Survivor Thailand

Survivor: Thailand – Interview with Jed Hildebrand, by Peggy Keller: Jed Hildebrand was the first person voted off of the Sook Jai tribe - indeed, the tribe purposely threw a challenge in order to get rid of him! Jed talks to Peggy Keller about the personal dynamics of the tribe, what went on and why, and much more!

Survivor: Thailand – Interview with Brian Heidik, by David Bloomberg: Brian Heidik came to Survivor: Thailand with a plan, worked it until the end, and brought home the million dollar prize. He seems to be a man of few words these days, but RealityNewsOnline managed to get a couple things out of him in this interview.

Survivor: Thailand – Interview with Clay Jordan, by David Bloomberg: Clay Jordan came in second on Survivor: Thailand and surprised a lot of people by making it so close. He was himself surprised when Ted used his final Tribal Council question to accuse him of having made a racist statement. See what Clay has to say about that, the unaired discussion between him and Brian at the final challenge, the Ted/Ghandia incident, his own strategy, and much more!

Survivor: Thailand – The Trip to See the Live Finale, by David Bloomberg: It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up – having a chance to attend the live Survivor: Thailand finale and reunion show. It took a little longer than I expected to write up all of what happened, but here it is!

Survivor: Thailand – Interview with Jan Gentry, by Phil Kural: Jan Gentry was the oldest woman on Survivor: Thailand and also the person who picked the Chuay Gahn tribe. She made it to third place and, perhaps more importantly, into the hearts of many viewers. In this interview she discusses how she formed her team, her thoughts on the Ted/Ghandia incident, why she voted for Brian to win, and more. Also, what was the deal with the pet cemetery?!

Saying Goodbye to the ‘Survivor: Thailand’ 16, by Kevin Nauta: We've reached the end of a long road at last, having crowned Brian as this season's champion. Let's look back on all 16 players to ponder what was, what might have been, and what might become of them now.

A Bravo Finale for Survivor, by Ken Kellam III: Survivor: Marquesas was pretty riveting television, but the ending, and subsequent reunion show, were a complete disappointment. By contrast, Survivor: Thailand was lacking at times, but the finale and reunion show more than made up for it.

Survivor: Thailand – A Few High Points, But Otherwise…, by Paris Cosby: The fifth edition of Survivor did not impress Paris overall - she found it kind of dull. But there were a few high points, such as Brian's strategy and the jury at the very end.

Survivor: Thailand – MVP Moments for Everybody, by Phil Kural: At first it seemed silly to do a post-game MVP article. After all, the MVP was the winner! But then Phil decided to look at the MVP moment that each of the 16 players had during the game.

Survivor: Thailand – Interview with Ted Rogers, by David Bloomberg: Fifth-place Survivor: Thailand contestant Ted Rogers became something of a lightning rod for two of the most controversial moments on the show, but he was also well-liked by viewers. Ted shares his thoughts on those moments, provides some of the background we didn't get to see or hear about, and discusses his strategy with us in this RealityNewsOnline interview.

Survivor: Thailand – Interview with Helen Glover, by David Bloomberg: Fourth-place Survivor: Thailand contestant Helen Glover was well-liked by viewers and went out with a bang in her final statements and questions to Brian and Clay. RealityNewsOnline talked to her about why she trusted Brian, what she knew and didn't know, why she and Jan didn't form a counter-alliance, what was up with the "racist comment" allegedly uttered by Clay, and more!

Surviving Thailand, the Reunion: Best Ever, by David Bloomberg: No Bryant Gumbel, no Rosie O'Donnell - just Jeff Probst and the Survivor contestants. That's how the one-hour live reunion went at the end of Survivor: Thailand, and it provided the best such show yet.

Surviving Thailand, the Finale: It’s All Brian, by David Bloomberg: It's the two-hour season finale of Survivor: Thailand. While a bit late, this recap includes not only what happened on the show, not only my usual running commentary, but also a few insights as to what it was like watching the finale from the CBS live studio audience.

Survivor, Game Theory, and John Nash, by Jeffrey D. Sadow: At the very end of the Survivor 5 reunion, Jeff Probst made a quick, cryptic remark about John Nash's theory to explain how to optimally play Survivor. Since Professor Sadow has actually published in this area, who better to explain the concepts and how it was used by the final four of Survivor: Thailand. But is understanding Nash's theory really all it takes to win Survivor?

Is the Key to Survivor in ‘Non-Cooperative Games’?, by Kennedy Goodkey: Does the key to winning Survivor lie in an understanding of non-zero sum games? Jeff Probst seems to think so, as he mentioned at the end of Survivor: Thailand. But what was he talking about when he referenced John Nash's "Non-Cooperative Games"? What does it mean and how does it work?

The Top 10 Strategic Survivor Performances of All Time, by Jeffrey D. Sadow: Now that the fifth installment of Survivor has concluded, let's review the top 10 Survivor performances of all time from the standpoint of how strategy was employed.

Survivor: Thailand – Why Brian Won, by David Bloomberg: Brian was the quintessential used car salesman - he told whatever story the "buyer" needed to hear. But there was more - so much more - to his strategy. Let's take a look at why Brian won and why many people think he is the second coming of Rich Hatch.

Survivor: Thailand – Why Clay Lost, by David Bloomberg: Clay made it into the final two and was one vote away from winning a million dollars. It was surprising to many that he was so close, but he really did a number of things right. Alas, he did other things wrong to offset them. Why did Clay lose?

Survivor: Thailand – Why Jan Lost, by David Bloomberg: Jan rode into third place by being less than threatening. But she did make it that far and that has to count for something. How did she do it, and why did she eventually lose?

Survivor: Thailand – Why Helen Lost, by David Bloomberg: Helen was in perfect position to take control of the game several times. But instead she found herself in fourth place. What happened? Why did Helen lose?

Survivor: Thailand – Advice to the Remaining Four, by Jeffrey Clinard: It's all come down to this - four survivors, each with a shot at the million dollar prize. Who can win it easily, and who has to work to get the prize? Let's check in with the Survivor Advisor.

RNO Roundtable: Predictions for the ‘Survivor: Thailand’ Finale, by Charlie Reneke, Phil Kural, Ken Kellam III, Brian James, David Bloomberg: It's time once again to look back at what has happened so far in Survivor and, more importantly, look ahead to what the finale will bring. Five RealityNewsOnline writers present you with their thoughts on how the game will progress from here, what the various finals options look like, and, of course, who will win it all.

The Unbelievable Bloombergini Returns to Predict the ‘Survivor: Thailand’ Results, by The Unbelievable Bloombergini: The Manly Man has once again challenged me to a prediction duel. He may try whatever methods he likes, but I have chosen one that is truly fowl. Find out who will win and who will get a big goose egg.

Survivor: Brian Heidik vs. Rich Hatch, by David Bloomberg: The most common question I have been asked lately is how I think Brian Heidik compares to Rich Hatch. The answer is not so simple, but let's take a look at why so many people are making the comparison.

Survivor: Thailand – More Questions about the Final Five, by Ken Kellam III: Questions, questions, questions – the final five raised so many! So let’s get to ‘em and jump right in!

Old King Brian and His Allies Three Toss Big Ted Out to Sea; or Should Ted Have Been Voted Out?, by Peggy Keller: Ted was a challenge threat and supposedly Brian’s close ally. Should the four others have chosen him as the first Chuay Gahn to go in weeks?

Survivor: Thailand, Episode 12 MVP: Strategy, Strategy, and More Strategy , by Phil Kural: In the confusing mess of alliances that we have at the end of Survivor: Thailand, one person stands out as the Most Valuable Player right now. He is the one who sits in the center and is essentially determining who goes when.

Survivor: Thailand – Why Ted Lost, by David Bloomberg: Ted was the first to make a "solid" one-on-one alliance with Brian. He was also the first to be betrayed by Brian. What happened to their alliance? Why was Ted targeted? Why did Ted lose?

Surviving Thailand, Episode 12: The Alliance Shell Game, by David Bloomberg: Ted has an alliance with Brian. Brian has an alliance with Clay. Brian also has an alliance with Helen. Ted has an alliance with Helen. Helen has an alliance with Jan. Jan doesn't think there are any alliances. It's a shell game of an episode as we try to follow the little ball as it moves from one contestant to the other. But only one of them can be stuck with the votes at the end.

Survivor: Thailand – Advice to the Remaining Five, by Jeffrey Clinard: Once there were sixteen - now there are five. And now it gets difficult because all five are from the same original tribe. They need good advice now more than ever.

Letters from Camp Koh Tarutao – Family Visitation Day, by C. Brian Devinney: It's time for another letter home to Mom - and this time it's about all of the others who had their family come for a visit. Alas, camp counselor family was not invited.

Survivor: Thailand – WWJD? (What Will Jan Do?), by David Bloomberg: Jan has been hanging on the fringes of Chuay Gahn for quite a while now. Now that the tribe must turn on one another, what will happen with Jan?

Survivor: Thailand – It’s Brian’s Game to Lose, by Jeffrey D. Sadow: RealityNewsOnline's resident professor of political science takes a renewed look at where the game is and where it looks to be going, based on who has played strategically, who has made the most enemies, and who has been dragged along for the ride.

Survivor: Thailand, Episode 11 MVP: Home Is Where the Heart Is, by Phil Kural: It’s time for the awarding of another Most Valuable Player from Survivor for this week. Read on to find out who shone through as the MVP and who gets the honorable mention.

Jake Creates His Own Fate, or Should Jake Have Been Voted Out?, by Peggy Keller: Jake had the opportunity to create his own Survivor team. But rather than pick winners and lead them to victory, he chose a different path that led to utter destruction in the game. He created his own fate and has to live (or leave) with that.

Survivor: Thailand – I’ve Got Questions, Who’s Got Answers?, by Ken Kellam III: It was a bit of an anti-climax after waiting two weeks for this new episode. But, as usual, it brought with it some new questions – Clay is at the heart of many of these – and even some answers, though not nearly enough of those.

Survivor: Thailand – Why Jake Lost, by David Bloomberg: Jake had the ability to pick his own tribe, and he was the last one remaining. Is there any way he could have gotten out of being Pagonged? Could he have done a better job of outwitting and outplaying? Why did Jake lose?

Surviving Thailand, Episode 11: It’s All Relative, by David Bloomberg: It's finally time for the nasty food challenge - but with a twist! Loved ones come to visit and participate in the challenge. But it gets even better than that. And will Jake be the one leaving, or will Helen and Brian plot something else?

Letters from Camp Koh Tarutao: Back to Normal, by C. Brian Devinney: Brian is out of the Koh Tarutao infirmary and things are back to what passes for normal around the Survivor camp. Penny is gone, but who will figure out all of what's been going on behind their backs first?

Survivor: Thailand – Advice to the Remaining Six, by Jeffrey Clinard: With ten down, the remaining six should be smelling the money, but more importantly, they should be thinking about the path that will take them to the finals for a chance at it. What advice will get them where they need to be?

Tossing Penny’s Wish into the Fountain of Losers, or Should Penny Have Been Voted Out?, by Peggy Keller: Did Penny lose because of bad luck, or was she responsible for her own downfall? More importantly, was she the one who should have been voted out this week?

Survivor: Thailand – Penny’s Very Un-Sweetheartlike Behavior, by Evan Meikleham: Penny may have had the looks of a new "America's Sweetheart," but her actions on Survivor: Thailand and in the post-show interviews have shown something quite different. In particular, her poor sportsmanship is became quite evident.

The Final Survivor Immunity Challenge: A Death Wish?, by Phil Kural: As we approach the final few remaining contestants on Survivor: Thailand, our thoughts go back to the final immunity challenge and vote in the four previous series. The winner of each final challenge has lost the overall game. What's up with this final challenge curse?

Surviving Thailand, The Review Episode: The Usual Excitement, by David Bloomberg: Survivor's usual review episode had its usual less-than-thrilling content. But we did get post-expulsion interviews and a few new scenes, though nothing earth-shattering. Let's take a look.

Survivor: Thailand – Unseen Footage on the CBS Website, by Ken Kellam III: Some of the video footage on the CBS Survivor website is information that we haven’t seen on the show and which may actually contribute to our understanding of where various players stand. We have new info on Jake, Clay, and Helen, including how Clay sent a message to Penny with his vote last episode, so let’s take a look.

Survivor: Thailand – I Think I JAN, I Think I JAN!, by Phil Kural: As everybody who has ever read one of Phil’s articles knows, Jan is his favorite Survivor: Thailand player. But why? So many people dismiss her because she’s a bit batty and hasn’t schemed or plotted. But Phil sees another side to her and even thinks she will make it much farther in the game.

Survivor: Thailand, Episode 10 MVP – The Time to Act Is Now, by Phil Kural: Once again, we have several good candidates for the MVP this week. But most of them did something wrong to offset what they did right. There was, however, one person who hit on all cylinders.

Survivor: Thailand – Do You Hear What I Hear?, by Ken Kellam III: We’ve been treated to our share of singing on Survivor: Thailand, but this time the players said things that made viewers want to wonder and sing, “Do You Hear What I Hear?”

Survivor: Thailand – Why Penny Lost, by David Bloomberg: Penny thought she was getting in good with the Chuay Gahn squad, using her charm on them the same way it apparently had worked in the old Sook Jai. What happened to cause her to be voted off when it seemed likely that Jake was on the way out? Why did Penny lose?

Surviving Thailand, Episode 10: A Penny Saved Would Be Far Too Dangerous, by David Bloomberg: Will Chuay Gahn stick together and "Pagong" Jake and Penny? Can Jake persuade somebody to switch to his side? Can Penny use her charms to jump ship? The Chuay Gahn alliance does not see eye to eye on exactly who should go, but it may be too dangerous to allow Penny to stick around.

Letters from Camp Koh Tarutao: When Martha Stewart Meets Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, by C. Brian Devinney: C. Brian Devinney is once again in the Koh Tarutao infirmary. It seems he went from a case of the “Huhs” to a case of the “D’ohs” as camper after camper made stupid mistakes this week. Jake’s stories are but one of many…

Survivor: Thailand – Advice to the Remaining Seven, by Jeffrey Clinard: Things are getting trickier, and knowing who to ally with and who not to are becoming stronger issues to deal with. So who is in the right spot at the right time? The Survivor Advisor returns with Advice for the Remaining Seven.

Stop That! Your Mother Is Watching: Mom’s Perspective on Survivor: Thailand, Week 9, by Diana Sanders: The tribes have finally merged and we can hear the Survivor contestants’ mothers yelling strategy to their offspring – or in some cases, just yelling at them.

Survivor: Thailand – Jan, Helen, and the Human Factor, by David Bloomberg: Jan and Helen are in the perfect spot to control the outcome of the rest of this game. But that depends on them being perfectly logical and having the ability to make the proper strategic moves. But both of them are human and, especially in Jan’s case, we have to wonder if they are capable of taking over this game.

Survivor: Thailand – What If…?, by Phil Kural: Looking at where Survivor: Thailand is going, it is hard to believe that some of these people did not even want to be on the tribes that they were selected for. So much of the game depended on the first few minutes, when Jake and Jan picked their tribes. What might have happened if things had gone just a little bit differently? Let’s look at some possible scenarios.

Yo Yo Yo, Ken Got Dissed Off, or Should Ken Have Been Voted Out?, by Peggy Keller: Ken was not only voted off in this episode of Survivor: Thailand, but he was dissed by Brian as well. Perhaps that would have been funny if the producers had actually shown us Ken acting the way he was imitated - but that's been a consistent theme all season. Meanwhile, we are stuck with the question of whether Ken should have been voted off at all.

Helen Continues to Have the Best Position on Survivor: Thailand, by Jeffrey D. Sadow: Our resident professor of political science explains why Helen continues to have the best position right now, especially after a strategic blunder by Clay in the last episode. She has to play it right, but if she does, she is in line for a very good shot at the million dollars.

Survivor: Thailand, Episode 9 MVP: Working that Magic, by Phil Kural: With the tribal merge, we're down to just one MVP for the week. But it was a tough competition this time, with three candidates running neck and neck. Brian came out ahead, but what did he do to triumph over the others, including Clay, who won the first individual immunity?

Survivor: Thailand – Looking for Mr./Mrs. Badguy, by Ken Kellam III: Every edition of Survivor has to have a villain, right? Right. So where is he or she this time? We had Robb early on, and then it looked like it might be Penny. But so far, we certainly have no Rich Hatch, Jerri Manthey, or Boston Rob. Forget who will be voted out next - we want to know who the next villain will be!

Survivor: Thailand – Why Ken Lost, by David Bloomberg: Now that the merge has finally arrived, the contestants have moved into a new phase of the game. At this point, they would normally target the strong members of opposing alliances. In other words, Ken being voted out was pretty much exactly what you'd expect. But was that all there was to it?

Surviving Thailand, Episode 9: NYC-Ya, by David Bloomberg: The merge is finally here, along with individual immunity and reward challenges. Jake and Ken plot to try to get a former Chuay Gahn member over to their side, and Ted goes off by himself for some "me time." But does any of it change the obvious outcome? What do you think?

Letters from Camp Koh Tarutao: Huh?, by C. Brian Devinney: C. Brian Devinney has been hit by a severe case of the Huhs, and thus was unable to write his usual letter home to Mom. Instead, the local doctor has taken up her pen to explain to Mrs. Devinney what has happened to her son as he watched the Survivor campers do extremely confusing things.

Survivor: Thailand – Advice to the Remaining 8, by Jeffrey Clinard: Half the Survivors are gone, and the rest are in a strange combination of mid-game and end-game. The Survivor Advisor is here to provide the tips needed for each player who remains.

Erin Go Bye-Bye, or Should Erin Have Been Voted Off?, by Peggy Keller: The answer to the question of whether or not Erin should have been voted out really depends on who you are in the game of Survivor: Thailand. Let's take a look at each person and see whether or not Erin's departure was the best thing for them.

Survivor: Thailand – A Tale of Two Thailands, Revisited, by O’Sean Aieghlans: We first looked at the "two Thailands" back around the second week of Survivor. Now that the positions of the tribes has shifted dramatically, perhaps we can get a better view of how each group has played the game, what they did right, and where they went wrong.

Survivor: Thailand – Interview with Shii Ann Huang, a RealityNewsOnline Fan!, by David Bloomberg: Shii Ann Huang's final words began with what could have been a quote from one of RealityNewsOnline's signature articles. It turns out, she's quite a fan! With that in mind, we contacted her and talked about her strategy, what went on behind the scenes, and much more!

Survivor: Thailand, Episode 8 MVPs: We Need a Merge, by Phil Kural: Jake and Brian both came through for their tribes this week, and also came through for themselves by thinking about the way the game might go after a merge. For this and more, they have been named the MVPs for Episode 8.

Stop That! Your Mother Is Watching: Mom’s Perspective on Survivor: Thailand, Week 8, by Diana Sanders: Our Survivor "Moms" have plenty to say this week! Cave pissing, chicken ceremonies, and a sorry showing in the water challenge seem to have some of them a little edgy...

Solving the Mystery of Erin’s Departure, and Other Questions, by Ken Kellam III: Of all the tribal councils so far in Survivor: Thailand, Erin's farewell may be the most shocking. Sometimes an appearance on the Early Show will clear things up, but not this time. Of course, that's not the only question - Ken has plenty of 'em.

Survivor: Thailand – Why Erin Lost, by David Bloomberg: Why did Erin lose? To be honest, I'm a bit baffled by it myself. We were not provided with a whole lot of information. But let's take a look at what we do know and see if we can figure something out.

Surviving Thailand, Episode 8: Sinking Fast, by David Bloomberg: Sook Jai is sinking fast and had better try to keep their heads above water - or, in the case of the Immunity Challenge, below water. The two tribes manage to get along and get to know one another as they live side by side, but they still have to fight it out to see who goes to Tribal Council, and then that group has to worry about who comes back.

Survivor: Thailand – Advice to the Remaining 9, by Jeffrey Clinard: It's not merge time yet, even with the two tribes living together. Still, it's really now come down to the point where the key method to survival in the game is alliances. So once again, the Survivor Advisor returns to hand out the keys each player needs to stay in the game and perhaps grab a treasure chest containing $1,000,000.

Letters from Camp Koh Tarutao: Making an ASS Out of U and ME, by C. Brian Devinney: We all know what happens when you assume – and boy, did it happen last week at Camp Koh Tarutao! Brian sends another letter home from camp as Survivor: Thailand moves into an area where no Survivor has gone before.

Survivor: Thailand - Helen's Future Looks Good, If She Plays It Right, by Jeffrey D. Sadow: Professor Jeffrey Sadow returns once again with a political look at who holds the best hand right now. In looking at the various ways alliances and sub-alliances can combine, Helen actually seems to be in a pretty good position. Let's find out why.

Check Out the Big Brain (and Mouth) on Shii Ann; or Why Shii Ann Should Not Have Been Voted Off, by Peggy Keller: Shii Ann was a smart one, but she was also tricked along with the rest of them into thinking the merge had happened. The difference between her and the others, of course, was that she jumped at the chance to leave her tribe. Given all of this, why should she have stayed?

Survivor: Thailand, An Exclusive Interview with Magilla the Monkey, by Charlie Reneke: Charlie Reneke managed to get an exclusive Survivor: Thailand interview that will have everyone buzzing. Let's see what the series' most popular on-screen personality had to say.

Survivor: Thailand, Episode 7 MVPs: One Big Happy Family, by Phil Kural: We're staying with two MVPs again this week because even though the tribes are living together, they are still two tribes (much to their surprise). Shii Ann and Brian get the award this week, but why? Well, you'll have to read on to find that out.

Survivor on Halloween: Spooky Things Happening in Thailand, by Ken Kellam III: Was it just a coincidence that episode seven of Survivor: Thailand aired on Halloween? Of course, it wasn't Halloween when it was filmed, but it seems everybody came to the costume party with their masks on. Let's see what we can reveal.

Survivor: Thailand - Shii Ann, International Politics, and the Nature of Alliances, by Jeffrey D. Sadow: In Survivor, as in international politics, alliances can gain strength either by adding to their own numbers or by reducing the numbers of the opposition. Within Survivor: Thailand, there are alliances, sub-alliances, and sub-sub-alliances. Shii Ann tried to look ahead and make a jump under the misconception of a merge - was it the right thing to do? And did the others react properly?

Survivor: Thailand - Why Shii Ann Lost, by David Bloomberg: "I committed the classic error of plotting and scheming too much." So said Shii Ann in her final words. So also says the second rule of what Survivor contestants should have learned before going out into the wild. Was that the only reason she lost, or was it instead a culmination of events, some of which were even outside her control?

Surviving Thailand, Episode 7: The Merge That Wasn't, by David Bloomberg: Well, the previews said there would be a twist, but what a twist it was - not to mention a bit of a nasty joke on all the players. They all live together, but can they work together? Or will somebody fall prey to a classic Survivor error?

Letters from Camp Koh Tarutao: The Return of B.B., by C. Brian Devinney: Brian isn't too happy with any of the other campers. We've got a bat funeral, some batty people, some who seem to be missing in action, and of course, Robb with two Bs.

Survivor: Thailand - Mom? Dad? Are We a Family?, by O'Sean Aieghlans: Many Survivor contestants compare their tribes to a family - as they ruthlessly stab each other in the back and vote to kick each other out. Is this really what families have come to? Or are they just kidding themselves about the group they have to spend so much time with?

Survivor: Thailand - Advice to the Remaining 10, by Jeffrey Clinard: As we approach the traditional merge with tribes of equal size, it's time once again for the Survivor Advisor to pass out fresh bits of advice to try and help each individual progress in the game and ultimately win it.

Survivor: Thailand - Robb's Epiphany, by Susan Schechter: Robb started out as a jerk. He became more and more of a jerk as the series went on. Until his last episode. He seems to have had an epiphany, likely brought on by his realization that he was not going to be around much longer. Was it all an act? Will it last? It's really hard to say.

Stop That! Your Mother Is Watching: Mom's Perspective on Survivor: Thailand, Week 6, by Diana Sanders: In the beginning, it's safe to assume that most of the Survivor Moms think their darling child has what it takes to bring home the money. Now it looks like the merge is coming up... let's check in with the "Moms" to see what they might be thinking at this point in the game.

Robb, Bbro, You Got Bbooted, Dude; or Why Robb Should Not Have Been Voted Off, by Peggy Keller: Believe it or not, there are some reasons why Robb should not have been voted out last week. One relates to the viewing experience for us, but even strategy-wise, he should have been kept.

Survivor: Thailand, Episode 6 MVPs: Motivation or Procrastination, by Phil Kural: Although Robb supposedly turned his whole life around (yeah, right), he is not this week's MVP. Instead, we have the motivator on Chuay Gahn, and the woman who has come into her own in this episode on Sook Jai.

Survivor: Thailand - Robb, How Could You Do This to Us?, by Ken Kellam III: For six weeks we've waited for Robb to be given the boot. But at the end, his departure became bittersweet. What happened to change him from a living cartoon to a real person?

Survivor: Thailand - Why Robb Lost, by David Bloomberg: Why did Robb lose? Let me count the ways. Twice he thought everybody was voting for Shii Ann, and twice he was wrong. In other words, Robb was not exactly a part of the inner circle of Sook Jai. But that certainly isn't the only reason he lost.

Surviving Thailand, Episode 6: Dude, Where's My Vote?, by David Bloomberg: It's an emotional three days for Sook Jai as they win some, lose some, talk some, and booze some. Robb discovers that there is more to life than just getting wasted. Meanwhile, Chuay Gahn goes boat-hunting but only find a bat - and a woman who may be going batty. It's only getting stranger, folks…

Letters from Camp Koh Tarutao: Cocka-doodle-eww!, by C. Brian Devinney: Brian is back with another letter to Mom from his stay in Thailand with the Survivor campers. Unfortunately, his presence doesn't seem to be having much effect as nobody is really doing what they need to do.

Firegirl, Fired Girl; or Why Stephanie Should Not Have Been Voted Off, by Peggy Keller: Ghandia tried to get the women of Chuay Gahn to vote out Clay. Instead, she ended up getting the boot without even the benefit of a tiebreaker. What went wrong? Did anything go right? Why did Ghandia lose?

Survivor: Thailand - Advice to the Remaining 11, by Jeffrey Clinard: Why did Sook Jai vote out a strong firefighter just because she was a little independent when they could have gotten rid of somebody less useful or more annoying? Let's take a look at what Peggy has to say about this and who might be next episode's underdog.

Survivor: Thailand - An Open Letter from a Fan of Stephanie, by Susan Schechter: Now that Stephanie has been voted off of Survivor: Thailand, Susan decided to write her this open letter in order to let her know that even with others talking about what she did wrong, she still has her fans - and here is why.

Stop That! Your Mother Is Watching: Mom's Perspective on Survivor: Thailand, Week 5, by Diana Sanders: Even though they are far from home, the contestants of Survivor: Thailand are not just performing for the world, but for that little voice inside their heads that tells them what their mothers would think. Let's take a look at what those voices might be saying about episode 5.

Survivor: Thailand, Episode 5 MVPs: A Switch Would Set You Free, by Phil Kural: Neither team really played with a whole lot of "oomph" this week, but no matter what, there is always an MVP. In this case, both MVPs really should have gone for the switch, but of course neither did. One paid the price and the other may soon, but they were still both valuable players.

Survivor: Thailand, Week 5: A Questionable Episode, by Ken Kellam III: As always, questions surround Survivor. Some need to be asked, while others that have already been asked can easily be answered. For example, should Shii Ann have eaten all those chicken parts?

Survivor: Thailand - Why Stephanie Lost, by David Bloomberg: Stephanie tried to get back into the good graces of her fellow Sook Jai this week, but ultimately still became the sacrificial lamb. Why was she unable to make up for past behavior? What caused the others to single her out for voting? Why did Stephanie lose?

Surviving Thailand, Episode 5: Something's Fishy, by David Bloomberg: We see a number of fishy circumstances in this fifth episode of Survivor: Thailand. First, a fish gets the better of Robb. Next, the Chuay Gahn boat disappears - with the fishing net. Then, does anybody take the bait to swap tribes? Finally, the immunity challenge has the players up to their elbows in fish.

Letters from Camp Koh Tarutao: The Same Old, Same Old, by C. Brian Devinney: In Sook Jai, people are still clueless and nobody is doing what should be done. In Chuay Gahn, people are still fighting and the tribe is still divided by gender while men lie around and women work. All in all, it's the same old same old for poor Brian at Camp Koh Tarutao.

Mahatma? Not Ghandia; or Why Ghandia Should Not Have Been Voted Off, by Peggy Keller: There is actually a very good reason for why Ghandia should not have been voted out this week - she should have been voted out sooner! So who should have gone instead, and who are next week's underdogs?

Stop That! Your Mother Is Watching: Mom's Perspective on Survivor: Thailand, Week , by Diana Sanders: You know how you can always hear your mama in your mind telling you what you should and shouldn't do? Well, maybe some of the Survivor: Thailand contestants should be listening to their moms, too. Let's take a look at what those moms might tell their contestant-kids, such as Helen, regarding her decision, and Brian in those little shorts.

Survivor: Thailand – Game Theory and Helen’s Decision, by Jeffrey D. Sadow: Helen faced a big decision prior to the fourth tribal council - vote with the men or the women, sink or swim. To better understand it, we can look to "game theory," as Professor Sadow has right here. Was she better off sticking with Ghandia or switching sides?

Survivor: Thailand – Things That Make You Go “Huh?” or Going Going Gone-dia, by Ken Kellam III: Ghandia is gone-dia, and with good reason. But between what was going on at Chuay Gahn and other stuff at Sook Jai (such as Stephanie's "strategy"), there are still plenty of things to make Ken go, "Huh?"

Taking the Game Too Far: Ghandia Johnson of ‘Survivor: Thailand’, by Peggy Keller: Some players end up being mentioned in the Reality TV Hall of Shame for forgetting that it’s all a game and not going far enough in their strategy. But this time we have somebody who went too far. Ghandia Johnson, of Survivor: Thailand, earned a quick induction by using the incident with Ted to attack him personally in a way that goes far beyond the game. She took an important issue for women everywhere and turned it into a crass attempt to win a game show.

Survivor: Thailand, Week 4: On Dummies and Divas, by Kevin Nauta: Let’s take a look at how the various players handled last week’s events and what they should consider doing in the future as Kevin lets his mind wander a bit over the activities of the fourth episode.

Survivor: Thailand, Episode 4 MVPs: The Indecisive and a Dummy , by Phil Kural: This week we had an interesting comparison. On Chuay Gahn, the MVP is obvious. On Sook Jai, it's not so obvious at all. But in the end, Phil chose the smartest member of the tribe - even if he was only there for a day.

Survivor: Thailand – Advice to the Remaining 12, by Jeffrey Clinard: The tribes are divided amongst themselves. Fractures are appearing, the battle lines are drawn, but it still comes down to one victim in the end. Is it better to avoid tribal council and let the factions battle on... or is it better to cut out part of the divisive factors that threaten the whole tribe? The Dear Abby of Survivor is back with the answers, and the advice for the remaining players.

Survivor: Thailand – Why Ghandia Lost, by David Bloomberg: Ghandia tried to get the women of Chuay Gahn to vote out Clay. Instead, she ended up getting the boot without even the benefit of a tiebreaker. What went wrong? Did anything go right? Why did Ghandia lose?

Surviving Thailand, Episode 4: Battle of the Sexes, by David Bloomberg: The two tribes are supposed to be competing against each other, but instead, there is more fighting going on within Chuay Gahn as the men and women square off against each other in a quiet battle. The lines have been drawn, the sides chosen - or have they?

Hall of Shame Moment: Sook Jai’s Shameful Behavior In and After the Episode 3 Reward Challenge, by David Bloomberg: It is not uncommon for teams on Survivor to blow a challenge. But in Episode 3 of Survivor: Thailand, Sook Jai took a comfortable lead and turned it into a loss by completely ignoring the rules. To compound their stupidity, Robb acted shameful in his loss – towards Jeff Probst, Clay, and pretty much everybody else in the vicinity. Sook Jai’s actions deserve to be recognized as a Hall of Shame Moment.

Survivor: Thailand, Week 3: Did Anybody Really Win?, by Kevin Nauta: After the third episode, it seems clear that both tribes are struggling - though with different issues. Neither one can be considered to be winning. But does one have a better chance than the other of getting ahead in the continuing game of Survivor?

Letters from Camp Koh Tarutao: Bitchslaps All Around, by C. Brian Devinney: Both tribes are self-destructing around poor Brian, stuck in Camp Koh Tarutao. He wants to smack Robb. He wants to smack Ghandia. Hell, he just wants to smack 'em all, as he tells his mom in another letter home.

Survivor: Thailand – Advice to the Remaining 13, by Jeffrey Clinard: Dear Jeffrey: I'm a contestant who might win $1,000,000 on a game show called Survivor. What steps and actions should I take to win the big prize money? Dear Contestant: Follow my advice and hope for the best. You might just win if you listen and behave properly. In other words, not like Jed!

Survivor: Thailand, Episode 3 MVPs: Speaking Your Mind, by Phil Kural: So much happened this past episode, it was difficult to determine who the MVPs should be. But after careful examination, Phil has come up with one from each tribe, though they may be a bit controversial.

Survivor: Thailand – Hype, Hype, Hooray!, by Ken Kellam III: It looked to be perhaps the most controversial Survivor episode ever. But in reality, that may have been due more to overhype, both from Mark Burnett, and Ghandia. Let's address those issues, and a few other ones.

Sook Jai Not Fed, Jed Is Dead; Or Why Jed Should Not Have Been Voted Off, by Peggy Keller: There was enough going on in both tribes to fill several episodes of Survivor --but instead the guy who will be filling teeth has been given the boot. Should Jed have been voted out? Peggy says, “No way!” Find out who should have gone and who the underdogs are going into next week.

Survivor: Thailand – Why Jed Lost, by David Bloomberg: Jed seems to have learned the way of Survivor from the lazies of Samburu and Maraamu. But he failed to learn that you have to have others to back you up if you’re going to act that way. Still, it’s never quite that simple, so let’s take a look at why Jed lost.

Surviving Thailand, Episode 3: Fight Night, by David Bloomberg: It’s fight night on Survivor: Thailand! Chuay Gahn and Sook Jai get at each other’s throats – sometimes literally. Ted and Ghandia go at it about whether or not they went at it. And various people on Sook Jai are so mad at each other they don’t want to try very hard in the immunity challenge.

Survivor: Thailand – Tossing the Cookie, or Why Tanya Should Not Have Been Voted Off, by Peggy Keller: In times like these, it gets more difficult for Peggy to argue against why somebody like Tanya should not have been voted off. But there are some reasons, even if it's a bit of a stretch.

Survivor: Thailand – Advice to the Remaining 14, by Jeffrey Clinard: In the second week, one tribe is split along work/non-work lines while another is more like a family but keeps right on losing. What advice does our own Dear Prudence have for these remaining 14 players?

Survivor: Thailand Episode Two MVPs: Strength Brings Victory, by Phil Kural: Time to give out the MVP awards for the second week of Survivor: Thailand. This week, two very different strategies were used in the two very different tribes by those who Phil deemed as the Most Valuable Players.

Letters from Camp Koh Tarutao: Bang, You’re Dead, by C. Brian Devinney: It's time for another letter home from Survivor camp. Brian has moved into the Chuay Gahn cave, but still keeps up on what goes on at Sook Jai - including the divisions in their ranks. Read all about his days at camp Koh Tarutao.

Survivor: Thailand – Second Week Scorecard and Observations, by Ken Kellam III: A few weeks ago, a sports announcer said the true indication of where a football team stands is how it does during the second week of play. Could that also be true of Survivor as well? Ken takes another look at the remaining players to see what we can figure out about them.

A Tale of Two Thailands, by O’Sean Aieghlans: We now have two weeks of Survivor: Thailand that we can use to evaluate the current set-up and to make a critical - and perhaps even philosophical - analysis of the two Thailands now on display on CBS. One Thailand is the Sook Jai tribe put together by Jake; the other is the Chuay Gahn tribe put together by Jan. They are very different tribes with very different sorts of people.

Survivor: Thailand – Why Tanya Lost, by David Bloomberg: It seems fairly easy to explain why Tanya lost – but is her illness the whole story? Of course not! On Survivor, it’s never quite that straightforward.

Survivor: Faith on the Island, by Rev. Jack Brooks: Can a pastor win Survivor, or will all suffer the same fate as John did last week? Jack Brooks, a pastor himself, looks at what John did wrong, and what some other evangelicals who have appeared on the show have done both right and wrong.

Surviving Thailand, Episode 2: Chuay Gone?, by David Bloomberg: Chuay Gahn needs a victory, but they can’t seem to get one. Each time, they are just a little bit behind. But strife on the Sook Jai tribe continues. Each group has one sick woman – how will it affect them, if at all?

Survivor Draft Day: Judging the Thailand Picks, by Jason Borelli: Survivor, the most popular reality show in television would have the same start as a pick-up softball game. How did each leader do in terms of picking their tribes, and what can we tell about their strategy from looking at who they picked?

Letters from Camp Koh Tarutao: Things Do Get Better with Age, by C. Brian Devinney: Brian is back at camp with the newest batch of Survivor contestants. What does he have to say about the way teams were picked and the choice of John for eviction? Read on to see his latest letter to Mom.

Survivor: Thailand – Advice to the Remaining 15, by Jeffrey Clinard: The Dear Abby of Survivor is back again this season to dish out weekly advice to the remaining players in the game. After one episode, how does the game look for each tribe and their members?

Survivor: Thailand, Episode 1 MVPs: The Older the Better, by Phil Kural: Every episode of Survivor has that one person who stands out. This person goes the extra mile for the team and does not care if they are at risk of being voted out, or how they are viewed. These people will be recognized in Phil's new column looking at the MVPs of each episode. This week, we begin with the leaders.

Survivor: Thailand – First Impressions of Week One, by Ken Kellam III: As usual, Mark Burnett threw everyone a few curves to start out. But what kind of first impressions did each player make? Let's take a look.

Survivor: Thailand – Why John Lost, by David Bloomberg: Somebody always has to be the first one voted out, and this time it was John the Pastor. Had he ever watched an episode of Survivor before going on the show? Watching the way he acted sure makes you wonder. Let’s look at why John lost.

Onward Christian Soldier, or Why John Should Not Have Been Voted Out, by Peggy Keller: It’s time once again to take a look at the person who was voted out of Survivor and examine why he or she should not have been given the boot. In this first case, John took a leadership role and was booted instead of the sick Tanya – does that really make sense?

Surviving Thailand, Episode 1: Some People Never Learn, by David Bloomberg: Seeing as this is the fifth incarnation of Survivor, you'd think people who go on the show would have learned a few things by now. Sure, Burnett threw in a twist in just how tribes were picked, but that really has nothing to do with how you get along with your fellow tribe members. And if you can't get along, well…

The Key to Playing: Secret Alliances, by David Bloomberg: I've said it before, and I'll probably say it again. Keeping your alliance secret is the key to winning in reality TV. Danielle and Jason have been a prime example of this in Big Brother 3, and there are numerous examples - both of the right and wrong way to do it - from previous Survivor series.

The Acme Brain Trust Pre-Survivor Interview, by C. Brian Devinney: If you want to possibly have the result of each week's episode of Survivor spoiled, you have no better place to turn than the Acme Brain Trust. Last season, they accurately determined the winners of reward and immunity challenges and also each week's player to be voted out. Brian had a chat with a couple members of the Brain Trust about how they do what they do and what they think of Survivor: Thailand.

RNO Roundtable: The Survivor Thailand Preview and Predictions, by RealityNewsOnline Staff: It's time once again for the article you've all been waiting for - the time when we poll the great minds here at RealityNewsOnline and see what we all have to say about the next edition of Survivor. From general thoughts to predictions, it's all here!

What Thai Survivors Should Have Learned, by David Bloomberg: Survivor 1 made it obvious that contestants need to learn certain rules to play by on the show. Survivor 2 and Survivor: Africa verified many of these and even added a few. Survivor: Marquesas showed that, well, sometimes rules are broken. Building on all four series, here is an newly updated and reorganized look at what the Thai Survivors should have learned if they wan to join the group of million-dollar winners.

Soft Porn Actor a ‘Survivor: Thailand’ Contestant, by Susan Schechter: Well, we’ve had actors and actresses on Survivor before, but never with quite the type of resume that Brian Heidik has…

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