Season 47 Preview

Welcome to Season 47 of Survivor, the greatest show in the 1000-year history of television!  Let's start with the obvious, I moved to a new blogging platform. Blogger is far more intuitive with a more reactive framework, and its sophisticated encryption process is groundbreaking.  I have no idea if any of that is true; I Googled adjectives about technology. Basically, Blogger is easier and cheaper than that other platform.

Why do I love Survivor? Primarily, I love the human dynamics involved in each game and decision. Who do you trust? Who do you cut loose and when? How do you respond to people you don't like when deprived of sleep and food? And all of this is done through the lens of complete strangers who bring their own strengths, challenges, experiences, and perspectives, so each game is completely different. Throw in physical competitions, building shelter (I'm pretty sure I could make a hut ala Gilligan's Island), starvation, and a million dollars, and that's the winning recipe! And as a hopeful contestant, I get to compete vicariously each Wednesday night while eating nachos on my couch.

Because you asked, here are my favorite moments in the history of Survivor:

• Season 20: Parvati played two idols, one for Jerri and one for Sandra, which ended up sending J.T. home. I love a blindside, and this one in particular because she didn't tell Russell that she had one of the idols. 

• Season 35: Ben found his third idol of the season after looking all night for it. Never give up!  (I was fortunate to be in the live audience for the finale, and when he bomb-dropped into his bag to get the idol, the crowd went crazy!)

• Season 1: Susan's final speech about snakes and rats gets a lot of attention, but I loved it when Richard advocated for communication and a plan, and Susan said, "Corporate world ain't going to work out here in the bush." No one had any idea what this show would be about, and she was so wrong and yet right. Survivor has proven to be about relationships, trust, strategy, and vision. But everyone gets to decide how important those are to their game and play in a way that makes sense to them. Each journey is unique, so write the story you want to tell. However, I still reserve my right to criticize and be snarky about your Survivor story because that’s my story. 

• Season 42: The one about race. Many people were uncomfortable with this episode, but I thought it was poignant. On a double elimination night, the first tribe eliminated Rocksroy, the second consecutive Black contestant to leave. Upon seeing this, two Black women in the next tribe -- Drea and Maryann -- became rattled and shared their emotions. They were clear with the other tribe members that they were not calling them racists, but the visual of the first two members of the jury being black affected them. Maryann ended up changing her vote because of it. Let's be clear, Survivor is a game. Lying and deceiving can be part of the game, so I never understand why contestants get angry and hold grudges when that happens. But this episode illustrated that this manufactured setting is filled with real people, and they bring their real-life experiences with them. This is what makes the game so unpredictable and exciting.

Season 47 Preview

I've done my due diligence and spent time this weekend watching interviews with the cast, and here are my thoughts:

• The cast ranges in age from 24 to 59. While the range is larger than last year, the average age is about the same, 31.8 years. 

• Eight cast members are from the East Coast, five from the West, and one is from Canada.

• The cast seems to have a lot of personality, but many of them have expressed a commitment to being cutthroat. I hope we have a season with people we like who also make bold moves.

• Jon Lovett is the celebrity contestant. Lovett was a speech writer for President Obama, and he has a successful podcast, Pod Save America. He is wicked smart, and I would not want to go against him in the final tribal, so I imagine he won't make it that far. He also said he is best in small doses, so we will see how that plays out on an island with 17 other tired and hungry contestants.

• At age 59, Sue Smey hopes to be the oldest female winner of Survivor. I don't know if she will be able to connect to other tribe members, but she has energy and drive. I am excited to see Survivor casting someone a few years older than me—perhaps I still have a chance!

• Rome Cooney is an E-Sports commentator. Good for him, but I still don't understand how that's a job. 

First Person Voted Off Prediction

• Kishan is my first out, but only because he used the word "irregardless." The dictionary calls it a word because people use it, but I don't care what the dictionary says. The word is "regardless."  Adios, Kishan.

Final Four Prediction

I whiffed on this last season as only one of my picks made it to the final five, but here are my first impressions:

• My emotional pick is Kyle Otswal, a construction worker from Michigan. He has a great story about growing up poor and how his wife has inspired him, and he looks like he can contribute to the tribe. I think his social game will determine his fate.

• Gabe Ortis is not here to make friends. I like his attitude, and his experience as a radio host could help his social game.

• Caroline Vidmar had a great analogy about water polo: it's what's happening under the water that's important. Her strategy could be underestimated, helping her go under the radar until it is too late.

• Teeny Chirichillo has had to work to fit in throughout their life, so their social game could be solid.

• Runner-up: Sol. He is a poker player and has the right attitude about this being a game. I'm just not sure if he will connect with others.

Steve has spoken