Biggest Disappointment: Just when we thought we couldn’t get anymore disgusted with this current season of DEXTER the writers decided to show Deb fantasizing about doing WHAT with brother Dexter?

Yet Another Reason not To Watch AMERICA’S GOT TALENT: Two words… Howard Stern.

Person Who Shouldn’t Even Have To Compete: Whether it’s the Golden Globes or the Screen Actor’s Guild, Jessica Lange should just be handed the award for her work on AMERICAN HORROR STORY. Let’s face it, she’s the only reason a lot of us continue watching.
 
Mental Image We Could Have Lived Without: Simon Cowell told Barbara Walters that the reason he and Paula bickered so much during AMERICAN IDOL was “sexual tension… on her part” and that he considered bedding his fellow judge.

Show That Could Use A Rest: Apparently, THE AMAZING RACE will be back on February 19th, having never heard that absence makes the heart grow fonder.
 
Silliest Overreaction: After seeing the way FEAR FACTOR edited the episode on which she and her son were featured, a former bodybuilder named Monica contacted TMZ to complain that the show made it seem like they had an incestuous relationship… thereby making sure millions who wouldn’t have ever seen the offending clip watched her and son Matias be all touchy-feely with one another.

Silliest Plot Contrivance: Wait, let us get this straight… TERRA NOVA’s team of highly trained military personnel have absolutey no problems adapting to a dangerous dinosaur filled world 85,000 years in the past, yet still managed to be outsmarted by a first-time mole whose means of sneaking off the compound was a giant hole under the fence? Allrightythen!
 
Best Ruling: The FCC — who wasted a whole lotta time over the past few years dealing with the after effects of Nipplegate — passed a law preventing advertisers from raising the volume on commercials.
 
Most Likely To Be Lying: Responding to reports that Barbara Walters told President Obama she’d be retiring next year, ABC insisted that she was “joking.” Of course, these are the same people who insisted that ALL MY CHILDREN and ONE LIFE TO LIVE were safe days before announcing they’d been canceled.
 
Reason No. 4,324 To Love George Takei: STAR TREK’s Sulu took to YouTube to unite fans of his sci-fi franchise and those of STAR WARS against a common foe: lovers of Team Edward and Team Jacob. “There are no great stories, characters or profound life lessons to be found in Twilight,” he said. “The only message that rings through loud and clear is: ‘Does my boyfriend like me?’”
 
Biggest Human Train Wreck: God-loving schitzo Brandon has been the only thing worth watching — if often through pitying eyes — this season on SURVIVOR.
 
Most Predictable Use Of A Catchphrase: After Donald Trump’s laughable notion of hosting a GOP debate collapsed, lazy pundits took the easy route with variations of “Donald Trump said ‘You’re fired!’… to himself.”
 
Grossest Pitch: Original SURVIVOR Richard Hatch — released from prison this week — wants a reality show in which he tracks down the biological children who resulted from his sperm donations. Can we all just agree this man needs to go away… pronto?
 
Coolest Finale That Nobody Seems to be Talking About: The only thing more mysterious than Michael Emerson’s Finch is the decidedly disappointing lack of buzz surrounding last night’s fantastic midseason finale of PERSON OF INTEREST.

Continuing last season’s tradition that saw theTVaddict.com lucky enough to be given the opportunity to interview SURVIVOR cast-aways after they’ve been booted off the island comes our second interview of the new season from SURVIVOR: SOUTH PACIFIC, Stacey Powell.

According to your Bio, you’ve been a fan of the show since the beginning.
Stacey Powell: Vecepia was, well you know, I got to be honest, she was a black woman and she won. The stereotype is always that we’re out there popping, finger snapping and it’s not like that. Vecepia was just there, being quiet, and how she got through which was amazing.

What was it that gave you the impetus to actually audition for the show?
Believe it or not I shocked myself, the advertisement came on and I just went. Honestly, it was at a dealership, I was the very first person there and I could not believe it. I didn’t sleep outside overnight or anything and I was like, “Where is everybody?” When I got called I was shocked, not thinking that it was actually really true and it was.

What do you think it was about your audition that caught the Producer’s eye?
You know what, I get that question a lot and I don’t even remember what I said. That said, I am a survivor because of my siblings, I’m one in a family of 13, 8 of whom are on dialysis. I do remember me saying that. I live for my family.

What surprised you most about the actual game?
The social game, that is the really really shocking surprising thing because I talk to so many people and consider myself a social person, but even so, when you get on that island in the closed confined place it’s a challenge. And once you get that moment of opportunity to form an alliance you better get to it.

Were you pleased with how your “character” was edited on screen?
I was but I didn’t like the way I looked. I felt that I looked like the meanest person! i mean my facial expressions, that part I wasn’t pleased with, but you know what, when they mess up a bee’s nest the queen come out and I came out and started stinging. You’re not going to mess with me.

How familiar were you with Coach prior to the game?
I didn’t know Coach at first, but my thing was they gotta go! They’ve been here before, we haven’t, we all saw what Rob did last season!

Looking back on your time on the island what are you most proud of?
Me personally, was that I did it and it was the most amazing journey that I ever went on. Such an eye-opener and really made me more appreciative of whatever we have or don’t have in the United States. Be thankful because with the way we had to live, we had nothing.

Another interesting thing about you, at least according to your bio, is that you’re a big fan of BBQ. That being said, what did you think of last week’s pig-eating challenge?
[Laughs] I would have eaten that pig because I’m a southern girl but you know what, I don’ t know if you guys know that I have braces in my mouth and oh-my-God I’d still be stuck at that bowl trying to pull the meat out of these wires! I would have broken brackets, everything.

And finally, if given the opportunity, what other reality shows would you like to get a chance to compete on?
THE AMAZING RACE, DANCING WITH THE STARS, CELEBRITY APPRENTICE and SURVIVOR again. I would do them all!

SURVIVOR airs Wednesday at 8PM on CBS (Global TV in Canada)

Continuing last season’s tradition that saw theTVaddict.com lucky enough to be given the opportunity to interview SURVIVOR cast-aways after they’ve been booted off the island comes our first interview of the new season from SURVIVOR: SOUTH PACIFIC, Mark ‘Call me Papa Bear’ Caruso.

We first have to start by asking a question we’re fairly confident you’ve gotten a lot since last Thursday, what’s the deal with ‘Papa Bear’?
Mark Caruso: It’s really funny. My real name is Mark Anthony Michael Caruso and what happened was when I was on the boat [at the start of the show] I saw the people on my tribe and I saw the people on the other tribe and I was like “Oh my God, I’m on a boat filled with Kens, Barbies and a nerd.” I knew I had to think of something fast to maintain myself in the Tribe so obviously I thought who was going to vote off their father or mother, so that’s where the “Papa” part came in. Then the bear comes from the gay community, beard, moustache, big husky guy, put it together and that’s how I got it. Everybody loved Papa Bear so the name stuck.

How conscious were you of the fact that SURVIVOR hasn’t historically been kind to the “older” contestants?
You know what, I work out, I run 2 miles a day, I weight lift like a maniac. I don’t think of myself as an older man, other people maybe in my tribe may have felt that because they were in their 20s but I don’t consider myself old. Age is a state of mind, I’m a dreamer and people who have dreams can do anything they want in life. Let me tell you I was a New York City Police Detective for 20 years and I went back to study Nursing just to have something in the background. I graduated when is was 38-39 with a Bsn in Nursing. Who does this stuff? When you dream something I say DO IT. Don’t stop at anything. You’re living this life, follow your dreams, follow your heart. The worst thing to do is sit on a couch and dream. I get up and do it.

For someone who just lost out on a shot at one million dollars, you seem ridiculously upbeat. Was it easy getting over how things ended for you on the show?
Yes and I’ll tell you why, I’m psychologically strong. New York people we’re strong people. Not everything goes our way, but the ideas is that once you get knocked down you get back up and that’s how I am as a person. I respect a loss, but I don’t let a loss disrespect me. I get back up, I try again, or I try something else. I think older people have more experience winning and losing that they can move forward. It’s harder for younger people or younger contestants because they’re more psychologically affected (“Why did they get rid of me?”). I think my age helped me move forward faster.

Looking back at your time on the show, what would you say you’re most proud of?
That me, Marc Anthony Papa Bear was able to step on that beach and represent myself as a warrior and to leave as a gentleman.

In hindsight is there anything you would have done differently?
I think what I would have done is study a little bit more on the youthful culture. Maybe I wasn’t so prepared on the music or television shows compared to what I could have been. Maybe with some more research I would have been able to talk to them a little bit more on their level. But other than that I don’t regret anything. I’m totally blessed to be chosen by Mark Burnett and Jeff Probst to be part of it, I really was blessed.

As someone who is a fan of the show, what surprised you most as a contestant?
How real it really is. How real you really start to get hungry, you really start to get hot and cold and just the reality of the game.

Do you have a favorite looking forward?
I like Keith a lot, I like Dawn a lot, I like Mikayla a lot, they’re all good competitors. I want you to know that. Everybody on the show are good people, there’s no “evil” person.

If some network executive came to you tomorrow and offered you a second chance at any reality show on television, what would you choose?
SURVIVOR! [Laughs] I would come back as a returning contestant because you know what I love the game, it’s in my heart and maybe I would have done a little bit better. but until that happens, or if that ever happens, I’m going to live my life like I did with a good heart and just enjoy what I have in life.

SURVIVOR airs Wednesday at 8PM on CBS (Global TV in Canada)

Most Welcome Return: THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, whose writers not only continue to amaze us with their seemingly never-ending array of methods in which to extract blood from an ever-expanding cast of beautiful people, but surprise us with jaw-dropping twists following some surprisingly unexpected vampire-werewolf-hookup-hawtness.

Understatement Of The Week: Upon finding out in front of a studio audience that his former fiancé — whom he’d been hoping to win back — had gotten engaged to another man, BACHELOR PAD’s Michael uttered, “I’m sorry, that’s super awkward.” He then added, “Really? Here, though, is where everyone… they find out? Even like a letter would be great, or an E-mail prior!” 
 
Reason 5,432 We Are Jealous Of “Real” Entertainment Reporters: Oh, to be part of the annual tradition in which press corps members compete against one another on an actual SURVIVOR challenge.
 
Easiest Way To Spot A Financially-Troubled TV Personality: Tune in to any of the REAL HOUSEWIVES franchises, where Adrienne Maloof is the latest “star” reportedly having money problems.
 
Couldn’t Happen To A Nicer Guy: Neil Patrick Harris — A.K.A. the guy we’d most love to hang out and drink over-priced cocktails with — got a much-deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Most Welcome Return Runner-Up: After forgettable stints on HELLCATS and DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, THE SECRET CIRCLE finally gave QUEER AS FOLK’s Gale Harold the opportunity to do what he does best. Indeed, being bad has never looked so good.

Idea We Simultaneously Love And Hate: Apparently, The CW has decided that what the world really needs is a reboot of BEAUTY & THE BEAST (which we love) while adding, according to TVLine.com, “a procedural twist” (which we’re a little less in love with).
 
Proof That The Term “All-Stars” Needs A New Definition: For a show that has yet to produce a household name, AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL seems awfully full of itself in dubbing this cycle full of also-rans as all-stars!
 
Oddest Tale: After Michaele Salahi — aka the female half of the party-crashing couple from THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF D.C. — went missing, her hubby called the authorities fearing she’d been kidnapped. Yeah, um, no. Turned out she’d run off with a member of the band Journey. In the infamous words of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE’s Emily Litella, “Never mind.”
 
The “Mother, Make It Stop” Award Goes To… : Constantly emerging details about REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS’ Russell Armstrong. If ever there was a case of “too much information”, this is it.
 
Best Marketing Move Ever: The October issue of ?i?Playboy?/i? — a magazine that hasn’t been relevant since the invention of the Internet — features THE PLAYBOY CLUB star Laura Benanti and, as a tip of the change purse to the period in which the series is set, costs sixty cents. Grandpa’s everywhere are highly stoked.
 
Slipperiest Slope: Several CW shows will have banner ads for Google-lite, Bing, running across the bottom of the screen “three or four times” an hour. Worse, as if to give validity to the idea of taking people out of dramatic moments, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES’ executive producer Kevin Williamson will appear in an ad running during the show. Prediction: By the end of 2012, at least two networks will have ads on screen at all times during programs… and they’ll scratch their heads as to why viewers are tuning out.

RINGER Redux: And speaking of all that Bing-money the CW is raking it, would it have killed the apparently cash-strapped network to spend a few more dollars on the laughably poor green-screen visual effects on RINGER. We’re just sayin’
 
Best Recap: As RAISING HOPE prepares for season two, Fox released an adorable video featuring daycare provider/songstress Shelly (the charming Kate Micucci) crooning a tune that reminds current viewers of who’s who and serves as a perfect introduction to those who’ve never tuned in. (Now, you have absolutely no excuse not to watch one of the best sitcoms on the tube!)
 
Trend That Really Needs To Die: It is now impossible for any show to be canceled without someone, somewhere starting a rumor that it will get the big-screen treatment. No, they won’t. These stories exist for only two reasons: 1) Entertainment reporters ask the “Hey, star of failed show, do you think there will ever be a movie?” question in order to write a headline designed to draw in readers. And stars of failed shows answer the question as if there’s a shot in heck of it happening in order to keep their names in bold print.

Ladies and gents, allow us to make a not-so-bold prediction: NBC’s new sitcom FREE AGENTS will be the first new show to bite the dust. “What the hell is FREE AGENTS?” you are no doubt asking. Well, let us tell you: It is a sitcom that debuted Wednesday night with absolutely no fanfare and apparently flew so under the radar at the network that nobody noticed a boom mike made it into a shot in the opening scene. The best thing about the show? Anthony Stewart Head (much loved as BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER’s Giles) was the only true stand-out in the show, bringing a bit of spark to the stereotypical out-of-touch-with-reality boss. 

Why will tonight’s episode of THE SOUP be must-see? Because it could well be host Joel McHale’s last chance to mock BACHELOR PAD’s Vienna and Casey now that the show is over. By the way, if you’re not watching THE SOUP, you should be. McHale — who might well be both the hardest working and funniest guy currently on television — and his team keep the laughs coming at a breakneck pace. Plus, at least twice per week you’ll find yourself saying, “Really? There’s a television show called (insert name here)” only to then be presented with a clip of HILLBILLY HANDFISHIN’ that will leave you unsure whether to set the DVR or light a candle and pray for our immortal souls. 

After having gotten a tad bogged down by the tale in which virginal Hope competes with tramp-in-training Steffy for the heart (and naughty bits) of lucky Liam, THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL seems to be getting itself back on track thanks to the battle brewing at Forrester Creations. After years of having slaved in the basement, it looks as if Thorne is teaming up with equally-downtrodden Taylor to stage a corporate coup! For years, fans have complained about the lack of airtime devoted to Thorne, who’s always been treated like a second-class citizen by everyone from the writers to his mother, Stephanie. It looks as if an epic storm is brewing now that Thorne and Taylor have joined forces (and locked lips… despite the fact she kinda ran down and killed his former wife, Darla… bygones!). 

The latest edition of SURVIVOR got off to a decent start. While some criticized the show for bringing Ozzy and Coach back for their third go-rounds, it turns out that having two familiar faces in a crowd of newbies does sort of help avoid that feeling of “Who are all these people?” And let’s face it: Watching Clueless Coach struggle with that opening-challenge puzzle — which created tension in his tribe right from the get-go — was entertaining. But the big question to emerge from the premiere: How the heck long does Brandon  think he can avoid taking off his shirt and exposing the tattoos that will out him as Russell’s nephew? 

While THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS hasn’t been doing much right these days, fans were thrilled to learn that Melody Thomas Scott has inked a new deal and will be bringing longtime heroine Nikki back to Genoa City. The stripper-turned-socialite has been much missed since a contract dispute sent the character off the rehab and her portrayer off the canvas.

While many will argue that the introduction of “Redemption Island” is SURVIVOR’s biggest twist this season, some… okay we like to think that the far bigger surprise has a little something to do with the fact that for the first time in the history of the series, ousted contestants will have to face off against… us! Yes, you’re reading that correctly, theTVaddict.com is honored to have been asked to take part in the traditional one-on-ones with each week’s eliminated contestant, the ninth of which was Steve Wright.

Despite the touchy subject matter, we’d be remiss if we didn’t start off by asking about the controversy surrounding your remarks to Philip. Having shot the show months ago, were you at all concerned with how the sensitive subject that is race might turn out after the show’s masterful editors got a hold of the footage?
Steve Wright: To be honest with you, I just didn’t give it a second though because I know that I took the high road the whole time. I’m confident that I didn’t have a prejudice bone in my body and it would be pretty tough to twist it that much to show that there was something prejudice with me. After the episode aired, I got a ton of responses from NFL players around the league that I played with throughout my 13 years and my brother-in-law… prejudice my ass. Philip’s on crack and I really wasn’t concerned about it. I was more concerned about having him being a looney-tune at night with all the machetes and everything else around there.

Over the course of the season, there’s absolutely no denying that Philip has at times come across as somewhat off-his-rocker. That said, there has been one or two moments where we thought that perhaps he’s simply putting on one of the greatest acts in reality TV show history. Having been one of the few people to experience the full Philip in all his SURVIVOR glory, is there any chance that he’s concocted a character?
I say it’s 100% impossible. I think you can be a great actor for a few hours, a day, or every other day or something… not twenty-four-seven for over a month. The real you just comes out and from what I watched and witnessed just watching the season, he claims the whole world is out to get him. He doesn’t have a lot of confidence, there’s a huge chip on his shoulder and that’s why when I signed off and wrote his name on there the last time. I said I hope he finds some piece in his heart because that would be an ugly way to go through life. He’s not acting.

Having an NFL background, one imagines that you have a history of putting up with annoying teammates off the field as a result of the experience and skill they bring to the game on the field. Looking back on your tribe’s downward spiral, do you regret voting off Russell, one of the game’s foremost experts?
I don’t and I’ve thought about it many times. We won the next challenge and the way I see it, it was just a one man wrecking crew of Grant. Grant just killed us. I lived with Russell for eight days or something and when he landed on the island, before the first sundown he pulled me to the side and said, “You and I are going to team up. I like your style, you’re a big guy, we’re going to kick some ass together and Mike is someone we’re going to have to get rid of.” And I said, “Great conversation, but lets ice it for two or three weeks and win some challenges.” His response was, “Yeah, you’re right, I just wanted to let you know and say I’m with you.” And then I’d watch him start working over Mike and kind of glance over at me and Ralph. He just did this twenty-four-seven, at night, during the day, working everybody so while we’re building the shelter, getting wood, he’s working somebody. And to live with that, well, it really gets old and puts a lot of bad energy in the camp. That and, he was just so lazy until it was time to eat and then he’d just jump right in there. I don’t have anything positive to say about him. It’s kind of one of those things, we just had to get rid of him. He just wasn’t bringing anything to the challenges, camp life and a real negative pull on everybody’s emotions. Plus, he just poisoned the two girls, the two slugs that were his harem.

As a viewer, one of the season’s highlights has been watching Rob play puppet master. Watching the show these past few months, have you been surprised by just how controlling he was of his tribe mates?
It has been really enlightening, I knew he had a grip on him, but I had no idea it was so deep! He has just played the game masterfully, all of us getting caught up in the “Murlonio” name, how it was this great name, I was like “WOW, you got me too man!” But hey it would be a little embarrassing to be sitting around with your family and watching how you were just a puppet.

Exactly! You may have been booted off, but at least you went out with your dignity.
We went out swinging the best we could. I let them all know we’re all voting for Grant, or Philip, just so somebody would jump ship… only to watch the show and see the girls go right back and tell Rob.

As someone with a storied sports history, it must have been frustrating to be so powerless.
It was tough, we worked the girls pretty hard, Andrea, Ashley, in the hopes that one of them would change their mind, just write somebody’s name down with us just to stir it up a little bit. But we could not break them.

Looking back, what will you take away from this once in a lifetime experience?
Just being present with friends. Not being distracted by your phone, other things that are happening. Stay present and don’t complain because everybody’s in the same boat together. And you can get by with less, you don’t need everything that you’ve got. Life does go on.

SURVIVOR airs Wednesday at 8PM on CBS (Global TV in Canada)

Best Calling Out: MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell put his corporate bosses in the hot seat by insisting they end attention whore Donald Trump’s “relentless campaign of hatred” by revealing that the tycoon can’t run for president because he’s committed to doing another season of THE APPRENTICE. (We here at thetvaddict.com continue urging viewers to boycott Trump’s offerings… and here’s why.) 
 
Most Likely To Mangle A Phrase: Whether declaring “You can’t stand the truth!” (instead of the famous line from A Few Good Men “You can’t handle the truth!”) or talking about how “you can’t pull the wool over the undercover specialist,” SURVIVOR’s Phillip is proving one of the most misquote-worthy contestants in the show’s history.
 
Best Twist: Once again harkening back to its first season, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES revealed that Wisteria Lane’s curmudgeonly Karen McCluskey knew all along that Paul Young didn’t kill Felicia Tilman.
 
Most Conveniently-Timed Break: A lotta people complain about how long it is between MAD MEN seasons, but star January Jones is making good use of her down time by having a baby!

 
The Saving The Best For Last Award Goes To… : THE OFFICE, for making sure that Pam got the final farewell to departing boss Michael in what turned out to be one of the uneven sitcom’s most outstanding episodes.
 
The When It Rains, It Pours Award Goes To… : GENERAL HOSPITAL which, even as it was being dogged by increasingly-loud cancellation rumors, was hit by a lawsuit filed by the estate of of the show’s legendary creators claiming it is owed syndication money.
 
Worst Export: Oh, England, we’re sorry. You give us classics like THE OFFICE and ALL IN THE FAMILY (TILL DEATH US DO PART was the original) and what do we give you? JERSEY SHORE, being remade as GEORDIE SHOREM by MTV UK. On behalf of all of us, we’re sorry.
 
Something To Sing About: Holy crap, THE VOICE is entertaining TV. From the format to the likeable trainers, this show deserves to be bigger than the lackluster IDOL. Our only complaint? Carson Daly.
 
Least Open Minded: The reaction of Dustin Zito’s REAL WORLD housemates to his naked frolicking on a site aimed at gay men (which included one abbreviated close encounter of the oral kind with another guy) proved that, sadly, today’s 20something’s are just as capable of homophobia and prejudice as their older brethren.
  
The “Yeah, Right” Award Goes To… : Former ONE TREE HILLer Chad Michael Murray, who tweeted that if the show returns next season, he might be on board. Why? “Maybe… for you guys.” Or maybe for a bunch of money. Or because he hasn’t exactly had a lot to do since leaving.

While many will argue that the introduction of “Redemption Island” is SURVIVOR’s biggest twist this season, some… okay we like to think that the far bigger surprise has a little something to do with the fact that for the first time in the history of the series, ousted contestants will have to face off against… us! Yes, you’re reading that correctly, theTVaddict.com is honored to have been asked to take part in the traditional one-on-ones with each week’s eliminated contestant, the seventh of which was David Murphy.

With the numbers stacked against your tribe [Zapatera], is it safe to say that you saw this coming?
David Murphy: Getting voted out for me at least was fairly predictable just because I knew what was going on after I lost the last immunity challenge. As for Redemption Island, I really screwed myself on that one, I was building a “House of Cards” that would stand the test of time, not focusing on being the fastest one to reach eight feet. I had seen it before where people had problems getting their “House of Cards” to stay up so in the back of my head I was thinking that I don’t want to be the one who gets two inches form the top and then have it all come crumbling down. As you saw from the episode, had there been even the slightest breeze you’d be talking to MIke and not me today. Suffice it to say, it was nobody’s fault but my own.

Was there any attempt on your part to ingratiate yourself with Ometepe following the merge?
From the beginning of the merge, literally one of the first things I did was approach Rob — alert him to the fact that I was morally flexible so to speak — and kind of lay it all out on the line. Unfortunately, it didn’t work, Rob got what I was saying, but I could tell as soon as I said it there was no room for that. And I understood why, not at that moment, but surely there after it became readily apparent that Ometepe’s alliance was pretty much air tight and there was no room, no need for them to be broken apart. Rob had control over them all and from his perspective he needed to keep them intact because he knew he had all these people who would do what and when he wanted. Had he allowed their to be any fractioning at the beginning of the merge he would have put himself in a difficult position.

The amount of control Rob has exerted over his tribe has been nothing short of remarkable. Was it a surprise to you, considering how quickly your tribe turned on Russell?
Well I think it’s interesting in that, before Rob and Russell were sent to either tribe I think the dynamics of the two tribes were very different to start with. I think whoever was put with Zapatera would have been screwed. The people at Ometepe were much more pliable than the people at Zapatera. I think Russell would have faired much better had he been on Ometepe, he could have done his dumb girl alliance again and been sitting in a situation where he’s got a handful of people that he can kind of manipulate. It was the luck of the draw for rob to get that position and Russell got the short end of the stick.

Was watching Phillip accuse Steve of racial overtones as uncomfortable for you, as it was for us watching at home during last week’s tribal council?
Nobody could have anticipated that. It was so far from where things had been, yeah there was animosity, yeah people weren’t getting along between the two tribes, but that conversation went someplace where you can’t really come back from.

Do you believe Steve’s comment, that saw him call Philip “crazy” were racially motivated?
I’m not one to speak as to what Phillip’s life experiences have led him to, or what his beliefs are in terms of how he interprets things. But I don’t think anybody would argue that when Steve says Phillip was acting “crazy,” or whatever the exact words he used were, it was based entirely on the action of what Phillip did and how he portrayed himself. Furthermore, for Phillip to take that to something that’s such a controversial subject, it’s unfortunate that it happened and I think it casts a cloud over the entire tribal council that night. But if Phillip’s goal is to alienate himself to the point where he’s the ideal person to sit next to in the end he’s certainly building that framework very well.

Is Phillip for real? And by that we mean, is there any chance he’s simply concocted this personality as part of some ingenious strategy, or is he really… shall we say… that unique an individual?
You know I would love to be able to answer that question but I honestly don’t know. What leads me to believe that he is really this unique are the interviews. If it was all strategy, at some point during the interviews he would tell people that I’m playing these people so well that they think I’m a lunatic, they all think i’m a lunatic! But you’re not going to get that, you’re not going to see that, at least not that I’m aware of. My impressions of it is that the truth lies somewhere between the two. I definitely think he’s hamming it up for the camera, but I don’t think this is entirely an act. The anger that he has displayed on a couple of occasions is not concocted, that seems very natural, it’s a very natural knee-jerk reaction that he has erupting on people.

Now that you’re out of the running, do you have a rooting interest?
Well regardless of who it is, I would love to see it be someone from Redemption Island, just to give some meat to that part of the game and have somebody get the opportunity and really fight through that whole experience. If you can sit down at the end after doing that I think you’re in pretty good shape.

Speaking of Redemption Island, do you think Matt has what it takes to endure? The preview for tonight’s episode teases somewhat of a breakdown on his part.
I didn’t notice it personally in the time that I spent with him, but definitely watching the preview for this week’s episode you can see that he is feeling it and I can’t blame him at all. I would definitely not be happy having spent twenty-something days, almost all of it by myself. But you know, he’s hanging in there and if he is able to focus mentally at each of the duels, I think he stands a very good shot of getting back into the game. And if he gets back into the game you know nobody would really want to sit next to him at the end.

It’s almost as if he deserves another shot next season, seeing as though he’s barely got to play the actual game of SURVIVOR.
No, that’s for me.

So you’re ready to go back?
I have been chopping at the bit, I would love the opportunity.

SURVIVOR airs Wednesday at 8PM on CBS (Global TV in Canada)

Least Shocking Death: What if a show killed a major character and nobody noticed… because nobody was watching? That’s the question we were left asking after LAW & ORDER: LA killed off Skeet Ulrich’s detective Rex Winters in  the first of two episodes — each of which also featured kids being murdered — as part of a revamp that was about as successful as New Coke.

Most Welcome Return: Despite the fact that Cameron’s direction of Luke and Manny’s middle-school musical was thisclose to giving Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark a run for its money, there was nothing we didn’t love about Wednesday’s MODERN FAMILY. Well, except for the fact that they went with the fake “555″ phone number for Phil’s poorly planned-out advertising campaign rather than take the SCRUBS approach that gave fans the actual opportunity to 916-CALL-TURK!
 
Worst. News. Ever, Primetime Division: Jill Wagner, the gal we’d most like to have laugh at our humiliation, will be leaving WIPEOUT.
 
Worst. News. Ever, Daytime Division: ABC dealt soap fans a double-blow by announcing that by the end of the year, both ALL MY CHILDREN and ONE LIFE TO LIVE would be replaced by reality shows.

Classiest Tribute: When Castle got together with Dennis Lehane and Michael Connelly for their traditional mystery writers’ poker game during Monday’s episode, a seat at the table was left empty in a incredibly classy nod to the dearly departed TV writer and author Stephen J. Cannell who succumbed to complications associated with melanoma on September 10, 2010.

The Every-Time-You-Think-He-Can’t-Be-A-Worse-Role-Model-He-Proves-You-Wrong Award Goes To: Charlie Sheen, who brought his Toronto show to a halt in order to step outside and quell his nicotine cravings by smoking a cigarette.
 
And the Most Embarrassing Moment in the History of Television Goes To…: Suffice to say, the only one more mortified than PARENTHOOD’s Adam and Kristina upon the realization that daughter Haddie had accidentally rang them up during coitus… was us. Who was so embarrassed that we actually had to fast-forward through the whole scene horror-movie styles.

Silliest Product Placement: Bonnie, you just survived a showdown with Klaus the most powerful “Original” known to man and what are you going to do next? Update you Facebook page courtesy of Jeremy’s Verizon AT&T MiFi! And speaking of cell phone companies…

News We Took Surprisingly Hard: Verizon is taking their ads in a new direction, meaning those annoying “Can You Hear Me Now?” commercials will be a thing of the past. Talk about not knowing what we had until it was (almost) gone. We miss you already, Phone Testing Guy!
 
Most Ridiculous Endorsement: Hugh Hefner tweeted that what he’d seen of the pilot for THE PLAYBOY CLUB “rocks.” Yeah, cause a guy who stands to make a mint off of it is going to say otherwise.
 
The “We Beg To Differ!” Award Goes To… : People magazine, which named Jennifer Lopez the World’s Most Beautiful Woman. Bet she wouldn’t have gotten that award if she weren’t on AMERICAN IDOL. Not that J-Lo’s not hot, clearly she is. But World’s Hottest? Obviously, that title belongs to Sofia Vergara of MODERN FAMILY!
 
The Picking-A-Fight-You-Don’t-Wanna-Pick Award Goes To… : Egomaniacal birther Donald Trump, who had the nerve to slam beloved comedian Bill Cosby for saying what the entire country’s been thinking: Run or shut up. (And frankly, we’re rooting for “shut up.”)
 
Biggest Head Scratcher: After eight episodes of pure unadulterated crazy, Philip showed a glimmer of normalcy during Wednesday’s episode of SURVIVOR. Raising the question: Are we crazy, or is there a tiny smidgen of a chance that Philip is actually in the process of the greatest con reality TV has ever seen?

While many will argue that the introduction of “Redemption Island” is SURVIVOR’s biggest twist this season, some… okay we like to think that the far bigger surprise has a little something to do with the fact that for the first time in the history of the series, ousted contestants will have to face off against… us! Yes, you’re reading that correctly, theTVaddict.com is honored to have been asked to take part in the traditional one-on-ones with each week’s eliminated contestant, the sixth of which was Sarita White.

Firstly, since it turned out that half the ousted contestants we’ve talked to (see: Francesca and Russell) didn’t actually watch the show, we have to start off by asking if you’ve been watching?
Sarita White: You stop it right now! They are not watching the show? I think it is one of the best season’s ever. Clearly, they’re just bitter.

Are you happy with how you’ve been portrayed? One imagines it must be nerve wracking waiting for the show to premiere as you think back to what went down on the island and what the editors may-or-may-not include.
It is! I was was really scared and in fact surprised about a couple of things that didn’t make it on air. But overall I’m happy. Despite the fact that my toothache not only made it on the air — but was made paint me as such a high maintenance person — because that was about half an afternoon. But they’re masterful at editing and of course are showing what they’re showing for a reason.

Looking back on your tribe’s losing streak, do you think it was a mistake voting off Russell?
It wasn’t, but you really have to be on the island with Russell to understand what he’s really like. Everyone wanted to keep Russell at one time or another because he’s a dictator and he rules by fear. That said, the lies he would tell, what he did to our morale, it was just too destructive having him around.

It’s interesting you say that because his destructive nature doesn’t really come across on screen so much.
I was surprised by that too. I’m really pragmatic and would have thought at least he has knowledge that would have come in handy. But after a couple of days of being with him, he’s just so toxic, to the point that you honestly don’t even want to play the game anymore. To have someone who is just a mean-spirited person [on the show], so ruthless… he would constantly be lying about things like, “Oh they made this game for me, they’ll figure out a way to keep me on.” He created this culture of fear and in the end he had to go.

Is Matt really as genuinely nice as he seems?
He is. He’s nice to a fault, he really is and that’s why I was so forthcoming with him on Redemption Island. It’s not like I got along with everyone, I was good to the people I wanted to be good to. Him, I really wanted to pull him over to the Zapatera Tribe and knowing how grating Krista and Stephanie could be my strategy was to let me go in there and actually try and create this bond, so that whether I went back or didn’t, at least I would know I tried my best to make my tribe one stronger.

As it played out, you were fairly close to being successful!
I know, but then he had to go and drink the Boston Rob Kool-Aid!

Looking back on your final face-off with Matt, what was more of a challenge, the mental or physical fatigue?
I think it hits different people in different ways, but you know what, it’s the physical fatigue all around. Mentally, even to get on SURVIVOR you have to be cut from a different sort of cloth and be like, “I’m going to get through this no matter what.” But physically, your body just shuts down, tells you to sit down and tap out.

Is it safe to say that really nothing can prepare you for just being there?
I do yoga and pilates, I thought I was the strongest girl all around and even I was like, “Whooooooa.”

Having said that, if given the opportunity would you go back?
You know what it’s something you can never say no to because it’s such an honor. SURVIVOR is the game of our generation and I love games, love strategy and love trying to be the best I can be. Mark Burnett comes a calling, you don’t say no.

Who are you rooting for now that you’re out of the running?
I’m rooting for Ralph, Julie or Grant… just to throw one out there for the other team.

Lastly, the “Redemption Island” twist has really divided the fans. Some like it, others don’t and many think it was designed as an easy way to give either Rob or Russell a second chance to return to the game. Your take?
That’s exactly how I feel. I really do think that’s why they did that. But I think it’s interesting because I believe it does add another level to the game. I for one was so stressed out about it, it was almost worst. At least if you get voted off you can be like, “Okay, now I’m done,” instead of, “Oh no… now I have to be a Gladiator in Roman times and fight mano-a-mano!”

SURVIVOR airs Wednesday at 8PM on CBS (Global TV in Canada)