Survivor: San Juan Del Sur Blood vs. Water Has Outlasted Its Welcome

Survivor: San Juan del Sur, the twenty-ninth season of one of the first American Reality TV shows, seems to me to be nearing the end of its run.

Unless Survivor re-invents itself, somehow.

I did not like the first version of Survivor: Blood vs. Water. That version had people who had previously been on Survivor returning with a loved one.

The current relative version is made up of people who had not been on Survivor, previously. However, two of the Blood vs. Water pairs had people known to some, as in infamous baseballer, John Rocker, and the twinnies from The Amazing Race, Natalie and Nadiya.

This iteration of Survivor seems to be the only season where those surviving seem to be gaining weight, rather than getting skinny.

Reward Challenge. Want to know what you're playing for? One week fixing's for a barbecue, another week a trip to a Mexican food all you can eat buffet, with beer and margaritas, another week a yacht trip with sandwiches, along with more beer, another week a trip to a baseball game with hot dogs, popcorn, candy and more beer.

And then there was when the two tribes merged and found themselves with a big buffet spread to gorge themselves on.

Or the one week where the Reward Challenge rewarded with food followed by the Immunity Challenge having more food to tempt the Survivors to give up the challenge.

Oh, and if you somehow eat up the supply of rice you are provided, Probst will show up to make a deal with you for another big bag of rice.

And speaking of Jeff Probst. The Probst play by play at the challenges really needs to be toned down. As does the way Probst asks leading questions at the Tribal Councils, leading questions about things like Immunity Idols not being used, which then causes a flurry of panic which disrupts the well planned who to kick off the island scheme.

As for the challenges, it only makes sense that after 29 seasons the challenges would start to have a deja vu feeling to them. But when, in an effort to do something different you have Probst touting something like "In the first time in Survivor history for this challenge Survivors can only use their feet" it would seem we have gone into Jumping the Shark territory.

For Survivor: Season Thirty, I hope Survivor returns to Survivor: Old School. Don't supply so much food. Make it so hunting, fishing and foraging is the food source.

And no gimmicks, no Redemption Island, no Exile Island, no Hidden Immunity Idols.

And cast only people who have never been on TV before, real people, and no people with serious personality disorders....

Survivor Redemption Island's Secret Agent Phillip Provides The Comedy

I finally got around to watching the first episode of Survivor: Redemption Island 4 days after it aired.

That is Phillip misspelling the name of a member of his 3 person alliance, Francesca Hogi. Phillip was also unable to pronounce Francesca's name correctly, even though she corrected his mispronunciation several times.

Francesca was the first to be voted out of her tribe and on to Redemption Island.

I don't remember enjoying a first episode of a new Survivor as much as I did this one. And most of what made it entertaining was Special Secret Federal Agent, Phillip Sheppard.

A 52 year old total nutjob.

Phillip bragged multiple times about how well he could read people, due to his time as a Secret Agent. But somehow the Secret Agent got confused at Tribal Council, turned on his alliance, revealed that Kristina Kell  found a Hidden Immunity Idol and put some of the funniest expressions on Jeff Probst's face ever.

Speaking of Jeff Probst. He really really needs to turn down the volume as he yells the play by play at a challenge.

Now, back to Phillip. Why did they show him talking to Kristina and Francesca wearing only pink tighty whities?

With no blurring.

There was a lot of bikini blurring, but we were not spared a high-definition look at Phillip's pink manties?

I was really liking Francesca. She's funny. I guess we get to see her have a duel with whoever is the next one voted out. It will be amusing if it is Phillip.

One more thing. I didn't mind Russell Hantz and Rob Mariano being back. It sort of added an interesting dynamic. And I liked how so many tools were provided so the tribes could get right to constructing their huts.

There seems to be some doubt at CBS regarding Phillip's claim to be a former Federal agent.

On the CBS bio for Phillip on the Survivor website a question mark is used, an in...

Occupation: Former Federal Agent?

Survivor Nicaragua: Jane Kicked Out of the Tribe After Drowning the Fire

That is Jane you are looking at, on last night's last episode of Survivor before the finale, on Sunday,

Jane had just learned that her Final 4 alliance had betrayed her and that she was going to be kicked out of the tribe at that night's Tribal Council.

When Sash told Jane that everyone agreed that if they took Jane to the end she would win the million dollars. And thus she had to go.

At that point Jane's hand suddenly got all swollen and blurry.

Jane is a spooky looking gal. I like her. I suspect she'll be winning $100,000 as fan favorite. Either she or Fabio, if Fabio does not win the million.

This has been a very odd season of Survivor. It seemed to go by real fast. Sped up, somewhat, I suppose, by quitters. There really was not a lot of plotline this time, not a lot of good scheming, no good Hidden Immunity Idol drama, no really good blindsides.

But, a couple of very animated Tribal Councils that may have been the best in Survivor history.

Last night, to me, Jeff Probst seemed to cross a line from simply asking questions at Tribal Council to acting more like a coach. When Jane let loose her bit of vitriol, making clear she was the one chosen to go, Probst eventually said something, directed to Fabio and Dan, suggesting that since Chase and Sash have Immunity Idols and since Fabio won Immunity, why not take back control of the game by allying with Jane, with Fabio, Dan and Jane voting out Holly.

Actually, that would have ended in a 3/3 tie between Jane and Holly. With one of those tiebreaker deals. This had not occurred to me while watching last night.

In the end, all voted to vote out Jane. I guess they all drank the you can not possibly win against Jane for the million dollars Kool-aid.

I think my favorite part of last night's episode was Jane drowning the fire before she left.

I never like the family/friend visit episode of Survivor. These people have been gone less than two months, but they act like they've been in WWII fighting for 3 years and finally getting to see their mom again. Dan's son could not quit kissing him. Fabio was in tears. As was Holly. I don't remember who showed up for Sash. Was it Chase's mom? If so, he was probably crying.

I suppose it is the extreme stress of being stranded out in the middle of nowhere with all those TV cameras constantly watching you that makes the Survivors such emotional wrecks in such a short time.

I am not all that looking forward to Sunday's 3 hour finale. It doesn't matter to me who wins the million dollars.

Survivor Nicaragua: NaOnka & Kelly B Quit While Holly Turns Heroic

Wednesday's episode 11 of Survivor Nicaragua was one of the strangest episodes ever, in all 21 Survivor seasons. At least in my opinion.

On this week's episode, no one was voted out of the tribe.

Instead, NaOnka Mixon and Kelly Shinn (aka Kelly B), opted to kick themselves out of the tribe.

But not before NaOnka went on one last reward.

The Reward Challenge was a team effort. Untying a big Gulliver dummy, then navigating Gulliver through a maze. With the winners taken to Survivor Cinema for a sneak preview of Gulliver's Travels, along with hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and candy. Holly said she really wanted some hot dogs.

The winning team consisted of Chase, Benry, Holly and NaOnka. Dan sat out the challenge, due to an imbalance in numbers, but if he picked the right winners, he too got to go on the reward. And so he did.

After the winners won, NaOnka informed Jeff that she this was her last day. Probst asked if there were any other quitters. Kelly B raised her hand. Probst was aghast, pointing out they'd made it 28 days, with only 11 to go. That if they left they'd be one of those quitters no one remembers.

Probst then through in a twist. If one of the winners was willing to forego the reward they could bring back to camp a tarp and enough rice to last to the end. Holly volunteered.

Then Benry muttered to NaOnka that she should volunteer, that Holly needs to eat, that you are going to leave, let Holly eat. NaOnka ignored Benry. Then Holly gave NaOnka a piercing glare as she took the goods from Probst.

Commenting later, Holly opined that she'd lost whatever respect was left for NaOnka's character.

NaOnka did cement her status as one of the most disgusting people ever to be on Survivor.

One thing seemed odd to me. Probst gave the 2 quitters the afternoon, before Tribal Council, to reconsider quitting. Yet there was no Immunity Challenge. At least we were shown none. What would have happened had the two quitters decided not to quit? An Immunity Challenge the next day?

It is a bit aggravating that there are thousands upon thousands of Americans who try out for Survivor and get rejected. You apply knowing what you are getting yourself in for.

In her bio on the CBS Survivor website, Kelly B said her reason for being on Survivor was, "It is the opportunity of a lifetime. People dream to do things as great as this."

While NaOnka gave her reason for being on Survivor as, "Getting the experience of survival."

I guess NaOnka did not realize what TV show she was going to be on.

Sandra Beats Parvati & Russell to Win Survivor Heroes vs. Villains

That's the look on Sandra Diaz-Twine's face when Jeff Probst flipped over a ballot while saying the winner of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, is, revealing "Sandra" as the winner.

This makes two times, now, that having Sandra win made it a good ending for me, for Survivor. More often than not I'm not all that thrilled with the winner.

Like the previous outing on Samoa. I want Russell Hantz to win. It seemed ridiculous that Natalie won. Russell seemed to have the majority with him that time. In the audience, I mean.

This time, not so much. Back to back Survivors had turned Russell into a really nasty mouthed Super Villain.

Good natured JT continued to be a good-natured guy, taking the ribbing and the trophy for making the Dumbest Move in Survivor History, with a laugh and a smile.

Some of these Survivors really need to not show up on Survivor again. Old Grumpy Man, Colby Donaldson, is one. Colby's anger management issues, as revealed when he kept yelling at his big brother, Reid, in the Toss Water Challenge, was pretty embarrassing. What is Colby like when cameras are not on him, one can not help but wonder?

Another who really really wore out his welcome, with me, is Rupert Boneham. Enough with the antique hippie/pirate act. Lose the beard and the tie-dye. Drop the sanctimonious holier than thou act.

Creepy Coach, Ben Wade, toned it down, somewhat, from the demented crazy man act he perpetrated when we first met him. But, still, we need not see this guy again. His style of sanctimoniousness manages to be even more annoying than Rupert's. And all his warrior talk. What makes me think that if this boy ever got into a real situation that called for a warrior mentality that he'd wet his pants and run away screaming like a scared school girl?

I would not be too bothered if CBS put Parvati on my Survivor screen again. Nothing about her really annoys me. Well, there is that tramp stamp tattoo she has on her lower back. Those lose BIG points with me.

I don't know what happened with Jerri Manthey between when she was in the Australian Outback, lusting after Colby, and the 2010 Samoa version, with no lust for Colby, with the lust replaced by the assessment that Colby has no personality. I found the 2010 Jerri very likable. Had she ended up in the Final 3, I'm thinking Jerri may have beaten Sandra for the win.

As for Russell Hantz. I actually like Russell. Probst said he's gotten a lot of feedback telling him Heroes vs. Villains was the best Survivor ever. I pretty much agree with that. Highly entertaining. Largely due to Russell. But, how can Russell be such a fan of Survivor without getting that his Hitlerian Blitzkrieg way of playing is no way to actually win, anymore than it worked for Adolf? In the end, the good guys win, both in Survivor and World War II.

Anyway, I've not made it to the end of the Reunion Show, so I don't know where the next Survivor is going to take place. I suspect it will be somewhere tropical.

Jeff Probst's Survivor Blog for Episode 12

I've no idea if Jeff Probst writes his Survivor Blog himself. I suspect he does. Because it seems real personal. It is very well written. And full of juicy little tidbits.

Like what he thinks about the idea of dating Parvati, Rupert's beard and sanctimoniousness, Colby's descent into senior citizen status and Russell being worn out due to back to back Survivors causing Russell's already flimsy filter to fail, leading Russell to cross over into being way too mean, like he was to Saint Rupert the Bearded.

Anyway, for your reading enjoyment, the Jeff Probst Survivor Blog entry for the latest episode, that being the episode with 2 Tribal Councils, where Candice and Danielle were sent home.

At the end of the blog there is a link where you can go and vote for the Dumbest Move in Survivor History. To be revealled on the Reunion Show May 16th. I found it a bit sexist that there were only men to choose from as the Dumbest Movers. Then again, I could think of no Survivor Women making dumb moves. The Dumb Moving Men you have to choose from are Colby, Erik, James, Tyson & JT,

Probst's Blog for Episode 12:

Rupert: “There are no other heroes.”

Oh Rupert, I still love you, but after this season concludes you need shave the beard and create a new persona. The one has grown tired. The lovable pirate who always puts integrity ahead of winning has served you very well and you will always be one of the most popular Survivors ever. But it’s time for a change. Listen, to be fair – I know I could take the same advice myself. Get me a new haircut, a different colored shirt and maybe some new dialogue, cause I’m sure the same argument could be made for me. The Probst act has grown tired.

But, I’m the one writing the blog so that means I’m going to continue to focus my attention outward on everyone else… and leaving the inward thinking for my therapy sessions.

There were a few themes this episode. Morality, hypocrisy and exhaustion. All three of them in full force.

It started with Rupert and Colby’s character assassination of Candice.

The reason we brought Candice back as a hero in the first place was because she stayed loyal to her alliance in the Cook Islands. This time she is playing a different game. Surprise, she wants to win. But to listen to Rupert and Colby you’d think she had committed treason or some other terrible crime against humanity.

Colby: “Candice is so weak. She’s so pathetic.”
Rupert: “Self centered, greedy, manipulative. She killed us. Candice is a pitiful player.”

Really? Isn’t she just playing Survivor like everybody else. This exchange really stood out to me as a stunning example of what happens when you are tired and frustrated and looking for someone or some thing else to blame it on. I don’t really think Candice is all those things anymore than I think Rupert is the savior he believes himself to be. It’s all part of playing Survivor and the game is simply taking its toll on these intrepid but exhausted folks.

Case in point…

RUSSELL & RUPERT THE ARGUMENT
There is no doubt left in my mind. The enormous emotional wear and tear of back-to back Survivors is severely impacting Russell’s game. The man is flat out tired. The kind of tired that makes you irritated just to be awake, but so tired you can’t fall asleep. The kind of tired that lets you know you’re gonna bite somebody’s head off before they even say a word, you’re just waiting for them to so much as breathe… like a snake in the grass. As a result, the microscopic filter system that Russell had been utilizing when in social situations is gone.

The ugliness that came out of his mouth while sitting across the fire from Rupert just made Russell one of the best candidates to take to the end because his chances of winning just took another nose dive. I’m not saying he can’t pull it out, but the odds are plummeting. It wasn’t even so much what he said it was how he said it. It was mean spirited, even for Russell.

I’m not making excuses for Russell when I say he’s exhausted. He’s done a very good job of showing his true colors. But I do believe that the emotional drain this show exacts is hard for the audience to truly understand.

The truly great players are “focused” on this game every single second of every single minute of every single day. That kind of intense focus is so exhausting that once the game ends, many Survivors take months to get back to normal. Think about it…you are in an environment that takes you out of your comfort zone, no creature comforts, where you cannot really trust anyone, where you have to watch your back at all times and on top of it all, you have to be thinking several moves ahead or you will lose the plot and your torch will be snuffed.

As I’ve said many times before, I’m eating and sleeping every day while we’re shooting and even I am exhausted at the end of a season. I was a disaster after our back to backs in Samoa. This game is nuts. This season has been the most intense season we’ve ever had. I’m amazed at the level of game play from these contestants. We may never see something like this again. It’s truly been a treat, but it’s taken its toll. Look at their faces, their body language.

On my list of players that are still 100% focused on the game and only the game, there are four: Parvati, Sandra, Russell and Danielle. All villains. I know that offends everybody else left in the game but here’s my rational:

Colby is certainly a good strategist but his head has been in and out of the game this season and leaves him vulnerable.

Rupert is a decent strategist, but he gets too lost in the morality of what he deems to be appropriate behavior. It’s wasted energy.

Candice is very smart but she doesn’t commit fast enough and it’s a fatal flaw.

Jerri just doesn’t have it in her DNA to only focus on the game. Jerri will take time to enjoy a moment or stare at a sunset… I mean really stare at the sunset…and though it’s a great quality in life, it’s not one that works well in this game.

This doesn’t mean Colby, Rupert, Candice and Jerri can’t make it to the end and win. I’m only pointing out that right now there are four people who are truly focused on this game and with each passing day the toll of the game will make it harder and harder for each of them to focus. Those who hold it together the longest have the best chance of winning.

FIRST IMMUNITY CHALLENGE

I continued to be amazed at how quickly people will step out of a challenge for food. It happens season after season. People voluntarily stepping out of a challenge for immunity. Nuts. They always blame it on “I wouldn’t have lasted long anyway.” But after 20 seasons I believe it is simply evidence of Maslows Hierarchy Of Needs: Physiological needs – breathing, food, water – will always win out. Playing Survivor does not even make the top five.

Much like Russell can’t help himself from saying ugly things with true malice, when you’re as hungry as these guys are, the desire to eat overpowers the less immediate desire to win a game show and a million dollars.

Sometimes I understand that people believe in their alliance so strongly that they do not feel they are in danger so they take the food. But Colby was a surprise. I’m sure by now Donaldson figures I’m picking on him but I’m really not. Well, a little. But come on, this is Colby Donaldson. There are expectations that come with being the original hero. One of them is you never give up. The Colby of old would have stayed in that challenge until his arm fell asleep, then held on as it turned blue and only would have given up when the doctors pulled him out due to gangrene setting in. But the Colby of 2010 is tired. He stepped out of another immunity challenge despite knowing he is a major target to be voted out.

Rupert & Parvati were the only two that hung in there. Parvati represented the villains, and her job was to defeat Rupert so they could vote him out at Tribal Council. Rupert knew his job – win the challenge so he could stay in the game. He did an admirable job, finally falling out due to a momentary loss of concentration. Sometimes that’s all it takes. Rupert, for all of my making fun of you becoming larger than life, I admire your effort in challenges.

Parvati wins another immunity challenge. Parvati is a player. She fights hard on all levels and she always wants to win. Always.

THE IDOL IS BACK IN PLAY
After Russell played the idol at the last tribal council it was put back in play and boy what fun it was to be able to read the clue to the contestants. You could anticipate the craziness that was going to take place back at camp.

And whadaya know, Sandra the lippiest Survivor in history finds the idol. The moment just after she found it – where she is trying to hide it on her person and then ultimately hides it in the jungle – is the kind of moment that makes all of us on the production side smile with glee and jump for joy. Those real moments are fantastic.

But even better than the Sandra moment was Rupert deciding to put a rock in his pocket and pretend it’s an idol. And it worked. If not for this brilliant decision and subtle Emmy worthy performance, Rupert was a shoo-in to be voted out. This gave him life and a chance to stay in the game. Sometimes that is all you need. A chance.

Rupert’s acting was a performance that nobody could appreciate more than Russell. Ironic, given that Russell is the one that fell for it the hardest. I’m telling you the man is exhausted. But it was fun to see Russell fail, right? It’s always fun to see the guy on top… drop. It reminded me how many times Russell has been right in the past. Not this time. He is slowly crumbling and if he doesn’t get it together quickly and wake up, Russell will not make it to the end.

FIRST TRIBAL COUNCIL
Colby was on Candice again at Tribal Council. I really don’t get it. His lecture at tribal council was an admonishment. Like a parent scolding their child for misbehaving. It could be the wear and tear alone or it could be that Colby isn’t used to losing and is having a difficult time accepting it. Either way it seemed misplaced. Candice is not even top ten of the dirtiest players in this game. If she were, she’d probably still be in the game.

THE AFTERMATH OF TRIBAL
Oh-oh. Russell is not happy.

Russell: “I’m not fully in control of this game right now. But you know what, I’m gonna take control of this game so fast they’re not gonna know what hit ‘em.”

Russell …just woke up.

SECOND IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
I loved this challenge. It’s exciting, it’s big and anybody can win. Parvati continues to impress me. I don’t know that Parvati and I would ever be great friends and I’m pretty sure she’d be a tough woman to date, but if I’m in a fox hole, with the enemy approaching, I’d be very confident in our chances if she was the one who had my back. The girl plays to win… at everything she does.

Remember how I said Russell woke up. Well, he is wide-awake now. With immunity around his neck, he can now attempt to get back in control of this game.

Russell’s attempt to break up his own alliance is a huge move. Big moves can cost you the game. Big moves can also get you to the final. They’re risky, that’s why they are big moves. Russell wants to win and he’s afraid that he may get left behind. This is what you call “going for broke.” It will either work or it won’t, but there will not be any middle ground.

I appreciate the move. Whether it works or not, Russell’s game play continues to be one of the big reasons this season is so good. But he’s going up against Parvati and Parvati as stated earlier, does not back down, from anybody.

THE LOVERS SPAT

Russell and Parvati’s argument in the jungle was their first lovers spat. Go watch it again. They are behaving like a couple and they are arguing. Even their language is different. It’s the language of a couple. I know a lot of you are laughing at my ridiculousness, but I’m serious. I know they’re not a real couple per se, but their bond has gotten to a point where the language reflects something different from mere Survivor play.

WHAT A LOAD OF HYPOCRISY
Russell’s decision to bring in Colby and Rupert is a perfect example of the hypocrisy in this game. Russell who moments earlier had sarcastically called Rupert, “the second coming of Christ” offered to align with him so they could take out Danielle. First he approached Colby, who had no issue aligning with Russell. Then he approached Rupert, the man who despised Russell so much he had called him a “disgusting terrible human being.” They bumped fists like brothers, without so much as a word and just like that… they’re allies.

That’s Survivor. Right there. Leave your morality at home. Save your speeches for the shower. Here’s the thing though. Russell’s move doesn’t surprise me at all. He has always said, “I’m a villain who is playing a game.” Rupert on the other hand has made his name and a decent living off being the morally superior one. You can’t have it both ways. You can’t stand on a pedestal and proclaim yourself the most moral of all only to hop off the pedestal the minute a better situation presents itself. Changing sides and changing your mind is fine – that’s basic Survivor. But you can’t have it both ways.

Let me be really clear about something. I do not root for Russell. I do not root against Rupert. I do not root for or against anybody. I merely observe and comment. Russell makes no bones about how he plays. Neither for that matter does Parvati or Sandra. They play hard and they know it could cost them in the game. What is annoying me (now I’m the one losing my mind!) is the holier than thou crap spewing out of people’s mouths. Rupert just proved the point better than any rant I could ever make. He’d team up with Russell right now if he thought it would get him to the end. To repeat, there is nothing wrong with changing strategies, but the lectures about right v wrong have grown tired.

Okay, thank you. I feel better now. I think I need to go stand in a good rain storm. Anybody wanna join me?

2nd TRIBAL COUNCIL
Wow. I have to gather energy to continue because what happened at this tribal council was damn near historic. A breakdown. The wear and tear that I’ve been talking about this entire blog showed itself again. Danielle has played so hard. She has been so focused. She has given tremendous effort. But she lost it tonight. While Parvati remained calm, Danielle panicked and it cost her. She lost focus. She took Russell’s bait and he got inside her head. If only Danielle could have hit pause on the Tivo she could have gotten it back together. But Survivor doesn’t have a pause button. It goes on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on. I would never criticize somebody for being tired. It’s a result of playing a very difficult game. It’s just the way it goes. There was a showdown. Russell won. Danielle lost.

She played a heckuva game but she came up short. See ya on the jury Danielle.

SOMETHING FUN
At the live reunion show in NY on May 16th, we are going to crown one Survivor the winner of the “Dumbest Move” in the history of Survivor. You will decide who wins the trophy! Cast your vote at.

See ya next week!

Survivor Samoa: Natalie Beats Russell For The Million Bucks

I was tired last night. I quit watching Survivor after Russell outlasted Brett at holding a pole in the air. I figured it was a no-brainer, Russell would win, I'd watch the Conclusion and Reunion tomorrow.

I also figured the part where the jury gets to ask questions would be a snoozer.

Again, I was wrong.

That Shambo can really get wound up. And Eric's, well, actorly speech in support of Natalie, well, I thought that was just odd and hypocritical. By the way, Eric is an actor, not a good one, obviously, but he is an actor. Survivor should not cast actors.

I did not understand Brett's questioning. He only asked a question of Mick. And he asked what they'd do on a Bro-date. It was very odd. Probst looked like he thought it odd, as well, as did others. I had trouble understanding what Brett says sometimes, like his last sentence directed at Mick. I replayed it several times and had to give up.

I'm guessing the Galu people had made up their minds not to give the million to Russell, while holed up together, after Russell engineered their exits.

The Reunion show was entertaining too. That Jeff Probst is one good TV Host. Russell seemed sort of hurt that he didn't win. Russell was very funny. Offering Natalie what I thought was $10,000, but Probst later said $100,000 if she'd just give up the Sole Survivor title to Russell, that's all he wanted. She declined. What a dumb blonde.

The fans voted Russell $100,000 as being their pick as the best.

At the start of the season I, along with most viewers weren't liking Russell. Way too nasty and arrogant. Apparently Russell caught a lot of public flak early on. And then as the season progressed Russell received less bad flak and instead started having positive flak coming his way. I don't remember when Russell went from Villain to Hero for me. Maybe it was about the time he found the 1st Hidden Immunity Idol.

Now, Heroes & Villains brings up another subject. That being the next season of Survivor, also taking place in the South Pacific, called Survivor Redemption: Heroes vs. Villains.

Good guys and girls and Bad guys and girls from past seasons. Which side does Russell fit on? I'd say Heroes.

As for this version of another All Star type season. I don't like it. This will be the 20th season of Survivor. Thousands of people try to get on that show. It seems wrong to have people on again, who had already had the fun.

All Star Survivor ended up with Rob and Amber getting married, which led to other bad things. Like that pair being on The Amazing Race after they'd already won one reality show. But, having said that, Rob and Amber, especially Rob, were pretty good on The Amazing Race.

Survivor Samoa: Russell Provides Jeff Probst His Scariest Moment Ever on Survivor

The Samoa Season of Survivor is being a very odd one. I think it's the most rain I've seen on Survivor. The ocean is the wildest I've seen. And the challenges have gotten way too physical.

Last night the combo Reward/Immunity Challenge had the season's second challenge victim. And no immunity.

Russell, the leader of Galu, who can't make fire, collapsed after being guided, blindfolded, by Laura in a ball being pushed by Russell and Erik. It was Liz in the ball for Foa Foa, being pushed by the other Russell and Jaison.

At the end of the ball pushing, the two in the balls had to direct the blindfolded working a ball through a table maze.

Russell was so disoriented he wanders over to the Foa Foa table. When Russell got to his table he collapses. Probst stops the challenge and calls in the medical team.

Before the challenge Probst told the tribes that they were playing for pizza, but there would be no immunity this week. Both tribes, win or lose, would go to Tribal Council, together, where each would vote out a member. This has never been done on Survivor before and I did not get the purpose.

So, after some scrambling, on both tribes, they head to Tribal Council where Jeff informs them that Russell is out of the game, and that, "It was the scariest moment I ever had on this show. 19 seasons, I have never been more afraid in my life at how bad things were."

The 13 sat there, the usual Probst questioning takes place. But he never said "It's time to vote." There was a lot of whining about the miserable weather. And then Jeff gives them some good news. Nobody would be voted out.

The 2 tribes headed back to their flooded camps, without losing a member.

Survivor: Tocantins---Jeff Probst Blogs Episode 9

Reading TV forums it's pretty clear that there is universal dislike for the character on the current version of Survivor who calls himself Coach.

I've known a deluded pathological liar in real life. This guy takes deluded to a whole new realm of reality.

I talked to my sister a couple days ago. She's also a longtime Survivor fan. I asked her if the last episode made any sense to her, the Brendan boot with Taj voting to get rid of Brendan.

Anymore I easily quit watching a show. I've not seen an episode of Desperate Housewives for 2 years. I liked Ugly Betty, but would never get around to watching the recorded episodes. My sister bailed on Celebrity Apprentice after Trump fired the Kardashian girl, not due to anything she did on the show, but due to Trump finding out she'd had a DUI, in the past.

So, my sister and I are ready to kick Survivor out of our TV Tribe. I think the coup de grace may have been delivered this morning when I read Jeff Probst's Survivor Blog. His entire blog is devoted to the deluded Coach and how much he likes him. The only part of Probst's blog that made sense to me was when he mentioned Susan Boyle and if you didn't know who she was, to quit reading this blog and go to YouTube.

Anyway, I'll copy Probst's blogging devoted to the Coach, below....

Apr 17, 2009, 08:36 AM | by Jeff Probst

Okay, truth test...you're starting to love Coach a little bit, right? If not, you are gonna hate this blog, because this blog is dedicated to Coach.

I've hosted Survivor for 18 seasons, and up until now there has only been one person I thought might be worthy of their own show and that was Boston Rob. That is, up until now.

I am seriously considering a show called The Dragon Slayer. It's about a guy who lives in a world that exists solely in his own mind, and thus is invisible to the outside world. While it is the year 2009, the Dragon Slayer dresses like he's just returned from one of those Renaissance fairs where he's just finished eating a turkey leg the size of a small dog. We'll simply follow his daily life, where every time he leaves his home offers the potential for a life changing, near-death, journey. Every episode concludes with his signature line:

Coach: "Hence my name, the dragon slayer."

Most shows suffer from running out of ideas. That will never happen on The Dragon Slayer, not with comments like this:

Coach: "I want you guys to know there are three people in the world that know this story."

Okay, that is a total lie. Coach told all of us producers this same story during casting and I've probably told three or four other people cause come on, it's a good story. They've told people, who've told other people, cause again, it really is a good story. I'd argue that after tonight's episode, seen in over a hundred countries, that Coach's story of being beaten by indigenous people in the Amazon will soon surpass Susan Boyle in popularity. Don't know who Susan Boyle is? Stop reading this blog and go to YouTube.

Back to my new show, The Dragon Slayer. Another reason Coach deserves his own show is because he has principles. For instance, in one episode, National Geographic wants to come along with Coach as he kayaks down the Amazon, but he says no.

Coach: "I'm doing this alone."

That is a true Dragon Slayer. You do it not for the glory, but because it is there.

Say no to Nat Geo, but a resounding YES to Survivor. The man knows his demographic.

At this point in the pitch, I'm just gonna give you some topics for future episodes, snippets of dialogue you'll hear in the show:

EPISODE 4: FLY ME TO THE MOON... FOR FREE

Brendan: "How'd you afford a military chopper?"
Coach: "That I got for free."
Brendan: "How'd you do that?"
Coach: "I pulled some strings."

EPISODE 5 - THE SERMON

Coach: "Be the wizard, Stephen, be the wizard."

EPISODE 8 - YOU WON'T FIND IT (this will be our Emmy submission)

Coach: "If you do a Google search you won't find it; it's only passed down verbally."

Okay, now if you tell me you do not appreciate the brilliance of that line and the man who uttered it, I challenge you and say you are a LIAR. Furthermore, I'll give 20-1 odds that tonight, (Friday) you'll be home alone with microwave popcorn and some ridiculous Jim Carrey movie.

What a brilliant line. Maybe the single most brilliant line this season. That one sentence can literally get you out of any jam. "If you Google it, you won't find it, it's only (fill in the blank) verbally."

Coach is a genius.

The writing that comes out of Coach's mouth is so good that I am honestly intimidated. If Hollywood could write at this level consistently, there would be no need for anyone to ever strike because everybody would be working!

Brendan: We're throwing underhand breaking tiles and none of us have ever done us before.
Coach: "I have."

I throw my hands up. I cannot keep up. You get the idea. And yes, in case you're wondering, my lawyer has assured me that this blog constitutes ownership of the idea, the name of the show, and of Coach himself.

Okay, okay a few other things:

From what I can tell from my position as host, being on Exile Island with somebody is bad enough, being out there alone is miserable. An hour feels like a month. A bit of rain can get you so cold you truly believe you will freeze to death, never to awake again.

Stephen was completely out of his element and over his head on Exile and to his credit, he hung in there and he did it. He made fire. Making fire is never as easy as you think it is. I'm impressed.

Tyson - the dude is dangerous. A major physical threat. Also one of the best spontaneous lines of the night:

Tyson: (Regarding voting out Sierra) "It probably won't win me her vote...(long pause) but it might win me everybody else's vote!" I love Tyson. He cracks me up. I definitely think that Tyson should show up as a nemesis in the third episode of my new show, but he and Dragon Slayer eventually become friends. But what Coach doesn't know is that Tyson one day plans to slay him and steal the Dragon Slayer crown.

J.T.: "I'd come back with a damn 30-30 Winchester." Okay, look, I will admit that I am not a big gun enthusiast so it probably won't surprise anyone that J.T.'s comment about how he'd handle those damn Amazonian people who captured Coach made me more than a bit uncomfortable. I'm telling you, J.T. would make a great small town Sheriff.

Okay, let's get to Tribal Council and the star of my new show, The Dragon Slayer.

Coach: "Brendan's the dragon. I'm the Dragon Slayer."

Brendan: "He's kinda like a snake - don't bother him and he won't bother you."

Ah Brendan, such a good strategy. Unfortunately you bothered him and he bit you.

In one of the biggest surprises of the season, Coach defeats Brendan. The Dragon Slayer slays the Dragon.

Poor Brendan. Sitting on that idol... he never saw it coming. Blindside #4. That one hurt. Hated to see Brendan go as he seems like a guy you'd have a beer with.

But as much as I like Brendan, I'll admit, if given the choice of keeping the dragon or the Dragon Slayer - you know my vote. Long live the Dragon Slayer!!!

Please keep the Dragon Slayer all the way to the end. Please let him plead his case to the jury.

Two last things:
1. Coach can never write his own dialogue in my new show, The Dragon Slayer, and here's an example of why:

Coach: "Who really was the chosen one? It's gonna be Coach Wade."

Wait...What? Coach Wade? Coach Wade? What happened to my Dragon Slayer? Coach fell out of character. For one moment he remembered who he really was, "Coach Wade" and it totally blew the whole image thing.

"Coach Wade" does NOT work. It doesn't ring and it doesn't conjure up cool images of things being "slayed" either. It actually makes me imagine an overweight, former athlete turned insurance salesman living in Tulsa. Nothing sexy about that. Nothing. Sorry, but I've been to Tulsa.

That line should read:

"Who really was the chosen one? The Dragon Slayer."

And the last thing...and the best part of my new TV show, The Dragon Slayer, Coach has an Achilles heel, he'll cut his nose off to spite his face. Coach, you may have defeated Brendan, but in my opinion you and the former Timbira tribe made a terrible decision tonight. Voting out Brendan made no sense at all. You should have taken out J.T.

Okay, it's late. I'm done.