Great podcast guys!!

I somewhat share Randy's point of view on the evolution of the show. Now, it's more of people doing stuff for TV and less game players. Less natural characters like the original Rupert for instance. He was the big, lovable, pirate because that was just him. Russell comes onto the show saying he just wants to prove how easy it is to win this game, and all of his hype character, it's all for TV and all to get famous.

I kind of miss those little personal things on survivor, like in the Amazon when they had those purely comical moments of Tambaqui talking about getting with the women to your Magic 8 Ball or everyone making fun of Butch because he's obsessed with firewood, or even your confessional about how Roger will not win the immunity challenge unless it is a name that Perry Como song or name that type of prune or something only an old man like Roger could determine. Now, the show is none of that, and all strategy and game play, which isn't bad for long time viewers who understand the strategy, but casual fans don't pick up on that, and even hardcore fans like myself miss the days where Maraamu would have their morning show.

I can't wait for Sandra next week by the way!!

Very entertaining podcast.

What Randy said about no funerals being annulled was one of the best parts, imo.
And Nicole said something that was hilarious, but I can't remember what it was now… I'll try to find it again sometime and post what quote it was.
Other than that, Rob was obviously clever/funny, as usual.

Oh, and I agree with what Randy said about how CBS molds characters into how they want the audience to perceive them… but I get why they do this, and I don't blame them. You need to develop strong characters that people can get into, so when someone does something “out of character”, chances are, it won't make the final cut. But kudos to Randy for shaving his head for the finale… I understand the statement he was trying to make.

I also enjoyed his Boston Rob bashing; that's one guy I'll never ever like, as a fan. When he mocked Mr. Cesternino on All-Stars1, saying he was like a little kid making sandcastles or whatever when he was TRYING TO FIND THE CLUE totally turned me off to him. Big time not the personality type I like. If you could create a human being using genetic engineering, etc. and choose all their personality traits… and I were to create someone that would totally clash with my personality type, it would be the Boston Rob character. So anyone that bashes him, gets a thumbs-up from me.

One thing I disagree with Randy on though, is how Survivor is worse now. HvV was one of my favourite seasons of all time, and I think they've mastered the art of evolving the show affectively. They've experimented with some things throughout Survivor history, and the ones that didn't work out, they got rid of (Exile Island, Battle of Races, etc.)

Can't wait to hear Sandra's justification as to why she's the best player in Survivor history. I think it's Parvati, so I'm with Rob on that one.

Ahhh, regarding what Nicole said that I found hilarious… it was when she said Jonny Fairplay's computer probably has a lot of viruses. Rofl, good stuff.

Was good of Randy to deconstruct the “Sandra played a good social game” nonsense. Other than Courtney, I am sure nearly everyone who played with both of them preferred their time “social” time with Parvati to their time with Sandra. Sandra is mouthy, and she has terrible control over her emotions. Heck, Randy seemed to suggest even Russell is a better person to have around camp.

They didn't give Sandra the win because she was better at the social game. They gave it to her because she was the person least in control of the game and thus the person least responsible for their torches getting snuffed.

That's what Survivor has become. It's not about who wins the challenges. It's not about who controls the boot order. It's not about who can get other people to do what they want. It's not even about who is the best/nicest person. It's about who played the smallest role in sending people to the jury.

“How was Parvati controlling the boot order? You need to watch the last few episodes of this season.”

Parvati had a greater control over the boot order than Sandra. That point should not even be in question. If you subbed Sandra for a teddy bear on day 1, the game plays out almost exactly the same. The only difference is that Courtney leaves one week earlier and Coach stays in the game one week longer. Jeff Probst's questions at Tribal Council and challenges affected the game more than anything Sandra tried to do.

What's worse is that she wasn't exactly trying to fly under the radar. She was trying to control the game. She just failed at it over and over.

“Sandra was clearly the most liked person out there, or else the jury wouldn't of vote for her.”

I dont think that was “clearly” the case at all. Like Randy said, if Jerri had made the finals, we would have seen a jury implement the “let's vote for the person we like the most” strategy. But they didn't do that here. The simply refused to vote for Parvati because she got in the way of their plans for winning. They held Parv's control over the game and her role in their ousters against her. Since Sandra had no control over anything, she was a safe choice.

Do you really think JT, Amanda and Candy look back on their limited time with Sandra with great memories? “Boy, I loved getting up in the morning and talking to Sandra.” I bet JT didn't even know her name when he left the game.

Parvati did control the boot order more than Sandra. But why would Sandra want to control the game when it is going the way she wants it to? Except for eliminating Russell, which she tried to do but when she couldn't was still able to cover for herself. She was never in danger of going home. Each boot went the way she wanted it to, anybody but her, so their was no need to control the game, and she ended up winning with this strategy.

Even if it was because Russell and Parvati was the cause of the heroes getting voted out, Sandra was still the most liked person in the F3, thus playing a better social game.

in my estimation, anyone that “crowns” Sandra as “the queen” is the one in need of a lobotomy. just sayin.

I would say Sandra did step back and let everything happen. Sandra's main priority wasn't to get rid of Russell. She was just playing around the idea with the heroes again and again. But she still managed to cover herself again and again, so no harm was done with those moves. She knew when to stop with the getting rid of Russell idea.

You can't blame Sandra for wanting to get rid of Russell after everything he did to her. Like when Courtney and her was sitting with Boston Rob, and Russell told Rob to get rid of either her or Courtney right in their faces. And during the tribal counsel on episode 11, he was describing all the Villains and said Sandra was “just there”. I don't blame anybody for wanting to get rid of Russell, even though it would be the best idea not to.

And I'm pretty sure Sandra would of get all the heroes' votes (maybe not Colby) if she was up against Jerri. Sandra did win before, so that might have been the only thing against Sandra, but I don't think they people really cared about that this season, especially JT. Also, Parvati would of never received a hero's vote even if she was without Russell, the minute she played the two idols and gave that little cocky speech, all the heroes hated her.

Rob I am so disappointed in you… You didn't press Randy about Coach's crush on Jerri: http://bit.ly/b8T3Sg

By the way Coach is a coach again if you haven't heard. Mixed reactions according to this article: http://bit.ly/90KLwB

Here's an interview with the man himself: http://bit.ly/aM8QgF

Comment I found somewhere: “Ok look, I had a chance to play for Coach Wade at his camps when he was at SBU, and say what you want about his “arrogance,” but the man is a PHENOMENAL COACH! I can honestly say that of all the coaches I've played for he knows the most about the game. He is a passionate competitor and that is why he comes across the way he does. Lassen obviously knows that or they wouldn't have hired him. And as far as calling himself the “Dragon Slayer,” its nice to see that everyone still has a sense of humor… NOT! I mean wow guys, get to know the guy before you start judging him to pieces. That is all.”

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Looking forward to having Sandra on the podcast. Please do not get Stephenie or Tom. Every interview they've done has been the EXACT same thing and all they do is bash James.

Definitely get:
-Courtney aka Nicole's BFF
-Boston Rob so you two can work out your “issues.”
-Parvati (She's only on Twitter, no Facebook)
-Rupert? I feel like it'd be a funny podcast if not anything else
-Coach/Jerri with one listening in on the other
-Tyson

I liked Randy's comment on how your success depends on who you are playing with.
The classic cases here were Ami on Fans vs Favourites, and Tom in Heroes vs Villains.

They both found themselves outside of the power groups of their tribes, and so were doomed.

I loved this podcast! Really some great questions, Rob. I couldn't have done it any better myself.

Also, I think you should have some kind of contest to find out who is the biggest Rob Cesternino fan. I need to put that Khoa Nguyen in his place.

I thought during the FTC, Sandra was just saying that to make the heroes feel more guilty about not aligning with her. If her main goal was to get rid of Russell, I don't think she would just stop all of a sudden deciding just forgetting about her main goal in the game. And by playing around, I meant she was only having a short conversation with Rupert just to put the idea in his head. Except during the episode she was discussing with Candice. I think that was the only real time she put some effort into trying to get rid of Russell.

I like Tom, but I don't think he'd be great radio

I agree, Courtney and Tyson would be great guests; I have a feeling they would be no holds barred with the juicy behind the scenes gossip!!!

Rupert is too boring and shy and I bet B. Rob and Parvati would act “too cool for school”

I think a JT/Fishback would be a great conversation to listen in on as well

So, I'm guessing that the person that you called on accident on the Stephen Fishbach podcast was actually Randy and it was all a hoax. I'm sure you won't admit it but they sound exactly the same.

i have a great idea for a vlog… because cbs refuses to release amazon on dvd, why dont you commentate on an episode of it off youtube and videotape it???

gee Randy your talk about hating people who “do stuff just for the sake of being on TV” applies to your bff Jonny Fairplay more than anyone else on the planet……just kidding Fairplay rules.

also how can Randy claim that they used reactions of him at Day 10 tribal council when he would have been wearing a different colored buff?

Lies. I posted something.

Rob, I like your survivor deadliest warrior 1000 head-to-head battles idea.

As always I agree with 95% of Porkstorekiller. I would add that I am not convinced that Sandra had such a huge influence on the boot order with Coach. He had other better reasons to get rid of Coach: The fake-girl alliance, the animosity of Coach toward Russell post-Rob (he was carrying on about him being a bully), his relationship with JT, that he was a physical threat post-merge. Sandra “manipulated” Russell into acting in his own best-interests which is hardly brag-worthy.

Sandra even said on her visit to this podcast that her only strategy for most of the game was to make sure Russell got punished for getting rid of Rob and Tyson. The people on here who have suggested in the past that she was not really trying to get Russell out because it was obviously a dumb thing to do and proof that she couldn't realize any of her goals have been trying to assign logic and reason to her play when in reality most of the time she was on the island she was playing like a child with hurt feelings.

Parvati dominates challenges? Give me a break. She can only win endurance challenges. Everything else she is borderline mediocre. Watch Ep. 6's challenge that actually required athleticism; Rob M, Tyson, and Russell all beat her. Some challenge dominator.

Parvati's social game was overrated this season. She's been known for her social game but over the past three seasons she's gone more strategic, less social each season. She only had a good social game with Danielle/Russell.