Survivor: And The Winner Is
After the five minute season recap, the Survivor season finale was off and running. It was night 36 and the final four were returning to camp after the last tribal council. Denise, Todd, Courtney, and Amanda were so happy they took off their clothes and danced around the campfire. Not really! They all hugged each other and talked about how far they'd come.
They received treemail the next morning and guess what it was about. There would be a reward challenge for food! The challenge itself involved them tackling Survivor's version of the Great Wall of China. They had to cross and build a bridge before carrying building blocks back to the start line where they would "reconstruct" a section of the wall. The first one finished would win a meal for one containing pizza, beer, soft drinks, and brownies.
The race was between Todd and Amanda the whole time. Denise and Courtney were both playing catch-up from the very beginning because they had a hard time building their bridge. Todd and Amanda breezed right through that and began working on their building blocks way ahead of them. In the end though, Amanda was the winner. Jeff told her she could keep it a serving of one or she could share the meal with either one or two people. It was a hard decision for her but she chose to share the meal with Todd because she said she wanted to "pick his brain".
During their meal, Amanda told Todd outright that she didn't trust him. He was shocked and said that he's been honest with her since day one and wants him and her in the final two. Back at camp, Courtney asked Denise who she wants to vote out next and Denise quickly said Todd. Courtney responded back that indeed he was a "slippery little sucker".
Todd was paranoid of the "girl power" when he returned back to camp and decided to chat up Denise. While he was telling Denise he felt that either Amanda or Courtney would win, Courtney was trying her best to listen in on their conversation. She went off to tell Amanda what she'd overheard and while doing that, Todd came up on them and stopped their conversation. He told them he felt paranoid and asked the two if Denise would be the next one going and they both said yes.
The next day brought a new treemail that told them they'd be honoring the memories of their former tribemates on the way to their final immunity challenge. Yes, I know. I hate this cheesy part too. This season, because they're in China after all, they lit a string of fireworks in honor of each person before arriving before Jeff at the steps of some huge statue for their final challenge. This final immunity challenge involved balancing porcelain dishes on the end of a long and wobbly balancing arm. If the dishes fell, you were out. Last person left balancing their dishes wins immunity.
They started off with a big plate and then a large bowl before stacking on other assorted cups, bowls, and plates. 27 minutes into it and Todd began shaking a bit. After adding another small bowl, he began tilting his dishes too much and down they fell. Todd was out. Next up was another rice bowl and Amanda decided to add hers upside down while Courtney and Denise added theirs right side up. Courtney's arm began wobbling after that and lost it. Courtney was out. It was down to Amanda and Denise.
Denise asked if Amanda wanted to make a deal but Amanda told her that she doesn't want to give up yet. After another rice bowl (upside down for her again), she told Denise that she didn't want to deal and that she wanted them to fight it out. Right after that, Denise's stack lost its balance and her dishes came crashing to the ground. Amanda wins the final immunity and is guaranteed a spot in the final three.
Back at camp, Denise began her talk of how she only makes $7.00 an hour back at home and how she has kids and how they have more opportunities in their lives than she does and blah blah blah. I can't stand it when survivors pull this strategy out of their hats. Todd and Courtney told Amanda that they're voting for Denise to go and that Amanda can vote any way that she wants. Denise had already said she was voting for Todd so if Amanda voted for Todd she would still have a shot in the tie vote.
At tribal council, Denise gave one of the stupidest answers ever in response to a Jeff question of why they shouldn't let her go to the final three. She said because she has kids the jury would be sympathetic towards her. She didn't say that she played a good game. She didn't say that she made the right alliances. She pulled the kid card yet again. Blech. Then when Denise mentioned that Amanda "had her back", Amanda stopped her and said she didn't mean today. That blurt caused Todd to mouth the word "burn" and made Amanda look even worse than she'd just made herself to be.
After tallying the votes, it was indeed Denise going home. The tribe has spoken. The power was now in the jury's hands and all they could do is try to persuade the jury to vote for them during questioning the next day. Back at camp, Amanda was upset at Todd because she said that he made her look bad in front of the jury and was mad at him for his comment. She was so upset she didn't even feel like celebrating being in the final three and told Courtney and Todd to celebrate by themselves.
On day 39, they awoke to find breakfast items in place of the usual treemail. Ah yes, another Amanda blurred ass shot. I would have shed a tear if I hadn't seen that one last time. They eat breakfast, burn some trash, and then row away to experience jury questioning at their final tribal council.
We've witnessed final tribal council a million times so there's no need for me to cover everything because it happened the same way it always does. Each of them got the chance to say their final words to the council. Amanda said she aligned herself with the right people and won challenges when she needed to, Todd felt that he lied and backstabbed in his game relationships but his personal relationships with everybody were real, and Courtney said she thought she did good figuring the game out as she went along and was proud of herself for making it to the final three.
The jury questioning, for the most part, was the same old same old too. They asked the typical who lied about what and who lied to who sort of questions. They were all rather nice about it except for Jaime. She came across as quite the bitch during her dirty laundry line of questioning. The tone of her voice, the looks she gave them, and her interrupting them reminded me a child who was kicked off the playground after one ride on the slide. That's right! She was the first person on the jury remember? Denise was the only one that didn't have questions for them -- she decided instead to just make a simple statement to them and then left it at that.
It was finally time for them to vote and the only votes we saw were Jaime voting for Todd to win, Erik voting for Amanda to win, and Denise voting for Courtney to win. Now it's time for the cheesy transition to the live show. Oh my goodness! There was no cheesy transition!
They all looked so different but especially Courtney. She had on tons of makeup, had put on a few pounds, and had her hair dyed a platinum blonde. She was looking quite the Debbie Harry. (If you don't know who that is then the Google is for you.) Amanda looked really weird with makeup on (I think she's prettier without it) and Todd looked like, well like Todd.
It was finally the time they and we'd been waiting for: Jeff's tallying of the votes. The first vote to win went to Courtney, the second to Amanda, and the third to Todd. All tied up! The fourth vote went to Courtney and the fifth vote went to Todd. The sixth vote went to Todd. Sorry Amanda, you're out of it. The seventh and final vote went to Todd! Todd wins Survivor China!
He was so shocked at first and it seemed to take a second for it to sink in. When it did sink in, he ran to his family out in the audience giving them big hugs and kisses.
What can you say? I felt Todd deserved it. Would you have rather seen Courtney or Amanda win? What did you think about this finale episode? What do you think about next season with the superfans vs show favorites theme? I'm not quite sold on that idea just yet.
Until next season everybody! Take care of yourselves.
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Survivor: China26 Comments
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During the Big Brother season you can also find me blogging over at Silly Hamsters.
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It happened to me again. I hated D&D on Big Brother 8, and they took first and second prize. I hated Todd and Courtney on Survivor China, and they take first and second place. Courtney gets more votes than Amanda!!!!! WTF????
JR rolled over like a puppy when Todd blew smoke up his ass during the jury questioning: Why Jean-Robert, I just had to get rid of the smartest, strongest, best-looking player in the history of Big Brother and in the history of poker. I knew I could not compete head-to-head with your incredible awesomeness.
I agree with gray except I really didn't hate Courtney... until the "Denise sucks at life" comment. That kinda pissed me off.
yes, JR rolled... dumbass.
Todd, even though I don't like him, played a good game and did not condescend into becoming Dick Donato so I can't really begrudge him too much.
I wish Denise had won the $100k instead of being given $50k. Not because it's obviosuly more money, it just seems a lot less like charity.
Meanwhile, I think it's complete dog sh!t that she lost her day job because the school administration said it was too distracting. Hopefully, enough people in her town will raise enough hell that she'll back in the lunch line.
As for the $50k, one part of me says she should use it to educate her kids. On the other hand, I think it would be great if she used it to educate herself. As much as she obviously likes the kids at the school she works at, I think it would be great if she used the $50k to get a degree and become a teacher.
I was quite pleased with most of the show. I always love the reunion the most, though.
At the beginning of the season, Todd was my favorite. Then I got to know the other folks and came to love James. Then he got on my nerves and I found myself rooting for Denise to win. But you know, she just played that poor me card too much!
Damn...she did good in Survivor! Couldn't it have just been that? Stop talking about how your the odd man out and recognize that being the odd man out still got you to final four. Dang it! If you can do that...you do a heck of a lot more with your life. That said, I thought it was pretty damn pissy of her school district to not give her regular job back because "she's a distraction." I call B.S. Kids hardly ever notice the lunch lady...they don't get the credit they deserve for the work they do...this was a PERFECT opportunity for that school district to shine a light on the other workers besides teachers who influence a child's education....okay...I'm done ranting.
I loved the reunion show...I loved the photo spread for People of James!! YUMMY! I also loved that Probst "went there" with Erik and asked if he was still a virgin. I always love the reunion shows and this was no exception...
I will say, though, that the final tribal council was a little anti-climactic. It was a little too old hat for me...but still relatively enjoyable.
Also, HD mentioned the 'cheesy transistion'
The best cheesy transistion HAD to be Survivor Amazon when Jiffy Pop rode the jet ski from the Amazon to New York Harbor then took the subway to the Ed Sullivan Theater. That was pretty funny.
I did find this season Final, abit anti climatic. What would have happened if there was a tie. How would they vote.. months later?
I thik Todd played the best game. He is quick, he knew how to answer those questions to get what he wanted ( JR) He was honest about his answers and game play- Everything was about Strategy.
I LOVE LOVE the IDEA of FAN FAVS vs SURVIVOR FAV's. Who do you think will be the Fan Favs? WHo from this last season ) JP said "atleast" 1 of them - James is the easy assumtion. I think as for past Fan Fav's :
OZZY, YAU MAN, CIRIE, BOBDAWG (from EXILE ) LYDIA, Im sure STEPHANIE (even though she had 2 chances.. move on !) Who else??
I CANT WAIT. What will I do with Both Survivor and BB in the same season ? Will BB hurt Survivos ratings :(
BB will not Survivor ratings because it looks like they will be the only to things on TV.
As long as they don't bring back Rob/Amber.. oops I mean "Ambuh" I don't care.
Rupert would be cool.
I really, really want to know what happens in the event of a tie.BB and survivor is going to be a reality overload for me lol
I think that if Amanda had voted against Todd in the final council, she would have won the game. Denise didn't have a chance in hell of winning over the jury with the "poor me" argument. She should have stuck to what she did in the game to deserve to be there. If Amanda was up against Denise and Courtney, she would have had a good shot.
The fact that Todd was able to shut JR up, was enough to win over any wavering members of the jury. I felt that Amanda saved their alliance several times in the game, by keeping members with the program, but she didn't articulate it to the jury. Telling the jury that it was her idea to get rid of James was a bad move on her part. She lost any chance of a vote with James, and it sounded lame. I think that Amanda and Todd went into the jury with an equal chance, but Todd came across extremely well, while Amanda just looked like a tagalong.
I think that Todd deserved to win.
As for the after the show comments about Denise losing her lunch lady job (which paid only $7.00 per hour):
Didn't she get paid for being on Survivor? Maybe she should take advantage of having a little extra money to look for a better job. She should enroll in a community college, and do something with herself. When I went back to college at 32, there were plenty of middle aged students there. Most of the older students were a lot more focused than the younger ones. It's nice of Mark Burnett to kick her down 50K, but seriously, even without an education, she's well known enough now that other jobs should open up for her. If I owned a restaurant, I would consider having Denise as an employee as a good draw. She should look outside of this cheap school for another job!
I also call B.S. on Denise losing her job because she would be a distraction. More likely, her petty-minded bosses were just jealous because she had been on national TV.
Her sad-sack, poor-me stories paid off in the end, but I really don't know why any other competitor would put themselves at even a tiny disadvantage because another player doesn't make very much money. I don't blame Amanda at all for not being persuaded.
As for Denise using her pity money from Mark Burnett for education, I don't know if she is smart enough to even make it through community college. She just seemed awfully dumb to me, in the same way that I thought Wamber from BB8 was dumb. I hope I'm wrong about that--it's just the way I see it.
Gray: why such a Denise hater.. are you realy Courtney?? You sound like her. Kind of mean and narrow minded.
Sorry, just calling it as I read it
I am looking for to the fan against fan fav. I hope Rupert is on.
As for this season, I was happy that Todd won. He wasn't the won I had but he was the lesser of three evils. I was also wondering what they would do in case of a tie? While I applaude Mark Burnettr for giveing Denise the money, I dont think it was fair.
Rebecca
bbug. I think you might be too broadminded if you still are willing to confer karate-master status to that incompetent, saggy-boobed, mullet-headed idiot. That doesn't mean that I hate her or even dislike her; it just means that I think she was way out of her league and should not have gotten any money.
If you think that is too mean, let me redeem myself by saying that I do think she should get her job back. And if it is her acute mental focus that makes her the martial arts phenomenon that you think she is, it is really too bad that she could not summon that forth to get down those tasty baluts. It is really sad that she could not even win a challenge against a guy who was trying to throw it.
Another Survivor comes to a close. Out of the final four, I think it played out about right. Todd really did out play the rest, although Amanda would have been fine too, given her last few contest results. I think Amanda should have kept quiet about her role in getting James voted off. Showed a nasty side, that many on the jury seemed to have a negative reaction to. Todd knew how to smooze the jury and their questions while at the same time making it clear he lied cheated, made promises that he broke, etc. Typical Survivor behavior.
Courtney pretty much skated through but at least didn't lie as much. It was nice to see that she got some weight back for the reunion show. I was surprised that she got more votes than Amanda, but she didn't stab people in the back as much, so that could be it.
Denise was getting to be a broken record of poor me, so I was glad to see her go before the final three. Don't think that family has much going for them - but was not that pleased with the 50K pity gift she got. If she plays her cards right, that family should be able to make that money work for them a bit, and not blow it on whatever they have on a wish list.
Was tickled that James won the 100K. And he came off very well in the reunion show. And it was nice to see Erik with a romance in the works. He seemed like a nice guy. I got the distinct impression that Jeff was enjoying his role as host tonight.
Next seasons twist sounds interesting, with the greatest fans versus a version of all stars. I just hope Rob and Ambuh don't make the cut, they just irritate me.
I'm glad Todd won. He deserved it and even if he hadn't worked so hard at it during the 39 days I think he deserved it if only for the way he handled JR. He actually left JR speechless!!!
Amanda was stupid to take credit for getting rid of James and really nothing else. She should have claimed, correctly, that she was the one who kept Todd on track whenever he went nuts. She also lied when she claimed that she hadn't told Denise that she had her back that day because she did and she also had promised Denise that she wouldn't write her name down... did she think Denise would forgive that? Doe eyes will get a girl just so far!!!
As far as Courtney is concerned I'm just hoping that Karma will come around some day and bite her right in the ass for all the snide unkind things she said about people. She is really a mean hearted girl. How arrogant can a shadow get?!?!?
Did you see the press release from the school district where Denise works? According to them she was not demoted and her whole story is fake. I don't know who to believe but here's the link if you want to check it out. http://www.douglas.k12.ma.us/
HD--- thanks for all your great reporitng and comments. You made the season for me!!!
Very interesting Susie! Thanks for posting the link.
And thanks for your kinds words as well. ;)
Susie, thanks for the link to the press release. I have to believe their version of events since it would be a matter of record. Duhnise lied to evoke even more pity. What a loser! I hope Burnett takes back his 50K.
Okay, I checked out the school link. It seems that Denise was promoted to custodian before the series, and returned to that position. Maybe she liked her old hours better or something.
Having checked out the school's homepage, however, I now have a new question. Where are the minority students? This is 2007, right?
Thanks for having this site, HD. I'm hoping Silly Hamsters will start back up in February!
Sandic,
If there's a Big Brother going on, Silly Hamsters will be right there with it. ;)
I'm glad Todd won -- I think he played the best game. And I'm glad someone mentioned Amanda's doe eyes. Just because she looks regretful doesn't mean her hands were clean.
Thanks for the link, Susie. It puts a whole new spin on the Denise story. She seemed to be very truthful and forthright on the series, but it's all in the edit, isn't it?
I am excited about Fans vs Faves, but then again I am always excited about Survivor. Some of my all-time favorites include (in no particular order) Colby, Rupert, Elizabeth (I guess her being pregnant would rule her out as a contestant!), Amy, Cirie, Ozzy, Yul, Yau-Man, Rob Cesterino, Terry, Ian.
Alot of people are saying Denise didnt deserve the 50k and I agree.But I also think James didnt deserve 100k. And the biggest one that didnt deserve it was Rupert a million dollars for being liked? please. Now I liked him as much as the rest but I watch survivor to see the game played not to see who can come across as a tv personality and be liked by America. JMO
We knew all along that somebody was gonna get 100K from phone-in votes. If that was how Duhnise got her check, then I would have no problem with it. Burnett apparently felt guilty because of her claim that she was fired from her job because of Survivor. I wonder how guilty he feels now that he knows her story was bullshit?
Hmmm. Why did Rupert get a cool mill and James only 100K? Something to ponder. Anyway, kudos to PG for ragging on Amanda's "doe eyes". I was getting pretty sick of that puppy dog look. And I use to like Amanda. Do a rewind, Amanda, you did lie to Denise about having her back. And because of that, I'm glad you only got one vote. Which was IMHO one too many. I guess that makes Todd the lesser of three evils. Would have like to see Denise make it all the way without the whine. Oh well. Please do not bring back Rob and Amber. I would have to turn my set off.
Thanks, HD. You do a very good job of replaying all these shows. I would have liked to see recaps of ANTM. But beggers can't be choosey.
Merry Christmas, everyone, and Happy New Year!!
I watched the Chen-bot interview Duh-nise and her boss on The Early Show.
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=3628035n
If you watch the vid, please note three things. 1) Duh-nise admits that everything her boss says is true. 2) Her boss says that Duh-nise makes much more that seven dollars per hour. 3) Duh-nise ain't giving up the extra 50K.
I have not confirmed the following information from elsewhere in the blogosphere so I can't vouch for it, but here it is: Her job as custodian pays $17 per hour plus benefits. She got 60K anyway for her fourth-place finish (this explains why she had said she would be happy with 4th place; I had thought 4th place paid nothing), and every player gets 10K for appearing at the live reunion. So, if all this is accurate, that totals up at 120K. So as the result of her outright lie sob story, she gets more cash than even Amanda, the 3rd-place winner.
I hope bbug has a chance to read this: Duh-nise does indeed "suck at life." She is nothing more than a sad-sack whiner with an entitlement mentality.
hmmm- according to this source, she is giving back the money...
http://www6.comcast.net/tv/articles/2007/12/19/TV.Survivor.Lunch.Lady/
SHE IS DONATING TO THE Elizabeth Glaser Pedi AIDS FOUNDTAION.
Not so fast, bbug. I don't know why you feel obliged to be an apologist for this woman. Let's take a look at her quote: "I do not feel comfortable about accepting the $50,000. I would instead ask that it be donated to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation."
It sounds like she has not actually been given the money yet. Otherwise, she could just donate it without asking. I know Burnett supports this particular charity, so it looks like she has been offered a way to save face. I think Burnett just told her she was not going to get the pity money, considering the turn of events.
And look at all the grief she put her employers through. They should still be mad as hell at her no matter what she does with the 50K.
Interesting turn of events with regard to Duh-girl. She never made me comfortable about her on the show, and the others kept her on the outside... hmmm - me-thinks there was creative editing going on. The rest of the survivors were with her 24/7 so they were around her more than our snapshot views. They must have seen things that we didn't see and therefore didn't trust her.... and it appears with good reason.
The Chen-bot interview was very interesting, and you could tell the gal from the school district was not happy with now Duh-girl portrayed them. But was taking the high road. Then when Chen-bot was trying to get Duh-girl to answer about accepting the money, she wouldn't answer that specifically. I see the next day, all of a sudden she is going to donate. I suspect she was told by Burnett that the money was going to be donated in her name...
Will be interesting to see if the school district decides to discipline for the misleading story that shed such a bad light on them. They are the real victims in this.