Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach."I think there's a direct correlation between opening your big fat mouth and the idol having to get played." - Reynold Toeppfer, Survivor: CaramoanPoor Josh and Reed. Have there ever been two such near-misses in Survivor history? At the merge, Josh had been set to lead his majority alliance to victory. He had orchestrated the perfect blindside of Jeremy - until Julie quit the game and the Meat Brothers alienated Jaclyn. Within three days, Josh...
- 11/27/2014
- by Stephen Fishbach, @stephenfishbach
- PEOPLE.com
Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach.
"I think there's a direct correlation between opening your big fat mouth and the idol having to get played."
– Reynold Toepfer, Survivor: Caramoan
Poor Josh and Reed. Have there ever been two such near-misses in Survivor history?
At the merge, Josh had been set to lead his majority alliance to victory. He had orchestrated the perfect blindside of Jeremy – until Julie quit the game and the Meat Brothers alienated Jaclyn. Within three days, Josh went...
"I think there's a direct correlation between opening your big fat mouth and the idol having to get played."
– Reynold Toepfer, Survivor: Caramoan
Poor Josh and Reed. Have there ever been two such near-misses in Survivor history?
At the merge, Josh had been set to lead his majority alliance to victory. He had orchestrated the perfect blindside of Jeremy – until Julie quit the game and the Meat Brothers alienated Jaclyn. Within three days, Josh went...
- 11/27/2014
- by Stephen Fishbach, @stephenfishbach
- People.com - TV Watch
Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach."I think there's a direct correlation between opening your big fat mouth and the idol having to get played." - Reynold Toeppfer, Survivor: CaramoanPoor Josh and Reed. Have there ever been two such near-misses in Survivor history? At the merge, Josh had been set to lead his majority alliance to victory. He had orchestrated the perfect blindside of Jeremy - until Julie quit the game and the Meat Brothers alienated Jaclyn. Within three days, Josh...
- 11/27/2014
- by Stephen Fishbach, @stephenfishbach
- PEOPLE.com
Survivor Review, Season 26, Episode 14
“Last Push”
Airs Wednesdays at 8pm (Et) on CBS
Despite the unpredictable second half of Survivor: Caramoan, a sense of inevitability dominates the finale. Cochran has avoided the vote throughout the game, and his victory feels secure after he wins the final immunity challenge. The only question is whether Dawn or Sherri will receive any votes, and the bitter jury makes it clear neither has much chance to crack the scoreboard. While Jeff Probst makes a huge deal about Cochran being unconventional, it’s not a surprise to see him win the million. Along with playing a strategic game, he has the likability factor that’s eluded powerful contestants like Russell Hantz at their Final Tribal Council. The jury needs to feel good about giving the million dollars to the winner, and only one possibility fits that requirement. Dawn received unfair nastiness from fans after Brenda’s exit,...
“Last Push”
Airs Wednesdays at 8pm (Et) on CBS
Despite the unpredictable second half of Survivor: Caramoan, a sense of inevitability dominates the finale. Cochran has avoided the vote throughout the game, and his victory feels secure after he wins the final immunity challenge. The only question is whether Dawn or Sherri will receive any votes, and the bitter jury makes it clear neither has much chance to crack the scoreboard. While Jeff Probst makes a huge deal about Cochran being unconventional, it’s not a surprise to see him win the million. Along with playing a strategic game, he has the likability factor that’s eluded powerful contestants like Russell Hantz at their Final Tribal Council. The jury needs to feel good about giving the million dollars to the winner, and only one possibility fits that requirement. Dawn received unfair nastiness from fans after Brenda’s exit,...
- 5/14/2013
- by Dan Heaton
- SoundOnSight
"Survivor: Caramoan" ended with a unanimous vote for John Cochran. Sherri Biethman tells Zap2it she was not surprised at all that he received all the votes -- but she was surprised by the jury's animosity towards her.
Are you glad you went on "Survivor"? Was it everything you hoped it would be?
"Yes, absolutely. I loved being on 'Survivor.' I wouldn't change it for the world. I got to experience something that very few people can ever say they did and i made it to the end. I'm very happy I did it. I'm very happy. "
It seemed like several of the jury members were kind of mean to you during the final Tribal Council. Did it feel that way to you?
"Kind of? [laughs] ... They were very mean to me at the end. I wasn't surprised at all. I knew going in to the jury that they were going to be harsh,...
Are you glad you went on "Survivor"? Was it everything you hoped it would be?
"Yes, absolutely. I loved being on 'Survivor.' I wouldn't change it for the world. I got to experience something that very few people can ever say they did and i made it to the end. I'm very happy I did it. I'm very happy. "
It seemed like several of the jury members were kind of mean to you during the final Tribal Council. Did it feel that way to you?
"Kind of? [laughs] ... They were very mean to me at the end. I wasn't surprised at all. I knew going in to the jury that they were going to be harsh,...
- 5/13/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
The kid who used to wear buffs to school and write papers about his favorite reality show is a kid no longer. John Cochran went from almost being voted out in his very first Tribal Council in Survivor: South Pacific to being named champion of Survivor: Caramoan — Fans vs. Favorites. And he didn’t just win — he dominated, never having a single vote cast against him and then receiving every single vote from the jury to take home the million dollars. We caught up with the man with the most famous last name in reality television, and he talked...
- 5/13/2013
- by Dalton Ross
- EW - Inside TV
Here we are, gang. The finale of "Survivor: Caramoan" -- who do you think will win it all? We'll say right now that if Cochran makes the Final 3, we think he's got it in the bag.
Madeline
After the last Tribal, Erik starts not feeling well. He says his head is killing him and everything's spinning -- do you suppose it's lack of food? Probably shouldn't have gone climbing that coconut tree yesterday.
The EMTs take his blood pressure and it's low (though not super low), but the doctors tell him he's not going back to camp. That's a bummer.
Everybody gives Erik platitudes and praise like he's dying of an Immunity Challenge-sustained injury or something. Not that we aren't sympathetic to how hard "Survivor" is -- but this is like the lamest medical evac ever.
After Erik leaves, Cochran and Eddie dish about who should be in the Final...
Madeline
After the last Tribal, Erik starts not feeling well. He says his head is killing him and everything's spinning -- do you suppose it's lack of food? Probably shouldn't have gone climbing that coconut tree yesterday.
The EMTs take his blood pressure and it's low (though not super low), but the doctors tell him he's not going back to camp. That's a bummer.
Everybody gives Erik platitudes and praise like he's dying of an Immunity Challenge-sustained injury or something. Not that we aren't sympathetic to how hard "Survivor" is -- but this is like the lamest medical evac ever.
After Erik leaves, Cochran and Eddie dish about who should be in the Final...
- 5/13/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
At the start of Wednesday's Survivor, all of the remaining contestants seem to be reeling a bit after voting Reynold and Andrea out at the last two Tribal Councils.
"All the chicks that I go after and try to hook up with get voted out," Eddie astutely observes, adding that he feels like a "sitting duck" heading into the next Tribal Council. Meanwhile, Dawn is torn between being loyal to Cochran and potentially forming a new alliance with Erik and Brenda, who want to vote Cochran out.
Read More >...
"All the chicks that I go after and try to hook up with get voted out," Eddie astutely observes, adding that he feels like a "sitting duck" heading into the next Tribal Council. Meanwhile, Dawn is torn between being loyal to Cochran and potentially forming a new alliance with Erik and Brenda, who want to vote Cochran out.
Read More >...
- 5/9/2013
- by Liz Raftery
- TVGuide - Breaking News
For weeks, every booted contestant has named Andrea Boehlke as one of the most aggressive players on Survivor: Caramoan - so it was just a matter of time before the 23-year-old entertainment host and writer was given the boot. (She has had the most votes cast against her of any contestant this season.) Blindsided on Day 33, Boehlke talks about her aggressive gameplay, the worst showmance ever and whom she blames for her elimination. You really looked stunned to be voted out.I was more embarrassed than anything. I should've seen it coming. This was the first night that I...
- 5/8/2013
- by Steve Helling
- PEOPLE.com
Reynold Toepfer, a 30-year-old Real Estate agent from Austin, Texas , never had the numbers he needed to get to the end of Survivor. Originally portrayed as cocky and arrogant, he softened his attitude as the game progressed, finding immunity idols and making friends along the way. Now able to laugh about his experience, Toepfer talks about immunity idols, challenges, and cuddling in the shelter. So the season started out badly. You were in an alliance of four within a 10-person tribe. Yeah, I played this game never having the numbers. My back was always up against the wall, from day one.
- 5/5/2013
- by Steve Helling
- PEOPLE.com
Reynold Toepfer, a 30-year-old Real Estate agent from Austin, Texas , never had the numbers he needed to get to the end of Survivor.
Originally portrayed as cocky and arrogant, he softened his attitude as the game progressed, finding immunity idols and making friends along the way.
Now able to laugh about his experience, Toepfer talks about immunity idols, challenges, and cuddling in the shelter.
So the season started out badly. You were in an alliance of four within a 10-person tribe.
Yeah, I played this game never having the numbers. My back was always up against the wall, from day one.
Originally portrayed as cocky and arrogant, he softened his attitude as the game progressed, finding immunity idols and making friends along the way.
Now able to laugh about his experience, Toepfer talks about immunity idols, challenges, and cuddling in the shelter.
So the season started out badly. You were in an alliance of four within a 10-person tribe.
Yeah, I played this game never having the numbers. My back was always up against the wall, from day one.
- 5/5/2013
- by Steve Helling
- People.com - TV Watch
One is the gatekeeper to the Boardroom. The other is the man responsible for herding all of the fired losers off the floor as quickly as possible. Together they make up the most dynamic of Celebrity Apprentice duos! Receptionist Amanda Miller and elevator attendant Adrian Acosta stopped by Entertainment Weekly’s SiriusXM studio for their first ever joint interview, and now you can hear it all on the latest edition of the InsideTV Podcast.
Why does Amanda have multiple pairs of golden scissors on her desk…and no computer? Does Adrian’s elevator actually go anywhere? What’s the name...
Why does Amanda have multiple pairs of golden scissors on her desk…and no computer? Does Adrian’s elevator actually go anywhere? What’s the name...
- 5/5/2013
- by Dalton Ross
- EW - Inside TV
Two people were sent home in separate Tribal Councils on Wednesday (May 1) night's "Survivor." Really, it's a "Survivor" Miracle that Andrea Boehlke and Reynold Toepfer lasted as long as they did. Reynold was targeted as a threat from the first second he met with his Fans tribe and he made the early mistake of aligning with his group's three prettiest members and boasting about it. But boosted by a fortuitous tribal swap and then some challenge domination, he ended up having a good run. For her part, Andrea was immediately eyed as a dangerous player within the...
- 5/4/2013
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
"It's a little hard to be living with people for 32 days and have these relationships and what you think is trust, and then find out they've been lying to you the entire time!" - Andrea Boehlke, Redemption Island
We've been waiting for this moment all season. With antagonists Malcolm and Reynold twirling their mustachios from the jury bench, the remnants of Stealth R Us have to turn on each other. For 33 days, the Favorites have coasted in their easy majority, kept in lockstep by Phillip's relentless drumbeat. With only seven players left, who will take the reins?
The episode...
We've been waiting for this moment all season. With antagonists Malcolm and Reynold twirling their mustachios from the jury bench, the remnants of Stealth R Us have to turn on each other. For 33 days, the Favorites have coasted in their easy majority, kept in lockstep by Phillip's relentless drumbeat. With only seven players left, who will take the reins?
The episode...
- 5/3/2013
- by Stephen Fishbach
- People.com - TV Watch
They started the season of Survivor: Caramoan — Fans vs. Favorites in very different places. On the Fans tribe, Reynold Toepfer found himself on the outs pretty much immediately after trying to form a young hotties alliance that simply didn’t have the numbers. Over on the Favorites beach, however, Andrea Boehlke, made an immediate power play against her former fellow Redemption Island cast member and New York City pal Francesca Hogi, sending her former friend home and putting herself in the middle of the dominant alliance.
But both Reynold and Andrea ended up in the same place and on the same episode — the jury.
But both Reynold and Andrea ended up in the same place and on the same episode — the jury.
- 5/2/2013
- by Dalton Ross
- EW - Inside TV
The second of the Three Amigos was voted off "Survivor: Caramoan" when Reynold Toepfer was the first of two eliminations on Wednesday's (May 1) episode. He tells Zap2it he sees himself as a big underdog of the season.
Are you glad you went on "Survivor"? Was it everything you expected or hoped it would be?
"It was an incredible experience. On the episodes, you get to see a lot of the drama and the struggle, but there's also a lot of wonderful moments out there, where you're not tied down ... by regular life. You reflect in a beautiful setting, while you're totally pure because you're not really eating. It's a really shaping experience for sure, in a positive way."
You had kind of a volatile season on "Survivor." Did you see yourself as more of a hero or a villain during your time out there?"
"I would more say underdog.
Are you glad you went on "Survivor"? Was it everything you expected or hoped it would be?
"It was an incredible experience. On the episodes, you get to see a lot of the drama and the struggle, but there's also a lot of wonderful moments out there, where you're not tied down ... by regular life. You reflect in a beautiful setting, while you're totally pure because you're not really eating. It's a really shaping experience for sure, in a positive way."
You had kind of a volatile season on "Survivor." Did you see yourself as more of a hero or a villain during your time out there?"
"I would more say underdog.
- 5/2/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Survivor Review, Season 26, Episode 12
“The Beginning of the End”
Airs Wednesdays at 8pm (Et) on CBS
In the very first episode of Survivor: Caramoan, Andrea faced serious danger by playing way too hard. She went after Francesca and received four votes from the minority group. The favorites’ dominance kept her off the radar for a while, but she’s survived a few close calls. Andrea’s chosen a risky game all season, and she faces the music this week. Once the other favorites learn that she’s targeting Brenda, they turn the tables and blindside her in the episode’s second Tribal Council. When Reynold falls off the perch in the first immunity challenge, his fate is sealed. He exits gracefully, and Eddie seems like the obvious next target. Like the departing Malcolm last week, it’s Andrea’s attempts to make a move that doom her fate. Her...
“The Beginning of the End”
Airs Wednesdays at 8pm (Et) on CBS
In the very first episode of Survivor: Caramoan, Andrea faced serious danger by playing way too hard. She went after Francesca and received four votes from the minority group. The favorites’ dominance kept her off the radar for a while, but she’s survived a few close calls. Andrea’s chosen a risky game all season, and she faces the music this week. Once the other favorites learn that she’s targeting Brenda, they turn the tables and blindside her in the episode’s second Tribal Council. When Reynold falls off the perch in the first immunity challenge, his fate is sealed. He exits gracefully, and Eddie seems like the obvious next target. Like the departing Malcolm last week, it’s Andrea’s attempts to make a move that doom her fate. Her...
- 5/2/2013
- by Dan Heaton
- SoundOnSight
A week ago, Malcolm and his cohorts couldn't pull off another upset on "Survivor: Caramoan." Do Reynold and/or Eddie stand a chance this week against the strong Fave alliance? Let's find out!
Madeline
Cochran's getting a little power-hungry, which actually looks good on him because he's always such an unassuming guy. Meanwhile, Eddie and Reynold know their backs are up against it and they're going to fight. Not that anyone can blame them -- what else would they?
Immunity Challenge
We jump right into the next Immunity like three seconds into the episode. Is this a double elimination episode? It must be.
The challenge is fairly awesome. Everyone has a wooden, pyramidal platform to balance on out in the windy ocean, moving up to increasingly smaller footholds. This is where we would find one spot to stare at and run the catalog of Rodgers & Hammerstein in our head.
Madeline
Cochran's getting a little power-hungry, which actually looks good on him because he's always such an unassuming guy. Meanwhile, Eddie and Reynold know their backs are up against it and they're going to fight. Not that anyone can blame them -- what else would they?
Immunity Challenge
We jump right into the next Immunity like three seconds into the episode. Is this a double elimination episode? It must be.
The challenge is fairly awesome. Everyone has a wooden, pyramidal platform to balance on out in the windy ocean, moving up to increasingly smaller footholds. This is where we would find one spot to stare at and run the catalog of Rodgers & Hammerstein in our head.
- 5/2/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Survivor 26,Fans Vs Favorites eliminated Reynold Toepfer & Andrea Boehlke in episode 12 tonight. Tonight's episode kicked off with conversation footage. Then they quickly hit up the Immunity/Rewards challenge. In it, they had to balance themselves on a platform, while host Jeff Probst ,tempted them to hop off with food prizes and other types of prizes. The last one standing on that platform,won. The winner won a piece of valuable information to go along with the big Immunity necklace. It came down to Brenda and Andrea,and Andrea ended up,pulling it out. Next, they showed more conversation footage. Andrea told the private cams that she thinks Brenda might pose a big challenge to her, since she took it out to the end with her in the immunity challenge,so that caused Brenda to maybe become a possible target for the very first time this season,so that sucks,because...
- 5/2/2013
- by Andre
- OnTheFlix
If there has been one consistent occurrence during this unpredictable season of Survivor: Caramoan, it has been that every time Reynold thinks he is in control, then it all falls apart. He tried to run his tribe with the Cool Table, and he quickly saw his two girls packing for home. He joined with Malcolm during the merge, and it looked like they'd shake things up but instead, he just saw his alliance get picked off. Sure, there was the one shining moment with Malcolm's shocking double idol play, but he then got knocked to the Ponderosa right after. If there is one thing Reynold must know by now, he is never in control and it may be "The Beginning of the End."...
- 5/1/2013
- by editor@buddytv.com
- buddytv.com
About two weeks after being voted off of Survivor: Philippines in fourth place, Malcolm Freberg was playing the game again, this time on Survivor: Caramoan. But physical and mental exhaustion took over, and the L.A. bartender, 25, never got into a solid alliance. Following his elimination last week, Freberg talks about his popularity, sneakiness and his "horrendous" alliance. You're one of very few players who have played the game back to back. How exhausting was that? Physically, my body was just a wreck. Almost nine months later, I still haven't recovered. I've lost a lot of muscle mass. The second time around,...
- 4/29/2013
- by Steve Helling
- PEOPLE.com
About two weeks after being voted off of Survivor: Philippines in fourth place, Malcolm Freberg was playing the game again, this time on Survivor: Caramoan.
But physical and mental exhaustion took over, and the L.A. bartender, 25, never got into a solid alliance. Following his elimination last week, Freberg talks about his popularity, sneakiness and his "horrendous" alliance.
You're one of very few players who have played the game back to back. How exhausting was that?
Physically, my body was just a wreck. Almost nine months later, I still haven't recovered. I've lost a lot of muscle mass. The second time around,...
But physical and mental exhaustion took over, and the L.A. bartender, 25, never got into a solid alliance. Following his elimination last week, Freberg talks about his popularity, sneakiness and his "horrendous" alliance.
You're one of very few players who have played the game back to back. How exhausting was that?
Physically, my body was just a wreck. Almost nine months later, I still haven't recovered. I've lost a lot of muscle mass. The second time around,...
- 4/29/2013
- by Steve Helling
- People.com - TV Watch
I seems like I just talked to Malcolm Freberg about his last "Survivor" experience, a near miss on "Survivor: Philippines." Malcolm didn't fare nearly as well on "Survivor: Caramoan." The X Factor among the returning Favorites, Malcolm had only two weeks between his seasons and he wasn't the dominating force he was the first time around. He also never had the strong alliance he had the first time around, when he paired with eventual winner Denise from the first day. Instead, he found himself forming an minority alliance with Alpha Males Reynold and Eddie, who were outsiders in the Fans...
- 4/27/2013
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
Survivor Review, Season 26, Episode 11
“Come Over to the Dark Side”
Airs Wednesdays at 8pm (Et) on CBS
Survivor fans love players who make big moves and don’t coast to the end. They’d much rather see a strategist like Rob Cesternino jumping alliances and shaking up the game then watch a dominator like Kim Spradlin. It makes the game exciting and avoids the predictable boots that plagued the South Pacific and One World seasons. The danger for players is that going after the title often doesn’t work. The riskier strategy wins the love of the fans, particularly when it’s done without the arrogance of Russell Hantz. Can players win this way in the game’s current era, however? In a season of returning players, the paranoia is even higher. Telling the wrong person (i.e., Dawn) can ruin any plan. Last week, Malcolm executed a wonderful move...
“Come Over to the Dark Side”
Airs Wednesdays at 8pm (Et) on CBS
Survivor fans love players who make big moves and don’t coast to the end. They’d much rather see a strategist like Rob Cesternino jumping alliances and shaking up the game then watch a dominator like Kim Spradlin. It makes the game exciting and avoids the predictable boots that plagued the South Pacific and One World seasons. The danger for players is that going after the title often doesn’t work. The riskier strategy wins the love of the fans, particularly when it’s done without the arrogance of Russell Hantz. Can players win this way in the game’s current era, however? In a season of returning players, the paranoia is even higher. Telling the wrong person (i.e., Dawn) can ruin any plan. Last week, Malcolm executed a wonderful move...
- 4/26/2013
- by Dan Heaton
- SoundOnSight
Malcolm Freberg's second time on Survivor didn't turn out quite like he -- or many fans -- hoped. After coming in fourth place on the CBS reality competition's 25th season last year, the fan favorite didn't hesitate to sign up for another shot at the $1 million prize on Survivor: Caramoan -- Fans vs. Favorites (he only had about two weeks between seasons to prepare to play again). Photos: Jeff Probst's 'Survivor' Picture Diary While he made some big moves -- in last week's episode, he saved his alliance of himself, Reynold Toepfer and Eddie Fox by producing two hidden immunity idols and as
read more...
read more...
- 4/25/2013
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fan-favorite Malcolm Freberg was voted off "Surivor: Caramoan" a week after he orchestrated one of the best Tribal Councils in history. But this week, luck was not on his side, despite having a clue to another Hidden Immunity Idol.
Are you glad you did "Survivor"? Was it hard doing back-to-back seasons?
"It was hard, My body was a wreck. It still hasn't recovered. Mentally I was exhausted. But there's no way I would ever say no. To be asked to come immediately back was such an honor, there was no way I could've ever said no."
Did you feel like you had an advantage, being a Favorite but not being known by anyone?
"Really, there's two sides to that coin. It weighed heavily as a disadvantage because nobody knew me, nobody trusted me. I was always on the outside of strategy conversations. When everybody was talking about their endgame plans,...
Are you glad you did "Survivor"? Was it hard doing back-to-back seasons?
"It was hard, My body was a wreck. It still hasn't recovered. Mentally I was exhausted. But there's no way I would ever say no. To be asked to come immediately back was such an honor, there was no way I could've ever said no."
Did you feel like you had an advantage, being a Favorite but not being known by anyone?
"Really, there's two sides to that coin. It weighed heavily as a disadvantage because nobody knew me, nobody trusted me. I was always on the outside of strategy conversations. When everybody was talking about their endgame plans,...
- 4/25/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People.com since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach. "There's no reason to give people a reason to get rid of me." - Malcolm Freberg, Survivor: PhilippinesGoodbye, bro. After 25 straight episodes of Survivor, we finally say farewell to Malcolm Freberg, one of the season's most dynamic characters. Malcolm proved you don't have to be crazy to make the show fun. He was strategic without being robotic; physical without being muscle-brained; charming without being smarmy. He was the complete Survivor package. So why's he going out in ninth place?...
- 4/25/2013
- by Stephen Fishbach
- PEOPLE.com
Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People.com since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach.
"There's no reason to give people a reason to get rid of me."
– Malcolm Freberg, Survivor: Philippines
Goodbye, bro. After 25 straight episodes of Survivor, we finally say farewell to Malcolm Freberg, one of the season's most dynamic characters. Malcolm proved you don't have to be crazy to make the show fun. He was strategic without being robotic; physical without being muscle-brained; charming without being smarmy.
He was the complete Survivor package. So why's he going out in ninth place?...
"There's no reason to give people a reason to get rid of me."
– Malcolm Freberg, Survivor: Philippines
Goodbye, bro. After 25 straight episodes of Survivor, we finally say farewell to Malcolm Freberg, one of the season's most dynamic characters. Malcolm proved you don't have to be crazy to make the show fun. He was strategic without being robotic; physical without being muscle-brained; charming without being smarmy.
He was the complete Survivor package. So why's he going out in ninth place?...
- 4/25/2013
- by Stephen Fishbach
- People.com - TV Watch
Each week, host Jeff Probst answers a few questions about the most recent episode of ‘Survivor: Caramoan — Fans vs. Favorites’.
Entertainment Weekly: Jeff, you have to explain it to me because it drives me batty every single time. I know they are all starving. I get that. But why do people at the food auction not wait and spend every single dollar of their money on the items that can help them in the game? Malcolm and Cochran both got their idol clue and challenge advantage for less than $500! How can that happen?
Jeff Probst: The beauty of...
Entertainment Weekly: Jeff, you have to explain it to me because it drives me batty every single time. I know they are all starving. I get that. But why do people at the food auction not wait and spend every single dollar of their money on the items that can help them in the game? Malcolm and Cochran both got their idol clue and challenge advantage for less than $500! How can that happen?
Jeff Probst: The beauty of...
- 4/25/2013
- by Dalton Ross
- EW - Inside TV
While the "Survivor" auction is always good for crazy food consumption and advantages in the game, the remaining contestants didn't expect to have an emotional experience. Toward the end of the auction, though, Jeff Probst brought out a pile of letters from home. Anyone could buy theirs for $20 of the $500 they started with -- which ruled out a few who'd already blown all their money.
Still, those letters provided the emotional release many of them needed after a month of stress and strategy. Even Cochran, who's usually completely in his head while playing the game, surprised himself by breaking down. "Operation Waterworks Has Been Initiated! Repeat: Operation Waterworks Has Been Initiated!" quipped Entertainment Weekly. Reality Rewind, though, thought it was nice to see Cochran showing some emotion for the first time.
Malcolm, with his back against the wall after the double-idol play last week, bought an advantage in the game.
Still, those letters provided the emotional release many of them needed after a month of stress and strategy. Even Cochran, who's usually completely in his head while playing the game, surprised himself by breaking down. "Operation Waterworks Has Been Initiated! Repeat: Operation Waterworks Has Been Initiated!" quipped Entertainment Weekly. Reality Rewind, though, thought it was nice to see Cochran showing some emotion for the first time.
Malcolm, with his back against the wall after the double-idol play last week, bought an advantage in the game.
- 4/25/2013
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
Can the Three Amigos pull off another crazy week on "Survivor: Caramoan"? Let's find out!
Madeline
After Tribal, nobody seems too upset about Phillip's ouster. Yeah, we can't imagine we'd cry too much over that one. But can the Three Amigos keep shaking things up? It'll be interesting to see what Erik does, since he flipped and nobody knows.
Erik enjoys being the swing vote, but as has been demonstrated before -- Erik is not exactly a master strategist in this game, so it remains to be seen if he actually works this to his advantage.
Meanwhile, Cochran is pretty pumped to have been part of such a crazy Tribal Council. Yeah, we would be too. The "Survivor" fans in us would completely lose our minds.
Speaking of losing one's mind, Brenda is freaking out a little bit about what this means for the Favorites alliance. Man, Brenda...
Madeline
After Tribal, nobody seems too upset about Phillip's ouster. Yeah, we can't imagine we'd cry too much over that one. But can the Three Amigos keep shaking things up? It'll be interesting to see what Erik does, since he flipped and nobody knows.
Erik enjoys being the swing vote, but as has been demonstrated before -- Erik is not exactly a master strategist in this game, so it remains to be seen if he actually works this to his advantage.
Meanwhile, Cochran is pretty pumped to have been part of such a crazy Tribal Council. Yeah, we would be too. The "Survivor" fans in us would completely lose our minds.
Speaking of losing one's mind, Brenda is freaking out a little bit about what this means for the Favorites alliance. Man, Brenda...
- 4/25/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Survivor 26,Fans Vs Favorites eliminated Malcolm Freberg in episode 11 tonight. Tonight's episode kicked off with more conversation footage. Then they quickly hit up the Rewards challenge. This time, they just bid on various prizes with money they were given. Andrea won brownie points with the tribe by giving up her big food prize to score food for the tribe. Malcolm bought a clue for another possible immunity idol. Cochran bought an advantage in the immunity idol challenge. After all that, they showed more conversation footage,and Malcolm quickly went searching for the immunity idol. Andrea decided to stay with Malcolm all day long, because if he found the immunity idol, she thought she would be going home. Next, they showed Immunity challenge footage. In it, they had to hold a big log up with rope that had notches in it. Periodically,they had to continue moving down a notch until...
- 4/25/2013
- by Andre
- OnTheFlix
Who can hold out the longest? Nine castaways remain on CBS' Survivor: Caramoan -- Fans vs. Favorites, and on Wednesday's episode of the reality competition, the tribemates take part in an endurance challenge in the hopes of winning the all-important individual immunity idol. The Hollywood Reporter has the first look at the challenge in these exclusive photos. Photos: Jeff Probst's 'Survivor' Picture Diary Elsewhere in the episode, titled "Come Over to the Dark Side," the popular food auction returns. Meanwhile, the Three Amigos -- Malcolm Freberg, Reynold Toepfer and Eddie Fox -- concoct a lie in an attempt to take control
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- 4/24/2013
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Spoiler Alert Stop reading now if you don’t want to know who got elminated from last night’s episode of Survivor. Click below to read a chat with the recently-booted castaway:
The Specialist himself, Phillip Sheppard, got the boot on Survivor last night thanks to Malcolm’s jaw-dropping double-immunity idol stunt, which turned the tables on the Stealth-r-Us alliance and cut their leader out of the game. (Read Jessica Shaw’s full recap of the crazy episode here.)
Sheppard called the EW office this morning to discuss his Survivor journey, his decision to sit out last night’s immunity challenge,...
The Specialist himself, Phillip Sheppard, got the boot on Survivor last night thanks to Malcolm’s jaw-dropping double-immunity idol stunt, which turned the tables on the Stealth-r-Us alliance and cut their leader out of the game. (Read Jessica Shaw’s full recap of the crazy episode here.)
Sheppard called the EW office this morning to discuss his Survivor journey, his decision to sit out last night’s immunity challenge,...
- 4/18/2013
- by Grady Smith
- EW - Inside TV
Phillip Sheppard, a.k.a. The Specialist, is the latest person voted out of "Survivor: Caramoan." He tells Zap2it
Are you glad you went back on "Survivor"?
"Absolutely. It's a wonderful opportunity to go back and show that not only can I bring back Stealth R Us and have fun out there and try to win a million dollars -- My first goal was to win a million dollars. My second goal was to show people that not only did I play a strategic game the first time I played ... but I also observed some things that Boston Rob did out there and I'm going to talk about those things and incorporate them into this season, so people can realize Phillip is a strategic player. He's a big enough of a threat, as we saw last night, when I was voted out of the game, to play two Idols.
Are you glad you went back on "Survivor"?
"Absolutely. It's a wonderful opportunity to go back and show that not only can I bring back Stealth R Us and have fun out there and try to win a million dollars -- My first goal was to win a million dollars. My second goal was to show people that not only did I play a strategic game the first time I played ... but I also observed some things that Boston Rob did out there and I'm going to talk about those things and incorporate them into this season, so people can realize Phillip is a strategic player. He's a big enough of a threat, as we saw last night, when I was voted out of the game, to play two Idols.
- 4/18/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People.com since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach.
"Early on in this game, I made myself the villain."
– Phillip Sheppard, Survivor: Redemption Island
Oh lucky day! The Specialist has been neutralized!
In a way, all of us has a Phillip to face. For some, shyness might be their Phillip. For the Three Amigos, their Phillip is an overbearing former federal agent (?), who wants to vote them off Survivor.
But as sure as their names are Malcolm, Eddie and Reynold, on Wednesday the Amigos...
"Early on in this game, I made myself the villain."
– Phillip Sheppard, Survivor: Redemption Island
Oh lucky day! The Specialist has been neutralized!
In a way, all of us has a Phillip to face. For some, shyness might be their Phillip. For the Three Amigos, their Phillip is an overbearing former federal agent (?), who wants to vote them off Survivor.
But as sure as their names are Malcolm, Eddie and Reynold, on Wednesday the Amigos...
- 4/18/2013
- by Stephen Fishbach
- People.com - TV Watch
"Tonight, nothing can really go wrong," Andrea Boehlke said in Wednesday night's episode of Survivor: Caramoan -- Fans vs. Favorite as she and her alliance planned their voting strategy. Little did she know one of the most memorable tribal councils was in store. Here's what went down: Phillip Sheppard sat out the immunity challenge (it was a water challenge, and he had an incident as a child in a pond that left him wary of the water). Reynold Toepfer won immunity. Malcolm Freberg found a second hidden immunity idol -- in front of rivals Andrea and Dawn Meehan. Photos: Jeff Probst's
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- 4/18/2013
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Survivor: Caramoan Review, Season 26, Episode 10
“Zipping Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”
Airs Wednesdays at 8pm (Et) on CBS
This week’s Survivor episode is thrilling for so many reasons. It forces players to make decisions on the spot at Tribal Council, which rarely happens. The dominant alliance loses one of its members and can’t take the easy route with the vote. The immunity idols actually change the game and knock out a comfortable player. A truly surprising idol play like this one hasn’t happened since Heroes vs. Villains. Those factors would be enough to deliver a truly great episode, but there’s a bonus that pushes it into the stratosphere. The ultimate victim is actually Phillip Sheppard, who put himself at the center of the alliance and has enjoyed running the show. Even if he was a figurehead, that doesn’t make his exit any less satisfying.
“Zipping Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”
Airs Wednesdays at 8pm (Et) on CBS
This week’s Survivor episode is thrilling for so many reasons. It forces players to make decisions on the spot at Tribal Council, which rarely happens. The dominant alliance loses one of its members and can’t take the easy route with the vote. The immunity idols actually change the game and knock out a comfortable player. A truly surprising idol play like this one hasn’t happened since Heroes vs. Villains. Those factors would be enough to deliver a truly great episode, but there’s a bonus that pushes it into the stratosphere. The ultimate victim is actually Phillip Sheppard, who put himself at the center of the alliance and has enjoyed running the show. Even if he was a figurehead, that doesn’t make his exit any less satisfying.
- 4/18/2013
- by Dan Heaton
- SoundOnSight
Um, was that the craziest "Survivor" Tribal Council ever? It's definitely right up there.
Madeline
After Tribal, Malcolm, Reynold and Eddie are clearly on the outs, as Stealth R Us heads off to have a meeting. The big alliance congratulates themselves on the bottom three not having an Idol, because nobody knows about Malcolm's. Hopefully his Idol doesn't go to waste.
In the morning, Dawn begins her total meltdown, yelling for Brenda and totally losing her mind. It's ... where is this coming from? Ohhhh, wait. Dawn lost her retainer that has some fake teeth on it because she got two knocked out once and she doesn't want to tell anyone because she's so self-conscious. Oh, Dawn. Oh, sweetie. We just want to give her the biggest hug. Don't be embarrassed! Awww. That, like, brought tears to our eyes. Are we alone in that?
Ok, on the one hand, we...
Madeline
After Tribal, Malcolm, Reynold and Eddie are clearly on the outs, as Stealth R Us heads off to have a meeting. The big alliance congratulates themselves on the bottom three not having an Idol, because nobody knows about Malcolm's. Hopefully his Idol doesn't go to waste.
In the morning, Dawn begins her total meltdown, yelling for Brenda and totally losing her mind. It's ... where is this coming from? Ohhhh, wait. Dawn lost her retainer that has some fake teeth on it because she got two knocked out once and she doesn't want to tell anyone because she's so self-conscious. Oh, Dawn. Oh, sweetie. We just want to give her the biggest hug. Don't be embarrassed! Awww. That, like, brought tears to our eyes. Are we alone in that?
Ok, on the one hand, we...
- 4/18/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Survivor 26,Fans Vs Favorites eliminated Phillip Sheppard in episode 10 tonight. The show kicked off with conversation footage. Brenda showed how sweet she can be by helping Dawn out when she lost her teeth retainer in the water. Apparently, it was pretty serious for Dawn,because she just started balling her eyes out over it. But Brenda was a hero. She put on her scuba gear,and dived in to look for the retainer,eventually finding it for Dawn. After that, Dawn gave her a huge hug and acted like Brenda just saved her from dying or something. It was incredibly emotional. I'm still sort of confused as to why it was so got damn serious,but whatever. From there, everyone headed to the Rewards challenge . It consisted of an obstacle course and shooting balls into baskets to cap it all off. The team that scored all their baskets first,won.
- 4/18/2013
- by Andre
- OnTheFlix
When he first started competing on Survivor: Caramoan, Michael Snow settled into the majority alliance and made few waves.
But after a tribal swap, a merge, and decimation of his tribe, Snow found himself outnumbered and voted out on day 25.
As the first member of the jury, the 44-year-old event planner from New York shares his thoughts on the remaining contestants, and claims that the game's oldest woman is also playing the most cutthroat game.
The vote against you seemed to come out of nowhere. Were you surprised that it was your time to go?
Yes and no. I was surprised in the moment,...
But after a tribal swap, a merge, and decimation of his tribe, Snow found himself outnumbered and voted out on day 25.
As the first member of the jury, the 44-year-old event planner from New York shares his thoughts on the remaining contestants, and claims that the game's oldest woman is also playing the most cutthroat game.
The vote against you seemed to come out of nowhere. Were you surprised that it was your time to go?
Yes and no. I was surprised in the moment,...
- 4/14/2013
- by Steve Helling
- People.com - TV Watch
When he first started competing on Survivor: Caramoan, Michael Snow settled into the majority alliance and made few waves. But after a tribal swap, a merge, and decimation of his tribe, Snow found himself outnumbered and voted out on day 25. As the first member of the jury, the 44-year-old event planner from New York shares his thoughts on the remaining contestants, and claims that the game's oldest woman is also playing the most cutthroat game. Related: Stephen Fishbach: Is Dawn Survivor's 'Most Fearsome Assassin'?The vote against you seemed to come out of nowhere. Were you surprised...
- 4/14/2013
- by Steve Helling
- PEOPLE.com
Survivor: Caramoan Review, Season 26, Episode 9
“Cut Off the Head of the Snake”
Airs Wednesdays at 8pm (Et) on CBS
There are many Survivor episodes where the outcome is predictable, and it’s fairly easy to describe what just happened. Those are the norm because players rarely stray from the safest move to go forward. Living in a different universe are the outliers that leave even the most able-minded fan yelling “what just happened?” This week is one of those wonderful episodes. Malcolm overplays his hand and seems destined to go home, but a desperate play to get Reynold’s idol keeps him safe. What he doesn’t know is that he isn’t getting any votes. Worried about her own security, Andrea leads the charge for a safer plan and gets the majority to take out Michael. They remove a less-threatening fan, but the shift ultimately saves her. The...
“Cut Off the Head of the Snake”
Airs Wednesdays at 8pm (Et) on CBS
There are many Survivor episodes where the outcome is predictable, and it’s fairly easy to describe what just happened. Those are the norm because players rarely stray from the safest move to go forward. Living in a different universe are the outliers that leave even the most able-minded fan yelling “what just happened?” This week is one of those wonderful episodes. Malcolm overplays his hand and seems destined to go home, but a desperate play to get Reynold’s idol keeps him safe. What he doesn’t know is that he isn’t getting any votes. Worried about her own security, Andrea leads the charge for a safer plan and gets the majority to take out Michael. They remove a less-threatening fan, but the shift ultimately saves her. The...
- 4/12/2013
- by Dan Heaton
- SoundOnSight
It's down to just three fans on Survivor: Caramoan: Fans vs. Favorites. On Wednesday night's episode, a shocking tribal council found a nervous Malcolm Freberg convincing Reynold Toepfer to give him his hidden immunity idol, just moments after he was planning to use it on himself -- only to see their alliance mate Michael Snow get voted out instead. Photos: Jeff Probst's 'Survivor' Picture Diary Snow, a 44-year-old event planner from New York, had previously formed an alliance with Corinne Kaplan, who was blindsided the week before, meaning his days were numbered, but he told The Hollywood Reporter on
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- 4/12/2013
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Michael Snow was voted off "Survivor: Caramoan" in a pretty big blindside, since Malcolm thought for sure he was getting voted off and got Reynold to give him the Idol, which he then played without needing to. Snow tells Zap2it that he was pretty surprised in the moment and that he hopes Eddie and Reynold can go far in the game.
Are you glad you went on "Survivor"? Was it everything you hoped or expected it would be?
"Yeah, I'm so glad. It was something that I wanted to do, I'm a big, big fan of the show. I really wanted to go out there and give it a shot. It was everything that I thought it was. There weren't a lot of surprises ... I just took it in and enjoyed it and had a great time and played really, really hard."
Did it feel a little unfair, putting...
Are you glad you went on "Survivor"? Was it everything you hoped or expected it would be?
"Yeah, I'm so glad. It was something that I wanted to do, I'm a big, big fan of the show. I really wanted to go out there and give it a shot. It was everything that I thought it was. There weren't a lot of surprises ... I just took it in and enjoyed it and had a great time and played really, really hard."
Did it feel a little unfair, putting...
- 4/11/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
The Every Man for Himself strategy continued on this week's Survivor.
After last week's blindside elimination of Corinne, the remaining players were left to ponder their own positions in the game. For Reynold, that meant bragging about his "iron-clad" alliance with Eddie and Malcolm. "We're unwaveringly trustful to each other," he said. Malcolm, meanwhile, noted his advantage of having the other immunity idol — one that, now that Corinne's gone, no one else knows about. "They thought they cut off the head of the snake," Malcolm said. "They don't know they missed yet."
Read More >...
After last week's blindside elimination of Corinne, the remaining players were left to ponder their own positions in the game. For Reynold, that meant bragging about his "iron-clad" alliance with Eddie and Malcolm. "We're unwaveringly trustful to each other," he said. Malcolm, meanwhile, noted his advantage of having the other immunity idol — one that, now that Corinne's gone, no one else knows about. "They thought they cut off the head of the snake," Malcolm said. "They don't know they missed yet."
Read More >...
- 4/11/2013
- by Liz Raftery
- TVGuide - Breaking News
Wednesday's (April 10) episode of "Survivor: Caramoan" had quite the crazy Tribal Council, with Malcolm getting Reynold to give him his Hidden Immunity Idol, despite Malcolm having his own that no one knows about. Malcolm then played Reynold's Idol for himself, yet didn't need to because Michael was sent packing. Crazy.
Host Jeff Probst tells EW that this is hardly the last crazy Tribal Council we're going to see this season.
"This is one of the big differences between Malcolm and Ozzy, with whom he is often compared. He learned a lot from playing the first time and he's putting it to use," says Probst. "I don't think it says anything negative about Reynold. Reynold, Malcolm and Eddie are scrambling, and from Reynold's point of view it was a risky but worthy move. I love it when Tribal gets crazy. This isn't the last crazy Tribal Council we'll have!
Host Jeff Probst tells EW that this is hardly the last crazy Tribal Council we're going to see this season.
"This is one of the big differences between Malcolm and Ozzy, with whom he is often compared. He learned a lot from playing the first time and he's putting it to use," says Probst. "I don't think it says anything negative about Reynold. Reynold, Malcolm and Eddie are scrambling, and from Reynold's point of view it was a risky but worthy move. I love it when Tribal gets crazy. This isn't the last crazy Tribal Council we'll have!
- 4/11/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People.com since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach.
"Everybody tells me all the time how much they believe me, how much they trust me. Were these guys paying attention the first 32 days?" – Rob Cesternino, Survivor: The Amazon
Has Dawn Meehan hoodwinked her entire tribe? The kindly mother of six adopted children has somehow become Survivor: Caramoan's most fearsome assassin. She lures her prey into a false sense of security – and then, she strikes!
On Wednesday's episode, yet another alliance fell victim to...
"Everybody tells me all the time how much they believe me, how much they trust me. Were these guys paying attention the first 32 days?" – Rob Cesternino, Survivor: The Amazon
Has Dawn Meehan hoodwinked her entire tribe? The kindly mother of six adopted children has somehow become Survivor: Caramoan's most fearsome assassin. She lures her prey into a false sense of security – and then, she strikes!
On Wednesday's episode, yet another alliance fell victim to...
- 4/11/2013
- by Stephen Fishbach
- People.com - TV Watch
It was a wild night on "Survivor." The favorites are basically toying with the fans at this point, even as they've started turning on one another. With Corinne voted out last week, Malcolm was feeling confident that he could take control of the game from Phillip and his "Stealth-r-Us" alliance. But he made the same mistake Corinne did in talking to Dawn.
By the time they got to tribal council, it was anyone's guess as to what would happen. There was talk of a split vote against Eddie and Reynold to try and flush out the idol Dawn now knew Reynold had. There was also talk of trying to blindside Malcolm as they had done with Corinne.
But when Andrea heard that Malcolm's alliance was targeting her, she lost it and started scrambling to try and save herself. In doing so, she pushed for a "safe" vote against Michael.
By the time they got to tribal council, it was anyone's guess as to what would happen. There was talk of a split vote against Eddie and Reynold to try and flush out the idol Dawn now knew Reynold had. There was also talk of trying to blindside Malcolm as they had done with Corinne.
But when Andrea heard that Malcolm's alliance was targeting her, she lost it and started scrambling to try and save herself. In doing so, she pushed for a "safe" vote against Michael.
- 4/11/2013
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
Each week, host Jeff Probst answers a few questions about the most recent episode of ‘Survivor: Caramoan — Fans vs. Favorites’.
Entertainment Weekly: Loved this episode, but I want to start with a procedural question for you about the reward challenge. We saw the purple team throw first, and the purple team was the first one to get to four points and were then declared the winners. But shouldn’t the orange team — since they were shown as having gone second — have been allowed one more throw to match and tie and possibly send the contest into another tiebreaker round?...
Entertainment Weekly: Loved this episode, but I want to start with a procedural question for you about the reward challenge. We saw the purple team throw first, and the purple team was the first one to get to four points and were then declared the winners. But shouldn’t the orange team — since they were shown as having gone second — have been allowed one more throw to match and tie and possibly send the contest into another tiebreaker round?...
- 4/11/2013
- by Dalton Ross
- EW - Inside TV
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