As stated yesterday, CBS is trying to trick you.  It's an understandable ruse.  They are playing off tomorrow night's Survivor: Gabon episode as a new one via their promos when, in fact, it is not a new episode at all.  It is a clip show, featuring season highlights, previously unaired footage and audition tapes from this season's castaways.  In the age of the internet, DVR and mass media, you'd think we'd all be past the clip show or, at least, past networks trying to play clip shows off as new offerings.  I remember, as a kid, being tricked by Full House and Growing Pains episodes where the families would sit on the couch and reminisce about old times.  These old times would segue into a phalanx of old clips.  I felt betrayed then, and I feel a little betrayed now.  That being said, Survivor: Gabon has been so good that I'll be watching the Thanksgiving clip show episode anyway.  I might hate myself a little for tuning in, but I will tune in nonetheless. 

Randy Will Look Worse Than He Already Has

The inclination is to assume that anyone portrayed as a villain on a show like Survivor received an unfavorable edit.  Given the hours of footage the producers have, it's easy to make anyone look bad.  Reality shows need villains to amp up the drama, and this is how they do it.  Randy, however, strikes me as a special case.  He's a curmudgeon through and through, and I guarantee there are hours of video of Randy being a bitter and confrontational old man.  I hope we get to see his audition tape.  I imagine it's just video of him, sitting on his porch, berating anyone who walks by. 

Anyone Newcomer Who Watches Thursday's Episode Will Be Hooked

Say you haven't watched Survivor: Gabon yet this season.  If you were to tune in to the highlight show, you will witness scenes from the best season in years.  How can you watch the downfall of Kota, followed by the series of blindsides, not to mention the idiocy of Randy and the fake immunity idol and not be hooked? 

Ken and Bob Will Look Even More Intelligent After the Extra Footage

Ken has been portrayed as a man who burst through his early season shell to become the season's greatest mastermind.  I've been a little harsh to Kenny throughout the season, because I found his bald-faced lies to be over the top.  I figured they'd come back to haunt him.  Maybe, however, the editors have merely shown us the broad strokes, and Kenny has been more subtle than previously thought.  Same goes for Bob – I sense he's had a lot more to do behind the scenes that the editors have given him credit for.


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image Courtesy of CBS)