Category Archives: Tribal Council

2011/01/26 · 1:10 am

Gratuitous Search Term Bait of the Day: A Heroes Welcome

We’re going to cheat a little tonight.  Our search term for this post is “tom westman heroes,” but, as much as we absolutely adore Lt. Tom Westman, we’ve already welcome him twice to this daily feature.  And, more importantly, there’s bigger Survivor matters at hand right now.  So we’re going to use that search term as an excuse to bring you this, the first official Boston Rob/Russell promo for Redemption Island:

Vodpod videos no longer available.

“I’m going to need a bigger torch” = AMAZING.  Bring it, Probst!

Can.  Not.  Wait.

(Also, quick thought: Are Russell and Boston Rob really Jacob and the Man in Black?  Think about it)

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2011/01/20 · 2:47 pm

Fabio’s Not Too Pretty For Jail

Well, he’s not too pretty to get arrested at least, as Survivor winner Judson “Fabio” Birza was booked in Santa Monica yesterday for riding his skateboard in the street.  C’mon, pigs!  Let the dude have a little fun!  Oh, and he was apparently super high.  No surprise there.  Here’s Fabio looking distraught after the arrest:

Actually, he seemed totally cool with it.

Also, we regret already using the headline “For Whom the Bong Tolls” for our Survivor: Nicaragua finale post.  We should have known this day would come and have saved it as such.  Oh well.  Fabio has plenty of bail money left so we better start working on more drug-reference puns!

ATTICA!  ATTICA!

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2011/01/14 · 8:12 pm

Be Careful What You Don’t Wish For: Richard Hatch & Meatloaf on ‘Celebrity Apprentice’; AKA Our Brain is Fully Intact

Okay, well, this doesn’t even approximate the level of Boston Rob vs. Russell, but it’s intriguing nonetheless, as the new season of Celebrity Apprentice will pit the original Survivor winner against one of our guiltiest pleasures (they’ll also be competing against La Toya Jackson, Jose Canseco, Mark McGrath, David Cassidy, Dionne Warwick and (gulp) Gary Busey, among others).  Truth be told, we didn’t get into Survivor until the second season (The Australian Outback), so we have no particular allegiance to Hatch (in fact, we somewhat resent “the snake” because we think he gets too much credit for defining how the game is played; people would have figured out to lie and manipulate sooner or later), but the presence of Meatloaf might just be enough to get us to tune in (briefly).  When Jumped the Snark was young we had an obsession with “I would do anything for love” (thanks, in large part, to the videos frequent play on VH1), and we soon played out both sides of Bat Out of Hell 2: Back Into Hell on our Walkman.  In fact, we once cleared a basement at a friend’s birthday party by belting out a rendition of the tune (perhaps we shouldn’t have done the female parts too).  But we loved that song, and we loved that album, and until we entered our prolonged Billy Joel phase in middle school Meatloaf was our favorite (along with Weird Al).  And we still include”See Meatloaf live” on our list of things to do before we (or he) die.

Admit it.  You love it.

Oh, and our prediction: Mark McGrath will NOT win.

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Filed under Be careful what you wish for, Century 21 Reality, Intersection of the venn diagram of things that I love, Tribal Council, Tyranasaurus Sex

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2011/01/13 · 12:58 pm

Be Careful What You Wish For: Boston Rob and Russell to Return for ‘Survivor: Redemption Island’; AKA Our Brain Just Exploded

When Survivor: Nicaragua began we were unsure if it would be able to capture our attention, lacking the unbelievable drama of the previous season’s Heroes vs. Villains edition, and, more specifically, devoid of the Boston Rob-Russell Hantz showdown that defined that season and should have, at the very least, earned it an Emmy nomination.  To our surprise, we were hooked on Nicaragua even though it didn’t offer those familiar personalities (or even offer any truly engaging new personalities, save for Jimmy Johnson (who, to be fair, was not really a new personality)).  But when we talk about Nicaragua, then and now, it succeeded despite having anything that approximated the Rob-Russell Clash of the Titans.  And when we talk about anything approximating the Rob-Russell Clash of the Titans, what we really mean is specifically another Rob and Russell battle.

Well, hold onto your buffs, because it’s happening again.

Read on: Dreams do come true, but we’re conflicted. And what does this have to do with Freaks and Geeks?

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Filed under Analysis, Be careful what you wish for, Bob Loblaw, Century 21 Reality, Discos and Dragons, Freak Out Control, Jumped the Shark, Mancrush, Tribal Council

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2010/12/31 · 9:44 pm

On the Last Day of the Year: The Best Show of 2010 and Nine Other Good Ones

Unbelievably, we’re about to enter our third calendar year in existence.  It seems like just yesterday we were scrambling to put together our best of the decade lists (which makes sense, because we didn’t actually post one of those until this week).  In 2011 we hope to be even more timely, on-point and just plain better.  Until then, let’s try to end 2010 on a high note with our not-at-all anticipated Best Shows of the Year:

1. Community: This was an absolute no-brainer.  Far and away Community was the most original, ambitious, rewarding, warm, funny, creative, fearless show of 2010.  It was just a little over a year ago when the show delivered its holiday episode, “Comparative Religion” (featuring mustachio’d Anthony Michael Hall), and we began to feel then that the show was truly building towards something special.  When Community returned in January of this year it began what should be considered one of the greatest runs of any comedy series in television history, playing “can you top that?” with itself from week to week.  Solid episodes like “Investigative Journalism” with Jack Black,  “Physical Education” with a nearly naked Joel McHale, and the truly superb Goodfellas tribute “Contemporary American Poultry” culminated in the single best episode of 2010 across the board, the paintball-splattered, action movie homage masterpiece “Modern Warfare” (we know that we’ve already proclaimed the greatness of this episode, but it’s worth doing over and over again).

Keep reading: More on why Community is the best show of 2010. And 9 other good ones…

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Filed under Best Show You're Not Watching, Brilliance, Dillon Panthers, Greendale Human, Lists, LOST, Matt Christopher Books, Must See TV, Top Scallop, Tribal Council

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2010/12/28 · 11:36 pm

Gratuitous Search Term Bait of the Day: The Old Bull

No change in terms from yesterday, as we guess people are snowed in from the Internet.  So, as we’ll no doubt do from time to time, we’re going to revisit “tom westman.”

While we were in Survivor withdrawal we came across a collection of all-time favorite  challenges as decided by Survivor Challenges Producer John Kirhoffer.  It was, of course, no surprise to us to discover that  top five included a challenge from Palau, the tenth season of the game, and the one absolutely dominated by Tom Westman.  In this Immunity Challenge from #pisode 4, “Sumo at Sea,” Westman proves what a force he is, taking on and defeating the younger Bobby Jon.  In his commentary Kirhoffer recognizes Tom’s legendary status, calling him a “true American hero.”  If you’ve been reading this blog and have yet to comprehend the greatness of Tom Westman, watch this video and you’ll understand.

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It was also fascinating to learn that these kinds of challenges are always a best of three.  Which means that Tom actually had to vanquish Bobby Jon four times.  No sweat.

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2010/12/20 · 4:30 pm

‘Survivor Nicaragua’ Finale: The Kids Are Alright; AKA For Whom the Bong Tolls

We did it guys!  We made it to the end of another season of Survivor.  And we’ll tell you what, despite what the general consensus seems to be, we found this to be a thoroughly entertaining season.  Filled with a disconcerting number of weak, unlikable players, yes.  Lacking a truly great storyline, showdown or blindside, perhaps.  Nearly ruined with the loss of Jimmy Johnson, you bet.  A total failure in attempting to change the game with the Medallion of Power, for sure.  An all-time great Sole Survivor, not likely.  But coming on the heels of All-Stars, we feared the worst.  And, thanks in part to one of the more gratifying wins in recent memory (it certainly helps make up for giving the million to Sandra), Survivor: Nicaragua restored our faith in the franchise, proving it could still entertain and astonish, even without Russell Hantz, Tom Westman, or water-based challenges.

But before we get to the finale, we need to first revisit the trend that has dominated the most recent episodes.

Read on: The creepiness continues. And we have a winner! And we’re happy! Plus, Jimmy Johnson!

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2010/12/20 · 2:38 am

‘Survivor Nicaragua’:The Final Faces of Jane

With the season finale of Survivor: Nicaragua just hours away, let’s kick off the countdown with the Final Faces of Jane:

See the rest!

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2010/12/17 · 6:23 pm

Gratuitous Search Term Bait of the Day: Our Hero

Easy choice for today’s Gratuitous Search Term Bait of the day.  With the Survivor: Nicaragua finale on Sunday evening, we’re going with Mr. Lt. “Tom Westman” (proudly one of our top search terms of all-time).

You’re welcome, world.

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2010/12/17 · 6:20 pm

‘Survivor Nicaragua’: Too Close for Comfort

Remember what we said about last week being creepy?

Well…

Double yikes.

We’re just wanted to throw up a quick post in preparation for Sunday’s finale, so here are some very quick thoughts, with maybe some more substantial analysis to come tomorrow.

THINK FAST!

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