Book Review: The Tribe and I Have Spoken

Rob Cesternino has probably talked more Survivor than any other person on the planet. After playing in Survivor: The Amazon and All-Stars, Rob built a community amongst Survivor’s online fans with Rob Has a Podcast. Now, this foremost scholar of the show takes readers from the beaches of Borneo on the first season all the way to the landmark fiftieth season. This cleverly illustrated ode to the show includes “The Heroes and Villains Hall of Fame,” the greatest “Watercooler Watershed Moments” in the show’s history, and Rob’s “Ultimate Survivor Playbook” (no refunds) to winning that million-dollar prize.

Whether you’re a superfan or a first timer, The Tribe and I Have Spoken is a must-read celebration for anyone who counts themselves as part of this passionate tribe of fans from around the world.

Book Review: Survivor - A Cultural History

Premiering in 2000, Survivor altered the landscape of network television from its first season, popularizing reality shows for audiences in the 21st century and quickly growing to a semi-annual release slate that has resulted in more than 46 seasons and hundreds of contestants. Over twenty years later, the series remains popular and a ratings hit, maintaining a devoted fanbase even as the television landscape has evolved and shifted to streaming.

In Survivor: A Cultural History, Joseph J. Darowski and Kate Darowski analyze how the iconic CBS show revolutionized television and has adapted and changed across decades of production.

Survivor - Vital Signs

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Vital Signs, the fifth studio album from the American rock band Survivor. It was the first one by the group featuring their new lead singer Jimi Jamison. The album spent sixty-one weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 16.

Survivor - Caught in the Game

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Caught in the Game, the fourth studio album from Survivor. Following on the heels of Eye of the Tiger (click here for that review), this 1983 release from the band only climbed as high as number 82 on the US Billboard Album charts. It was also the last album from the 80’s for the group that featured Dave Bickler as lead singer (he would return to the line-up in 1993).

Survivor: Philippines (episode 3)

Last week, Matsing suffered another loss and went to tribal, losing the increasingly difficult Roxy. Meanwhile, Lisa struggled with feelings of isolation and Jonathan found the hidden immunity idol for Kalabaw.

This week's episode is entitled "This Isn't a We Game" which brings to mind someone looking further than just getting through with alliances until the merge. Someone is thinking end game already.

Let's get to the recap.

Survivor: Philippines (episode 2)

The new season kicked off last week with some famous faces and returning players.

This week, the three tribes face the heavy tropical rains which effect the moods. And some things transpire that lead to someone uttering this week's title "Don't Be Blinded By the Headlights".

Let's get to the recap.

Survivor: Philippines (episode 1)

Welcome to season 25 of Survivor! It has been a long summer but Jeff Probst and the crew are back to the Philippines with fifteen all-new contestants and three formerly-injured returning players.

Things are a bit different this time, including starting with three tribes: Kalabaw, Matsing, and Tandang. Let's get right into this one which is entitled "Survivor Smacked Me In The Chops".

Survivor - Eye of the Tiger

Today (June 8th) marks the 30th anniversary of the release of Eye of the Tiger, the third studio album from the American rock band Survivor. At the time, the line-up of the group included David Bickler (lead vocals), Frankie Sullivan (guitars, backing vocals), Jim Peterik (guitars, keyboards, backing vocals), Stephan Ellis (bass) and Marc Droubay (drums).

This multi-Platinum album went all the way to number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 200 chart. It had a trio of songs that graced the singles charts and two that were featured in motion pictures.

TV: Survivor - One World (reunion show)

After thirty nine days and setting a Survivor milestone of an all-women top five, Kim came out on top as the Sole Survivor on Survivor: One World, beating out Sabrina and Chelsea by a vote of 7:2:0.

What followed then was the Reunion episode with all the returning castmates and some surprise audience members too.

Here are my thoughts on the reunion and some final summary of the season...

TV: Survivor - One World (ep. 14)

Last week on Survivor: One World, the women alliance made history when the voted out Tarzan. For the first time ever, an all-women final five would be left to beattle for the title of Sole Survivor.

The title of the episode this last episode for the season is "Perception Is Not Always Reality" where two challenges and three Tribal Councils will yield the winner.

Let's look at the episode...

TV: Survivor - One World (ep. 13)

Last week on Survivor: One World, the women alliance showed its first cracks as Kat got everyone's nerves and ended up going to the jury. Tarzan continues to keep a low-profile, hoping to continue riding his last-man-standing status all the way to the finals. Will it work?

The title of the episode this week is "It's Human Nature". The previews indicate that an unlikely betrayal within an alliance puts one castaway on the defense, while another tribe member concocts an alaborate story to gain an advantage in the game.

Let's look at the episode...

TV: Survivor - One World (ep. 12)

Survivor: One World is in an interesting position. After last week's removal of Troyzan, the field is left with one male (Tarzan) versus the strong alliance of six women.

The title of the episode this week is "It's Gonna Be Chaos". The previews suggest that the walls are about to come down for the Tikiano tribe thanks to an emotional moment with their loved ones. And, one of the castaways decides to create animosity amongst the wounded tribe members.

Sounds like it should prove to be very interesting indeed. Let's look at the episode...

TV: Survivor - One World (ep. 11)

And another guy bites the dust on Survivor: One World. Last week, the alliance of six women and their unlikely ally Tarzan took out unsuspecting Leif, leaving Troyzan without anyone to turn to in the game.

The title of the episode this week is "Never Say Die". The previews suggest that things get wet and wild for the one of the challenges. The winners of reward get a picnic while the sore losers have a chance to conspire back at camp. Also, the feelings of alienation drive leery tribe members to seek out all of their elimination options.

Let's look at the episode...

TV: Survivor - One World (ep. 10)

For three weeks in a row on Survivor: One World we have had three blindsides. First, Jonas. Then Mike. And last week, Jay. The alliance of women are picking off the guys one by one and the guys are letting them do it to them.

The title of the episode this week is "I'm No Dummy". The previews say that the group goes on the attack when one tribe member forces a confrontation (from the commercials, I think this could be Troyzan). Also, it is time for messages from home.

Let's look at the episode...

TV: Survivor - One World (ep. 9)

The blindsides contined with last week's episode Survivor: One World. Mike did not have a clue that he was the next to be voted off the island. Now he and Jonas are the first two members of the jury.

The guys are now down to four versus the six women. It would appear that they are holding all of the cards and appear to be a strong block. Leif, Jay, Troyzan and Tarzan should be plenty worried at this point.

The title of the episode this week is "Go Out With a Bang". The previews say that the individual immunity is in high gear, and the Tikiano tribe goes into panic mode as the rumors of a hidden immunity idol begin to surface.

Let's look at the episode...

TV: Survivor - One World (ep. 8)

Last week's episode Survivor: One World proved interesting as Tarzan proved to be the undoing of Jonas.

The title of the episode this week is "Just Annihilate Them". The previews say that the game gets personal when one of the tribe members is confronted about her physical appearance. And a shocking blindside eradicates any sense of security in the Tikiano tribe.

Let's look at the episode...

TV: Survivor - One World (ep. 7)

Last week's episode Survivor: One World had the grand mastermind Colton going out on a medical pull. That threw the remaining twelve back together in a single tribe of equal sides: six men, six women.

The title of the episode this week is "The Beauty In a Merge". The previews say another bold move will happen at tribal council. But first we have to get there.

Let's look at the episode...

TV: Survivor - One World (episode 6)

Last week's episode Survivor: One World shook things up by realligning the tribes. That forced a number of players to rethink their game strategy and set up new alliances. I think it was a good move for this point in the season.

The title of the episode this week is "Thanks for the Souvenir". According to the previews, a serious injury takes out another player. I wonder who it will be.

Let's look at the episode...

TV: Survivor - One World (episode 5)

Last week's episode Survivor: One World was epic. We saw a first in Survivor history - a tribe who won immunity giving it up to the other side so they could go to tribal to take care of an immediate problem. My jaw dropped just as much as Jeff's did.

The title of the episode this week is "A Bunch of Idiots". I can't wait to see who utters this phrase but I am betting it will be one of the smarter women since Colton and the guys are about to have their alliance rocked to its very core.

Let's look at the episode...

TV: Survivor - One World (episode 4)

After last week's episode of Survivor: One World, Jeff Probst teased on Twitter that this week's episode would have a big move and a history making moment. He should know, right? He is very close to the show and knows how things played out on the island.

The title of the episode is "Bum-Puzzled". The synopsis from TV Guide says: an unforgivable betrayal rocks one tribe and forces its members to make a drastic move.

Let's look at the episode and see if this lives up to the hype...