SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS - Official Thread

My somewhat fertile brain | 24 August, 2006 | Cuz_it_aint_their_money

[cuz_it_aint_their_money]

Yes FReepers and FReeperettes, its time once again for another season of Survivor.
This time they are in the Cook Islands, in the middle of the South Pacific.

I was going to start off this thread by informing you all about how Mark Burnett’s Production Company has decided to split the tribe along ethnic backgrounds. But that subject has been pretty much beaten to death on at least three different threads. So. . . .

I would like to point out that for all their talk about “minorities” not applying to the show as much as “whites” and about how they had to send their casting producers out to round up minorities, they apparently didn’t have to look too far.

Of the 20 contestants recruited for this season, no less than 13 are from California!
And of those 13, NINE are from the greater Los Angeles area!
So much for diversity!

[cuz_it_aint_their_money]

Let’s get right to it, shall we?

Here are your hyphenated tribes for Survivor: Cook Islands!

The “European-American” Tribe: (front row, first half, left to right) Blue Buffs

Adam Gentry, 28, copier sales, San Diego, California
Jessica Smith, 27, performance artist/roller derby girl, Chico, California
Parvati Shallow, 23, boxer/waitress, Los Angeles, California
Candice Woodcock, 23, premed student, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Jonathan Penner, 44, writer/producer, Los Angeles, California

The “Latino-American” Tribe: (back row, first half, left to right) Red Buffs

Cecilia Mansilla, 29, technology risk consultant, Oakland, California
Oscar "Ozzy" Lusth, 25, waiter, Venice, California
Cristina Coria, 35, police officer, Los Angeles, California
J.P. Calderon, 30, pro volleyball player, Marina Del Rey, California
Billy Garcia, 36, heavy metal guitarist, New York City, New York

The “Asian-American” Tribe: (front row, second half, left to right) Green Buffs

Brad Virata, 29, fashion director, Los Angeles, California
Becky Lee, 28, attorney, Washington, D.C.
Anh-Tuan "Cao Boi" Bui, 42, nail salon manager, Christiansburg, Virginia
Jenny Guzon-Bae, 36, real estate agent, Lake Forest, Illinois
Yul Kwon, 31, management consultant, San Mateo, California

The “African-American” Tribe: (back row, second half, left to right) Yellow Buffs

Rebecca Borman, 24, makeup artist, Laurelton, New York
Nathan Gonzalez, 26, retail sales, Los Angeles, California
Sundra Oakley, 31, actress, Los Angeles, California
Sekou Bunch, 45, jazz musician, Los Angeles, California
Stephannie Favor, 35, nursing student, Columbia, South Carolina

Anyway, enjoy!

[cuz_it_aint_their_money]

SURVIVOR PING ! ! !

Take care and I’ll be back next week with the Survivor’s Bios and my initial predictions.
Till then,

Freepmail me if you want to be added to or removed from the Survivor Ping List.

[finnman69]

a preview of what Survivor:Race War will be like

Stereotype olympics
Mind of Mencia

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z4DTAngL00Y&search=stereotype%20olympics

White guy, Mexican, Arab, Black and Chinese

[elc]

Woohoo. This Freeperette is very excited about watching a bunch of left coasters tear each other apart. Between Survivor, Amazing Race, and Lost gearing up, I just might survive without my Deadwood and Entourage.

But 20 survivors? I've only been watching for a couple of seasons, but isn't that a lot?

[YaYa123]

This is gonna be sooooooooooooo much fun to watch, and deep as I am in suffering "So You Think You Can Dance" withdrawal pangs, I'm thrilled to get your ping.

My first read on the odds is to put Latino and Asian tribes at a distinct early advantage because they have 3 guys.

[cuz_it_aint_their_money]

But 20 survivors? I've only been watching for a couple of seasons, but isn't that a lot?

Yes, it is more than they have had in the past.
When the show was first introduced, they had 16 survivors, split into 2 tribes of 8 each.
Since then, they have had as many as 18 players, split into 3 tribes of 6 each or 2 tribes of 9 each.

If they are keeping with the 39 day time frame, then they will need a couple of "double elimination" tribal councils or move the schedule around and have tribal councils closer to each other than every three days.

[So Cal Rocket]

I was at first repulsed by the premise of splitting the tribes up by race... but then I thought it through... in order to win at Survivor you have to reach out beyond your own tribe and make alliances with folks from other tribes.

The dynamics of watching this happen, especially when 4 tribes are reduced to 2 at some point... and then again when the final merge happens will be quite interesting. The person who can seamlessly work their way into several strategic alliances across tribe lines will win this. The people who "stick to their own kind" will be voted off quickly.

[So Cal Rocket]

By the way, Cuz. Thanks for doing this again!

Hope all is well with you and Mrs. Cuz, and all the Cuzlings.

[finnman69]

Did not notice that, 14 out of 20 are from California.

obvious wanna be actors

[Texas2step]

Thanks for the ping! Really, really ready for the new seasons to start for Survivor and TAR!

[mtbopfuyn]

I was at first repulsed by the premise of splitting the tribes up by race

You and the media. I don't see why everyone is so hyper about this. No one got repulsed by groups divided by sex or age and this is no different. It's just a publicity stunt - nothing more, nothing less. But you're right, in order to win you have to be able to get along with everyone or lie very well.

In a totally un-PC scenario, I'd love to see:

Latino team - turning their canoe into a low-rider, having long siestas, and rolling seaweed smokes.

Black team - breaking into gangs, freakin' over the water challenges, and rolling seaweed smokes.

Asian team - calculating morning, noon, and night on the odds of boots and puzzle strategies, and rolling seaweed smokes.

White team - burning crosses as their fire, fretting over their coconut blackberries, and rolling seaweed smokes.

[EmilyGeiger]

LOL! That is the funniest thing. :) Pinging you pookie to post # 3.

[mtbopfuyn]

Hey, better yet. Divide them by Dummies and Freepers!

[EveningStar]

Hi, cuz. I heard Rush talking about this yesterday. I got the impression he doesn't watch the show, but he was still a riot the way he was speculating who would win and why. :)

[pookie18]

I think I'll let you post it...in a comment...if you so desire ;-)

[luckystarmom]

I don't know if I'll be able to stomach the race thing.

My daughters went to a horrible public school that was very into the multi-culturalism thing. I couldn't stand it (and my girls are now in private school).

I am so sick of multi-culturalism, and I watched Survivor to escape things like that.

[Collier]

Did "So you think you can dance" have a thread? I was looking for one.

I loved that show and was so happy the Benji won.

[sockmonkey]

Between Survivor, Amazing Race, and Lost gearing up, I just might survive without my Deadwood and Entourage.

I was an Invasion junkie...I can't believe ABC cancelled it after one season... I knew something was amiss when I saw Sheriff Tom was going to be the FBI's top tracker on Prison Break

Now I'll never know if the hybrids take over the world, if Larkin's baby was a mega hybrid...bwaaaahh..

[Malacoda]

I'm shamed to admit how much I've anticipated "Survivor's" return.

[elc]

Did you see the article about the professor who wrote a chapter of his book just about Survivor spoiling? Amazing what a big game spoiling has come.