Survivor V: Thailand

SURVIVOR PING

A big ol FReeper thanks to YourAdHere for starting this thread. As always, if there are any FReepers who want to be added to or deleted from the Survivor Ping List, just send me a FReepMail.

Also, there are bound to be new FReepers out there since Survivor 4 ended last season, and I'll bet that at least one will ask the question "What does Survivor have to do with advancing the conservative cause." The answer to this question was best answered (IMHO) by FReeper Lee'sGhost with the following:

“Survivor is microcosm of our society. I find it fascinating to see how the Gen-Xers deal with the boomers, the professionals with the blue collars, the libs vs the conservatives. The bug eating stuff is dumb but is really the smallest part of the show. It's seeing how a bunch of young people who won't do any work gang up on productive middle-agers and still lose that rocks my boat. Basically, you can see a little bit of almost every topic addressed on FR played out in some form or fashion during these shows. And just for the record, it's the lack of all these things that make all those other "reality" shows just plain dumb.”

I couldn't say it any better, so, Lee'sGhost, Hope ya don't mine if I borrow yer words.

I'm working on a post giving the contestants bio's and my two cents worth on each. It should be done by next week.

Till then,
Enjoy,

I just checked out the bios, there are more boomers this time. Hopefully, the spoiled kids won't be able to gang-up on their elders this time.

I am soooo there dude.

From the looks of Brian, I'd say he wasn't in the hetero variety of porn.

Thanks for the ping. Those two stories add some intrique.

I loved the luxury items...the bimbo who brought body paints and the 23 yr old bartender who took a skateboard? A skateboard? What the hell was he thinking?

Jed has a leg up having been to Thailand and Cambodia before. Erin's video made me think she's pretty loose, and yeah, the car salesman can't be long for this game.

I was really disappointed that Vecepia won the last round, but will probably watch this one too.

Thanks for the plug. I'm primed and ready -- it's SURVIVIN' TIME!

oldvike: I think you nailed Brian. Wait, that doesn't sound right. I think Brian's story is a bit queer. Yeah, that's it.

oldvike: I think you nailed Brian. Wait, that doesn't sound right.

Ahhhem, NOT FUNNY!!! LOL!!

Well fellow FReepers, I guess Mark Burnett still hasn’t learned his lesson about not messing with a good thing. Last season Pappy got booted without even one vote cast against him (remember that purple stone fiasco?) and now, we are told that the start of this season will be “completely different.” They aren’t even going to tell us which castaways are assigned to which tribe. In fact, the official SeeBS website only lists the contestants in alphabetical order, by sex. Guess he wants us to believe that the tribes are going to be split up with the males in one tribe and the females in another. Well the other Survivor discussion websites out there in cyberland have shot that “Red-Herring” full of holes, so……
Oh and by the way, don’t let these bio pics fool you! I think Mark Burnett productions went out of their way to come up with the most unflattering pictures for most of these contestants. (Then again, maybe it’s another red-herring. Hmmmmmmm??????????)

Anyway, I can see that ya’all just ain’t gonna wait till next week for my 2 cents worth so here are the castaways in alphabetical order.

Jake Billingsly
Age: 61
Marital Status: Married, five kids (three are stepchildren), nine grandkids
Occupation: Land Broker
Hometown: Mckinney, Texas
Luxury Item: Journal & Pen

Cuz’s two-cents: The oldest of our castaways, Jake (a native Texan) says that some of his hobbies are backpacking, camping and hunting. These qualities might offset the “let’s get rid of the old farts first” mentality of the younger pups. Particularly, when it comes to building shelters and searching/hunting for food. I predict that unless he totally alienates himself with his tribe mates, he’ll make it to the Jury. And if he makes it into the finals, his luxury item should help him in the “Fallen Comrades” Q & A challenge.

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Erin Collins
Age: 26
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Real Estate Agent
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Luxury Item: Body Paint

Cuz’s two-cents: While not a native Texan, simply a transplant into Texas, Erin is a conflict in almost every sense. She claims to be a “Yoga enthusiast” but also states her ideal day includes a “great filet and lobster dinner” (I would assume complete with drawn butter.) Not exactly something a Yoga swami would endorse. She likes to “sleep in late.” (Sounds like the brat pack from Africa all over again.) Her favorite TV shows are Fear Factor (she shouldn’t get too squeamish if they have to eat nasty things), Friends (Survivor’s time slot rival! Not a wise choice Erin!), and the Osbournes (I’m not even gonna go there) and her favorite magazines include Maxim and Playboy! Is it just me, or does anyone else find this just a little bit strange? To be honest, I’d be surprised if she makes it to the merge. I just don’t see her getting along well with anybody, and from what I’ve seen in the promos, Erin is in direct competition with last season’s Sarah for * Ahem * “Largest Medically Enhanced Attributes” (If ya know what I mean.) In short, nice eye-candy for the guys but not much else to contribute to the tribe. Her luxury item may come in handy however if she is still around for the “distress signal” challenge.

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Stephanie Dill
Age: 29
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Firefighter
Hometown: Fayetteville, Ark.
Luxury Item: Fuzzy Slippers

Cuz’s two-cents: All the “other” Survivor discussion websites out in cyberspace, claim that Stephanie is a lesbian. They offer as evidence, that she is a fitness buff, still single at 29, a female firefighter and lists as her favorite TV shows, “Queer as Folk” and “the Man Show”. What they seem to forget is that she also lists “South Park” and “Who’s Line Is It Anyway” as favorite TV shows, “Lord of the Rings” and “Silence of the Lambs” as favorite movies and Steven King and Michael Crichton as her favorite authors. Besides, would a bull dyke have fuzzy slippers as a luxury item? I think not! I think all the other discussion websites are dead wrong about Stephanie and with her fitness and (IMHO) that winning smile, she should easily make it to the Jury and quite possibly into the final four.

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Jan Gentry
Age: 53
Marital Status: Married, five kids
Occupation: Teacher
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
Luxury Item: Picture of Family

Cuz’s two-cents: The oldest of the female castaways (and yes, another native Texan), Jan likes beer, listening to Willie Nelson, fishing and a good cigar. Although she is now employed as a teacher, she has previously worked as Martina Navratilova’s secretary (oh whoopie), and owned her own business. I honestly like Jan and would like to see her last (at least to the merge) but I think she will be booted early on by the younger players as she doesn’t really bring any survival skills to the tribe and her luxury item will be of no help what-so-ever. Finally, just what is with the Cindy Brady pigtails? Your 53 fer crying out loud! Act yer age!

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Helen Glover
Age: 47
Marital Status: Married, three kids (one is a step)
Occupation: Navy Swim Instructor
Hometown: Middletown, R.I.
Luxury Item: Daughter’s Doll

Cuz’s two-cents: Helen is your typical “Military Brat”. Being the child of a career Military father, she has moved almost every year while growing up. I can say “Military Brat” cuz I am one and yes, my family followed my dad around just about every year. She describes herself as “assertive, competitive, and quick-witted”. Let’s hope she is quick-witted enough to notice that her assertive/competitive nature may grate on the nerves of the other players and scale it back before she gets the boot. I predict that Helen may very well be the first female player voted off the island. Her luxury item won’t help her either.

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Brian Heidik
Age: 34
Marital Status: Married, one kid
Occupation: Used Car Salesman
Hometown: Quartz Hill, Calif.
Luxury Item: Guitar & Pick

Cuz’s two-cents: Brian was an “All-State Quarterback” in High School, and went on to play football in college until a knee injury sidelined him in his Sophomore year. He has worked as a Stockbroker, a Motorcycle Salesman, writer and actor. His acting credits include a regular role (Tim Rollins) on “Days of Our Lives”, and guest roles on Baywatch Nights and Doogie Howser, MD. Of course, as pointed out by other fellow FReepers; He also has appeared in a number of soft-core porn movies under the stage name of Dave Roth. And contrary to his picture above, they were strictly hetero-films. Brian now is employed as the “Top Used Car Salesman” where he works. Is it just me or is this guy working his way DOWN the employment ladder? I rate used cars salesmen just above Lawyers and Real Estate Agents and right below Politicians on my “absolutely worst jobs ever” scale. To be honest, I just don’t see Brian making it to the Jury let alone the finals, but stranger things have happened. If nothing else, the rest of the tribe may keep him (and his luxury item) around, just for entertainment purposes.

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Jed Hildebrand
Age: 25
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Dental Student
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Luxury Item: Frisbee

Cuz’s two-cents: Keep your eye on Jed! He was born and raised in Dallas, TX. (Yep, another one!) Attended Plano Senior High School, lettering in both football and soccer (along with winning state championships in both sports his senior year.) He then became a “FratRat” at Baylor University in Waco, TX. Where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He has participated in Christian dental missionary work in both Cambodia and **** Thailand **** (Yep, he’s been here before and knows the terrain.) He also is currently attending his senior year at Baylor College of Dentistry. His luxury item could come in handy in quite a number of ways.
Right now, today, at this moment in time, before the first show even airs, I’m gonna go out on a limb and predict that Jed will be one of the final four and could very well go on to win. (Course, I said the same thing about the Robfather last season and look how long he lasted.) :~D

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Shii Ann Huang
Age: 28
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Executive Recruiter
Hometown: New York, N.Y.
Luxury Item: Lucky Traveling Bag from China

Cuz’s two-cents: Shii Ann could be this season’s “sleeper” contestant. She is one smart cookie, having both a Bachelor of Arts (with honors) in English Literature and a Master’s degree from NYU/Tisch School of the Arts’ Interactive Telecommunications Program. She has worked as a web producer and an Advertising Account executive. She does come up short in the physical fitness aspect of the game however, with only listing snowboarding and salsa dancing as the physical activities she enjoys. She is the first Asian-American contestant for Survivor and who knows, she may very well end up the first Asian-American million dollar Sole-Survivor. She will need to form/join a strong alliance though or could end up one of the pre-merge losers.

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Ghandia Johnson
Age: 33
Marital Status: Married with three kids (one is a step)
Occupation: Legal Secretary
Hometown: Denver, Colo.
Luxury Item: Lucky Keychain w/ pic of kids

Cuz’s two-cents: Ghandia has one big strike against her going in that she’ll have to overcome. Being the only female African-American castaway, all the other 15 contestants are going to be keeping their eye on her to make sure she doesn’t pull a Vecepia! You know, fly under the radar all the way to the finals and then win only because the jury dislikes the other finalist even more. Anyway, she works as an accredited legal secretary and owns a beauty salon with her husband. She enjoys long distance running, kickboxing and karate, so she should be physically fit for the challenges. Besides, anybody, male or female, that states that one of their favorite “Adult Beverages” is a boilermaker is OK in Cuz’s book!

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Clay Jordan
Age: 46
Marital Status: Married with two kids
Occupation: Restaurant Owner
Hometown: Monroe, La.
Luxury Item: Golf Club & Ball

Cuz’s two-cents:If I had to pick one contestant who seemed the most “out of their element”, I’d have to pick Clay. Yes, he is another business owner, and yes, another native Texan * yawn *, and appears to have a “winning personality”, but let’s face it, his only real physical activity is golfing. (A game I’ll never understand. You hit the ball, you chase after the ball, you hit the ball, you chase the ball, and then you hit the ball yet again. Over and over and over again.) Anyway, I picture Clay as the good natured, always smiling, butterball of the group. I also predict that Clay will probable be the first male contestant booted off the island.

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Penny Ramsey
Age: 27
Marital Status: Engaged
Occupation: Pharmaceutical Salesperson
Hometown: Plano, Texas
Luxury Item: Pajamas

Cuz’s two-cents: Yet another native Texan, Penny received a Bachelor of Science degree in “Kenesiology” from the University of Maryland. (Yeah, I know, I had to look it up myself.) Webster’s Ninth defines Kenesiology as “the study of the principles of mechanics and anatomy in relation to human movement.” Which is the highbrows way of saying “She gotta BS degree in cheerleading.” Which, coincidentally goes right along with her being a University of Maryland cheerleader, and making the cover of the premiere issue of “American Cheerleader Magazine” in February 1995. So…Gimme a “B”, gimme an “Oh-Oh.”, gimme a “T-E-D”, what’s that spell? BOOTED! Cuz predicts that this blonde cutie-patootie won’t even make it to the merge. Sorry, folks, I calls em as I sees em.

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John Raymond
Age: 40
Marital Status: Married with three kids
Occupation: Pastor
Hometown: Slidell, La.
Luxury Item: Christian Flag

Cuz’s two-cents: Pastor John is a natural leader. Both spiritually, (He is the Executive Pastor at his 2,700 member church, leads the pastoral counseling department, runs the adult education program, and has developed a network of 50 small relationship groups.) and business wise, (He has worked as a financial planner for 12 years as regional vice president with his company and a top salesman, and worked his way through college as a carpenter and shipbuilder.) Pastor John also enjoys scuba diving, spear fishing, and deer hunting (both gun and bow & arrow), and in his spare time coaches his children in little league basketball. Unless he gets “too preachy”, Pastor John should easily make it to the Jury, and quite possibly into the final four.

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Ted Rogers Jr.
Age: 37
Marital Status: Married with one kid
Occupation: Software Design Manager
Hometown: Durham, N.C.
Luxury Item: Shaving Kit

Cuz’s two-cents: Don’t let Ted’s “why am I doing this” expression in his face lead you to believe that he hasn’t gotta plan to win. Ted is no dummy, being both a former pro-football player (playing for the Dallas Cowboys during their 1994 pre-season) and a computer geek (he is currently a software development manager and has worked as a software engineer, designer and developer.) Ted received his Bachelor of Science in Management in Information Systems from Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD where he was also a “FratRat”. Ted also enjoys motorcycle riding and has created the “Big Dog Riders Motorcycle Club.” Ted seems (at first glance) to be the exact opposite of last season’s Sean and should go far in this game, without causing any racial tensions. Time will tell.

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Ken Stafford
Age: 30
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Police Officer
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Luxury Item: NYPD Shield

Cuz’s two-cents: Ken’s bio is probably the shortest of them all. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he has a Bachelor of Arts from St. Francis College, a degree in Police Science from the NY Police Academy and holds a certified fitness professional certificate from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Ken is a Police Officer with the 79th precinct, and he is most proud of the day he “raised his hand and swore the oath to protect and serve as a police officer.” His perfect day is September 10, 2001 and his heroes are all the men and women who sacrificed their lives to save others on 9-11. He is single and lives in Brooklyn with his 2 bulldogs, Bubba and Thumper. Ken will probably make it to the Jury, and quite possibly into the final four. Every time I read or hear about Ken in the news or on the other websites, I get the impression in my mind of Bosco from the TV show Third Watch. And if Ken has that same thick Brooklyn accent that Bosco does then I bet the ladies are just gonna eat him up.

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Tanya Vance
Age: 27
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Social Worker
Hometown: Kingsport, Tenn.
Luxury Item: Brush

Cuz’s two-cents: Not too much can be said about Tanya other than she was athletically active in high school, earning her a full running scholarship to East Tennessee U. where she earned a Bachelor’s in social work. She is currently employed as a social worker dealing with sexually and physically abused children. Tanya is the one who’s father was tragically killed in a car accident shortly before filming wrapped. Any yes, there have been reports that she was immediately evacuated from the island. If she didn’t make the jury, then there should be no impact on the outcome of the show. However, as YourAdHere pointed out, if she made it onto the jury or even into the final two, the outcome of the show could be quite different.

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Robb Zbacnik
Age: 23
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Bartender
Hometown: Scottsdale, Ariz.
Luxury Item: Skateboard

Cuz’s two-cents: Our final contestant is Robb (I’m not even gonna try to pronounce this name!) Robb describes himself as spontaneous, outgoing, courageous and fearless (he has cliff jumped, skydived and bungee jumped.) He is a Community College drop-out and says he is a “Jack-of-all-trades” having done everything from washing dishes to digging ditches. I would describe him as shiftless, unable to hold down a job, having a death-wish, and an all around loser with way too many holes in his head. His one claim to fame was having Cosmopolitan Magazine crown him “Arizona’s most eligible bachelor” in 1999. That was three years ago and he is still a bachelor. Which means either he’s not all that interested in the ladies or the ladies aren’t that impressed with Cosmopolitan’s assessment. I predict he will get on everyone’s nerves and wind up a Pre-Jury bootee. And just what is he gonna do with a skateboard on a tropical island? This has to be the most worthless luxury item of them all.

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Well folks, there you have them. The latest batch of millionaire wanna-be’s. Consolidating the list, I predict the following will be the first ones (i.e pre-jury) voted off the island:
Erin Collins,
Jan Gentry,
Helen Glover,
Clay Jordan,
Penny Ramsey,
Robb Zbacnik,
And finally Brian Heidik, (just cuz I need one more Pre-Jury bootee.)
And remember folks, It was almost to the end of last season’s game before I got my bootee pick correct, so I could be totally wacked-out about these seven! :~D

Please note, I have nothing against step-parenting or step-kids. I know some folks think there should be no distinction made between a parent and a step-parent, but being one myself, I feel that step-parenthood is a badge of honor, which should be worn with pride.

Well, that’s all for now. I’ll get off my soapbox and let someone else have their say.

Enjoy,

Thanks for the great synopsis, Cuz! Pinging the future Mrs. Notforprophet... :)

Here is the story on Tonya. With the date you may be able to figure out how far she made it before she left.

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by Amanda Croker
Jul 17, 2002

A family tragedy has brought the latest local "Survivor" reality series contestant home early.

Kingsport's Tanya Vance's father was killed in a car crash Monday. The producers of "Survivor" were notified earlier this week, and Tanya was flown home immediately. CBS representatives say family members were flown to meet Tanya at a connecting location. There is a phone tree network in place where contestants can be reached if there is an emergency.

No word on how this will affect the taping of the show. Officials believe Thomas Vance may have suffered a heart attack before the crash.

Here is a great link about Survivor from the big sponsor. It's far better than the CBS site.

http://www.mountaindew.net/

The 16 contestants arrived on the island Tuesday (June 11) for the game's opening shots.

Tanya's father was killed 34 days later on July 15.

She went a long way and was apparently in the final four.

Cuz..as always..muy magnifico...thanks for the great threads on the last Survivor, and no doubt this one will be better..

Thanks Cuz. I more or less agree with all you said except for Penny. Though she does look like another sweetie pie annoying one, I think she'll make the jury. Then again, I'm never right with this show.

Highwheeler,

Not necessarily. The first 7 people ejected from the game are not allowed to go home until filming is complete. Even if you are the first person ejected on Day 3, you must spend the next 36 days with the production. They are usually sent snorkeling, on safari, etc. My point is, if Tanya was one of the first 7, she would still be there, and would not already be home.

However, given that Tanya works with injured children, and her generally cheery appearance, I'm beginning to suspect that she will become the sweetheart of this series, ala Colleen, Elisabeth, and Neleh. I'm betting that she'll make it towards the end.

Good point, I forgot they have to stay there for the full production. Just for this type of reason, and more.