Rankings in his pre-game interview.
Holmes: I love me some Zeke, but he seems like a bad choice for next season…for some reason.
Klein: (Laughs)

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

Tags:survivor, survivor millennials vs gen x
Posted in survivor | Comments Off on ‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X’ Winner Adam – Jay Is the ‘Batman to My Joker’

‘Survivor’ Announces Eight Returning Players for Next Spring’s ‘Game Changers’ Season

December 14, 2016

‘Survivor: Game Changers’ (CBS)

The theme for the next edition of “Survivor” was announced at the conclusion of last night’s “Millennials vs. Gen-X” reunion. For the 34th season (34?!), CBS will bring back players that have in some way changed the game. While several players were hinted at in the preview that aired, (including Malcolm Freberg and JT Thomas) only eight players were verified. That list includes…

Newly Crowned “Survivor” Hall of Famer Tony Vlachos (“Survivor: Cagayan”)
Sia’s favorite Survivor, Tai Trang (“Survivor: Kaoh Rong”)
“Beast Mode Cowboy” Caleb Reynolds (“Survivor: Kaoh Rong”)
“Survivor” Hall of Fame Class of 2011 Ozzy Lusth (“Survivor: Cook Islands,” “Survivor: Micronesia,” and “Survivor: South Pacific”)
“Survivor” Hall of Fame Class of 2011 Cirie Fields (“Survivor: Panama,” Survivor: Micronesia,” and “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains”)
“Survivor” Hall of Fame Class of 2010 Sandra Diaz-Twine (“Survivor: Pearl Islands” and “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains”)
The only person to ever vote for a family member, Ciera Eastin (“Survivor: Blood vs. Water” and “Survivor: Second Chance”)
The world’s toughest Millennial, Michaela Bradshaw (“Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X”)

“Survivor: Game Changers” will premiere Wednesday, March 8, 2016 at 8 p.m. ET.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot…XFINITY TV sent me deep into the wilderness to bring you exclusive interviews, photos, behind-the-scenes tidbits, and more from “Survivor: Game Changers.” Be sure to follow me on Twitter for updates!

Tags:survivor, survivor game changers
Posted in survivor | Comments Off on ‘Survivor’ Announces Eight Returning Players for Next Spring’s ‘Game Changers’ Season

‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X’ Finale Recap: And the Winner Is…

December 14, 2016

‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X’ (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: XFINITYTV.com is the place to be for all of your bug-eatin’, back-stabbin’, “Survivor” coverage. During the season we’ll have insightful weekly Power Rankings, exit interviews, and full episode recaps. Follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

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

Last Week: Will, Sunday win “Survivor”? Nope.

39 Days, 20 People, 1 “Survivor Blog…

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

The Vinaka Tribe (wearing black)
Adam – 25, Homeless Shelter Manager
Bret – 42, Police Sergeant
David – 42, Television Writer
Hannah – 24, Barista
Jay – 27, Real Estate Agent
Ken – 33, Model

Back-Up Headlines: “Hannah and Her Misters,” “Ken He Take the Million?,” “The Daves I Know…Will Win.”

We start off after Tribal and Jay is not happy that he burned his idol. But, tomorrow’s another day, and maybe the “Survivor” fairies have planted another idol out in the wilderness.

Meanwhile, Bret is bummed that they took out Sunday when David was wide open. That crazy Bret, wanting to do silly things like vote out the BIGGEST THREAT IN THE GAME!

Bret compares this to Seal Team Six letting Osama bin Laden go. Okay, now that is crazy.

While everyone is sleeping, David sneaks out and channels his inner Runaround Bob Crowley. His arts and crafts excursion results in a pretty impressive fake idol. He even paints a coconut and shoves it inside. Attention to detail!

Sure enough, Jay finds in the next day. Best of all, he doesn’t doubt its legitimacy for a second. Oh Jay…

Later, Ken cracks open his legacy advantage. Apparently he will be immune at the next Tribal Council. Well, that’s straight-forward. My apologies for those who were hoping the Legacy Advantage was a pin-up photoshoot.

Immunity Challenge Time: Players will race through an obstacle course and retrieve a bag of tiles. They’ll use the tiles to complete a combination lock. Once they have the combination, they’ll cover their answer and use a key to unlock pieces to a bat puzzle. The first person to complete the bat puzzle will win immunity and a steak dinner.

Oh no, it’s just a puzzle that look like a bat that’s hanging upside-down. Oh well, a boy can dream.

We start off and Jay jumps out to an early lead. However, he forgets to cover up his combination. This allows David and others to copy his answer.

Jay is the first one to the puzzle, but the other players are hot on his heels. This mistake proves to be costly as David is able to complete the puzzle and win immunity and reward.

Probst allows two people to join David for the meal, but Jay interrupts them before he can name his dining companions. Apparently, Jay wants to use the reward theft that I had forgotten about several episodes ago.

Jay chooses to dine with David and Adam.

Huh…this reward would be good if it was strictly a reward challenge and you wanted to go into an immunity challenge with strength. But, that reward was for immunity. Anywho, Jay tells us that he’s going to use the meal to draw Adam and David over to his side.

At the dinner, David and Adam admit that they’re worried about Jay going on an immunity run, but Jay says that doesn’t matter because he’ll take them to the final three.

David is considering this because Ken is the only other person who promises to take him to the end.

Back at camp, Bret and Ken agree that Jay’s time is up. Hannah, on the other hand, is worried that he has an idol. Oh, he totally does. (Wink.)

The dinner party returns and Hannah says, “Oh, we were just talking about you guys.” Yeah, that’s what people want to hear on “Survivor.”

Hannah and Adam approach David about voting for Bret. It seems like everyone is into it, but Adam is worried about Jay winning through to the end.

Meanwhile, Bret and Jay are hilariously comparing their arguments for targeting each other. This season is awesome. Everyone gets along.

Before we head to Tribal, Hannah tells Jay that she’ll vote for Bret if Jay can get Adam on board. The two have a chat and Adam tells Jay that he’ll give him a shot.

That night at Tribal, Adam admits that Jay used the reward to try to get on his good side.

This doesn’t surprise Bret, and he knows that both he and Jay are the targets.

David thinks the reward dinner is big because it’ll help him be stronger for the next challenge. He also thinks he could beat Jeff Probst in an arm wrestling challenge. Dude, did you see Probst on “Two and a Half Men”?!

Hannah tells Jeff that every vote is a huge decision. Also, the sky is blue.

Voting Time: No votes are shown. A lot of that this season.

JPro tallies and returns. He asks if anyone wants to play an idol…and Jay does!

Oh man…this is gonna be bad.

Jay talks a TON of trash as he hands the fake idol over to Probst. Probst breaks the bad news to the poor kid, then throws the fake idol in the fire for good measure.

Sooooo…Probst did ask for an idol. Does that mean one is still out there?

Aaaaand, before the votes are read, Ken uses his legacy advantage. This season is like Calvinball.

Alright, we’ve got one vote for Ken, three votes for Jay, and the fifteenth person eliminated from “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X” is…Jay.

Fortunately, Jay takes it like a champ. He laughs and smiles the whole way out. I love that kid.

Immunity Challenge Time: Players will maneuver a buoy through a series of obstacles. They’ll then use handles to carry puzzle piece across a teeter totter. First person to complete the puzzle wins immunity.

Hilariously, the puzzle’s answer is “Not a Participation Trophy.” I also would have accepted “Get Off of My Lawn.”

The Survivors are ready…and they go. Ken is the first one to get to the puzzle-piece transporting portion. However, he tries to carry too many pieces at once and drops them. This allows Bret and David to catch him.

Bret is the first one to start the word puzzle. He’s followed by Ken, Adam, and David. Hannah eventually joins them.

“Participation” is a long word. Are we going to see a “Two Hours Later” lower third?

Nope, Ken figures it out to win immunity.

Back at camp, Adam is psyched that they’ll finally be able to target David. He knows he has Bret and Hannah on his side. However, he’s worried that there’s an idol still out there. He heads out looking for it and…he finds it!

Meanwhile, David approaches Hannah and Ken with the idea of getting rid of Adam. They agree that they’re a threesome and it doesn’t matter which order Bret and Adam exit the game. They approach Bret with this plan, and he’s obviously into it.

Wait…why even bother getting Bret on board if they already have the numbers?

Sure enough, Bret tells Adam what’s up. He assures Bret that everything is OK and shows him the idol. He also lets Hannah in on the secret.

Hannah, however, is playing in the middle. She can either spill the beans and they can get rid of Bret or stay the course and they can get rid of David. She says it all comes down to who she can beat in the end and who will take her to the end.

So, nobody and everybody?

That night at Tribal, Will is wearing a floral-print shirt! That’s Zeke’s gimmick!

Adam admits to being the first one to hunt for an idol.

Bret isn’t thinking about the final three, he just wants to survive the night.

Hannah believes David is the biggest threat. Bret agrees.

David is worried that his number might finally be up. But if it is, he’s gained confidence from his time in the game.

Adam points out that David’s story is why he’s dangerous to take to the end.

Voting Time: No votes are shown…yet again.

JPro tallies and returns. He asks if anyone would like to play an idol and…Adam does. He plays a REAL idol for himself.

Alright, we’ve got one vote for David, one vote for Bret, one vote for David, one vote for Bret, and the sixteenth person to be eliminated from “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X” is…Bret.

As Bret gets up, he says, “The flipper flips again.” What do you expect from a flipper?! He then congratulates David on winning a million dollars.

Adam is amazed that everyone stuck with David. David is also amazed. Oh, we’re all amazed.

Later, Hannah tells Adam that there is no way she could have turned on Ken and still won the game. Or not turned on Ken and won the game. Or done anything ever and won the game.

She’s not going to win…that’s what I’m saying.

Immunity Challenge Time: The players will use a pole to work a series of bowls through a wire frame. They’ll then stack the bowls on top of the wobbly frame. First person with thirteen bowls stacked, or the person with the most bowls in their stack after 30 minutes wins immunity.

Fun Fact: I did this as a test challenge during “Survivor: Blood vs. Water.” I totally won. Er…came in second place…it was a Redemption Island challenge, so that counts as winning. Don’t judge me.

Not much to describe here except for slow stackin’.

Adam and Ken are in the lead. Adam smartly decides to watch to see if Ken will screw it up on his way to the win. And, the wind takes out Ken’s stack!

Oh man, the wind takes out Adam’s stack too!

Pro Tip: I used the pole to bop my bowls into a straighter line.

Eventually, everyone decides to wait to see if their puzzle will stand up. Ken and Hannah are tied. Adam is one behind.

And time expires. Hannah and Ken will have to face off in a tie-breaker.

Immunity Challenge Sudden Death: At the end of five minutes, the person with the most bowls in their stack will win immunity.

Again, not much to describe here. Ken wins it seven to six to claim the final immunity.

Back at camp, David knows his worst-case scenario is a fire-making challenge. Hannah, on the other hand, is going to try to get Ken to finally flip on David.

She tells Ken that they can’t beat David, but Ken’s whole game has been based on trust and friendship.

Meanwhile, David tries to convince Adam that Ken is rock solid so he might as well turn on Hannah. Adam doesn’t buy it though, because he can’t beat David at the end either way. He’s not wrong.

Better practice that fire makin’, Adam.

Hmm…I wonder if that’s Ken’s best bet. Stick with David, and if he loses a fire-making challenge, you don’t have to worry about him. And if he wins, you have the loyalty card to play.

That night at Tribal, Probst points out how far Hannah has come from someone who took half an hour to vote. She admits she’s come a long way. I’d agree with that. I just think it’s too little, too late.

Adam says his only goal was to make sure that David didn’t win immunity. David says that’s because Adam knows he played a better game. Adam is glad that David can finally admit it.

Ken claims that he’s not going to change.

David admits to making a final three deal with Ken on day three. He says that he’s so impressed with how loyal Ken has been in a game that breeds so much backstabbery.

(David didn’t say “Backstabbery.” Also, “Backstabbery” is not a word.)

Hannah thinks all three of them are in danger. Well, she’s 2/3rds correct.

Voting Time: No votes are shown…yet again, yet again.

Probsty tallies and returns. We’ve got one vote for David, one vote for Adam, one vote for David, and the seventeenth person voted out of “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X” is…David.

Wow…I didn’t know Ken had it in him. I thought we were going to see a fire-making challenge for sure.

Also, Adam’s gonna win, right? During the exit press, I didn’t get the sense that many people were impressed with Ken’s game.

The final day starts off with Ken complaining about how Millennials can’t appreciate a sunrise without talking and selfie sticks and Snapchats. (I might’ve made up the last two things.)

Later, the trio is greeted by the traditional day-39 brunch.

Everyone states their cases for winning the game…and then we’re off to Tribal. That was quick.

Whoa…cleanly shaved David is going to take some getting used to.

Also, ZEKE’S SHIRT! You know he packed it specifically for tonight.

Taylor bats lead off. He claims that his vote is still up for grabs and he wants everyone to state their case. Hannah says she played a strategic game and put everyone on the jury. Even Jessica?

Ken claims that he showed everyone that he was loyal. David might disagree with that.

Finally, Adam thinks he played the best game out of the final three. He chooses not to go into detail.

Sunday wants to know if each finalist played more like a Millennial or a Gen-Xer. Oh, c’mon. Probst had to have put her up to that.

Ken thinks he’s old school and he’s more rigid. He also claims that he isn’t a flipper. Adam thinks Ken would’ve done well in season one, he also thinks Hannah flipped so often that her alliances never knew what to expect. He then claims to be a combination of Gen-X and Millennial. A Gillenial…if you will.

Hannah then takes credit for getting rid of Sunday.

Jessica is up third. She calls Ken out for claiming to be loyal and then voting out David. He tells David that he was his number two alliance and his number one alliance was with his daughter. I’m thinking Ken’s daughter might get the same amount of votes that he does.

Will bats clean-up. He starts by telling Ken that he respects him more for voting out David than he does for his trust and loyalty. He then asks Adam why they voted out Bret instead of David. Adam claims it’s because Hannah went rogue and he thought it was a mistake.

Hannah says she voted that way because she didn’t want to lose Ken’s trust.

Zeke claims that this Tribal represents an evolution in “Survivor” strategy and that the winner should reflect that change. He doesn’t think Ken achieved that objective, so he asks Adam and Hannah how they helped the game evolve. Adam says that he intentionally kept threats in front of him so they could whittle their way down to the end. Hannah defines a trust cluster as people working together until they need to turn on each other. She also thinks Adam is taking credit for a lot of moves that he didn’t make.

Michelle asks Hannah how many votes she was on the wrong side of, Hannah responds that it was everyone except for the Michaela vote. She then asks why Adam’s victories overshadow his blunders. He says that he was able to overcome his blunders and blunders of his alliance-mates. Hannah claims that she didn’t make any blunders, but Adam thinks voting out Bret was a blunder.

Blunder.

Bret wants to know when Ken started playing the game. Ken says that he started playing immediately because he was on the bottom of Gen-X.

Jay asks Adam why he didn’t use him to take out David. Adam tells Jay that he loves him like a brother and that Jay is the only one who knows why he’s playing the game.

You’re not going to make me cry, Adam.

Chris confesses to being a trial lawyer. And as a lawyer, he wants to advocate for Adam because Adam was able to get Ken to flip on David.

Ken disagrees, claiming that nobody convinced him to change his mind.

Finally, David tells everyone how “Survivor” has changed him. He wants to know how the game has changed the finalists. Hannah says that she was terrified of the game, but now she knows she can push through anything. Ken thinks that the game has helped him overcome his social anxiety. And, Adam tells everyone about how he is playing for his mother who is battling cancer.

You’re not gonna make me cry, Adam. #lies

Anywho, Hannah did a lot better than I thought she would. If I was going on points I’d go Hannah by a smidge, then Adam, then Ken waaaay in the back. But overall I think this is Adam’s to win.

Voting Time: No votes are show yet again, yet again, yet again…

Probst tallies and then magically transports to Los Angeles. Alright, we’ve got five votes for Adam and the winner of “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X” is…Adam.

Verdict: I thought this season was a breath of fresh air. Big moves, likable characters, and no real bitterness.

Power Rankings Results: Michele Fitzgerald had four of the final six in the correct slots, Shirin had two of the final six. The final score is Team Michelle 116, Team Shirin 105. Therefore, Michele is the “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X” Power Rankings champion! Her biggest win this year!

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

Tags:survivor, survivor millennials vs gen x
Posted in survivor | Comments Off on ‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X’ Finale Recap: And the Winner Is…

‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X’ Power Rankings – Finale Edition

December 14, 2016

‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X’ (CBS)

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

The Rules: For the final round, each player will receive two points for each person they put in the correct position. Spot 1 is the sole Survivor and spot six is the first person voted out of tonight’s finale. The person with the most points at the end of the season will be declared the “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X” champion.

Last Week: Michele Fitzgerald had Will in spot eight and Sunday in spot six. Shirin had Will in spot eight and Sunday in spot two. The current score is Team Michele 108, Team Shirin 101.

Quick Note: XFINITY “Survivor” loudmouth Gordon Holmes will be unable to participate in this season’s Power Rankings due to being more than a bit spoiled. Therefore, he has invited defending Power Rankings champion Shirin Oskooi to take his place.

Michele Fitzgerald and Shirin Oskooi’s Rankings


Team Michele’s Score = 108 Any questions for Michele? Drop her a line on Twitter: @meeshfitz	Team Shirin’s Score = 101 Any questions for Shirin? Drop her a line on Twitter: @theshirin

1. – Adam: Mom raised a winner.	1. – David: Hopefully the sound of cashing giant checks doesn’t scare him as much as the sound of chopping bamboo.

2. – Ken: A mix of beautiful and strange. You winning would surprise me, but you always surprise me.	2. – Ken (TIE): They toyed with this sculpted inanimate object and now it’s time to put it on the shelf while the big kids play.

3. – Hannah: We know that you are not afraid to get your hands (or face) dirty. But when the jury looks at you, what do they see?	2. – Hannah (TIE): White, cheesy, soft: Hannah makes a wonderful chèvre.

4. – David: You have two paths: you make final tribal and you win, or you don’t make final tribal at all. Sadly, everyone knows it.	4. – Adam: He needs to run a great anchor leg…with Hannah as an anchor on his leg.

5. – Jay: Without an idol and without an ally you are without a chance, without immunity.	5. – Jay: When Jay came into this game, he said he would be a cross between Woo and Russell. While thankfully he acted like neither, unfortunately he’ll leave the game like both: just short of the win.

6. – Bret: You’re gonna have so much fun at Ponderosa. I can’t wait to watch it.	6. – Bret: Have your cake and eat it, too. #thecakeisalie