5/16 Finale Show Discussion *Spoilers*

[neighborhoodie]

Russell wins the prize for America's Favorite player. Awesome.

Do we need any further proof that this show is only about entertainment?

If you need lessons in morals, go to church.
If you need to learn how to get along with people, see a counselor.
If you want to be magnanimous and help others, join Habitat for Humanity.

If you want pure entertainment, Russell's your man.

Congratulations, Russell.
You deserve it.

Thank you.

[Bonbonlover]

I hope they don't give Russell an AS spot, if they have another one. There is no way he will get past the first boot, so it'd be such a waste.

Hummm someone has to be off 1st... maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to bring him on as the sacrificial lamb while others get to play longer...

[ChelsieFan]

I'm sure they will ask Russ back. Not so sure he goes first. He could be a nice goat once again if he doesn't change his play.

[CharmOffensive]

First of all, it's "bribery." Secondly, PEOPLE LIKE RUSSELL. He's entertaining, and knows how to play the game. Russell-haters just don't like him because they can't stand to see someone as cocky as he is actually succeed.

Russell and Rupert appeal to the two kinds of people in America: good and evil. No surprise they were top 2.

[karalott]

I don't mind Russell. He's entertaining because he's delusional but I think he's got heart where the game is concerned. I think he believes he's playing the game the way he feels it should be played and thinks that the best strategist/manipulator/backstabber should win. I don't disagree 100%, but fortunately or unfortuantely there's more elements to the game than there was in the beginning. The jury tends to side with who they like more over who played the better game anymore. Not taking away from Sandra's win, as I think it's deserved and she didn't just sit on her butt and do nothing. But I don't blame Russell for thinking he should win because he doesn't play Mr. Nice Guy. I think he can come across as less of a jerk about it, but hey, people talk about him, he'll go down in Survivor history, and obviously was noterious enough to get on 2 seasons and make the finals both times. He may have not gotten any votes either time, but it's not like he's the only one to make it to the finals twice and lose. I find him entertaining.

As for the America's favorite player, between Russell and Rupert, I'm glad Russell won. I couldn't stomach seeing Rupert take home another check. But I gave my votes to Boston Rob

[my3boyz]

Sandra= The most pathetic winner ever!

I'm happy that Russell won the $100,000 because so many people did not want him to win it. So Sandra there are more than 5 people (as you said) that support Russell. I think Parvati played the best this time around but Russell was a close second.

[jadewarlock]

Coat tailer wins again, no surprise there. If they voted for who played the best with no prejudice either Parv or Russell wins. The jury voted for who pissed them off the least. And by he way Russell did receive some votes by the jury during his 1st season. Hopefully the strong players in the future will get it & vote off all the coat tailers 1st.

You are right, but it's two votes out of nine possible - Natalie won by 5 with a vote of 7-2.

So, in short, he lost by not playing the social game. And, Sandra was by no means a coat tail rider. She tried to shift the heroes into voting out Russell, but they did not. So, she went with her second strategy by keeping with her "alliance" so no one could work it out that she was trying to get Russell out.

If anything, she's Under the Radar - even Russell called her out on that.

The thing Russell did was make sure to keep two winners in the final three in an attempt to say "THey've won, I haven't, let me win."

Sadly, America* let him win the Player of the Season award. Given how vile and ill-playing he was this season, I've wondered if somehow they let him win so he'd not go and complain about how "the Best Survivor (at making excuses as to why he bombs in final two for alienating everyone)" is always losing.

[my3boyz]

I don't mind Russell. He's entertaining because he's delusional but I think he's got heart where the game is concerned. I think he believes he's playing the game the way he feels it should be played and thinks that the best strategist/manipulator/backstabber should win. I don't disagree 100%, but fortunately or unfortuantely there's more elements to the game than there was in the beginning. Between Russell and Rupert, I'm glad Russell won. I couldn't stomach seeing Rupert take home another check. But I gave my votes to Boston Rob

Oh I would not have minded if Boston Rob won the $100,000. Absolutely LOVE him.

[jadewarlock]

I am thoroughly happy! Sandra is the first ever 2-time winner, Russell is bitter as hell, gets no votes, JT tries burning the letter, and listening to Sandra and others put Russell's delusional self down, and even hear the audience boo Russell and telling him to get over it is excellent. Andhey, are there other Survivor players in the audience? I know I saw Jonny Fairplay there.

Copngrats to Sandra, fully deserved. And for the record, Sandra is most definitely not a coattail rider, IMO.

Speaking of the letter - given that they sell "Survivor" memorabilia, I have a feeling even Russell will not have that claim to his fame unless he bids on it (or they gave him a Xeroxed copy). They don't even get to keep their buffs because those are sold on the auction block.

[CuckoosNest]

Secondly, PEOPLE LIKE RUSSELL. He's entertaining, and knows how to play the game. Russell-haters just don't like him because they can't stand to see someone as cocky as he is actually succeed.

First off, SOME people like Russell. Others of us find him detestable, and with good reason. I, for one, don't hate him because he's cocky... I dislike him because he's a selfish, mean-spirited, arrogant blamer who can't - or simply refuses to - get his mind around the game. For me, he ruins Survivor. He's the world's sorest loser, constantly insisting that there is always some reason other than his lousy strategy for his losses... that's pathetic and sad. The mere fact that he thinks the rules of the game should be changed so that he can win is infuriating.

There is and always will be a social aspect to the game. Russell has come up with a strategy that ignores that. It doesn't work. And watching him beat his stubborn head into a wall over and over isn't my idea of entertainment.