What are the thoughts on the fans who are women? Most to me didn't stand out but Laura seemed level headed. The older lady Sherri seemed to me the most drawing dead of the group, as she to me fits the mold of Monique on One World. I guess the racecar driver might have potential but the other two I don't even remember anything about them. Except one won Miss Missouri.

At the risk of getting swag_checked, I'll be pretty surprised if Shep isn't squarely the first Favorite booted.

Watching through the Fans cast videos now, and maybe this is rushing to judgment, but I got a serious Parv/Kim hybrid vibe from Hope. Not saying she'll be on their level by any means but she seems like she could totally hold her own. She's got a really charming confidence in conversation, from what I've seen.

I realize Cochran could prove me way wrong, but I feel I (along with some others) were spot on about him last time around.

The thing is, if he survives the initial few eps and doesn't get all FPS, he could easily go very deep. He's not threatening physically or socially, and his relationships won't be strong enough to make him a game-winner threat come jury time, so his alliance could certainly keep him very late in to the game, final 5 or better. I still think he's almost no threat at all to win the game, and that puts him no better than halfway down in a power rankings imo. He doesn't do anything physically and he will annoy good players and rub dumber ones the wrong way. He can't win a jury vote

Wishful thinking on Hope, Colin. Cute girl though.

I actually don't think Sheri is drawing dead...responsible, able (by virtue of her 65 teen employees) to relate to the younger players, smart, measured.

http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/02/01/je...-vs-favorites/

Pretty grateful neither of them came back, frankly.

i think cochran's somebody who understands the game quite well in theory. i think he was quite bad in application the first time around. i also think he drew the worst ever starting tribe for him. so how much of the first go was "bad tribe nothing he could do" vs. "not understanding how to apply what he knows". listening to D&C's retrospective with him, i felt like there were times i thought "yes he's getting it" sprinkled in with some moments of his emotions overtaking him.

with as good as his starting tribe is, i'm expecting a good performance so that alone wouldn't be enough to fully convince me either way. a GREAT performance and i can buy the "bad tribe nothing he could do" for the first season excuse. a bad or even mediocre performance and i can buy the "understands in theory but not in application excuse". time will tell.

Can't wait to see ice cream boy Eric back. Oh yeah!

I think the fact that he gave up the idol could play out very well for him this time out. As people will undoubtedly due to this action perceive him to be malleable.

Will the favorites show improvement over their previous time on Survivor?

My guesses:

Andrea Boehlke - Not much change expected or needed with BRob not playing.

Brandon Hantz - I expect the most improvement here, but only because he was so awful the first time. Will try to bite his tongue but not be completely successful. I don't expect him to value loyalty this time. And that's a good thing.

Brenda Lowe - Weakest area is how to deal with a tribe turning the tables on her. Won't completely give up this time but still won't know the correct move when the chips are down.

Corinne Kaplan - No change. She knows she is an annoying loudmouth and won't care.

Dawn Meehan - Not much change for her. Needed to learn how to be cut-throat and probably can't pull it off.

Erik Reichenbach - Definitely less naive this time through.

Francesca Hogi - Too outspoken the last time through and will try to tone it down with limited success.

John Cochran - No predictions here but hoping he'll do well.

Phillip Sheppard - Will have intentions of being a completely different and improved player but won't.

Malcolm Freberg - Not much room for improvement here. Needs to trust his alliances a little less and I think he will.

I know it didn't work last season, but it's worth another try to put up the bat-signal.

I agree with this, though I'm really starting to feel like Brenda will be his main competition, and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if she goes before Shep. If Brenda can wiggle her way deep into this game, I'll be really impressed, as it seems like a lot of people are out to get her.

That is another good point. I should have added earlier that he also has an A+ story (strategic growth, Fan to Favorite, genuine nice guy) should he make the F3. He witnessed Amanda's implosion firsthand which should help him not "pull an Amanda" in that spot.

Julia, the race car driver, reminds me of Sophie. She seems to be strong-willed and intelligent but lacking in social grace. I do not like her chances. Laura stood out the most to me from a game knowledge perspective followed by Sherri. Allie was entirely forgettable. Hope's official cast photo is unforgettable, and she may have a Parvati/Kim charm, but I don't see an accompanying physical game. Dawson would have spiced up this bland Fans tribe. 'Tis a shame she was wasted on Philippines.

This is really neither here nor there, but for some reason I am finding it interesting to read so far. Parvati is writing some blog about how she can go sex free for 40 days....http://www.parvatishallow.com/

I would so love to break up that streak!

Didn't Bonafied post last season that she wasn't that great in the sack?

Did you miss his most recent thread?

Not the Survivor expert like some of you guys, but Cochran FTW.

I just wish we could get one season of survivor that wasn't full of god botherers. Keep it to yourself, I don't want to see that on TV its annoying.

parv is like the only girl below a full C cup that I'd ever legitimately give HOAT consideration too.

level brah

Emergency Podcast on RHAP to discuss the Abi-Maria write-in controversy.

The Russell segment has me crying because I am laughing so hard.

http://robhasawebsite.com/miss-survi...rsy-abi-maria/

Yeah - was great:

Russell: "They should have called it Fans vs. ******s"

Rob: "That's not politically correct"

Russell: "Well if you want people to listen you should let me talk."

hantz working overtime to try and get at rc, still can't wrap my mind around how he bagged both krista and mikayla but god bless the man.

With this cast of Favorites, I think you're going to get your wish. I'm half-expecting an atheist/agnostic alliance.

Survivor atheists vs. Christians one time?

More cast interviews..

Erik



http://xfinity.comcast.net/blogs/tv/...f-misfit-toys/

Julia



http://xfinity.comcast.net/blogs/tv/...-some-enemies/

Andrea



http://xfinity.comcast.net/blogs/tv/...n-fans-dreams/

Michael



http://xfinity.comcast.net/blogs/tv/...9t-like-crazy/

Cochran



http://xfinity.comcast.net/blogs/tv/...different-guy/