Archive for January, 2010
On Thursday, February 11, Survivor will celebrate its 20th edition in a unique way: with a Heroes vs. Villains season that pits past, contrasting contestants against one another.
As Jeff Probst, and fans around the globe, prepare for this battle, TV Fanatic continues to preview various castaways. Last time, it was Tom Westman. Today, our first Villain: “Coach” Ben Wade.
Previously seen on: Survivor: Tocantins
Occupation: Soccer coach
A villain because: He slays dragons.
Memorable quote: “C’mon, guess what they call me in this game? The Dragon Slayer. Because I’m slaying all the dragons! I’m running this freakin’ show, let me tell you that right now. I think I’m going to be in that final two unless something crazy comes up.”
Odds of winning: 200-1
For those who wonder how and where the past winners and contestants of “Survivor” are, they can relinquish the thirst with “Surviving Survivor”. From season 1 winner Richard Hatch to Russell Hantz who participated in last year’s “Samoa”, the special will give an update of their well-being.
Some like Hatch, would give never-before-heard stories of their experiences while on the show. These bunch include also James Clement (”China”, “Micronesia”), Colby Donaldson (”Australia”, “All-Stars”), Cirie Fields (”Panama”, “Micronesia”), Russell Hantz (”Samoa”), Stephenie LaGrossa (”Palau”, “Guatemala”), Jerri Manthey (”Australia,” “All-Stars”), Parvati Shallow (”Cook Islands”, “Micronesia”), Benjamin “Coach” Wade (”Tocantins”) and Tom Westman (”Palau”).
The special will also recount what happen to some of the cast after the show ended. There will be the compelling story of Ethan Zohn (”Africa”, “All-Stars”) and Jenna Morasca (”Amazon”, “All-Stars”) who become lovers after meeting and how she helps him fighting cancer. Also, updates on Elisabeth Hasselbeck (”Australia”), Rupert Boneham (”Pearl Islands”, “All-Stars”), and Yul Kwon (”Cook Islands”).
“Surviving Survivor” will air on Thursday, February 4. A week later, the 20th season will begin in the form of “Survivor: Heroes Vs. Villains”. Familiar faces who are known for fierce gaming strategy and their courageous effort are reunited in Upolu, Samoa to prove who will be the toughest of all.
On February 11, CBS will debut the 20th edition of Survivor, dubbed Heroes vs. Villains.
To celebrate this monumental season, Jeff Probst will be joined by veteran cast members, as a tribe of supposed good guys is pitted against one comprised of the game’s most manipulative players.
In preparation for the debut, we’ve been previewing each returning castaway. Last post, it was Stephenie LaGrossa. Now: Jessica Kiper.
Previously seen on: Survivor Gabon
Nickname: Sugar
Fun fact: Spent so much time Exile it the Sugar Shack. Finished third on the season.
Memorable quote: Said by Corrine to Kiper: “You are an unemployed, uneducated leech on society, and the only thing I would vote to give you is a handful of antidepressants so that no one has to be subjected to your constant crying anymore. And maybe if you got some, then maybe it would sound a little more sincere when you are crying about your dead father.”
Odds of winning: 75-1
Download “Survivor” Episodes here
Survivor: Palau castaway Jennifer Lyon has died at her home in Oregon on Tuesday night, after battling breast cancer for almost five years. She was 37.
Lyon, who finished fourth on the reality show in 2005, was diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer months after finishing production on Survivor. She opted for a more radical version of bilateral mastectomy to fight the disease, followed by cycles of chemotherapy and special drugs to prevent the cancer from recurring.
Despite her condition, Lyon became a prominent advocate of breast cancer research, hosting many fundraisers for the cause.
“Her wisdom about how to live a life with quality seemed to grow with each passing day,” Survivor host Jeff Probst told Entertainment Weekly, remembering the time the two reconnected years after the show. “I am so grateful she chose to share so much with me.”
We’re less than a month away from the opening installment of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains on February 11.
On this special season of the CBS competition, which celebrates its 20th edition, a tribe of heroes will take on a tribe of villains, as the season’s title aptly explains.
In the days leading up to the premiere, TV Fanatic is previewing each returning castaway. Last time, it was J.T. Thomas. Now: James Clement.
Previously seen on: Survivor: China and Survivor: Micronesia.
Occupation: Gravedigger.
Muscles: A LOT of them.
Unusual fate: Was voted out while holding two Immunity Idols.
Famous quote: “I’ve lost my reign as dumbest Survivor ever!” (To the jury, after Erik sacrificed his Immunity Idol to Natalie – and was then voted out by the four remaining women.)
Survivor: Pearl Islands winner Sandra Diaz-Twine tends to speak in exclamation marks and bleeped out words. That makes her a riotously funny contestant to watch, and a very intimidating woman to talk with.
When I met up with her at the Survivor
10th Anniversary party she shouted a lot, and it wasn’t just because there was a lot of background noise. She is a woman with intense opinions about every subject.
I asked Sandra about Pearl Islands castmates Rupert and Johnny Fairplay, working together with other villains, and what she’s been doing since she won a million dollars.
Sandra, can villains work together?
Villains can work together. You gotta put your problems behind you for the minute, you know. Then come back to whatever you were doing – whether it was fighting or getting along.
Are you a villain? I would have assumed you were a hero.
I would have thought I was a hero. But after listening to Jeff’s explanation of why I’m a villain, I believe it.
So, you looked the other way when Rupert off in the Pearl Islands -
No! I didn’t have nothing to do with Rupert going home! I never voted for him!
Oh. Okay.
I’m not gonna beat you up.
Can a winner win a second time, or is there an anti-winner bias?
There’s an anti-winner bias. But of all the winners there I was the nicest, so I didn’t have anything to worry about for a couple of days.
So were you glad to see Johnny Fairplay wasn’t out there?
Of course he wasn’t out there!
He’s a big villain.
So? He quit the second time around! He didn’t make it the first time. Why would he make it the second? You know what I’m saying? He’s a villain but he’s no good for Survivor. He can’t win.
What did you do between Pearl Islands and Heroes vs. Villains?
I moved to North Carolina. I bought my house. I work at the bank. My husband’s in Afghanistan again. I vacation a lot. But I don’t overdo it. I don’t have a house that’s so big I can’t clean it by myself.
What do you want to see Survivor do in the future?
I want to see fans. I want to see regular people. I can’t believe all these Hollywood people. I want to see people who watch the show, who know how to play the game. Let’s see them go in there and execute.
During the broadcast of 36th People’s Choice Awards on Wednesday, January 6, host Jeff Probst stepped up on the stage to announce the cast of “Survivor“
season 20 dubbed “Heroes Vs. Villains”. The all-star edition brings back the previous contestants who are selected based on either their integrity or deception.
As expected, last season’s runner-up Russell Hantz is back on the game to seek revenge. He is grouped in the Villains along with Ben ‘Coach’ Wade who is a self-proclaimed dragonslayer. “I’m the best player that ever played this game. Now guess what, I get to prove it,” Russell said.
Meanwhile, in the Heroes section, there are the likes of James “JT” Thomas who won “Tocantins” edition and Rupert Boneham from “Pearl Islands” and “All-Stars”. Rupert said, “This is my third shot at proving to the world that I’m the best Survivor.”
“Survivor: Heroes Vs. Villains’ begins February 11 with two-hour season premiere.
HEROES
- James “JT” Thomas, “Tocantins”
- Rupert Boneham, “Survivor: Pearl Islands” and “All-Stars”
- James Clement, “China” and “Fans vs. Favorites”
- Colby Donaldson, “Australian Outback” and “All-Stars”
- Cirie Fields, “Panama” and “Fans vs. Favorites”
- Amanda Kimmel, “China” and “Fans vs. Favorites”
- Jessica “Sugar” Kiper, “Gabon”
- Stephenie LaGrossa, “Palau” and “Guatemala”
- Tom Westman, “Palau”
- Candice Woodcock, “Cook Islands”
VILLAINS
- Russell Hantz, “Samoa”
- Ben “Coach” Wade, “Tocantins”
- Tyson Apostol, “Tocantins”
- Randy Bailey, “Gabon”
- Sandra Diaz-Twine, “Pearl Islands”
- Danielle DiLorenzo, “Panama”
- Jerri Manthey, “Australian Outback” and “All-Stars”
- Rob Mariano, “Marqeusas” and “All-Stars”
- Parvati Shallow, “Cook Islands” and “Fans vs. Favorites”
- Courtney Yates, “China”
