Survivor 20**HvV**No SPOILER THREAD**

[PixieDust32]

We can also argue that Russell never work around camp, never went fishing or looking for fruit and water, all he did was stalk and bully people, he is lazy and worthless in camp, looking at the deleted scenes or secret clips is obvious that we never did anything, he sat on the beach yapping while the others tried to provided for the tribe. So...

 

[Nancyg56]

I think more credit is owed to Sandra for how she plays the game. She is outspoken, and says what's on her mind, but she knows when it's safe to say things and when it's not.
She also plays the game fairly. She doesn't bully others (unless they bully her), she makes friends, and she is her own person. She is also very clever. Who would have though to burn Russell's hat! Good grief that was awesome!
For those who say 'she's done nothing the whole season,' obviously that's not the case and she proved that by winning not one, but two million dollars and the title of Sole Survivor twice. That speaks for itself in my book.

I agree. She certainly understood her competitors and used their personalities to her own benefit. If they had some notions about her ability and she allowed them to continue to believe she was no threat If any one of the survivors realized that she was playing for herself they could have tried to use that but no one bothered to worry about her.

It's insulting to the jury to imply that they were irrational when they voted for the ultimate survivor. People who put down winners like Ethan, Amanda, Sandra and Vecepia refuse to accept that playing under the radar is a strategy. If you don't like it. Too bad. There's no rule that says you have to play the game one way or another. Courtney said as much without coming out and saying it at the final jury. Not enough credit is given to this strategy. Look how quickly a person can get a target on their back when they step in the spotlight. I can think of no better example than Terry. He was probably the best physical competitor there was and the only way he was going to win it is if he could have either kept the immunity idol to the end or won every single challenge. When he final lost one, he was gone. Other contestants but their heads on the chopping block when they took early leadership roles. So can you truly fault this as a strategy? It clearly works. Sandra did it twice.

I saw him on a morning show not too long ago. He said that there were over 100 hours of filming done for each hour show and that the editing was done for effect. He said that there were times when reactions were shown in a clip that had taken place at a different time. In the end, this is a TV show and the viewers are only seeing what the editors have determined will leep us watching. I believe that Sandra's social game was not as fascinating as Russell's bulying tactics or Rupert's santimonious Pirate play so we did not get to see it. Clearly she worked to win this but it Season but that aspect of the game is not great TV.

I remember that show...I didn't watch it but I remember it.

I tried to watch it but it was more boring than watching paint dry.

I have to admit that while I did nto want Russell to win I sure did enjoy his part on the show. He may have been a boar but Holy Smokes! He was funny! I still loved seeing most of the Survivors as they tried to balance staying on his good side to make sure they did not get bounced with just voting him off. On the one hand he was pretty abusive and would work to get rid of anyone who threatened himbut on the other............sitting next to him for that finale pretty much ensured that the chances of winning the jury were increased.

 

[labdogs42]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Russell on Dancing with the Stars, spouting off how this is America's chance to do right by him by voting for him. LOL

OMG, that would crack me up!

Also, last night, when they talked about Russel vs. Rob, I thought, how cool would it be if they did have a Survivor like that? Rueesll and Rob would be the team captains and could pick any of the Survivors from past seasons to be on their teams. something like that. That could be interesting!

 

[liamkelly]

it's funny how everyone hated jerri in her season and thought she was the biggest villain ever but compared to russell she's not even that bad.

 

[travelbug24]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Russell on Dancing with the Stars, spouting off how this is America's chance to do right by him by voting for him. LOL

We could start a campaign on Facebook just like some did for Betty White to get her to host SNL.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

We could start a campaign on Facebook just like some did for Betty White to get her to host SNL.

I think it would be more fun to see them on Amazing Race, either working together or against each other with their wives or another partner. Rob has done AR before, maybe make them work as a team!

 

[DMRick]

I think it would be more fun to see them on Amazing Race, either working together or against each other with their wives or another partner. Rob has done AR before, maybe make them work as a team!

Oh, either way, that would be great!

 

[gometros]

My main problem is that if everyone played the way Sandra played, you wouldn't have a show, it would be BORRRRRRRRRRING. So why is it that the interesting people, the leaders, the people who make good TV, are penalized for creating ratings and the people who are snoozers get to win and collect the money.

I get your point, but I'm not sure if they were all that boring. Granted, not everyone can be a Russell. Love him or hate him, he was entertaining, but Sandra had plenty of TV time and she was sassy. If I think back to others that fit the bill, Ethan was the nice guy/good athlete. I don't remember much about Vecepia, but Amanda was also a bit of a personality.

I think if we had a show of all Richard Hatches, Coaches, Johnny Fairplays and Russells, you'd lose balance. You need different personalities to really make Survivor work.

 

[Kirby]

I didn't think that it was funny when Sandra burned Russell's hat. I know quite a few of you do but I don't. I firmly believe that "what goes around, comes around" because he burned Jaison's socks. But, Russell burned the socks as a strategic move to cause problems in the tribe. Sandra burned Russell's hat out of spite. That makes her no better than him in my book.

Also, last night, when they talked about Russel vs. Rob, I thought, how cool would it be if they did have a Survivor like that? Rueesll and Rob would be the team captains and could pick any of the Survivors from past seasons to be on their teams. something like that. That could be interesting!

I wouldn't mind seeing a Survivor season like that. Except I would not want to see a physical challenge with Rob personally pitted against Russell. I would not want either of them to get hurt which could potentially happen since they would be out to get each other.

 

[gometros]

A bar??

He is the owner and CEO of one of the most successful oil tankering companies in all of Texas! I understand you hate the man but lets not start making up lies about him.

And I'd love to know where you read that his business is the most successful in Texas. It may be true, but I'm not sure how you can quanitfy that unless you have the companies financial reports or the Wall Street Journal did an article on tankering companies in the US

 

[gometros]

I've been thinking about the Favorite Survivor vote that Russell won. There are a few ways of looking at it and one of them may not be as favorable toward Russell as one would think. He may have been voted favorite, because people liked him, or he could have been voted favorite, because he was the most entertaining. That doesn't necessarily make him the best player, just the best train wreck on TV.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

OK, The Probst blog is finally up on ew.com.
Blog link

As I type this I am on the plane flying back to Los Angeles less than 12 hours after Sandra became first two-time Survivor winner. So bear in mind I’m a bit fuzzy headed and therefore may say things I later regret or later realize aren’t funny or even interesting.

I’m not going to argue whether Sandra should have won or not. I’ve learned from last season that it’s a bit pointless. The jury is in charge and the jury made their decision.

Having said that… I will go on record and say that I would have voted for Parvati. No question.

Not taking anything away from Sandra. Sandra is a very good player and she does one thing very well – she avoids the vote. Two times played, two times won, two times never voted out. Hard to argue against that record.

Had I been given a vote, I would have voted for Parvati because she played her *** off. She zigged and zagged her away through the Samoan jungle like nobody’s business. I was truly impressed. She handled Russell in a way nobody else could have. The double idol play was bold. The subtle social game she played was spot on. I think she played an overall better game than Sandra.

However, I do believe the jury lumped her in with Russell and if that’s the case, then Parvati misread the vibe of the group and it cost her the money. Then again, I’m just the host and as a contestant recently reminded me at a tribal council, I don’t have a vote, so I don’t count. Truer words never spoken. I don’t have a vote. I don’t count. So let’s move on…

Russell was too hyped up last night at the live Reunion show for me to get much of anything out of him. I’m sorry I didn’t do a better job because he had a lot of very interesting things to say about the game and the wear and tear it took on him. All I could do last night was to try to keep him seated in his chair long enough for us to get a shot of him on-camera. In fact the entire night it felt a bit like a fight might break out at anytime. In case you’re wondering what I would have done…? I would have just let it happen. I wouldn’t have gone to commercial but instead would have launched right into good ole fashioned Survivor play-by-play. But it didn’t. Instead these guys did what they were put on the show to do, they did their best to entertain.

I feel for Russell. I do not believe he is aware of how out of balance his life is right now. He is still stuck in “the game” and it was uncomfortable for me to watch him squirm so much last night and scream so loudly for respect. He doesn’t need to ask for respect. He has won the Sprint Player of the Game two times. He has also proven to be extremely good at getting to the end by being a great strategist and intimidator. There is no question that Russell is an excellent player of Survivor.

But my opinion of Russell changed when he admitted to Boston Rob that he did not play to win. You can’t be the best if you’re not playing to win. He can hoop and holler all he wants about “America choosing” but that’s not this game. This game is about convincing a jury of your peers that you are the most deserving person. He didn’t do that. But my problem is not that he didn’t accomplish that goal, it’s that it wasn’t his goal in the first place.

Boston Rob plays to win. The fact that he hasn’t won doesn’t change the fact that he plays to win. It’s a philosophical approach to the game and if Russell truly doesn’t play to win then he has no claim to greatest player.

Here’s the rub… I am not convinced Russell truly feels that way. Stay with me. I think Russell did play to win. 100%. I think he just misjudged and didn’t fully understand the game well enough to achieve his goal. So now he is changing history. I believe that last night he was scrambling to make sense, scrambling to defend, scrambling to justify another loss, so he decided that all he ever wanted to do was get to the end.

That’s what I mean about “out of balance.” The man needs a break. He needs a retreat somewhere far away where he is not allowed to talk about Survivor, not allowed to talk at all. He needs a rest. I don’t imagine he’ll take one. I imagine he’ll let the anger stir inside him and it will haunt him for a long time to come.

Russell, if you’re reading this and I know you are – I hope, I truly hope you will give yourself a break and let the game go… at least for a while. Come back and revisit it with a fresh mind and see if you can find ways to improve your game. Otherwise you are doomed to be frustrated by this game and continue to make silly suggestions like “let America vote.”

Onto other thoughts:

I was happy to hear that Coach has gained some personal insight into how he is perceived as a result of his time on Survivor. As most of you know, I like Coach and his stories don’t bother me but I love anytime someone changes for the better as a result of their time on our show. Side note: Coach really wanted to play trumpet with the band during the Reunion show. He sent me a clip and he’s pretty damn good, but we just didn’t have any extra time and couldn’t work it out.

I was very surprised at the Sprint Player of the Game vote. I thought Boston Rob was a shoo-in but evidently he was just gone too long. I also never thought Rupert would be one of the two top vote getters, not only that but it was really close. Less than 2,000 votes separated the two.

Candice never looked more beautiful than she did last night. I think it’s the ring on her finger. That girl is in love and so proud. This may surprise those of you who read this blog, but the truth is I really like Candice quite a bit and I’m so happy for her happiness.

Man, I don’t exactly know what is going on with Colby but he still seemed mad last night.

I’m not sure what was going on with James either but word on the street is that he was on some pain medication for his knee and as a result was a bit out of it.

Boston Rob and Amber – who knew they’d make such a cute baby. I saw Amber before the show and she looks great. All smiles. She seems very happy being a mom and Rob is about as proud of his family as you can be without being corny and Boston Rob is rarely corny.

Ethan Zohn also stopped by last night to say hi before the show. I had recently hosted Larry King and he was on as a guest to talk about his cancer being in remission. It was so good to see him in person, give him a hug and tell him how happy I am that he is healthy again. I’d love to see Ethan back on the beach playing Survivor again one day. What an inspiration.

Okay the plane is about to land and I’ll be honest, like I always am… I am ready to put this season to bed.

Heroes v Villains will go down as one of the greatest seasons ever and that’s thanks to the 20 people who played.

It is so easy to sit at my desk in my office with my patio doors open and make fun of these guys all season, just like they could make fun of me if they had a blog. But most of them don’t. So in fairness, after a season full of lippy blogs, I think a bit of redemption is in order.

The 20 people who came out and played Survivor again this year did their very best every damn day they were out there. Survivor is unlike any other game on television. No other show kicks your *** the way this one does. No other show taxes you mentally the way this one does. And no other show puts you in situations that challenge you to be your best but often result in highlighting your worst qualities under the most unflattering conditions.

I tip my hat to the group of heroes and the villains for not only giving us 13 weeks of amazing television but also for everything they put at stake: reputations, family time, personal plans and careers to name a few. They put all this at risk while exposing themselves to the ridicule of lippy bloggers, like myself and Dalton Ross. They knew that was part of the game coming in but it doesn’t make it any easier. This was not an easy season for any of them. Every single player endured some kind of pain and/or hardship. I hope you are all reading this and I hope that at some point in the very near future you raise a glass and toast yourself. Well done.

FINAL WORDS

Writing this blog and getting your feedback was, for the most part, an enjoyable experience. I won’t lie, there are days I am not in the mood to write it but then I remember that for those who do read it, you look forward to it and that always compels me to finish.

I am happy to be back for two more seasons of Survivor and we start shooting very soon. I hope you will come back and stay with us even though we have a lot to live up to following Heroes v. Villains.

To all the people I met in NY this weekend on the streets, in restaurants, at the hotel, at the airport – thanks for the loyal support all these years. I’m sorry we couldn’t accommodate more people at the live show. Maybe CBS should open it up to a bigger venue again as they have in the past.

To those of you still applying who have yet to get on the show – I hope you keep applying. We miss good people all the time, don’t give up the dream.

To those of you who think I suck as a host or as a blogger… kiss it.

Nicaragua.. here we come!

 

[PixieDust32]

Great Blog! Thank you ♥

I think Russ wouldn't never team up with Boston Rob, Russell wants all the attention and credit for ideas or moves to himsefl and also he would never admit when he makes a mistake nor when he is wrong, he rather blame it on whatever or whoever.

I would love to see Boston Rob again on any other game, he is such a great player and a wayyy better human being than Russell.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Thanks for posting Jeff's blog.

I'm glad Jeff confirmed my feelings about Russell during the finale. I also felt that things were very tense. After hearing about Russell's possible assault, I was really worried that he may go off on someone.

If Russell's businesses really are successful, than I hope he realizes he can go home and lead a great life without being the "king" of Survivor.

 

[disneyworldluvr349]

Thanks for putting up the blog! I love reading how Jeff feels about the show and what goes on. I am glad he'll be back for two more seasons. I wonder how many more they are going to make?

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Like I said, Parvati should have won and Jeff thinks so too!

 

[cats mom]

Like I said, Parvati should have won and Jeff thinks so too!

Actually Jeff said "the jury is in charge and the jury made their decision"
Yes, he also said that he would have voted for Parvati, but that's different than saying that she should have won.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Actually Jeff said "the jury is in charge and the jury made their decision"
Yes, he also said that he would have voted for Parvati, but that's different than saying that she should have won.

He said he would have voted for Parvati, meaning before knowing the result, he believes Parvati should have won.

But either way it's moot because he doesn't get a vote. But I like having an impartial person who knows everything that went on, saying who they think should have won/who they would have voted for.

 

[skater]

That was a great blog. I would also have voted for Parvati. I thought she played a great game.

 

[happygirl]

Jeff Blog was really interesting, I agree Russell need to let Survivor go and never talk or think about it for a long time. I agree Colby just seemed off all season and then at the reunion. I think Jeff is pretty honest.