Survivor Diversity

When it was announced that the teams on this season's Survivor would be split along racial lines, I like everyone else thought that is was pretty silly. They mentioned it would increase the minorities in the game, but creating competing teams just didn't seem right in a world trying to overcome stereotypes. Thankfully, when asked what they thought about it, all the players downplayed it. They felt pride representing their part of society, but it was not as though they were competing against another race.

My viewpoint and feeling about this little experiment changed during last weeks episode. After only two weeks as four segregated teams, they were combined and mixed up into two teams. It's a new look for Survivor and I really like it. Every season before now had a token Asian and one or two token African Americans. It represented their percentage of the population, but it always put a spotlight on them. But I like the current mix. Your alpha-type whites with your alpha-type blacks with your alpha-type asians and your alpha-type hispanics. One big mixed alpha-type Survivor family.

Maybe another reason this mixed make-up felt comfortable to me was that it reminded me of high school. Although it was a Catholic school and did not have students of other religious backgrounds, the racial make-up was quite varied. Quite similar to Survivors make-up. Throw in some Polish, Germans, Irish, and Italians and you'd come pretty close.

I realize this mix-up has only just begun and there's still a possiblity that tensions may arise along racial lines later on. But at least right now, I'll liking it.

Billy Loves Candice

Wow! What a bomb! I was starting to think shows like Survivor and the Amazing Race were falling into a pattern with the same personality types and the same interpersonal conflicts, but last night's revelation on Survivor: Cook Islands was a first. This is where I am supposed to tell those who haven't seen it of a spoiler alert.

The first hint of something odd was when after the immunity/reward challenge had been completed, Billy had an exchange with a couple women on the Raro tribe.

Candice: "I feel really feel bad for you guys."
Billy: "I'm next."
Candice: well "We love you."
A slightly stunned and earnest Billy replied "I love you too."

OK, that was weird. Everyone seemed to go on with what they were doing. For the Aito tribe, that was preparing to vote of Billy having just thrown the immunity challenge.

So we get to tribal council and Jeff is working the Ozzy vs. Billy angle when Billy has his revelation.

Billy: "I'm playing the game. That is what I came here to do. My prize isn't even... the million dollars. My prize was... that I... I fell...I...I...fell in love in this game. Love at first sight. Her name is Candice. And in between..." (girls bust out laughing)

Jeff: (stunned look and gesturing) "Candice... from the Raro tribe"

Billy: "Yeah. After the last challenge we sorta mouthed the words 'I love you' to one another. So that was my prize. My prize was her." (Jeff is now holding back laughter)

Jeff: "I don't think I've never heard anything that surprised me more than what you just said. And I want to be respectful because I don't know what happened. But what would she base feeling the same way you feel... on?"

Billy: "I think it's just ya know love at first sight. I think it's just a..a..a..a rapport thing."

Jeff: "So you're absolutely sincere right now."

Billy: "I'm dead serious."

Definitely one for a "Best of Survivor" special. Now I want for the season to be over to see Candice's reaction when Billy proposes.

Rockstar: Supernova

We have been following two shows this summer. The first is Treasure Hunters which concluded Monday night. I wasn't a big surprise that the Genius' won, though Air Force was probably the favorite.

The second show we have been following is Rockstar: Supernova. We had seen the last couple episodes of Rockstar: INXS, but didn't really intend to follow this one since it's the summer. We happened to see the third episode one night and got hooked. We have a thing for reality shows so that kinda makes sense.

So what is it about the show. I guess there are two elements that draw us to the show. One is the competition. Not just to see who comes out on top, but to see if the person you think should be picked is chosen. The other element is the performances. Both seeing and enjoying some great rock songs being played along with critiqueing each singers performance. Again comparing your views with that of the judges.

There is another aspect that makes it different. This is a show to determine who fronts this new band. It more of an audition and an interview than an American Idol or Star Academy popularity contest. I find that very intriguing since the last show was finding a suitable replacement for Michael Hutchence.

As far as the cast of the show. Dave Navarro I could take or leave. I'm a fan of Jane's Addiction and like his work. But he's a bit on the obnoxious side. It's not enough for me to add him to an "On Notice" list, but he has potential. Gilby Clarke seems like a very cool guy. I like his commentary even though I'm not a GNR fan. Tommy Lee even seems pretty cool. I always thought of him as a obnoxious jerk, but here he seems very personable. Jason Newsted is the one that has really surprised me. You see, all the people I grew up with who listened to Metallica were stoners and headbangers who were never the articulate types. That stereotype has lasted with me to this day. So to see the bassist of the band being so professional and so articulate really catches me off guard. Lastly, Brooke Burke does a good job as presenter and eye candy.

As for the contestants. The only surprise that I have seen so far is that Zarya lasted so long. It may have been her lisp, but it never seemed to me she was a good singer. I figured they kept her on since she put on quite a show. Of the departed, I would say that Josh is most likely to have some success. His sound is flavor of the month, but he does a good job with it. I don't think it would be a surprise if Patrice is voted of next. She's good, but something seems off. And she has a funny smile for the camera. Toby and Ryan will probably be the next two sent off. Both are good singers but don't seem entirely comfortable on stage. Ryan may stick around more because of his singing. Storm is good both vocally and on stage, but she seems just a bit over the top on stage. Although Lucas seems to be a favorite, his voice lacks something for me and his stage presence is lacking a bit. I really like Magni, but my question is whether this is the look the band would be comfortable with. Dahlila has a classic rock voice, but could they be successful with a woman fronting the band.

I find it fun to watch since nobody has jumped out as THE person. Not that the makers of the show would let that happen. I really think it will be between Lucas, Magni, and Dahlila. It will be interesting to see which image and voice they choose.

Schedule Hunters

Can somebody explain to me what the heck is going on?

We got excited earlier this summer when we heard there would be a new reality show called Treasure Hunters. We love the Amazing Race and this looked to be very similar but maybe with a bit more intrigue like the Mole.

So the night of the first episode, we got our times mixed up and missed most of the first hour. Luckily it was two hours , so we didn't miss much. The Yuppies were eliminated. The second week we were out of town so we missed it, but my sister filled us in. She said they also played two hours, but the first one she described sounded like they replayed the second hour we had seen the week before. The second hour had the Brown family eliminated, but the previews showed them still in the race. Made sense since one of the Grad Students were injured and maybe they had to duck out. As for the double episode format, OK, so maybe they play the previous week's new episode along with this week's new episode. Sounds good for people who may miss an episode. It's summer.

So last week we sat down to the first of the week's two hours and consistant with the previous week we saw the episode we missed with the Browns out and the Grad Students injured. But the second hour confused us. Instead of picking up where the last left off, not one team, but two were missing. Did we miss something? Both the Grad Students and the Wild Hanlons were eliminated. Plus the Browns were back in it. It turned out to be a cliff hanger with the Geniuses debating whether to return for Sam and whether the Browns would continue without an injured Keith.

The next day I jumped online and saw what really was supposed to be that week's episode. The Hanlons continuing their inept effort getting themselves eliminated while scuffling with the Browns. I was quite disappointed to have missed it wanting to watch the Hanlons bumbling around and the Browns getting a bit of revenge.

This week, I was hoping they would have things straightened out in order to see a new episode. We didn't see a new one, but did get to see the one we missed. Problem is that the cliff-hanger goes on another week. Actually, in essence, the episodes were shown in correct order this week, episode 3 then episode 4.

But the reason for all this verbage is to find out if it was like this everywhere. Was it just a Canadian thing? This TVGuide blog has the episodes in order by week, but maybe they got previewed and printed them in the correct order. Did everyone see the same episodes we saw last week? Episode 2 then episode 4?

As for the show itself, I wish Anderson Cooper would return to host shows like this. The guy they got is way too stiff and polished. Regarding the teams, I'm pulling for the CIA Flunkies. They seem like normal Joe's with above average intelligence. I'm also a big fan of the Nerds because they remind me of my friends. As for the Hanlons, was I the only one who thought their rebuke of the Browns was more than just because the didn't deserve to be there. I could be reading into it, but their attitude had a bit of bite to it. The Deceive and Pray family is now my team to root against. Let's screw over the other teams then ask God for forgiveness. The preacher seems halfway normal though. But just halfway. The other three (Princesses, Beanheads, and Kens & Barbie) I could take them or leave them. Can I also say that the Grad Students were much cuter than the Princesses.

Lets just hope the network has their act together next week.