Watch the video: [click here to watch]

Download the video: TheAmazingAlt.avi

Podcast: tcSURV080524.mp3

Check out Mikey’s new venture, www.tingie.com (inspired by tinge - to apply a trace of color). Watch. Listen. Discover some color. The site is an online entertainment channel where select artists can showcase their works. You can also download music and artwork for a small fee and there is free content, too. If you are interested in submitting work or providing financial sponsorship contact Mike at mikeyb [at] tingie.com (make proper replacements)

During the finale show we will have the chat open so you can talk with your friends - come join the fun at www.survivor.tubecasts.com/liveshow To change your name (be as creative as possible) type /nick XXXXXX (replacing the XXs with the name of choice) at the prompt. I go for the simple /nick Marji but others are much better as /nick NataliesNipples or /nick ThePointyStick to name a few.

As aways, thank you so much for joining us for the live shows, for participating on the blog and for listening! We do really appreciate it.

Peter (the Parental apostle) attempts to mend the ways of Judas (Michael Bortone) as he is coveting the neighbor’s wife in “The Last Supper”

Podcast: tcSURV080509.mp3

After winning the immunity challenge he picks Amanda to join him on his reward and sends Parvarti to Exile. Natalie is annoyed.

To win the immunity challenge each player must take two ropes, pull them across a circle using the coordinates given to him/her and where the ropes cross dig to find puzzle pieces. By solving the puzzle, it gives each person new coordinates and he has to dig again. Erik leads the challenge and wins! He has a guaranteed spot in the final four.

Back at camp the girls are scrambling. Cirie, ever thinking, gets an idea for Natalie to ask Erik for the necklace as a show of loyalty. If he does that then Cirie and Nat will vote for Parv. “That is a ridiculous idea. I can’t believe it could work.” says Nat.

The girls work it using the sex appeal, emotional appeal, and need to belong and at tribal Erik hands his immunity to Natalie.

Uggggghhhhhh - the girls giggle in their seats and one by one go up and cast their vote for Erik.

Bye Erik! James happily ends his reign as the dumbest Survivor and hands it to you.

Topics:

• Analysis of the final four

Predictions:

Thank you to all for your comments on the blog and participation in the show and chat this season. You make it great for us!

Podcast: tcSURV080508.mp3

This week, because it fit, we used a lot of Brother Love and Her and Kings County in the actual podcast. The songs were “Sick of Chicks” and “Silly Boy” by Brolo and “Deep Six” by H&KC — this episode of Surivor just BEGGED for them to be played. So to show gratitude to then and to keep them from pummeling us, go check out their albums Album of the Year and 1609 on iTunes. Buy early, buy often. Also, while at it, we’d like to thank Keith and The Girl, Madge Weinstein, Norm Augustinus, The Satan Cast and Armchair Kid Nation for letting us play their stuff on our feed during breaks and pre/post show, too.
Podcast: tcSURV080508.mp3

Amanda is sent to Exile and searches for the idol. She finds all the clues but has to wait until she returns to camp to find the idol - the idol is buried under the camp flag. Will she have time to look for it and if so find it?

James is called over by the medics and is medically evacuated to the hospital to get his infection under control. In true James fashion he mutters a few quiet words and then says “No use fretting about it. Going to get it done.” We are sorry you had to go James.

The immunity challenge involves saki and rifles - hmmm, interesting. Each tribe member must fire a rifle and break his/her three saki bottles - first to break all three wins immunity. Erik wins and the girls are scrambling.

At camp the group tells Amanda that she will be voted out. However, at tribal council, after an Academy award winning performance, Amanda pulls out the hidden idol shocking the tribe and cancelling out all of the votes for her. Alexis is gone.

Topics:

• Acting 101

Predictions:

Come join us for the live show and the chat. Favorite quote of the chat - they have the technology, they can rebuild him he will be faster, he will be stronger - the 0 million dollar man. Ohhh, poor James. Thank you for your comments!

Podcast: tcSURV080501.mp3

The food auction returns and a few win food and one loses and heads off to Exile Island. As the girls eat chocolate cake and Erik licks it off their fingers, Jason is busy at Exile looking for the idol. After a short search he finds the idol!

Reward challenge brings a few past challneges back too - breaking tiles, fitting puzzle pieces together to make a wheel, and using two planks to cross a rope bridge. In the end it is James vs. Erik. Happy birthday to you Erik - your present is the immunity idol

At camp the girls plot to make Jason comfortable in his place with the tribe, while behind his back plotting to make sure he or James are voted out.

Jason becomes too comfortable and trusting and in the end gets blindsided and like his idol, Ozzy, is off to the Pondi.

Thanks all for joining the live show and chat. We’ll be back either mid-week or by next Thursday. Please keep continuing your wit and humor throughout the week by posting on the blog.

Podcast: tcSURV080424.mp3

Live show again Thursday, 9:30 EST. Come join the fun.

Favorite quote of the show: “Some funk’s comin’ off the brother!” (Anthony Robinson, 2008)

Podcast: tcSURV080419.mp3

For the reward challenge the group is divided into two teams, one person swims out, crawls through a net tunnel and climbs a platform. On the platform are a series of symbols. The person studies the order of the symbols, swims back and then tries to duplicate the order of symbols. First team to correctly put the puzzle in order wins. There are to be two teams of four players - that means there is one player left over. Jason, Ozzy, Eric and Amanda are one team Natalie, James, Parvati and Alexis are on the other team. That leaves Cirie. Cirie is sent to Exile. Jason’s team wins! They fly off to Yap and enjoy dancing, feasting and … (well you all know what Mike would be saying).

The immunity challenge is simple in design - stand on a post with your arm in the air tethered to a bucket of water - drop your arm and you are out. 20 minutes into the challenge Cirie and Erik quit for a bowl of candy (why?????). The others drop out and with 6 hours into the challenge Parv tells Jason he should take Jeff’s offer of food and quit. Jason wants a guarantee that he won’t be voted out then and with fingers crossed everyone promises to not vote him out - so would you have believed them? Jason drops his arm, shares his food with the others and Parvati wins.

All think Jason is a fool to believe the promises but Cirie has a plan to make the move and vote Ozzy out. She pulls the group together and in the end Ozzy is the fool to not play his idol. Ozzy is out.

Topics:

• The game - outwit, outlast, outplay

Predictions:

Thank you everyone!!!!

Podcast: tcSURV080417.mp3

Armchair Survivor Bonus: Leif Garret - I’m Made for Dancing. Erik should probably avoid being associated with this — Leif was pretty lame in this video. No wonder he decided to get some street cred and do a little time.

In testifying about the good that the March of Dimes has brought to our society, there are two personal events Jerr has witness: the two lifes of our two children (Gabreille and Nicholas — they sometimes interrupt the show). Jerr’s niece and nephew are alive, in large part, because the March Of Dimes has worked very hard to improve the chances for those born prematurely (read more about the specifics here). Without the good March of Dimes brought to neonatology we would probably be parents only in name — with merely two urns of remains to call children. Instead, they lived. For that we are eternally grateful.

Once again, this year Jerr is doing his part to raise money for the March of Dimes so if you’d like to participate, please follow the links below. We and the March of Dimes appreciates anything anyone can do.

Click here to sponsor Jerr as he Walks for Babies	Click here to sign up to Walk For Babies yourself

Of course, if you do either, make sure to tell Jerr that Mike and Marji sent ya (it’s for bragging rights at Christmas and Thanxgivin’ — you know what an a-hole Mike likes to be).

Tribes are joined and questions of if old alliances hold or which “new” alliance will. Parvati joined with Alexis and Natalie and spoke for herself and Amanda and said that they were an alliance - Amanda is not too happy about that. Another alliance that isn’t making happy is Alexis’ alliance or budding showmance with Ozzy.

After the tribes merge and have a feast the immunity challenge is on! Each person must stand under a grate which is in the water. As the tide comes in there will be less and less room to breath - the last person standing wins. The last two standing are Ozzy and Jason and while Ozzy struggles and in the end gives up, Jason remains calm and easily wins.

Back at camp it appears that Eliza is marked for elimination as Parvati has had enough of her. Jason offers her the hidden immunity idol and they plot to vote off Ozzy. As Jason reveals the idol to her Eliza isn’t convinced - it is a stick, it is a stick with a smile…

At tribal, Eliza plays the stick, Jeff teases us all as he tells how the idol works and then dramatically ends it with “and this isn’t the idol”. Eliza exclaims then ah haa - Ozzy has the idol (to make sure all know), but nothing works for her and she is sent to the ponderosa.

Topics:

• Each player - how do they rate in his/her social, physical and mental game?

Predictions

Thank you al lfor your comments on the blog! Please keep them coming. Also, thank you for joining us during the live show! If you want to join next week, go to survivor.tubecasts.com/liveshow at 9:30 EST - call in through Skype and/or chat with the others. Also, check out our My Space page, www.myspace.com/armchairsurvivor , and be our friend. We really appreciate you all.

Podcast: tcSURV080410.mp3

Song part at the end “Deep Six”, Her and Kings County (how appropriate)

See HER & Kings County Nashville TN to Columbus OH Video

These folks played well, were fun and very polite (even the girl who spits beer).

Mike and John shot photos and video, some of which appear in this video. Caleb did the editing. John Z’s picture takin’ web site can be found at www.elimages.com/

Treemail brings news of an immunity challenge but with a twist. Each team has to vote for one person of the other team to sit out the challenge and go to Exile but that person will be immune at tribal council if their tribe goes.

Ozzy and Alexis are off to Exile Island with their immunity.

The challenge requires teammates to cross an obstacle course consisting of various balancing activities all the while the other team swings bags at them hoping to knock them off the course. Ozzy and Jason rock in the challenge but Jason pulls his team ahead to win. Airai wins! Pizza and beer delivered to the winners, the losers get a trip to tribal.

Back at Malakal with Ozzy still at Exile, Erik approaches Amanda and Cirie and to tell them of all of Ami’s plans and deals. Ami confronts them and says that she can be trusted - you know me, she says. Erik goes to his idol, Ozzy, as he gets off the boat and tattles on Ami all the while saying how loyal he is. In the end Erik stays and Ami is sent home.

Topics:

• Ozzy’s strategy and who his competition is
• Trust

Predictions:

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the live show and chat - what a blast. Come join the fun next Thursday at 9:30(ish) EST! Also, thank you for all listening and for the great comments on the blog.

Podcast: tcSURV080403.mp3

For a trip to the Herbal Essence Great Escape Spa four blindfolded teammates have to wheel the money wheel through an obstacle course, breaking tiles along the way to reveal smaller money stones which then are put together to solve a puzzle. It was an interesting challenge and in the end Malakal wins! Finally a win for Malakal.

Off to the spa where Ozzy gets to shower with Amanda and Ami, Erik gets to drool, and Cirie gets a good laugh.

Back at Airai Kathy is loosing it to the point Jeff is called in. Kathy quits.

The immunity challenge requires teammates to pull a rope and cross a floating bridge. When at the platform they attach the rope to a puzzle piece and the tribe pulls them in. Once all the pieces are retrieved they have to solve the puzzle. Malakal or should we say Ozzy gets a great lead in retrieving the puzzle pieces but in the end Airai’s puzzle solving ability leads them to victory.

At tribal there is a hint that Ozzy will be out but in the end the Malakal tribemates again follows Ozzy’s lead and vote out Tracey.

Topics:

• Stepping up - Leadership
• Endurance

Predictions:

Thank you all for joining us for the live show and chat! All are welcome during and after Survivor - come join the fun at www.survivor.tubecasts.com/liveshow. Thanks also for your comments on the blog - we can’t wait to hear what you have to write about this episode.

Š

Podcast: tcSURV080319.mp3

Mike’s correction (click each): Parvati, Parvati, Parvati and Parvati.

“Penner” is still feeling the pain of his cut but hangs in there for the reward challenge. Teams are playing to win 2 natives coming to camp to show them the ways of living off the land. Each team swims out and gets planks and ropes. After all are gathered the team has 10 minutes to build a blockade for the other team’s tunnel. Then the teams have to make their way through the tunnel - first team to get all their team members through the tunnel and onto the map win. Even with Penner’s injury Airai wins easily!

Chet and Jason head off to Exile Island. Chet uses the time to rest and heal his heel injury while Jason goes in search of the idol. He follows the clues and finds….. the pointy stick! Or, as Jason believes, the hidden immunity idol.

Jonathan is checked by the medics and as much as he sounds like Alan Alda as Hawkeye Piece, even he can’t keep infection from spreading. The medics and producers order him from the island and take him off to surgery - Jonathan, the infection has spoken. You played a great game this season Penner.

The immunity challenge is a repeat from Cook Island where the teams use stepping poles to transfer 2 tribe members from one tower to another. Once the team members are transferred all of the team must stand atop a platform. Airai, or should we say James, changes the game and lifts the stepping pole with the tribe member up and carries all to the next tower. Airai is the clear winner!

Chet begs to go home and in the end the tribe allows him to end his misery.

We talk with Billy Garcia, Survivor - Cook Island, about his upcoming charity wrestling match with Johnny Fairplay - check out all that is happening April 5th at www.myspace.com/billygarcia.

Predictions:

Thank you to all who joined us during our mid-week show. We would like to keep doing the mid-week show and to find a time that meets our audience’s needs. Come join the fun on Thursdays - liveshow with chat and call-ins at 9:30(ish) EST and then later in the week for the mid-week liveshow with chat and call-ins.

Podcast: tcSURV080315.mp3

If you caught our live show (9:30PMish Eastern Time) you got to experience one problem after another despite a call to tough guy and former Survivor, Billy Garcia (who is going to drop Fairplay on his face this April 5th, pin him, and then whisper in his ear, “Remember the Carrinos at Armchair Survivor”), a call from our own BrianAlt, as well as a Benny Hill styled video from Wyo Survivor Wannabe.

But when all was said and done, the live show was interrupted by computer melt down and the recorder was set to “Record only the most irritating part of the conversation” (Mike’s noises) so we had to start over again — two and a half minutes of apology topped off with Madge Weinstein agreeing completely.

Nonetheless, there is some good news:

Billy Garcia is going to be wrestling Johnny Fairplay this April 5, at the “Reality Rumble 2008″ in Virginia. There are going to be a lot of reality stars there and it’s for a great cause. Go to Billy’s web site for more details: http://www.myspace.com/billygarcia.

We now feel like the mid-week live show is a must. We’ll post the time on the web site really soon and if you have a time preference let us know. Also, if you’d like to be notified via e-mail, let us know at Survivor [at] tubecasts.com (you know what that really means). We promise this won’t be use for anything but telling you when the live show is going to be. We hate spammers.

Maybe, if you’re really lucky, I’ll see this disaster as an opportunity to post a video about Slappy’s leaf suit. That should be yank-licious (if ya know what I mean).

I’m going to bed — hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

OX
Mike

Podcast: tcSURV080313.mp3

Download the video cast: 080306Challenge.m4v

Watch on line [click here to watch]

The reward challenge has teammates harnassed together chasing the other tribe’s harnassed couple hoping to get their flag. This challenge brought as many laughs to us as injuries to the players. Fat lips, hit heads and leg wounds - it was painful. In the end Airai wins and takes home a bar-b-que feast.

Malakal goes back to the Favs camp and sees what living in Survivor luxury is like - all are happy. Airai’s camp is lucky to not be washed away from that day’s ocean waves. With the Favs help, Airai is able to build shetler and a place for fire - finally, a real camp at Airai.

The immunity challenge requires the team to throw stones to break tiles which then releases puzzle pieces. After all the pieces are released they must solve the puzzle. Airai is behind Malakal until Jon gives Eliza advice to “look at the big picture” Airai pulls forward and wins again.

It seems obvious that Chet will be going home tonight until Tracy starts working her magic. She puts in Cirie’s mind the idea that Joel is the big threat, and not that much help iin challenges, so he should be the one to go. Cirie brings the idea to Amanda and Ozzie and in the end the tribe keeps the weak and gets rid of the threat - good-bye Joel.

Topics:

• Injuries - pain you can work through vs. life flight pain
• Stay strong or keep your numbers - what should a tribe do?

Predictions:

Thank you everyone for participating and making this Survivor season great. Add your comments to the blog, send us an e-mail to survivor@tubecasts.com, and comment and be our friend on MySpace, www.myspace.com/armchairsurvivor.

Live shows are taped around 9:30 EST after Survivor, click on the live show link and join the chat. Also, call in on Skype (it is free). We are considering having a live show another time of the week also - if you would be interested let us know by e-mail.

Send in your Survivor audition tapes - official or unofficial, or any video you have that you would like to (and would be appropriate) to share - e-mail us for the details.

Thanks to all of you!!

Link to YouTube video discussed: http://youtube.com/watch?v=n0C4ZDO5r58

Podcast: tcSURV080306.mp3

Kathy and Ozzy are sent to Exile Island where Ozzy is anxious to search for the hidden idol. Kathy is happy to have someone who will show her the ropes of Survivor survival. Ozzy sneaks off to search for clues and ends up finding the idol. Taking direction from Yau-Man’s moves, Ozzy creates a fake idol and hides it - very clever.

For the immunity challenge the tribes are harnessed together between long poles, they have to unlock the harness and then move through an obstacle course grabbing 6 necklaces. Once all necklaces are found the remaining 2 tribe members put then on the coding wheel and solve a puzzle. The Favorites had their harnesses unlocked, and necklaces found before the Fans got unlocked - the Favorites easily won immunity.

Joel still is in charge at the Fans camp and tells Mikey B that Chet is out. Tracy catches Joel and convinces him that he has a better idea - keep Chet and get rid of Mikey - Joel likes “his” new idea and the they vote out Mikey. Darn it!

Topics:

• How did Tracy get Joel to change his mind?
• Both tribes are fighting, how is it the Favorites move past that for the challenges and continue to win?

Predictions

Come listen live and chat with other Survivor fans - we record Thursday nights around 9:30ish EST. Join in with Syke and uStream chat - both are free.

Thank you everyone for listening and participating on the blog and live shows - we really appreciate it!

Happy Leap Year Day!

Podcast: tcSURV080228.mp3

Warpaint and a Comfort Catalog are delivered for the tribes to prepare for the reward challenge. Teams line up on opposite ends of the lagoon and charge each other. The goal is to get your team’s three bags and two from the other tribe into the end zone all at one time. It is an all out wrestle fest with grabbing and blurring all around. In the end the Favorites won!

Kathy and Ami head to Exile Island where Kathy wants nothing to do with searching for clues - from the editting it looks like the idols were not found.

The reward challenge has 2 men and 2 women from each tribe holding up a basket. The other tribe shoots coconuts into it and the first to drop their basket looses. It looks like the Fans had the clear advantage and they win Immunity.

The Favs are a divided team with the Penners vs. the Parvatis with both fighting for Cirie’s vote. In the end Penner looses and it is Yau-Man who is voted out.

Topics:

• If you talk enough about it will it make it so
• Fighting logically vs. emotionally - which will get you the win

Predictions:

Come join the chat during the live show on Thursday’s at 9:30ish. Chat with other Survivor fans and call in to the show with your comments.

Thank you all for listening and your support.

Podcast: tcSURV080221.mp3

Click to watch: Part A | Part B

The Fans may have won the challenge last week but they are a divided camp. The younger 7 vs. the older 3 are having a rough time getting fire, building camp and getting food. Finally two camps are built (yes for one tribe), fire and food are had and the Fans are feeling better. Over at Beaches Resort, Favs Camp, the players are getting together in couples and enjoying resort life.

The challenge this week is one challenge for reward and immunity. 5 players from each team must swim out to a platform, leap and break a tile and a key will be released, the key is retrieved - each must get a key. The keys then unlock a chest holding a puzzle which must be solved. Ozzy, dolphin boy, gives the Favs a lead but it is a close race until Chet can’t get one of the keys - after that the Favs have a huge lead and win! They get immunity, a fishing boat, gear and get to pick one person to go to Exile Island (a twister - Exile Island is back). Kathy is the choosen one. Then another twist, the team must also pick one from their team to go to Exile also - Cerie is choosen.

Kathy and Cerie take advantage of the clues for the hidden idol on Exile Island and the producers leave us guessing as to if the idol was found.

There was a lot of scheming on the Fans camp and Mikey and Mary were blindsided as Mary is voted out. Joel is laughing his way to the top of the pack (or so he thinks).

Topics:

• Seperate camps for one tribe - smart or stupid?
• Do the Fans think too much and are they star struck by the Favs?

We have a new show format - we will tape a live show on Thursdays after Survivor (we will still be releasing the recorded show on Friday morning). Please come join us next week for the live show and chat - Mike and I are still getting use to the new structure but all who joined this week were right on.

Thank you all for listening and for your comments and support. Tell your friends to come join the fun.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Podcast: tcSURV080214.mp3

Have you ever wished you could put your two cents worth into the commentary? Wish no more.

Starting 2.14.2008 we will be recording Armchair Survivor live. You can listen and you can even participate. Best of all, it’s free. That’s better than George Busch’s tax break any old day!

Here’s how it will work:

Right after we watch the show (we live in the eastern time zone), we’ll start the show. Truth be told, though, it takes a few minutes to get the kids to bed and pour drinks. But fear not, we’ll start the show on the feed rolling with some pre-recorded pre-show. This will keep you entertained, let you use our built in chat to talk to other live listeners while we’re getting our acts together and also, give you a chance to adjust make sure you’re tuned in just right.

When we’re ready to go, you’ll be given a 60 second warning — and then we’re live! In all of our glory and all our ugliness. Here are some benefits to listening live:

• You get to hear everything we cut out of the recording — everything that DOESN’T make it to the podcast.
• You get to do live, web based, chat with all of the other listeners. We’ll be watching the chat boards so if you say something really clever we’ll use it as our own.
• You get to see our video feed. Though we probably won’t show our faces on this thing as we’re recording, we will use it to show stuff that we may be talking about during the podcast — and of course, that doesn’t show up in the podcast.
• You get to call the show and be our guest via Skype.

And the best part, all of this is FREE!

Here is what you’ll need to participate:

• A computer that will run a web browser that can run Adobe/Macromedia Flash. If you have any doubts, go over to http://survivor.tubecasts.com/liveshow right now and see if you can see a little USTREAM.TV screen and chat client.
• A computer that will run Skype and the latest version of Skype (this is only necessary if you with to call in to the show). This will also necessitate you use earphones when you call in so we don’t get feed back. Skype is free to download and free to use.

Yup — all of this is FREE.

If you just can’t wait to get started, do the following:

1. Download a copy of Skype, set up an account and set up Armchair.Survivor as one of your contacts. Go to http://skype.com to download the software.
2. A few minutes before 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time, set your browser to http://survivor.tubecasts.com/liveshow. When we start broadcasting, your computer will start picking it up.
3. Though it is best to make yourself a UStream.tv account (it too is free), you can also identify yourself on the chat by simply typing in /nick and then a handle you want to use for that show. For example, I could call myself “Amanda” by simply typing /nick Amanda into the chat entry line and then pressing the SEND key.

We look forward to seeing you on line Thursday night!

Podcast:  newliveshow.mp3

Two idols, one for each tribe, are awaiting the person who can find them first. Johnny Fairplay finds the idol but it is the other teams, he then tries to run to his team’s idol but in swoops Yau-Man to steal it away from him(go, Yau-Man! You keep that idol this time). With coaching from Yau-Man, Kathy of the Fans gets the other idol. The twist - the idol can only be used at your first tribal council.

The challenge is wild! After moving a cart through obstacles and assembling a puzzle to build the turnstyle, the Fans are the first to get their wok of flame in the air to WIN.

Back at a well established camp, the Favs divide into groups and Johnny Fairplay believes he has all of the team doing his bidding. He tells the group he wants to go home to be there for his unborn child, he tells the camera he wants to win the million for his child - which is the truth? We’ll never know for sure as Johnny gets only one of his wishes - he gets to go home.

Johnny Fairplay - the first Survivor to be voted out of Survivor Micronesia.

Topics:

• Do either teams have an advantage?
• Was Johnny Fairplay telling a lie or the truth when he told his fellow tribesmates he wanted to go home?

Predictions:

Welcome back to all who are joining us for another Survivor Season and for all our new listeners! We are glad to be back.

Armchair Survivor’s new tag line “We are a podcast that shoots from the hip with a little amnesia”

Next week, after Survivor airs (EST) we will have a live show and be taking calls - we hope to hear from you.

Please add your comments about the show and new season

Podcast: tcSURV080207.mp3

Todd gets the $1 million

James gets the $100,000

and Denise gets $50,000

Congrats to them all.

Fans vs. Favorites - the next season of Survivor.  Hope you all join us then.

Thank you everyone for another great Survivor season!  Happy Holidays.

Podcast:  tcSURV071216.mp3

Courtney and Amanda bond while the other three are feasting and scheming.

The immunity challenge is a mix of some of the previous challenges. From death stars to eating small bird parts - it was a close challenge but Amanda wins! There is talk at camp of who to go but in the end it is Peih Gee. She fought a tough battle but just couldn’t break the alliance.

Topic

• How much of your good fortune should you talk about and or whine about?

Finale is Sunday, 12/15 - who will win? Mike thinks Amanda, Marji thinks Todd - what do you think?

Thank you all for your comments last week and throughout the season.

Podcast: tcSURV071213.mp3

For immunity each member has to go through obstacles while tied to a rope and answer questions correctly to get a key to open a box which will release their flag - first to get three keys and release their flag wins. Boy, this was a grueling challenge - all looked exhausted but in the end Peih Gee wins. She is safe for another week.

Peih Gee and Erik try to persuade Denise to come to their side but Denise stays loyal and Erik goes home.

Topics:

• What does family do to Survivor dynamics
• Final 5 - how will this all play out

Predictions:

Let us know your thoughts! Thank you all for your great comments (and patience with the repeating blog) - we really appreciate all of you.

Podcasts: tcSURV071206.mp3

Topics:

• What is trust in Survivor?
• Lessons learned

Predictions:

Thank you to everyone for your opinions and your comments! Can’t wait to hear what your thoughts are about Amanda’s actions and James being voted off.

Podcast: tcSURV071129.mp3

To win the reward of a cruise, food and comfortable sleep the tribe is again divided into two and are faced with the challenge of bouncing a ball on drums through an obstacle course - first team to get three balls into the bin wins. Erik, Frosti, Amanda and Courtney were the clear winners while the other group was drum-and-ball challenged.

Back at camp Peih Gee, who has managed to earn the title of Jean-Robert (not meant in a flattering way either), picks a fight with James. James will have none of it and Peih Gee is on a thin rope.

At the immunity challenge each member must stab zodiac symbol tiles in the order that Jeff calls them in. The twist - you don’t have to participate in the challenge, you can choose to sit out and eat. Courtney, Todd, Denise and James take the food and leave the others to compete. In the end Peih Gee wins (though James “won” 7 hamburgers so he might be called the real winner). The tribe has to choose which of the inner circle must be voted out and in the end Frosti is sent packing.

Topics:

• What’s love got to do with it?
• Is “hanging on” a legitimate strategy for Survivor?

Predictions:

Thank you so much for your comments this week - they were awesome! Let us know your thoughts and picks this week also. To all who celebrate it Happy Thanksgiving - may many things happen to you to make you thankful.

Podcast: tcSURV071115.mp3

Don’t let your boat sink - the goal of this week’s reward challenge. One player sat in their boat while the other team tried to fill that boat with water, first to sink the boat twice wins. The red team won in the first two heats and Jean-Robert, James, Todd and Amanda go off to visit an ancient chinese village, get food and another clue. J-R is the only one of the group that didn’t know about the idol, saw the clues for the first time, and the only one to know that there is no point looking for the idol ’cause James has them both.

Wow did the immunity challenge catch us off balance - okay, not the challenge but the winner. Was this the first time that being lazy and not moving wins you immunity? Though do you think she would have voluntarily got off the dragon if offered chocolate and peanutbutter? Courtney wins immunity - ugggghhh!

The tribe is starting to crack and the votes are split between James, Peih-Gee, and Jean-Robert. J-R was dealt the losing hand and was sent home. Next week back at camp should be very interesting…

Topic:

• Sticking with your group / alliance - which is a stronger bond for it, friendship or drive to win?

Predictions:

Thank you all for listening! Comment on the blog or send us an e-mail at survivor@tubecasts.com. Thank you for all your participation.

ŠPodcast: tcSURV071108.mp3

The tribes merge and now there is the new Hae Da Fung, Black Fighting Wind. Though all players have the same tribe name there is still the definite line drawn between the two previous tribes.

After enjoying a feast and a celebration the tribe returns to camp and the immunity challenge is presented. The person who remembers the most detail from the celebration wins immunity. Frosti proved to know the most and now has the precious immunity necklace.

There was a lot of scrambling and discussion of who to vote out but the votes were between Jean-Robert and Jamie. Jamie played her idol and Jeff burst her bubble by throwing it in the fire (was that symbolic of when she threw the challenge). So, in the end the Fei Long group remained strong and voted off another Zhan Hu member - see ya Jamie.

Topics:

• Strategy of the power of the jury
• If you were James would you give one of the idols back to Todd?
• Overacting - can Jean-Robert fill in for Jerry Seinfeld if they bring back the Seinfeld show?

Predictions:

Happy November to all! Comment on the blog or send us an e-mail at survivor@tubecasts.com. Thank you!

Podcast: tcSURV071101.mp3

After wining the reward challenge Fei Long welcomes back, ahh, I mean kidnaps, James and he reunites with his tribe. Todd takes advantage of the situation and tells James to give him what is in the package from Jeff and if he does Todd will save him. James does just that - Todd solves the riddle and finds the hidden immunity idol. Todd then hatches the plan to give it to James, have Zhan Hu throw the challenge, and at tribal have James use the immunity idol then cast his vote for Jamie. Ahhhhh, quite clever.

The remaining three members of Zhan Hu are unsure of their standings with their previous team members and decide to actually compete in this challenge. The gross food challenge is back and they are forced to eat things from baby turtles to 1000 year-old eggs. Zhan Hu wins! All but Jamie, Eric and PG are devastated.

Fei Long decides between Sherea (to keep the numbers strong for Fei Long) and James-Robert (Courtney and others don’t “like” him). Sherea and her attitude are voted off.

Topics:

• Kidnapping vs. Exile Island - which twist do you like?
• Todd’s talking strategy
• Socially acceptable actions in the game

Predictions:

Thank you all for listening and for your great comments!

Podcast: tcSURV071025.mp3

Time for dress up at immunity this week. Tribes dressed up in armor and threw hammers at each other in hopes of breaking vases on poles - quite a cool challenge but just not very intense. Fei Huang Long wins! To vote off it was between Dave the annoying worker-bee and Sherea the lazy challenge-winner. In the end Dave was sent home.

Topics:

• What did Frosti mean when he told Dave “You have to work with the people you are leading”?
• Survivor China’s new special effects

Predictions:

Thank you all for listening! Please post your comments and predictions on the blog - we would love to hear them.

Podcast: tcSURV071011.mp3

The immunity challenge was another physical challenge where each person had to cut through wooden beams and then through rope to release disks, once all disks were down they drug them back to solve a puzzle. Courtney would have had better luck if she were given a nail file vs. the machette. In the end Zhan Hu wins! The decision to break an alliance, get rid of a weak player or get rid of a friendly person was a loss for Leslie as she was the 3rd person voted out of Survivor China.

Topics

• Impact of kidnapping on the game
• Strategies of Survivor: Physical, Brain-power, Spiritual, or sex

Picks:

Thank you all for listening and commenting! Please continue to comment on the blog or send us e-mail at survivor@tubecasts.com.

Podcast: tcSURV071004.mp3

The players take trains, planes, and boats into China to meet Jeff at the temple where he greets them with a Welcome Ceremony and then takes all their possessions except the clothes on their backs. In return he gives them each a bag and a buff separating the tribes as such:

Zhang Hu (Fighting Tiger) / Yellow:

Frosti, Dave, Jaime, Eric, Ashley, Chicken, Erik, Sherea

Fei Huang (Flying Dragon) / Red:

Jean-Robert, Leslie, Amanda, Courtney, Denis, Todd, Aaron, James

As each tribe sets (or tries to set) camp they get called to their first immunity challenge. After carrying a ceremonial mascot through an obstacle course Fei Huang led by James wins! Zhang Hu goes to tribal council and Chicken becomes the first person voted out of Survivor China. “Damm”

Please join us each week to listen to the podcast, comment on the blog and send us e-mails at survivor@tubecasts.com. Our phone line will be available soon.

Thank you for listening!

Podcast: tcSURV070920.mp3

Come join us at http://kidnation.tubecasts.com Gabrielle and Mike have already recorded a preview show, so check it out.

And, yes, we’ve already been asked if there’s going to be a “super secret after show” like Keith and The Girl’s, where Marji verbally beat’s Mike’s ass for what goes on during Armchair Kid Nation.

Promo: tcKN070917Promo.mp3

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So Jupiter got the ax. She seems like a really sweet and upstanding person in real life but un-fortunately on tonight’s episode, she caused the yelling of Jupiter: Stupider! She’d make a great neighbor and probably wonderful mom but the poor girl just ain’t got it for realty TV.

The really interesting study, though, is The Triad — especially Az and Jay. Jay is first at being second. Further more, Az is letting his ego and insecurity get in the way of good decisions. Is Jay playing him?

It’s too bad this Pirate Master was put on in the summer and that it has to stand the mediocre court of big network TV. It’s really a well done show with tons of human behavior to observe. We just hope it survives the gauntlet of simplicity.

Podcast: tcPM070717.mp3

In other news, lately, Mike spent a lot of time listening to “Album of the Year” by Brother Love and listening to BroLo on podcasts. All of that love came spewing all over the podcast. Clean up on isle four — stat! (”Summertime” is available on at music.podshow.com as well as iTunes)

Podcast: tcPM070710.mp3

Podcast: tcPM070705.mp3