December 3, 2008
It's been almost two weeks since the last new episode of Survivor: Gabon, and I'm starting to go through withdrawals. Survivor is a weekly ritual, and once a season gets going, I need that weekly fix. In case you hadn't heard, CBS announced their mid-season schedule yesterday, and Survivor will be returning to its well-worn Thursday 8pm time slot for another season on February 12. Hooray to longevity. The last time we saw a new episode of Survivor: Gabon, Randy “Ebenezer” Bailey was unnecessarily, yet hilariously, humiliated at tribal council and sent on his merry way to spend some quality time with Marcus and Charlie back at Ponderosa. What does Thursday's episode have in store? Allow me to tap into my unlimited psychic powers and let you know...
OK, I'm ready.
December 2, 2008
While some of the big networks have struggled to find viewers throughout the fall season, CBS has been able to brag about their numerous successes. NCIS is hitting all-time ratings highs, The Mentalist is one of the most popular new shows of the year, and of course the network still has heavy hitters like Survivor, The Amazing Race and the CSI franchise. While NBC and ABC are canceling shows left and right, CBS is enjoying a string of good luck.
Will that good luck continue in 2009? CBS recently announced their mid-season programming plans, which includes new seasons of Survivor, Flashpoint and The Amazing Race, and the long-awaited premieres of two new shows.
December 2, 2008
Every Survivor fan knows the motto of the show and the key to winning the $1 million grand prize: outplay, outwit, outlast. I'm sure that this season, that's exactly what Crystal and Kenny think they're doing. I'm sure that if they make it to the final two or three, that's what they'll say to the members of the jury. However, as someone who's been watching the show since Borneo, I think I can say this: a group of underdogs who have nothing to offer their tribe and are incapable of making real social connection who band together to get rid of others so that they don't get picked off, is not exactly worthy of $1 million. It also makes for one frustrating season that looks to be headed towards an uneventful finale.
November 26, 2008
As stated yesterday, CBS is trying to trick you. It's an understandable ruse. They are playing off tomorrow night's Survivor: Gabon episode as a new one via their promos when, in fact, it is not a new episode at all. It is a clip show, featuring season highlights, previously unaired footage and audition tapes from this season's castaways. In the age of the internet, DVR and mass media, you'd think we'd all be past the clip show or, at least, past networks trying to play clip shows off as new offerings. I remember, as a kid, being tricked by Full House and Growing Pains episodes where the families would sit on the couch and reminisce about old times. These old times would segue into a phalanx of old clips. I felt betrayed then, and I feel a little betrayed now. That being said, Survivor: Gabon has been so good that I'll be watching the Thanksgiving clip show episode anyway. I might hate myself a little for tuning in, but I will tune in nonetheless.
November 25, 2008
Thanksgiving is a time to sit around, gorge yourself on yams and turkey, and watch football with your family. Perhaps your Thanksgiving tradition is a tad bit different, but generally, it is a day of relaxation, you know, besides all the cooking. I find it a little puzzling, then, that network television doesn't air new episodes of their TV shows on Thanksgiving night with much regularity. ABC tried last year by airing a new episode of Grey's Anatomy – it didn't work, and the ratings were terrible. Logically, it'd seem that everyone would be home, eager to watch their favorite shows. For one reason or another, this is not the case. CBS, this year, is trying a little hybrid situation with Survivor: Gabon. They're trying to play Thursday's episode off as a new one in their promos and such, when in actuality Thursday's Survivor is a mere clip show.
November 21, 2008
Last night's episode of Survivor: Gabon will certainly be remembered for seasons to come. At a Survivor auction, Sugar took a cookie off of Randy's plate (which he won for the entire tribe) and gave it to Matty, so that he wouldn't get one. Later, Sugar convinced Bob to give Randy a fake immunity idol, which he then played at tribal council. His tribe mocked him and laughed at him as he was told by Jeff Probst that the idol was not real. Randy was voted out of the game and now joins the jury. Today, he spoke to BuddyTV in an exclusive interview and, even months after filming has wrapped on the show, Randy is still just as bitter as the day he left. Check out his explosive interview, where he refuses to hold back when it comes to his enemies in the game!
Below, you will find the transcript and mp3 of the interview.
November 21, 2008
Survivor: Gabon, somehow, keeps on getting better. You know it's a good season when the result of the tribal council vote is more or less set in stone early in the episode and the hour remains entertaining. It was abundantly clear from the first few minutes that, barring a Randy victory at the immunity challenge, the crotchety old man would be heading to jury. And, yet, I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a Survivor episode as much as I did last night. Most of this was thanks to Randy. Though he's kind of an awful person, his presence will sorely be missed. He's that ornery uncle who makes snide remarks at the family reunion, who the little nieces and nephews, who don't know any better, keep on infuriating. If we ever have another Survivor: All-Stars, Randy has to be involved. I demand it.
Recap of Survivor: Gabon - Episode 9
November 20, 2008
If you asked me early on in Survivor: Gabon who I was rooting for, I would say Kenny and Bob, without a doubt. Of course, I said that before knowing that Kenny was going to team up with Crystal and blindside great Survivor players like Charlie and Marcus. At this point, I don't know who to root for. As much I want to keep supporting Bob, he has no strong alliance and will be used for a swing vote for a few more weeks before getting the boot. I GUESS if I had to pick someone at this point, who has a believable chance of winning, I suppose I'll go with Matty. I can't take Kenny and Crystal running this game for one more week but hopefully tonight, all of that will change. I'll be here for the next hour updating live so keep refreshing and let us know who you'd like to see go home tonight!