I knew when they started talking about the challenge that it would be ridiculously long & hard. I know they field test them, so how did this get past the producers? I suppose it may make a difference that the field testers aren't playing for $1M. I still don't like the deal they made, though. What a cop-out.

Sydney, does your DVR not adjust for the time? Ours records the show whenever the station says it's coming on, even if it's delayed until 1:20 in the morning because of basketball. But, you have to go into the record settings for the show and tell it to record first run episodes "Any Day, Any Time" rather than, say, a default of "8:00 p.m. Wednesdays."


Perhaps when they field tested it, they also failed to account for lack of food?

It was a stupid deal for Penner and his tribe to make. Sure their bellies were full for one afternoon, but then they were hungry again -- probably hungrier because they had stretched those stomachs out -- and then, oh look, nothing to eat. At all. Meanwhile, the other team, that didn't have enough to eat now has more. Guess what, they'll be the better fed team come the next few challenges.

Did you notice that when they were showing each tribe member voting during the credits that Carson couldn't even speak? I mean, he said more last night than he did all the previous episodes combined, but the hunger was clearly getting to him.

How'd that fishing work out for you, Penner? Maybe you can make a deal with Malcolm -- he seems pretty good at catching things. :rolleyes:

Sadly, our DVR is from the dumb-era, so no, it doesn't adjust for delays. One of these days, we'll decide to catch up with technology and get a satellite receiver/DVR combo that will allow for such delays. Until then, I get to bitch about it when things like this happen.

I finally watched the episode this afternoon...

This. Honestly, I think it was a bad deal for both sides, but Penner's tribe was the bigger loser.

Who? I'm still learning who these people are. If it's not Penner, Skupin, Blair, Denise or Malcolm, I have no idea who's who.

There's a guy named PETE this season?!?

Srsly? I hard no idea.

I forgot that prime time starts at 7 in Central time. I saw TC, but that's all I saw.

Well, Dee, if you got to see only part of last night's episode, TC was the part to watch. It was definitely a very interesting Tribal.

My thoughts:
- Abi isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, is she?
- Penner's one lucky duck for winning immunity! I'm glad he did.
- I liked Jeff more than Abi/Pete/Artis, so I was a little bummed to see him go.
- Lisa surprised me a couple of times last night. First, I was a little surprised when she told Skupin about Malcolm's HII, but I understood why she did it. I was more surprised that she told Pete. And I was even more surprised by the way she handled the conversation at TC. She's got more moxie than I thought. Those players need to keep an eye on her because her 'church-lady' facade (facade being the operative word here) is likely to get her tribemates in trouble.
-I'm still rooting for Denise. And Malcolm is still my #2. With Jeff gone now, I'm afraid those two will go home soon, too. But, they've managed to dodge other bullets, so hopefully that trend will continue.

Good episode! I think I finally know everyone's name now!

No, she's not. And Pete isn't much better.
I was too, until his comments after being voted off. I mean, I know they do that interview right after TC, so the emotions are still running high, but sheesh. He came across as an incredibly bad sport and @$$.
Exactly what I was thinking.
All in all, I think Malcolm might be able to make everyone knowing that he has the HII work for him. It makes the blindside or the attempt to flush harder, and it may give him some bargaining power. Boston Rob made it work for him.

Was Abi the one that just whipped out the HII? It's week, what 7? and I still can't name 1/3 of the people.

Yep.

They usually call her Abi, but her name is Abi-Maria, which always sounds like Ave Maria to me.

I completely agree about Lisa. I am surprised she is as tough as she is!!

Does anyone else get annoyed at Jeff's commentary during challenges? I wish he would shut up! I feel like he can sway teams against a player by pointing out over and over how much they are blowing a challenge.

If he were to shut up, how would he hear the sound of his own voice which is the only reason for him to be talking. He becomes more annoying each season.

DaffyKD

When I listen very carefully, it sounds to me like some of those comments are dubbed in afterward. Sometimes when he's making them, there is no background noise but you hear the background noise during others. Just sometimes though. Sometimes he is making them for the whole group to hear. However, I think the players are acutely aware of who is "losing" the challenge for them.

I'll admit it: I don't mind the comments at all. It's just like watching any sports event. And sometimes I think what he has to say is pretty funny.

I'm with MC on this one, although I don't just mind the comments - I actually like them! I'm probably not entirely unbiased, though. I really like Jeff and rarely find anything critical to say about him.