RNO Roundtable: ‘Survivor: Guatemala’ Predictions

Time once again for RealityNewsOnline writers to make our predictions. Will David Bloomberg go back to picking well, as he did previously in choosing Brian (Thailand), Jenna (Amazon), and Amber (All-Stars)? Will anybody do better than everybody did in predicting Palau, when nobody got more than one of the Final Four right? We should note that these predictions are based on the solid information we have available – so they do not include the two former Survivors who are coming back, since we don’t know what role they will play.

Amy O’Hara, 39, police sergeant detective in the major crimes unit in Revere, Massachusetts

Jeffrey C.: There’s nothing I inherently dislike about Amy. She actually tends to fit one of my target models for a good Survivor. However, my track record in picking winners in advance is lousy. Given another tribe situation I think she would do well, but her tribe is dominated by younger players. That more than anything else will mean the end of her time in Guatemala.

Jeffrey S.: As a police investigator she works with the public in unusual situations, so this might give her a boost in getting along. At the same time, having the power to compel people to do things makes you less aware of how you may come off in situations. It may well get her into trouble early on, especially around other women who may look askance at her tomboy nature, but probably later rather than earlier. Will make the jury.

David: I have a couple issues with Amy. First, as Jeffrey S. said, she may not realize how she comes off. Remember Debb from Survivor 2? Second, some people in fields like police officer have a difficult time with the lying aspect of the game. I don’t think she’ll make it very far.

Blake Towsley, 24, commercial real estate broker and a model, Dallas

Jeffrey C.: In something of a reversal of my usual preview selections, Blake doesn’t fit most of my usual criteria for a model Survivor winner, but I think he’s plugged into an original tribe which he’ll fit in, and then a post-merge tribe that he fits into well. He’s not my pick to win, but I put him in the final four.

Jeffrey S.: Let’s face it, models tend not be to rocket scientists and, from what I can tell of his tastes, let’s say they lack sophistication. Pretty girls, even models (Jenna M.) can go far; pretty boys unless they win a half-dozen challenges in a row (Colby) don’t. Will not make the jury.

David: Blake admits he’s not the type to scheme and backstab. Two strikes right there. He also says he is “so competitive it’s ridiculous.” This could be seen as a good thing – until his tribe starts losing and he casts blame (as ultra-competitive people often seem to do). Three strikes. He’s out before the jury.

Brandon Bellinger, 22, farmer/rancher from Manhattan, Kansas

Jeffrey C.: Brandon is another player who I think would do better if he were on a different tribe, one with younger players. While youth and strength is nice to have, I think that Brandon might find himself simply not fitting in politically in his tribe, and thus fail to make the jury phase of the game.

Jeffrey S.: Spending too much time with plants and animals as a farmer and rancher and behaving as an adrenalin junkie the rest of the day doesn’t bode well for winning a game of strategy. Plus, there’s no way you can possibly say somebody whose favorite alcohol is Old Swill, much less Old Swill Light, can ever make the jury. Will not make the jury.

David: The two Jeffreys have said all there is to be said here. Brandon will not last long.

Brian Corridan, 22, Ivy League Student from New York City

Jeffrey C.: I think Brian has an excellent position due to his knowledge of the game. While this has burned some Survivors, I think the lesson of concealing how the game really works while acting on the lessons of the game will allow him to progress to the jury phase. However, a knowledge of the game can only get somebody so far, and I’m betting he’s simply on the wrong side of the numbers game once the jury stage is reached.

Jeffrey S.: One thing I’ve learned as a college professor is when you have a student of his age who thinks he’s clever, he’s not. From this lack of self-awareness on this account that he demonstrates in his CBS bio, he’ll be a quick boot. Will not make the jury.

David: I think Brian has the potential to go far – perhaps even to win. If he is truly as willing to use psychological gamesmanship on people as he claims, plus he’s willing to leave his ethics at the door, he will have the upper hand on many of his cohorts. Brian is the one to beat.

Brianna Varela, 21, makeup artist

Jeffrey C.: Another younger player, Brianna seems cut out for both the social and physical sides of the game, and be able to stay in the game until the jury phase. At that point, I think she’s going to end up politically outnumbered and physically unable to win immunity long enough to make the final four.

Jeffrey S.: Her looks will help, and people who profess overt religiosity without being overbearing usually have some success. But lack of education and an undemanding profession, both of which enable people to form good judgments in strategy, will keep her from going too far. Will make the jury.

David: The biggest strike I see against Brianna is that she thinks her ability to use a Hawaiian sling and cook will help her in the game. In other words, she doesn’t seem to understand that Survivor is a game of brains and strategy, not true survival of the elements. She could be in serious trouble.

Brooke Struck, 26, law student at Pepperdine University in California

Jeffrey C.: Brooke makes an excellent fit into the demographics of her tribe, and coupled with her physical abilities should make the initial cuts and end up in the jury phase of the game. However, I don’t think the demographics of the merged tribe will be as kind to her, and result in a jury seat before the final four phase is reached.

Jeffrey S.: Her education and background will be major assets, in particular her extensive travel and wide variety of activities that gave her a chance to have many novel experiences and to meet a wide range of people. Her younger age will work against her, however, in the fewer opportunities for her to acquire guile and wisdom, She’ll go far, but not far enough. Final Four material.

David: She’s got some brains and some athletic ability – together, that could make her a dangerous player. Still, I don’t have a great feeling about her. I’d say she’ll make the jury.