CBS.com - Survivor Guatemala

Rob	12/14/05 1:23 pm Well another season of Survivor has come and gone and now it’s time to take a mental inventory about the 11 things we learned from Survivor 11 in the last 39 days… Leadership and blindsiding does not a winning combination make. Steph played a game that was very dominant, but part of dominance is having the faith that your master plan is going to work. It’s a gamble, but it’s the only way the alpha player can win in the end (See Hatch, Heidik and Fireman Tom). Under The Radar, Still Under-Rated. There’s still something to be said for being under the radar. If you can just hang in there until the merge and not be seen as the decision maker (but still have influence) you’re going to be right there at the end every time (Except on the all-stars, of course). All in all, well played Danni, well played. If you ever have a choice of giving everybody something, or NOT giving everybody something… Give Everybody something. Karma is something that doesn’t just work when your name is Earl. If somebody promises you something… Don’t tell them they don’t have to honor it. There’s a Mormon who will back me up on this. (unless they promised to vote you off, or NOT vote for you in the end – These are bad promises) Jeff Probst likes Hats. I think he looks fedorable If you have to ask if you’re going home more than 30 times an hour, you probably won’t be asking very more. The tribes you start on mean nothing – Unless there’s no switch If you eat at every reward, everybody starts to resent that a little bit. It’s a weird and petty thing among starving people. Guys doing coordinated handshakes still isn’t cool (especially on the jury) Small Packages Go A long way - You gotta admit, Lydia went a lot further than you thought she would. I still can’t believe how fresh Survivor still is after 11 seasons, here’s to another 11 – Great job all around!! It’s been a blast this season… All the best and Happy Holidays!! Later all you “scumbags” ;)
Scout	12/14/05 1:19 pm One Last P.S.! Just an observation from my thirty plus years of coaching teams and corporate moguls. People of true power (versus force) rule by inspiration. They teach by example. They stand for self-evident principles. They invoke nobility and unify others through pure "heart". They are imbued with the belief that their excellence isn't a personal accomplishment, but a gift to be shared with others. True athletic power is characterized by grace, sensitivity, inner quiet, and paradoxically, gentleness. They have courage, tenacity, commitment, honor, respect, humility, and absolute integrity. My hats off to Danni, Rafe, and Gary for modeling influence through these high principles. Now....on to EXILE ISLAND!
Jenna	12/14/05 1:19 pm Well another one bites the dust! I enjoyed this season, it wasn't my favorite but I thought it had some stand out characters. The final episode was great. Its fun to hear the live crowds reaction when you watch it in the audience. I was laughing so much during the whole sacred chicken incident! I am sorry to say but I would of eaten the chicken to even though I know its wrong. Starvation does crazy things to you. Congrats to Steph and Danni for playing a great game. These are two tough chicks and played a good game. Rafe you know I think you blew it by being the nice guy and releasing Danni from her promise. But I think you played well and were so fun to watch. Welcome Danni to the elite club of survivor winners. You are all part of the survivor family for life now. Till next season!!
Scout	12/14/05 1:18 pm Hey Everyone! I’m just back from LA and the Finale of Survivor Eleven. Tie a great big bow around this one and file it as a Great Season of Survivor. As I wormed my way through the crowd of past Survivor’s and fans at the Red Buddha in Hollywood, I realized that there will be some long remembered moments in this game. I for one will always remember Rafe’s classic Survivor dilemma: “Am I a part of the Axis of Evil?” As it turns out, he might have been. Rafe will stand as one of the nicest people ever to play the game. He would have been crowned “Saint” if he hadn’t whined abit about Cindy’s “car decision” and if he hadn’t obviously kicked himself in the butt for his mindless “slight of hand” in the final immunity challenge. While Rafe told Danni that he released her from her promise, he came back to provide Steph her only vote at Tribal. I do believe that he delivered a moment of “mere mortal” in that vote. In truth, he wanted Danni to pick him and was disappointed she didn’t. There is no question that Danni played a flawless game and managed to maintain total integrity throughout. Rafe’s only hope of winning was to win the final immunity and take Steph with him. For Danni to take Steph to the final two was a “no brainer”. Danni was bound to win over Steph, but not Rafe. It would have been a much closer vote with Danni and Rafe. Judd has been a great character for us all, although I was hoping for even more ranting from him at the finale. It was fun to meet he and Cindy (who is a doll) and see how cute Judd is with his skull cap! His twin brother looks just like him and is probably just as fiesty. Judd kept us energized with either laughter or “blood boiling rants”. In truth, I think he’s really just a Big Hearted Bully whose bark is worse than his bite. However, the tiff with Steph will keep him fueled up for years to come. Amy, Margaret, and Lydia are great human beings and so friggin’ fun to hang with. Lydia was abit like a deer in head lights with all the attention at the finale, and ever so cute. She truly does smile all the time. I loved her the entire show and will remember her prancing into every challenge with a smile on her face. I’ll also remember her precious stand toward the end of the game when she shouted out “Does anyone want my vote!?” Loved it. She shined in the Giant Eagle Maze, which was one of the most stunning challenges of all time. Again and again, my hats off to precious John Kirhoffer and his incredible team of creative geniuses! How in the world did they get up high enough to draw that damn bird in the jungle of Guatemala? Brandon and Gary will always be favorites of mine, if for no other reason than their work ethic and honesty (well, there was that one little lie about pro football). Bobby Jon and Jamie are two peas in a pod who will be immortalized in a nose to nose screaming match. Hopefully they will also be remembered for their good, good hearts and desire to be gentleman. Steph will remain one of the best known survivor’s of all time. She’s a scrapper and a fighter with lots of physical prowess. I think she might also be remembered as someone who cried the very most of any survivor in history. No matter the means by which she did it, getting to the final two is an amazing accomplishment in this brutal game. Steph showed her gracious side in meeting the elders of Guatemala. However, the axis of evil emerged when she schemed to eat the chicken that the elders so revered and sacrificed. Whether we believe in others’ ways or not, we definitely need to respect their ways. Those jungle spirits can do amazing things when provoked. Many say, including Steph, that this game brings out the very worst in you. However, it is my deep belief that this game brings out the truth in you! What we see is what we get in this game. I’m so happy to see this game bringing out the very best in so many people! Danni is a shining example. She lucked into blends that helped her in this game and she took full advantage of them. She remained very observant, quiet, and pleasant to everyone. She was a physical force to be reckoned with. Her legs are more than just something to be admired. In the final challenge, her long legs gave her the advantage she needed to easily win this most important immunity. The only other immunity that she won came at precisely the time she needed it to. She was definitely going home without it. Danni stepped forward to direct the vote on Judd, and again saved herself. Danni was the last person standing on Nakum; the last standing on Yaxha, and the last standing from the merge. DJ Danni will be remembered with respect, along with Tom from Palau and Ethan of Africa. This last piece of Survivor history will be long remembered for it’s stunning beauty that parallels the best of historical photography. The producers, directors, and crew of Survivor are the best in the world....Hands down! I know. I’ve been there! I’ll see you all next season as we visit EXILE ISLAND and 16 castmates. Or....will there be more! Until then, thanks for reading my thoughts and thanks to those of you who have written me yours. Finally, I close with a deep appreciation for the evolution of Jeff Probst. Does it seem to all of you that Jeff is getting to be “a kinder, gentler” Jeff? I’ve long loved this man and his ability to be Tuff as nails, probing, and oh soooooo tender. Thanks for agreeing to stick with us another two years, Jeff. We love ya’, Man!
Coby	12/12/05 5:35 pm The season is finally over and I found myself depressed baking a cake and making myself dinner at home...alone. I realized a lot of things. That my season is officially really really over (this being the first finale since mine brought back a lot of memories). That this blog has been my small second chance to keep playing the game (and I thank CBS for that). And that it really made me sad to watch people keep picking on Stephenie (including me). So I would like to give out some awards... -Miss Broken Ankle But I Will Keep Going Award- Amy thank you for not only making the show better with your true honest grit but making the finale lighten up a bit as well. I wanted you to keep talking! You are a true Survivor who didn't know the word quit. -Golden Boy Award- Blake you were the hottest thing to look at in Guatemala and considering the company you kept that is a high honor whether you want it or not. Cocky isn't always a bad thing I think it will take you far in life and you can do anything you want to. -Barely Saw You Award- Brianna, Brooke, and Morgan all followed Morgans disappearing act and well..disappeared. You can thank Steph and Bobby Jon's return to your no show editing. Just too much story to tell and I am so sorry yours was left out. But let me pay you some special attention here... Brianna- Your over the shoulder look in the 11 mile hike is still one of the prettiest moments of the game...I will remember it forever. Brooke- The player that might have been. It is a tough game and what part you played you played really well :) Morgan- Your smile lights up a room and don't ever forget that. -Old Dude Rocks Award- Jim I can tell you from Willard in my season, I not only bow to you for applying but bow to you for lasting even a day out there. It kicked my ass and I am half your age. You rock!!! -Who's Your Mamma Award- Margaret you took care of everyone but rolled over to die when you saw your number was up. I did the same thing, it is so hard to fight back when everyone is against you. But thank you for calling out Judd as this years biggest flip flopper for no reason of the season. -Caption ADD Award- Judd you know I wasn't your biggest supporter this season but I can't deny that you added some spice to a already heated dish called Guatemala. I can also tell you from experience from meeting past Survivors, I usually end up befriending the ones I didn't like on TV so I am sure we will have a beer together someday and laugh about all this. -Loved You In The End Award- Gary it took me a long time to root for you but once I did I did! You were a smooth criminal out there and played one of the best games of a non winner ever. You called people out but not in a in your face kind of way. You are a class act. -Bobby Jon's Little Brother Award- Jamie, I love Bobby Jon and I love you. So passionate, so real. You are the little brother everyone wants to have. You were more dang sweet and funny at the finale in your 2 minutes than most of them put together. I can't wait to met you someday and hug your neck. Coby bumps Jamie's shoulder like he does Bobby Jon's -Zen Is For Farmers Award- Brandon, if I want to hug Jamie's neck, I just want to hang out with you by the lake in the rain and hear you contemplate life. You seem like such a deep person who is only just beginning to scratch who he is and what he wants in life...I can't wait to see what you do next. You my dear sir are awesome. -Mr Eye Roller Award- Brian how dare you take my crown as the most over the top drama queen on Survivor! But I pass the title on to you but if you can't fulfill your duties we have to call back Brandon from Africa. You were my favorite this season and I hated when you left me to watch the others without you. Here is hoping for a All Stars 2 for you! -Underrated Player Of The Year- Lydia I know you think you were just sweet and every ones friend but I see through your cover. You played the game and played it well. From dodging to be the first voted out of your tribe to trying to talk everyone to taking you to the final 3. You always talked game, were always playing, paying and you were not riding any ones coattails my dear. You are a player, period. -Female I Most Likely Want To Be Stuck With- Cindy if I can't have Madonna I will take you. I loved your passion for the game even though I still think keeping that car for yourself was the wrong choice. I know exactly what you mean when you said at the finale that you left a piece of you back there. I hate to tell you but that won't change, it has been a year later and I still dream of being back in Palau. That is real life, what we call now have to call real life...isn't. -Best Player Award- Danni there is a reason you won. You played the best game from start to finish. You never showed your cards like Steph did in the final 3 challenge and you worked the jury over well with your "Aww shuck I can't believe I am just here routine", did Bobby Jon help you prep that speech? Your stealth bomber adage was a bit much just be grateful you won, don't rub people's noses in it. -Best Gay Playa' Eva' Award- Rafe I know you are the type that doesn't want to be in a 'category' probably but you are a role model now to lots of young gays who watch the show. You made all of us look better, feel smarter and know we have skills. I am not sure if you won more Immunities more than any other gay male to be on the show but it sure felt like it. Your morals may have cost you the million because I think you would have beat Danni in the final 2 but like you said...a million can't buy yourself respect or sleep at night. Danni I think should have a few sleepless nights headed her way. -My Favorite Survivor Eva' Award- Bobby Jon, Bobby Jon, Bobby Jon...how much do I love you? Personally and as a fan. When all 20 of us in Palau rowed our boat a shore telling each our names I will never forget looking back when you started talking (you were sitting right behind me). My first impression of you then is the same as it is now...what a great guy. When we hit the shore and we both started working (same work ethic) I turned to you on the beach and took myself out of the game for a second... I told you, " I am gonna be your biggest fan when all this is over." I was right. -Best Survivor Period Award- Stephenie. We both wear out emotions on our sleeves so I knew I would be brutally honest in these blogs just like you were on the show. I can never pretend to imagine to know how it feels to be you. From fan favorite, to the not so fan favorite and back again. I had not been cheering for you this whole season but what a difference a episode can make. Your heart bled through my TV in the last final 3 challenge. I realized then, is Steph the best player of Survivor ever like Jeff said at the beginning of this season or just a fan favorite? Neither. Steph has the MOST heart of any player I have ever seen. You are so passionate about how you feel it has made some of your choices seem cold but I think you just can't help but FEEL. That fact added to you doing back to back shows your emotions were raw and I loved every minute of it. Watching everyone on your season bow to your greatness the whole season to only make you pay for it in the end was hard to watch. Suddenly you became Steph my friend again and not just someone I was watching on TV. Funny that I was cheering for you until the game started and then I cheered for you the second the game stopped. But I feel that is because you started and left the game two different people. You will never be the same and neither will our friendship. But we are all lucky, all of us. From the bloggers to the 18 of you new contestants. It isn't always easy after the show is over, but either was the show and either is life. Nothing in life comes free but I take my hat off to all of you and I can't wait to watch Exile Island with all of you...playing phone tag and laughing at what the new crew is going through. Welcome to all that is Survivor. p.s. -Thank God You Didn't Leave Award- Jeff Probst please don't scare me like that again. -Biggest Bitch Of The Blog Award- That would be me...thanks everyone for taking it all in stride. -Best Challenge Award- The Bird Maze was stunningly beautiful and amazing to watch. -Made Me Jealous Award- I thought Bobby Jon and Steph coming back was bad enough...the preview for Exile Island got me all green...here is to hoping that Survivor can live up to that hype.