RNO Roundtable - 'Survivor: The Amazon' Predictions, Part 2: The Men

Phil: What the heck is up with that goofy smile? He just looks like an idiot. Anyway, I don't think he is going to last long. Another one of my votes to be gone pre-jury. Rumor has it that he is actually the first to go, but I heard the same thing about Jan last year, so that tells you how great my sources are! He is athletic, and by the looks of him on Tough Enough, he is pretty buff. That may be an advantage in challenges, but pretty much all the guys on this team have some kind of athleticism, and I think Daniel will just mesh in with the others and not stand out at all. Sorry, Daniel, but I just don't see you doing all that well. Congratulations for being the first Asian male on the show though. That's a pretty big accomplishment in itself.

Ken: One of the more physical types of this edition of Survivor. He has noted that he doesn't even like to use public restrooms. While hardly anyone does, this indicates a low tolerance for "grossness," and if he has to partake in an eating challenge, he could be in some trouble. I see him lasting until just before the merge, and then he'll be voted out due to his strength. Of course, being that he's trained in martial arts and pro wrestling, those who vote him better be glad the vote is anonymous.

Jamie: A linguist, an accountant seems to be comfortable working both the right and left sides of his brain. Will be a great physical asset and choosing Hungry Hungry hippos for his favorite board game shows he has a sense of humor. I think his biggest hurdle will be forming an alliance to keep him around post-merge once he becomes a major threat. He could be the youngest winner yet.

Brian: Ah, Mr. Tough Enough is now on another show is he? And what the hell are magnetic rings going to do for you? On the good side, Daniel seems to have the physical side of this game down pat, but the real question is going to be whether or not he has the social stamina to last very long. According to early video analysis, the answer to this would be a resounding no. On the good side, Hungry Hungry Hippos is his favorite board game. I would have said Mystery Date but that's just me.

Jeffrey: Daniel should be a solid performer in his tribe. He has the physical skills needed to play the game; all he'll need to show is the mental game. He should be in the tribe come merge time.

David: Daniel is in an interesting position. He is obviously strong and outgoing. Under normal circumstances, I'd say those would be good things. But in a group filled with just other guys, it could cause problems. As noted earlier, the guys are less likely to keep around their fellows simply because they are strong. But they may be more likely to vote 'em off because they are competition - and I think that is where Daniel might find himself. I hope he makes it at least to the jury, because from what we know of him already he seems like quite a nice guy, but I fear that he won't make it that long because the others will be afraid of letting him get too far in the game.

Dave Johnson
Age: 24
From: Pasadena, CA
Occupation: Rocket Scientist (RNO has already banned all "It doesn't take a rocket scientist..." jokes - well, for now, anyway)
Marital Status: Single
Luxury Item: Sketch book w/pencil.
Dave currently works for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a rocket scientist. He has previously worked as a structural test engineer and a meat science research technician. Hobbies are body womping (defined as body surfing waves in Orange County, Calif.), rock climbing, and drinking beer. Wants to buy a beef jerky company with the money he wins from Survivor. Favorite kind of flowers are "big and colorful ones." Seriously, what does this guy do for a living? Last summer, he pedaled across the United States with three friends for two months and only took three showers. This guy is like three Survivor running gags rolled into one: Stupid genius (Dr. Sean from S1) with jerky on the mind (Kel from S2) who doesn't bathe (Kimmi from S2).

Melinda: Dave is the much touted Rocket Scientist in this group. Ordinarily, I'd be so impressed by his obvious intelligence and drive at such a young age, that I'd ignore obvious warning signals like "body whomping" and a liking for Adam Sandler movies. Dave obviously does not have the strong mix of people skills and maturity that propel successful Survivors. But, he does have a strong combination of intelligence, an outgoing personality, and physical strength. All qualities that Colby of Survivor: Outback had in spades. It's anyone's guess whether youthful impulse or innate intelligence will dictate his behavior.

Charlie: Oh, this guy is going to be a blast. Sure, we'll endure countless "It doesn't take a rocket scientist..." references both on the show and on the internet, but that is a small price to pay. Dave is young and almost certainly will want to be a leader within the tribe, and I can see him ticking some people off. I'm going out on a limb and saying he won't make the jury.