Survivor - Samoa

I don't know if I missed it but I did not see a thread on this show yet. I am surprised since the show starts tomorrow. I am never a fan of the large group and like the classic survivor with 16 contestants and a finale two. I hope this large group does not mean we are back to a finale three.

It seems all of the advertising on CBS is focusing on the "evil" Russell. I have never seen Survivor resort to this tactic in promoting itself. Not that I mind

Maybe because they have never promoted an "evil" guy that they thought they would give it a shot.  I like when the show has a wide variety of people.  It's always good to have people to hate on the show (Coach).  This guy probably will be a little over the top, and may not last long.

Probst's initial impressions of the contestants:


http://www.cbs.com/e/2aKDItLfh7J1nLqGkYahERM1dcFiuvnY/cbs/1

Can't stand watching a-holes, so I'm not enjoying white Russell and the edit he's getting.

I thought the premiere was decent but it was way too much of The Russell Show. People may not remember, since he got so much airtime throughout the season, but even Coach last season only had a small scene in the Tocantins premiere. And even though I think he was aware of the cameras, Coach felt a lot more genuine. Russell's strategy seems to be "I want to dominate the edited show and get a spot on the next All-Stars season."


Warning Spoiler! Click to show I'm not crazy about seasons with more than 16 contestants either and I definitely hope we don't have a final three to end this one. There's no easier way to ruin a finale than by pulling that, and frankly there's no easier way to drag down an entire season than by starting with 20 contestants so I'm not feeling Samoa just yet.

That sawed-off little hairless troll Russell can't last, he's being far too brazen and open about how big of a prick he's being.

He will be caught eventually if he keeps up the way he is.

Does anyone else see Charles Manson in Russell? I do, his eyes suggest a complete socialpath.... he has GOT to be the most devious player to date but his tactics will write his ticket home soon I hope, Marissa stared down the devil and got burned.

I thought the season was off to a smashing start.  I figure Russell will get his come-uppance soon enough.  it seems as if the lady cop is on to him already.  It can't take TOO long before the rest of the group catches on.

I'm surprised they didn't show more of the apparent rift between Marissa and that other guy.  So much to squeeze into a single hour.  They should have two hour season premieres to get to know the players better. 

He is getting so much air time now because he will probably be gone next week.

I loved the show and was surprised to see a black guy that can swim really good and a first vote that did not involve age. I have watched this show every season and those things normally do not happen.

I think Russel will be voted out in the next couple of weeks and we saw so much of him because his time is limited. I must admit that I thought most of his stunts were funny and I hope he stays at least until the merge.

I enjoyed the premiere and looking forward to the whole season.   Several interesting characters that will be fun to watch.  

I don't mind 20 contestants, but do agree that a final 2 is more fitting than 3.  It certainly is more "fair" for the 2 that struggle and make it to the end. 

Russell is going to make this season interesting.  I don't see him lasting too long primarily because he's been given so much promotion and so much spotlight already.  

However, I bet whatever it is that is deserving of all this hype hasn't even happened yet, so it will be fun to watch it unfold. 

 I thought this was the weirdest season opener to date. I don't know what to think about what might happen.

Probst's blog for episode 1:

http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/09/18/jeff-probst-blogs-survivor-samoa-episode-1/

I think Shamu might be a more appropriate nickname than Shambo. 

I only thought of that because my wife mistakenly referred to her as Sham-wow during a conversation! 

Hmm... now that you mention it...


Charles Manson & Russell

BTW, did Russell piss himself to just be, you know... extra offensive?

Just finished watching the premiere on tape.  All I've got to say about Russell is that I absolutely hate a-holes like this and everything they stand for....but damn it's entertaining to watch him as he causes chaos in the camp.  I guess even a-holes have a purpose too.

I couldn't believe he burned the dude's socks. I know he wants to be a trouble maker, but damn.

I missed this week's show because I forgot to add it to my
Tivo.  Thank God for being able to watch it on CBS online.

So, here we are.  A new season of SURVIVOR, my third
one since talked into watching it three years ago -- and I
am psyched.  Always been one of my favorite shows
despite my feelings its scripted to a small extent.

I will say the same thing I said at the beginning of Tocantins
in that I'm not yet really diggin' anybody.  It's like starting
a book where you really don't know the characters and like
a book, by the end of the show, you are so vested in the
few people that remain.

As much of an asshole Russell is, I like the fact that 
there is this little evil midget upsetting the game.  I mean,
how boring would the show be without someone like this?
Not the way I would ever play the game, but certainly looking
to see if it works for him.  And you know what?  I hope it
works for a while and then he gets what is coming to him.

I had to laugh about how he was calling the women his
"dumbasses."  It doesn't appear to be too many young,
smart women on the show this time out.  Not sure if any
of them are extreme eye candy either.  Usually there is
really one or two very hot women on the show, but right
now, nobody that I am personally attracted to.  Perhaps
SHANBO?!

Great to see Hanson Yoo back in full force.  Funny stuff!

Ron, just FYI but if your enjoying the show you should consider checking out season one, I just watched it for the very first time this past week and it's actually quite amazing how simple and charming the first one was, and fun.

I felt that I wanted to see this small piece of TV history that I missed out on the first time to see how it all began and it was well worth my time, it didn't even matter that I already knew who won lol.

Season 1 is amazing--a lot of people who watch it after seeing later seasons think it moves too slowly but it's by far the most compelling group of characters ever cast on the show. If you think Russell is entertaining, there are at least a half-dozen far more memorable contestants in the first season.

Of course, it's worth watching every season but the first four seasons are especially excellent and essential.

The first seasons honesty and simplicity is what I liked most about it, they didn't purposefully cast anyone blatantly sadistic like Russell, they just came up with a novel idea and gathered a group of average people together to live and work together on an island and we watched what happened.

I think that any new fan of the show owes it to themselves to go back and see how this phenomenon began, to see how the show has changed from then to now, I wasn't prepared for how different it was, most of the shows staples were in place but some had yet to come along.

And man, that Colleen Haskel was a real cutie.

That remark should prompt a visit from Patrick Sun!  

Ron:  I'm with everyone else about seeking out a copy of season one.  Think about it.  No one had ANY idea what they were doing or how things were going to work...ow what was even going to happen--not even Probst in a couple of situations. 

In this new season, people land on their home base and immediately start hooking up in alliances.  In season one, they didn't even know what alliances were--let alone even think to use the word to describe the cliques that were forming among the cast.  It is an evolutionary watch.  Real 'must-see TV" for any Survivor fan. 

I'll chime in and say not only is season 1 a must see, but season 2 in the Australian Outback was even better. Obviously there have been other great seasons in the show's run, but those two really stand out as a couple of the very best.

Ron....that description of Russell made me laugh.  Maybe we should just refer to Russell as a little evil midget from now on....the Mini-me of survivor. 

I love that Russell has come to stir up some crazy S%@t! it's going to be fun if he can last a while. I love that he is completely making up stuff and doing what he can to be annoying and ruin the fun for everyone else. Sometimes it's good to have people play the game differently. I am all for it. I despise him, but I love him at the same time.

Russell is different from Coach in that he doesn't actually believe these outlandish stories he tells, he is obviously doing it for s#$ts and giggles, while Coach truly thinks he is a Dragon Slayer/jungle/rennaisance man. Coach was delusional. Russell is just bored!!

Kudos to the seperated at birth Survival version!

Brandi Chastain & Betsy

Back off Sun, Haskell is mine!  There's never been a Survivor cutie like Colleen.  I even bought a ticket to see The Animal in the theaters.  Did you ever do that Sun?  Huh?

I'll settle for my Dolly lust (she who leveraged her status as the deciding vote into a far-too-early exit from the game).