Although I liked the Survivor: Nicaragua finale, I didn’t care much for this season and it showed in the live reunion show. It was kind of a dud, right? I expected more fireworks, more snark from Probst towards the quitters, and less singing. Much less singing.
Seriously, did we really need to waste time listening to Chase sing?
OK, let’s talk a little bit about how everyone looked, first. Seeing how everyone cleans up is one of my favorite parts of the reunion show. Special points go to Holly, who looked totally glamorous and completely different than she did on the show. Fabio looked great, and Sash looked very dapper. I loved Dan’s undone bow tie, but his skin was rivaling Snookie’s. Brenda looked fantastic, but that was no surprise. Jill also won a Most Improved prize. The Totally Bizarre Awards go to Wendy for her outfit, and Jimmy T. for that hair. I didn’t know it was possible to look even skeezier once off the show, but Jimmy T. showed me that it is.
Now that I’ve got those judgments off my chest, let’s get down to business. I loved everything that came out of Fabio’s mouth. None of it made any sense whatsoever, but the kid is just hilarious! I went to a small liberal arts college with a lot of philosophy students, and he just seems like someone I would have known there. As you know, I hated Chase’s performance. What a waste of time! And come on, is Survivor really in the business of extending contestants’ fifteen minutes of fame? Why not advertise Brenda’s paddle-boarding business or drum up some business for whatever Dan’s business is? (Seriously, though, does anyone else kind of feel like maybe it’s the mafia?)
I feel like anyone who read a pre-show or post-elimination interview with Jimmy Johnson knows that Survivor saved his life, but I get that they had to talk to him. I don’t get why they had to talk to Terry Bradshaw. And for so long! What a waste of time. I was more interesting in playing Spot The Survivor in the audience around him.
There were some highlights, though. Probst attempted to give Shannon a chance to apologize for his ridiculous “Are you gay?” comment, and instead cut him short when he started digging himself into a deeper hole. I liked how Probst kept control there. I also liked when he asked Marty “Did you fluff off Jane?” since she’d been using that term so much. Holly giving Dan a pair of ostrich cowboy boots was pretty cute too, and it was nice to see he was no longer holding a grudge.
I’m not a fan of the fact that Jane won the $100,000 for being the Fan Favorite, even though I knew she would. Did Probst even mention the top three vote-getters? I had predicted Jane, Fabio and Jimmy Johnson, but I wasn’t 100% sure about Jimmy. I was kind of hoping Fabio would take home the 100 G’s on top of the million.
Now, what do you guys think of the twist for next season? I was just so worried that it was going to be Rob vs. Russell (I don’t want to see the toothless troll on my TV ever again) that any other announcement would have been a relief. On the one hand, I think it could be a compelling new aspect of the show – two people battling it out on a separate island sounds good enough. On the other hand, I HATE the idea of someone who already got voted out taking home the million bucks. It’s why I didn’t like Survivor: Pearl Islands. The good news is that according to Survivor guru Dalton Ross over at EW.com, the upcoming cast gave off a much better vibe than the Nicaragua cast. So that’s something. Also, in Dalton’s interview with Jeff Probst (which you can read by following that earlier link) Probst points out that a crucial mistake in Pearl Islands was not being up front about the “Outcasts” reentering the game, and not subjecting them to the same conditions as the actual players. Those are decent points. On the other hand, I’m a little worried that screen time for the person on “Redemption Island” and the “duel” will take away from the reward challenges, immunity challenges, and tribal councils that I love. But I’m going to keep an open mind about the twist until we’ve seen it in action.
Agreed, the reunion show was a bit meh. I do not watch football, and have zero interest in it what-so-ever. I didn't know who Jimmy Johnson was before this season aired. So my caring about his football friend blabbing on for what seemed an ETERNITY? -10293810948! It seemed like he wouldn't stop talking. Instead, I focused on watching Jane's daughter in the background and laughing my pants off at her. Not to mention, football dude took away time from the castaways, some of whom Jeff didn't even talk to. What was up with that? Don't care that he didn't talk to Kelly, but no Jill, Yve, or even Benry? The lack of Benry was very baffling to me. Did they talk to Tyrone either? I can't remember.At the moment, I have no opinion on the Redemption Island thing. On the one hand, I can appreciate that after 21 seasons, they need to switch things up a little bit so people aren't constantly coming in with the same strategies. But at the same time, I like my Survivor how it is! SO relieved the Russell vs. Rob rumour was false. Might have lost it if that were true. Same with the "20 past winners" rumour. While potentially entertaining, we need a break from past castaways for awhile.
I have only a few things to say about the Reunion show:1)I really liked Nay's comments on pushing Kelly B. I always said people should look at her as a competitor and not as someone with one leg. On the other hand, she proved she was indeed the smartest player out there by saying she would have quit "post merge" if it wasn't for Chase.2) Chase's singing was…the whole moment was just embarrassing, really. And with everyone else looking sort of uncomfortable and clapping… I really felt bad for everyone there.3) YES! Spot the Survivor was awesome! The only one I didn't see until Jeff explained the Redemption Island was Rupert.4) Kelly Purple looked at least 10 years older.And I think I agree with Krissy on the Redemption Island thing. I mean the thing could really backfire if the cast will be as…wonderful as this one was.And also, I was kind of disappointed too that Jeff didn't talk to all castaways. He did the same thing in Samoa, and probably even Heroes vs Villains. I miss the times when Jeff would talk to each and every one of the players.
I just fast forwarded right over Chase singing and Terry Bradshaw. Love football but there was no need for Bradshaw. Jimmy Johnson's part was good though, I enjoyed him on the show and wish he would have gone farther.I enjoyed Russell (I know it's either love him or hate him) and Rob but don't need to see them again anytime soon. The show is just fine without both of them.The worst twist in Survivor history was the Outcast Twist (I hate "Final 3" more but I don't consider that a "twist", just a mistake, I LOVE the aspect of picking who sits with you at the jury – as we saw in Austrailia that can cost you the million, or as we saw in Amazon it can win you the million), but I do agree with Probst that being upfront about it changes the dynamic a bit. Since they are living in the elements, that's a little better, and they are saying that at tribal you are not voted out, just voted onto Redemption Island. It could work, and I'm willing to watch it play out before making a judgment on it.
like Robert, I too enjoyed watching Russel. Not to mention Parvati, and would like to see Brenda again. But I too think it is too soon for another all-star season. Wait until season 23 or 24.
I think if anyone from this season were to make it to an all-star season I would want it to be either Marty, Alina or Holly. I think for Holly it would be a way to redeem herself from the first half of the game this season. However, one person I don't feel like we got to know very well this season that should have gone further was Yve, so she could be a good all-star–I just wish we had seen a little bit more of her strategy.
Krissy – I agree, I wish Probst had gotten around a bit more. I think the 20 past winners idea could be good, but they only have 21 winners, and I don't think they'd be able to get them all back. I think we need a couple years before another all-stars, and then it could be a fun thing.Anon: I somewhat agree about Naonka/Kelly B. I think she makes a good point in that she treated her just like anyone else, but I think the rest of her behavior – the constant comments regarding her leg, the offering her a ride on her back, etc. – cancel out anything remotely intelligent NaOnka said.Robert – I agree, I wish Jimmy J had lasted longer. And I'm totally with you on hating both the Outcasts twist and the development of the final three.Anon – I agree, I think we need a few seasons before another all-stars. I love Parv but would be surprised to see her play a fourth time, unless it was all winners and the money was REALLY good. I think Brenda would play well in her second time.Annie – I wouldn't mind seeing Alina back, she seemed interesting and got a bit of an invisible edit.