5/17/06 7:48 pm
Wait a second, Rafe... Richard, Ethan, Matthew, Sandra, and Katie were all the first ones out of the Final 3 endurance challenge, and all 5 made the Final 2. Kathy, Jan, Jenna, Scout, you, and Terry were all out first and subsequently got voted out at Final 3. And in Australia, there was no endurance challenge, so I don't know if we can count that. That leaves 6 out of 11, which isn't quite as bad as 9 out of 12, but it still isn't good. Long story short: future Survivors, win the Final 3 challenge.

Anyway, happy summer everyone! See you in the fall for Cook Islands.

5/17/06 6:48 pm
Well that's a wrap. Here's to a good season! Congrats Aras! Until next time.

5/17/06 6:37 pm
Wow! A great finale to cap another fun season of Survivor. Lots of stand out characters this time and I think one of the most well-rounded Final Fours ever. Cirie, a fantastic social player, Terry, the ultimate physical competitor, and Aras and Danielle who were some of the best under-25ers the game has ever had.

Why does this show always fool me with the Final 2 vote? I'm always SURE that the other person wins. Even when it's obvious like with Tom and that useless girl. ;) But, Aras was a pretty obvious choice for the victory, he played a strong, smart game all-around and he could easily have gone home at many different tribal councils, and probably should have if Terry wasn't one of the all-time worst strategists in Survivor history.

Although, I will give it to him, he came one immunity away from winning the whole thing, and that's pretty impressive. I definitely felt for him when he was the first one out of the Final 3 challenge. I feel his pain. 9 out of 12 times the person first out in the final 3 challenge is the one sent home. That is so bizarre. I just added it up and really didn't expect it to be that high. Anyway, random food for thought. My heart was with ya this episode though, Terry. Even though you ruined Sally's life. How did you NEVER use the Hidden Idol? *sigh* Fly like a bird, Rafe, in a sea of forgiveness.

Speaking of Courtney's speech, Brian, I liked it! Because she was all, "I am the kookaburra of love" but her eyes were saying, "If I had my fire whippy things right now, you both would be dead. Dead and on fire." It made me giggle.

Shane was working over-time on image recovery at the Reunion, and apparently on his audition for the next Harry potter film. I saw maybe five wands hidden up those absurdly long, flapping, Catholic schoolboy sleeves.

The only other thing I noticed was that the whole cast seemed so SAD at the reunion show. I think Danielle was crying most of the time and Aras looked like he'd been hit by a stray elephant tranquilizer from the jungle music pit. Don't be sad, friends. We can play footsie on the blog next season.

To my fellow bloggers, it's been fun! Catch you next time!

And to Sally . . . *hushed whispers of (un?)spoken love*

5/16/06 1:16 am
Well, another Survivor season is by the books and a well deserved congratulations go out to Aras. We've seen a lot of Survivor winners and the male under-25 age group has never been represented before. Not a lot of young guys have the patience and poise to go the distance, so a truly great job by Aras.

Just some other final thoughts:

I know on Thursday night Aras was treated to the great feat of engineering that is the Panama Canal, however I feel as though it was the canal that was treated to the feat of engineering that was Aras' faux-hawk.

I have to agree with Brian, unless your Howie Mandel don't ask anybody to guess any numbers.

Any time a juror starts off by saying how they're not bitter... it usually means they're really really bitter.

Just a little marketing advice for the Survivor producers, I know everybody loves Cirie, but I'd cool it with the "get off the couch" talk when you're looking for millions of people to be on the couch on Thursday nights.

Someday I want to see a fistfight between Terry and Jack Bauer. That would be a good one.

Finally, now that Survivor is over spend your down time checking out the latest film I'm producing at www.soupmovie.com

5/15/06 9:45 pm
Congratulations, Aras! You played a great game socially, mentally, physically, and strategically, and you definitely deserved the win.

OK, got that out of the way. Now to start with the venting of frustration. This season's finale drove me crazy! It started with Cirie getting voted off, which was awful. Don't get me wrong: I really like Danielle a lot, but I loved me some Cirie. Seeing her go was sad, since she was far and away my favorite this season. I always root for the most strategic players, and I thought Cirie played an amazing game in that aspect. I'm glad she won the car at the Reunion Show, at least. Nice to see her get something for all of her hard playing!

On the other hand, Terry was Cirie's polar opposite: incredible at the physical game, horrible at the strategic game. OF COURSE Terry's jury question was about challenge performance, because that's about the only way he could look at the game. He was miserable at strategy, and continually failed to have any impact on the vote. I was so unsurprised that Terry's question boiled the entire game of Survivor down to physical performance. Basically, in his mind, then, could Cirie have ever gotten his vote? What's the point of even casting someone who clearly won't be a physical threat if the game is ONLY about challenge performances? I understand everyone approaches the game from a different angle, and there are many aspects to consider when voting for a winner, but, seriously, was anyone surprised that Terry discounted everything but challenges when it came to his question? Ever notice how jurors always make the game about themselves?

Speaking of jurors, I don't even know where to begin with Courtney! I liked her a lot in the game, but her speech was just too much. She's a bird? Sea of forgiveness? Come on, that's comedy. If only Courtney hadn't constantly mugged for camera time with her ridiculously exaggerated facial expressions while on the jury, she'd be a favorite for her entertainment value.

And then there was Shane and his inane question. (Shockingly, Shane ended up being one of my favorites this season. He made for great TV, and he was incredibly articulate and poised in his post-game interviews.) This question ended up making all three people involved look bad: Shane, for asking a dumb, overused question (Greg in Borneo and Kelly in Africa, for example); Aras, for not picking 500,000 when asked for his number (though, since I do think Aras is an intelligent person, I have to believe there was a specific reason he chose 4); and Danielle for not IMMEDIATELY saying "5" after Aras chose 4 (because, unless Shane's number was 1, 2, 3, or 4, this would guarantee her his vote).

And I can't even get into how much I hate it when people try to throw around buzzwords like "honesty" or "integrity" in their final speeches, whether final two or jury. Give it a rest. Seriously. It never does anything but piss off the people you lied to, who are likely sitting RIGHT ACROSS FROM YOU. And delude all you want, but your personal integrity does not have to be shot to hell if you tell a white lie in the ultimately trivial GAME of Survivor. Also, I really, really, really hate it when people muddle the fine line between "your being honest would have kept your integrity intact" and "your being honest would have gotten ME closer to the million, but you lied, and as I result, I couldn't continue my pursuit for money." Yeah, real noble.

Anyway, I really did love this season. There were great characters, and like them or not, they definitely elicited strong reactions. The Exile Island twist was great, and the idol twist brought a whole new layer to the game. If only it had come into play more directly.

I wish Misty and Bobby had made it further... they were my two favorite pre-jury players. Bobby was hilarious and Misty was strategic, and they both just ended up in the wrong groups of people. Hey, it happens.

I loved blogging this season, and I loved getting to chat with my fellow bloggers! It's been a great season everyone! Hope to see you next fall for the Cook Islands.

5/15/06 6:40 pm
Well, it’s done. I haven’t thought about what I wanted to blog, so I am just going to let it flow…….
It was a great season. I thought the challenges were awesome! I thoroughly enjoyed blogging and I hope I kept it real. Thank you CBS for the opportunity.


I watched last night on the edge of my seat. When I saw the final immunity challenge, I knew right away Danielle would have an advantage. Danielle has a gymnastics background and I think women are better at balance stuff. Good going Danielle!
No one ever saw you coming; you did a good job and made us proud from the North Shore.

Congratulations Aras! You played an all around good game. I saw some of your interviews afterwards and you are a sweetheart. I like the hats too. Hint... Hint…New England Patriots.

Terry, there is nothing better than a great competitor. Someone who brings their A game, forces everyone else to step it up a notch. It is all good.

Cirie, c’mon, I had a blast watching you. Now you’re pimping in the new wheels, with a whole new perspective on life.

Survivor Exile Island thanks for entertaining me. It was blast.
The Cook Islands---ooh I love anything Pirates. Mutiny on the bounty!!!

5/15/06 2:35 pm
I noticed that I got up this morning completely spent, worn out, exhausted! I felt just like I did on the 38th day of Vanuatu. Just seeing that final tribute to our castmates takes me back to the whole experience. It's been two years. I wanted to again congratulate Aras. He literally "left it all in the dirt...on the rocks...slidding in on his butt...all the way to the finish line. Thanks for being smart enough to allign with really great people and for being one yourself. For the most part, it was "warm and fuzzy" to watch your game. P.S. Where is everyone?

5/14/06 11:40 pm
A big THANKS to CBS and the amazing Survivor Team for a great season!
I’ve loved hearing from all you Survivor fans, and I’ve loved the opportunity to blog.
Aras’s Daddy is a happy man tonight. The boy is finally out of his checkbook! Vince Lombardi is often misquoted for saying “”Winning isn’t the most important thing.
It’s everything!” What he actually said was “Winning isn’t the most important thing.
WANTING TO WIN is everything”. Aras wanted to win. He kept coming. He was a major cheerleader for his tribe. He expected himself to win, and he did. Let’s get one thing straight, Aras….Nod or no nod from Danielle, you were off that lily pad! Fess up! Was Aras the most deserving? Not in my opinion. But this game is not about the most deserving.
Terry is the most deserving winner who didn’t win the game. He got what he came after…a car. A power meal and a nice bed to sleep in didn’t really help in the “balancing game”. Women are usually better at balance. Terry, what in the heck did you mean by “keeping your hand on the game?”
Cirie was my favorite player. She gave us all lots of laughs. She’s inspiring and funny. She, of course, deserved the car!
Shane became very likeable. He calls it like he sees it, and I respect that.
The best thing that could come from this game would be for Shane to tell his son that he quit smoking.
John Kirhoffer and the Dream Team built more amazing challenges. Where do they dream up this stuff! Loved the maze and the three story peg climb.
Jeff would have loved to see Cirie win the fire challenge. He sure coached her a lot. The power of suggestion is amazing in this game, and Jeff Probst is a master.
Danielle had a tuff decision. I liked watching this Gemini figure it out.
It was good to see her keep a great attitude throughout most of the game.
Courtney “dropped her guns in the sea of integrity”. Please! Courtney was auditioning for the part of Cleopatra! Wow! What a necklace!
It’s obvious that when Courtney asks a question, she is really desperate to make a statement! I’d have to take her “spiritual guidance” in very small bites! I was impressed that both Danielle and Aras maintained rapport and avoided mouthing off in response to Courtney.
Shane’s speech at tribal was one of the best in Survivor history. I just love that he calls a spade a spade. Great stuff! Shane would actually be a fair and just “President of the Planet”.
Aras is a dark horse winner. And, I believe that he will inspire and help others.
He’s actually got a maturity about him that is appealing.
I liked Misty a lot and it was good to see her again. You’re my favorite person who got voted off early.
I’m really glad to see Sally make a stand for who she really is. You gotta’ stand up for yourself or no-one else ever will.
It was nice to see Dan again…Or is it Mr. Rogers! “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!”
Can’t wait for Survivor: The Cook Islands. Now what will we do for entertainment on Thursday night? Bye-Bye Fellow Bloggers. It’s been fun!