Anyway, it's true! Mike and I have recorded an exhaustive Survivor preview, where we scrutinize the contestants of the upcoming season of Survivor and handicap their chances on the show!
We had originally intended to do one hour on the Survivor pre-show, but we just couldn't keep our mouths shut, so we ended up spending nearly three hours analyzing the castaways, so I've broken it up into three parts.
Less aspects of Latin American culture this season
Introduction
The "serious" pre-show
If we're wrong, it's because the bios are very limited, but if we're right, it's because we're geniuses
Aras
First impression - New-agey sensitive guy, but yoga may give him inner peace to deal with stress in the game
Mike is still left with new-agey impression
Does he own his own yoga studio or is he an employee?
Very accomplished for 24. (MBA, played basketball, yoga in S.Africa)
Trader-Joe granola = Hippy?
Totally off-topic: Japanese Ice-cream
Trader Joe's and unique foods.
New-age vs. Hippy, Real hippy vs. Pretentious hippy
Yoga and meditation could give this guy an inner strength and peace to help him through stressful parts of the game
But he could get in trouble if he is so serene that he becomes annoying to others.
Has played professional team sports, so he is familiar with competitive group dynamics
You heard it here: Aras is the best-looking male castaway
Judging attractiveness from still photos versus video.
Austin
Slightly unclear how the age groups will break down
Austin is a writer, and from NC, which win him points, but all of his favorites are bland, easy choices.
They show at best a lack of imagination, at worst, a man who bases who he is on what he thinks other people will like
Shawshank Redemption - A great film, but...
My pepperoni theory: It's consistently the most popular topping, not because anyone particularly loves it, but because it's what everyone can agree on.
Given his apparent lack of imagination, is Austin's book any good?
His list of favorites looks like he's playing family feud, trying to guess what the majority of Americans would say
Being a writer can be a very isolated profession, but he has also worked as a waiter and bartender, which requires people skills
He has played sports, seems athletic.
Describes himself as: "Charismatic, humourous and genuine." What does that say about him?
Describing oneself as "Charismatic" is kind of a red flag.
"Humorous vs. Funny"
I see, in that self-description, someone who likes the sound of his own voice.
He thinks he's a lot more "charismatic, humorous and genuine" than other people do.
Do they choose their own clothes for these photos?
Beaded necklace: Pretentious. "Wanna-be" counter-culture
Like the people who wear Che Guevera T-shirts.
Rage Against the Machine: Real revolutionaries, or poseurs?
Mike knows about Che Guevera: His dad's from Cuba
Che was a terminal discontent.
Iconography vs. Ideology
Austin's book on Amazon.com: 5 Customer reviews, 3 5/5's, 1 4/5, 1 1/5
Generally, people who are indifferent don't leave customer reviews, only if they love it or hate it. With books etc., more likely if they love it.
As opposed to reviewing an apartment building after leaving, mostly negative. (only written by people who are already leaving)
Reviewers who are going to review the book just because he's on Survivor will have a bias towards the positive.
4/5 of the customer reviews are from people in North Carolina
The only exception was done only recently, suggesting it was only because he's on Survivor now
Superficially, he seems like a nice guy who we could root for, but looking a little deeper, he seems to be unimaginative and self-involved
We hope we're wrong, but we doubt it.
Self-delusion: Acting like the person you wish you were. "This is the me that people will like."
Bobby
Technical problems with the video. Mike couldn't see the picture, but could hear the sound.
Mike liked his bio until he heard that clip, but maybe body language makes a difference.
Once hearing about the humourous facial expression and body language, Mike feels better.
We both like Bobby a lot.
Came from a very tough background and excelled. Law degree from Stanford even!
Hobbies: Fantasy baseball, drawing, reading, air hockey and comic books! Fan of The Tick, Discovery Channel and Magic: the Gathering! He's a geek!
His choices are the antithesis of Austin's. You can tell that he chose things he really enjoys rather than what he thinks others will like.
Has "genuine" "charisma".
He is both of our favorites.
Reminds Mike a little of Tom from Palau.
Younger than he looks, only 32.
Very muscular: Could it lead to a crash when he doesn't have enough to eat?
But he's not "ripped" with low body fat, so he might be okay.
For both of us, we're not sure he will win, but just as a personal favorite, he's #1 on both our lists.
"Dominant, loyal, MALLEABLE, and stubborn" What does he mean by malleable here? Adaptable?
Okay, that's it for part one. Watch this space (or subscribe to the feed) for parts 2 and 3. All three parts will be out before the episode airs on Thursday at 8PM ET on CBS!
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Name:Christiana Ellis
Name:Mike Meitín
