May 8, 2008
Survivor fans are being spoiled. Simple as that. Us Survivor fans don't like to admit it, but tribal councils are usually anti-climactic. The Survivor editors like to try and trick the viewer in the minutes leading up to council, but if you've seen enough seasons you can pretty much figure out whose torch will be extinguished. Survivor: Micronesia is the exception. For the last three weeks, we have been treated to wonderful tribal councils with surprises and drama and idiocy. Idiocy, that might be the key, but I don't care. Even if the through line in these excellent tribal councils has been the moronic play of the Survivor men, I'll take it. You also have to take into account the genius of the ladies, who have played their men like a fiddle. Good times.
May 8, 2008
It should be very simple tonight on Survivor: Micronesia - if Erik Reichenbach doesn't win the immunity challenge he will be voted off. The four remaining women (Amanda Kimmel, Natalie Bolton, Parvati Shallow, and Cirie Fields) have made it clear that they are going for an all-lady alliance. If they stay true, then Erik is in trouble. One thing to watch for early in tonight's Survivor episode is whether there's any backlash from Amanda's glorious use of the hidden immunity idol. Natalie might be upset, but she'd be smart just to go with the flow and jump on board the all-lady train. I'll be here throughout tonight's Survivor episode giving my live thoughts as the episode moves along.
May 6, 2008
Two episodes away. Three hours from our next Survivor winner. It's sad reaching the end of any Survivor season, but the Fans vs. Favorites experiment has been especially enjoyable to watch, if only for the action of the last three weeks. The Fans were, of course, less interesting than our Favorites, but that's why the favorites are favorites. With only five castaways left on Survivor: Micronesia, it figured to be about time for our last power rankings of the season. Before we get there, it must be known that CBS isn't telling anyone whether the final tribal council will be of the three-person variety or the two-person variety. I prefer two-person tribal councils, but CBS does what it wants. In terms of the rankings, it shouldn't matter that much.
May 2, 2008
Last night's episode of Survivor: Micronesia gave us not one, but two shocking exits from the game. First was James, who was forced to leave due to a severe infection in his hand. He made it just as far as he did last season in China, thanks to some bad luck. Next to go was Alexis, who fell prey to the hidden immunity idol after Amanda successfully played in in tribal council. Alexis never saw it coming and was totally blindsided when the votes were read. Today, the two teamed up for an exclusive interview with BuddyTV, talking about Natalie's bad editing, Parvati's game play, and what will make them write someone's name down to win a million dollars.
Below, you will find the complete transcript and mp3 of the interview.
May 2, 2008
Oh Amanda, you made me so proud last night. You did what no man in Survivor could do: correctly play the hidden immunity idol. Up until last night’s episode, I questioned whether or not it could even be done. This season, on Survivor: Micronesia, it seems like getting sent to Exile Island means that it’s a given that you’ll find the hidden immunity idol. Back in the days of Cook Islands and Fiji, you couldn’t just get the idol on the first try. You had to work for it. This season, it seems anybody with a brain and the ability to swim could get their hands on an idol. Jason and Ozzy were stupid enough to hold on to theirs but not Amanda!
** WARNING! FINALE SPOILER AHEAD (it’s good though)! **
May 1, 2008
Injury eliminations are the worst. This Survivor season has been annoying in that way – it kind of bastardizes the entire game when a strong contestant is simply removed from the playing field. The unfortunate Survivor: Micronesia castaway tonight was grave digger James Clement, whose finger malady was deemed too serious to not be taken care of at a hospital. James didn't put up much of a fight when told he had to leave – I found this strangely endearing (maybe it was just my James man-crush kicking in). However, James' departure was not near the biggest story of the episode. After a full week arguing the merits of the hidden immunity idol, and how difficult it is to play it correctly, Survivor viewers treated to a devastating blindside.
May 1, 2008
I've put up this picture of James, because I believe that the name of the episode is probably a quote from James. It just sounds like something he would say, probably in Parvati's direction. Survivor: Micronesia airs its third to last episode of the season tonight, and this makes me sad. Survivor could go on for six months at a time and I'd be happy. Also, it is a little bizarre to think that in the span of three episodes, Survivor is going to go from seven castaways to the final tribal council. There is a very good chance that someone in the next couple episodes will have to leave Survivor due to an injury - the episode previews add to this suspicion. I'll be here throughout the episode, giving my two cents as the hour rolls along.
May 1, 2008
Survivor: Micronesia is only three episodes away from its conclusion, and it's shaping up to be one of the more exciting stretch runs we've seen on Survivor in a long time. I absolutely have no clue how the season will play out, which is great. James is probably on the chopping block tonight unless he wins the immunity challenge, which he has a very good chance at doing. Will the ladies stay strong? Will someone have to leave for medical reasons? Below, I've written five fearless predictions for tonight's episode. You will probably disagree with most of them.