rewardschallenge

(S18E03) Yep, yep ... that's maize in the maze on Survivor. It looks like it's totally missing the bucket, doesn't it? Well, maybe, just maybe they weren't supposed to get it in the bucket. Perhaps it's something new and totally different. It could be they're filling their tops and holding a bucket just to make things a bit more challenging. Did you ever think of that? Or, it could be that I don't want to put any real spoilers before the jump.

(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.

(S17E14) Way to go, CBS. Give us an overly long three-hour season finale and reunion show of Survivor, and let football delay its start for a half-hour on the East Coast. Just once couldn't they have shortened 60 Minutes? Yeah, I'm cranky. I watched the show as it aired and now it's way late as I get it written up. CBS could console me by inviting me to the next finale, which should be held in NYC. Do you hear me, CBS? My crankiness aside, tonight's show was both surprising and refreshing, with a few odd quirks along the way. Read on!

(S17E11) The good news is that there was a Survivor show tonight on Thanksgiving evening. The bad news is that it was basically a recap show covering the entire season thus far. But there were enough new clips we haven't previously seen to make it worthwhile at least touching on the episode. Some of the footage really cemented my opinions of some of these castaways and some was just plain bizarre.

(S17E09) Nope, this Survivor episode's title isn't about Kenny. He's been the mastermind behind the last two blindsides -- Marcus and Ace. If anyone is the brains behind everything, it should be him. He definitely couldn't be the brawn behind everything, but brawn isn't always the key to getting to the final four of this show. So, to whom does the title refer? It's someone who's far from a mastermind in the game, but it's key to the episode. Read on.

(S17E08) "Susie's in the middle spinning around in circles playing dizzy bat." - Marcus

Well, my man Marcus just might have a point there about Susie on Survivor. I can usually figure out the castaways, but I'm having a bit of difficulty when it comes to the words which come out of her mouth. She already has Corinne freaking out about her due to telling her she was going to vote her out. Now, it's one thing to scheme and plan, but you don't tell the target about the scheming and planning! Susie could be just a hard working at camp but challenge lump and float along nicely. Nope, she has to talk. Read on past the jump for my review of tonight's show.

(S17E07) "I want to stab her in the face. I hate her." - Corinne

Oh my. What a nasty little so-and-so Corinne is on this season's Survivor, eh? I mean, seriously, folks. I get angry at people myself. Really, I do. Sure, I'd snicker if someone with whom I'm angry were to slip on a banana peel or something. But this "stab in the face" stuff takes things a bit too far. I want to like Corinne -- she's a strong player. But I have to wonder about stability when words like these come from her. Read on past the jump for my full review of tonight's show.

(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.

(S17E04) "We were like legless chickens racing against sleek weasels." - Ace

Just when I think that Survivor doesn't have any new tricks up their sleeves, they surprise me. After so many seasons, it's probably hard to think of new and different things. That's why we see so many locks and puzzles. There were no locks, no bagels, no puzzles in tonight's episode. But it also wasn't quite what the promos were hinting at, either. "Blond against blond against blond," they hyped. One would think we were in for mud wrestling or ... read on past the jump 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!

(S17E01) "Jacquie is awesome!" - Marcus to Charlie

Now, isn't that nice of Marcus, an eye-candy doctor, to say about me? Sigh. Alas, it wasn't about me. I'm not on Survivor Gabon and I don't even spell my name that way. It's a first time namesake on the show for me and she isn't too shabby. However, I can't say that about the entire cast. Tonight was the big two-hour premiere night in Earth's Last Eden. Will this season live up to the quality and excitement of last season? Will Jeff Probst show off his Emmy-winning style? Read on past the jump for my full review of the show.

Originally, the new season of Survivor had an announced premiere date of September 18. We can scratch that now. It's been changed to two back-to-back episodes on September 25. Don't tell me they're actually thinking ahead and realize that football or something else would preempt the season premiere. It's not like CBS to realize such things!

Jeff Probst will be the host, asking his Probsting questions at Tribal Council. Read on past the jump to check out the new castaways!

(S16E13) "Win and survive, fail and die." - Erik

Well, maybe you can win and die, too. No, I'm not talking about an odd variant of a James Bond movie. I'm talking Survivor Micronesia. This season has been like a roller coaster ride. While castaways I've been cheering on have been blindsided and cast away much like fish guts to seagulls, I've been enjoying the season nonetheless. After all, it's been their own darn fault!

Read on past the jump for the full review of tonight's show.

%Gallery-22439%

(S16E12) Okay, I officially declare Survivor Micronesia to be one of the best, if not the best, season ever in the series. You see, the show really isn't all about surviving the elements of nature. The survival skills needed don't necessarily have to do with who might forage best in the woods or who can build a sturdy shelter. Nope, it's "Outwit, Outplay, Outlast." And, chances are ... if you outwit and outplay, you're going to outlast. Tonight's backsided blindside will make for Survivor history.

Read on past the jump for my full review of tonight's episode.

%Gallery-21943%