Survivor Caramoan (Season 26)

[Fridge_Break]

His wife is also pregnant with their 3rd child. Brandon is just 21 and has such screwed up views of what it is to "be a man"....oy

This is what I find quite disturbing. He's clearly not right in the head, and in no ways should be the father of 3 offspring at 21 years old. (Then again, there's very few people in the world that ARE right in the head that should have 3 children at that age). I feel awful for his kids He and his wife also went through a nasty rough patch after his first stint on the show, I was surprised to hear that she was pregnant again.

[orbitz]

What kind of job does Brandon have? I'd be afraid to hire him for anything after seeing his behavior on TV.

[Fridge_Break]

What kind of job does Brandon have? I'd be afraid to hire him for anything after seeing his behavior on TV.

I'm not sure what he was doing before his first season (perhaps he was involved with the family's oil company?), he was just labeled as "Russel Hantz's Nephew." I know after the finale, he took a job with Nascar. I don't know what he was doing, but I don't believe that lasted very long.

[Prancer]

Brandon's job is listed somewhere as something like "chemical waste disposal worker."

The first season, he worked on one of the family's oil tankers. I think he's had a lot of jobs--he seems like one of those people who get jobs easily and don't hold them for long. He's a high school dropout, so his options are rather limited.

He should have gotten a pretty good chunk of money for the first Survivor he played. He was what--fourth? That's around $75K or so, and that's taxed as salary, not winnings.

[BaileyCatts]

Somehow I'm thinking that $75K is lllooonnnggg gone by this time, with nothing to show for it.

After seeing him on Survivor, I'd be afraid to hire him. But I agree he's one of those types who probably walks into jobs very easily. I used to know someone like that. He must have had at least 12 jobs during the time I knew him, yet never held one longer than 10-12 months. Yet somehow continued to keep getting jobs and was never out of work more than 1-2 months between jobs. Still don't understand how that worked. Although he was charming, so I guess it don't matter if you are a screw up as long as you have a good personality. Hmmm ... but that don't 'splain Brandon!

[Cherub721]

Most of the time, the only production staff on site at the camp is one or two cameramen, who are under strict orders to never, ever interfere in anything that happens. So when Brandon was dumping the rice, he could have hit someone and probably nothing would have stopped him except the rest of the cast. And the fact that the one thing they aren't allowed to do is physically attack another player, which carries a boatload of penalties. The cameramen can radio in what is going on, but they have always been told that they are there to film, period, and if they talk to or interfere with contestants, they are fired.

Thanks, as always, for posting these production details. I had been wondering about this when he started throwing things and then walked onto the beach. I assumed his tribemates were coming up with some kind of ad hoc plan to protect themselves/their property in case he tried to burn down the shelter. I was thinking perhaps the guys should tackle Brandon if he moves toward another player in an aggressive manner, but that they were probably worried that by physically touching Brandon, they would be the ones disqualified from the game, even if it was for self-defense/the defense of another player. I pretty much figured no one was doing anything because there was a producer right there to step in if he got out of control - so wow.

I wish the producers would have replaced the rice. I know they have to accept that anything can happen out there, but that really sucked.

[Fridge_Break]

I wish the producers would have replaced the rice. I know they have to accept that anything can happen out there, but that really sucked.

I know in past seasons there has been a "give up something" for more food type of negotiation. In Australia they traded their tarps for another bucket of rice, and even last season, Carter (that's his name, right?) gave up his auction winnings for, I believe, another bag of rice. I figure they'll probably do something similar this time.

[genevieve]

if this week really is a merge, they'll be combining their resources with the other tribe's (plus there usually a feast).

I'm trying to remember what they did for S2 when a storm wiped out most or all of Ogakor's rice. I know there was one early season where a tribe ran out of rice and was given more but was seriously chided, saying they had been given enough to last and had basically been piggy eaters.

[Prancer]

Phillip can go any time now. I am so tired of him. If only Corrine had turned on him.

[dbell1]

if this week really is a merge, they'll be combining their resources with the other tribe's (plus there usually a feast).

I'm trying to remember what they did for S2 when a storm wiped out most or all of Ogakor's rice. I know there was one early season where a tribe ran out of rice and was given more but was seriously chided, saying they had been given enough to last and had basically been piggy eaters.

With Season 2's rice, they traded Colby's Texas flag luxury item/tarp for the rice. I'm thinking that's the last time someone was allowed to bring something that massive as a 'luxury'.

[Spareoom]

Finally got around to watching last week's episode. Wow, that was intense. Brandon was so off the rails it was sad to see. The tribe did the right thing, for them and for him. He's so young with so many issues...I hope he is able to get some counseling and good mentorship in his personal life so he can be a better person, husband and father. He seems like a nice guy a lot of the time, but never learned how to reign in his temper.

And as a side note, I know not knowing the whole situation can skew one's perspective, but boy, did Reynold look like an enormous JERK at the "tribal", with the way he was shock-laughing at all the crazy things and how he seemed to be viewing the whole thing as a joke. Dude, you are either the most clueless or unfeeling person either. To not clue in that the situation was really bad is bad enough, but to realize that and still keep a light attitude anyway is unforgivable. I know it's a game and one can celebrate other's misfortunes, but I thought it was pretty obvious that Brandon's situation was far beyond the confines of the game. We're talking about a human and their mental well-being...you don't find that amusing, even in a big fake game.

[genevieve]

now that Malcolm is on a tribe of bros, the personality I always suspected him to have is starting to shine through And whoever described Reynold as a used car salesman was

I sooooooo wish Corrine had flipped on Phillip. But given how often we saw her saying that there is no reason to flip, we knew that wasn't happening. At least she got to keep "her gay"

[PeterG]

...boy, did Reynold look like an enormous JERK at the "tribal", with the way he was shock-laughing at all the crazy things and how he seemed to be viewing the whole thing as a joke.

How about when Reynold asked Jeff to throw up his hands and yell out, "_____ WINS IMMUNITY!!!" That was when Reynold looked like the biggest a**hat to me. And he's given me many things to pick from...

[Prancer]

With Season 2's rice, they traded Colby's Texas flag luxury item/tarp for the rice. I'm thinking that's the last time someone was allowed to bring something that massive as a 'luxury'.

They had a lot of trouble with the luxury items in the beginning. Colby's flag was one that had them gnashing their teeth; Bibi's specially made glasses with lenses designed to start fires faster was another . There were a few other things that got sneaked in, so the producers started examining everything very closely for potential applications in camp.

Now they don't even talk about the luxury items, which is kind of sad; I always thought it was interesting to see what the contestants bring with them (although since the flag, et al, they bring a variety of things and the producers choose one).

now that Malcolm is on a tribe of bros, the personality I always suspected him to have is starting to shine through

Malcolm will be one of those who regrets coming back, I think. I wondered how it would go with him this time; he spends a lot of time with Corinne and, of all people, Abi from last season, and that kinda made me think that Malcolm isn't really as nice as he was shown to be last time--and I thought he was manipulative and fake last time (good player skills, but still).

And whoever described Reynold as a used car salesman was

Erik! He's still on the show!

How about when Reynold asked Jeff to throw up his hands and yell out, "_____ WINS IMMUNITY!!!" That was when Reynold looked like the biggest a**hat to me. And he's given me many things to pick from...

Wasn't it Julia who asked? I thought Reynold just concurred.

[walei]

I'm not a fan of Malcolm even from last season. He totally lost me when he turned on Denise and began his self righteous speech at the final tribal council. I`m rooting for Cochran, Dawn and Brenda, and maybe Eddie for a bit because he looks like Tony Danza + Mario Lopez.

[dbell1]

I love how editing portrayed Julie last night. She either screamed like a crazy woman (at the IC) or sat there mute. Even at TC, every pan to her showed her dead eyes and closed mouth.

Cochran still gets the best lines "That tribe is the Bold and the Beautiful." And vapid.

Sad to see Matt go. He seemed like a nice guy with very odd styling choices.

[genevieve]

Now they don't even talk about the luxury items, which is kind of sad; I always thought it was interesting to see what the contestants bring with them (although since the flag, et al, they bring a variety of things and the producers choose one).

I still remember Maralyn (S2) bringing lipstick...I thought that was cute. You never know what might make the Survivor environment more bearable. or what they think beforehand would be useful, anyway I also miss discussion about their item - for a long time I thought they no longer allowed them (I think you are the one who gave info to the contrary)

Malcolm will be one of those who regrets coming back, I think. I wondered how it would go with him this time; he spends a lot of time with Corinne and, of all people, Abi from last season, and that kinda made me think that Malcolm isn't really as nice as he was shown to be last time--and I thought he was manipulative and fake last time (good player skills, but still).

I always thought that the only reason Malcolm was remotely bearable was that he was on a losing tribe. Had he had any modicum of early success in the game he would have been last season's Reynold. Ex 1: he found a cuddle buddy despite knowing better strategically (thankfully for him - and us - she was eliminated early) Ex 2: he had a confessional early on where he complained bitterly about being used to winning, the tone was pretty condescending Ex 3: the way he came after Denise in final questioning/his outrage at being outplayed by her. Sore loser all the way (although he was a bit better by reunion).

Yes, Julia was the one who asked Jeff for the "GOTA...WINS IMMUNITY!", which is stupid, because they didn't win anything. Even if the request hadn't been completely inappropriate given what had just gone down, the best Jeff should have been able to say was "GOTA.....DODGES A BULLET!!"

[Jenny]

I still remember Maralyn (S2) bringing lipstick...I thought that was cute. You never know what might make the Survivor environment more bearable. or what they think beforehand would be useful, anyway I also miss discussion about their item - for a long time I thought they no longer allowed them (I think you are the one who gave info to the contrary)

They used to include them in the profiles on the website, so even if not discussed, you're right it was fun to know what they had brought along.

The other thing I miss from the website is the TC voting history. You could go back each week and see the patterns, who was voting with who. Even right after an ep, it was the best way to see the full vote as Jeff doesn't always show them all. I think they still offer the video on the website with all the comments, but I stopped even looking for it years ago as the videos are often blocked outside of the US.

Sore loser all the way (although he was a bit better by reunion).

I thought he seemed humbler, and maybe just plain tired by reunion - mind you, that was after he had played this season too, so it might have been more than just time that softened him. Once it was confirmed he was in this cast, my assumption based on that reunion is that he doesn't get as far as he did the first time - he seemed beaten somehow.

Interesting what Prancer shared - that he is in touch with Abi now. They actually seemed to get along when they played, and it was only in confessional that he had negative things to say about her, which I thought might be a bit of baiting/editing to support the story they were pushing. And maybe, if indeed he doesn't make it as far this time (which has got to be a blow, because he no doubt came into this thinking he'd ace it), he's now understanding that he's not all that, and that Denise did a lot more for his game than he thought. Remember it was also *after* this season that he found out that the jury still would have given it to Denise even if he had made the final.

[PeterG]

Did they vote out Matt over Julia because she was better in the challenges? Or did they simply want to split up a (voting) couple: Michael and Matt? The others already have a voting block of four over Matt, Michael and Julia. So the only smart vote would be to get rid of the person least likely to help them win the next immunity challenge. It hasn't looked to me like Julia is a far great challenge competitor than Mat...

[Spareoom]

I think it was because they wanted to split up a close alliance, which was Michael and Matt. It was either that or vote off the weakest newbie, and Matt made more sense strategically. I know if I were out there, I'd be thinking a little more long-term. They know they're only a few votes away from the merge, so even if they do lose challenges, they still have a few easy pick-off votes OR they can clean house a little. I mean, they don't WANT to lose, but if you HAVE to vote someone out, you might as well think more long-term instead of just what helps you tomorrow.