Survivor Live: Ruth Marie

Survivor Live: Ruth Marie
Hosts: Dalton Ross and Jenna Morasca.

On Being Voted Off
Sally really worked on Austin to stay. Ruth Marie said she should have worked on Nick, who she was good friends with. Ruth Marie admits Sally 'out-gamed' her.


Ruth Marie on Survivor Live
Click to Enlarge - pops

The Others
Terry is not trustworthy, they had a handshake agreement [so much for that technicality]. Dan is trustworthy, they had an agreement very early on. In the Old Women's Tribe, Ruth Marie and Cirie had an alliance within the first hour but Melinda was reluctant to join. Cirie wants to be there, she has a very positive attitude that is contagious. Ruth Marie likes Cirie, Misty and Dan the most. Austin was an underwear model and a beauty pageant judge.

Ruth Marie's Time Capsule
She reminded herself not to talk too much for fear of annoying the others and not to get caught up in new friendships. [I don't know about the latter but she certainly didn't seem to talk too much.]

Probst Thoughts
Amongst the older women Ruth Marie was in the best shape, maybe too good of shape. He questioned whether or not she had enough body fat to last the entire time.

Toughest Challenges - #10
Bountiful Chest, Pearl Islands, chest diving. The Survivors had to dive underwater repeatedly to fill chests and then drag them on the sea bottom to the beach. Toughest Challenges are available online for free at the Survivor web site. [Stephenie seemed awkward hosting, perhaps she should go back to work?]


Stephenie LaGrossa
Click to Enlarge - pops

What's Next for Ruth Marie
She would like to run across the country, coast to coast. [Wouldn't it be easier going north to south?]

Show Notes:
1. Toughest Challenges counts down the toughest challenges ever on Survivor as voted on by viewers and hosted by former Survivor Stephenie LaGrossa.
2. The Time Capsule is a short video that each contestant taped before the game started.
3. Probst Thoughts is a short taped segment where host Jeff Probst talks a little about the guest on Survivor Live (I think it's taped after the game is over).
4. The Open Letter feature still sucks, please get rid of it.

Tribal Thoughts

I thought I'd rundown what I think of each Survivor.

La Mina
This tribe seems to have things together yet struggles at challenges.

Terry. Am I missing something? I don't understand why this guy is so popular. After Casaya selected him for exile, Sally said that he is obviously their leader. Austin referred to him as 'Super Terry.' The Immunity Idol may get him to the final four.

Dan. The lack of food is getting to Dan, someone get him some Tang. Dan looked weaker to me than Ruth Marie last night.

Austin. He's playing the game well. I think I noted a touch of sarcasm as he said 'Super Terry.' Maybe he can get Sally and Nick to vote the Big Guy off (oh, that pesky Immunity Idol - maybe after the merge).

Nick. Does he realize he's out there to win a million dollars? It seems like his biggest goal is to catch a fish.

Sally. She's in the middle. Terry and Dan see her as number five in the alliance however Austin and Nick may see her as number three. The swing vote is tough to play, I don't know if Sally is up to it.


Casaya
'C' is for 'Crazy' and 'C' is for 'Casaya.' This is the tribe with the Nut-ball Alliance.

The Nut-balls
Shane. Is it all a put-on to win or does he need serious psychiatric help? And what is with his tattoos? Some look like they are paragraphs of text and he has a tramp stamp, a stripper-like tattoo above the buttocks. Is that a barcode on his chest?

Courtney. Did anyone else think it was ironic that Courtney, the fire dancer, let the fire go out? Next week it looks like she does yoga in Bruce's Zen rock garden. Your dogma ran over my karma!

Danielle. I cannot believe the others expect her to work, why do they think she got breast implants? I almost laughed when they got on her for being lazy and she talked about being the captain of some sports team.

Aras. He may be the sanest but he's not playing well. Aras comes off as the heavy, he's the one that gave the "camp responsibilities" speech and started the who's-not-working discussion.

The Others
Cirie. She's doing her best to quietly break apart the lunatics. Good luck, may the Force be with her.

Bruce. He's playing the paternal role. It can take him far but he will have to eventually make some tough decisions if he is to win it all.

Bobby. Yes Bobby, the others thinking about using the out-house to store fire wood was crazy-talk however you just ending all discussion by "dropping the deuce" in there was not a good move on your part. You may have just punched your ticket to the losers lounge if Casaya goes to Tribal Council next.

Episode 4: As It Airs

As It Airs
Feb. 23, 8:00 pm ET GMT -5 hours
Survivor Panama, Episode 4
title: Starvation and Lunacy

This post will be updated as Survivor airs tonight.
Some people just can't wait to know what happens on Survivor. If you're one of those people then this post is for you. Note: you may need to hit the refresh/reload button on your browser to see the updates.

First Interview: Sally (pictured)

Reward Challenge
Reward: full Survivor bathroom (insert product placement here).
Type of Challenge: floating puzzle.
Casaya won Reward, chose Terry (pictured) for Exile.

On Exile Island Terry finds the Immunity Idol!

Immunity Challenge
Type of Challenge: balance, team work, patience. Bobby sits out.
Casaya won Immunity. It was very, very close.

Scheming Is Free
La Mina's target is Sally or is it. Austin (pictured) talks with Terry about keeping Sally and voting off Ruth Marie. So who will it be - Sally or Ruth Marie who's voted off at Tribal Council.

Tribal Council
First Questioned: Terry.
Ruth Marie (pictured) was voted off.
Jeff questions Terry about Exile Island but Terry still does not tell the others that he found the Immunity Idol.

Jeff Probst's Final Thought
Despite two tribal councils in a row you still seem to have a positive attitude and that more than anything else can turn things around for you.

Ruth Marie's Final Words
I think my tribe underestimated my endurance . . . it was fun with lots of twists and turns . . . the game hunbles you a bit . . . I wish them luck.

So ends another episode of Survivor Panama, check back later for my review of Survivor Live and any other news and rumors as I get them. Good night.

Next Update:
Friday or Saturday, my Survivor Live notes.

Preview Episode 4

Title: Starvation and Lunacy
A banished castaway thrives on Exile Island; constant bickering and shouting matches between tribe members leaves one castaway regretting their alliance.

Rumors
From a CBS promo: something happens on Exile Island that "will change the game forever." Terry (pictured) is rumored to be the one Exiled.

Casaya
Aras, Bobby, Bruce, Cirie, Courtney, Danielle, Shane.

La Mina
Austin, Dan, Nick, Ruth Marie, Sally, Terry.

Survivor Fantasy
My picks, for what it's worth:
Aras, First Interviewed
Bruce, First Interviewed
Terry, Gets Exiled
Austin, First Interviewed

Survivor Panama Map
I found a nice map of Survivor Panama, it lists all of the filming locations (among other places). Here's the link.

Next Update
As It Airs, Thursday night 8:00 ET, GMT -5 hrs.

Survivor Fantasy Thoughts

I've played CBS's official Survivor Fantasy game for a long time now and for the last couple of seasons I have been in some good tribes.

This season my team (Bakseeda) has 120 points. My tribes are doing real well despite me:

Survivor Slackers are in 8th place with 1,692 points.
Team Morty is in 62nd place with 1,188 points.

I don't have much to offer in the way of tips, just make sure you have active Survivors selected (no one already voted off) and assign bonus points. Regarding bonus points, what happened to the First Questioned at Tribal Council category? Some bonus categories are often red herrings, like Gets Bitten by Shark (a red shark?). Note that Gets Naked usually means to get naked intentionally, not the inadvertent nudity that sometimes happens during challenges.

If you're a big fan of Survivor and haven't tried out the Survivor Fantasy game then give it a try, it's fun.

Survivor Live: Misty

Survivor Live: Misty
Hosts: Dalton Ross and Jenna Morasca.

First off let me just say I don't like Misty that much. She's pretty and smart but she's the type of woman that knows she is pretty and tries to use it to her advantage. I resent being manipulated. Also she's not a "natural flirt" as she believes. Misty wielded her "feminine wiles" like a sledge hammer, while flirting is a subtle art. The others saw her vulgar attempt at flirting her way to a million dollars and they rightly voted her cute little ass off the island.

Misty on Survivor Live
Click to Enlarge - pops.

On Being Voted Off
Misty admitted her flirting did not work [no duh! see above]. Austin played both sides of the fence but he seemed reliable [it sounds like he is playing the game].

The Others
A Sally-Danielle connection was mentioned (they apparently talk at challenges). Can they each make the merge to form an alliance? [At this point I'd say Danielle has a better chance of making the merge than Sally.] Aras controls Shane. [Maybe the nut-balls will end up ruling the Casaya tribe.]

Misty's Time Capsule
She basically said that she's proud of herself for competing on Survivor even if she doesn't win the million dollars.

Probst Thoughts
Jeff Probst didn't think Misty, the pageant queen-rocket scientist, would last past day one [it sounded like a compliment]. This season of Survivor is filled with great people and Misty is certainly one of them.

What's Next for Misty
She's back to work at Lockheed-Martin. [Do you think she has all of those engineering nerds wrapped around her pretty little fingers?].

Show Notes:
1. Next week starts a series counting down the toughest challenges ever on Survivor.
2. The Time Capsule is a short video that each contestant taped before the game started.
3. Probst Thoughts is a short taped segment where host Jeff Probst talks a little about the guest on Survivor Live (I think it's taped after the game is over).
4. The Open Letter feature still sucks, please get rid of it.

Next Update: Tomorrow or Monday I'll take a look at the Survivor Fantasy game - how I'm doing, how my tribes are doing and my thoughts on the game in general this season.

Alliance Analysis

Survivor Panama is now three episodes old and I thought I'd take a look at the alliances. At this point in the game it is foolish to think large alliances of more than 2 or 3 will hold up for the length of the contest.

La Mina
Dan (pictured, retired astronaught ) and Terry (retired Navy fighter pilot) - these two seem to have the tightest bond. However they are too similar and I'm afraid the others will eventually notice them. If one goes the other will really be out there alone.

Austin and Nick (pictured) - these two young guys are also similar to one another but less committed to their alliance (if they have one) than the two older men. These guys were in the middle between Dan & Terry and Misty & Sally. In the middle (aka the swing vote) is a tough spot to play. If you don't decide one way or the other you can become the target.

Misty and Sally (pictured) - now that Misty is gone Sally is in trouble. She should try to align with Ruth Ann and play the two pairs of men against each other. If you were any of the men who would you rather compete against (once the merge comes), two other guys or two women?

Ruth Ann (pictured) - she may not be in as much trouble as you think. I don't think she's considered a threat to win individual immunity but she holds her on in group challenges so she may be carried along until the merge. Still, she may be the next one to go on this tribe.

Casaya
This tribe is a basket case, it is tough to discern who's really in an alliance with whom. It seems Aras, Shane, Courtney and Danielle are in an alliance together. As Aras (pictured) said last night he's in an "alliance with three nut-balls." Shane called Courtney a "lunatic" and he should know because he is the craziest one out there. Shane seems manic-depressive; one minute he wants to go home, the next he's plotting against the others and occasionally he's just nuts. Did you like how he screamed last night about Shane's Thinking Seat? If it's just an act to win the game, then well played sir (and good luck with that).

That leaves Bobby (pictured), Cirie and Bruce. I don't think it would take much for the three of them to get Aras to join them, then they could get rid of the three nut-balls. If I were in their place then I would get rid of Courtney first. Shane's nuts but he performs well in challenges and Courtney is more of an irritant than Danielle. However as a viewer I'd like the young ladies in the bikinis to stay around a little longer.

Next Update:
Tonight or tomorrow Misty on Survivor Live.

Episode 3: As It Airs

As It Airs
Feb. 16, 8:00 pm ET GMT -5 hours
Survivor Panama, Episode 3
title: Crazy Fights, Snake Dinners

This post will be updated as Survivor airs tonight.
Some people just can't wait to know what happens on Survivor. If you're one of those people then this post is for you. Note: you may need to hit the refresh/reload button on your browser to see the updates.

It's started . . .
First Interview: Bobby (left)

Reward Challenge
Type of Challenge: Sling shot catch game. La Mina won Reward. Bruce is Exiled.
Reward: comfort items.

Before RC Casaya said openly how much Bruce (right) has helped them and picked up their spirits so La Mina chose him for Exile.

Immunity Challenge
Type of Challenge: Wrestling - battle over burried bags. Casaya won Immunity.

Scheming Is Free
Ruth Marie (pictured), Dan and Misty mentioned to be voted off.
Dan & Terry want Misty voted off.
Misty & Sally at first want Dan voted off then change minds to Ruth Marie.
Austin & Nick are in the middle.
They all seem to mention Ruth Marie because she is the weakest physically.

Tribal Council
First Questioned: Terry. Misty was voted off.
Everyone seems nice to each other with nothing but nice things to say. After it was revealed that Misty had the most votes Jeff Probst asked her if she found the Immunity Idol the night she was on Exile Island (they use it after the votes are revealed this season). Misty said "No, I didn't."

Jeff Probst's Final Thought
Based on what I've seen and heard tonight you are a unified group however even in the tightest of groups someone is always on the outside.

Misty's Final Words
This comes as a shock, I didn't expect to go so soon . . . I had a good time with great people . . . I wish my tribe luck, I hope they go all the way.

Well, that's a wrap for tonight. I plan on catching Misty on Survivor Live, check back for my notes and thoughts.

Preview Episode 3

Title: Crazy Fights, Snake Dinners
(I couldn't find a pre-view teaser for this one.)

Internet Rumors
Reward Challenge (Sling Shot Dodge Ball) Casaya Loses, winner selects who is Exiled. Bruce is supposedly Exiled again (it will give him more alone-time to practice his kata and look for the Immunity Idol).

Immunity Challenge (Sumo Style Wrestling) La Mina Loses, most likely to be voted off: Dan or Ruth Marie.

Casaya
Aras, Bobby, Bruce, Cirie, Courtney, Danielle, Shane.

La Mina
Austin, Dan, Misty, Nick, Ruth Marie, Sally, Terry.

Survivor Fantasy
My picks, for what it's worth:

Bruce, Gets Exiled
Misty, First Interviewed
Terry, First Interviewed
Danielle, First Interviewed

Next Update
As It Airs, tonight 8:00 ET, GMT -5 hrs.

Blog Notes:
I know I haven't updated this blog as much as in past seasons but I plan to from now on with some slight changes. I won't do a full recap like in past seasons - it just takes too much time. I will flesh out the As It Airs post with pictures and fuller notes (this will be done within an hour of the episode ending).

Episode 2: As It Airs

As It Airs
Feb. 9, 8:00 pm ET GMT -5 hours
Survivor Panama, Episode 2
title: Breakdown

This post will be updated as Survivor airs tonight.
Some people just can't wait to know what happens on Survivor. If you're one of those people then this post is for you. Note: you may need to hit the refresh/reload button on your browser to see the updates.

First Interview: Shane

New tribes before Reward. Schoolyard pick'em, alternate men-women. Bruce last picked, goes to Exile Island for three days until after Tribal Council (also missed Reward Challenge). Bruce essentially gets Immunity and will sit in on the next Tribal Council.

Reward Challenge
Type of Challenge: Obstacle Race to find fake snakes. La Mina won reward. Bruce Exiled.
Reward: fishing gear and raft.

New Tribes
La Mina: Austin, Misty, Dan, Terry, Nick, Ruth Marie, Sally.
Casaya: Shane, Cirie, Bobby, Melinda, Danielle, Courtney, Aras and Bruce who's exiled.

Shane's spirits have picked up in the new tribe, he's not talking about quiting. Cirie and Melinda feel like outcasts. Dan and Terry trying for an all-guy alliance.

Immunity Challenge
Type of Challenge: Race - move big zombie head from ocean to beach on to zombie body. La Mina won Immunity.

Shane asking to be voted off.

Tribal Council
First Questioned: Shane. Melinda was voted off.

That's a wrap for As It Airs tonight.

Preview Episode 2

Title: Breakdown
After only six days on the island, one contestant is ready to call it quits; the four tribes consolidate into two; two contestants feel vulnerable, as the other players scurry to form alliances.

The internet is quite about this episode.

Episode 1: As It Airs

As It Airs
Feb. 2, 8:00 pm ET GMT -5 hours
Survivor Panama, Episode 1
title: The First Exile

This post will be updated as Survivor airs tonight.
Some people just can't wait to know what happens on Survivor. If you're one of those people then this post is for you. Note: you may need to hit the refresh/reload button on your browser to see the updates.

Intro at Exile Island and then right into Reward Challenge.

Reward Challenge
Type of Challenge: Race to smash skulls to find amulet. Young Women lose reward (fire) and select Misty to stay behind for a night on Exile Island. Misty Exiled.

The Tribes get maps to their camps and set off to find their new home.

Immunity Challenge
Type of Challenge: Water obstacle course & puzzle challenge. Older Women lost Immunity Challenge.

Tribal Council
First Questioned: Melinda. Tina was voted off.

Next week on Survivor . . .
A big twist and Shane wants to quit already?!

That's all for As It Airs, check back throughout the week for more Survivor news, views and rumors.

Check back later tomorrow
for my usual, full length review / recap.

Episode 1 Update - As It Airs

I almost forgot, I will once again this season post as Survivor airs.

I am on the East Coast of the US and Survivor airs tonight at 8:00 PM ET (GMT -5 hours). My post will be updated several times throughout the show with the latest news - challenge winners, who's exiled and who's voted off.

Preview Episode 1

Title: The First Exile
The tribe losing the first Reward Challenge must choose a member to stay behind and cope alone on Exile Island.

The rumors and internet chatter are saying that Misty (pictured) will be the first Exile and the first one voted off. Terry reportedly will win the Reward Challenge.

Other Possible Spoilers
Dan and Terry are predicted to go far and possibly win. Danielle looks like she may be the villain (she and Terry apparently didn't get along). Cirie in the final four? Aras (or someone) needs stitches early on but recovers and goes a long way in the game. Someone else is forced to quit due to a health condition (Bruce heart problem?).

Next Updates
Friday, my review of episode one. Saturday, my review of Survivor Live CBS' official internet talk show (assuming they have it again this season).

Meet the Survivors

Without further delay, here is my preview of the contestants for Survivor Panama, Exile Island.

Bayoneta younger women, ave. age 26.5
Courtney, Danielle, Misty, Sally

Courtney 31, performance artist
Los Angeles, CA

Teaches the ancient art of "fire dancing" (???). Has traveled to 30 countries (just another cheap holiday in other people's misery?)

Danielle 24, medical sales representative
Pompano Beach, FL

Raised outside of Boston, college athlete. Her regular workout includes kickboxing and soccer (both sports of the future).

Misty 24, engineer
Dallas TX

Raised in a military family; Miss Texas Teen USA 1999. Undergrad electrical engineering Southern Methodist University, working on her masters. Training for a marathon.

Sally 27, social worker
Chicago, IL

Born and raised Duluth, MN. Applied to be on Survivor five times.


Casaya older women, ave. age 40.25
Cirie, Melinda, Ruth Marie, Tina

Cirie 35, registered nurse
Waterloo, SC

Raised in Jersey City, NJ. Attended nursing school in Pennsylvania. She claims skills in fishing and carpentry (we'll see . . . )

Melinda 32, singer
Sevierville, TN

Music major at East Tennessee State University, has sung with a few bands. Extensive experience in various forms of dance and gymnastics.

Ruth Marie 48, director of retail leasing
Greenville, SC

BS criminal justice, has worked as a narcotics officer. Chi Omega sorority and cheerleader in college. She was also a flight attendant for Eastern Airlines.

Tina 46, logging sports promoter and performer
Heyward, WI

Raised in a logging sports family and part of the World Champion Lumberjills "Chicks with Axes." I am not making this up. She should do well in balance challenges because she has experience with rolling logs.


Vivero younger men, ave. age 26.25
Aras, Austin, Bobby, Nick

Aras 24, yoga instructor
Santa Monica, CA

Played basketball at UC Irvine. MBA. Played professional basketball in Lithuania then lived in Capetown South Africa for a while.

Austin 24, author and model
Highpoint, NC

I think he's just here to advance his modeling career, but he has had severel books published and he has an agent. I don't think he'll do well.

Bobby 32, attorney
Los Angeles, CA

Raised in South Central, Los Angeles, managed to get into a prep school and went on to graduate from Amherst College in Massachusetts cum laude while playing baseball, then went on to Stanford Law School.

Nick 25, financial sales
Tempe, AZ

Grew up in Wyoming, attended Montana State University before transferring to and graduating from Arizona State University. Applying to law school.


La Mina older men, ave. age 47.75
Bruce, Dan, Shane, Terry

Bruce 58, karate instructor & high school art teacher
Simi Valley, CA

Fifth degree black belt shotokan karate, has also instructed police officers in the tricky use of the side-handle baton.

Dan 52, retired astronaut
S. Hadley, MA

Attended high school in Louisiana. BS electrical engineering Cornell, Masters and PhD electrical engineering / computer science Princeton. Taught at University of Michigan for a while (offered tenure). Into bioengineering. Dan has spent 734 hours in space on 3 space flights and conducted 4 space walks. (I can't believe they let underachieving slackers like this on Survivor.)

Shane 35, entertainment marketing
Los Angeles, CA

Born and raised in Omaha, NE. Has his own marketing company.

Terry 46, retired Navy fighter pilot
Simsbury, CT

Graduated from the US Naval Academy. Served on the aircraft carriers USS Enterprise (qualified for Officer of the Day duty) and USS Carl Vinson (fighter pilot). Also was a F-14 pilot instructor before retiring to be a commercial pilot for American Airlines.