SURVIVOR 19: SAMOA - Megathread (Spoilers Within) — Page 2

Well, it's pretty clear Russell was only cast on the show specifically to act like an a-hole and hi only goal in this game is to achieve infamous notoriety. Whereas previous douchebags like Coach and Johnny Fairplay wanted to act like imbeciles, I believe they probably also wanted/needed the money. Russell doesn't need it or seem to even care about it. The only thing he wants to do is act like the world's biggest prick. I'm really disappointed to see the show accommodate his purely egotistical needs. It's one thing to love to hate a villain, but it is something else entirely to watch a sociopathic masochist wreak havoc simply for the fun of it. As with Coach, I'm praying something truly scandalous is discovered on this guy, hopefully regarding his business dealings, gets uncovered and exposed in a MASSIVE way. If he treats people like this on national TV, you know he's got to be a lot worse when it comes to his own business empire.

That being said, either his methods are somewhat working or there is a LOT we didn't see with regards to Marisa's interaction with the rest of the tribe. It's sort of hard to believe so many people would take her out based solely on one person's opinion of something she may or may not have said in the first few days. I really hope the rest of the tribe catches on to him and tosses him out on his misongynistic ass. And with such an early push to leak some spoilers of his antics and brand Russell before the premiere, I'm thinking it may be due to the fact that he gets voted off early in the game. He's not so much a "villain" as with past seasons as he is just an awful human being. I'm surprised he was allowed to just start destroying other people's clothing. It's one thing to sabotage items the contestants can reproduce within the confines of the game like the way he depleted the drinking water, but I don't think I've ever seen this situation where people literally destroy each other's personal belongings they were allowed to bring into the game, most of which are for survival reasons and are extremely limited. Is it really ok for him to start burning people's clothes when they are not wearing them? What about if they wearing contacts or glasses and he destroys them when they are removed for showering or cleaning? Or what if he decides to throw someone's necessary medication into the ocean? Not cool, CBS. Socks may not seem like much until you are living out in the elements with no washer or dryer and you need to keep your feet and legs warm and protected.

---

Just from the commentary here, I'm kinda glad I've decided to sit this one out. I'm going TAR only this season.

But Calvin, why would you want to miss the gratuitous shot of Russell's butthole sweat stains as he parades around in nothing but his boxer briefs? I half expected him to throw Ashley on the ground and reenact the rape scene from Female Trouble. And I guess CBS thought it was pointless to blur the visible genitalia lines of anyone who wasn't young and hot.

---

Yeah, the Stacey Stillman controversy stirred up a lot of publicity, but one of the things I liked about Survivor was that it was quite different from Big Brother in tone and attitude. Last night was like Big Brother on sand. It was really disappointing. I didn't realize the show was struggling so much as to be this desperate. Why didn't they just call Rosie O'Donnell back in to save the day instead of promoting this bastard? I still think they may just be using him as a hook to start the season and he'll be gone by the merge at the latest when the show traditionally picks up speed and invested viewers stick with it through the end.

---

I have watched Survivor religiously for all 18 seasons. I am absolutely romanced by the quality of program CBS presents each year. I am a total sucker for great personalities, adventure, far-away lands, games, challenges, competitions and sociology.

In-re: Gays in the cast. I am proud of seeing my LGBT brothers and sisters represented on TV. And I am not ashamed to admit I always have a strong desire to see them on any reality-based program (in spite of the fact these people are lifted from real-life onto a very produced island). To quote Harvey Fierstein: Any representation is good representation.

As for the skin, count me in as one of the thousands of millions of people in the world who enjoy seeing it. Eve ate the damn apple and I get a kick from televised obliques!

But alas, this was only the first episode! What else are they for than for first-impressions?

Updated On: 9/19/09 at 06:17 PM

I missed the first half of last night's show. Why was Jasmine with the Foa Foa tribe, and why did Ben get kicked out of the challenge?

---

Thanks, Adam!

I did see a bit of her being obnoxious telling them why they were losing, etc. I'm not sure why they all wanted Betsy out...is it just because she's older and they don't think she can help in the challenges?

---

I had such high hopes for Betsy, but when she called Russell out on the beach, I had a feeling she was done for. She should have exposed him much earlier when he was making deals with everyone.

I have also decided that I'm not interested in "The Russell Show", so this isnt really working for me anymore. I have no idea what half of these people's names are! It does look like a good verses evil plot will unfold next week...I wonder if Jaison realizes what happened to his socks!

Jasmine may have been trying to stir things up in Foa Foa...she did expose Ben as an asshole and racist. I was even shocked by the kool aid comment.

WTF did everyone think he was doing when he had his whole arm up that tree?! I'm not sure these people arent too dumb for me to stay interested. Shame.

I also liked the way Probst handled the tripping incident. It does fly in the face of the producers who allowed a player to empty people's canteens and burn someone's socks however. Fairplay is fairplay.

---

Matt that's funny that you said that about Galu. I was thinking this morning that I didn't see anyone from that tribe EXCEPT Jasmine in the whole 2nd half of the show.

---

doodle - I'm thinking along the same lines. Why devote so much screen time to Russell if we're only going to have more of the same all season? Other controversial Survivor players were highlighted here and there, but they usually weren't so highly featured until it was obvious to the production team that their days were numbered or a major scandal had been revealed.

The rumors are already flying about Russell highly exaggerating his business and its value. See link...
Russell Rumors

---

Other controversial Survivor players were highlighted here and there, but they usually weren't so highly featured

until Coach

Really gotta hand it to Russell for having the balls and brains to LOOK for the hidden idol at camp and FINDING IT right under everyones noses.

Ben really showed his (ugly) true-colors when Jasmin came knocking on the door. Yuck. The tribe missed a great opportunity to oust him (poor Betsy)

Mick is just wowing me each second hes on screen. Gorgeous AND a doctor?!?!

Liz, again, is impressing me with her brains and total under-the-radar ability. Keep an eye on her.

I feel like we havent even gotten to MEET the other tribe. I know nothing about Brent, for example. Zero air-time for the first 2 episodes!