What is it about Louie that just makes me grit my teeth? I get that he's supposed to be the lovable one. He's the happily gruff pirate with an everyman appeal. I get it. I do. Yet his appeal is lost on me. Is it that Louie's a blatant reminder of the charmingly natural Rupert from Survivor: Panama who falls somewhat short? Or is it that Louie's received an inordinate amount of screen time — time filled with his vows to get Joe Don, to mutiny and to share the wealth? Maybe it's just that Louie, while full of vim and vigor, regrettably just doesn't deliver. Because of that, another week on the Picton Castle sails by and I feel like I’m still in port.One good thing for this viewer is that while most things were different this week, some things stayed the same. New twist: the royal pardon, which pirates can bid upon to nullify a black mark. New challenge winner: Yes, the red team finally won (though it's not like we care since the team changes weekly). New Captain: Louie. And ...
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G'head and call me a wench because I've found my guilty pleasure for the summer. Its name is Pirate Master. Not that I ever doubted Mark Burnett, who I believe has been put on this earth to provide we reality television junkies with the best of the genre. Yes, he had some missteps with the recent Haves versus the Have-nots scenario, but we’ll not speak of that because I'm fully on board with Pirate Master. This latest foray into the unscripted series world is clearly a mish-mash of other successful reality shows wrapped in the Jolly Roger, but I'm not going to quibble because there's potential for a great show here.While the whole 16 strangers, tropical location, million-dollar prize setup may be familiar (and who are we kidding, the formula works. Why mess with it?), I have no problem with Pirate Master looting elements from other great reality shows. Here everyone is searching for Capt. Steel's treasure, which has been split up and buried in 14 different locations on Dominica...
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In May, Rupert Boneham won America's Tribal Council on Survivor: All-Stars, proving once and for all he's the game show's most popular alum. Since then, the tie-dyed pirate has used his $1 million windfall to fund his charity, Rupert's Kids, which he works on when he's not busy hunting for acting gigs. Here, the jolliest bearded man since Santa Claus sits down with TV Guide Online to catch up.
TV Guide Online: So how'd you spend your summer vacation?Rupert: My summer — ever since the show I like to call Who Wants to Make Rupert a Millionaire? — was insanely whirlwindy and wonderful. At 40 years old, it is hard to learn new skills, but I love running around the country being me. I couldn't ask for a better career.
TVGO: We've seen tie-dyed T-shirts with your face on them.Rupert: I have my own line of clothing on Rupertb.com. Right now, I have tank tops and T-shirts. We're talking about getting different stuff &
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Survivor: All-Stars fans rooted hard for their beloved, bearded pirate Rupert Boneham. So it's no surprise fans cast 38 million votes to award him the $1-million prize on last Thursday's Survivor: America's Tribal Council special. Additionally, viewers named Rupert's shoe-stealing escapade in Pearl Islands as the top Survivor moment of all time. His showdown with best villain Johnny Fairplay was also picked as the reality show's best fight. Here, TV Guide Online reconnects with Rupe, who's reveling in his popularity and making big plans for his windfall.
TVGO: Congrats! You were a shoo-in to win.Rupert Boneham: I know, but I couldn't let myself believe it. In the back of my head, I kind of knew, but I was not going to let myself hope. I didn't want to walk out disappointed. It almost seemed greedy to even want more.
TVGO: Did you worry about your chances after learning which other players made the fans' final four?
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Technically speaking, Rupert Boneham came in fourth on Survivor: All-Stars. TV Guide Online sat in the audience at Sunday's finale, though, and judging by the cheers, applause and tie-dyed tees, Rupe's clearly the fan fave. That's good news for him, since this season's "big twist" allows viewers to award a second $1-million prize by voting American Idol-style. The popularity contest will be settled live on CBS Thursday night. While we think the bearded hero's got this prize in the bag, he's cautiously optimistic about his chances...
TV Guide Online: Thursday could be a big night for you!Rupert Boneham: I'm thrilled for Thursday. I cannot wait. I've got three hours of free time [today], and you know I'm going to go on the website and vote for myself constantly.
TVGO: Based on the audience reaction, you look like a shoo-in to win.Rupert: I sure hope so. But I thought that I was going to win Pearl Islands
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