Probst has been pretty quiet on Twitter this season. Given that this season has been rather unremarkable, I don't blame him.

One of the issues I've had is there's been so many immunity idols in play, so much so that they've started showing who all has idols.

All of the HR tribal council stuff has to do with who's being cast. Sadly, it appears that Survivor and Big Brother didn't get the memo about what happened to the NFL when they tried this.

Every season needs heroes and villains for the audience to identify with. Part of the problem with this season is that it's so preachy that there are very few players I empathize with.

Maybe Janet and Elaine?

also, the million dollar prize is outdated. $1M in 2000 was worth a lot more than $1M today. Plus they used to have a second place prize (was it $250K?). They also gave away some pretty decent cars.

CBS needs to adjust for inflation.

Or really shake things up. What if instead of hidden idols granting immunity they gave you $25k to flip on your alliance? Or a new truck if you throw a challenge?

How about making the final five or six all in the cash like a poker tournament? That could really shake it up.

I think they just need to get out of the ditch. Incentives and twists could get this more about the game and less about the drama. I'm also really tired of everyone crying all the time.

I'm still enjoying the season. It was fun seeing Missy get bounced. She was kind of a bully.

But I agree, the lectures are getting old.

agsquirrel97 said:

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AgDC said:

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I've often wondered how it would play now to do a "Survivor Classic Edition" where they go back to season 1 rules.

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Count me in. I know they think it would be "boring" but I would love to see the gameplay aspect as the central character again

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As someone who watched season 1 and season 2 during the original airing and has not watched another season till now how are the gameplay rules themselves any different aside from the "island of the idols" stuff?

TriumphForks said:

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agsquirrel97 said:

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AgDC said:

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I've often wondered how it would play now to do a "Survivor Classic Edition" where they go back to season 1 rules.

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Count me in. I know they think it would be "boring" but I would love to see the gameplay aspect as the central character again

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As someone who watched season 1 and season 2 during the original airing and has not watched another season till now how are the gameplay rules themselves any different aside from the "island of the idols" stuff?

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Different merge patterns, occasionally 3 tribes or tribe swaps, hidden immunity idols, extra votes, vote blockers.

I'm assuming someone talking about original rules would be wanting 2 tribes of 8, an expected merge at 10, and no other stuff.

I think a version like that would be interesting, but they could also stash a couple of notes (packaged like hidden immunity idols) that say "there are no hidden immunity idols in this game", or "hidden immunity idols will enter the game on day 18". That info in an era when people expect idols would be powerful.

TriumphForks said:

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agsquirrel97 said:

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AgDC said:

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I've often wondered how it would play now to do a "Survivor Classic Edition" where they go back to season 1 rules.

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Count me in. I know they think it would be "boring" but I would love to see the gameplay aspect as the central character again

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As someone who watched season 1 and season 2 during the original airing and has not watched another season till now how are the gameplay rules themselves any different aside from the "island of the idols" stuff?

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What I would call production meddling. Hidden immunity idols being the major item. Now 3 people sit at final tribal council for the win instead of two, and the last cut is a fire making challenge (to go from 4 to 3). However, just about every other tribal, there is some kind of production twist to add to the craziness and unpredictability.

I think the production "meddling" is to avoid another Pagonging, which is when a large group systematically and efficiently voted out a smaller group which made for some dull TV for several weeks. It was impossible to edit any kind of excitement into that season. Now, on top of hidden immunity idols you get a double eviction this week, a steal a vote or legacy idol sprinkled in with a normal tribal swap (mix up the tribes about 4 votes in to generate additional relationships and confusion) or make 3 tribes out of 2. The one season there was a battle back, and another season there was an exile. The issue I have is it is obvious that production guides the game, for instance, in a recent tribe swap it was obvious that one tribe chose from a basket and the other tribe chose from a different basket, therefore they blantently manipulated the resulting numbers of the two new tribes which was a near statistical impossility (I don't remember the specifics but I remember thinking I can't believe that worked out so well for one tribe, then looked again and it was obvious tribe A was forced to pick from one basket and vice versa with a predetermined outcome).

Essentially, production believes the contestants will form a majority alliance if they don't meddle and so they keep adding or reinventing twists to avoid stale TV. While I agree that 2 tribes merging into one with no twists has the potential to be straight forward and boring, I am willing to risk the hot garbage that is this season for the chance for a bare bones season.

Even if they did a OG rules season the cast would still expect idols and advantages which would cause drama and be very entertaining.

Does anyone else feel they've done a lazy job of hiding the idols? It seems like half of them are discovered just by kind of visually looking around. You shouldn't be able to spot one without probing or digging a little.

To answer the question of why have I not tapped-out yet . . . I don't know. A desire for the show to return to it's better days?? I still DVR SNL and that might be the worst show on TV right now.

For me too much gameplay as soon as they get off the boat. You team up on gut and no real info. Wish they would take more folks break into 4 tribes and work for 7 days building camp and forming a mini society. All while participating in daily challenges. Earn points for how you place. Then let somebduy like Rob or the lady judge quality of camp set up and food storage. At end of 7 days losing tribe is gone in it entirety. Next two team have to vote off 1 tribe member that night. Then start the game with no idols. Idols were cool at first but now just too much of them. Would be fun to see the tribes have to function for a while before the clicks formed. They could form if wanted but would probably be well served if you knew something about somebody before getting together. Game for me is more about bonds than surviving. Possibly work in awards for the more you provide for your own tribe. Not sure but it has to lose the PC crap and needs a new breath of life. I'm out this season after he touched me no it didn't bother me.

Longhorn Nation said:

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visually looking around.

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Is this like when Mac gives people an ocular patdown on its always sunny in Philadelphia?

Quote:

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The issue I have is it is obvious that production guides the game, for instance, in a recent tribe swap it was obvious that one tribe chose from a basket and the other tribe chose from a different basket

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My impression was there is one basket for men and one basket for women, to keep the trips even that way

Probst has been pretty adamant in the past that the game has always been on the up and up. I would be pretty surprised if that weren't true.

Longhorn Nation said:

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Does anyone else feel they've done a lazy job of hiding the idols? It seems like half of them are discovered just by kind of visually looking around. You shouldn't be able to spot one without probing or digging a little.

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Absolutely. Going forward, EVERY idol should be a two parter with the original clue and subsequent idol quest like the one hidden in a tree that they have to climb or use a stick/tool to recover as they did a few seasons back. Or make it hidden around camp to make it really hard to recover. Same with the challenge hidden idol. Make it much more precious instead of wandering around looking for blue material hanging in a crevice. Someone plays an idol and half the camp starts strolling around.

Also, go to more double eliminations at tribal to mess up strategy going in.

They want Idols in play so I dont think they will make them much harder to find

I thought Karishma voted for Elizabeth, and someone went along withy he fake "split the vote and put one in Janet" ruse.

I can't wait until Dean plays the real fake legacy advantage in a few weeks for the double fake after playing the fake fake advantage tonight.

I like watching the face of the girl who thought Karishma was too stupid to play when Karishma played the idol. Don't think Karishma will get too much farther, but I like seeing a player suddenly get their act together and fight their footing mid-season to late-season. I liked her line about the trench starting to fill in. This strong alliance BS they try every year at this stage always reminds me of the Hunger Games where the careers are all together wiping out the weak kids, none of them thinking about what happens when we're down to 5-6 of us left.

And Noura might be the most annoying person alive, but if she keeps winning individual immunity they are going to have a problem.

I can't think of anyone I'm rooting against. I also can't think of anyone I'm rooting for.

I did not like karishma before when she was the clear cut weak link but she is starting to win me over. Did not like missy and karishma earned some respect when she stood up to her.

THey all talk about how easy it would be to beat Karsihma at the end, but I think she just picked up Elizabeth's vote last night because the idol play knocked Elizabeth out. And when she tells them she was faking all of her dizzy spells to look for the idol and appear really week, that's a pretty decent play that they all keep buying into.

While watching I said "I cant believe Im rooting for Karsihma"

That was a baller play by her. And it burned another idol.

Over/under at 10 mins into next episode before someone finds an almost hidden immunity idol.

Can we change the name yet and just drop the hidden part of HII

Longhorn Nation said:

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Does anyone else feel they've done a lazy job of hiding the idols? It seems like half of them are discovered just by kind of visually looking around. You shouldn't be able to spot one without probing or digging a little.

To answer the question of why have I not tapped-out yet . . . I don't know. A desire for the show to return to it's better days?? I still DVR SNL and that might be the worst show on TV right now.

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This right here.

I finally got caught up on this season. At this point in my life Survivor is like watching the NBA or college football.
Sometime your team is really good and the season is very compelling.

Sometimes your team sucks and the season isn't as exciting. I still keep watching because the game is fascinating.

This cast does suck, but going to the point above....I think Immunity Idols are way to easy to be found.
Its hard to believe but Russel Hanz season was 10 years ago, and he was the one that was able to find idols without clues.
They should go back to idols being buried and the contestants having to do crazy things to find them.

Other thoughts about this season.

The Sandra/Rob bit has been entertaining. At first I didn't think I would like it, but the last challenge of predicting the Immunity challenge was especially good.

IMO Sandra is the greatest Survivor player of all time. She is the San Antonio Spurs of Survivor. Boring, but ruthlessly efficient.

Halfway during Heroes vs Villains I stated whoever won that season was automatically one of the GOATS based on the insane level of competition.

Back in the early days of Survivor half the contestants would be complete morons. There might only be 4 or 5 players a season that were really good.
There would always be 4 or 5 people that were aspiring actors that had no clue how Survivor worked and just wanted to get on TV.

Heroes vs Villains was the first season that nearly all the players were great.

Parvati and Russel Hanz were getting the winners edit all during Heroes/Villains, and then out of nowhere Sandra wins it.
That win coupled with her being the only person to win the show twice makes her the clear GOAT.
and FTR...before Heroes/Villains I thought Sandra was the weakest winner of the show.

It gets criticized for being boring and not great TV, but Sandra "anybody but me" strategy is actually brilliant.
Too many people get hung up on alliances and friendships. They fail to realize that every time someone is voted off your odds of winning the game increase.

I just had a crazy thought, but it would be insane for Karishma to pull a Sandra and win. Underdog player with no athletic ability that no one takes seriously......until she finds herself at the end with a chance to win.

"I'm like Karishma but people actually like me" - Noora

Noura's sister: wood.