Tag: Survivor (53-65 of 225)

Dec 17 2012 06:20 PM ET

'Survivor: Philippines': Mike Skupin blames Ponderosa for his loss; says he was blackmailed by one juror

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Image credit: CBS

Image credit: CBS

No Survivor contestant had ever come back to play after being away from the game for so long, but the 11-year absence did not hurt Michael Skupin, as the man with the most famous hands in reality TV history returned for Survivor: Philippines and made it all the way to the final Tribal Council. That’s where things went south, however, as Skupin and Lisa Whelchel were bested by Denise Stapley for the million dollars and title of Sole Survivor. In this post-finale Q&A, Skupin confirms that he thought he had won the game all the way until Jeff Probst read the final votes, and he blames peer pressure at Ponderosa (where the jury members all stay and mingle together) for his loss, even saying that one tribe member threatened blackmail by negatively impacting the jury if Skupin voted him out.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: You were my episode 1 pick to win it all, so thanks for nothing, Skupin!
MICHAEL SKUPIN: Hey, I gave it everything I had, man.

EW: I know you did. When you showed up in CBS Television City last night, did you still think there was a good chance you had won?
Oh, yeah, absolutely, I totally thought that. Everybody in their mind thinks it’s gonna be them. If you went out there and played your guts out and did everything you could to make it happen, I think it’s probably a realistic expectation that I thought I’d get all eight votes. It’s just the way I played the game. I know what I did, I know what Denise did, and I know what Lisa did and I really thought in the spirit of the game — outwit, outplay, outlast — that I encompassed those three elements the best, and if I had a jury voting on the integrity of the game itself that they would have to vote me the game. READ FULL STORY »

Dec 17 2012 04:21 PM ET

'Survivor: Philippines': Malcolm says 'I'm still pissed off that I lost'

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Image credit: CBS

Image credit: CBS

He excelled both socially, strategically, and physically — which is exactly why his tribemates voted him out just prior to the Survivor: Philippines final Tribal Council. And for Malcolm Freberg, that was the harshest reality of all. We spoke with Malcolm the day after the finale, where he shared his frustrations over being so close, yet so far from the million dollars.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What’s worse psychologically —  getting voted out early or making it that close to the end and coming up short in that last challenge?
MALCOLM FREBERG: Oh, it’s absolutely worse going that far and having it go south in the final hour. You know, we talked before the game started and I was out there to play the game to win the game. I was livid after I got kicked off. I was like, What the hell did I do this for? Why didn’t you just vote me off? Flip spots with me and Zane, is how I felt about it. Let me get out of here first if I’m not gonna win this damn thing. I just starved for a month for nothing in my opinion. I was not in the best of moods after that happened. READ FULL STORY »

Dec 17 2012 03:00 PM ET

Lisa Whelchel talks about being shocked by Penner on 'Survivor: Philippines' and says she will be co-hosting on 'The Jeff Probst Show'

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Image credit: CBS

Image credit: CBS

She was on the outs of her tribe on day one and compared to a dog that needed to be put out of its misery, but Lisa Whelchel made it all the way to end of Survivor: Philippines, losing (along with Mike Skupin) to Denise Stapley in the finals. Now, the former Facts of Life star discusses her time on the island, including her shock over Jonathan Penner outing her past, what we didn’t see at the final Tribal Council, as well as her plans to co-host some episodes of The Jeff Probst Show. (Click through both pages to read the entire interview.)

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Lisa, you’re a giant fan, you come on the show and make it all 39 days. Win or lose, that has to feel great to go the distance.
LISA WHELCHEL: I would have loved to have won the million dollars, but the fact that I got the whole experience — from Ponderosa at the beginning to burning down our camp at the end, and got to sit at final Tribal and give my plea  I really got to do every single possible thing there is to do except receive the big, big check. READ FULL STORY »

Dec 17 2012 01:26 PM ET

'Survivor: Philippines' winner Denise Stapley reveals the person still mad at her, and that she is the one that told Penner about Lisa's past

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Image credit: CBS

Image credit: CBS

She went to every single Tribal Council, including the final one that landed her a million dollars. Now, Denise Stapley talks all about her victorious run on Survivor: Philippines, revealing who is still mad at whom, and how she became the 25th Sole Survivor. (Click through both pages to read the entire interview.)

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Congratulations. But where’s your oversized novelty check?
DENISE STAPLEY: I know! I don’t know if they do that any more. I’m quite okay with the little small one, but the big one would have been fun.

EW: I’m going to talk to someone about that. Or maybe I’ll just go get a big piece of cardboard and just write it out myself.
Perfect! Send it in the mail.

EW: How confident were you of your victory when that Tribal Council ended?
Initially after that final Trial Council, I definitely thought I might have just done this. But then there’s this other part of me going, you could be wrong. So since the end of April I’ve just been hanging on to the possibility that this was not going to happen, so last night was just absolutely surreal because I haven’t allowed myself to go to that place to think that I did it. READ FULL STORY »

Dec 17 2012 10:37 AM ET

Jeff Probst breaks down the 'Survivor: Philippines' finale, including the immunity advantage and Penner's final comments

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Image credit: Monty Brinton/CBS

Image credit: Monty Brinton/CBS

Each week, host Jeff Probst answers a few questions about the most recent episode of Survivor: Philippines. And click here for exclusive intel from the host on next season.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: I put down Survivor: Philippines down as the seventh best Survivor season ever, right below Palau and ahead of Samoa. Now that it’s all done, where does it rank for you?

JEFF PROBST: Ah man you’re way ahead of me, I just got home from the live show and post show margarita’s at El Coyote.  But  I can say that I’m with you in that it’s a top 10 season, but honestly I haven’t had time to properly evaluate, I’m still wiping Dawson’s lipstick off of my face. READ FULL STORY »

Dec 16 2012 11:53 PM ET

'Survivor: Caramoan -- Fans vs. Favorites': Jeff Probst gives intel on NEXT season; says it is 'even better' than 'Survivor: Philippines'

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Image credit: CBS

Image credit: CBS

At the end of tonight’s Survivor Philippines finale and reunion, Jeff Probst revealed the title (Survivor: Caramoan — Fans vs. Favorites) for the next season to premiere on Feb. 13, 2013. And he told EW more than that when we spoke about the 26th — yes, 26th! — installment of the reality franchise. Read on for more intel on what to expect next.

This marks the second time Survivor has gone with a Fans Vs. Favorites format, which will pit returning players against first timers. The first occurrence was in season 16 with Survivor: Micronesia. That installment was a hit among fans (and remains my personal favorite Survivor season ever), so it seemed like only a matter of time before the show went back to the twist, especially now that they have had nine seasons since the last one from which to pull returning players. “We have a lot of great [former contestants] who we have not yet anointed as a star or worthy of being in an all-star version of some sort,” Probst told EW, indicating that all the returning players would be playing for the second time, as opposed to the third or fourth. “And we started looking at that list and said, we actually have a new batch of people that would be fun to put against a group of newbies. And the result was fantastic. It really worked. It will be a season that most fans will regard even better than Survivor: Philippines. I really believe that. I know I’ve been wrong in the past, but if I’m wrong on this one, man, snuff my torch.” READ FULL STORY »

Dec 16 2012 11:01 PM ET

'Survivor: Philippines': And the winner is...

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Image credit: Monty Brinton/CBS

Image credit: Monty Brinton/CBS

After 39 days, 15 Tribal Councils, 14 episodes, and 2 Russell Swan meltdowns, a winner of Survivor: Philippines was finally crowned on Sunday night. Would it be bartender Malcolm, sex therapist Denise, Facts of Life star Lisa, or the man with the most famous hands in reality TV history, Mike Skupin? Well, we’re about to tell you who won, so read no further if you have yet to watch Sunday’s finale. [SPOILER ALERT: Stop reading now unless you have already watched the finale of Survivor: Philippines.] READ FULL STORY »

Dec 13 2012 12:45 PM ET

Ratings: CBS wins but Abi-Mara loses (too soon?)

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Tags: , , News

CBS eeked out a win on Wednesday with another strong showing by Criminal Minds — up 3% from last week to a 3.1 rating/8 share in adults 18-49 and 11.9 million viewers, according to early numbers from Nielsen. Survivor: Philippines — which featured the better-late-than-never booting of Abi-Mara the grump — was down 3% from last week to a 2.8/8 and 10.2 million, but it still won its timeslot in the key demo.

CSI earned a 2.2/6 and 9.5 million, down 15% from its last original two weeks ago to post a series low.

Fox was a close second Wednesday with its two-hour edition of The X Factor, which was down 7% from last week. (It averaged 7.7 million). ABC was third with The Middle earning a 2.2/7 and 7.4 million, Neighbors posting a 1.6/4 and 5.4 million — that’s a series low – Modern Family grabbing a 4.2/11, and Barbara Walters Presents: 10 Most Fascinating People of 2012 at a 2.1/6 and 7.6 million.

NBC was fourth with Whitney earning a 1.4/4 and 3.7 million, followed by a repeat of Guys with Kids and and the special Howie Mandel’s Take It All at a 1.1/3 and 3.3 million. Chicago Fire was down 26% to a 1.4/4 and 4.7 million.

Over on the CW, Arrow posted a 1.0/3 and 3.1 million, and a special airing of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show with a .7/2 and 1.6 million.

 

 

 

 

Dec 13 2012 12:19 PM ET

InsideTV Podcast : Abi from 'Survivor' admits she was 'a royal bitch', but says 'I would kill her' if she faced RC in a cage match

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Image Credit: CBS

Image Credit: CBS

It’s the InsideTV Podcast interview you’ve all been waiting for. Villainess Abi-Maria Gomes finally had her torch extinguished last night on Survivor: Philippines, and now she is ready to talk all about her bitchy ways on the island, as well as her epic reunion with bestie-turned-mortal-enemy RC at the Ponderosa jury house. And talk she does! Find out what we didn’t see that led to her calling Mike Skupin an “idiot” and a “moron” at Tribal Council. Learn what led to her saying, “Die, Denise!” over and over in her last few days. And hear all about her big feud with RC, which continues to this day and leads Abi to claim that “I would kill her” if they faced off in a Survivor cage match.

Best of all, Abi admits that not only was she PMSing on the island, but she is PMSing right now during out interview! Perfect! Listen in on that as well as Jessica Shaw and I making our Survivor finale predictions for who we want to win and think will win. (The Survivor conversation starts at 28:00 and the Abi interview begins at 35:45)

However, that’s not the only interview we have this week. We also welcome the hilarious and charming Jake Johnson to the podcast. Jake plays grumpy Nick Miller on New Girl and tells all about making out with Olivia Munn, getting lap dances form Max Greenfield, as well as what to expect between Nick and Jess when the show returns in 2013. Good times with Jake Johnson, everybody! Good times indeed. (The New Girl Jake Johnson interview begins at 5:48.) READ FULL STORY »

Dec 13 2012 07:00 AM ET

'Survivor: Philippines': Jeff Probst on which player he is most surprised to see in the final four and why anyone can win

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Image credit: Monty Brinton/CBS

Image credit: Monty Brinton/CBS

Each week, host Jeff Probst answers a few questions about the most recent episode of ‘Survivor: Philippines’.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Let’s start off with a strategy question for you, Jeff. When you have a reward challenge this late in the game that requires leaving two potentially bitter people behind, is better to throw it so you don’t anger a potential juror, especially when there is a 50 percent chance someone will select you to go on it anyway? Or is more important to win and control who goes where so you can talk strategy with the people you want or make certain people feel safe? What would you do in that situation? 

JEFF PROBST: I would try to win everything. It gives you a better argument at the final Tribal Council and it gives you more power. Agreed, it’s a tricky situation politically, but I’d rather be in control. It’s a great question and one of the many reasons that Survivor is so damn complicated. READ FULL STORY »

Dec 9 2012 07:00 AM ET

InsideTV Podcast: Is 'Homeland' getting dumber each and every week?

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Image Credit: Kent Smith

Image Credit: Kent Smith

Homeland is taking a lot of heat for its most recent episode. And with good reason — it was preposterous! Are we supposed to believe that the CIA would actually not be monitoring the phone of an admitted terrorist who recently had a bomb strapped to his chest while he tried to assassinate the Vice President of the United States? Are we also supposed to believe that there is no security or cameras in the Vice President’s house and that you can tell someone you’re going to take a leak and then simply go anywhere you want? Oh, and since when can you Skype on a Blackberry? Those were just a few of the head-scratchers that we were expected to swallow.

But it is not the first time that Homeland has dipped into the pool of preposterous. Remember earlier this season when Abu Nazir needed to send someone discreetly to get his tailor/bomb maker — who was under surveillance — out of Gettysburg, and instead of dispatching a faceless nobody, he sent a famous war hero and U.S. congressman (Brody) to the man’s shop instead? Sure, that wouldn’t raise eyebrows! Makes about as much sense as answering a call from your wife on your cell phone while you are in the process of killing a guy in the woods. All this raises the question — did we give Homeland too much credit as a thinking person’s thriller? Have the incredible performances by Claire Danes and Damian Lewis blinded us to the fact that the show has had some creative missteps — hit and run, anyone? — along the way? Or are we simply holding the show to too high a standard? Should we just take the dumb plot twists in stride, like we did on the producers’ previous cougar-infested terrorist series, 24, where such absurdity almost added to the show’s charm? Jessica Shaw and I tackle that very topic on this week’s installment of the InsideTV Podcast. (The Homeland discussion starts at 14:45.)

Also, on the menu, Mandi Bierly and I break down the crazy Sons of Anarchy finale, and then the most recently voted off contestant of Survivor: Philippines, Carter Williams, calls in to talk about how he feels about being practically edited out of the entire show while also sharing his big move that we did not see. READ FULL STORY »

Dec 6 2012 12:30 PM ET

InsideTV Podcast: Carter from 'Survivor' talks about being invisible, and his big move that was never shown

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Image Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS

Image Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS

He came. He saw. But we barely saw him. Carter Williams did a good job on Survivor: Philippines, winning challenges and making it all the way to the final six. But he didn’t do a good job when it came to air-time as he was seemingly MIA the entire season. What is it like to live out on an island for 33 days with a camera in your face 24 hours a day recording every step you take and every move you make, and then have basically none of it air once the show makes in onto TV? We asked the ousted Carter that very question when he called into this week’s edition of the InsideTV Podcast, and it turns out the running coach was not too psyched about his skimpy air-time. Carter also gives us his take on Hurricane Abi, as well as some insight into what we didn’t see, including what he calls his biggest move of the game. To hear more from Carter than you heard all season long, just click on the audio player icon below. (The Survivor chat starts at 22:00 while the  interview begins at 28:00.)

We start things out, however, by looking back at this week’s big Sons of Anarchy season finale. SOA expert Mandi Bierly gives her take on an episode that was so tense it almost had her biting off her own tongue. We exchange our dueling theories as to who is responsible for Tara heading to the slammer, and Mandi offers up bits of intel for where things could be headed in season 6.

Then, Jessica Shaw and I lament last Sunday’s episode of Homeland, which we agree was the series’ worst ever — an installment that was filled with massive plot holes and characters acting in ways that made no sense. Are we bring too nitpicky and holding this show to too high a standard, or was it as bad as we say it is? And after some other plot missteps — hit and run, anyone? — can the show recover? (The Homeland discussion begins at 14:45.) READ FULL STORY »

Dec 6 2012 07:00 AM ET

'Survivor: Philippines': Jeff Probst addresses jury fairness issue and says there are no more hidden immunity idols

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Image credit: Monty Brinton/CBS

Image credit: Monty Brinton/CBS

Each week, host Jeff Probst answers a few questions about the most recent episode of ‘Survivor: Philippines’.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Abi keeps lying about having a hidden immunity idol, and it got me thinking: In the past, after idols have been used, you have put new ones back into play. Does that mean there actually are two idols out there replacing the ones Abi and Penner used after the merge, or did you decide not to recycle the idols this time?
JEFF PROBST: Typically, once an idol is played we put another one back into the game. But this season, because we started with three, we decided that three was enough. There is a fine line between the fun and chaos an idol can bring about and putting yourself in a position where everybody is safe at Tribal Council! But because there have been so many twists and turns, the players never know what might be happening. They can make assumptions based on previous experience, but they’re never absolutely certain. READ FULL STORY »

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