S31: Vytas Baskauskas

[LadyChatts]

Varner said he thought the vote would end in a 5-5 tie if he didn't split, and he was concerned about going to rocks the first vote if the tie didn't get resolved (somehow, I think someone would have flipped on the re-vote and not gone to rocks).  He said that's why he flipped to the other side.  Whether that's true or not, who knows.  Since it looks like he might be flipping again this week, maybe it was some master plan of his.

 

I can understand how hurtful it may be to get a negative edit.  I didn't find the yoga session creepy as much as I did funny, because they did it directly after the Joega session on Bayon beach, where everyone is all smiles and Tasha's talking about Joe's body.  Switch to the gloomier Ta'Keo, and it's a stark contrast.

[Hera]

The contrast was funny. I wasn't excited that Vytas got back on the show and I'm not sorry he's gone so soon, but I don't think he's an awful person. However, I don't think any returning player gets to complain about the editing—they've all been on the show before, they must all be aware of how editing can distort things. I'm sure there's a context in which asking someone "How's your body feeling?" doesn't come across as weird (to say the least), but even first-timers would be aware that the editors have no obligation to show what that context is.

[KimberStormer]

"How's your body feeling today?" is something my Pilates instructors ask every session, so I felt like I got the yoga-instructor context of it.  But was Vytas aware that it was not a yoga-class context?  This was my first, and I guess last, taste of Vytas.  I found him an interesting combination of ironical and self-aware and then also competely not self-aware, or not aware of how he was being percieved by others.  He was watching himself, and making astute analysis of his own behavior and actions, but not paying attention to the others and how they were reacting.  Sort of like a chess player saying to himself, "if I move pawn to B3 [forgive me I don't know chess or its notation at all] then of course he must move knight to D5, and then I will be able to move Queen to E4!  Haha!" but then his opponent moves bishop to D6 instead, but he moves the Queen as planned anyway, because he's only paying attention to his own moves.

 

I'd sort of be interested in seeing what he was like in his previous season, and his interactions with Aras, but not enough to watch Blood Vs Water!

[innocuouspuff]

He was watching himself, and making astute analysis of his own behavior and actions, but not paying attention to the others and how they were reacting. Sort of like a chess player saying to himself, "if I move pawn to B3 [forgive me I don't know chess or its notation at all] then of course he must move knight to D5, and then I will be able to move Queen to E4! Haha!" but then his opponent moves bishop to D6 instead, but he moves the Queen as planned anyway, because he's only paying attention to his own moves.

Pickup Artists were mentioned up thread and this is exactly what Vytas sounds like to me sometimes. And this is part of the long list of what they get criticised for: acting as if women are identical sex-dispensing machines who only need the correct words inserted. And then one of the defenses is that the illusion of "rules" is helpful for well-meaning guys who wouldn't have the courage to talk to anyone otherwise. Maybe Vytas falls in this category.

But it's interesting that we don't hear him talk about the guys this way, and he seemingly has no idea where to even begin when an alliance with a guy starts to fall apart. His exit interview indignance about having helped once Spencer with a school project was hilarious.

Edited September 30, 2015 by innocuouspuff

[ProfCrash]

I am reading Vytas's tweets, posted on Survivor Sucks. Dude is seriously bitter. Really, really bitter.

[NutMeg]

"How's your body feeling today?" is something my Pilates instructors ask every session, so I felt like I got the yoga-instructor context of it.  But was Vytas aware that it was not a yoga-class context?  This was my first, and I guess last, taste of Vytas.  I found him an interesting combination of ironical and self-aware and then also competely not self-aware, or not aware of how he was being percieved by others.  He was watching himself, and making astute analysis of his own behavior and actions, but not paying attention to the others and how they were reacting.  Sort of like a chess player saying to himself, "if I move pawn to B3 [forgive me I don't know chess or its notation at all] then of course he must move knight to D5, and then I will be able to move Queen to E4!  Haha!" but then his opponent moves bishop to D6 instead, but he moves the Queen as planned anyway, because he's only paying attention to his own moves.

 

I'd sort of be interested in seeing what he was like in his previous season, and his interactions with Aras, but not enough to watch Blood Vs Water!

I thought this analysis was brilliant, and I mentionned it slighly parapharased in either Shirin or Spencer threads, because I think it also describes them to a T :-)

[rose711]

So it turns out Vytas left Ponderosa almost immediately. I can understand that because he has a very young child.

Shirin tweeted that he was gone before she even got to Ponderosa.

[ByaNose]

And, I'm sure Vytas was happy about that, too. It's just too bad we don't see all of the Ponderosa visits. It's great seeing the jury but why not show all of them arriving.

[LadyChatts]

I really would have loved to have seen both Vytas and Shirin's Ponderosa.  It would have been even more fun to see them there together for 3 days, if Vytas had to stay.  That would explain how Vytas had the easy access to SM and was able to be at his yoga class while filming was still going on.  I'm actually surprised, especially in a season like this, contestants are allowed to go home.  Though I always pity the early boots, because they have a really long wait.  At least they have the pre-jury trip.

Edited October 5, 2015 by LadyChatts

[ByaNose]

I actually thought it was in their contract that had to stay at Ponderosa until filming ended. The pre jury usually goes on a trip elsewhere before the jury arrives and then they are all flown back to the U.S. at the same time. Did Vytas really use Twitter and/or Facebook while filming was going on? I know they left directly from CBS Televison City and were in Cambodia for about 2 weeks before filming. I'm surprised that they let home go because he was being a baby about being voted out first,

[LadyChatts]

From what I remember, there are very rare exceptions where they let people go home before filming ends (with the one big exception of the first season, I think they were way more flexible there).  However, the only people I remember being allowed to go home while filming was going on was Jenna Morasca, Brandon Hantz, and Kathy from Micronesia.  Unless Vytas threw a huge fit or they were concerned about his mental state, that would be the only reason I can think of they would let him leave.  He certainly played it up like he was out there the whole time.

[BigRedCheese]

They let Sugar go early because she swallowed a bottle of pills.

[LadyChatts]

It makes me disappointed for people who would have just liked the second chance-first boot or not.  Especially those who probably have no chance at getting another shot.  Someone had to be first.  And second.  Vytas deserved his boot, just like Shirin deserved hers.  It's a tough reality check, since Vytas seemed to think that he really was good at this game and Aras was the reason he didn't succeed before.

Edited October 6, 2015 by LadyChatts

[KimberStormer]

Pretty sure CBS can't hold you against your will anywhere, contract or no contract.

[rose711]

Brad Culpepper left early too as I recall.

I found out after Vytas was voted out that he had taught a yoga class while filming was still going on. People who followed him or maybe his yoga studio on Facebook got a notification about it and so they were spoiled.

I can honestly see CBS letting someone with a young child go home early, there has to be some compassionate exceptions to requiring people to stay in Ponderosa and go on a trip they don't want. They had already been away from home for a while before the season started filming.

[ByaNose]

But if he had made the merge or even the jury he would have been there longer. So, his daughter is less important if he stayed later? I guess if production didn't have a problem with it why should I. That said, I'm glad I didn't check his Twitter during that time. I don't like spoilers and I would have hated knowing he had been voted out first. Because I was actually surprised that he was first. Even, with the creepy storyline edit he got I didn't think he would be first. I thought they would keep the tribe strong and vote out either Abi or Shirin.

[rose711]

But if he had made the merge or even the jury he would have been there longer. So, his daughter is less important if he stayed later? I guess if production didn't have a problem with it why should I. That said, I'm glad I didn't check his Twitter during that time. I don't like spoilers and I would have hated knowing he had been voted out first. Because I was actually surprised that he was first. Even, with the creepy storyline edit he got I didn't think he would be first. I thought they would keep the tribe strong and vote out either Abi or Shirin.

I can see it's different if you are playing the game and have to be there or you are sitting around being bored at Ponderosa.

I think if they had gone back to camp instead of instantly gone to tribal that Abi or Shirin would have gone home.

[LadyChatts]

I would think it would be in the contract that you have to wait until filming is over before you can go home (again, except for the extreme circumstances).  While I understand that Vytas has a small child (or is children?) at home, it just smacks more of being a sore loser.  I mean, everyone gave up a lot to go out there.  Carolyn quit her job and didn't even get selected.  Didn't someone saw Candice postponed her wedding to go on HvsV?  And Kelly Goldsmith quit her job for the first AS, only to get bumped.  People have to re-arrange their lives, leave their kids, jobs, etc., and know that anything can happen while they are gone.  It's like the people who go out there and quit, because they seemed to fail to connect the dots that the TV show they were watching and signed up for really required them to live in the elements and in a bamboo shelter with little food or good hygiene.  At any rate, I'm glad Vytas is gone, and I'm sorry he ever got on in the first place.

 

I do agree that if they had gone back to camp, Vytas might have stood a chance.  I think he might have been able to flip it to Shirin.  Somehow I think if they had been able to go back and do a strategy session, Abi still would have escaped the vote.

Edited October 6, 2015 by LadyChatts

[ProfCrash]

I believe he has a one year old at home or a child who is about to be one.

 

Production cannot force him to stay in Cambodia. I would hope that his early departure means that he forfeited his stipend, any winnings (even first out gets something for playing), the reunion money, and a future chance at playing. It is a game that runs for 39 days. You have to get there in advance for the pregame nd be thre for the 39 days. That is what you sign up for.

 

I understand leaving due to a serious health crisis at home. I understand leaving because of a massive flood/earhtquake/life changing event that your family needs you for. I do not understand leaving because you are pissed off you were the first person voted out. And that is what Vytas did.

 

I do get how hard it is to leave your young child. They grow and change so fast. But if you are worried about losing out on seeing your child grow and change over a 2 month period you should not go at all. Your sacrifice is not more noble because you were voted out fifth or third then being voted out first. He had a 1 in 20 chance of winning, probably worse then that when you get into true odds makers territory because of his past reputation. He knew that when he went.

 

Bittercakes, party of one.

[seacliffsal]

It feels like Vytas used having a young child when it suited his purposes. Don't leave in the first place and then complain about it. Nobody forced him to go on Survivor for a second time. The whole 'a million dollars would change my child's life' as a justification for leaving said child is a bit ridiculous as there is no guarantee that said person will win. I agree with above posters that it was bittercakes. He couldn't believe that he was first out and didn't want to stay around when others arrives as he probably felt he was a 'better player' than everyone else and it would hurt his pride to have them come and join him.

[Skeeter22]

Vytas isn't the first contestant to leave early and he won't be the last. I seriously doubt he'll be barred from the reunion or future seasons because he didn't want to stay. I've heard that they try to be accommodating when early boots want to leave, especially with returning players.

[ProfCrash]

And that is a shame. It is a spoiler. People will spot him, it will be reported, and it does let people know what is going to happen. They know folks are looking for spoilers.

 

I get allowing a contestant who is at Ponderosa to go home early if there is an emergency. There is an illness and they need to go home andhelp. There is a flood or some disaster and they need to go and help. Maybe even they will lose their job if they are gone for X number of days and since they are out before that time period they can go home so they don't lose their job.

 

Honestly, Vytas knew how long he needed to be out there. He knows how long the game is and had a good idea what the length of the pre-game was going to be. He signed up to be out there for that period of time. If he felt that he needed to be home with his child so badly he should not have agreed to go out and play. So it was ok to be away from his small child if he got to point X in the game, that point has not been defined, but before then it is not worth it. He should have run the numbers and figured out if he could be voted out before whatever that point was.

 

He knew his reputation. He knew how people were talking about him. He knew that there was a good chance that he would be out before the merge. He was a stronger man who has a reputation for being manipulative, at least one player form his season and connections to a number of other seasons. He also lasted longer then he might have in his first season because of a pregame alliance. He had target written all over him.

 

I hope he does not return to the show. I didn't like his game play int he first season. I don't like how he handled his departure this season. I understand being disappointed but he left when he should have stayed. Unless we hear that the baby was seriously ill or his wife was seriously ill or something happened, he left because he was disappointed to be voted out first.

[rose711]

Vytas isn't the first contestant to leave early and he won't be the last. I seriously doubt he'll be barred from the reunion or future seasons because he didn't want to stay. I've heard that they try to be accommodating when early boots want to leave, especially with returning players.

Brad Culpepper was a candidate for second chances and he left early. I think he left because of needing to be home for his business?

I don't think Vytas will come back though you never know.

[ProfCrash]

Because he was embarrassed. Because his brother won and he was the first voted out in the only season he played solo and didn't have his little brothers pregame alliance to take care of him. Because he is throwing a temper tantrum.

 

In his mind, he had won the season before going out there. He was going to be awesome. He was going to show the world how his brother held him back the last time.

 

And he went out first.

 

I get that it sucks to go out first. It has sucked for 31-32 other people. There was one season where two people didn't even make it onto a tribe. It must really suck to be on a second chance season and be the first oen out. You know who it really sucked for? Francesca. She was voted out first in two seasons. To the best of my knowledge she sucked it up both times and stayed the entire 39 days.

 

I had no clue Brad Culpepper had left early. It makes me happy as all hell and gone that I did not vote for him for Second Chances. I didn't like him in his first season, which is why I didn't vote for him, but leaving early is wrong. Unless there is a real serious reason to leave, you know that you risk being the first person out or before the jury. You stay.

 

There are many reasons why I will never audition for a show like this. This is one of those reasons. I don't want to leave my family for that length of time.

[ljenkins782]

Vytas isn't the first contestant to leave early and he won't be the last. I seriously doubt he'll be barred from the reunion or future seasons because he didn't want to stay. I've heard that they try to be accommodating when early boots want to leave, especially with returning players.

 

I'm surprised to hear that they try to to be accommodating since the whole purpose is to not spoil the whole season. And with social media being what it is, it's easier than ever to spread the word of a sighting.

 

It feels like Vytas used having a young child when it suited his purposes. Don't leave in the first place and then complain about it.

 

Sounds about standard for Vytas. He comes across as so manipulative in general. 

 

Because he was embarrassed. Because his brother won and he was the first voted out in the only season he played solo and didn't have his little brothers pregame alliance to take care of him. Because he is throwing a temper tantrum.

In his mind, he had won the season before going out there. He was going to be awesome. He was going to show the world how his brother held him back the last time.

 

I actually really enjoyed the dynamics of the Vytas/Aras relationship on BvW and it wasn't until the very end of Vytas' run that I started to find him smarmy and manipulative. 

 

And I may be misremembering, but the way the edit presented Vytas' boot episode, it seemed like he went too aggressive on the "avenge my brother's boot" attitude. My recollection is that he was fairly well-positioned on the all-female tribe and when Aras got booted, his focus changed to getting out the people who booted him. Is that what he thinks tanked his game last time? 

[LadyChatts]

I'm thinking Vytas didn't believe he had a reputation-or at least, that it was a bad one.  There was speculation over the SM activity from Vytas (it was limited, but one eagle eyed poster caught him liking a photo on IG on what would have been day 9 of the game, and then there was a post on his yoga FB he would be teaching on what was the final day of filming).  There were different theories that maybe it was actually Vytas or that there was some logical explanation.  However, many agreed it was probably Vytas and he had sour grapes, so he likely wanted to at least spoil his boot.  Production may not be able to keep you at Ponderosa, and I don't know if they can withhold any money if you leave pre-jury Ponderosa.  But I guess they can retaliate by editing you as a creepy yoga instructor with bad taste in underwear.

[Nashville]

I'm surprised to hear that they try to to be accommodating since the whole purpose is to not spoil the whole season. And with social media being what it is, it's easier than ever to spread the word of a sighting.

Maybe Legal has been dropping the ball on keeping the network/player contracts current with the times?

When Survivor first started its run in 2000, the current concept of social media did not yet exist, other than maybe AOL, and school kids playing around on Xanga. The Friendster/ MySpace/ Facebook cascade didn't start until 2002, and Twitter didn't show up until 2006.

If the boilerplate in the player contracts hasn't been subjected to periodic review, the contracts may not even address social media restrictions.

[ProfCrash]

They have addressed it. Season 29 was not allowed to use twitter or discuss the show on social media at all. Season 31 was allowed to Twitter away so they are trying to find a balance.

[ByaNose]

And, Season 30 (TheDirtyThirthy.....whatever!) tweeted out the wazoo! I was somewhat spoiled but that season since they were all tweeting and loving each other which was odd since a lot of them were pre jury. I was like, "why is Mike so friendly with Max when they barely played with each other?" So, I'm glad I didn't check Vytas and his Twitter because I knew he should have been in Cambodia. Anyway, he's gone and the game is progressing nicely. I'm not sure if he would,come back now or,even be asked. His story really was about being Aras the winners brother. Now, Vytas has been a first boot and inthinkmthats where it will end.

[LadyChatts]

Vytas Baskauskas ‏@vytasyoga  34m34 minutes ago

@JeffProbst great season through and through. Bummed I'm not invited to participate in the finale with all my castmates!

 

 

Vytas tweeted this earlier.  Apparently he isn't even allowed to be in the audience.  He left to go home after he was voted off, he said to be with his son.  Wonder if more happened after his boot?  Seems kind of weird, if Vytas just wanted to go home with his little boy, and was the first boot off, why they wouldn't let him participate in the reunion.  It's not like he would have gotten much, if any, airtime anyway.

[Nashville]

Vytas tweeted this earlier.  Apparently he isn't even allowed to be in the audience.  He left to go home after he was voted off, he said to be with his son.  Wonder if more happened after his boot?  Seems kind of weird, if Vytas just wanted to go home with his little boy, and was the first boot off, why they wouldn't let him participate in the reunion.  It's not like he would have gotten much, if any, airtime anyway.

IF his early departure (and/or its attendant circumstances) was in fact a contract violation, then by all means TPTB are going to hold the hard line on it.

They would be idiots not to.

To do otherwise would set an indefensible precedent in terms of legally enforcing the contracts.

[LadyChatts]

IF his early departure (and/or its attendant circumstances) was in fact a contract violation, then by all means TPTB are going to hold the hard line on it.

They would be idiots not to.

To do otherwise would set an indefensible precedent in terms of legally enforcing the contracts.

 

You are probably right.  Considering spoilers leaked out and that Vytas was spotted on SM about 9 days after the game started, I wonder if that has anything to do with it (not to mention he posted he was teaching a yoga class on what would have been the final filming day).  He said something about he wish they'd re-consider.  So it does sound like it could be a contractual thing.  I don't see how they can stop him from living life if he goes back home.  This might be a production discretion.  Jeff said that, post merge if anyone quits, they have the right to withhold their prize money and their spot on the jury.  I have a feeling they could also exclude them from the finale if they wanted.  It just seems weird, but I guess they could see it as Vytas having bitter grapes.  He was one of the ones who said he wished he hadn't been voted back on since he went out first.  

 

I guess we won't be seeing Vytas for a third time.

[Guest]

Vytas tweeted this earlier.  Apparently he isn't even allowed to be in the audience.  He left to go home after he was voted off, he said to be with his son.  Wonder if more happened after his boot?  Seems kind of weird, if Vytas just wanted to go home with his little boy, and was the first boot off, why they wouldn't let him participate in the reunion.  It's not like he would have gotten much, if any, airtime anyway.

Did he say he wasn't even going to be in the audience?  I just wonder if "participate" means "be on stage, asked questions".  (I was one of the few who liked the pre-merge boots just fine in the audience, off stage.)

 

I don't fault them not paying people the reported $10,000 fee to show up for the finale if people didn't hold up their end.  But it doesn't sound like Survivor.  Russell leaked stuff and got invited back to play again.  And Woo had his broken rules the first time and got invited back.  

[slowpoked]

Did he say he wasn't even going to be in the audience?  I just wonder if "participate" means "be on stage, asked questions".  (I was one of the few who liked the pre-merge boots just fine in the audience, off stage.)

Vytas said in a follow-up tweet that he also can't sit in the audience. Basically, he's banned from the entire show.

[Guest]

Thanks.  Well, good for them.  I thought Vytas acted like a big baby, refusing to stay at Ponderosa.  Though that really is a sucky Ponderosa and I might've been tempted, facing a month there.  But then again, it's a month-long hosted vacation in a foreign land and you signed a contract.  

[LadyChatts]

Did he say he wasn't even going to be in the audience?  I just wonder if "participate" means "be on stage, asked questions".  (I was one of the few who liked the pre-merge boots just fine in the audience, off stage.)

 

I don't fault them not paying people the reported $10,000 fee to show up for the finale if people didn't hold up their end.  But it doesn't sound like Survivor.  Russell leaked stuff and got invited back to play again.  And Woo had his broken rules the first time and got invited back.  

 

That's why I say, I think it is producer discretion.  Vytas was a first boot that added nothing to the season (besides creepy yoga and colorful underwear) so the only thing Jeff could really ask him is to compare this season with his last-which he did much better at, and likely has his brother to thank for.  If this were, say, Varner I think they might make the exception.  I really don't think a lot of the pre-merge people will get a lot of airtime, anyway (they usually don't).  I think just Varner and Terry.

 

Thanks.  Well, good for them.  I thought Vytas acted like a big baby, refusing to stay at Ponderosa.  Though that really is a sucky Ponderosa and I might've been tempted, facing a month there.  But then again, it's a month-long hosted vacation in a foreign land and you signed a contract.

 

 

Vytas would have only been at Ponderosa for 16 or so days.  Shirin said they went to Vietnam once the merge happened.  So it would have been a couple of weeks.  I guess I'm not too disappointed he left early, only because I would have felt deprived of not getting the Ponderosa footage of him and Shirin having to live together alone for 3 days before PG showed up.  I do agree that he probably threw a serious tantrum after being voted off, and I wonder if just his presence on SM and him giving that away made TPTB lean towards not letting him back.  My opinion had always been, there are tons of former Survivors who are begging for a second chance and would have gladly taken the opportunity to be in his shoes, even if it was only for 3 days.  He went in way too cocky that he was going to do well, and I don't think I've ever been happier to see someone eliminated first.  Especially because his first experience was playing with his brother, and he thought he could do better without him.

Edited December 15, 2015 by LadyChatts

[fishcakes]

I wonder if there's more to it than that Vytas possibly violated his contract. The only other person who's ever been banned was Brandon and that's because he was being so nutso on social media about Special Agent Phil that TPTB were afraid of what would happen if they were both on stage. Then they put the rest of the pre-merge people in the audience to make it less obvious that Brandon wasn't there. So banning isn't something they seem to take lightly probably because it reflects badly on the show when the players are unpredictable enough that they can't be trusted to sit in the back row and be ignored by Jeff for 43 minutes. Vytas has been more bitter than the average bootee, but he doesn't seem to to have done or said anything publicly that would get him banned. There could be something going on behind the scenes or Vytas could just be a big drama baby liar. 50-50 chance, I'd say.

[ByaNose]

I wonder if Vytas was told this before leaving after getting voted out. If he was told then, I don't think he should be bitching (tweeting) about it now. He made a choice & now the TPTB made a choice. You have to accept the responsibility. I will say I was really spoiler free because I had no idea he was back in the U.S. tweeting. I don't tweet but I will check some of the Survivors tweets. I'm glad I wasn't spoiled by it. I was actually shocked he was voted out first. I thought it was going to be Abi. Boy! Was I ever wrong about that. LOL!!

Edited December 15, 2015 by ByaNose

[LadyChatts]

I wonder if Vytas was told this before leaving after getting voted out. If he was told then I don't he should be bitching (tweeting) about it now. He made a choice & TPTB made a choice. You have to accept the responsibility. I will say I was really spoiler free because I had no idea he was back in the U.S. tweeting. I don't tweet but will check some of Survivors tweets. I'm glad I wasn't spoiled by it. Because I was actually shocked he was voted out first. I thought it was going to be Abi. Boy! Was I ever wrong about that. LOL!!

 

Yeah, Shirin, PG, Woo, and anyone else affected by Hurrican Abi probably wish it had been Abi in hindsight.  I do read spoilers, but even I was shocked she managed to last as long as she did.  I figured something had to be wrong there.  And the fact she was considered a swing vote in many cases!  Someone called Vytas out on being active on SM and starting the time line of events for spoiler sleuths, and maybe that was the real reason TPTB didn't want him back.  His defense was only the people looking for spoilers will find them.  Which pretty much agreed with what that person said to him.  It could be he was told ahead of time; he did say he was hoping they'd re-consider, but I wonder if they didn't tell him in advance so he couldn't raise a stink about it all season and possibly help confirm any spoilers out there.  He wasn't there to get any info first hand, but I can't believe he didn't at least hear bits and pieces.  I wonder how (or if) Jeff will explain his absence.  Besides Brandon, and now Vytas, has anyone else ever been banned from the reunion (or not been present?)  I know Brenda also was absent from the Caramoan reunion because of her pregnancy, but I can't remember anyone else besides those two.  Unless you count Jerri leaving during the middle of the AS reunion after being booed.  

[Special K]

It's almost like he didn't bother thinking about the ramifications of the contract, because he couldn't imagine being the first person out.

It's like what they always say about going to Harvard (or any other ivy):  basically everyone there was high school valedictorian, and someone has to be at the bottom of the heap!  No one thinks it's going to be them!

 

Or else he should shut up about it and be comfortable with his decision to choose his child over a TV show!

[Special K]

It'll be interesting to see what Jeff says at the reunion.  In the old days, he would have spouted something like, "Unfortunately Vytas couldn't be with us tonight."  But in the post-Dan era of naughty-contestant shaming, who knows?  Maybe he'll say, "We wish Vytas could be here, but he violated his contract with us."

[LadyChatts]

It'll be interesting to see what Jeff says at the reunion.  In the old days, he would have spouted something like, "Unfortunately Vytas couldn't be with us tonight."  But in the post-Dan era of naughty-contestant shaming, who knows?  Maybe he'll say, "We wish Vytas could be here, but he violated his contract with us."

 

I hope he does call him out.  He deserves it.  

 

The one thing I might be iffy on is if this is production discretion.  I'm fine with having rules and penalties for people who either quit the game or violate their contract in some way (even if it is loosely violating it).  But I think it should apply to everyone, not just who the producers decide it should.  I know during the Nicaragua finale, when Jeff mentioned the new rule about quitters being on the jury, he said then it would be producer discretion.  I think that might be the case here.  

Edited December 15, 2015 by LadyChatts

[ProfCrash]

Vytas choose to leave Ponderosa early. I have no problem with his not being invited to the reunion.

[Bryce Lynch]

Vytas choose to leave Ponderosa early. I have no problem with his not being invited to the reunion.

Does the first person voted out even go to Ponderosa? I thought only the jurors stayed there.

[LadyChatts]

Does the first person voted out even go to Ponderosa? I thought only the jurors stayed there.

 

The pre-mergers go to Ponderosa until the merge.  Then they all go on a trip, usually to a nearby country, until filming is over.  This season they went to Vietnam, last season some of the pre-mergers posted pics after the season was over of their trip to Costa Rica.

[ProfCrash]

Pre jury stays at Ponderosa until the Jury starts. They leave for a trip when the last non juror joins them. This year it was Shirin, Peih Gee, Monica, Jeff and Woo in Vietnam. Vytas left early and Terry left because of his son.

[LadyChatts]

Someone called Vytas out about posting on his SM accounts during filming and if that's the real reason he was banned.  He said it was his assistant, not him, that was posting.  Maybe for the FB I can understand.  However, there was a photo that he (or someone) from his IG account liked about 9 days into the game.  Some people did wonder if it as a coincidence or if he had someone messing with the spoiler public.  But that seems like an odd thing for his assistant to do.  Anyway, good riddance to him.  I do hope Probst doesn't ignore his absence.  I want him to point it out, if for any other reason than to send a message to future contestants (and possible second chancers) not to be such sore losers.  I believe that's really why Vytas went home.

 

I wonder if he made that post on SM in hopes that enough fans would complain and he'd get re-invited.  If that's the case, I'm glad it seems to be failing.

Edited December 16, 2015 by LadyChatts

[pennben]

Vytas choose to leave Ponderosa early. I have no problem with his not being invited to the reunion.

 

I agree.  I didn't really have a problem with him leaving early, but I also have absolutely no problem with CBS enforcing whatever rules there are as to someone who leaves early.

[ByaNose]

The first time I heard that he didn't stay at Ponderosa was during his exit interview with EW. At the time, I thought iwas odd becasue Burnett and Company have always been serious about everything being a secret. I'm sure he was told that he was in violation of his contract and would be forfeiting his stipend (which I think is only $1000 for a first boot....might be more for an. All-Star) and, not being invited to the finale. He probably thought they wouldn't enforce it and bolted. Of course, going on Twitter and cc'ing Probst was dumb. In the words of Dan Foley. You don't F with Probst. LOL!!!

[LadyChatts]

I believe that there is also an appearance fee for the reunion show that all the Survivors get for attending.  Not sure how much it is, but he'll be missing out on that.  Classic case of someone throwing a tantrum and being sorry five minutes later.  Damage is done.