I hope I am okay in starting this thread.

Survivor 16's cast has been announced.

Also, Jeff talks about the cast.

Wait, no Ian? No Ian?!

Well....it's the typical demographic as far as the newbies go (yawn). As much as I can't tolerate JFP, I'm interested to see his mind games. I'm loving that Jonathan and Cirie are back. Couldn't stand Parvati or Eliza the first time around. I always root for the older folks, so go Yau Man!

Probst said:


It warms my heart to hear (well, read) him say that.

He only says that because he has a new man crush. His words about Joel:



I think it's lurve, y'all!

Whaaaaaaaa? Did they have a spat?


I love having Jonathan and Yau-Man back! I could seriously do without Ami's high and mighty self. And I keep telling myself that if I ignore JFP, maybe he'll simply disappear. He will, right? Right???

Hmm, if you look closely at most of the fan favorites, these are the people that MIGHT have won their seasons with the exception of Johnny "I'm a lying jerk" Fairplay. I hope he's the first to go.

Some people, I'm shocked to see on the fan favorites because I thought for sure once was enough: Cirie? Really??? Amie???

Can't wait to watch!!

No Twila? Instead we get two women from Vanuatu that Probst is not currently banging? Along with Ian, I call bullshit.

And Dalton? Mother of crap, why? I'm saying this right now...I'm not using his nom de famewhore, because that's what he wants. Couldn't we just have Jonathan (pleasant surprise, by the way) in the role of Probst-tweaker? And if you're going to recruit Pearl Islands, why not Sandra? You know...the one winner who wasn't front and center on the damn DVD cover.

ETA...Erik's hair is the 17th cast member. Wow, what the hell is up with that?!?

ETA2: Osten quitting, that's one thing. Ian on a stump, semi-delirious and facing the prospect of being seen as a bad guy? That's quite another. There's also Janu...I think she falls in the middle, since she just didn't have the body to last 20-odd days in the wild. I'd rather have a "quitter" like Ian than a complete and total douchebag like Jon.

He kinda quit. On Day 38. In a position to win the game. (Coby, Janu, and Katie were virtual locks for votes for him per Coby@Sucks.)

And this show does not like quitters.

This is actually one of the oldest casts they've had in a while, with most of the contestants being in their 30's or above.

I didn't watch some of these seasons, so I have no idea who some of these people (Ami, Cirie, another girl) are.

I'm disappointed that Michelle from Yau Man's season didn't make it. She was competent and got screwed badly by a twist.

That picture of James.... it's like someone overinflated his pecs. Dude needs to work some other part of his body, he looks almost cartoonish.

I am rather pleased with the Favourites. I could do without Fairplay since I loathed him on PI, and I still scratch my head at James ever being a fan favourite at all. But the rest I like (or at least don't hate). But at least my favourites from several seasons are making an appearance: Ami, Cirie, Jonathan, Yau Man and Amanda are accounted for.

I wonder if they are going to blur out Amanda's but again? You know, just for continuity.

From the EW site:


Oh, Cirie . . . you have rekindled my love for you, which is good, because you'll be the only female I'm rooting for on the "Favourites" team.

I don't dislike Ozzy, but I'm kind of over him and don't really want to see him in another season. Same with Amanda (I was really crossing my fingers to see PG in this show). Complete and utter ugh! for Fairplay. Hopefully his teammates hate him as much as I do and boot him at the first available opportunity. I am totally psyched to see Yau-Man and Jonathan back.

With only so many spaces, there were always be teeth clenching about the people who never made it. I guess the speculation raised by President Beefcake's disappearance from the blogs can be put to rest now. He may not be on the show, but hopefully he'll be blogging about it.

I have a feeling (actually a dread) that Parvati will get far.

As for the "rookies", they look like a surprisingly likeable group of people. I'm sure this assessment will be crushed once I start watching their video interviews.

Ozzy looks... wow.

A haircut really helped him.

Well, at least Jeff has provided some insight into who I am probably going to hate of the noobs:




He is doing a variant of "keeping it real", and she claims to have read everyone at the casting sessions! They probably suck.

And allow me to be petty and pick on Jeff for a while:



Oh, Jeff. Glass houses.



Wait. Isn't it the contestant's job to try to draw nebulous connections between Survivor and their real life experiences?

As an unrelated aside, not that I'm really complaining about it: what's up with Amanda's picture in the EW link?

I took the "he says mundane things in an interesting way" bit to mean Mikey has an evocative way of speaking or an unusual way of framing ideas and that Alexis had formed her impressions of the other contestants during the pre-game sequester period where she would have been interacting with them (silently) a nice amount.

I didn't watch enough of Vanuatu to have opinions I can trust of Ami and Eliza so, leaving them aside, I'd replace James, Amanda, JFP and Parvati with Ian from Palau, Gary from Gautemala, Michelle from Fiji and Peih-Gee from China. I can understand, however, why the producers would resisting making one team too strong in case they had misjudged the newbies' capacities.

These are favorites?

Ami?

Parvati?

Eliza?

FAIRPLAY?

In what universe?

Other than Jonathan and Yau Man, there isn't anyone I would put in the category of favorites.

I think it's about time I skipped as season of Survivor.

Oh, Jonathan! If that was just a sample of what's to come, I really can't wait to see him again. I really hope that if he doesn't win it this time, he at least goes far and makes Jeff's life a living hell.

Also glad that Cirie and Yau-Man are back. Kind of happy for Ozzy and Eliza, but that could change if they go too far into the annoying side. Iffy on Ami (hated her on the season, but actually enjoyed her on the DVD commentaries), and meh on Amanda and James. So, that just leaves Fairplay and Parvati on my dislike list. At least Fairplay will hopefully be a target: I'm also worried that Parvati could actually go far. I hope Jonathan makes sure everyone is aware of The Toothy One.



Judging from that picture, they might have to. Because that's a real skimpy outfit she picked out. Defintely blows Parvati out of the water, IMO. Which means Parvati will probably target her. There can only be one hot brunette on Survivor!

We might as well give the prize to Parvarti or Ami. After all, we've already had three straight CBS shows where antitheses of "all-stars" won, so why stop now?

Word on Michelle's exclusion. Didn't Shii Ann get brought back between a format twist screwed her? Michelle should've gotten the same consideration.

ETA: Maybe it's just wishful thinking...or the thought of Jon winning and fans looking to take their anger from Probst's tender hide.

Actually, I was hoping that someone would go Bonaduce on his ass.

Also, from Probst;



Nice spoiler, JEFF!

Moron.

ETA: This page has a couple of short videos with the Fans/Favorites.

No Brian? Why the hell not?

I'm sort of disappointed. I hate Jon, Ami and Parvati. I dislike Eliza and Amanda. I do adore Cirie, though.

I hope that James, Jonathan and Ozzy go very very far. I fear that Ozzy will be gone the first time he is not safe, because if the other tribe are true longtime fans, then they probably aren't stupid.

I'm pretty pleased with who they brought back, with the exception of Parvati.

I don't think any casual viewer will even remember Brian from Guatemala who didn't even make the merge. Also, don't get the Ian love since he quit. I wouldn't ask him to ever come back either.



Ami the antitheses? Parvati I could see your point but Ami is no way a Mike Boogie, Amber or a TAR team that wasn't even a real team. She dominated in Vanuatu, one of the strongest female players post ASS, and easily would of won if she got to the F2.

Ami is in no way an Amber.

It looks as if most of these "Favorites" will be filling roles similar to the first batch of "All-Stars." Jeff already touched on a couple of these, but here are the comparisons I see:

James = Rupert, obviously. Strong, thinks of himself as a provider, way more popular with the fans then he deserves to be. Isn't much of an individual immunity threat, which I hope this cast finally recognizes. At least they've already given him his extra special bonus prize. They can't do that twice, can they?

Yau Man = Rudy. Old, clever, well-liked by fans. Would have won his season if he'd made it to the end. Sadly, he'll probably follow Rudy's lead by taking an early powder because the rest of his teammates think he'll be holding them back.

Jonathan = Rob C. Smart, really knows how to play the game, willing to make a move at any time. Will likely be seen as a strategic threat early on and I fear he will follow Yau Man out the door even though they're the two players I like the best.

Ozzy = Ethan. Strong, kind of dumb, with funky hair. Made an alliance with the smartest player in his season in order to make it to the end. He'll get used for his muscle and then tossed aside.

Ami = Jerri. Bossy, tough, bitchy. But unlike Jerri, I doubt Ami is coming back looking to play nice this time. She could make some waves.

Eliza = Amber. Young, pretty, easily used and then voted out on her season. Why did they invite her back for a second try? Like Amber, she'll need a strong partner or alliance to last very long. And like Amber, she's a big threat to outlast many of the others while they try to take out the "real competition."

Parvati = Jenna M. Young, vain, thinks she's pretty. Not a strategic or a physical threat. Can't wait to see how long it takes her to make nice with Ozzy this time.

Cirie = Kathy? Middle-aged, not a huge physical threat, seemed like she was completely unsuited for Survivor and would be voted out in Week 1 of her season. Cirie played a much better social game than Kathy and might be seen as more of a threat, but she's not the oldest or the sneakiest or the strongest of the "favorites" so she could last long enough to have a shot. Hopefully she won't completely eradicate the goodwill of her fans like Kathy did in All-Stars.

Amanda = Tough, but not as badass as Alicia. Smart, but couldn't see it through to the end like Tina. Pretty without being emaciated, but not as much the girl next door as Jenna L (before the whole porn thing). I'm honestly surprised they asked her back and even more surprised she agreed to come back, after how much she appeared to be over the game by the second-to-last tribal council. Maybe her closest comparison would be Stephenie, who was strong, intelligent, attractive and also had really bad hair at the finale. Considering that the rest of the "favorites" haven't seen all of her gameplay, she might be able to use James as her Bobby Jon and get back to the end again.

Fairplay = Mike F'n Boogie. Words can't describe the HATE. I was certain that there was no way Boogie could win BBAS, and yet somehow those idiots gave it to him. If Fairplay wins this thing, I swear that I'm giving up on reality TV forever.

Should be an interesting season...

Of the 10 people cast on the All-Star side, there's only 1 (Parvati) who didn't make a huge impact on her season. And Jeff even labels her Amber 2.0. Eliza is definitely not an Amber-type. If anything, she's like a slightly more emotional Jonathan.

Jon is the show's ultimate Villain, while Ami was memorable as well.

Amanda does feel like a fill-in for P.G. though, given the way Jenna L./Amber made their way into previous seasons. And who wouldn't want to see James/P.G. have to compete together again!

Don't worry. Jon is in no way winning. Just way too notorious, and crap at challenges to boot.

Yeah. I didn't recognize her either without the blurred ass.

Three players from Cook Islands and one of them is Parvati? Candice I could understand but Parvati? She brings nothing to the game. If she starts up with her flirting strategy again I will throw something at the TV.

" It seems to be a very "pretty" cast.

Yes. I'm interested to see if James and Amanda will form an alliance. James has the raw power and Amanda's a good strategist, so together, they would make a strong team. Plus, as you say, they're an unknown quantity to the rest of their tribe, which gives them an edge.

However, James knows that Amanda engineered his demise in China, so whether he's still resentful of that remains to be seen.

I actually see James and Yau-Man working in partnership. Considering James is so convinced that he's 'good people', and likes to be seen like a provider, Yau seems like the sort of character that he'd gravitate towards - and Yau is smart enough to manipulate him and use him as a protector if needs be. Cirie would probably work this angle well too...

Well, it actually makes sense. Firefighter. Strong. A husband and a father. He's basically a younger version of Tom Westman. The only reason Jeff never seemed to crush on Tom was because he was older and wouldn't let that happen (if Jeff ever winked at him, Tom probably would have punch him in the eye), but now he was a younger Tom, who won't be nervous over Jeff's drooling at him. Actually, with this new guy, James, and Ozzy in the same season, I'm wondering how Jeff is going to control himself.

I'm happy that Cirie is back, because she's my all-time favorite Survivor contestant. This means she will probably be voted off in the first episode. I just hope she's not one of those all-star types who is sweet and cute and normal the first time around, then reads a lot of her own press when the show airs, and comes back for Round 2 as a smug jackass. I've seen it happen before, and it always makes me sad. I'm hoping this will be more like TAR All-Stars where several of the contestants came back as new, improved versions of what we saw the first time around, and less like Survivor All-Stars, where several of them came back as Get The Hell Off My TV Now, You.

I can't decide if I'm more happy that Cirie is coming back or that Terry is not coming back. I was so afraid that we were going to be subjected to another season of his being a pompous asshole douchenozzle with dimwit on the side. Shut up, Terry.

Parvati? Seriously?

I have watched every episode of this show since ep 2 of season 1, but I have no recollection of Eliza whatsoever. I vaguely remember there was somebody on the show named Eliza one time, but even after looking at her picture I have no memory of her, at all. Did she do anything memorable like falling face-first into a fire or being airlifted out after not going to the bathroom for 30 days?

No, but my lord, is she obnoxious. I really don't want her on my screen again.

Me, neither. I'll have to go back and read a recap of that season. Maybe it will take three or four.

Parvati? Yawn. I'm sure she's eyecandy for those of you who are into that sort of thing, but they had plenty of other choices if that's what they were going for.

I loathe Fairplay, but not as much as I loathe Mike Boogie. There's no question that Fairplay is a jerk, but I don't remember him regarding women with the utter contempt that Mike Boogie does. Now maybe he did, and time has allowed me to forget it, but I just don't have the skin-crawling reaction that I get from seeing Boogie on my screen (or Dick, for that matter).

It will be interesting to see how the Favorites align themselves.

Just a comment on the Fans. I hope they are indeed true fans and have sat on their couch for years thinking the following: Why didn't that person wear a suit with support? Why didn't they learn how to build a fire before showing up? Why didn't they learn how to SWIM before showing up? Please, don't let them be idiots.

Hopefully Fairplay goes first.

Someone in the editing room for Vanuatu loved her. Every single time there was a Reward Reveal or a Tribe Switch or even a shot of the sun coming up, they cut to Eliza with her jaw on the floor and her anime eyes bugging out.

Ugh. I just remember Eliza whining the whole time she was on Survivor. In whose mind can she possibly be a fan favorite? Or Ami for that matter. (One person I never wanted to see on my TV again. She ranks up there with Fairplay for me.)

Hurray for Jonathan and for Ozzy and especially for the return of Yau Man! Glad to see Cirie back too. Everyone else can get voted off ASAP.

Eliza made F4 in Vanuatu and she, Chris, Twila and Scout turned the game around at the F7 when they took Ami out of the power position. I always find 4-3 votes to be memorable so I can't forget that episode where Leann went home instead of Eliza. She definitely isn't an Amber.

Hey, Peachy, Courtney and P.G. gave James a run for his money! It sounds like Jeff got rejected with prejudice by James.

Wasn't that Eric kid in the first Blue Lagoon movie?

Projection: a noun; to mentally transfer one's own motivations and feelings onto another; example:





Is that a nice way to say "Cart Girl"? That's a first for reality TV.



. . . none of which you would've learned from Peachy's questions of Amanda at the Reunion.

BTW, if that picture is any indication, I think they're going to have to pixelate Amanda's boobs this season.

And speaking of boobs, did Eliza's shrink? Eliza, we all thought your teeth were too big, not your teats.

Finally, I know I watched the season with Parvati and I know I didn't like her, but for the life of me I can't remember a single thing about her.

Fingers crossed Amanda's clothing provides adequate coverage this year, and that someone tells her it was hard to recognized her without a blurred ass.

Please let Fairplay leave first.

Yaay for Cirie, Ozzy, Jonathan, and Yau-Man!

BOO Parvati, Ami and Fairplay

At least Probst didn't manage to get his beloved Julie recast. That would've been definite conflict of interest there.

Couldn't risk her cock-blocking his move on James or Ozzie.

That's the classy name for it? My cousin will be pleased. She used to say the nicest thing people at work called her was "Quench Wench."



Chopped her own thumb open when she used a machete. Wanted to vomit all over Jonathan. Occasionally spoke like treemail. Foxy boxer.

The CBS Survivor 16 web site is up and running.

Ah yes, the foxy boxer. Or as the recap described it (quoting a TAR team):



She really was a miserably fuck, wasn't she? Is she back strictly to stir up shit with Jonathan? Otherwise, I don't see anything about her to recommend a return.

I think I might actually have been quoting Billy, of the epic romance of Billy and Candice. But yes, that's what was said, at least.

Oh, Billy. What a hoot.

The thing about Eliza is that...yes, she was annoying, but she had this weird streak of, like, "Fuck you I don't deserve to be here," and I always kind of admired it. Knowing now that Scout is a crazypants with wackadoo sauce, I'm much more sympathetic with Eliza's position, which was basically to be berated as worthless BY SCOUT for the entire season. I think given her situation early in the game, Eliza did well for herself. I agree that she's a head-scratcher as an All-Star, but she's got some game, and while she's the "MY QUESTION IS I WANT AN APOLOGY!" person, she's also the person who swung the ultimate ouster of Ami, and I dig that about her.

I don't have any objections to the list, although I wonder why CBS saw fit to bring Amanda back given that she was apparently only cast to help Todd win last season.

Oh, who am I kidding, the women are always just supporting characters on this show anyway, with the rare evil seductress thrown in here and there. Of the All Star women, Cirie and Ami are the most deserving of the "All Star" title. Parvati and Amanda are really good at challenges. It could be worse.

Cirie is my personal favorite, with Jonathan close behind.

Wow. It's as if Burnett looked at a list of my favorite survivors, disregarded it, and then cast all of my most hated survivors. Fairplay? James? Ozzy? Parvati? Ami? I'm so incredibly disappointed at the amount of smug that's on the "Favorites" tribe. I guess the egos over there could provide some good drama, but I'm still not happy.

I guess I should say that I'm happy to see Jonathan, Yau and Cirie back. Those were some of my more enjoyed contestants, so I'm okay with that. I find Amanda pretty "meh" overall, but hopefully she can aid some of my more liked contestants. If she somehow managed to take out James, well, then I'd love her.

I was disappointed at the exclusion of Rafe from this cast. I think he would've been a much better and more interesting choice than Parvati, who seems to provoke a universal feeling of "huh" from the fans. There is a pretty strong case to be made for his status as an All-Star or whatever it is Burnett and Co. have decided to call this group. Was Guetamala hated more than Fiji?

Incredibly happy to see Cirie. I also hope she doesn't squander the goodwill she earned. I'm already afraid she will go out too early for my taste. I think of all the characters on Vanuatu Ami was one of the more memorable, whether or not she is well liked overall. Eliza at least made some risky moves during her first run. So glad the "favorite" from that season wasn't Scout. Ugh. Her thoughts over at the CBS blog are so intensely irritating.

Johnny Fairplay, Mike Boogie, and Evel Dick are three people who need to be fast-tracked onto a rocket aimed at the sun.

Although I think this could be interesting I kind of wish it was a full all-star season. I kind of slowly, and against my better judgement, fell kind of in like/love with Courtney by the end of China. She was so amusing! I wonder how a fan jury might react to a fan vs favorite final tribal, but I guess that might be a discussion for a different thread.

Other than Fairplay, this is actually all right.. Parvati was annoying, sure, but not really that bad. Ami was a good villain I thought though I didn't like her(though I've heard from people she's a lot nicer in real life). I loved Cirie/Yau/Jonathan, and liked Eliza and Amanda . I was sort of neutral on Ozzy. Besides, there is no way Fairplay goes far, so I'm not worried about him.

CBS is now calling Amanda a fashion designer now, rather than a hiking guide. However, her bio appears unchanged.

One would think that someone interested in fashion design would have a better grasp on how to buy a pair of shorts that can totally cover her rear end.

I found this in the spoiler thread, but now that the cast has been announced all of the casting discussions are supposed to come here.



Well I liked Cirie. I think a lot of people did. In fact, I think she won the car at the reunion show for being the most popular Survivor that season. Not only that, but IMO there were actual reasons for why she was popular, unlike say, James. She seemed like a sweet person who was actually good at the game. She was discussed as an early boot several times during the Exile Island season but incorporated herself into the game very well socially. Not only that, but she made some really impressive strategic moves towards the end of her season, including the orchestration of a 3-2-1 vote to prevent a tie and get rid of everyones final 2 choice, Courtney. If it weren't for that season's stupid HII rule in which you could use the HII at the final four vote, she might of made it to the end.

IMO she is much more deserving than Terry, who benefited from a season which had nothing but Immunity Challenges based purely on brute strength. IMO Terry was a terrible strategist who got lucky with challenges that benefited him. Even his later attempts at trying to make allies came to a halt thanks mostly to Cirie. I'm SO GLAD Terry isn't coming back!