Survivor's IQ drops, my stock rises

First things first: Jeff Probst really needs to ease up on his personal commentary. We get it - you are the face of the show; however, don't talk to people like they've never seen the show and let them make their own mistakes. It's much more fun to watch without Probst yelling at the newbies' lack of game play. If this continues I may be joining Christy Smith's viewing parties for the hearing impaired - it'd be a nice break.

This season I've joined a fantasy league, something I've always wanted to do but no one has ever created one. Thanks Amy for setting this up because I think I'm already winning! Before announcing my picks, my criteria was guessing who would have the best longevity and screen time. Two of the three people were in my top 5, so I lucked out that my opinion differs from others:

J'Tia, 31, Nuclear Engineer, "Brain"

Brice, 27, Social Worker, "Beauty"

Tony, 39, Police Officer, "Brawn"

Boy did I luck out? My first instincts of J'Tia was she would be level-headed and on-the-ball, but that went right out the window when she demanded the shelter to be built a specific way. I think the label of "brains" went straight to her and all Luzon's heads, which was evident in the first challenge. 

SIDE NOTE: the labels of brain, brawn and beauty are bound to go to someone's head. Especially if that person believes that's the most valuable thing in their arsenal. In my humble opinion as Facebook Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains champion, book smarts are useless on Survivor unless you're Yau-Man Chan and can apply them to opening up boxes. Knowing I was a villain after playing FB Survivor a few times, I couldn't let that run my game and think I was able to play slightly more honourable than in previous games (even if I did vote out my own brother).

Thank you, J'Tia, for delivering three memorable moments in the first two hours of Survivor: Cagayan. My prediction for her is not to win, but to grow from her blunders like Holly Hoffman did in Nicaragua (i.e. filling Dan's shoes with sand and throwing them into the ocean). She may also become NaOnka and succumb to the pressure of the game, quitting abruptly mid-season.

Enough about my dream girl. Brice - you've already stepped up as the confident gay man who can control the girls. Your "wing man" status is still to be seen, because I think the hormones radiating from Jeremiah and Morgan will dictate their alliance. If the beauties ban together to vote out Jefra first, Brice will control the tribe. This could be a major Chapera or Tandang situation where they control the events of the game and take the win. I think the beauties have the best shot of winning the whole bag of rice, so long as no one dumps out early (don't get the reference? Watch the show!)

Tony, you big, bruiting buffoon. To say you're devious like Russell Hantz (I still hate him) and slick like Boston Rob (I still love him and Amber), you need to do more than find the idol. Get people on your side or you'll be gone. Cliff's basketball history makes him polarizing, so people will gravitate to him (knowing about science, does that make me a brain?). Russell and Rob were able to become the polarizing people without being the target, so Tony needs to make himself be known just as that. If so, he'll be in for a longer haul.

After the first episode my favourite person is Tasha. She outwardly spoke about her want to strategize and play the game, and I love those players who want to be sneaky. Out of my three picks, Brice has the best shot of making it to the finals, "wing man" status pending. I hope he does - I need the points.

OMG Premiere Week!

Today is the first day after two major events: no more Sochi Olympics and the Amazing Race All-Stars 2 premiered. My excitement for both events couldn't be contained.

IT'S REALITY TV PREMIERE WEEK!

Amazing Race All-Stars 2 looked like a disappointing cast. I know the casting producers are looking for who will draw in viewers, so when you say "all-star" keep in mind that long-time viewers are looking for people who play an outstanding game. Perhaps that's the TV snob in me but Joey & Meghan are not All-Stars!  This seems like more of a second chance but don't mask Jessica & John's major blunder as an "all-star" move.

Survivor:Cayagan - all I pray for is more than half of the cast is entertaining. As a full-time Survivor addict,  I want to see the cast list grow by 16, 18 or 20 every season. Of the 422 available castaways to choose from, fans everywhere can create lists of returning castaways for an returnee season.

As for these guys and gals, I'm lost as to who I am cheering for. I wanted to stick to one brain, one brawn and one beauty, but I'm rooting for the beauties. Maybe it's the model inside me, but I think they'll fly under the radar enough but still stay present. My heart is with Jefra though - I wish her best of luck. She could pull a Jordan (Big Brother 11/13) and sneak into the finals. There seems to be so many big personalities it would be advantageous to settle into the background before striking.

Big Brother Canada 2 - The house was revealed this evening and it looks AMAZING! I wasn't a huge fan of the inaugural season but can get on board with giving it a second try. Check out the photos here (learning how to write on my new phone so can't get the photos yet). Waiting patiently to see the cast, just to make sure no one from my high school made it on the show before me. That's why I really enjoy the American shows better - less chance of knowing someone on the show.

More to come. Stay tuned.