Survivor: Panama cast revealed today...

[TazFTW]

Is the fire-building best 2-of-3? That may explain the discrepancies people are seeing.

The last time I remember seeing it was Steph vs Bobby Jon and that was just one time.

[Joe]

The last time I remember seeing it was Steph vs Bobby Jon and that was just one time.

yeah it was also one time in Palau with Ian vs. Jenn

[FrogMan]

and I would guess that Jeff would have said something beforehand if it was a 2 out of 3 kind of thing. Would you see that? they do it once and he comes out saying "hold it, it's a best of three!!!"... :)

FM

[wade moore]

Interesting that the final immunity challenge didn't look like an endurance contest, as it has been in just about every season up until now.

There should be one more reward challenge, right?

If the final challenge is not endurance I think that's crap.

[wade moore]

There's a discussion on Survivor Sucks about the vidcaps from the preview for Sunday and who wins the fire challenge. Interesting stuff.

Hrmm.. went to go see what you were talking about, and it looks like the site is down?

[Maple Leafs]

There should be one more reward challenge, right?

If the final challenge is not endurance I think that's crap.
I thought the reward challenges ended after the final four, but I could be wrong.

[Joe]

in the last episode, did Jeff change the rules in the reward challenge (or not know them even)? I went back to look at what he said at the beginning, and I think Terry was right when he was complaining about Aras.

[Maple Leafs]

in the last episode, did Jeff change the rules in the reward challenge (or not know them even)? I went back to look at what he said at the beginning, and I think Terry was right when he was complaining about Aras.
The intro to the games is clearly edited. Some of the games are very complex, but Jeff explains then in ten seconds. I'd bet that they probably spend a half-hour going over all the rules before the challenge, but it would make for boring TV to show it all.

[Joe]

i think it was the reward challenge, the one where they went into the jungle.. anyway you know what Im talking about when terry asked for the ruling

[Maple Leafs]

i think it was the reward challenge, the one where they went into the jungle.. anyway you know what Im talking about when terry asked for the ruling
The shots of them carrying bags was from that challenge. The shots of Terry and Aras climbing a wall seemed to be new.

[wade moore]

i think it was the reward challenge, the one where they went into the jungle.. anyway you know what Im talking about when terry asked for the ruling

I also rewinded to check this. I don't think that Jeff was wrong, but in a way I don't think Terry was wrong either.

He specifically says you get all 6 one at a time.. then he says "if it doesn't work, you can go back in to check"... not saying if you had to do it one at a time or not...

[Joe]

I also rewinded to check this. I don't think that Jeff was wrong, but in a way I don't think Terry was wrong either.

He specifically says you get all 6 one at a time.. then he says "if it doesn't work, you can go back in to check"... not saying if you had to do it one at a time or not...

Yeah I heard him say you had to count once per section and come back. Didn't specify after that though.

[jbmagic]

According to the revelation on who going to win Survivor on this thread, It looks like its going to be true. It was posted by someone here.

I guess that why they close down the betting on Survivor.

[Joe]

According to the revelation on who going to win Survivor on this thread, It looks like its going to be true. It was posted by someone here.

I guess that why they close down the betting on Survivor.

yeah the same thing happened last year with Danni, and she eventually won.

[Joe]

the car curse lives

[saldana]

i thought it was great that jeff polled the jury to see if danielle would have beaten terry and she still lost....she may have been the dumbest person ever to think she had any chance of winning against either of them.

[Swaggs]

Those finalists were a lose-lose scenario for me. Danielle was just a waste for the entire game and Aras was so annoying the last few episodes, it actually made me hope that Danielle beat him. It is a shame that some of the better players (and people) didn't advance further.

[Glengoyne]

Possibly the most boring survivor final two ever. Neither one of them were deserving, but Danielle was doomed no matter who she brought...SHE was the "Lock" pick to take to the jury for either of the other two.

Neither Aras nor Danielle were very deserving. The third, fourth, and fifth place finishers were all much more deserving and interesting for that matter.

[TazFTW]

I hate Terry not being in the final 2 but I am happy that Danielle did not win. I saw the spoilers about the betting being suspended because there was an influx of bets for Danielle and I was hoping that would not turn out to be true.

I loved Shane's jury speech.

Did Courtney say anything of note during her speech? I had to change the channel when she started rambling.

[Raiders Army]

I loved Shane's jury speech.

Did Courtney say anything of note during her speech? I had to change the channel when she started rambling.
Shane's scathing ridicule of Aras being homeless and living at home with his dad at 24 was pretty funny.

Courtney rambled a lot. She was very whiny (as expected) and asked each of them what they learned from Survivor (i.e. what they would take away from the game). Aras answered that his ego was killed and he learned from it. Courtney said that the same happened to her and it needs to happen to people for them to grow. Danielle said something like she didn't know she was so strong. I don't remember Courtney's response.

I think that was it in a nutshell.

What was Shane's number? If I were Aras, I would've picked 500,000. If I were Danielle I would've picked 5.

[Thomkal]

Yeah that was a pretty boring final two. I was so hoping for a Cirie/Terry Final Two. That would have been very interesting then-do you vote for Cirie who played the social game so well, but was bad in the physical games, or Terry who was the opposite? Glad at least Cirie got the car (and the fishing trophy)

I thought the only chance Danielle had to win was to pick Terry and remind her old tribemates of their strong bond that kept them together until there was no choice but to vote each other out. And the fact that she was the one who got archnemisis Terry out of the game. And how arrogant he was.

Picking Aras was dumb. She couldn't beat him in the challenges until the end, and was the more well liked amongst her past tribe members. She didn't deserve to win in either case, so of the two I'm glad she lost.

Hated Shane's question after his speech. That type of random number question should simply be banned from Survivor. People need to be voting based on who they think should win not who got closer to their random number.

All in all I liked this edition of Survivor. It started off pretty slowly, but from the merge on it was very fun to watch. Some strong personalities and game play saved it there at the end.

[KevinNU7]

What was Shane's number? If I were Aras, I would've picked 500,000. If I were Danielle I would've picked 5.Word. Took me about an hour to explain both theories to my wife

[Toddzilla]

As a season, this was one of the stronger Survivors. Too bad that Terry *absolutely choked like a dying dog* down the stretch. He may have been a good competitor, but a terrible terrible strategist. He had the opportunity in almost every immunity challenge down the stretch to get Aras kicked off by passing the idol, and didn't. And then he had the chance at the final-4 council to guarantee himslef a spot in the fianl 2 by giving the idol to Danielle and didn't. He lost the game and deserved NOTHING.

The finale was abominable. Show the vote, hand out a check, and switch to a new CSI.

[KevinNU7]

And then he had the chance at the final-4 council to guarantee himslef a spot in the fianl 2 by giving the idol to Danielle and didn't. He lost the game and deserved NOTHING.
Terry: "Alright Danielle here's the idol"

Danielle: "Thanks"

moments later,

Danielle: "Aras, Cirie he gave me the Idol, let's vote him off."

Genius :rolleyes:

[Raiders Army]

Yup. If Terry had handed the idol to Danielle, he would have been toast. How many times did she say she was on his side but wasn't?

[BrianD]

Hated Shane's question after his speech. That type of random number question should simply be banned from Survivor. People need to be voting based on who they think should win not who got closer to their random number.


I've never thought the random number question was used for any reason other than to make the finalists squirm. I'm sure the answers are meaningless and the decision is already made. Either that or they are just testing the willingness to play along.

[rkmsuf]

I've never thought the random number question was used for any reason other than to make the finalists squirm. I'm sure the answers are meaningless and the decision is already made. Either that or they are just testing the willingness to play along.

Instead of 4, Aras should have said "stick it up your arse" which is esentially what saying 4 is anyway. What d*ck move by Danielle saying 10. That's like the jerk on price if right who bids one dollar over what you bid. She should have said 999,996.

[KevinNU7]

Instead of 4, Aras should have said "stick it up your arse" which is esentially what saying 4 is anyway. What d*ck move by Danielle saying 10. That's like the jerk on price if right who bids one dollar over what you bid. She should have said 999,996.
No she should have said 5, she is a moron and on that moron number alone I would have voted for Aras if I were Shane.

[rkmsuf]

No she should have said 5, she is a moron and on that moron number alone I would have voted for Aras if I were Shane.



She is a complete moron. No argument there.

[BrianD]

No she should have said 5, she is a moron and on that moron number alone I would have voted for Aras if I were Shane.

I suppose that by picking 5 she would show that she is still competing and taking part in the "challenge". Probably wouldn't have helped though.

[gstelmack]

I suppose that by picking 5 she would show that she is still competing and taking part in the "challenge". Probably wouldn't have helped though.

But 10 was just stupid. If you want to be ridiculous, go to the other end with the 999,996 option. If you want to win, go with 5. But 10?

[Maple Leafs]

I liked seeing Aras win. He worked hard, did well in challenges and most importantly he seemed to have a good understanding of how the game worked and wasn't afraid to play it. Some of the preachy moralizing at the end was annoying, but nowhere near Courtney level.

Was anyone else disappointed in the final challenge? I mean, Aras vs. Terry was arguably the greatest rivalry in the show's history. You have two guys fighting it out tooth-and-nail for weeks, and practically throwing punches in some challenges. So for the final challenge, which was basically for a million-dollar prize, we get... a balance competition? No endurance, no test of pain threshold, just a "stand on a wobbly board" challenge? What a letdown.

As my wife asked, what was the point of that reward challenge? What advantage did Terry really get from the food and sleep, when it was just going to be a quick balance challenge?

Maybe the producers knew that a Danielle win was the only way to get any drama for the final three vote. Whenever the need a female to win, they also go to a balance challenge.

[KevinNU7]

I told my wife last night. Imagine if Cirie had won the fire-tiebreaker. Would have made for an interesting Final 3 immunity challenge

[Toddzilla]

Terry: "Alright Danielle here's the idol"

Danielle: "Thanks"

moments later,

Danielle: "Aras, Cirie he gave me the Idol, let's vote him off."

Genius :rolleyes:
BZZZT, Wrong.

You use the idol AFTER the vote, so once the votes were cast, THEN Terry gives Danielle the idol, she stays in the game, chooses him for the final two.

[FrogMan]

BZZZT, Wrong.

You use the idol AFTER the vote, so once the votes were read, THEN Terry gives Danielle the idol, she stays in the game, chooses him for the final two.

Jeff always said "if any of you has the idol, now is the time to USE it" not "GIVE IT". I always thought he had to have given it away BEFORE the vote, and that would have been a big gamble, given the way Danielle flip-flopped in her allegiance before...

FM

[FrogMan]

dola, adding weight to my theory, if it was the way you say it, he would have done it with any of his teammates at one point...

FM

[Toddzilla]

FM

No, was very specific that the use of the idol was to be used anytime before the votes are read.

The reason Terry -presumably - never used the idol in past tribal councils is that his group never had the odds, so (1) it would never have swung power to his old tribe and (2) it would have made him vulnerable for the rest of the game.

[FrogMan]

FM

No, was very specific that the use of the idol was to be used anytime before the votes are read.


Not so sure about that. I remember Jeff Clearly asking the two ladies AFTER he'd counted the votes and they knew it was 2-2, if anybody had the idol, they were clear... I've been wrong before, but I'm pretty sure about that one...

FM

[KevinNU7]

I think it is obvious that Terry couldn't use it then or else he would have.

[Toddzilla]

Dola - here is a link to a story about Survivor on MSNBC, with quotes from Jeff Probst, that describe that the idol isn't played until AFTER the votes are cast:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11102882/

[KevinNU7]

Dola - here is a link to a story about Survivor on MSNBC, with quotes from Jeff Probst, that describe that the idol isn't played until AFTER the votes are cast:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11102882/

That doesm't prove anything. All that says is that it isn't played until after the votes it does not say that you can pass the Idol to someone after the votes are read.

[Toddzilla]

That doesm't prove anything. All that says is that it isn't played until after the votes it does not say that you can pass the Idol to someone after the votes are read.You're right - I meat to say after the votes were CAST - not read - my bad.

[Maple Leafs]

Dola - here is a link to a story about Survivor on MSNBC, with quotes from Jeff Probst, that describe that the idol isn't played until AFTER the votes are cast:

Yes, we all knew that, but the person needs to already have the idol. It can't be handed over. There's simply no way Terry wouldn't have given it to Danielle if he'd been able to.

Like with the reward challenge described above, there are without question plenty of rules of the game that the contestants know about that never make it to TV for sake of simplicity.

[BrianD]

The idol could only be played after the votes were cast since its purpose was to save some that had been voted off. It doesn't prevent people from voting for you, it just makes their votes not count. If I remember correctly, Jeff always announced that the person was eliminated "unless they could produce the idol". I assumed that there was no time to hand it over at that point.

[FrogMan]

I never claimed it could be played after the votes are read - only that it did NOT have to be played before anyone votes.

the point was that the person has to have it in hand if he/she wants to play it when the votes are read, no exchange permitted at the council, exchange has to be made before the council.

From the linked article:

In "Survivor" terms, this is stunning, because the tribe will essentially be voting without knowing how their votes will play out. If the person who receives the most votes has the idol, the person with the second largest number of votes will go home.

Jeff Probst recently offered a hypothetical explanation of this major twist when talking to Jam! Showbiz: “Now, what if I have the idol and I don’t tell you and what if you vote for me — all of your guys vote for me. I cast my single vote for you and I have the idol and you are the one that has to go home. That will screw your game up and everybody knows that any time somebody has been to ‘Exile Island’ that means the idol could have been found. It means it could have been traded with someone. You don’t know,” Probst told the site.


way I read it is you have to have it when the votes are read, not receive it to use it then... That would make the "giving it to Danielle beforehand" a very risky business that could lead to the little play out that Kevin wrote.

FM

[BrianD]

I'm a little surprised people didn't go snooping around Terry's stuff while he was out fishing. Seems like they could have stolen the idol and saved themselves a lot of trouble.

[Toddzilla]

Yeah - thats something they never covered. I wonder why Danielle couldn't just reach back, grab the idol out of Terry's pants, and show it. Even when terry didn't have immunity, no one voted for him since they knew/thought he had the idol, so I imagine he could have handed it off before the vote w/o anyone else knowing.

Still, he had his destiny in his hands and he mis-played himself out of the money.

[KevinNU7]

I'm a little surprised people didn't go snooping around Terry's stuff while he was out fishing. Seems like they could have stolen the idol and saved themselves a lot of trouble.
I bet there is a rule that says you can not go through other tribe mates stuff. There is probably another rule that the Idol must given to you.

[BrianD]

I bet there is a rule that says you can not go through other tribe mates stuff. There is probably another rule that the Idol must given to you.

That is very possible, but I am surprised that it was never mentioned. It seems like such a stupid move not to do it that they should have made someone comment on it.

[rkmsuf]

Yeah - thats something they never covered. I wonder why Danielle couldn't just reach back, grab the idol out of Terry's pants, and show it. Even when terry didn't have immunity, no one voted for him since they knew/thought he had the idol, so I imagine he could have handed it off before the vote w/o anyone else knowing.

Still, he had his destiny in his hands and he mis-played himself out of the money.


I think there is also a rule against putting your hand down another tribemates pants. Maybe you are confused with HA's show.

[gstelmack]

Was anyone else disappointed in the final challenge? I mean, Aras vs. Terry was arguably the greatest rivalry in the show's history. You have two guys fighting it out tooth-and-nail for weeks, and practically throwing punches in some challenges. So for the final challenge, which was basically for a million-dollar prize, we get... a balance competition? No endurance, no test of pain threshold, just a "stand on a wobbly board" challenge? What a letdown.

As my wife asked, what was the point of that reward challenge? What advantage did Terry really get from the food and sleep, when it was just going to be a quick balance challenge?

Agreed 100% on both these points. They have been very careful in the past to make it endurance / willpower as the primary traits for winning the final immunity, making it an evenly balanced challenge regardless of who gets there. For this one, balance was not even the primary factor: weight was. Danielle being so much lighter meant her board was riding higher in the water than either of the other 2, and her being slightly out of position had less of an overall affect than it did for either of the other 2. And it meant Terry was actually at a DIS-advantage for having eaten well the day before. You want a balance challenge, go back to the pole standing, but those floating platforms were just too heavily affected by weight.

This challenge was a horrible choice for final immunity. They'd have been better off swapping the reward and final immunity challenges. Have they ever had a final immunity challenge take less than an hour before?

[Toddzilla]

I'm a little surprised people didn't go snooping around Terry's stuff while he was out fishing. Seems like they could have stolen the idol and saved themselves a lot of trouble.They actually did in one show. It wasn't real clear if they were serious, but some of the survivors were looking through his clothes and in his bag for the idol.

[Maple Leafs]

Have they ever had a final immunity challenge take less than an hour before?
The season that the porn star won, the final challenge took only a few minutes. It was the one where they had to hold coins while standing in a painful position. Much quicker, but still a decent will power challenge.

[Kodos]

I thought the final immunity challenge sucked too. It clearly gave Danielle an advantage. I thought it was incredible that Terry managed to get standing at all at the end with the time ticking down. The guy had an incredible will to win, and I'm sorry that he lost.

[Swaggs]

The season that the porn star won, the final challenge took only a few minutes. It was the one where they had to hold coins while standing in a painful position. Much quicker, but still a decent will power challenge.

We were talking about that one last night. That was a good challenge. I remember there was an older lady that season that looked like she was dying during that challenge.

[Joe]

eh.. they can't have all of the challenges favor Terry/Aras. good to switch things up. plus it built a little drama for the final 2 vote.

[Maple Leafs]

eh.. they can't have all of the challenges favor Terry/Aras. good to switch things up. plus it built a little drama for the final 2 vote.
But putting aside fairness (which is debatable), just from an entertainment point of view -- You build up the rivalry all season and then have a balance contest for $1 million? It's like having Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus in their prime and having them play mini-golf on final 18.

[gkb]

I always DVR these episodes and watch them later with my wife. I happened to flip to it and saw Terry sitting on the jury. I never bothered watching any more of it. Meh.

[Maple Leafs]

Random Survivor discussion (which doesn't seem to warrant it's own thread).

Over the last few years we've seen a pretty consistent pattern for casting: a few shiny young girls, a few shiny young guys, a few older/wiser types, one black man, one black woman, one misc. minority, the lazy guy, the crazy lady, etc. We also usually get the cranky old guy and the obviously gay guy, although this season didn't have either.

But they've also thrown some curves at us over the years by giving us somebody unusual. We've recently had an astronaut and an NFL QB. They brought back ex-contestants. We've also had a seven-footer, a deaf girl, and a guy with one leg. These choices get a buzz going before the show starts and also mix up the dynamic of the game.

If you were casting the next season, and assuming you couldn't get some mega-celebrity, what sort of stunt casting would you do to make the show interesting?

[Swaggs]

Random Survivor discussion (which doesn't seem to warrant it's own thread).

Over the last few years we've seen a pretty consistent pattern for casting: a few shiny young girls, a few shiny young guys, a few older/wiser types, one black man, one black woman, one misc. minority, the lazy guy, the crazy lady, etc. We also usually get the cranky old guy and the obviously gay guy, although this season didn't have either.

But they've also thrown some curves at us over the years by giving us somebody unusual. We've recently had an astronaut and an NFL QB. They brought back ex-contestants. We've also had a seven-footer, a deaf girl, and a guy with one leg. These choices get a buzz going before the show starts and also mix up the dynamic of the game.

If you were casting the next season, and assuming you couldn't get some mega-celebrity, what sort of stunt casting would you do to make the show interesting?

Good question.

I think a fairly obvious choice would be a young veteran soldier from the Iraq War. Bonus points if it is a female and/or injured in war.

A former Olympian that does not have a whole lot of fame, but is somewhat recognizeable, would be interesting, as well. Particularly if it is from an individual sport, rather than team, so that they will probably be a little more selfish.

A political figure would be another interesting choice. Either a younger, dynamic mayor-type or an older, more esteemed congressman-type. A mayor would probably be more of a leader, while a congressman would be good at working in groups.

[KevinNU7]

I don't know about the Cast but I would do a show in Alaska during the summer time. I think forcing the contestants to sleep with the sun out would be an interesting dynamic

[Maple Leafs]

My bright ideas:

- A poker pro: You get some really interesting dynamics here. The player would have a very strong concept of game theory, and you could watch them coldy reason through their moves based expected return. It would also be interesting to see if they were any better at reading people then other contestants. And if people knew what they did for a living, would they be trusted? The downside is that you'd have to find a pro poker player who was in decent physical shape, and that person may not exist.

- Similarly, what about some sort of mind-reader Kreskin type? Especially if they were utterly convinced of their "gift", but were terrible at it. Think how much fun it would be to see them blindsided.

- I wasn't a fan of bringing back Steph and Bobby John, since I don't think players should get a second chance. But if you want to go in that direction with a twist, why not Cyrie's husband HB? He seemed extremely likable, and it would be fun to see if he could make it as far as his wife.

[wade moore]

I like some of the ideas so far... Some random brain storms from me...

- A blind person - this may just be far too extreme to work.. in fact, it probably is...
- We've had a single leg amputee, what about an arm amputee/genetically has one arm
- I've often wondered about some sort of previously set pair... i.e. a married couple.. or, get it more interesting, a divorced couple
- Survivor contestants have been on Amazing Race, what if they got another reality "star" to be on Survivor.. I don't watch a lot of the others, but it seems that some of the dating shows and the Apprentice have some relatively well known stars... or even one of the MTV shows



I think my favorite of the above is ML's about HB being on...

[KevinNU7]

I love the HB idea

[BrianD]

I love the HB idea

With as much as he hated his one night on the island...I don't see him agreeing to do it.

[wade moore]

With as much as he hated his one night on the island...I don't see him agreeing to do it.

How much did Cirie hate her first night?

[Barkeep49]

I like the idea of a divorced couple being out there. As for a reality TV personality, it would likely have to be someone from a CBS show and I would hate to see some person from Big Brother out there.

[wade moore]

I like the idea of a divorced couple being out there. As for a reality TV personality, it would likely have to be someone from a CBS show and I would hate to see some person from Big Brother out there.

Amazing Race? I only watched the one season, but I get the impression there are some good characters from there...

[Toddzilla]

All chicks - porn star chicks - naked porn star chicks.

[BrianD]

How much did Cirie hate her first night?

That is true, but I just got a different feeling from him. Cirie was scared of everything, but she seemed willing to pitch in. HB seemed like he didn't want to expend the effort.

[Raiders Army]

- A poker pro: You get some really interesting dynamics here. The player would have a very strong concept of game theory, and you could watch them coldy reason through their moves based expected return. It would also be interesting to see if they were any better at reading people then other contestants. And if people knew what they did for a living, would they be trusted? The downside is that you'd have to find a pro poker player who was in decent physical shape, and that person may not exist.
I like this one. Daniel Negreau might make it.

[BrianD]

All chicks - porn star chicks - naked porn star chicks.

Not the same, but I did like the season where they started with a male tribe and a female tribe. Initial dynamics are all messed up because there is no flirting options, and post-merge tribe loyalties won't be an issue. Seems like a good way to keep the game interesting.

[gstelmack]

eh.. they can't have all of the challenges favor Terry/Aras. good to switch things up. plus it built a little drama for the final 2 vote.

The key is that in the past the final immunity challenge has favored nobody with any specific physical characteristics. It's all been about endurance / willpower, not about weight. I'd've been fine if it had been a straight balance competition, but they did one where your weight played a huge factor, and that's my problem with it.

[wade moore]

The key is that in the past the final immunity challenge has favored nobody with any specific physical characteristics. It's all been about endurance / willpower, not about weight. I'd've been fine if it had been a straight balance competition, but they did one where your weight played a huge factor, and that's my problem with it.

As soon as they started explaining the challenge I was cursing at my TV.

The idea that the final immunity challenge is decided because essentially Terry couldn't get setup is absurd... the final challenge should ALWAYS be about willpower, willpower had nothing to do with this.

[Toddzilla]

If Cirie had made the final 3, she would have had NO CHANCE in that immunity. Balance != Willpower/Resolve. Agreed - a truly horrible choice for a final immunity.

[BrianD]

Do you think the challenges are really mapped out before the start of the series, or are they adapted to add to the drama?

[Kodos]

I think the change them on the fly to some degree. If the guys are killing the girls, up comes a balance challenge. If the girls are winning, a strength challenge comes up.

[BrianD]

I think the change them on the fly to some degree. If the guys are killing the girls, up comes a balance challenge. If the girls are winning, a strength challenge comes up.

That sure seems to be the case, though I've never heard anyone admit that is what they do. I'm surprised nobody has complained if that is the plan.

[Toddzilla]

If that were true, then this past season's final challenge would most certainly have been strength-centric, since NOBODY (the viewers, the network, etc.) benefitted from having Danielle in the final 2.

Aras vs Terry = ratings gold.

[gstelmack]

If that were true, then this past season's final challenge would most certainly have been strength-centric, since NOBODY (the viewers, the network, etc.) benefitted from having Danielle in the final 2.

Aras did, as would have Terry or Cirie.

[rkmsuf]

I'm still trying to figure out how Aras always had his hair spiked up. What, he bring gel as his luxury item?

[FrogMan]

I'm still trying to figure out how Aras always had his hair spiked up. What, he bring gel as his luxury item?

snail goo...

FM

[jbmagic]

I'm still trying to figure out how Aras always had his hair spiked up. What, he bring gel as his luxury item?

Manranch :)

[wade moore]

Manranch :):eek:

[gstelmack]

snail goo...

Someone's been watching too much "Lion King 1-1/2"...

[Joe]

The key is that in the past the final immunity challenge has favored nobody with any specific physical characteristics. It's all been about endurance / willpower, not about weight. I'd've been fine if it had been a straight balance competition, but they did one where your weight played a huge factor, and that's my problem with it.

but past final immunity challenges favored people with high endurance


;)

[saldana]

If that were true, then this past season's final challenge would most certainly have been strength-centric, since NOBODY (the viewers, the network, etc.) benefitted from having Danielle in the final 2.

Aras vs Terry = ratings gold.

wonder if thats why they did the to be continued bit on thursday...i dont recall them ever having done that before, but they had to do something to get people watching on sunday

[Joe]

If that were true, then this past season's final challenge would most certainly have been strength-centric, since NOBODY (the viewers, the network, etc.) benefitted from having Danielle in the final 2.

Aras vs Terry = ratings gold.

The final episode benefitted with some drama. There would have been no question Terry would win if he was in the final 2.

[Maple Leafs]

If that were true, then this past season's final challenge would most certainly have been strength-centric, since NOBODY (the viewers, the network, etc.) benefitted from having Danielle in the final 2.

Aras vs Terry = ratings gold.
Considering the final two would be determined about a half hour before the end of the show, I doubt they'd see much of a spike from a great final two matchup.

[Maple Leafs]

A few more ideas for future cast members:

A Tony Robbins type motivational speaker -- You need to have the Annoying Guy, and who better than some rah-rah motivator? He'd be out after two episodes.

A high-level college coach -- Not a Coach K level superstar, but a successful retired college basketball or football coach. Would be interesting to see if they tried to take charge, and how they dealt with not having any actual authority.

A trust-fund baby -- Some punk college kid who already have millions waiting for them. Would be fun to see them either redeem themselves or (more likely) get beaten down to a pulp.

An animal rights activist -- Not sure you could find one who'd want to play, but they'd be fun to have around. Think Kimmi from season 2, multiplied by a factor of ten.

[Raiders Army]

I'd like to see Jeff Probst do it.

Maybe the guy who cut off his own arm to save himself.

A bum off the street (they'd be used to being dirty and hungry).

[BrianD]

Have we had any former drill seargents on the show? That could be interesting.

I'd also like to see a corporate VP or someone high enough to be a great organizer but probably a long way from doing physical labor.

[saldana]

how about celebrity survivor...get some actors and actresses that are used to having everything done with for them, throw in some athletes that have egos bigger than the soviet union...add gilbert gottfried and carrot top and you have some great tv waiting to happen

[wade moore]

how about celebrity survivor...get some actors and actresses that are used to having everything done with for them, throw in some athletes that have egos bigger than the soviet union...add gilbert gottfried and carrot top and you have some great tv waiting to happen


BOOOOOO!!!!

[gstelmack]

but past final immunity challenges favored people with high endurance


;)

It's actually been more about willpower. You don't get to the final 2/3 after 38 days in that kind of environment without decent endurance. We're not talking about a "run until you drop" type of endurance, we're talking about "how long can you sit/stand in an uncomfortable position without moving" endurance. That's far more about mental attitude than some particular physical characteristic like "how much do you weigh vs. the surface area and buoyancy of the platform you are standing on".

[Barkeep49]

I would like to see a Rabbi or Imam, or their Hindu or Buddisht equivilent, play.

[Joe]

how about celebrity survivor...get some actors and actresses that are used to having everything done with for them, throw in some athletes that have egos bigger than the soviet union...add gilbert gottfried and carrot top and you have some great tv waiting to happen

thats been done, sort of

http://abc.go.com/primetime/imacelebrity/

[Swaggs]

thats been done, sort of

http://abc.go.com/primetime/imacelebrity/

I love reality TV, but I couldn't last 10 minutes with that show.

[Maple Leafs]

From the Sports Guy:

Q: After watching Bruce just suffer through his blocked colon (on Survivor), I immediately went to the bathroom to make sure I could still poop. I could.
-- Bryan L, Arlington, Mass.

SG: Good to know, Brian. But I'm glad you brought up "Survivor." Wasn't the final immunity challenge the most rigged sporting event since the 1985 Lottery? Gee, who's going to have the best chance to keep their balance in water on a tiny floatation device -- two athletic guys, or a skinny female who weighs 40-50 pounds less than each of them? What was Plan B for the final challenge, seeing how long you could hold a tennis ball with your chest? What an outrage. Poor Terry plays a masterful game and ends up getting hosed on some rigged challenge that was right out of "Paradise Hotel." I can't believe I spent the past three months watching that crap. If you can't trust a reality-TV show, who CAN you trust?