Sigh.
I thought it was just a rumor, but based on the announcement that two former players will be returning to play in this upcoming season, I’d bet the farm that Boston Rob and Russell are once again appearing on Survivor.
This news annoys me for so many reasons. First and foremost, I don’t like Russell and don’t want to see the toothless, smelly troll grace my TV screen ever again. I don’t want to listen to the endless debate over why he is or isn’t (he isn’t) the greatest player ever, and nothing about his past game play or his post-game attitude makes me believe that in his third attempt he will finally figure out how to actually win the million bucks.
Second, I love Boston Rob, but do I really want to see him play again? This will be his fourth appearance on Survivor. Fourth! And he was just on! It’s too soon, even for a player that I really enjoy watching. I wouldn’t even want to see Parvati, my all-time favorite player, appear again this season. Let us have a few seasons of fresh blood before dragging the same people back out there!
OK, let’s talk about the new cast. I definitely have a better feeling about this crew than I did about last season’s, despite the plethora of young, hot chicks. Check out the awesome photo gallery and videos over at EW.com (unlike mean, mean CBS, EW’s videos are actually available here in Canada) for info on all the players.
A few players stood out to me. Mike Chisel, who defied my stereotype of former military personnel who appear on Survivor by coming across as likable and charming. Matthew Elrod, who is practically an exact replica of last season’s victor Fabio, won’t be at the top of my list but I’m fascinated by his physical and strategic similarities to the previous Nicaragua surfer-dude. Grant Mattos is a former NFL linebacker who was encouraged to sign up by his friend Natalie Bolton of Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites. Could insider knowledge of the game help him out?
On the flip side, 46-year-old law student Kristina Kell gave me a distinct too-intense-for-her-own-good vibe, and I think her age could work against her with this younger crowd. David Murphy, a Los Angeles lawyer, seemed like he’ll have trouble finding room for his ego on the island and Natalie Tenerelli at only 19 years old made me question her smarts when she named Lady Gaga as her inspiration in life. I also won’t be picking Big Tom 2.0 Ralph Kiser as one of my selections for the office pool, or tough lady Julie Wolfe.
And how high up on my list should I place Russell or Boston Rob? Sure, they’ve both proven their abilities to make it to the finals – but can they do it with massive targets on their backs? Though if I had to put money on someone kicking ass at the Redemption Island “duels”, I’d put five bucks on Boston Rob.
What do you make of the new cast? Better than last season? And are you pro or con the Russell vs. Rob twist? (Which, by the way, has not been officially announced. But I’ll eat my hat if they bring back anyone else.)
I didn't see the part about Rob and Russell. Wish they were not a part of it though. They are both dynamic individuals but the game does not need them to, pardon the pun, "survive".And now I see the bit in people about two former survivor's returning. Agree with your thoughts. I could make a list of all time faves and I wouldn't want any of them back this season.
Well, they haven't confirmed that it will be Rob and Russell. They just said they'll be adding two players from previous seasons, and they'll announce who those players will be later this week. So there's a chance it's not Rob and Russell, but I doubt it'll be anyone else.
OK, I'll reply here. Yes, I agree. We need new players. On that note, have you noticed 10 or so are (once again) from California? What does that mean *cough*recruits*cough*? Honestly, I wonder why don't they realize it's the seasons with more recruits that tend to be…well, bad.Anyway, the players: I haven't had time to watch the videos yet, but I can't wait to do so.(Oh, and I love your optimism, but in all honesty, there are as many chances of those player to not be Rob and Russell as I have to be cast on the 23rd installment of the show. Still, you never know…)
I've got my fingers crossed that it IS Boston Rob and Evil Russ! If you believe the internet rumours, they will each captain a tribe and will be immune from the vote until the merge.If these two could put their differences aside and work together, they could totally dominate the game!!I always find it interesting when women say they hate Russ and love Rob. They're basically the exact same player – the only difference is Rob is cute and Russ, well, he isn't. lol
JC – I agree, they'll be on separate teams, so I'd be surprised if they both make it to the merge and have even have the chance to work together. But you never know. I don't think Rob and Russell are the same person at all. I think Rob understands the value of a social game and manages to make friends while he plays, and those friends give him votes. In All-Stars Rob received three of seven votes; in Samoa Russell received only two of nine votes and in H vs. V he received none. Beyond that I'd say Rob is a leader while Russell is a saboteur and Rob performs a little better in challenges. The fact that he's better looking is just the icing on the cake.
Anon – Yeah, it does look like a lot of recruits. Dalton Ross did a great job in the videos of asking them about past shows. A few admitted to never watching Survivor, but there were still several who could mention players they admired or said they were fans of the show. So I have high hopes.
If I were to assess an opinion on Rob and Russell, I'd say I like them both as players. They are both entertaining. But I don't think either of them could ever win. Rob did play much better in H v V on the social side, than in his previous two appearances where he was a lot like Russell.The most overlooked fact about Russell is that while he is mean-spirited a lot of the time, he is also loyal to his alliances. I can differentiate between Russell's two games. The first game he did things that no player has ever done. He found hidden immunity idols without clues. Half the players on the show look like they have never even seen an episode, and have no clue what an HII is. While all the Russell haters want to say he had no social game, it always comes back to one point for me in Samoa. Without Russell, the Foa Foa 4 never sniff the end. Russell flipped Shambo. Russell flipped John. Russell found the idols. The two votes Russell got at the jury – Shambo and John. Natalie was nice and won the game. It is what it is. Russell did all the work, Natalie was the beneficiary. Natalie could have been replaced by anyone on the street, and they would have gotten to the end, because of Russell. Yeah he's arrogant, yeah that arrogance along with jury bitterness cost him that game, but in Samoa, he smoked everyone. Now in H vs V I didn't like Russell at all. Okay, except for that one brilliant move of getting Tyson to vote Tyson out. Russ was arrogant, and went out of his way to be mean to everyone (convo with Rupert) when it wasn't even necessary. And while he may not respect Sandra, she's played twice, and won twice, so there's something to be said for her strategy. Sandra knew who was going to be on the jury and control the game, and being a social and strategical avenue for the 5 Heroes was very smart. I'd have voted for Parvati. I didn't care for her much in Fans vs. Faves but there's not a player out there I respect more after H vs. V. She was a target from Day 1 and still got to the end. The move where she gave the idols to Jerri and Sandra was a bold and awesome move. And we'll never see Parvati drop out of a challenge for peanut butter and jelly (unlike Colby/Sandra). Russell really didn't do much after the merge except unnecessarily take out Danielle. His game was 3rd best. He got what he deserved.Boston Rob will be remembered for his great All-Stars performance, but he pretty much backstabbed everybody in that game. Twice in three games he has not made it to the jury stage. I don't love him like everyone else. I do like players who play strategically though, and he does that. And he always gives great effort in the challenges. I view him as evolving. In Marquesas he was very much like Russell. Loud, brash, and great entertainment. In All-Stars he worked over everyone (ask our friend Rob Cesternino). In Heroes vs Villains he tried to be the strong leader type, but everyone feared him because of his All-STars performance.They won't work together. Egos won't allow it. If they both have immunity until the merge, the safest bet in Survivor history is one of them will be 1st to go after the merge.And, as for my thoughts about them being on the show, as I already said, not necessary. And agree with the comments about recruits. Basically, whatever recruiting strategy they employed for Nicaragua, they need to turn it around and do a complete 180.
Oh, and I forgot, but like Jill I would bet the farm on it being Rob and Russell returning with all the rumors floating out there.
My early favorite, Steve, seems nice enough and could pass for strong physically at the challenges (not to mention his last name is stellar!). Personal favorite, Stephanie, just for saying she has seen almost all the episodes. The negative impressions you had on some were the same I got. My first thought when I saw the lawyer David was this guy better take Russell to the Final 2! Matthew, I immediately thought Fabio. Cut the hair, "dude"! Seems like many strong personalities, but I remember watching the videos last season and thinking Dan would be a manipulative SOB. Everybody looks interesting at the beginning.
So many players have mentioned Russell in their little blurbs that it's hard to imagine him not coming back. However, most of the ones that mention him talk about how much they don't like him and that they would vote him out immediately…we'll see I guess, but I really hope that ends up being the case.
I think it's hard to say if Rob could have won or not. I mean, the biggest thing to happen in H v. V was Tyson screwing up that vote. If Tyson had voted the way Rob said, the entire game would have been different and any outcome would have been possible. This time I don't think either could win. No one wants to vote for a guy who's on his third or fourth try if he's sitting next to people who are playing their first season. Russell is loyal to his alliances to an extent – he backstabbed Danielle – but he's also rude to them. People team up with him but don't necessarily vote for him. I thought he should have won in Samoa, but I also read in interviews and stuff that he was so rude to people that it was obvious out there that he'd never win. I think Rob in All-Stars is a great example of how to play a ruthless game. He backstabbed and lied and everything, but he wasn't really mean or rude in the same way Russell was. He didn't sit around telling people they would never have a chance of winning.
Damn it, Russell and Rob ARE indeed returning, CBS confirmed it. Oh dear Lord.On the bright time, I have actually watched the videos, finally. In a nuthsell, so far I'm liking Francesca because she made me laugh with her comment about missing 'meals at regular intervals'. I already don't like David. And Stephanie, because she kept going on and on about how Russell's awesome. Brr.
I mean, how can anybody who has watched the show before *not* want to take Russell to the end?
That's true, but I think it'll depend on the attitudes of the people on his tribe. Some of them might just not want to play with him, period.
If you have watched it before you know what to except