Couch Potato
mbuttelman@the-signal.com
661-259-1234 x590
Posted: Feb. 4, 2010 2:30 p.m.
I came to the "Survivor" party late. When "Survivor" debuted in its first season, (in Borneo), I was one of those television viewers who just "didn't get it."
I didn't watch because I thought it sounded boring.
However, when the second "Survivor" hit the airwaves I was ill and confined to bed. After watching the Super Bowl I didn't have the strength to change the channel. When "Survivor: The Australian Outback" aired immediately following the Super Bowl I was a captive audience. Thus, my descent into reality television fandom began.
It is now a decade later and the 20th installment of "Survivor" will feature the show's many "heroes" versus the program's innumerable "villains."
Why am I such a fan of a show that often rewards "bad behavior."
"Friends" will stab you in the back, punch you in the gut and kick you to the curb for a nickel.
Or less.
Imagine what "strangers" will do for $1 million.
Yet, I enjoy watching the human condition in action.
I'm always naively hopeful that good will prevail.
I'm rooting for Colby to win "Heroes vs. Villains." I'm a sucker for someone who plays the game with honor. Colby kept his promise and took Tina to the finale. That decision cost him the $1 million when jury favorite Tina took home the prize. Colby said he knew it would cost him, but he did it because he had given his word.
However, I can't wait to watch Russell play this version of "Survivor." Poor Russell thought his evil ways had captured the $1 million prize in the 19th installment, "Survivor: Samoa." However, he came in second. He teared up because he did not win.
Immediately after "Samoa" finished shooting, but before the winner (not Russell) was revealed, he was whisked away to shoot "Heroes vs. Villains."
No one on Heroes vs. Villians has seen Russell's game play. It will be interesting to see how he fairs.
While I love the heroes, especially Colby, James, Rupert and Tom, I have to admit an enduring fascinating with the "bad guys."
I admired Russell's ability to find hidden immunity idols without clues - now THAT'S playing "Survivor."
What I didn't admire was his burning his competitor's socks, pouring out their canteens of water and his phrase "the dumb girls' alliance." That said I can't wait to see how Rob and Russell play off each other. Throw "Coach" and Randy into the mix and you've got some interesting television.
I'm not enamored of most of the women who have played "Survivor" because I don't think any of them really came with a plan to win.
There have been eight female winners of "Survivor" and 11 men. None of the women are remotely memorable in my book. Good or bad. But that's just me.
The teams of "Heroes vs. Villians" are:
Heroes: Rupert Boneham ("Pearl Islands"); Colby Donaldson ("The Australian Outback"); Cirie Fields ("Panama," "Micronesia"); Amanda Kimmel ("China," "Micronesia"); Candice Woodcock ("Cook Islands"); James Clement ("China," "Micronesia"); Jessica "Sugar" Kiper ("Gabon"); Stephenie LaGrossa ("Palau," "Guatemala"); James "J.T." Thomas ("Tocantins") and Tom Westman ("Palau.")
Villains: "Boston" Rob Mariano ("Marquesas"); Courtney Yates ("China"); Randy Bailey ("Gabon"); Tyson Apostol ("Tocantins"); and Benjamin Wade ("Tocantins"); Sandra Diaz-Twine ("Pearl Islands"); Danielle DiLorenzo ("Panama"); Russell Hantz ("Samoa"); Jerri Manthey ("The Australian Outback) and Parvati Shallow ("Cook Islands" and "Micronesia.")
"Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains" will air in a two-hour premiere 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11 on CBS, channel 2.
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