Survivor: Season 39: Island of the Idols (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

Wayne,

I have always talked about my love/hate relationship with this show.

As a viewer, we are manipulated. We are shown only things the Producers want to be shown in an effort to sway our mind that things are going a particular way.

I have no doubt this show is scripted (to a point).

Still, it succeeds in keeping us entertained week after week.

And, yes, I can't believe that there was no discussion about what goes on in the Island of Idols.

 

[David Weicker]

I can definitely believe it.

If they’ve watched prior seasons, they’ve realized that the stupidest thing you can do is yap about a secret.

Not telling people is smart. Information is power. Shared information is a ticket to being voted off.

 

[Dheiner]

I like both Rob and Sandra, but, I think their inclusion is taking away from the internal tribal interaction we are shown.
In addition, I think we're missing out on discussions of what happens at Idol Island, because without some discussion, why did everyone assume that Vince had an idol?

 

[Mike Frezon]

why did everyone assume that Vince had an idol?

Because they knew he got sent to some place called "Island of the Idols."

They didn't "know" he had an idol, of course, but immediately talked about splitting their votes "just in case."

 

[Hollywoodaholic]

Could Boston Rob's eyes look more bloodshot or fried? Methinks he's using this gig for some partying at the Ponderosa.

 

[Hollywoodaholic]

Okay, that was one of the funniest moments I've ever seen on Survivor when loud mouth Noura returns from the Idols island, convinces her tribe to name her the caller on the next challenge with the lamest lie ever, they all agree, and then, when they get to the challenge, Probst asks her tribe who sits out and they all blurt out, "Noura." Cold. So very cold. But hysterical.

And the fact loud mouth no filter Noura never blabbed about Boston Rob and Sandra on Island of Idols further convinces me they all must sign some kind of NDA to keep it a secret, because there's just no way she would have, otherwise.

 

[David Weicker]

Okay, that was one of the funniest moments I've ever seen on Survivor when loud mouth Noura returns from the Idols island, convinces her tribe to name her the caller on the next challenge with the lamest lie ever, they all agree, and then, when they get to the challenge, Probst asks her tribe who sits out and they all blurt out, "Noura." Cold. So very cold. But hysterical.

And the fact loud mouth no filter Noura never blabbed about Boston Rob and Sandra on Island of Idols further convinces me they all must sign some kind of NDA to keep it a secret, because there's just no way she would have, otherwise.

I don’t think an NDA would stop Noura

I truly loved Rob’s comment about her being perceptive, but not reality

 

[Mike Frezon]

About halfway through the time Noura was visiting with Rob and Sandra, I hit the pause button and said to my wife, "from the way Rob is talking to Noura, you can tell she is talking too much (and not listening to them) and he doesn't like it." I hit the play button and Rob went into his spiel about how she was in her own world and not "Survivor world."

 

[Patrick Sun]

Kinda eye-rolling to see these folks get sent home with idols unplayed.

 

[ChristopherG]

First, i hope I never find out under what circumstances I would call Applebee’s a reward. Second, the faux excitement the contestants showed for said Applebee’s when jeff revealed it was the “biggest reward of the season” was actually nauseating. Finally, the commercial within a show we were forced to watch may make me drop this dumb show again.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

I agree that the commercialism in the show is way over the top. Even having the survivor contestants raving about how great Applebees is.

What pissed me off more is that this week's show was a perfect example of how viewers are manipulated.

We were led to believe that either Dean or Karishma was being sent home. At one point, a very brief comment was made about getting rid of the strongest person, who would be Tom. However, that was terribly underplayed and obviously, the viewers were left out of the pre-tribal conversations where getting rid of Tom was discussed. There were too many votes for him and nothing revealed about the discussions leading up to it.

This is the kind of manipulation that pisses me off. Survivor tried to surprise the viewers with end votes that come out of nowhere instead of allowing us to see the discussions leading up to them.

 

[Hollywoodaholic]

Yes, they now edit for surprise versus revealing a narrative.

But the second funniest thing I've seen this season was all that excitement for Applebee's. The only way that happens is if the alternative is starvation. And the real competition this week seemed to be who could provide the most enthusiastic soundbite for the commercial. I was more amused than bothered because we've come to expect these occasional product placement moments in the show, but that was definitely over the top. What next, dueling breadsticks from The Olive Garden?

 

[GlennF]

Have been a steadfast viewer for years. Not in love with this season - have almost -almost- stopped watching. Don't like the Boston Rob, Sandra thing. Tired of them. Can't say their "advice" is anything much for anyone who has watched the series. And yes, the APPLEBEES was a new low. If that is the best reward they have coming it is time to stop putting out as much effort on the reward challenges.

 

[David Weicker]

I don’t feel that the Applebee’s stuff was out of place. More old school

I remember the fawning over Target and the fawning over Sears, not to mention the cars (and their curse).

And who could forget the rewards of watching Jack And Jill or Gulliver’s Travels

 

[Mike Frezon]

I believe at one point someone referred to the Applebees meal as the "ultimate reward."

And I thought that was Colby's Pontiac Aztec!

Wouldn't it be something to know the history of whatever happened to that car?!?

 

[Paul D G]

there's little I can say that's not already been mentioned, but I will say the only thing I'm enjoying about Rob and Sandra is their commentary during the tribal councils.

 

[MarkMel]

I've been watching this season halfheartedly. I will say this last episode is great!

I like Elaine and was happy she got the upper hand, I hope she makes it to the end.

 

[Mike Frezon]

There was a real sense of kismet that after we learned Elaine was on the chopping block she got the opportunity to go to the Island of Idols and take full opportunity of her situation.

Bye bye, Jason!

 

[Hollywoodaholic]

Very entertaining episode. But my next question is "Why does Boston Rob have to build a shelter?" I assumed he and Sandra got to stay at the Ponderosa or with the crew and didn't have to 'rough it' like other survivors. I definitely would have checked that in my contract to return as an idol.

 

[Mike Frezon]

That was one hell of a shelter though!

I'm glad we're just getting snippets of Rob & Sandra. It seems like just the right amount. What we're getting is choice...and there's not too much to take away from the contestants. Their observations during tribals are great.