Anticlimatic End to Survivor Redemption Island with Boston Rob Mariano Winning the Million Dollar Prize

What a surprising, shocking finale to Survivor: Redemption Island.

Rob Mariano won the million bucks.

In the end it was Rob against Natalie and Phillip.

A groupie and a stooge.

Andrea managed to be the Redemption Island final duel winner by being the last to break a vase. Andrea's return to the game did not last long.

Rob used his Hidden Immunity Idol at the last opportunity to do so, even though it ended up not being necessary, so well-trained was his cult. And then Rob won the last Immunity Challenge, guaranteeing Rob as the winner on Rob's 4th time on Survivor.

The jury inquisition of Natalie, Rob and Phillip was, to me, the most boring in Survivor history. Mostly due, I assume, to the fact that Rob being the winner was a foregone conclusion at that point.

This season of Survivor rubbed me the wrong way right from the start, with the arrival, back in the game, of Rob and Russell, right after they'd been on Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.

It's like Rob had some deal with CBS to let him keep coming on Survivor until he won. Russell Hantz would like to win Survivor really bad too. Will a way be found to have Russell back on Survivor for his 4th time?

I really thought it was God's plan, ardent Survivor viewer that He be, for Matt to be the one to go back in game from Redemption Island, win the Immunity Challenges and be the Sole Survivor. But, apparently God likes Boston Rob more than Matt.

On Sunday I did not watch past Boston Rob winning, so I have no idea what exciting location the next Survivor is going to take place in. Or what Redemption Island type wrinkle has been added. Or if Russell is going return again.

On Survivor Phillip Found His Shorts While Grant was Sent to Redemption Island

Last week after watching Survivor I mentioned I'd forgotten to notice if Phillip was still wandering around in his pink panties. Or if more suitable shorts had been found to replace the shorts that Julie had buried.

Well, as you can see, Phillip was wandering around in his pink panties this week. And then, later in the show, he was back in shorts that looked like the ones Julie buried.

Why were we shown nothing about how Phillip acquired new shorts?

In the parts of the latest episode that weren't as important as Phillip's shorts mystery, Andrea survived her duel on Redemption Island after a cool reception from her jilted lover, Matt. Ralph had a big lead in the Redemption Island duel, then quickly faltered when figuring out a puzzle was required.

Rob continues to have complete control of his cult.

Ashley was the intended bootee, but went and spoiled Rob's plan by winning immunity and a big feast which she shared with Natalie.

It was then Grant who got the blindside at Tribal Council.

I am beginning to think that Jeff Probst needs to dial it down during challenges. The play by play gets annoying. And at Tribal Council he needs to stop with what seems, at times, to amount to directing the Survivors as to what to think.

Rob is being pretty funny. He verbalized what many viewers also wonder. As in at what point now does the player return from Redemption Island? I assume on Sunday's show the first thing we will see is a final duel with the winner re-joining the tribe. That would make 6 on the tribe.

Is 6 the number that usually is in play at this stage in the game? I don't remember, but if I had to guess I'd say the number is usually 5.

The last Survivor finale my DVR messed up by not recording the third hour. I must try and remember to rectify that this time.

Survivor: Loved Ones Come to Visit with Andrea Sent to Redemption Island

I am always a bit perplexed by the loved ones visit episode of Survivor. By the time they see their loved ones the Survivors have only been surviving, without their loved ones, for around 30 days.

When the moms, brothers, sisters, others started showing up in the "arena" on Redemption Island, tears started flowing.

If I were on Survivor I can't think of anyone who I'd get all teared up over having not seen or talked to them for 30 days.

I remember on the loved ones episode of the very first Survivor, the messages from home came via a VCR and an old-fashioned TV. With Jenna Lewis not getting a message. Move forward 10 or 11 years and the loved one message come via smart phone video.

That's progress.

I guess Amber could not get a babysitter. Rob's sister was his loved one.

So was Phillip's sister. They look alike. I did not wonder til this morning if Phillip was still wandering around in his pink panties. Or had he found some more modest covering?

With all the Zapatera kicked out of the tribe, it was now time to start eating their own. So, Andrea was sent to Redemption Island.

We are now down to only 5 Survivors remaining, plus the crowd on Redemption Island. At what point does the final Redemption Islander get sent back to the tribe? If it is at the final 3 point I think if it is a Zapatera who is sent back, that person is a shoo-in for the win. And if that person is Matt it will be one very holy Sunday when Matt is announced the winner.

Rob seemed to almost have a stroke or heart attack winning his latest Immunity Challenge. On the CBS Survivor website re-cap Rob's collapse is described as, "Rob then lays down at the top because of crapping muscles and being overheated."

Crapping muscles? Methinks and 'm' needs to be substituted for one of those 'p's.

Backed to the loved one's visit. The tribe arrives at the Redemption Island Arena to watch Matt, Mike, Ralph and Steve break tiles. Steve did not break all his tiles so he was banished from Redemption Island and Survivor.

Jeff Probst then informs the tile breaker winner, Mike, that he also wins the reward part of the duel. Mike's mom then arrives. Probst then informs Mike he can have a solo visit with his mom, or let his Redemption Island mates see their loved ones, or let the Ometepe people, who booted him, see their loved ones.

Mike opted to be a martyr and let Rob's cult see their loved ones. This made Matt and Ralph a little annoyed at Mike. Mike's mom was proud of Mike's heroic kindness. I thought it was dumb on Mike's part. It won't get him anything from those Ometepe people. I would have opted to have solo time with my mom.

So, I'm sort of coming around to thinking I like the Redemption Island gimmick. I will particularly find it amusing if God's chosen won gets to rejoin the tribe to get divine justice.

Survivor Redemption Island with Phillip's Crazy Pink Underpants

After watching this week's episode of Survivor Redemption Island I can't be the only viewer who has come to the conclusion that Phillip has some serious mental health issues and that it is borderline not right that he was cast on the show.

Pink underpants? Where does one buy pink underpants? And if you have pink underpants, why would any sane person wear them as outer wear.

Then there was the rice. Phillip stole a bunch of the Zapatera rice and put it in the Ometope rice container, where it got all maggoty. Phillip then goes ballastic when the Zapatera people won't let him put his rice in their container.

The rice ballasticness then denigrated to Phillip using the N-Word, directed at Steve. Phillip throwing out the race card made everyone uncomfortable, including Jeff Probst, at Tribal Council.

Rob won the Immunity Challenge. The Zapatera's made clear they were voting to get rid of Phillip. Several of Rob's cult members made noises about getting rid of Phillip. But in the end it was Julie who was sent to Redemption Island where Matt is having an emotional breakdown over the current course of God's plan for him.

Matt seems like a nice guy. But, all the praying wears on my nerves. And makes Matt seem really simple-minded.

But, it was God's will that Matt remain on Redemption Island, with Mike, after beating David at the 3 person duel, sending David to be the first member of the jury.

After Probst asked who the thief was, Julie fessed up to being the one who took Phillip's shorts. This after Phillip accused Steve of being the short thief, due to Phillip's superior detection skills due to his years as a Secret Agent.

The duels on Redemption Island now end with the loser going to the jury. At what point do the duels end with the last dueler going back in the game? If it is Matt that goes back in the game, I think it is God's will that he be the sole Survivor and win the million bucks.

Survivor: Two Tribal Councils with Mike & David Sent to Redemption Island

This week's Survivor episode was a strange one. I was not paying attention to the clock. It seemed like an Immunity Challenge and Tribal Council came up real fast. I though, wow, this was one quick episode.

And then I saw a clock and realized there was still a half hour to go.

The episode ended up having 2 Immunity Challenges with 2 Tribal Councils. Mike, the Iraq war veteran was sent to Redemption Island first, followed by lawyer, David at the second Tribal Council.

We saw no duel on Redemption Island. There are now 3 duelers on the island. Matt seemed a bit perplexed to find himself back seeking redemption. But he did some praying to his God, with Matt knowing that God has a plan for Matt on Survivor, with Matt happily following the plan so he can bring glory to God.

Matt seems like a nice kid.

Phillip also found religion on this episode. A magic feather appeared out of thin air, leading to a meditation with his great-great grandfather, who was a full-blooded Cherokee. Great-great grandpa told Phillip his team would win and his life on Survivor would be long.

At the second Immunity Challenge, a hang over water til you fall challenge, players had the option of trying to win immunity or eat cheeseburgers and fries. Phillip and Steve opted for the burgers.

Rob was the first to fall in the water.

Rob is being particularly obnoxious in his latest time on Survivor. This time, so far, he has not come close to getting his comeuppance. Had a former Zapatera member won either Immunity Challenge it might have turned into a game changer.

Rob has his Ometepe people following his every order. At Tribal Council the Zapatera accurately described it as Rob running a cult. Rob does not allow any of his people to be alone. Zapatera people have no chance to sway anyone with any sort of plan. Rob does an excellent job of manipulating. But why does no one on his side not realize they need to get rid of him?

When they got back from the second Immunity Challenge Ralph discovered the fish net was full of fish. Rob declared the fish to be inedible and ordered his cult not to eat any. The Zapatera then had themselves a fish feast. Julie offered Grant some fish, with Grant deciding to have a bite, which had Rob ordering Grant to get away from the fish. Grant is about twice as big as Rob.

I want someone to beat Rob up. I don't know if that is allowed on Survivor.

If it weren't for Phillip and his peculiar brand of looniness, this would not be a very entertaining season of Survivor.

Survivor Redemption Island: Matt Kicked Out of the Tribe Again

Well, Matt Elrod made Survivor history on the latest episode. Matt has a 66% getting kicked out of the tribe record, getting the boot in 2 of the 3 Tribal Councils he has been in.

Both tribes went to Redemption Island to watch Matt duel Sirita.

Matt won.

It was then new buffs and directions to a new camp. Rob's tribe wisely brought to Redemption Island all the goodies they'd won. Like a tarp.

In their new shelter the Zapatera tribe huddled unprotected from the rain, while Rob's Ometepe tribe stayed dry under their tarp.

Matt did some strategizing, wanted to make a BIG move, talked Andrea into moving with him. Then Matt talked to Rob and switched back. This left Andrea confused and annoyed. I think Matt also consulted with God. I really don't like it when people on a Reality TV Show act like they think God is a viewer with input.

Earlier, when they got to their new camp and were enjoying picnic goodies the subject of a new tribe name came up. Rob suggested Murlonio, saying it meant "From the sea, united." Everyone liked the name. Rob then told us that Murlonio means nothing, that "it's an inside joke between Amber and I."

Shouldn't that be "Amber and me?"

At the first individual immunity challenge Natalie won, after one by one the others faltered at balancing balls on a disk.

At the tribal council Phillip said the Zapatera people were like a parasite that should be avoided. Ralph played his hidden immunity idol for Mike, thus wasting it, while in the end Matt was sent back to Redemption Island with 6 votes for him, 5 for Grant and one for Steve. None for Ralph or Mike.

Back on Redemption Island Matt has yet one more chance to re-enter the game.

I really don't care for the Redemption Island gimmick.

Fast Forwarding Through American Idol & Survivor: Redemption Island

I am finding I am not enjoying American Idol as much as I was before the live shows started. And I've not been able to get hooked on the latest iteration of Survivor.

I don't like the Redemption Island addition to Survivor.

Wednesday night I let the DVR get about an hour of American Idol recorded. American Idol and Survivor air at the same time.

I fast forward through a lot of American Idol. It did not seem to take long before I was caught up with the live broadcast.

So, I switched to Survivor. I do not remember using the fast forward button much, previously, while watching Survivor. But I did last night.

There just are not very many memorable characters on this iteration of Survivor. Russell did not survive. Boston Rob remains. The only other names I remember are the crazy federal agent, Phillip and Matt on Redemption Island.

I did not care who got the boot, so I fast forwarded to the end and then switched back to American Idol.

Part of the problem with American Idol is it is 2 hours long. I believe each singer sings for about a minute and a half. With 11 singers that is 16 and a half minutes of singing in a 2 hour show.

Near as I could tell none of the singers were did poorly, at least judging by the judges' critiques. The judges gave James Lusk a standing ovation. I didn't get that.

The only criticism I heard that sticks in my memory was Jennifer Lopez telling Stefano Langone he needed to work harder at looking at the audience. Or something like that.

It was Motown theme might. I don't remember what Motown song he sang, but I thought Scotty McCreery's countrified version was real good.

I did not care who got kicked off the tribe last night on Survivor and I don't care who gets the boot tonight on American Idol.

But, I will likely keep watching.

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 Redemption Island: Russell Hantz & Rob Mariano Once Again

I thought I had looked at the cast for the 22nd season of Survivor Redemption Island. At that point in time among the list of island castaways all were new to Survivor.

But now, I'm appalled to find that Boston Rob Mariano and Russell Hantz are going to be on Survivor once again.

I find both to be amusing, but, having this pair on Survivor yet one more time just seems wrong. This will be Rob's 4th time on Survivor and Russell's 3rd attempt to win the million $ and title of Sole Survivor.

This pair was last on Survivor on the Heroes vs. Villains iteration. Both were Villains. They tangled. Russell got the better of Rob, blindsiding the smug Rob and booting him out of the tribe.

This time the pair will be on opposing teams.

I think I read that the Hidden Immunity Idol will not be part of Redemption Island. Finding Hidden Immunity Idols is Russell's special gift. It will be slightly amusing to see if Russell tries to master the one part of the game he has failed at, twice, miserably. That being the social part. I doubt Russell will be able to function in a way that does not annoy people.

With so many people trying to get on Survivor, it just seems wrong to keep having repeats, like Russell and Rob.

But, I likely will be watching.