LadyChatts

I actually wonder if Les Moonves is ousted (and I don't know if that's a big if or not), what that might mean for shows like Survivor and some of the other CBS standards. Despite the fact Survivor still brings in decent ratings, compared to other programs on TV, someone new might want to take the network in a new direction and get rid of the reality mainstays. I'd be slightly surprised if that really did happen, but not completely. Right now I've seen quite a few former castaways talking about casting on their respective SM accounts, more so than normal. It looks like Probst might have slithered into Lynn's place, which wouldn't be surprising, but can't say he'll bring any improvement. I think Survivor could re-invent itself if it got more back to what it use to be, for all the reasons we've talked about here. I'd even go for a shorter season and 90 minute-2 hour episodes if it meant better editing. They are in a serious rut, thanks to twists and advantages and stupid themes and focusing on a select few characters. And honestly, it's not like all these idols and advantages can prevent a predictable pagonging, either. I'm still all for an idol and advantage free-season without telling them. Let the paranoia run wild!

This is what I'm saying about the Ghost Island cast. Despite the skewed narrative and wasted twist (that really wouldn't have been bad if they had executed it right), I think it was a decent season. Much like you said, I don't think this was a cast that was bland. Sure, every cast is going to have misfires or Purple Kelly's. I think why this cast seemed so blah was the whole narrative surrounding Dom and Wendell. Reading interviews after the fact, it seemed disappointing some of the things that went on that we didn't see, or the fact that these people were playing a game but we didn't see it. Even Seabass and Jenna seem like they could have been intriguing!

I couldn't even fathom putting the two in the same category. Cirie is a four time loser that never made it to the finals because she would have won (and went out twice due to twists- a fire making tie breaker and stupid idol-geddon). Russell made the finals twice and couldn't win. And now he's lost on an international version of the show.

Well, he officially topped Sandra. She's a two time winner, but nothing beats a 4 time loser-and he did it on two different series.

I couldn't really hate Jason, only because he was so hilariously bad at this game in every way (seriously, Stevie Wonder would have known that the stick idol was a fake). It sounded as if he wasn't well liked by the cast, either. Joel's blindside was delicious in the sense that he thought he was Mr. Macho leading a team of weaklings and getting rid of the stronger players on his tribe (well, I don't know if Mary was strong, but probably better than Chet or Kathy). And then thought he was going to be on the right side of things with the tribe swap. I am happy that Chet outlasted him, but agree with you that I hate he pretty much screwed Tracy's game but asking to get voted off. I really enjoyed her and am disappointed she's never returned. I suppose never say never, but this is why I get frustrated sometimes at the 3-4 time players, when there's a lot of amazing contestants who have only had one chance to play but could probably do so much better a second time.

Why would they be missing episodes? That's weird (and really annoying). What's more of a damn shame is Twila hasn't ever returned but Eliza and Ami both have. Chris just got super, super lucky. That's all his win boils down to. I found Scout to be annoying, but I can agree with you. I thought she and Twila were a great alliance duo, and looking back and seeing how the show and casts have evolved through the years, I get her personality.

Eh. The more I think about Lynn being gone from casting (starting in the next cycle in 2019) the more excited and curious I am to see if they can do better.

I have a feeling this season will be one that looked good on paper, but it doesn't go completely as expected. So what if they wind up with a 15 person jury? Especially with the format we have. We already are cutting into the reunion show, and hear from so few jurors as it is. I can only imagine how bad it will be if the jury is bigger than normal. I'm also wondering if the castaways were warned ahead of time about following each other/posting on SM when they got home. That's usually how some of the other sites figure out the cast based on who followed who, and since we have 4 confirmed returning players, you'd think it'd be easy to figure out who the new players would be based on whose following Joe/Kelley/David/Aubry. But nothing. And, it doesn't seem like those 4 have posted much. I guess they got the memo that 2 players from last season got into some big trouble over that.

Here's an update from Redmond on how the jury would work.

I remember the rumors and theories floating around the internet when the preview came up at the end of the previous episode about the incident at the Kucha camp. One was that Alicia got her leg bit by a crocodile. This cast seemed like a particularly religious one; I can't remember if it was on the actual season or one of those bonus DVDs, but they apparently said a prayer every night before going to bed. I consider myself religious, but often cringe when someone is cast on here as the "religious one" because they never come off well. I remember the one two-person team RC after the merge, where they had to pair up and Jerri automatically wanted to be with Colby. Everyone else said it should be fair so they drew names out of a hat, and Jerri still got paired with Colby (who wasn't very happy about the arrangement). I believe this was the reward where they got to visit the Great Barrier Reef, and Colby ended up getting the show in trouble by breaking coral off from it to take back as a souvenir. I still don't care for this season as much as others do, and my mind wasn't changed when I re-watched it awhile back. But, considering the more recent seasons that have been churned out lately, I'm starting to look back at it with much more fondness. I never would have expected it to turn out the way it did, so it did surprise me. And since I have a love for the landlocked locations, I had always hoped they'd re-visit Australia to do another season.

I think what scares me, too, is did S37 tank that badly that they went with this concept for S38? Because this just seems so random. I know this idea was floated around before as a possible theme for S30 but they got rid of it. However, is their idea when in a rut, bring back popular players for a season? If the next two seasons tank not only because of twists/themes but also casting, that could explain why Lynn was let go.

Hmm, not sure. I could see them planting at least one idol out there, because they may not want whoever returns the first time to automatically be voted out (especially if it's a Probst fave) and maybe have some leverage to stay in. I really just can't see how this season isn't going to completely suck. I already hate the stupid fire making final 4 challenge as it is. I hate when people get to re-enter the game at any point, but this should totally be a one time return trip at the merge and that's it. I hate how idols and advantages can be used so late in the game. I feel like there's so little strategic component left anymore. And while I like all 4 returning players, I can't say that I'm excited about them, either. I don't care for these seasons that are a mix as it is (Micronesia being one exception). I'd rather see all newbies or all vets.

I'd laugh even more if every player decided to stay in the game, because I'm sure they don't anticipate that happening (and it probably won't). I don't like the concept of the ousted players trying to get the others to quit. I hope that doesn't turn into a bullying situation. So are they basically living old school Survivor style on that island? Just rice and fish and fending for themselves?

My guess would be anyone who went out before the jury phase started would be pre-jury, and anyone voted out after would be on the jury. However, I feel like this might give those out of the game an unfair advantage. People on the exile island are going to have nothing to do but bond (and practice fire). If someone got back into the game via this twist (which goes on way too long) they might have an unfair advantage with the jury for getting to spend all that time with them. This is a twist clearly meant to keep the returning players in it, and I won’t be surprised if this goes down as one of the worst seasons ever. Possibly with one of the least deserving winners ever. ETA: Another way they could possibly do the jury is wait until they have enough combined ousted players and players on the IOE to form the jury, no matter where they went out originally. I seriously can’t believe they will have an over bloated jury.

http://insidesurvivor.com/rumor-season-38-theme-and-title-34310 So this is not only Ghost Island but Redemption Island as well, except there aren't weekly duels. Way to be original show (and try to keep the returning players in it). So on top of two tribes to keep track of, will we get additional footage of the ousted castaways, too?

Filming for the season has ended. Have to say I'm curious what kind of overall cast we will be getting with this theme. I am sure they are banking on a bunch of groupies letting the captains run the game, and that if that failed, that's where the exile island-ish twist comes in. Still thinking at least one captain goes pre-merge and doesn't get to return.

The rock draw was not supposed to work that way, but they figured that out too late. Apparently the rock draw was supposed to work the way it does now, except they realized at the final 4, by default, Paschal would be the only one eligible to draw rocks. So they had all of them draw rocks, and then did the tie breaker in following seasons for the final 4 if there was a tie over the rock draw. In a way, considering Paschal ended up having a medical emergency after being rocked out, maybe it worked out for the best.

Yeah, that would have been the only way I would have accepted Paul is if it was guaranteed he'd lose again. Of course he'd probably still find someone or something to blame because he's the greatest gamer ever. I'm just glad that after last season of Big Brother he and his minions didn't get rewarded in anyway like they bragged about on the feeds. Especially doing The Amazing Race. The initial rumored teams from Big Brother had my interest way down for this season, and while I'm pretty meh over the casting as it turned out, I realize it could have been so much worse. At least the two teams I was rooting for made it far, and one of them presumably won.

I wonder if there will be a final task then at Fort Wayne or if they go directly to the finish line. Hopefully if there was a final task C/C had enough of a lead that they kept it. There's still so much that can happen, that with even an hour lead, a team can catch up. I am very excited about this season and wish we didn't have to wait until the winter for it to air, though logically I guess that makes sense. I am happy it was an all TAR final 3, just wish Team Fun had made it. I am thrilled C/C appear to have won, but at the very least, they definitely gave it their all in the end. That was a nail biter just following along! But I'm just happy Team TAR Classic/Intense/Ox Is Broken made it to the end. Can't complain too much about the cast even if it wasn't who I would have necessarily wanted from BB and Survivor (though given some of the alternatives mentioned, it could have been worse). And I can't complain too much about the route. This is going to be the longest wait until next winter.

There still seems to be some conflicting reports as to whether L/J actually showed up at Hart Plaza, but regardless, you are probably right @TheRabbi-if they did show up they probably just got a clue telling them to go to the finish line. With how long it took T/K and C/C to finish, and it being nighttime, I can see why they probably weren't even going to bother with a team that had no chance at catching up. ETA: Here's the link to that article @TheRabbi https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/07/03/amazing-race-films-detroit-teams-rappel-down-guardian-building/756955002/

The teams were spotted (in random order): at Hart Plaza, the Guardian Building, a record store, and at the Heidelberg project. I can't believe they would have yet another task to complete. The record store might have just been to pick up a clue, but I just can't believe that they would have another task to do after Hart Plaza. Of course, I don't want to think that, because C/C are ahead with a comfortable lead. I don't want to think they had another task that could set them behind. It was neck and neck right up until what was hopefully the end-will no doubt be a great season and finale. I'm still a little cautious on the outcome since it's not 100% and anything could happen. I like to think Phil would be very, very please to see C/C coming to the mat first, though. I'm wondering this myself. ETA: Okay, another development. L/J never showed up at the task after all and it is being dismantled. Now I'm really nervous they got so far ahead that no one thought to look for them. L/J definitely made it to the rappelling task, however, so either they've been undetected this whole time or something happened. They were thought to be out in Laos and popped back up in the UAE so who knows with those two! Seriously, though, I hope nothing serious happened, especially with the heat.

All of this per RFF but C/C finally left Hart Plaza and were in first! They've gotta be heading to the pit stop by now. No sign of L/J, and T/K were still behind by 10 minutes (and may still be there) after C/C left. I just wonder what happened to L/J. C/C and T/K were at Hart Plaza for an hour according to a twitter user, and it doesn't appear they caught up. Bad taxi luck? ETA: Per a user on twitter who has been giving live updates, T/K are still at Hart Plaza doing the memory task. C/C would have to have the worst luck in the world to lose this, unless there's another task, but they've had 4 different stops already. I can't believe they aren't going to the finish line. I'm just really nervous at the lack of L/J sightings. I don't know how they could have been that far ahead to not be spotted, but I'd feel better if they'd pop up somewhere. They were spotted at the rappelling and that is it. ETA (again): Okay, this same twitter user said T/K finally left Hart Plaza an hour after C/C, and L/J finally showed up. Too premature to celebrate? An hour lead for C/C.

That's why I thought Hart Plaza was their first stop, given it's location. I really hope this doesn't put C/C behind. Minutes are everything! I guess we will see as to whether or not they take off again. They are really running these guys ragged in this final leg. I hope someone can spoil the final 3. I'll still watch but it's going to be a loooong wait until January knowing C/C and T/K are this close.

I'm hoping so, because that would mean C/C are ahead. It could just be another clue waiting for them, though. Definitely down the wire! One of the tasks involved rappelling, and it seems conflicting as to whether L/J were actually spotted or not. But so far it seems T/K and C/C are the only teams being spoiled.

So per RFF the final 3 are at the Hart Plaza in Detroit....haven’t been this nervous for an outcome in a long time. I know they won’t share the final 3 outcome, but if someone knows it I hope it gets leaked. ETA: It appears T/K and C/C might be neck and neck. I don't believe L/J have been spotted. If it comes down to a taxi ride, I hope to god C/C get the good taxi karma since that ended up costing them the first time around. I think Hart Plaza might be the finish line. I'm hoping so, because it appears C/C are ahead by minutes (all of this is per RFF, of course).