seacliffsal

I've seen a few references about contestants trying to appeal to Mike White to be in one of his projects, etc. I think it's really Jeff who wants to be in one of Mike's projects. Jeff seems to be bored with the Survivor he has created from the OG Survivor (and it's all his fault). So, he's looking to extend himself into acting via Mike White IMO.

I didn't know what to really expect but I was hoping it was going to be more along the line of old school Amazing Race in which they would have to figure out clues to get to Destination X. But this, with them all traveling on the bus and only brief glimpses of where they are, doesn't appeal that much to me. I'm also not a fan of JDM and his style of hosting. Will give this another try, but it seems too centered on the interactions on the bus and not enough about where they actually are IMO. Was so glad that Josh was first gone-that was the most positive thing about this episode for me...

This was by far my most favorite episode of the season. I thought the directing by Adam Arkin was great. Opening scenes focused on the children and their perspectives (kind of like the old Peanuts specials). And, oh, how delightful to meet a young 'bad seed.' I thought both of the key child actors were tremendous. Was sorry Charlie still lost her job as there could be so many future adventures with the students. Also, Iliked her friendship with Elijah's father. I guess 'Good Buddy' is the framework through which we get Charlie's narrative/exposition. I just enjoyed this episode so much, especially after being disappointed in some of the season 2 episodes.

I don't really see this as an All-Star, Legacy, whatever they're selling it as season. I also don't want Jeff to see this (and promote it) as a 'which is better-OG Survivor or New Survivor' showdown. Unfortunately, I think Jeff may see this as a way to validate the 'new era' Survivor which has replaced his failed talk show. I would love season 50 to be longer and harder than the 'new era' but don't see that happening. And, Jeff will take every opportunity to remind us all that the 'fans' voted for the season (but, did we really? and did we get to vote for the things that really matter?). Tribe colors is not the important voting topic that he may think it is... Will I watch? Absolutely! Will I enjoy it? That's more questionable as I ended up not enjoying season 48 even though I watched it in its entirety. We saw see.

I never really felt like Colton was serious about marriage, and he really revealed that when he said his son would also be the most important and that he needed time to see how hel felt about marriage, etc. His choice seemed to represent that as she still had 2 years of school left and they were going the long distance route. I thought Jay was serious, but we all kind of noticed the red flag about Grace and her co-dependent issues (and other things). I'm actually more surprised that John and Claire are still together as I didn't think he was that serious about finding a 'wife.' So, I will admit I was wrong and misjudged his sincerity.

The spoiled cast list doesn't really excite me that much. It will be nice to see some of the OG Survivors, but I don't anticipate them really being successful in the long run. Of course, I don't really know who I would rather see on the show. Maybe it's overall fatigue that started for me with season 48. I do like that the OG Survivors are identified by the names of the seasons rather than just a number. Those were the days. Sigh.

It's probably just me, but I'm underwhelmed by this season-and I really wanted to love it as I love Canada. That's one reason I'm behind on the episodes. I don't remember every detail of every season, although I have watched them all, but it seems to me that this is one of the weaker casts and perhaps that's why I'm not as involved as a viewer. It seemed as the experience/quality of the chefs had been improving, but somehow this season seems a step backwards. Although Vinnie seemed really nice, he, unfortunately was giving me Ilan vibes (how I shudder just writing that) in that he pulled from dishes that he made in various restaurants. I get that he wanted to honor his deceased mentor, but that's not this show. Oh, and yes, while he reminded me of Ilan, Vinnie was waaaaaay nicer. There also seem to be more chefs 'learning' who they are during the process rather than coming in with a clear point of view. Anyway, wasn't surprised Vinnie went home and IMO it was overdue.

The only cowboys who picked who I thought they would (based on the show) were Colton and Matt. I thought Grace's co-dependency issues would be more of a red flag to Jay and thought the other woman was a better match, but Jay really liked Grace from day one, so it wasn't a surprise he chose her. I was surprised that John chose Claire as I think their upbringings and worlds are very different from each other. Her mom seemed to not really like John's answers to her questions. Oh, and I think we finally saw who Jordan really is; it didn't take long at all for her to lash out. I did notice her voice wasn't as child like when she was upset, so I will continue to hold on to my opinion that she really was on the show for her music career.

I'm surprised it was renewed. Hopefully they'll make some adjustments.

I wonder if all of the advantages that just happened to come her way (including during the finale when the advantage was in the form of a puzzle she had previously solved), the constant going on rewards, the 'coddling' from production and participants lured Eva into assuming she was going to win which really threw her for a loop when Kyle began to get more votes. The Eva season that the producers wanted to force down viewers' throats really did not do anything other than reinforce that there's a reason Jeff's talk show failed. Many viewers resented it, the other participants may have silently resented it (we'll never know), Joe may have lost his chance at $1 million because of feeling obligated to become her protector, and even though Eva got second place-did it benefit her in other ways or just set her up for a great disappointment (how could I have lost?)? Anyway, I am glad this season is over. This is really the first time I had to force myself to watch the season (and I've watched since season 1 episode 1). I don't think Survivor is doing itself any favors by so blatantly favoring a participant.

I didn't enjoy this episode very much. Now that I actually live where there are hundreds (thousands) of gators and see the lack of judgement so many people practice when they see a gator (selfies? really? it's like taking a selfie with a bison or bear in Yellowstone...), I don't really appreciate 'softening' a gator for laughs (please, don't raise a gator as a pet...). I also don't absolve Fran of Joe's death. Whether intended or not, he died. Oh well, hopefully this is a 'one off' in terms of me not really liking an episode.

I've thought a bit about Ken threatening to take Aurora and realized that supposedly Ryan's name is one the birth certificate. If so, and Ken followed through on his threat to take Aurora, he could be arrested for kidnapping as he's not the legal father (allegedly). Do none of these people think through anything?

IMO this was a horrible season. Yes, I will watch Survivor until the bitter end, but this season was so disappointing on so many levels. Basically, the show was so in love with Eva (and Joe) that they totally dominated the episodes and misdirected many viewers (including myself) about what the players really thought about each other. For example: Mitch as the most beloved? I didn't know that, because the producers didn't show me that. I think Joe was heartbroken that his final alliance (Kyle and Eva) had been lying to him the entire time. IMO he looked broken at the final tribal council. However, because I am that person, I would love to know what Joe's wife told him after watching the season during which he seemed to care more about Eva than winning the game for his family. I was dumbfounded that he told Eva he will willing to switch places at fire with her (and would have loved to see him try as I believe it's not his decision-it was Kyle's). Also, since we all know that I'm that person, I wonder if Eva has learned to a degree that her breakdowns will lead to other people stepping in for her. She seemed dependent on others calming her rather than her initiating self-soothing practices. Just a thought. At least Shaunin admitted he had a big ego after we all heard him talk about his being the best player all season. My biggest take-a-way? That I really hope Jeff begins to realize that Survivor is not his failed talk show and start moving away from trying to have the most bestest and specialist after-school-episode/season of Survivor.

Jeff and I must be watching two different versions of this season. He thought this was one of the best seasons ever? Maybe that's because he is STILL confusing Survivor with the Jeff Probst Talk Show. He HAS to be able to separate the two shows...one has been defunct for several years and the other is still viable. Jeff, go with the one that people actually watch. He is so enamored with the Eve and Joe show that he can't even really see the show that was produced and aired. He really doesn't understand his audience. IMO.

That interview made me really miss the Ponderosa videos they used to make. This actually seems like a really fun group!