Survivor Redemption Island: Russell Hantz & Rob Mariano Once Again

I thought I had looked at the cast for the 22nd season of Survivor Redemption Island. At that point in time among the list of island castaways all were new to Survivor.

But now, I'm appalled to find that Boston Rob Mariano and Russell Hantz are going to be on Survivor once again.

I find both to be amusing, but, having this pair on Survivor yet one more time just seems wrong. This will be Rob's 4th time on Survivor and Russell's 3rd attempt to win the million $ and title of Sole Survivor.

This pair was last on Survivor on the Heroes vs. Villains iteration. Both were Villains. They tangled. Russell got the better of Rob, blindsiding the smug Rob and booting him out of the tribe.

This time the pair will be on opposing teams.

I think I read that the Hidden Immunity Idol will not be part of Redemption Island. Finding Hidden Immunity Idols is Russell's special gift. It will be slightly amusing to see if Russell tries to master the one part of the game he has failed at, twice, miserably. That being the social part. I doubt Russell will be able to function in a way that does not annoy people.

With so many people trying to get on Survivor, it just seems wrong to keep having repeats, like Russell and Rob.

But, I likely will be watching.

Sandra Beats Parvati & Russell to Win Survivor Heroes vs. Villains

That's the look on Sandra Diaz-Twine's face when Jeff Probst flipped over a ballot while saying the winner of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, is, revealing "Sandra" as the winner.

This makes two times, now, that having Sandra win made it a good ending for me, for Survivor. More often than not I'm not all that thrilled with the winner.

Like the previous outing on Samoa. I want Russell Hantz to win. It seemed ridiculous that Natalie won. Russell seemed to have the majority with him that time. In the audience, I mean.

This time, not so much. Back to back Survivors had turned Russell into a really nasty mouthed Super Villain.

Good natured JT continued to be a good-natured guy, taking the ribbing and the trophy for making the Dumbest Move in Survivor History, with a laugh and a smile.

Some of these Survivors really need to not show up on Survivor again. Old Grumpy Man, Colby Donaldson, is one. Colby's anger management issues, as revealed when he kept yelling at his big brother, Reid, in the Toss Water Challenge, was pretty embarrassing. What is Colby like when cameras are not on him, one can not help but wonder?

Another who really really wore out his welcome, with me, is Rupert Boneham. Enough with the antique hippie/pirate act. Lose the beard and the tie-dye. Drop the sanctimonious holier than thou act.

Creepy Coach, Ben Wade, toned it down, somewhat, from the demented crazy man act he perpetrated when we first met him. But, still, we need not see this guy again. His style of sanctimoniousness manages to be even more annoying than Rupert's. And all his warrior talk. What makes me think that if this boy ever got into a real situation that called for a warrior mentality that he'd wet his pants and run away screaming like a scared school girl?

I would not be too bothered if CBS put Parvati on my Survivor screen again. Nothing about her really annoys me. Well, there is that tramp stamp tattoo she has on her lower back. Those lose BIG points with me.

I don't know what happened with Jerri Manthey between when she was in the Australian Outback, lusting after Colby, and the 2010 Samoa version, with no lust for Colby, with the lust replaced by the assessment that Colby has no personality. I found the 2010 Jerri very likable. Had she ended up in the Final 3, I'm thinking Jerri may have beaten Sandra for the win.

As for Russell Hantz. I actually like Russell. Probst said he's gotten a lot of feedback telling him Heroes vs. Villains was the best Survivor ever. I pretty much agree with that. Highly entertaining. Largely due to Russell. But, how can Russell be such a fan of Survivor without getting that his Hitlerian Blitzkrieg way of playing is no way to actually win, anymore than it worked for Adolf? In the end, the good guys win, both in Survivor and World War II.

Anyway, I've not made it to the end of the Reunion Show, so I don't know where the next Survivor is going to take place. I suspect it will be somewhere tropical.

Survivor Heroes vs. Villains: Candice & Danielle Voted Off the Tribe

Well, Russell was in full King Russell mode tonight. Two tribal councils, two voted out of the tribe.

Old Man Colby (oops, Russell) gave up in the first Immunity Challenge in less than a minute, as soon as Probst brought out a temptation under a lid. Colby (oops, Russell) pulled a bucket of colored water over himself before he even knew it was cookies and milk.

So did Sandra.

Parvati won the bucket challenge. A clue to a Hidden Immunity Idol was read. Back at camp the scramble was on. Sandra found it. No one knows Sandra found it.

Rupert faked Russell into thinking Rupert had it, including a feigned, almost gonna use it, move at Tribal Council. Danielle ended up being voted out.

Before the next Immunity Challenge there was some tension between Russell and Parvati. Russell told the viewers that he was about to re-take control of the game. And then proceeded to do so by winning the Immunity Challenge.

Russell then manipulated Danielle and Parvati, planting seeds of doubt as to their trustworthiness. Then he worked Colby and Rupert and Jerri.

At Tribal Council Russell continued to fluster Danielle, to the point of driving her to tears and stupidly admitting the strength of her alliance with Parvati, to which Russell turned to Jerri and mouthed "Danielle." As in, vote for Danielle.

Jerri proceeded to do as she was told and Danielle was booted out of the tribe, just like King Russell wanted, with Parvati saying, "This is so messed up."

Previews show Russell convincing Colby and Rupert to join the dark side, in an alliance with him. If Jerri stays on board, Russell stays in control.

But, just like Russell's Samoa Survivor, he is being a great manipulator, but he sucks at the social game. As in, who up against him, in the final, would not win? Just like what happened to him the last time. What was her name? Natalie? That is how unmemorable the final winner was, I don't remember her name. But I do remember the jury had an anyone but Russell for the win mindset.

Great with Sandra finding the Hidden Immunity Idol. Sandra is a really good Survivor player, in every aspect, except for sucking at challenges.

Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains--Episode 9, Courtney Out, JT Gives Russell the Idol

Well, when this latest iteration of Survivor started up I was not all that enamored of yet one more All-Star type version. With so many people wanting the chance to be on Survivor, letting some back on for their 3rd time, just seemed wrong.

However, the Heroes vs. Villains have turned out to be quite entertaining.

I sort of figured that the previews were likely edited misdirection and that the Hero JT would not actually give the Villain, Russell, his Hidden Immunity Idol.

I was wrong.

And it all turned out to be funnier than anticipated. Once the Heroes' tribe was convinced by JT that giving Russell the Idol was a good move, remarks were made about them making Survivor History.

They ended up being correct about that, but not in the way they were hoping.

Then again, maybe, somehow, giving Russell JT's Hidden Immunity Idol will work in the Heroes favor. I somehow doubt it.

Amanda tried to warn the Heroes that they really did not know what was going on on the Villains Tribe, that their assumption that an All Girl Alliance was taking out the Boys might be all wrong, that for all they know Russell is in charge. They should have listened to Amanda.

The pass off to Russell of the Hidden Immunity Idol seemed very odd. Almost staged. First off, we had Colby and Russell the last out in the water on floating docks. So, Colby was able to tell Russell to go to JT after the Heroes won the Immunity Challenge so JT could give him something.

Russell was quite pleased, as well he should be, that Hidden Immunity Idols keep falling into his lap, with little effort. In the post Hero win celebration, JT easily slipped Russell the Idol, along with a very long note, which later Parvati read to Russell, along with amusing embellishments.

My favorite part of the note to Russell was in addition to all the precise instructions, was the last one, which told Russell to destroy the note after reading it. Like the Survivor version of Mission Impossible.

What Russell did not know, because his ally, the sneaky self-proclaimed Queen of the Jungle, Parvati, did not tell him, was that Parvati had discovered a Hidden Immunity Idol Clue in her napkin while at the bizarre beachside Outback Steakhouse. Later, with Russell on the prowl, but not suspecting the girls were up to anything, Parvati and Danielle found the Hidden Immunity Idol.

So, now Russell's Girl Alliance has 2 Immunity Idols. While the Heroes now have none. Thanks to JT.

Next week looks fun. After the tribes merge, Sandra spills the beans to Rupert about the myth of the Villains' All Girl Alliance.

Survivor Redemption: Heroes vs. Villains Double Elimination With James & Tyson Out

I turned on my TV to watch the DVRed LOST and saw Survivor was recording. Then I remembered basketball games on Thursday, put Survivor on Wednesday.

So, by the time I finished LOST, Survivor had finished recording.

Good, strange episode.

Much foreshadowing in the episode pointing to a comeuppance for either Boston Rob or Russell Hantz, with Rob a number of times bragging that Russell is playing in the Big Leagues now.

The challenge of this episode was different. A combo reward/immunity challenge with a twist. Both teams play for individual immunity. Then each team's winner plays a play-off, with that winner's team getting to eat hot dogs and drink coke while watching the losing team's Tribal Council.

First up, the Heroes. The skinny, small blonde, Candice wins on the Heroes' team. Boston Rob wins on the Villains' team. Oh oh, I thought, it's gonna be Russell who gets his comeuppance.

Back at Heroes' camp, Colby, who sucked at the challenge, told everyone he knew he was going, wished them all well, went to nap in the ocean. While the others debated whether it might be wiser to vote out the crippled James.

Meanwhile over at the Villains' camp, Boston Rob and Russell have an exchange, with Rob warning Russell if he has the Hidden Immunity Idol, he better use it. Russell took umbrage to Rob's cocky ways.

Rob thinks he has it all figured out, they'll flush out the idol and split their votes to guarantee a Parvati ouster.

The Villains are first up at Tribal Council. Time to vote. Jeff says if anyone has the Hidden Immunity Idol, now is the time to play it. Go to commercial. Back from commercial, Russell stands and walks to Jeff. Smug look on Boston Rob's face.

Russell says something like I'm not quite done yet, Jeff. Then goes and gives the Hidden Immunity Idol to Pavarti. Earlier Russell had tricked Tyson into switching his vote to Parvati.

The votes are read, 4 are for Pavarti, 2 for Russell with, I think, 3 for Tyson, sending Tyson home, to the stunned looks of those who thought they'd outsmarted Russell, with one of them saying something like, "What just happened?"

Then, in come the Heroes, the Villains get their hot dogs, with Rupert unable to focus on anything but the food. The Tribal Council proceeds while the Villains eat. This was about the most light-hearted Tribal Council I remember watching, with James providing most of the humor, particularly when describing how Colby was not the Colby of James' youth, back when Colby was Superman, now Colby is Superman with a girdle and no muscle. Colby objected, good-naturedly, pleading that he's really not that old.

At another point James pointed out Colby's failure in that day's challenge, where he was beaten by a cripple (meaning James) and a fat man (meaning Rupert). Much laughter among the Villains.

In the end, the tribe decided Colby was not too old and kept him, booting James, with the bum leg, who, on parting, told his former tribemates that he would be drunk in about 5 minutes.

Both Tyson Apostol and James took their bootings well, at least judging by their post-boot words to the camera, I mean, audience.

Survivor Samoa: Natalie Beats Russell For The Million Bucks

I was tired last night. I quit watching Survivor after Russell outlasted Brett at holding a pole in the air. I figured it was a no-brainer, Russell would win, I'd watch the Conclusion and Reunion tomorrow.

I also figured the part where the jury gets to ask questions would be a snoozer.

Again, I was wrong.

That Shambo can really get wound up. And Eric's, well, actorly speech in support of Natalie, well, I thought that was just odd and hypocritical. By the way, Eric is an actor, not a good one, obviously, but he is an actor. Survivor should not cast actors.

I did not understand Brett's questioning. He only asked a question of Mick. And he asked what they'd do on a Bro-date. It was very odd. Probst looked like he thought it odd, as well, as did others. I had trouble understanding what Brett says sometimes, like his last sentence directed at Mick. I replayed it several times and had to give up.

I'm guessing the Galu people had made up their minds not to give the million to Russell, while holed up together, after Russell engineered their exits.

The Reunion show was entertaining too. That Jeff Probst is one good TV Host. Russell seemed sort of hurt that he didn't win. Russell was very funny. Offering Natalie what I thought was $10,000, but Probst later said $100,000 if she'd just give up the Sole Survivor title to Russell, that's all he wanted. She declined. What a dumb blonde.

The fans voted Russell $100,000 as being their pick as the best.

At the start of the season I, along with most viewers weren't liking Russell. Way too nasty and arrogant. Apparently Russell caught a lot of public flak early on. And then as the season progressed Russell received less bad flak and instead started having positive flak coming his way. I don't remember when Russell went from Villain to Hero for me. Maybe it was about the time he found the 1st Hidden Immunity Idol.

Now, Heroes & Villains brings up another subject. That being the next season of Survivor, also taking place in the South Pacific, called Survivor Redemption: Heroes vs. Villains.

Good guys and girls and Bad guys and girls from past seasons. Which side does Russell fit on? I'd say Heroes.

As for this version of another All Star type season. I don't like it. This will be the 20th season of Survivor. Thousands of people try to get on that show. It seems wrong to have people on again, who had already had the fun.

All Star Survivor ended up with Rob and Amber getting married, which led to other bad things. Like that pair being on The Amazing Race after they'd already won one reality show. But, having said that, Rob and Amber, especially Rob, were pretty good on The Amazing Race.

Survivor Samoa: Finale Tonight, Brett, Mick Natalie, Jaison or Russell Sole Survivor

There is Sunday Night Football on NBC, a Christmas in Washington special on TNT with the President and Mrs. Obama in attendance, but there is only one thing I'm going to watch tonight.

Survivor: Samoa
8/7c CBS

It's down to 5 Survivors, Brett, Mick, Natalie, Jaison and Russell.

If Brett continues to win the challenges he seems a shoo-in to win, what with the majority of the jury made up of his former Galu members, many of whom are bitter about being blindsided, with Brett playing no role in the blindsiding, except for going along with the blindsides, vote-wise, for the most part.

After 2 hours of Survivor tonight we won't know who won. That requires watching the start of the 1 hour Reunion show. I usually bail part way through the Reunion show. 3 hours is way too much television for me.

Survivor Samoa: Russell Best Survivor Ever With Laura Out

The CBS promos leading up to this week's Survivor focused on Russell Hantz, saying he would either be Survivor's best ever or biggest fool ever. Or something like that.

By the end of last night's episode it was clear Russell is not a fool, which makes him, according to CBS, the best Survivor ever.

I think I would have to agree with that. He certainly has made Survivor Samoa the most entertaining Survivor season, so far, in a long long time.

And now he's found yet on more Hidden Immunity Idol, though this time he had pretty good clues via a cell phone that was part of winning a Reward Challenge that had half the Survivors flown to another island for a picnic by a waterfall.

Who would have thought that Foa Foa would manage to whittle down Galu's 8 to 4 lead, to now have a 5 to 4 lead, with Shambo switched to Foa Foa, or a 6 to 3 lead if you count John on the Foa Foa side after he voted to get rid of Laura after the 5 to 5 tie at the Tribal Council.

I don't recollect that type of tie before on Survivor. I'm sure it's happened before, but I don't remember. I do remember a tie getting decided by a purple rock or by who could start a fire faster.

Survivor Samoa: Season 19: Episode 9: Russell Hantz Hidden Immunity Idol Coup

When Russell Hantz first appeared on my Survivor screen, I thought him to be an arrogant, Texas blowhard, suffering from little man syndrome who would quickly get his comeuppance with a fast boot off the show.

I was wrong. I'm thinking that now, with the airing of Episode 8 of the 19th season of Survivor that Russell Hantz has cemented himself a spot in the Top Ten all time best on Survivor. Even if he gets kicked out next week.

Russell has altered the Survivor game. Few have managed that. From this point forward if Survivor continues with the Hidden Immunity Idol thing, everyone is going to be looking for it, clue or not.

It was surprise enough that Russell found the first Hidden Immunity Idol without a clue, but then to do it a second time and then use it to blindside the former Galu, whittling the Galu numbers down by one more. If this were scripted TV the plot would not be believable.

And now in the previews we see the Galu members chasing Russell around, afraid he'll find a third idol. I may have the numbers wrong, but I think it is now 6 Galu to 4 Foa Foa. But, Shambo has pretty much said she is with Foa Foa. That makes it even.

I'm thinking Russell is going to engineer some little coup and keep himself on the island. Or he will win Immunity. That would be entertaining.