North West's origin story involves a bit of fashion. Kim Kardashian got candid with daughter North about the night she was conceived during the Nov. 24 episode of Hulu's The Kardashians. As seen...
Hop in a BarcaLounger, grab a Nestlé Toulouse cookie and settle in, because we're taking a closer look at the Friends Thanksgiving episodes. Even though Friends has been off the air for 18 years,...
For it being the day before Thanksgiving, this episode of Survivor was no turkey. We are watching some incredible players enter the home-stretch of a long and grueling game, and there’s almost zero dead weight. As discussed at Tribal Council, this is a game chock-full of deadly assassins. There is a precision to who is being targeted, and Jesse even gave us a three-step breakdown as to how to pull off a perfect blindside.
In the end, it was the “warrior” Noelle who took the silent proverbial bullet, but she didn’t go down without carving out a spot in Survivor history. A true champion and an inspiration all season, Noelle’s comeback to win the Reward Challenge was a sight to behold. As it was playing out, I was readying a number of complaints aimed at the show’s producers, about how unfair it was to have a balancing be part of a competition in a season where an amputee is competing. I’m sure a number of viewers were thinking the same. And it never occurred to me that Noelle would come back to win the challenge…as a seasoned Survivor-watcher, we are used to the cameras lingering on “the one who has fallen behind” during a challenge, where their story is about personal triumph, or “digging deep” to complete the challenge, but hardly ever about how they stage a massive come-from-behind, improbable and nearly impossible victory.
Kudos to Noelle for never giving up and proving everyone wrong. It was a fitting end to her story, as she has been one of the more persistent competitors this season. As the others described, every time they’ve tried to take out her allies, she has been able to regroup. But as fierce a warrior as she is, there are just too many savvy strategic masterminds left in the game for her to have been able to overcome.
On the strategy-front, some major developments occurred during this week’s episode, that set-up what we may see play out over the coming weeks, and the final stretch of episodes. One, Sami‘s game has been all but exposed. To the viewer’s eyes, Sami has played a very effective “down-the-middle” game, but revealing the plan at the last minute to Karla before last week’s Tribal Council has painted Sami a “flip-flopper” by the rest of the tribe. They’re on to him, and the implication is that the “flip-flopper” style of game isn’t really respected…Sami may not be winning material after all, unless he makes some strong and surprising moves down the stretch.
Secondly, Jesse and Cody are – as Cody says – “steering the ship.” It’s true, as they are indeed the true power couple left in the game as we are now down to just seven players remaining. But importantly, Gabler sees it. Gabler is tucked in nicely and is in my view the real person in the middle of everything. With so many big fish to fry, Gabler may just have what it takes to navigate his way to the end, and win. You’ve heard it hear first. Remember though that simply noticing the Jesse/Cody power duo is only half the battle…someone is going to need to act on it, and soon, if they’re going to overcome it. Not only are Jesse/Cody calling the shots, but they have TWO Idols. An Immunity Idol hasn’t been played successfully yet in this “new era” of Survivor (defined as every season beyond Season 40), but with a little luck on that front, Jesse/Cody may not be able to be stopped, regardless.
While Karla still has an Idol, it appears that she has lost a bit of control over her game after last week’s vote. But don’t underestimate her. Cassidy too, is a sneaky pick to go far as she’s just under-the-radar enough to become a threat…and winning her first Individual Immunity only goes to raise her profile. Owen, of all of the remaining seven, seems like the only one left who has not at all been in control of his own game…he continues to vote outside the majority alliance, and nobody seems to view him as a real threat to win.
Where things go from here is anyone’s guess, but I’m stoked that such a high-caliber group of players are still remaining. In a typical season, we’d see many of them blindsided much earlier on, so it’s rare that so many great strategic players have made it so far in the game. But something’s gotta give, and time is running out.
Episode Take-Away: This was a solid episode (as is usually the case with the Thanksgiving Eve episode), and a perfect ending note to Noelle‘s story. I love that I feel invested in the players that are left and I truly don’t like the thought of any more of them going home. Of course, there can only be one winner, and I have absolutely no idea who would be considered the front-runner at this point. Is there one? I feel like Jesse and Cody are in great shape if they can just get through one more vote, and if they don’t catch on to how good Gabler is playing this game, that could end up being their fatal flaw. Heck, it may end up being everyone’s fatal flaw, should they keep him around until it’s too late.
Erik Reichenbach DabuDoodles Art. We’re honored here to be associated with Survivor legend Erik Reichenbach, who just so happens to be an amazing artist. As always, we’re thrilled that he shares his talents every week on my column and with my audience with a new piece of Survivor artwork each week. His latest piece will appear here usually in the days after the show’s airing, so if it does not appear here now, check back usually by the weekend following an episode and give this page a refresh. All of Erik’s work can be found and purchased on his site, DabuDoodles.com, and I urge you to support this fantastically skilled former Survivor player!
Out this week: Noelle
Won Immunity: Cassidy (1)
Vote Result: No advantages or Idols were played. 5 – Noelle (Jesse, Cody, Karla, Gabler, Cassidy), 2 – Karla (Sami, Owen), 1 – Sami (Noelle).
Current Advantage List:
Next Week’s Episode: Gabler has a plan for a Final Three…Boatmail sends the tribes scrambling through the jungle…and an underwater challenge has players literally gasping for air. Don’t miss it!
Quick Note! I appreciate that you are reading this recap! Those that have followed me also know that I am also a TV personality in the Detroit area, as well as a RottenTomatoes-approved film critic. I encourage you to check out my past movie reviews and my movie show (episodes are also available online at the website, www.MovieShowPlus.com.) As always, the easiest way to get all of my Survivor coverage and movie reviews is to follow me on Twitter – @tomsantilli – or on Facebook.
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS WEEK’S EPISODE? ANY FINAL THOUGHTS ON NOELLE? AND WHO ARE YOU ROOTING FOR THUS FAR TO WIN THE GAME?
[Photo Credit: CBS/Monty Brinton/Robert Voets/Timothy Kuratek/Jeffrey Neira/Michele Crowe/David M. Russell]
The post Survivor 43 Episode 10 Recap: Anatomy Of A Blindside appeared first on Reality Tea.
It might be turkey time, but The Masked Singer dialed it back to spooky season. The Nov. 23 Fright Night-themed episode brought the arrival of two new celebrity competitors—and a self-imposed...
I think it’s safe to say that most of the Bravoverse are happy that the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is finally over. This season was intense, so heated, and so painfully tough to get through. Not only were fans watching the continuation of Erika Jayne’s messy divorce from Tom Girardi, but this season also featured a very bothersome Kyle Richards, an even more boring Dorit Kemsley, and an odd Diana Jenkins that people were ready to be done with.
Thankfully, we had our girls Garcelle Beauvais, Sutton Stracke, and Crystal Kung-Minkoff to get us through. Showcasing their bestie status, their fashion, and just giving us light-hearted FUN moments. Everything we want to see on the Real Housewives. Additionally, Kathy Hilton returned to the series halfway through after sitting out the first half due to alleged contract negotiations.
Unfortunately for Kathy, if she thought her second season on the highest-rated Bravo show right now would be a walk in the park… she had another thing coming. Most of the viewers really gravitated toward Hilton during season 11. She brought humor and wit to the show — something that was missing. Her second run, however, would be much different.
By now, you know the story. During their cast trip to Aspen, Lisa spotted Kathy having an alleged meltdown and trashing her sister and some of the ladies on the cast. Oh, also, she apparently stomped on what I’m assuming are at least a pair of $25,000 glasses… you know how the Beverly Hills ladies are. Well, after that, the news broke about Kathy, and things were never the same.
Lisa had a field day with this all season long. Threatening to expose texts and receipts and dragging this thing out as if it was interesting to fans. I think Rinna thought she’d be able to strongarm Kathy into “talking about it” for the sake of the show. But boy, was she wrong. Kathy lit her up at the reunion and frankly, that’s the energy I always need from a Housewife. Make it interesting, please!
“You’re the biggest bully in Hollywood,” Kathy shouted at Rinna while filming their reunion. After the season’s conclusion, Kathy made it clear that she would not return to the show if the two “bullies” were still on. Yes, she was talking about Lisa and EJ.
Now, Andy Cohen is breaking his silence on the heiress’ ultimatum.
He told Us Weekly, “Everyone who’s on the show, I want them to be excited about being on the show and have a level of desire to be on the show and feel great about it.”
The Housewives executive producer shared that it’s not uncommon for certain cast members to say they “don’t wanna interact with ‘X person or Y person.’ And so, it’s totally their decision,” he said.
If I had to guess… I wouldn’t bet on seeing Kathy on the 13th season of RHOBH. Although, things could always change. “It’s kind of a downtime [for RHOBH], which is I think important between seasons. Especially when the season is so volatile,” he finished.
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT ANDY’S RESPONSE TO KATHY’S ULTIMATUM? WHO DO YOU WANT TO SEE RETURN TO RHOBH FOR NEXT SEASON?
[Photo Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images]
The post Andy Cohen Responds To Kathy Hilton Saying She Won’t Film RHOBH If Lisa Rinna And Erika Jayne Return appeared first on Reality Tea.
The Crown season five may be over, but these series deserve the royal treatment. If you're feeling a void in your heart after watching The Crown season five, you're not alone. The season...
