hidden idol

(S19E03) If I had my druthers and could choose which weirdo to watch take over Survivor between Evil Russell and Ben "Coach" Wade from last season, I'd surely go for Russell. Don't get me wrong. I don't like Russell. I wouldn't invite him over for dinner or send him a birthday card. But he's playing the game and, despite saying he's not there to work, he works around camp and at the challenges. However, his expertise in work at camp is playing mind games. Wade did diddly. Now if only I knew what a druthers was.

(S18E09) No, the biggest fraud isn't JT. I think we all know the biggest fraud on Survivor this season. He's the castaway we'd probably vote "Most Annoying." If we examine recent current events, we can see that many fraudsters are getting their just desserts. Will we be lucky enough to get Coach gone from our TV screens?

(S18E08) I don't know. Is it just me or is this sexy librarian in a bikini look on Erinn from Survivor just a bit unsettling? There seems to be an evil gleam in her eyes, too. Maybe she's considering some Donner Party action and Coach will be her target? Sigh. Nah, it would never happen. Mr. Lord "Willie Nelson" Fauntleroy is just too darn skinny.

The promos promised us a merge tonight. This could get interesting with secret cross-tribe alliances. Will the Exile Island Allies take over the game? Or will the numbers in Timbira squash the weaker Jalapao tribe one by one? Read on.

(S18E07) Phew! March Madness is over and we had a fresh episode of Survivor on its regularly scheduled night! Although the episode title mentions Coach, I didn't want to use him in the image above. I've decided he's not Little Lord Fauntleroy -- he's Willie Nelson's odd spawn. You know ... the one they don't mention in public.

Joe (above) played a rather pivotal role in tonight's episode. he showed he's thinking ahead and he could have just flipped the whole game. Or maybe he just tried to flip the game not realizing he was flipping at all. Have I confused you yet? Read on!

(S18E06) They do this to us every season on Survivor -- the roughly mid-season clips show. Now, I'm not sure of the wisdom behind the whole thing. Perhaps it's to secure the jobs of the show's graphic artists so they can make new flashing "unseen before" logos. After all, in these tough economic times, those graphic artists need all the work they can get since their other main contribution is the seasonal logo. But that's actually not the reason they had the clips show this season. It was obviously to reinforce my opinion that Coach is a loon.

(S18E05) "The tribe has spoken." -- Jeff Probst

I'll be the first to admit that I thought the first episode of Survivor Tocantins didn't exactly rock my world. But now that we're a handful of shows in, I'm entertained. That's all I ever ask of a television show -- entertain me! One thing that's bothering me is that I still don't have a handle on some of the castaways. Sure, we know all about Coach, Taj, and a few selected others.

(S18E04) For eye candy this season on Survivor, we have Sydney representing the gals. But she's quick to say that she's not only pretty, she's sneaky. Can she be sneaky enough? Of course, if Timbira continues its losing streak, it won't really matter. Well, not yet anyway. Unfortunately for me, the male eye candy this season seems to be more along the lines of outdated cheap chocolates. I'm talking a skinny Tyson prancing about in a loincloth and whatever's going on with Coach's high ponytail-mullet mix. Sure, there are more attractive men there. But do they get the air time these two do? Nope! Spoilers ahead.

(S18E02) Why do I get the idea that Jeff Probst thinks the ultimate Survivor show includes a blindside ouster of a castaway? Now, I like a good blindside as much as any show fan, but that's not what the show is all about to me. For me, the element of surprise is definitely a plus. However, it's as much about the scheming, the interaction between castaways, the challenges, and even whether I like the casting or not. Jeff was a happy camper because there was a blindside last week. I was a so-so camper about other issues. What about tonight?

(S18E01) Yep, we're into the 18th season of Survivor. Why, it seems like it was only yesterday that Richard Hatch was wandering about Borneo naked. Now, don't get me wrong -- I'm a big fan of the show. But what can they show us that's new and fresh after so many seasons, so many strategies? You see, I want to be entertained. I want fresh castaways, fresh locales, fresh challenges ... and even fresh monkeys! After all, no season of the show is complete without a monkey. If I had my way, every reality show would have a monkey.

(S17E13) Now, this was one deliciously yummy episode of Survivor. But I'm not talking about gastronomical goodies although a few of the castaways had some decent food. I'm talking yummy in regard to the actual events of the show and how things are winding down for Sunday's big two-hour finale and reunion show. Why, things couldn't have gone more to my plan if I were pulling the strings on the puppet castaways myself. Read on past the jump for my full review of tonight's episode.

(S17E12) Tonight was product placement night on Survivor. Er, I mean it was the episode in which the castaways are reunited with their loved ones. Or maybe it's a tie between the two. Back when they used to give a car away, it was major product placement. At least this time it was just a phone, although hyped by manufacturer's name as well as the phone network. I always wonder how much more it costs the advertiser compared to having a commercial slot on the show. The car winner faced the Curse of the Car Winner and never once did the car winner win the season. How about the video calls? Is there a jinx? Read on!

(S17E10) "This is going to be the funkiest night of your life. Wait for it. Wait for it." - Sugar

All in all, I found tonight's Survivor episode one of the most satisfying ones to date. And, that's talking a lot of episodes since I'm talking starting from the first season. Since I watch and write about so many reality television shows, I usually try to step back a bit and not get really involved in whom I want for the win or the folks I emphatically want booted sooner rather than later. That way I'm neither disappointed, nor do I personally jinx things. But I couldn't have planned tonight's episode any better than it went down. Read on!

(S17E06) "Don't you mistake my tears for weakness!" - Crystal

This is a weird season of Survivor, isn't it? Sure, we've had lopsided tribes and constantly losing tribes in previous seasons. Yes, we've had tribes who don't work well as a team before or ones which were divided. We've definitely had alliances before. But if I were on the show and had that hidden idol, I wouldn't be telling anyone. I'd hide it for my own use if needed. This is just crazy. Just when I think things can't get much more bizarre and disjointed, they do. Read on!

(S17E05) "Eat your rice, eat your rice." - Crystal to GC

Although they're having food shortage woes on Survivor Gabon, that rice doesn't look all that tasty to me, either. Sticky clumps of white rice cooked in dubious water just doesn't do the trick. I'd have to pretend the rice was chocolate. Then again, I'd be one of those looking at the show as a diet program. Heck, if GC doesn't want to eat his rice, I'm sure Randy will help him out. Since he performs at challenges, he deserves the food! And I don't really like Randy, but ...! Read on for my review of tonight's show.

(S17E03) "I'm like an animal in the jungle. I want to prounce on someone." - Paloma

What is it with this season's castaways on Survivor adding in an extra "r" whenever they feel like it? Last week it was Michelle saying "frickle" instead of "fickle." Maybe it's some new fad or tied in with the internet folks who put an apostrophe whenever they end a word with an "s." So, we have this "r" thing going on, a man with a questionable British accent, and a blond Betty Boop, and one castaway is is beginning to look like Peter from Heroes as he gets scruffier. I think it's going to be a decent season. Read on past the jump for the review!