It’s a close call for a fan favorite.
Plus, another one bites the dust.
Especially considering that all I did with my lifebeforewriting about television waswatchtelevision.
Maryanne Oketch from ‘Survivor 42’.Robert Voets/CBS
It didn’t matter.
I consumed it all.
I was such a braindead idiot that I even obsessed over TV commercials.
Omar Zaheer and Jonathan Young on ‘Survivor 42’.Robert Voets/CBS
My personal favorites were usually the late-night ads for cheesy K-Tel jot down music compilations.
He also appears to have a heavy case of the “shakes.”
I also loved awesome low-budget local ads with catchy jingles.
Drea Wheeler on ‘Survivor 42’.Robert Voets/CBS
out of anyone they feel like after learning the awesome power of taekwondo.
But one of the choicest commercial cuts was not for a corny compilation album or local self-defense academy.
It was for a titan of industry.
Daniel Strunk on ‘Survivor 42’.Robert Voets/CBS
To a pint-sized doofus like myself, this wasby farthe coolest thing imaginable.
I immediately began plotting out ways I could somehow pilot a roller-coaster through a mountain of shaving cream.
I’m not talking about Chanelle!
(I mean, Iwilltalk about Chanelle later, but not yet.)
I’m talking about the most enthusiasticSurvivorand/or Mario Kart player ever: Maryanne.
What gives, big boy?
Are you more of a Sega Genesis kind of guy?
You’re not down to clown?
Wow, seems likesomeone’sbeing a real Bowser!
I don’t care if Maryanne makes everything a 10 out of 10.
Have you not seenSpinal Tap, sir?
Because THIS ONE GOES TO 11!
So what if Marya complained about Maryanne’s energy.
Big deal if Jonathan can’t take all the talking.
Boo-hoo if Omar finds Maryanne annoying.
Yeah, well I findyouannoying, Omar!
Okay, that’s not actually true.
I’ve gone too far.
Got a little caried away there for a second.
BUT THE POINT STANDS!
There will be no Maryanne slander on my watch!
Anyone that punks Stephen Fishbach on national television by bragging about not finishing hisSurvivorseason is aces in my book.
Okay, let’s get into what else went down in episode 5 ofSurvivor 42.
Looks like she’ll get her chance next week.
I’m kind of pumped to see who makes it further in this game: Rocksroy or Tori.
I have no doubt Tori will be aggressive at the “merge” making new alliances.
Whether that ends up helping or hurting her remains to be seen.
Am I the only one who found that odd?
The idol was literally just sitting there on a branch.
Right out in the open.
I don’t know.
Nothing wrong with that.
(Knowledge is power!)
But if hedidn’tsay it, he still would not have a vote at Tribal until the merge.
If he did, he’d get his idol and his vote back.
And here’s why I think it was the right call.
These are the least secret idols inSurvivorhistory.
All five of the Vati members knew about them.
All four of the Taku members knew about them.
And at least two of the four Ika members knew about them.
That’s 11 out of 13 players.
There’s a strong chance someone (say, Chanelle?)
may have let it slip anyway.
(Had Mike had his vote hislasttime at Tribal, his island BFF Jenny would still be there.)
In between all the idols, amulets, and advantages, he’s just another Joker in the pack.
Trimming the Fat
First off, was Omar throwing that challenge?
That’s how bad he was at unbraiding that rope to retrieve the keys in the immunity challenge.
Like, I don’tthinkhe was… especially judging by how angry Jonathan was getting as Omar struggled.
(And not unlike the incredible Hulk, you wouldn’t like Jonathan when he’s angry.)
Plus, Omar has had difficulty in tense situations before.
Look no further than hisrectal palpitation mishap.
But if hewasthrowing it, then Omar just officially entered Double Secret Probation protocol.
Throwing a challenge is bad enough.
You all know how I feel about that.
Throwing a challenge to get rid of the most delightful contestant this side of Christian Hubicki?
I won’t stand for it.
But Hai seemed excited about the loss.
I know this because he said, “I’m actually really excited about losing today.”
That was my first tip off.
Hai and Lydia seemed to be going back and forth all episode whether to oust Daniel or Chanelle.
Now this, I don’t get.
Dan is out there trying to help provide for the tribe and you’re upset?
And upset because he is not partaking in challenges because of his shoulder?
I’m sorry, do you actuallywantthis guy participating in challenges?
Did you see what happened on the very first leg of the very first challenge on day 1?
Again, tackled by sand.
The one thing wedidknow is that finally, everyone had a vote.
But this was not the chaotic meltdown brawl we saw two weeks ago.
This was a far more skillful exchange of strategic, well-positioned body blows.
The one thing I didnotexpect was for Chanelle to vote for… (Go Wes!)
If you are voting for a goatee model, then absolutely, Mike’s your guy.
The answer lies in the Shot in the Dark.
Chanelle was most likely protecting herself in case Daniel used his SITD.
(She obviously did not count on Mike, Hai, and Lydia splitting.)
Things are about to get supes awkward back at camp and I am here for it.
There are few things I love more than a post-Tribal “WHO VOTED FOR ME?!”
I guess I love knee socks more.
The Medallion of Power?
But the “WHO VOTED FOR ME?!”
rant is right up there.
May it play out in full vindictive glory.
Down Goes Daniel
Daniel’s dream was to get onSurvivor.
Isn’t that awesome?
Because here’s the thing: Did Daniel playwell?Of course not!
His foibles and Tribal Council struggles have been well documented.
But not unlike JD fromSurvivor 41,Daniel made his mark.
Was it the mark hewantedto make?
No, but he was a memorable character.
Think about how much story flowed through Daniel in these first five episodes.
Hell, I could even see him back playing again.
He’s the jot down of contestant production loves.
