The final immunity challenge and each player has 200 tiles to build a “house of cards” 10 feet tall.  Winner is guaranteed a spot in the final three.  Susie shocks us all, including herself, and wins immunity.  At tribal Sugar and Bob vote Matty, Matty and Susie vote Bob.  Matty and Bob go to the fire buiding tie breaker.  Bob has been practicing all day and easily wins - Matty joins the jury.

After the honor walk the threesome get food and get ready for the final tribal.  Susie continues to push “I deserve it because I tried”, Bob feels he played hard and his personality and survivor skills made life better for everyone so he should win, and Sugar states honestly that she had to lie, had to sacrifice innocents but she palyed the game.  The questions from the jury ranged from the obvious, why should you get my vote, to Corrine calling Sugar out questioning her tears over her father’s death - ouch.

Back in L.A. the votes are counted and Susie gets 3 votes but Bob gets 4 - Bob is the ultimate Survivor!

Thank you all for joining us this season and your great contributions on the chat and blog.  Doing this show has been so great for us because of you.  Sincere and heartfelt thanks to all of you!

Happy holidays and may the new year bring you all you wish for and deserve.

Be at peace, Marji & Mike

Podcast:  AS20081215Finale.mp3

We might be gone now but Christine, Mike’s sister, is still on Jeopardy.  We’ll open the chat one last time (or more if she wins) to talk to anyone who is watching with us (7:00-8:00ish Eastern Time).  Go Chrstine — good luck!

The reward challenge requires each player to run through a swamp, through nets and bring a ball back and make a basket with it.  Matty has a quick lead but Kenny and Bob are close behind and in the end all three are trying to make the last basket and it is Bob who is victorious.  Bob wins a helicopter ride through Africa to a gorilla sanctuary.  He picks Crystal and Kenny as his guests and sends Mrs. Q (Susie Q) to Exile.

Back at camp Matty is trying to persuade Sugar that it is better to align with him then Crystal and Kenny.  Sugar isn’t convinced until…. Crystal starts in on Matty yelling at him, then Kenny does the same…. Sugar doesn’t like it.

Immunity challenge - each player studies a mask and it’s features then carries a bag of puzzle pieces through a maze and recreates the mask - all this blindfolded.  Bob, Matty and Kenny again are close while Crystal keeps going off course and Susie wanders in the backfield.  Bob wins again!

Kenny’s plan is to have Bob give him the immunity idol, then they all vote Bob off.  Sugar instead tells Bob of their plan and tells Matty to not worry.

At tribal everyone keeps their cool and Bob keeps his necklace and Sugar gives her to Matty.  In the end Crystal is out.

Topic:

• Does one bring their conscience to Survivor?

Our picks - in the order of who goes next to the winner:

Mike - Kenny, Matty, Susie, Bob and Winner = Sugar

Marji - Kenny, Susie, Matty, Bob and Winner = Sugar

Please join us Sunday for the chat during the finale show and then for the live show after, www.armchairsurvivor.com/liveshow.  Also, the chat will be open tomorrow during Jeopardy (starting at 7:00 EST) as we cheer on Mike’s sister, Christine Carrino-Gorowara - she won Thursday night, what will happen Friday?

Thank you everyone.  You are the best!

Break Music
Brother Love’s “Family Thang” from his “Turn It Up” album.
Buy the whole song and album here.

Podcast: AS20081211.mp3

Show hightlights:

• Bob and Peggy get a conjugal visit
• Does Susie cease to exist when the camera is not on her?
• Kenny’s sister is fat compared to Kenny — but she actually cute and normal sized.
• Bob is spacial
• Sugar is the first survivor to get a visit from two different family members

At the break we play another from our friends at Her and Kings County (the band for which Brolo is the drummer).

Check out their concert schdule here

Album: City Country

Song: Dirty

Buy “City Country” at CD baby

Also, at the end of the show, the lovely Xmas music is from our buddy Tim Henson at the Distorted View.

Podcast: AS20081204.mpg

Before you watch Survivor on Thursday, December 11, 2008, check out Jeopardy!  Mike’s sister, Christine Carrino-Gorowara, will be on Jeopardy to see how long she can survive with world famous Alex Trebek.  Hopefully she’s smarter than Mike … or that she found a really cheap airline ticket.

We may be turning on the chat early and watching it with anyone who is out there.

Good luck to Christine!  If you get voted off, make sure you mark your ballot in the form of a question.

The tribes have merged but are still divided - Randy, Corrine and Bob vs. Mattie, Sugar, Crystal, and Ken.  Tree mail brings them all envelopes of money which means one thing - auction time!  Randy outbids the team for the first item and enjoys beer and peanuts as the bidding goes on.  Kenny gets a great win by getting to send one person to Exile and taking his/her money - he sends Bob off and takes his $500.  Corrine also is a big winner and for her $500 gets a note which will give her an advantage in the game.  Randy “generously’ buys the group cookies and this turns into a pissing match for control between him and Sugar.  Sugar wins the last cookie figuratively and literally by taking the last cookie and then turning around and giving it to Mattie.  Randy was not happy.

Feeling the pressure, Randy comes up with his own plan, Operation Strong Arm - he will be a royal jerk around camp so they will want to vote him off, Bob will give him the idol and they will blindside the group and vote Susie off.  Randy does his part and works the crowd irritating all.

Immunity is a race across beams carrying puzzle pieces.  The first two who carry over three bags first join Corrine in the final round.  Mattie and Kenny join Corrine and the challenge is to line up the pieces like dominos on a beam and the first to have them all fall just right so as to knock the ball in the cup at the end wins.  A close race but Kenny wins!

Back at camp Sugar tells Bob if he gives Randy the fake idol she will “make it worth it”.  Bob gives the idol to him and all head to tribal feeling that their side is going to pull a fast one on the others.  In the end, Randy was the one blindsided and Sugar and Crystal sat back and laughed like school girls.

Bye Randy - I hope they have lots of clips of you at the Ponderosa.

Topics:

• Can you overthink things in Survivor?
• Too much of anything is still too much

Please join us during the live show, www.armchairsurvivor.com/liveshow and leave your comments on the blog (it makes Marji’s week reading your posts).  We will be out next week for Thanksgiving.  We hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful and you get the biggest half of the wishbone.

Break Music:  “If Only” by Her and Kings County from their album “1609″

Podcast:  AS20081120.mp3

Our sea legs: in place.

Unless you hear otherwise, we’re on for tonight!

Wish we did.

There are people who will no longer be on our Christmas list, though.

You people, though — we miss.

This sux.

Marji, Mike, Gabrielle and Nicholas
Where ever we may be

We will back as soon as we can.  Talk among yourselves.  We love you all.

Marji and Mike

M & M

Ken tries to pump up his tribe but they are starting to crack.  After CG rows off he gets back just in time to go to the Immunity Challenge.  The tribes are to roll a ball down a steep cliff, through obstacles and pas a blindfolded member of the other team.  The person blindfolded is guided by a caller.  Sugar and Ace team together and Sugar is the caller as Ace is the defender.  Randy calls for Dan on the Kota team.  Sugar forgets that she needs to talk out loud and is worthless in helping Ace even get close to blocking balls.  In the end Kota wins again!

Back at the Fang camp GC is ready to quit and go home.  Crystal is tired of his tantrums and is happy to let him “quit” but then they remember that Sugar may have the idol.  They search through her bag and see that she has found it - now who do they vote out?  In the end GC is voted out.

Topics:

• Tantrums
• Crazy or crazy smart?

Predictions

Thank you for everyone for listening, for joining the live show and for your comments.  Join us at 9:15ish EST on Thursdays for the live show and PLEASE post your comments - we love to hear from you.

Music by:  Her and Kings County - “Deep Six” from from “1609”

Podcast: AS20081016.mp3

Sugar happily goes to Exile as she picks comfort over clue and renames Exile as Sugar’s Shack.

Back in the game the teams are called to an Immunity challenge.  Teams are in individual rafts and each are given a paddle / lacrosse stick.  It is bumper boat / water lacrosse.  First to score 3 goals wins.  This challenge was one sided with Kota dominating the game - Bob, Marcus and Randy had a plan and executed it perfectly - 3 goals in a row and an easy win.

Fang went back to camp and tried to understand what happened to them.  As Ace put it so eloquently “We looked like legless chickens against sleek weasles out there”.  So off to tribal they go.  Should Kelly go as she was the poor performer and “whiny little cow” or should Jacquie go as she had a bond with Ace and Sugar who would be soon joining the tribe?  In the end GC, Crystal, and Ken decided that the bond was more of a threat than a poor player and Jacquie was voted out.

Topics:

• New Fang, Old Fang, Same bad Fang

• Did Ace throw the challenge so he could have Sugar on his tribe?

Picks:

Please join us during the live show - chat opens at 8:00 EST and the live show begins around 9:15 EST.  Also, leave your comments and picks on the blog.

Thank you all so much for your support!

Podcast: AS20081009.mp3

MARJI!  PLEASE COME HOME SOON!

Nonetheless, Fang was able to make a nice come back this week which kept them from becoming the loosingist tribe in Survivor (actually, they were far from that).  One of Mike’s favorites, Sugar, set aside her distain of swamps to make a nice little gain for herself, too, and in the midst of this we have to think to ourselves, “Is she going to pull another Johnny Fairplay?”  Isn’t is kind of strange that everytime someone’s loved one dies on Survivor we are so jaded as to start in with the “sure — dead — yeah right”  It’s kind of like being a Distorted View fan and hearing about old people getting hurt.  We got to see a show down between the physics geek and the computer game geek and it looked like perhaps Bob may have tied the bow tie a little too tight this time.  Paloma attempt to push a few buttons to save herself but in the end she may have fell a little short.

Gabrielle and Nicholas guest host on both the live show and in this podcast.

Podcast:  AS20081002.mpg

Contestants are dressed for interviews but instead dropped off in the middle of the fields of Africa.  The first task is to pick teams - the eldest of the group are captains and teams are picked.  There is the Fong Tribe (Red) - Gillian, Crystal, Susie, Matty, Randy, Dan, Danny (CG), Ken, Michelle and the Kota Tribe (Yellow) - Bob, Ace, Jessica (Sugar), Marcus, Charlie, Paloma, Kelly, Jacue, Corrine.

The first challenge is for each tribe to race up a hill (a steep hill) - first from each tribe to get there can grab an immunity idol which saves the person from the first tribal council, first tribe where all people reach the mat win extra food.  Individual greed vs. team prospering - what is each person going for.  Marcus and GC go for the idols and Matty helps his team up the hill.  In the end Fong wins the extra food.

Back at camp we start to learn about the players how the teams are interacting and what Africa has in store for all of them.  We get our first “call to the medical team” after Randy hits his head entering the shelter.  He stays in the game after getting stitches and bandages.

The first immunity challenge calls for the tribe to work together and also have spacial thinking - six players are tied together and go through a course and get puzzle pieces which they use to solve a puzzle.  Kota wins!  The debate of who to vote out is Michelle, the non-team player who is miserable, vs. Gillian, who isn’t strong at the challenges.  By majority vote Michelle is the first contestant voted off Survivor-Gabon.

The next challenge is one where the teams push a huge bolder through gates, gather keys, unlock gates and push the boulder to the finish.  Both teams are strong but Kota wins again!  They win immunity, fishing gear, and send Dan off to Exile Island.

Exile Island is different than Survivors past.  This season one can choose Comfort or Clue - Dan chooses clue but cannot crack the code and in the end leaves frustrated and without the immunity idol.

Fong goes to tribal council again and this time it is between Dan, who they think has the hidden idol, Ken, who isn’t blending with the tribe, and Gillian, who isn’t adding to the challenges.  Gillian is off and she leaves with a well-worded good-bye, “Bummer”.

Topics:

• Do they need a leader?

Picks:

Love talking about Survivor?  Come join the live chat as we are recording the podcast - we meet right after the show (and some are even on the chat during the show).  Also, please post your comments on the blog - we love hearing what you have to say.Thank you for joining us for Survivor - Gabon.

Music:  “Sick of Chicks” from “Album of the Year” by Brother Love

Podcast:  AS20080926.mp3

New URL:  www.ArmchairSurvivor.com

New e-Mail Addresses (make proper substitutions):

• show [at] armchairsurvivor.com
• marji [at] armchairsurvivor.com
• mike [at] armchairsurvivor.com

New Telephone Comment Line:  234-525-1549

Also, we may be adding a new community feature but we don’t have it nailed down yet — but it may include prizes.

Of course, we’ll still be recording live over UStream — just go to http://armchairsurvivor.com/liveshow/ to join the live recording and chat.  We’ll also try to do some mid-week shows so everyone can be involved.

Enjoy and comment below early and often.

Podcast:  AS20080910.mp3

Watch the video: [click here to watch]

Download the video: TheAmazingAlt.avi

Podcast: tcSURV080524.mp3

Check out Mikey’s new venture, www.tingie.com (inspired by tinge - to apply a trace of color). Watch. Listen. Discover some color. The site is an online entertainment channel where select artists can showcase their works. You can also download music and artwork for a small fee and there is free content, too. If you are interested in submitting work or providing financial sponsorship contact Mike at mikeyb [at] tingie.com (make proper replacements)

During the finale show we will have the chat open so you can talk with your friends - come join the fun at www.survivor.tubecasts.com/liveshow To change your name (be as creative as possible) type /nick XXXXXX (replacing the XXs with the name of choice) at the prompt. I go for the simple /nick Marji but others are much better as /nick NataliesNipples or /nick ThePointyStick to name a few.

As aways, thank you so much for joining us for the live shows, for participating on the blog and for listening! We do really appreciate it.

Peter (the Parental apostle) attempts to mend the ways of Judas (Michael Bortone) as he is coveting the neighbor’s wife in “The Last Supper”

Podcast: tcSURV080509.mp3

After winning the immunity challenge he picks Amanda to join him on his reward and sends Parvarti to Exile. Natalie is annoyed.

To win the immunity challenge each player must take two ropes, pull them across a circle using the coordinates given to him/her and where the ropes cross dig to find puzzle pieces. By solving the puzzle, it gives each person new coordinates and he has to dig again. Erik leads the challenge and wins! He has a guaranteed spot in the final four.

Back at camp the girls are scrambling. Cirie, ever thinking, gets an idea for Natalie to ask Erik for the necklace as a show of loyalty. If he does that then Cirie and Nat will vote for Parv. “That is a ridiculous idea. I can’t believe it could work.” says Nat.

The girls work it using the sex appeal, emotional appeal, and need to belong and at tribal Erik hands his immunity to Natalie.

Uggggghhhhhh - the girls giggle in their seats and one by one go up and cast their vote for Erik.

Bye Erik! James happily ends his reign as the dumbest Survivor and hands it to you.

Topics:

• Analysis of the final four

Predictions:

Thank you to all for your comments on the blog and participation in the show and chat this season. You make it great for us!

Podcast: tcSURV080508.mp3

This week, because it fit, we used a lot of Brother Love and Her and Kings County in the actual podcast. The songs were “Sick of Chicks” and “Silly Boy” by Brolo and “Deep Six” by H&KC — this episode of Surivor just BEGGED for them to be played. So to show gratitude to then and to keep them from pummeling us, go check out their albums Album of the Year and 1609 on iTunes. Buy early, buy often. Also, while at it, we’d like to thank Keith and The Girl, Madge Weinstein, Norm Augustinus, The Satan Cast and Armchair Kid Nation for letting us play their stuff on our feed during breaks and pre/post show, too.
Podcast: tcSURV080508.mp3

Amanda is sent to Exile and searches for the idol. She finds all the clues but has to wait until she returns to camp to find the idol - the idol is buried under the camp flag. Will she have time to look for it and if so find it?

James is called over by the medics and is medically evacuated to the hospital to get his infection under control. In true James fashion he mutters a few quiet words and then says “No use fretting about it. Going to get it done.” We are sorry you had to go James.

The immunity challenge involves saki and rifles - hmmm, interesting. Each tribe member must fire a rifle and break his/her three saki bottles - first to break all three wins immunity. Erik wins and the girls are scrambling.

At camp the group tells Amanda that she will be voted out. However, at tribal council, after an Academy award winning performance, Amanda pulls out the hidden idol shocking the tribe and cancelling out all of the votes for her. Alexis is gone.

Topics:

• Acting 101

Predictions:

Come join us for the live show and the chat. Favorite quote of the chat - they have the technology, they can rebuild him he will be faster, he will be stronger - the 0 million dollar man. Ohhh, poor James. Thank you for your comments!

Podcast: tcSURV080501.mp3

The food auction returns and a few win food and one loses and heads off to Exile Island. As the girls eat chocolate cake and Erik licks it off their fingers, Jason is busy at Exile looking for the idol. After a short search he finds the idol!

Reward challenge brings a few past challneges back too - breaking tiles, fitting puzzle pieces together to make a wheel, and using two planks to cross a rope bridge. In the end it is James vs. Erik. Happy birthday to you Erik - your present is the immunity idol

At camp the girls plot to make Jason comfortable in his place with the tribe, while behind his back plotting to make sure he or James are voted out.

Jason becomes too comfortable and trusting and in the end gets blindsided and like his idol, Ozzy, is off to the Pondi.

Thanks all for joining the live show and chat. We’ll be back either mid-week or by next Thursday. Please keep continuing your wit and humor throughout the week by posting on the blog.

Podcast: tcSURV080424.mp3

Live show again Thursday, 9:30 EST. Come join the fun.

Favorite quote of the show: “Some funk’s comin’ off the brother!” (Anthony Robinson, 2008)

Podcast: tcSURV080419.mp3

For the reward challenge the group is divided into two teams, one person swims out, crawls through a net tunnel and climbs a platform. On the platform are a series of symbols. The person studies the order of the symbols, swims back and then tries to duplicate the order of symbols. First team to correctly put the puzzle in order wins. There are to be two teams of four players - that means there is one player left over. Jason, Ozzy, Eric and Amanda are one team Natalie, James, Parvati and Alexis are on the other team. That leaves Cirie. Cirie is sent to Exile. Jason’s team wins! They fly off to Yap and enjoy dancing, feasting and … (well you all know what Mike would be saying).

The immunity challenge is simple in design - stand on a post with your arm in the air tethered to a bucket of water - drop your arm and you are out. 20 minutes into the challenge Cirie and Erik quit for a bowl of candy (why?????). The others drop out and with 6 hours into the challenge Parv tells Jason he should take Jeff’s offer of food and quit. Jason wants a guarantee that he won’t be voted out then and with fingers crossed everyone promises to not vote him out - so would you have believed them? Jason drops his arm, shares his food with the others and Parvati wins.

All think Jason is a fool to believe the promises but Cirie has a plan to make the move and vote Ozzy out. She pulls the group together and in the end Ozzy is the fool to not play his idol. Ozzy is out.

Topics:

• The game - outwit, outlast, outplay

Predictions:

Thank you everyone!!!!

Podcast: tcSURV080417.mp3

Armchair Survivor Bonus: Leif Garret - I’m Made for Dancing. Erik should probably avoid being associated with this — Leif was pretty lame in this video. No wonder he decided to get some street cred and do a little time.

In testifying about the good that the March of Dimes has brought to our society, there are two personal events Jerr has witness: the two lifes of our two children (Gabreille and Nicholas — they sometimes interrupt the show). Jerr’s niece and nephew are alive, in large part, because the March Of Dimes has worked very hard to improve the chances for those born prematurely (read more about the specifics here). Without the good March of Dimes brought to neonatology we would probably be parents only in name — with merely two urns of remains to call children. Instead, they lived. For that we are eternally grateful.

Once again, this year Jerr is doing his part to raise money for the March of Dimes so if you’d like to participate, please follow the links below. We and the March of Dimes appreciates anything anyone can do.

Click here to sponsor Jerr as he Walks for Babies	Click here to sign up to Walk For Babies yourself

Of course, if you do either, make sure to tell Jerr that Mike and Marji sent ya (it’s for bragging rights at Christmas and Thanxgivin’ — you know what an a-hole Mike likes to be).

Tribes are joined and questions of if old alliances hold or which “new” alliance will. Parvati joined with Alexis and Natalie and spoke for herself and Amanda and said that they were an alliance - Amanda is not too happy about that. Another alliance that isn’t making happy is Alexis’ alliance or budding showmance with Ozzy.

After the tribes merge and have a feast the immunity challenge is on! Each person must stand under a grate which is in the water. As the tide comes in there will be less and less room to breath - the last person standing wins. The last two standing are Ozzy and Jason and while Ozzy struggles and in the end gives up, Jason remains calm and easily wins.

Back at camp it appears that Eliza is marked for elimination as Parvati has had enough of her. Jason offers her the hidden immunity idol and they plot to vote off Ozzy. As Jason reveals the idol to her Eliza isn’t convinced - it is a stick, it is a stick with a smile…

At tribal, Eliza plays the stick, Jeff teases us all as he tells how the idol works and then dramatically ends it with “and this isn’t the idol”. Eliza exclaims then ah haa - Ozzy has the idol (to make sure all know), but nothing works for her and she is sent to the ponderosa.

Topics:

• Each player - how do they rate in his/her social, physical and mental game?

Predictions

Thank you al lfor your comments on the blog! Please keep them coming. Also, thank you for joining us during the live show! If you want to join next week, go to survivor.tubecasts.com/liveshow at 9:30 EST - call in through Skype and/or chat with the others. Also, check out our My Space page, www.myspace.com/armchairsurvivor , and be our friend. We really appreciate you all.

Podcast: tcSURV080410.mp3

Song part at the end “Deep Six”, Her and Kings County (how appropriate)

See HER & Kings County Nashville TN to Columbus OH Video

These folks played well, were fun and very polite (even the girl who spits beer).

Mike and John shot photos and video, some of which appear in this video. Caleb did the editing. John Z’s picture takin’ web site can be found at www.elimages.com/

Treemail brings news of an immunity challenge but with a twist. Each team has to vote for one person of the other team to sit out the challenge and go to Exile but that person will be immune at tribal council if their tribe goes.

Ozzy and Alexis are off to Exile Island with their immunity.

The challenge requires teammates to cross an obstacle course consisting of various balancing activities all the while the other team swings bags at them hoping to knock them off the course. Ozzy and Jason rock in the challenge but Jason pulls his team ahead to win. Airai wins! Pizza and beer delivered to the winners, the losers get a trip to tribal.

Back at Malakal with Ozzy still at Exile, Erik approaches Amanda and Cirie and to tell them of all of Ami’s plans and deals. Ami confronts them and says that she can be trusted - you know me, she says. Erik goes to his idol, Ozzy, as he gets off the boat and tattles on Ami all the while saying how loyal he is. In the end Erik stays and Ami is sent home.

Topics:

• Ozzy’s strategy and who his competition is
• Trust

Predictions:

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the live show and chat - what a blast. Come join the fun next Thursday at 9:30(ish) EST! Also, thank you for all listening and for the great comments on the blog.

Podcast: tcSURV080403.mp3

For a trip to the Herbal Essence Great Escape Spa four blindfolded teammates have to wheel the money wheel through an obstacle course, breaking tiles along the way to reveal smaller money stones which then are put together to solve a puzzle. It was an interesting challenge and in the end Malakal wins! Finally a win for Malakal.

Off to the spa where Ozzy gets to shower with Amanda and Ami, Erik gets to drool, and Cirie gets a good laugh.

Back at Airai Kathy is loosing it to the point Jeff is called in. Kathy quits.

The immunity challenge requires teammates to pull a rope and cross a floating bridge. When at the platform they attach the rope to a puzzle piece and the tribe pulls them in. Once all the pieces are retrieved they have to solve the puzzle. Malakal or should we say Ozzy gets a great lead in retrieving the puzzle pieces but in the end Airai’s puzzle solving ability leads them to victory.

At tribal there is a hint that Ozzy will be out but in the end the Malakal tribemates again follows Ozzy’s lead and vote out Tracey.

Topics:

• Stepping up - Leadership
• Endurance

Predictions:

Thank you all for joining us for the live show and chat! All are welcome during and after Survivor - come join the fun at www.survivor.tubecasts.com/liveshow. Thanks also for your comments on the blog - we can’t wait to hear what you have to write about this episode.

Š

Podcast: tcSURV080319.mp3

Mike’s correction (click each): Parvati, Parvati, Parvati and Parvati.

“Penner” is still feeling the pain of his cut but hangs in there for the reward challenge. Teams are playing to win 2 natives coming to camp to show them the ways of living off the land. Each team swims out and gets planks and ropes. After all are gathered the team has 10 minutes to build a blockade for the other team’s tunnel. Then the teams have to make their way through the tunnel - first team to get all their team members through the tunnel and onto the map win. Even with Penner’s injury Airai wins easily!

Chet and Jason head off to Exile Island. Chet uses the time to rest and heal his heel injury while Jason goes in search of the idol. He follows the clues and finds….. the pointy stick! Or, as Jason believes, the hidden immunity idol.

Jonathan is checked by the medics and as much as he sounds like Alan Alda as Hawkeye Piece, even he can’t keep infection from spreading. The medics and producers order him from the island and take him off to surgery - Jonathan, the infection has spoken. You played a great game this season Penner.

The immunity challenge is a repeat from Cook Island where the teams use stepping poles to transfer 2 tribe members from one tower to another. Once the team members are transferred all of the team must stand atop a platform. Airai, or should we say James, changes the game and lifts the stepping pole with the tribe member up and carries all to the next tower. Airai is the clear winner!

Chet begs to go home and in the end the tribe allows him to end his misery.

We talk with Billy Garcia, Survivor - Cook Island, about his upcoming charity wrestling match with Johnny Fairplay - check out all that is happening April 5th at www.myspace.com/billygarcia.

Predictions:

Thank you to all who joined us during our mid-week show. We would like to keep doing the mid-week show and to find a time that meets our audience’s needs. Come join the fun on Thursdays - liveshow with chat and call-ins at 9:30(ish) EST and then later in the week for the mid-week liveshow with chat and call-ins.

Podcast: tcSURV080315.mp3

If you caught our live show (9:30PMish Eastern Time) you got to experience one problem after another despite a call to tough guy and former Survivor, Billy Garcia (who is going to drop Fairplay on his face this April 5th, pin him, and then whisper in his ear, “Remember the Carrinos at Armchair Survivor”), a call from our own BrianAlt, as well as a Benny Hill styled video from Wyo Survivor Wannabe.

But when all was said and done, the live show was interrupted by computer melt down and the recorder was set to “Record only the most irritating part of the conversation” (Mike’s noises) so we had to start over again — two and a half minutes of apology topped off with Madge Weinstein agreeing completely.

Nonetheless, there is some good news:

Billy Garcia is going to be wrestling Johnny Fairplay this April 5, at the “Reality Rumble 2008″ in Virginia. There are going to be a lot of reality stars there and it’s for a great cause. Go to Billy’s web site for more details: http://www.myspace.com/billygarcia.

We now feel like the mid-week live show is a must. We’ll post the time on the web site really soon and if you have a time preference let us know. Also, if you’d like to be notified via e-mail, let us know at Survivor [at] tubecasts.com (you know what that really means). We promise this won’t be use for anything but telling you when the live show is going to be. We hate spammers.

Maybe, if you’re really lucky, I’ll see this disaster as an opportunity to post a video about Slappy’s leaf suit. That should be yank-licious (if ya know what I mean).

I’m going to bed — hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

OX
Mike

Podcast: tcSURV080313.mp3

Download the video cast: 080306Challenge.m4v

Watch on line [click here to watch]

The reward challenge has teammates harnassed together chasing the other tribe’s harnassed couple hoping to get their flag. This challenge brought as many laughs to us as injuries to the players. Fat lips, hit heads and leg wounds - it was painful. In the end Airai wins and takes home a bar-b-que feast.

Malakal goes back to the Favs camp and sees what living in Survivor luxury is like - all are happy. Airai’s camp is lucky to not be washed away from that day’s ocean waves. With the Favs help, Airai is able to build shetler and a place for fire - finally, a real camp at Airai.

The immunity challenge requires the team to throw stones to break tiles which then releases puzzle pieces. After all the pieces are released they must solve the puzzle. Airai is behind Malakal until Jon gives Eliza advice to “look at the big picture” Airai pulls forward and wins again.

It seems obvious that Chet will be going home tonight until Tracy starts working her magic. She puts in Cirie’s mind the idea that Joel is the big threat, and not that much help iin challenges, so he should be the one to go. Cirie brings the idea to Amanda and Ozzie and in the end the tribe keeps the weak and gets rid of the threat - good-bye Joel.

Topics:

• Injuries - pain you can work through vs. life flight pain
• Stay strong or keep your numbers - what should a tribe do?

Predictions:

Thank you everyone for participating and making this Survivor season great. Add your comments to the blog, send us an e-mail to survivor@tubecasts.com, and comment and be our friend on MySpace, www.myspace.com/armchairsurvivor.

Live shows are taped around 9:30 EST after Survivor, click on the live show link and join the chat. Also, call in on Skype (it is free). We are considering having a live show another time of the week also - if you would be interested let us know by e-mail.

Send in your Survivor audition tapes - official or unofficial, or any video you have that you would like to (and would be appropriate) to share - e-mail us for the details.

Thanks to all of you!!

Link to YouTube video discussed: http://youtube.com/watch?v=n0C4ZDO5r58

Podcast: tcSURV080306.mp3

Kathy and Ozzy are sent to Exile Island where Ozzy is anxious to search for the hidden idol. Kathy is happy to have someone who will show her the ropes of Survivor survival. Ozzy sneaks off to search for clues and ends up finding the idol. Taking direction from Yau-Man’s moves, Ozzy creates a fake idol and hides it - very clever.

For the immunity challenge the tribes are harnessed together between long poles, they have to unlock the harness and then move through an obstacle course grabbing 6 necklaces. Once all necklaces are found the remaining 2 tribe members put then on the coding wheel and solve a puzzle. The Favorites had their harnesses unlocked, and necklaces found before the Fans got unlocked - the Favorites easily won immunity.

Joel still is in charge at the Fans camp and tells Mikey B that Chet is out. Tracy catches Joel and convinces him that he has a better idea - keep Chet and get rid of Mikey - Joel likes “his” new idea and the they vote out Mikey. Darn it!

Topics:

• How did Tracy get Joel to change his mind?
• Both tribes are fighting, how is it the Favorites move past that for the challenges and continue to win?

Predictions

Come listen live and chat with other Survivor fans - we record Thursday nights around 9:30ish EST. Join in with Syke and uStream chat - both are free.

Thank you everyone for listening and participating on the blog and live shows - we really appreciate it!

Happy Leap Year Day!

Podcast: tcSURV080228.mp3

Warpaint and a Comfort Catalog are delivered for the tribes to prepare for the reward challenge. Teams line up on opposite ends of the lagoon and charge each other. The goal is to get your team’s three bags and two from the other tribe into the end zone all at one time. It is an all out wrestle fest with grabbing and blurring all around. In the end the Favorites won!

Kathy and Ami head to Exile Island where Kathy wants nothing to do with searching for clues - from the editting it looks like the idols were not found.

The reward challenge has 2 men and 2 women from each tribe holding up a basket. The other tribe shoots coconuts into it and the first to drop their basket looses. It looks like the Fans had the clear advantage and they win Immunity.

The Favs are a divided team with the Penners vs. the Parvatis with both fighting for Cirie’s vote. In the end Penner looses and it is Yau-Man who is voted out.

Topics:

• If you talk enough about it will it make it so
• Fighting logically vs. emotionally - which will get you the win

Predictions:

Come join the chat during the live show on Thursday’s at 9:30ish. Chat with other Survivor fans and call in to the show with your comments.

Thank you all for listening and your support.

Podcast: tcSURV080221.mp3

Click to watch: Part A | Part B

The Fans may have won the challenge last week but they are a divided camp. The younger 7 vs. the older 3 are having a rough time getting fire, building camp and getting food. Finally two camps are built (yes for one tribe), fire and food are had and the Fans are feeling better. Over at Beaches Resort, Favs Camp, the players are getting together in couples and enjoying resort life.

The challenge this week is one challenge for reward and immunity. 5 players from each team must swim out to a platform, leap and break a tile and a key will be released, the key is retrieved - each must get a key. The keys then unlock a chest holding a puzzle which must be solved. Ozzy, dolphin boy, gives the Favs a lead but it is a close race until Chet can’t get one of the keys - after that the Favs have a huge lead and win! They get immunity, a fishing boat, gear and get to pick one person to go to Exile Island (a twister - Exile Island is back). Kathy is the choosen one. Then another twist, the team must also pick one from their team to go to Exile also - Cerie is choosen.

Kathy and Cerie take advantage of the clues for the hidden idol on Exile Island and the producers leave us guessing as to if the idol was found.

There was a lot of scheming on the Fans camp and Mikey and Mary were blindsided as Mary is voted out. Joel is laughing his way to the top of the pack (or so he thinks).

Topics:

• Seperate camps for one tribe - smart or stupid?
• Do the Fans think too much and are they star struck by the Favs?

We have a new show format - we will tape a live show on Thursdays after Survivor (we will still be releasing the recorded show on Friday morning). Please come join us next week for the live show and chat - Mike and I are still getting use to the new structure but all who joined this week were right on.

Thank you all for listening and for your comments and support. Tell your friends to come join the fun.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Podcast: tcSURV080214.mp3

Have you ever wished you could put your two cents worth into the commentary? Wish no more.

Starting 2.14.2008 we will be recording Armchair Survivor live. You can listen and you can even participate. Best of all, it’s free. That’s better than George Busch’s tax break any old day!

Here’s how it will work:

Right after we watch the show (we live in the eastern time zone), we’ll start the show. Truth be told, though, it takes a few minutes to get the kids to bed and pour drinks. But fear not, we’ll start the show on the feed rolling with some pre-recorded pre-show. This will keep you entertained, let you use our built in chat to talk to other live listeners while we’re getting our acts together and also, give you a chance to adjust make sure you’re tuned in just right.

When we’re ready to go, you’ll be given a 60 second warning — and then we’re live! In all of our glory and all our ugliness. Here are some benefits to listening live:

• You get to hear everything we cut out of the recording — everything that DOESN’T make it to the podcast.
• You get to do live, web based, chat with all of the other listeners. We’ll be watching the chat boards so if you say something really clever we’ll use it as our own.
• You get to see our video feed. Though we probably won’t show our faces on this thing as we’re recording, we will use it to show stuff that we may be talking about during the podcast — and of course, that doesn’t show up in the podcast.
• You get to call the show and be our guest via Skype.

And the best part, all of this is FREE!

Here is what you’ll need to participate:

• A computer that will run a web browser that can run Adobe/Macromedia Flash. If you have any doubts, go over to http://survivor.tubecasts.com/liveshow right now and see if you can see a little USTREAM.TV screen and chat client.
• A computer that will run Skype and the latest version of Skype (this is only necessary if you with to call in to the show). This will also necessitate you use earphones when you call in so we don’t get feed back. Skype is free to download and free to use.

Yup — all of this is FREE.

If you just can’t wait to get started, do the following:

1. Download a copy of Skype, set up an account and set up Armchair.Survivor as one of your contacts. Go to http://skype.com to download the software.
2. A few minutes before 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time, set your browser to http://survivor.tubecasts.com/liveshow. When we start broadcasting, your computer will start picking it up.
3. Though it is best to make yourself a UStream.tv account (it too is free), you can also identify yourself on the chat by simply typing in /nick and then a handle you want to use for that show. For example, I could call myself “Amanda” by simply typing /nick Amanda into the chat entry line and then pressing the SEND key.

We look forward to seeing you on line Thursday night!

Podcast:  newliveshow.mp3

Two idols, one for each tribe, are awaiting the person who can find them first. Johnny Fairplay finds the idol but it is the other teams, he then tries to run to his team’s idol but in swoops Yau-Man to steal it away from him(go, Yau-Man! You keep that idol this time). With coaching from Yau-Man, Kathy of the Fans gets the other idol. The twist - the idol can only be used at your first tribal council.

The challenge is wild! After moving a cart through obstacles and assembling a puzzle to build the turnstyle, the Fans are the first to get their wok of flame in the air to WIN.

Back at a well established camp, the Favs divide into groups and Johnny Fairplay believes he has all of the team doing his bidding. He tells the group he wants to go home to be there for his unborn child, he tells the camera he wants to win the million for his child - which is the truth? We’ll never know for sure as Johnny gets only one of his wishes - he gets to go home.

Johnny Fairplay - the first Survivor to be voted out of Survivor Micronesia.

Topics:

• Do either teams have an advantage?
• Was Johnny Fairplay telling a lie or the truth when he told his fellow tribesmates he wanted to go home?

Predictions:

Welcome back to all who are joining us for another Survivor Season and for all our new listeners! We are glad to be back.

Armchair Survivor’s new tag line “We are a podcast that shoots from the hip with a little amnesia”

Next week, after Survivor airs (EST) we will have a live show and be taking calls - we hope to hear from you.

Please add your comments about the show and new season

Podcast: tcSURV080207.mp3

Todd gets the $1 million

James gets the $100,000

and Denise gets $50,000

Congrats to them all.

Fans vs. Favorites - the next season of Survivor.  Hope you all join us then.

Thank you everyone for another great Survivor season!  Happy Holidays.

Podcast:  tcSURV071216.mp3

Courtney and Amanda bond while the other three are feasting and scheming.

The immunity challenge is a mix of some of the previous challenges. From death stars to eating small bird parts - it was a close challenge but Amanda wins! There is talk at camp of who to go but in the end it is Peih Gee. She fought a tough battle but just couldn’t break the alliance.

Topic

• How much of your good fortune should you talk about and or whine about?

Finale is Sunday, 12/15 - who will win? Mike thinks Amanda, Marji thinks Todd - what do you think?

Thank you all for your comments last week and throughout the season.

Podcast: tcSURV071213.mp3

For immunity each member has to go through obstacles while tied to a rope and answer questions correctly to get a key to open a box which will release their flag - first to get three keys and release their flag wins. Boy, this was a grueling challenge - all looked exhausted but in the end Peih Gee wins. She is safe for another week.

Peih Gee and Erik try to persuade Denise to come to their side but Denise stays loyal and Erik goes home.

Topics:

• What does family do to Survivor dynamics
• Final 5 - how will this all play out

Predictions:

Let us know your thoughts! Thank you all for your great comments (and patience with the repeating blog) - we really appreciate all of you.

Podcasts: tcSURV071206.mp3