Nielsen Ratings

TV ratings for the week ending October 29, 2006.

I don't see our favorite reality TV show in the top twenty. Well, Survivor was a repeat last week (the highlights show) and the World Series was on.

1. Desperate Housewives (ABC)
2. NFL Post Game (CBS)
3. Dancing with the Stars (ABC)
4. Dancing with the Stars - Results (ABC)
5. CSI: Miami (CBS)
6. CSI: NY (CBS)
7. Sunday Night Football (NBC)
8. Lost (ABC)
9. CSI (CBS)
10. Criminal Minds (CBS)
11. 60 Minutes (CBS)
12. World Series Game 5 (FOX)
13. World Series Game 4 (FOX)
14. Deal Or No Deal - Mon (NBC)
15. Extreme Makeover (ABC)
16. World Series Game 3 (FOX)
17. Two and a Half Men (CBS)
18. Heroes (NBC)
19. Cold Case (CBS)
20. Without A Trace (CBS)

Highlights Show

This week's show is a re-cap of what's happened so far along with some unaired footage thrown in.

A Closer Look
Revisiting the first 15 days; previously unaired footage shows Candice and Adam stranded on a sandbar and Yul hiding the evidence after finding the Immunity Idol.

Driftwood 6

Voting Analysis
Aitu: everyone voted for Cao Boi except for Flica (pictured) who voted for Jonathan, so she must really be out of the loop.

Raro: everyone voted for Cristina except for Brad who voted for Jenny, so he must be out of the loop as well.


Alliance Analysis
Aitu: the Korean Konnection (Yul, Becky, Jonathan, Candice) looks like it will make the merge but after that who knows how loyal they will be to each other. Flica and Ozzy are in real danger of being voted off. Sundra should quietly make the merge.

Raro: Are there alliances in this tribe? It's hard to tell. Brad (pictured) seems out of touch with the others so I guess he would be the next to go but you never know with this tribe.

Ep. 6 Re-cap

Plan Voodoo


Reward Challenge
Pull off someone (from opposite tribe, 2 on 1) off a post and drag him/her across finish line.
Reward: Lamb, bread, apple cider at Tribal Council. Both tribes going to TC. Winners also get to sit in on losers TC.
Cao Boi sits out.
Aitu won Reward
Jeff Probst says that there will be another surprise at Tribal Council.

Scheming Is Free
Aitu. Proud they won. Plan Voodoo comes from a dream by Cao Boi to split the vote between Jonathan and Candice in order to flush out the Immunity Idol. Jonathan in private says the consensus is that Cao Boi should go. Becky tells Yul that the women don't trust Jonathan. Cao Boi believe that he can trust Yul and Becky.

Raro. Cristina tries to mends fences with the others but she's still worried that she's a target. Adam says she's an outsider at this point. Nate talks about keeping Cristina suggests Jenny instead.

Tribal Council Aitu
They end up talking about Cao Boi's plan and he talks about the big picture.

Voted Off
Cao Boi

Jeff: The hard part is over now, here's the food.

Tribal Council Raro
They talk a lot about Cristina and whether or not she can be forgiven.

Nate Kidnapped!
Jeff reveals the twist, Aitu can kidnap someone from Raro until next Reward Challenge. Nate is picked, he eats but does not vote.


Voted Off
Cristina

Jeff: You got rid of J.P. because you didn't trust him, you got rid of Stephannie because she lacked heart and now you voted of Cristina because she didn't fit in.

Water Cooler Talk
Here's what they'll be talking about at work in the morning.

Another big octopus caught by Nate.

That Reward Challenge was ripe for violence, Jeff had to call out "no choking."

What was Cao Boi's dream again? Kidnapping and credit cards and somehow he got the Plan Voodoo out of that?

Preview Episode 6

Plan Voodoo
One Survivor proposes "plan Voodoo," a plan to expose the hidden immunity idol if it's been found [Yul has it.]. Will they be able to convince their fellow Survivors to go along with the idea or will this plan backfire on the creator?

Tension is in the air after members of Raro admit that they have major problems with one of their tribe members [Cristina?]. Has this Survivor already dug their own grave or will they be able to win back over their tribe mates?

One tribe member tries to prove their strength and value during the challenge to win back over their tribe members. Will the castaway succeed in swaying the vote, or is it too late for redemption?

The Survivors are left in a state of shock when a surprise twist to the game is revealed at the reward challenge. [Both tribes will go to Tribal Council and vote someone off.]

One Survivor continues to be the main provider in hopes of securing their position in the tribe [Ozzy?]. Will these efforts work or are they just setting themselves up as a threat in the game?

Rumors
Cao Boi is the one behind Plan Voodoo. He thinks Jonathan has the Immunity Idol and goes to Yul with his plan (note Yul actually has the Idol).

Online chatter regarding those most likely voted off at the two tribal councils: Cao Boi, Flica, Jenny, and Cristina.

The next Survivor is rumored to be in Fiji.

Survivor Finale Date Set

Mark you calendars Survivor fans, the three hour Survivor Cook Islands three hour final extravaganza will be Sunday December 17, 2006. It will be the usual two hour finale followed by the live one hour reunion show where the final vote will be revealed. The live show will be in Los Angeles this year.

Driftwood 5

Voting Analysis
Everyone voted for Stephannie (except her, of course) so the Girl Power Alliance was a one-off thing - as I thought it might be. So I don't think Cristina's (pictured) little speech at Tribal Council really saved her but it probably was good for the tribe to air things out like that.


Alliance Analysis
On Raro things seem to be free flowing, whoever slips up the least bit before Tribal Council is in real danger of being voted off. So who would be next to go? Probably Cristina, she just doesn't seem to be in good with the others.

Over on Aitu the Korean Konnection (Yul, Becky (pictured), Jonathan, Candice) seems strong and may have just recruited Sundra as a fifth in case Flica changes her mind. The Alternatives - Ozzy, Cao Boi and Flica - are in real trouble. Did you hear when they stumbled on to Raro's camp? Someone on Raro said something like and it's the ones we don't like, referring to the Alternatives. So even if the three of them make the merge then they are going to have serious problems.

Stephannie on Early Show

I caught Stephannie on the CBS Early Show. She said that she has no regrets about being on Survivor and takes full responsibility for her being voted off [that's easy since there are no real consequences of being voted off, it's not like she goes to jail or anything], yet she did intimate that Nate was instrumental in getting her voted off [but she doesn't blame him, I guess there's a difference somehow].

Stephannie also said that she is a big fan of Survivor and tried out three times to be on it.

Next Update: later today Driftwood 5 - vote and alliance analysis, and more.

Ep. 5 Re-cap

Don't Cry Over Spilled Octopus

Reward Challenge
Weighting Game.
Reward: Fishing supplies, wine, food; winners select a loser to go to Exile Island.
Raro won Reward. It came down to Ozzy-Flica and Nate-Adam but then Flica let go of her weight.

Exiled: Jonathan.

While cleaning the octopus Cristina losses some of the cut-up octopus. Jenny labels her the new J.P. Sundra part of the Korean Konnection? The Alternatives (Flica, Ozzy and Cao Boi) visit another island which turns out to be Raro's camp!

Immunity Challenge
Make platforms out to a big platform in the water. Balance is very important.
Jonathan back from Exile. He says in front of others that he thinks that it has already been found.
Aitu won Immunity.

Scheming Is Free
Looks like it will be Cristina. Or maybe Stephannie (pictured) who talks like she wants to leave to get some mashed potatoes and gravy.

Tribal Council
Nate says that Cristina can be over-powering. She says that it wasn't intentional and that she'll tone it down in the future. [She is a cop after-all.]


Voted Off
Stephannie, (7 votes to 1?).
I would have loved to stay longer . . . you have to have your mind in the game 100% of the time . . . I glad to have had the experience, thank you.

Jeff: I hope tonight points the tribe in the right direction, we'll see.

Water Cooler Talk
Here's what they'll be talking about at work in the morning.

Did you see that octopus on Adam's ankle?

Cao Boi boring Raro with ancient Chinese stories.

Just what is that tattoo on Pavarti's lower back?

Did Jonathan let the others know that Yul has the Immunity Idol?

Preview Episode 5

Don't Cry Over Spilled Octopus
The Raro men decide to prove their worth around camp by gathering a ton of wood and food. Will this be enough to keep the women happy or will they be in danger?

While exploring the area, members of Aitu unknowingly land at Raro's camp. The awkward encounter becomes even worse when Cao Boi talks non-stop and asks if he can take some of their supplies.

Cao Boi becomes frustrated with Candice, Becky and Sundra as they laze around and do nothing at camp.

Adam catches a large octopus, but Christina, whose attitude is already annoying her tribe, accidently lets the octopus escape while rinsing it off. Will this incident put her in further jeopardy or will she be able to win her tribe over?

Rumors
Talk online is that Raro go to Tribal Council.

And aren't we due for two Survivors voted off? I mean we started with a full twenty contestants and there's still so many of them left.

Nielsen Ratings

(for the week ending October 8)

Survivor is doing pretty well in the TV ratings.

1. Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
2. CSI (CBS)
3. Desperate Housewives (ABC)
4. Lost (ABC)
5. Dancing With The Stars (ABC)
6. CSI: Miami (CBS)
7. Dancing With The Stars - Results (ABC)
8. NCIS (CBS)
9. Survivor (CBS)
10. Two and a Half Men (CBS)
11. CSI: NY (CBS)
12. Without A Trace (CBS)
13. Criminal Minds (CBS)
14. Extreme Makeover (ABC)
15. Sunday Night Football - Steelers vs. Chargers (NBC)
16. ER (NBC)
17. Law and Order: SVU (NBC)
18. Ugly Betty (ABC)
19. Shark (CBS)
20. Cold Case (CBS)

Driftwood 4

Voting Analysis
Only J.P. and Nate voted for Stephannie, everyone else voted for J.P. Now I would have thought Parvati would have clued in Nate but I guess not. Who tipped off Adam (pictured)? Was it Brad or maybe Parvati?

I think the voting shows that this was less a Girl Power revolution and more of a popular uprising against J.P. I'm not sure the alliance will last.

Alliance Analysis
Aitu Tribe: Jonathan (pictured), Flica, Cao Boi, Ozzy, Candice, Yul, Becky, Sundra.
Korean Konnection: Yul, Becky, Jonathan, Candice (plus Jonathan thinks he can control Flica). This seems to be the only organized alliance in Aitu. The leaders seem to be Jonathan and Yul. Yul has found the Immunity Idol on Exile Island and he is real tight with Becky.

The Others: Cao Boi, Ozzy, Sundra. Flica has an affinity for Ozzy and Cao Boi - they are all free spirits - so she may not be that loyal to Jonathan.

Raro Tribe: Parvati, Nate, Brad, Adam, Cristina, Jenny, Rebecca, Stephannie.
Girl Power: Jenny (pictured), Rebecca, Stephannie, Cristina, Parvati. Jenny seems to have started this alliance and she went to Brad when Parvati was hesitant to go along. This doesn't appear to be a strong alliance at the moment.

Ep. 4 Re-cap

Ruling the Roost

Ozzy bummed out about Cecilia being voted off, says he's next.

Reward Challenge
Rope obstacle course, puzzle.
Reward: Warmth and Comfort (blankets and pillows) and chose a loser for Exile.
Aitu won Reward.

Exiled: Adam.

Immunity Challenge
Adam back for competition.
Stretcher puzzle, swimming, carry person, build fire.
Cristina sits out.
Aitu won Immunity. It was close Raro had trouble building fire, but Cao Boi was an ace fire starter. Jenny cut her hand while trying to start the fire.

Scheming
Stephannie says out loud in front of the others that she's the weakest link and she should be voted off, she's ready to go. Jenny gives birth to the Girl Power Alliance and targets J.P., Parvati is hesitant, but Brad seems willing to go along with the women.

So it looks like Stephannie or J.P. who will be voted off.

Tribal Council
Jeff gives each of them a little grilling. He starts with Jenny and gets her to talk about J.P. - "He likes to command a lot."

Voted Off
J.P., (7 votes to 2).
You guys outwitted me big time . . that was pretty good. I never saw it coming . . . it takes more than being physically strong . . . they really pulled one over on me . . . you can't trust anyone in this game.

Jeff: You voted off someone who appeared to be a strong member of your tribe, I hope it's part of a plan to get this tribe together.

Water Cooler Talk

Here's what they'll be talking about at work in the morning.

Ooohh, the baby bird. Cao Boi gave it back to its mother, I wonder if it survived? I wonder who can climb a tree faster, Ozzy or Cao Boi?

Ozzy's fish market. He caught a bunch of fish. Will this help him get in good with his tribe?

Preview Episode 4

Ruling the Roost
Feeling vulnerable, Ozzy proves his worth by catching a feast of fish. As the only member left from his original tribe, will this be enough to keep him safe?

One tribe finds itself divided: men against women. Can they find a way to pull together and work as a team or will this division be their downfall? [TV ads indicate this is probably Raro tribe.]

When Candice returns from Exile Island and is questioned about why she thinks she was sent away, she plays dumb and avoids discussing her ties to the other tribe. Will her tribe's growing suspicions put her in jeopardy or has she talked her way out of trouble? [Did Candice's shomance with Adam have anything to do with her Exile?]

J.P.'s dominance and controlling demeanor around camp angers some of the women in his tribe. Will this behavior put a target on his back?

Rumors
There is some talk online about this week being a double Tribal Council, meaning the game ends for two Survivors. I tend to believe the rumor. The episode's title, Ruling the Roost, will apply to both tribes. Cao Boi will find a baby chick, and the women of Raro may vote off J.P. Ozzy is most likely going to be voted off by Aitu.

Survivor Live Billy

Billy
On Being Voted Off
Throwing the Immunity challenge was disrespectful to the game and Hispanic ethnicity and was a farce. He was suspicious before the challenge but just assumed it was the normal Survivor paranoia, but during the competition it became obvious they were throwing it. Billy knew he was a goner so he insisted on selecting Yul for Exile as sort of revenge.

On Candice
Billy intends to apologize to her for the misunderstanding (and maybe ask her out on a date). They did spend some time together on the sail ship in the beginning helping each other avoid getting sea sick (not aired).

On Cristina
Cristina is an angel among devils. She was his favorite in his tribe (Ozzy and JP least favorite). Billy hopes to stay in contact with her.

Most Memorable Moment: jumping off of the sail ship in the beginning. How many people can say they did something like that?

Least Memorable Moment: an argument with JP (not aired) in which they fought over whether to vote off Cristina or Cecilia.

What's Next?
Billy is still working on a music career and Survivor producer Mark Burnett has a record company (he also produces Rock Star) and has asked Billy to give him a demo tape of his band Forsakken (they also have a My Space page).

Dalton
Most of the press really liked Billy personally before Survivor started, however Yul is Dalton's pick to win. Initial impressions are important in the game [something that may have hurt Billy?]. Emotions are amplified during the game which may explain Billy's 'love at first sight' with Candice.

Jenna
Jenna is back to faded jeans after wearing a nice black dress the first week. She is over her crush of Ozzy, she thinks he and JP are bullies and felt bad for Billy. Ozzy has been on Playboy's Foursomes. Jenna thinks Cristina is real nice so she probably will not go far.

Off topic: Jenna will be in Heidi's wedding which will be around New Years. Jenna also recommends that school kids skip school to watch Survivor Live, "I'm all for truancy." [She was joking.]

Jeff Probst (recorded before Survivor played out)
They really enjoyed having Billy on Survivor, he's very funny. He came on with the attitude of 'don't judge me by my looks, but for who I really am.'