Survivor: South Pacific (Survivor Season 23)
 

The cast has been announced! One of the contestants will be Brandon Hantz -- Russell's nephew. Two past contestants will be returning, but CBS hasn't announced who yet. (Word on the iStreet is that it's Coach and Ozzy.)

Season Premiere is September 14.

I didn't really like Coach. He seemed a little weird at times with some of the things he did. I also kind of liked Russell. I mean, he definitely could have been less devious, but he had the right mindset: the name of the game is to win the prize, not make friends.

Big fan! Can't wait for it!

Elyse Umemoto was the Miss Washington in the Miss America pageant (2nd runner up!) a few years back that so many of us on GG liked.

Generally, an older cast, which I like. But the oldest contestant is 51.

I immediately adore Cochran.

And Russell's nephew (but I've always been Team Russell!)

A little crazy?! (Of course, compared with Secret Agent Underpants . . . .)

Right, bu you screw yourself if you make enemies the way he did. His failure to understand the social aspect of the game -- that part of a good strategy lies in how you relate to others -- is why he never won the prize.

I truly hope his nephew is more bearable than he is.

Ozzy= Eye candy. I will be rooting for his team over Coach's for sure.

Rick looks like he's going to be a trip. I hope he ends up on Coach's team.

Bumping to remind everyone that tonight's the premiere! Yay!
This episode runs 90 minutes, so be sure to keep that in mind if you DVR it.

Yes, but....THE HAIR! THE HAIR! Which producer let that go by? Looks TERRIBLE on him, and I'm usually ok with longer hair on guys.

I missed it :( I didn't realize it was tonight. It should be on the DVR though.

I'm kind of confused by Cochran. I WANT to like him (he kinda reminds me of Anthony Rapp), but for as much of a superfan as he is, he's pretty clueless. Was he planning on swimming (or bathing for that matter) the whole time? Did he really think that he wasn't going to be seen as weak?

Also, I know that most of the time there are at least a few people inappropriately dressed for the wilderness, but there seemed to be an over abundance this season. Obviously the producers have some say in what they wear, because they were all pretty much wearing team colors, but why would you even bring some of that stuff as an option? The only thing I can think of is the producers requiring them to bring some dress clothes. Even then, though, I think I would be shopping the Chico's Traveler's Collection.

And layers. I would wear layers. My understanding is that they don't know exactly when they are going to the island so I would dress "ready" every day. There would be shorts on under my skirt. A tank top on under my blouse, etc.

Yes! And a bathing suit over or under my underwear.

There's got to be a way to play smart, but not break the rules.

It does seem like they get at least one change of clothes, because they don't always appear to be wearing the same thing.

The hair is AWESOME. It looks much better long than it did in the so-not-Ozzy short cut for Fans v Favorites. I prefer it long.

I still really like him, though. I'm glad he didn't get the boot last night. I think he's a serious student of the game, but maybe a little naive.

I think the producers dressed them this time and they didn't have much choice.

Meanwhile, my main thoughts from last:

• Brandon really thinks he can go the entire time without taking off his tee-shirt and letting people see his tattoos? Really?!
• Despite the previous bullet point, Brandon won't make it a week without telling someone that he's Russell's nephew. He just won't be able to hold it in. (And judging from the previews for next week, I'm right about that.)
• If anyone was casting the movie version of Survivor: South Pacific, Amy Sedaris would be perfect as Dawn.
• What is it with the jobs this season? Spoken Word Artist? Baseball/Dating Coach? Medical Marijuana Dispenser? Lingerie Football Player? When Jeff snuffed Semhar's torch, I really wanted him to say "Spoken Word Artist Semhar, the tribe has spoken."

I think you're right about Brandon.

Does anyone else think that Coach/Ozzy's pyramid puzzle wasn't that hard? It might take a minute to come up with the initial "rhythm", but after that, it should have been a somewhat standard pattern. I like those kind of puzzles, though.

I also had the thought that if Spoken Word Artist (is that a PC term for homeless?) was too tired to run back and forth for coconuts, she should have stood there at the pit and pitched them over to Ozzy so he didn't have to run back and forth. I don't think she scored on any of the few she threw, but Ozzy could have if she would have thrown them to him instead, and it was close enough that even her doing that once successfully could have won the challenge.

Ok, I'll stop Monday morning quarterbacking now. :p


ETA: I set the pyramid puzzle up on my desk (using various office supplies) and I was right. It took me about 2 minutes to get the pattern going, then I flew through it. I also don't have 34 live eyes on me and millions of at-home viewers, though.

I like poor Cochran. I wonder if, when discussing who to vote off, Ozzy threw out his name just to see who in that group could be trusted. Since everyone on the whole tribe (except Semhar herself) voted for Semhar, I couldn't help but wonder why Cochran's name even came up. If anyone other than Semhar had been considered, I would've thought it'd have been Jim (is that his name? the medical marijuana guy?) just because of his exchange with Semhar after the challenge. Regardless, they made the right choice as far as I can tell.

I like Coach more this time around than during previous seasons. He's still cray-cray, but he seems to have lowered that pedestal he put himself on.

And MC, I agree about Brandon's inability to keep his mouth shut and his shirt on. He's bound to out himself sooner rather than later.

ETA: Oh, and Papa Bear. Really? Sure he's older and bigger and hairy-er than everyone else, so the name kinda fits. I just don't much like it when people give themselves a nickname.

Well, that was one CRAZY tribal. CRAZY.

I'm still processing it and may need to watch it again.

Meanwhile, Russell Hantz's Nephew is a nut job.

Genetics WILL tell.

What a crazy tribal tonight! A rare time when several people got votes. I've been watching this crazy show forever! Personally, I'd love to see more "real" people on the island. Combine Biggest Looser with survivor and... ta da! everyone looses! (lol)

My pet peeves:
- (as stated earlier) How to dress for survivor (I'd have double everything on before getting on any plane!)
- How about learning 1000 ways to start a fire BEFORE you get on the show???
- How about watching the show before you get on.
- Oh wait! I'm not supposed to be HONEST and TRUTHFUL to everyone I'm competing against???
- Alliance - oh lets form one the first day with the honest, truthful people I've known for 4 minutes.
- Pretty girls = pretty undies!

Let the good times roll!

He's such a contradiction. He's a tattooed, married, Christian, redneck who is on the game of Survivor to play an honest game and has it out for the lingerie football girl because he's apparently got an impulse control problem and feels like he could possibly cheat on his wife with her (assuming lingerie girl even has the slightest interest in him). Does that about cover it? I do love that his "job" is always "Russell Hantz's Nephew".


Edna really reminds me of the girl on ANTM several seasons back (the one with Jade that they went to Thailand) that flipped out when they had to carry the cockroaches. I don't know why, but some of her mannerisms and facial expressions are dead ringers for that girl.


I actually think Ozzy has a sporting chance this time. There doesn't appear to be anyone on his team smart enough to be gunning for him. The next shot I see at him getting the boot is if they make the merge with less players and the other team sees him for the bullseye he is. He might save himself with the idol, but would he be smart enough to use it this go-around?

Despite the craziness of tribal, the result was still what I was hoping for. I wonder who will win the RI duel - The Wordsmith or The Eye-roller?

As a whole, I think the Savaii tribe is much stronger than the Upolu tribe. And that's saying something! Perhaps Upolu just seems weaker because their wackiness is fresher in my mind than Savaii's.

Poor, lustful Brandon has certainly dug himself a hole. Might come in handy when he needs to hide that 'I'M RUSSELL'S NEPHEW!!' tattoo of his. He's a piece of work, isn't he!

Go Team Ozzy!

Hypothetical question: if Brandon didn't make a big deal out of it, and hadn't already raised suspicions with his odd t-shirt behavior, do you think anyone besides Cochran and maybe Coach would have put 2 and 2 together on just having Hantz tattooed? Also assuming that it's not so stylized that you aren't sure if it's Hantz or Hunts or Hertz or Hartz. I understand why he is (started off) playing it safe, but I almost feel like he's either paranoid or overly self-important.

^^I think he's both, actually.

How common is the name Hantz? I've never met anyone with that last name, but in the grand scheme of things, I've not met all that many people. He assumed people would automatically make a connection between the two because he's overly self-important, and he's paranoid because he doesn't think he could respond in a way that makes it a non-issue. (e.g. Edna: "Hey, that says 'Hantz' on your back. Are you Russell's son?" Brandon: "Hell no! Can you imagine? OMG - What idiot would put themselves through that? Ooh hey, look at that pretty tree..." You get the picture.) I get that, even in Survivor, it's not always what you know but who you know. But Brandon reeks of the type of person who's on only because of who he's related to. He doesn't seem cut out for Survivor at all.

So, if you're Brandon's wife (pity the woman), are you upset at him that he's letting all of America know that he's oogaling other goods, or happy that he admits that he could have a problem and is attempting to take preventative measures?? Of course, in his mind, it's not his fault that he's got his eyes on her business...it's hers for daring to be young, endowed, and show up wearing clothes that don't pass Amish standards. Rumaspringa!!

So it's Mikayla's fault that Brandon gets a woody every time he looks at her?

That guy needs to go home....to his wife.

If his attempt to take preventative measures was to do something himself (not just do something to remove Mikayla), then I could maybe see how his wife could have an inkling of positivity about the situation. Since that's not his approach, I wouldn't be too surprised if his wife isn't around anymore come reunion show time. Poor thing has to be embarrassed that her whole circle of friends/family are witnessing her husband's deep-seated issues.

I don't know if I would go that far. Brandon is only 19, and unless he got married reeeeeeeeally young (19 is already really young - coming from someone who was married at 21), she's already witnessed the Hantz family Survivor Experience, First Edition (and probably Sequel). She has to know what kind of family she married into. Also with him having the "loco" tattoo and saying that he USED to be wild when he was YOUNGER...I'm pretty sure she realizes that she doesn't have the white picket fence model husband. I will go as far as saying that I wouldn't be surprised if she married into that family for money.

^^I didn't mean it to sound like I expect her to not be around, just that if she isn't, I wouldn't be surprised.

But, you're probably right about marrying into that family for money. Maybe we'll find out in December. ;)

Ok....Russell was crazy, but Brandon is a whole 'nother level of unhinged.

After watching the rest of the episode, I'm kinda grateful for Brandon's lunacy, as it was about the only amusing part of last night's snorefest....besides what's-her-face's random poetic word vomit. But that was only amusing in a WTF? way.

I almost thought after Papa Bear's death statement very early in the episode that they wouldn't have edited that blatently...but I guess even editing couldn't save this waste of 3 days of these people's lives (and my hour).

Who the heck tattoos his own name twice on his body??? That's just nuts. So is the man (boy) sporting those! I think the dear boy had better get past his love/lust/hate thing...

After seeing them both, I think this ^^ comment applies...I don't think I would have easily gotten Hantz out of either of them, especially the one on his back.

Why the heck do people who find the hidden idol feel the need to tell someone? Keep it to yourself! Ozzy, oh my! He should know better ! After all he was booted off holding an idol!

I finally got around to watching this one. Snoozefest, indeed.

I wonder if Semhar makes any money off her word art (or whatever it is she calls it), or if it's just a hobby. I sure hope she has a day job.

Scrapcat, I have the same question about the hidden immunity idol: Why tell people you have it? Ozzy of all people should know better.

Poor Brandon is going to need therapy after this is all said and done. He really has some issues.

The show's pretty slow-going right now - hopefully it'll pick up soon.

What the hell people??? You're supposed to entertain me, not sit around and whine like babies. If I wanted this kind of "entertainment", I'd get my kids out of bed and let one pinch the other and watch the ensuing chaos. Next.Cast.Please.

Again, not much to say about the episode. Hats' off to Christine for the awesome sandbag-toss win, and also to Dawn for the win in the weight challenge. Was last night's episode titled, "Girl Power"? ;)

I'm telling myself that this season is just slow to warm up. It's bound to get better, right? At least they're voting off the right people, and not keeping folks around simply because they'll be easy to beat.

Jeff pretty much by now has a PhD in psychology and sociology from the University of Burnett. Last night's tribal was somewhat therapeutic. LOL.

I was at a meeting and missed the first half of the episode. I tuned in just as Brandon was making dinner.

I'm sure I'll have more to say when I'm able to watch the whole thing, but it looks like something at least HAPPENED this episode.

Oh, and Ozzy is in major hot water!