Survivor Nicaragua: Fabio, Chase, Holly, Dan or Sash Win the Million Dollars

Tonight marks the end of the 21st iteration of Survivor, with Survivor Nicaragua coming to its predictably bloated 3 hour finale.

For me this has been the least enjoyable season of Survivor yet. Maybe it's worn out its welcome. Maybe Survivor needs to find some place new to survive other that a tropical beach. They all look the same after seeing so many.

Tonight it's down to Sash, Chase, Holly, Dan or Jud Fabio. I think we can eliminate Dan or Sash as possible winners. If Fabio makes it to the Final 3 I'm guessing he will win.

Survivor needs to do some re-imagining of how the bloated first 2 hours play out. It is too predictable. The first hour we'll have an Immunity Challenge where someone will be voted out of the tribe and on to the jury.

Then we will see the remaining 4, well, actually I won't, because my finger will be on the fast forward button, but those who don't hit that button will see the Final 4 laboriously pick up the torches of their fallen tribe mates, muttering solemn funeral dirges as we see flashbacks of those who died.

Then the Final 4 will burn the pile of torches before heading to their final Immunity Challenge. More often than not some sort of endurance challenge, with the last man or woman standing guaranteed to be one of the Final 3. Lately it has been a Final 3 on Survivor. Maybe tonight it will revert back to a Final 2. I doubt it.

The Final 3 or 2 will then make their case to the jury as to why they should win the million bucks.

Throughout these proceedings Jeff Probst will be very solemn, due to the seriousness of the serious jury proceedings. One be one the jury members get to ask questions of the Final 3 or 2. This seldom is as entertaining as one hopes it will be.

Maybe there will be some lingering Jane bitterness that will be amusing. Or maybe NaOnka will outdo herself with another big display of cluelessness.

There just was not much of a plot to this season of Survivor. No really good villains. No characters as ridiculous as Coach. NaOnka is a pretty good nutjob, but not really, for me, all that entertaining.

So, Fabio for the win if he makes it to the end. But, I really don't care who wins.

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.

Survivor Nicaragua: Jungle Jane Wins Immunity With Brenda Kicked Out of the Tribe

The toughest person on Survivor Nicaragua, and maybe the toughest person in Survivor history is Jane.

Jane of the Jungle. The oldest woman on Survivor.

I don't know how old Jane is. She appears to be anywhere from 65 to 95. With the strength of a teenage Olympic athlete.

Wednesday's episode was, for me, the most enjoyable of the current Survivor.

I liked the make your way to a goal using planks and barrels Reward Challenge. With a helicopter ride and slide down a volcano to a pizza feast reward.

The team that did not win went back to camp where we learned that what shocked the tribe in last week's previews was not Jane and Fabio making whoopee. Instead, their camp had burned down. Not exactly a Survivor first.

We got to see Sash and Brenda doing some crowing about controlling the game. Always a good sign that a comeuppance is coming.

Brenda remarked that Sash and she were the King and Queen of the Jungle. Then she changed that to say that actually she was the King. Which made Sash a Queen. Something Shannon had rudely suggested in, what was it, the second episode?

The Immunity Challenge took strength. Stand on a narrow plank above a shark infested pond and hold onto a series of knot on a rope as you lean back over the tank.

Most fell into the water before they got to the second knot.

Soon it was down to Benry (Ben Henry), Chase and Jane, on the second knot.

Soon Benry fell into the water.

Chase tried to psych Jane out. Jane was a little wobbly. Probst urged her to continue.

Then Chase started fidgeting and either violated the rules by reaching beyond his current knot. Or he simply dropped out. This particular subject is a raging debate on the Internet today.

So, once more, Jane wins Immunity.

And at Tribal Council Brenda learned she is no longer the King of the Jungle. Even the Queen, Sash, voted her out.

Jane is a shoo-in for the million bucks if she makes it to the Final Three. Unless she does something dumb, like break Fabio's heart.

Speaking of Fabio. I can't believe I've grown to like him and find him funny.

Survivor Nicaragua: Marty Asked To Leave The Tribe After NaOnka Pitches a Funny Tribal Council Fit

I usually get a bit confused by the time the votes are read at a Survivor Tribal Council.

If I understand it right, no matter how it played out tonight, Marty was doomed.

Marty seemed to have a coherent plot to scare NaOnka into playing her Immunity Idol, with Jane then being voted out.

So, there was some fun in watching Marty being the one to go, what with all his comments about how superior he was to the stupid people who did not know how to play the game.

How come Marty did not ask Sash to return the Hidden Immunity Idol. The subject of Sash returning Marty's Idol didn't even come up.

The look on Marty's face when he realized NaOnka was not playing her Immunity Idol was a good moment of an oh-oh comeuppance.

But, Marty handled the boot with dignity. Though he seemed way too cockily sure of himself prior to that.

As for the Tribal Council.

NaOnka is Reality TV Character GOLD. I do not recollect the F-Bomb being exploded by someone at a Tribal Council before. Plus NaOnka's double middle finger salute had to be blurred out. Along with other random bleeping

Jeff Probst looked just a bit flabbergasted, at times, and said he was speechless at one point.

I am really liking Jud/Fabio. He is the youngest on the Tribe, and yet, somehow, sometimes, seems the most mature.

There was a very funny dialogue midway through the episode, between Fabio and Benry (Ben Henry) that went something like Benry suggesting they just play stupid, with Fabio saying it's easy to play stupid, but that he doesn't like to have to. It was funnier than I'm making it sound.

I felt for Jane in the Reward Challenge. When in picking the teams, it randomly, accidentally became the girls vs. the boys, I figured there'd be a problem if there was a physical component to the challenge. There was. The girls had trouble plowing through sticks and brick walls. While the boys plowed through like bulls.

Due to an imbalance in numbers, Chase had to sit out the challenge, but he got to pick which team he was rooting for. If that team won, Chase got to go on the reward with them. Which in this case was a zip-line trek through the Nicaraguan jungle, with a BBQ and other goodies, plus beer feast after the ziplining.

Chase picked the girls to win. He thus did not get BBQ or ziplining.

The Immunity Challenge seemed very easy. With Brenda being the one to win. Probst showed a series of symbols, in order. The Survivors had a cube with the symbols on it. Show the correct symbol and you don't get eliminated. The symbols were things like 'ship,' 'anchor,' 'dagger,' 'pistol, 'flag,' 'cannon.' I can't remember what they all were. But all you had to do was remember them by letter, in order. Turning it into 's, a, d, p, f.'  How hard is it to remember 5 or 6 letters in order?

I felt bad for Fabio's girl friend, Jane. I like Jane. But that Immunity Challenge was tough stuff for a 90 something gal. Jane did real well for about two-thirds of the challenge and then she turned into a limp dishrag.

Anyway, I'm still not loving Survivor Nicaragua. I'm not really quite sure why.

Next week's previews show the Survivors being horrified, mortified and absolutely petrified over something they are looking down at.

The only thing I can figure is they came upon Jane and Fabio making whoopee in the jungle.

Survivor Nicaragua: Tribes Merge, Alina Out, Fabio & Jane Getting Close

By the time the tribe merge thing happens on any given season of Survivor I'm sort of invested in at least a couple of the characters. And there is some sort of plot line.

But, for me, Survivor Nicaragua is being the dullest Survivor in a long time.

In the first post-merge Immunity Challenge, one guy and one girl could win immunity by not letting a pole loose. 90 something Jane won on the girl's side, while 21 year old Fabio/Jud won on the boys. Jane won and then asked Probst if she could continue holding her pole til she beat the boys. Go for it, Probst told her.

So, Jane was the last pole holder. It seems sort of symptomatic of something that an older lady, who must be one of the oldest to ever play Survivor, is also one of the strongest.

Jane is full of spunk and a youthful spirit. Just look at the way she wraps those strong legs of hers around Fabio. I think they be secretly romancing either other once the sun goes down.

Jane is a fish catching machine. And she can make fire without a match. Jane is the cool kid in camp. Everyone wants to be her friend. Except for Marty who wants to be rid of her.

NaOnka continues to be a piece of work. I didn't quite understand her level of umbrage at not getting as big a tortilla as she wanted. She was doing the cooking. Why did she just not set herself aside whatever tortilla she wanted? To vent her umbrage, NaOnka stole the flour and other stuff, while most of her tribemates weren't looking.

The NaOnka the thief plot was sort of an example of how this iteration of Survivor is being. Dumb drama based on dumbness.

Sash and Benry are another pair of deluded dummies. Jane's boyfriend, Fabio, may be the smartest boy on the tribe. I did not know til today that Benry is not Benry's actual name. His actual named is Ben. Last name Henry. So, he calls himself Benry. Even though he is only 24, he seems a tad old to be calling himself Benry.

Well, I think I'm done with Survivor, now, til next week, when Durjo will likely watch again.

Oh, I forgot to mention, it was Alina voted out of the tribe. She was not memorable to me.  So, I didn't care.

Survivor Nicaragua: Marty Throws His Hidden Immunity Idol Away, But Not To Jill

No, that is not Marty throwing away his Hidden Immunity Idol. That came later in Wednesday night's Episode 7 of Survivor Nicaragua.

Marty and Jill knew they were in trouble. Fellow old-timer, Jane, had defected to the kids, who collectively out-numbered Marty and Jill.

Sash plotted with a pair of the kids and then offered Marty a deal. If he'd give Sash his Hidden Immunity Idol, Sash would protect Marty and they'd vote out Jill.

Marty did not do much contemplating before agreeing to throw Jill under the bus. I mean, off the tribe.

I did not understand the logic of Marty's move.

And, am I just remembering wrong, but was it not Marty and Jill, together, who found that Hidden Immunity Idol after Jill got the clue?

Why did Marty not simply tell Sash he was going to use his Hidden Immunity Idol, that night, to guarantee making it to the merge? And tell Sash that he was willing to vote Jill out. I think Sash and his crew of kids would have been too dumb to think that Marty might double-cross them by not using the Idol. And instead give it to Jill.

Which is what Marty should have done. If the kids didn't throw any votes Marty's way, Marty and Jill's two votes could have gotten rid of Sash. That would have made for some good TV.

Survivor Nicaragua is not being as entertaining as the two most recent Survivors, those being the Samoa ones with Russell Hantz providing good entertainment.

Survivor Nicaragua: Young vs. Old or Kids vs. Geezers

The upcoming twenty-first season of Survivor, taking place in Nicaragua, is another Survivor with a gimmick.

This time there will be a young tribe of kids under 40 called the La Flor Tribe. The kids will be battling against the over 40 geriatrics in the Espada Tribe.

The Battle of the Generation Gap starts up at 8 Eastern/7 Central Time, Wednesday, September 15, which puts Survivor back in the time slot it occupied back in summer of 2000 for Survivor: Borneo.

Due to what Survivor producers call "The Russell Factor" Hidden Immunity Idols are going to be made more difficult for the kids and old folks to find.

Among the old Survivors will be a former coach of the Dallas Cowboys named Jimmy Johnson.