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Survivor: Palau on CBS

2005, TV Show

Survivor: Palau: TV Guide News

Twenty castaways compete for $1 million while stranded on Palau, an island group in the Pacific.

December 14, 2006: The True Puppet Master | TV Show Recaps | 12/15/2006
For some reason I really thought Parvati would end up in the finals. Not due to any true game play on her part, but merely out of some cosmic irony. Rarely have I seen a castaway who has done as little as she. I was wrong. Even with the seismic tremors at Aitu — Becky and Sundra maneuvering to oust Ozzy — the easily influenced Yul pulled his strings and chose Adam as the Raro member most worthy of staying.As much as Yul denies it, he is the top dog on the island, and he wears the... read more
December 7, 2006: Everybody Hates Jonathan | TV Show Recaps | 12/8/2006
And now we know why Parvati doesn't do any work at camp. It's just not safe. The girl nearly sliced her thumb off trying to open a coconut. Tragic as that may have been, Parvati's mishap allowed us another glimpse of that cute Aussie doctor from last season. Her sacrifice will not go unnoticed in my book. This week was the family visits. Sundra's heartfelt weeping at the sight of her mother had me wondering if she'd be able to actually perform in the reward challenge of throwing water from one... read more
November 30, 2006: King Rat | TV Show Recaps | 12/1/2006
This show is so good I am almost moved to write poetry, and yet there are no words to express how much I'm enjoying Survivor: Cook Islands. Alas, I will attempt to recap the happenings at the Aitutonga tribe. In the aftermath of Nate's departure, Parvati was outspoken about her disappointment in Jonathan. She was so upset with him that she could vomit on his face. Now, she's billed as a boxer. Would a right cross not suffice? Parvati did make me laugh — when Jonathan flat-out told her... read more
November 23, 2006: "If I Flip Again..." | TV Show Recaps | 11/24/2006
I hate to say I told you so…but Nate perhaps you should have worn your glasses to tribal because you should have seen your ouster coming. Though it is clear from your parting words – Jonathan you can kiss my ass. You're a dirty, stanky, whack, fruitcake who sold me out, who sold out our tribe when we brought you in. You trading bastard. So kiss my ass Jonathan – that you were somewhat surprised and upset. On the other hand I don't know if anything could have saved Nate. His... read more
November 16, 2006: Four Straight Wins | TV Show Recaps | 11/17/2006
I love, love, love this show! It has excitement; it has conflict; it has betrayal; it has underdogs; it even has new verbs. Where else would you hear about octopussing? And Rebecca, if you chose only to speak one word during this week's show, I'm glad it was that one. Let's see, it is day 22, and over the course of the next three days Aitu pulled out another two challenge wins — making it a four-challenge sweep since the infamous mutiny. I'm so pleased for this underdog team, and who says... read more
November 9, 2006: And Then There Were Four | TV Show Recaps | 11/10/2006
Well, well, well. The show is getting interesting again. The Mutiny on the Bounty theme added a much-needed jolt to the Cook Islands Survivor. Jeff tossed out this new twist just before the reward challenge and, through the magic of editing, just after Jonathan and Candice chatted about breaking up their alliance of six. The offer? Mutiny. With ten seconds to decide, castaways could switch tribes. The only takers? Candice and Jonathan — thus leaving Aitu shorthanded with only four members... read more
September 28, 2006: Survivors, Ready? | TV Show Recaps | 9/29/2006
Survivor aficionados know there's a certain lingo that goes along with the show. For some it's comforting, for others, mind-numbingly repetitive. Me? I like it. Jeff's catchphrases are a constant that I can rely on each week as the number of castaways dwindles. That said...First things first: We couldn't move on from last week's show without finishing up Billy's love story. Back at camp, Aitu continued to dismiss the love, and the next day, after the tribes merged, Cecilia went directly to... read more
September 21, 2006: "Aitu Takes a Holiday" | TV Show Recaps | 9/22/2006
Hands down, this was the funniest tribal council ever on Survivor. It was like watching group therapy. Between Billy and "Mr. Bully's" fight, and Billy's declaration of love for Candace, I'm not sure what I laughed at more. It was tears-in-my-eyes laughter. I'll make a declaration of my own: I love Jeff Probst. He is the best reality-show host out there, with Phil Keoghan of The Amazing Race a close second. While everyone else was laughing and/or rolling their eyes at Billy, Jeff managed to... read more
September 14, 2006: Survivor Confidential | TV Show Recaps | 9/15/2006
I don't know if you've heard, but there's been some talk about this season of Survivor. Something about its being controversial. Set in the South Pacific's Cook Islands, this season's castaways have been divided into four tribes based on ethnicity and race ? black, white, Asian and Latino. Some think this is an outrageous stunt, an obvious ploy to raise the show's dwindling ratings. However, host Jeff Probst has been vocal about classifying the show as a "social experiment." So with lab coat... read more
Second Time Not the Charm for Survivor | Today's News: Our Take | 11/17/2005
Not many people get a second chance to win a million dollars, but Bobby Jon Drinkard — who was on the constantly losing Ulong tribe on Survivor: Palau — got such a shot during Survivor: Guatemala. While the sweet 27-year-old from Alabama didn't become the sole Survivor, he did achieve his goal of making it to the jury. TVGuide.com asked Bobby Jon about his feud with Jamie and tried to find out why he and Palau pal Stephenie just didn't get along. TVGuide.com: On your... read more
Survivor is in Guatemala, and... | Today's News: Our Take | 9/16/2005
Survivor is in Guatemala, and the big twist is that two popular players are back for a second shot... and they are Stephenie and Bobby Jon from the losing Ulong tribe on Survivor: Palau. While Jeff Probst gives them a lot of credit, calling Bobby one of the hardest-working players ever, and Stephenie one of the toughest women, I think that from the outset, these two are at a disadvantage yet again. That fear is only slightly boosted when, after a 24-hour, 11-mile trek through the... read more
BUSTED | Today's News: Our Take | 9/7/2005
It appears Survivor: Palau runner-up Katie Gallagher may have invested some of her $100,000 prize money in Jack Daniel's. Gallagher was arrested Wednesday for drunken driving in her hometown of Merced, Calif., and is due back in court on Halloween. She'll be the one dressed up as a future Surreal Life contestant. read more
Survivor's No. 2 Gal Shares Surreal Notions | Today's News: Our Take | 5/25/2005
In last week's Survivor: Palau finale, Tom Westman took home the $1 million prize, which was no surprise. Thanks to Ian Rosenberger 's crazy choice to cede his spot in the final two to Katie Gallagher, the 29-year-old California girl became the runner-up. Far from being sad about losing the top spot, Katie tells TVGuide.com she's happy that anyone voted for her at all. TVGuide.com: As the live finale approached, did you think you had a chance to win? Katie Gallagher: No, not at all. I went into... read more
Survivor Ian's Crazy Decision | Today's News: Our Take | 5/19/2005
In a Survivor finale shocker on Ian Rosenberger basically gave up his shot at a million dollars just to smooth things over with his alliance-mates Tom and Katie. He and Tom went head-to-head in an endurance challenge on a buoy, and after close to 12 hours of the watery balancing act, guilt overwhelmed Ian. The 23-year-old dolphin trainer said he'd step off the platform if Tom agreed to take Katie, not him, to the final tribal council. TVGuide.com rang up Ian to ask him what the heck he was... read more
Survivor Tom's Winning Strategy | Today's News: Our Take | 5/18/2005
On Sunday night, firefighter Tom Westman was crowned the winner of Survivor: Palau. He did it by being a mostly nice guy, except when he had to muscle around alliance-mates Katie and Ian a little bit. But the humble 41-year-old and oldest Survivor winner ever learned a bunch during his 39 days in Palau including how to kill a shark and the importance of listening to his wife. TVGuide.com sat down with the new millionaire to find out how he feels about winning, why he got so annoyed with Ian and... read more
Survivor Ken Doll's Weak for Women | Today's News: Our Take | 5/12/2005
Survivor: Palau's Gregg Carey hoped his "friendship" with petite blonde Jennifer would carry him to the final two. The Ken doll made a fatal mistake, however, by taking the Barbie clone and her pal Katie on a reward cruise. Sure, they swam with dolphins, reunited with family members, ate and showered. But they also left tough competitors Tom and Ian behind with Caryn to plot against them. Here, Gregg talks to TVGuide.com about underestimating his opponents. TVGuide.com: Were you confident about... read more
Survivor's Stephenie Snuffed | Today's News: Our Take | 5/5/2005
It was bound to happen sooner or later. Last week, Survivor: Palau's Stephenie LaGrossa — sole survivor of the Ulong tribe — fell victim to the tight-knit Koror alliance. Here, TVGuide.com asks the 25-year-old pharmaceutical rep all about Janu's sacrifice, which players were real stinkers and if, as we suspect, she threw some immunity challenges. TVGuide.com: Do you feel like a good role model for women?Stephenie LaGrossa: Now I do. I didn't know I was going to be popular or even... read more
Survivor's Top Five Alliances | Today's News: Our Take | 5/2/2005
As Survivor fans well know, this game is all about strategizing, backstabbing and forging sneaky alliances. Here's five examples of how choosing the right coconspirator can make one lucky castaway a millionaire.1. Rob and AmbuhSurvivor: All-StarsVictor: Amber (and Rob)Why it worked: Lust. Rob fell for Amber, who rode his coattails.Speed bump: Rob begging Lex to keep Amber in the game (a move that ultimately cost Rob the win).Memorable moment: Rob's early observation that Amber has "a smokin'... read more
Why Survivor's Janu Quit the Tribe | Today's News: Our Take | 4/27/2005
No season of Survivor would be complete without a few twists, and Palau has proved no different. Last Thursday, Janu Tornell was the first contestant to drop out of an immunity challenge that required the Survivors to be submerged in an underwater cage. Janu's punishment was temporary exile on another island. Surprisingly, the 39-year-old Vegas showgirl loved her solitary confinement, then voluntarily brought Jeff her torch to snuff during tribal council. Here, TVGuide.com learns why Janu... read more
Why Survivor's Gay Guy Wears "Manties" | Today's News: Our Take | 4/21/2005
After last week's tribal merger on Survivor: Palau, 32-year-old Texan hairstylist Coby Archa was the first cut. The wisecracking troublemaker earned his tribe mates' wrath by blatantly attempting to ally himself with newcomer Stephenie and acting bitchy when he felt left out by Koror's tough-guy clique. (As a newly minted member of the jury, however, he may yet have the last laugh.) While TVGuide.com initially pegged this scantily clad gay guy as another Richard Hatch, he grew on us and we were... read more