# Survivor: 11/30/11 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 1, 2011, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703 "2011-12-01T14:54:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703/41 "2011-12-03T00:52:20Z")
Agreed. That would rock. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703/42 "2011-12-03T04:06:40Z")
> [@randwill](#): > > Or maybe start as just one tribe and all competitions are for individual immunity. Was it ever like that? Premise of next Survivor season spoilers: According to Reality Blurred, next season the teams will be split up by sex, HOWEVER, will share the same camp. What this means is that cross-team alliances can now form while still playing as a team. It has me very intrigued. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703/43 "2011-12-03T04:55:56Z")
[CBS.com](http://CBS.com) has the preview for next week up. It shows that next week is family visit time and we see who Brandon gets and what the challenge on RI is. It doesn’t look good for Cochran. It’s a large scale ball maze that is manipulated by huge handles on pulleys. In the preview Ozzy has his puzzle under complete control while Cochran looks like he’s wrestling an alligator. [http://www.cbs.com/shows/survivor/video/2172982280/survivor-south-pacific-ticking-time-bomb](http://www.cbs.com/shows/survivor/video/2172982280/survivor-south-pacific-ticking-time-bomb) ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703/44 "2011-12-03T05:39:00Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > Premise of next Survivor season spoilers: > > According to Reality Blurred, next season the teams will be split up by sex, HOWEVER, will share the same camp. What this means is that cross-team alliances can now form while still playing as a team. > > It has me very intrigued. Oh man, if that’s true, that has me excited. I’ve been wanting them to do that for a LONG time. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703/45 "2011-12-03T06:09:17Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Oh man, if that’s true, that has me excited. I’ve been wanting them to do that for a LONG time. I know, right? It’s surprising they didn’t think to do this sooner. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703/46 "2011-12-03T14:58:05Z")
But – how will they handle Immunity Challenges? It’ll be pretty obvious that they’re manipulating things if the challenges alternate between strength and balance challenges. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703/47 "2011-12-03T17:01:30Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > Premise of next Survivor season spoilers: > > According to Reality Blurred, next season the teams will be split up by sex, HOWEVER, will share the same camp. What this means is that cross-team alliances can now form while still playing as a team. > > It has me very intrigued. I like it! Just don’t bring back any retreads! ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703/48 "2011-12-03T17:18:41Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > But – how will they handle Immunity Challenges? It’ll be pretty obvious that they’re manipulating things if the challenges alternate between strength and balance challenges. Yeah, I like the idea of keeping everyone in one camp, but I don’t like the idea of dividing the teams by gender. That could really screw up the challenges in exactly the way you have foreseen. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703/49 "2011-12-03T17:27:38Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > Yeah, I like the idea of keeping everyone in one camp, but I don’t like the idea of dividing the teams by gender. That could really screw up the challenges in exactly the way you have foreseen. They’ve done the gender split twice already. I didn’t really screw up the challenges, since most challenges are things like obstacle courses mixed with puzzles. There’s historically been very few “brute strength” challenges. Maybe one or two a season. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703/50 "2011-12-03T17:42:21Z")
I hate run-the-obstacle-course-solve-a-puzzle challenges, but I have a feeling we’re in for a lot of those next season. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703/51 "2011-12-03T20:17:39Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > I hate run-the-obstacle-course-solve-a-puzzle challenges, but I have a feeling we’re in for a lot of those next season. Aren’t 99% of RCs/ICs that way now? I agree that they need get out of that rut. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703/52 "2011-12-03T20:37:07Z")
The problem is there’s only so much they can do. Even with physically matched teams, there will still be a wide range of people on each time. Challenges where only the top 2 people on each team can do while dragging everyone else along is boring. Two challenges I would like to see them bring back is the “try to knock the other players out” challenge and the “pure endurance” challenges. The “knock out other players” is great just after the merge because it starts showing people who’s on the bottom of an alliance and can shaking things up. Pure endurance challenges where it’s just standing in an uncomfortable position for a long time (as opposed to holding something up or balancing something) are also great because it’s just a total test of willpower. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703/53 "2011-12-03T20:53:55Z")
I cannot believe that Cochran didn’t ask to be put into the final 5 (or whatever) in exchange for switching his allegiance. That’s what I would have done. Then see if they keep their word. But asking them AFTER he’s jumped ship is silly. ---
**Author:** ![PeskiPiksi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e495f1/32.png) [@PeskiPiksi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PeskiPiksi)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703/54 "2011-12-03T22:20:30Z")
I also think Cochran is looking ahead even further than final tribal council. I’m sure he’d love to win, of course, but I’m sure he’s realistic about his chances. I think what he’s looking for is long-term notoriety. He’s a Survivor fan…he knows that the ones who get asked back, or get cast on other reality shows, and achieve a B-List level of fame, are not necessarily the ones who win, but are the big personalities, or the ones who make the big moves, whether idiotic or brilliant. Those are the ones people remember. Taken in that light, switching tribes like that was a no-lose option for him. ---
**Author:** ![magnusblitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@magnusblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magnusblitz)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703/55 "2011-12-03T23:06:57Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Two challenges I would like to see them bring back is the “try to knock the other players out” challenge and the “pure endurance” challenges. The “knock out other players” is great just after the merge because it starts showing people who’s on the bottom of an alliance and can shaking things up. Pure endurance challenges where it’s just standing in an uncomfortable position for a long time (as opposed to holding something up or balancing something) are also great because it’s just a total test of willpower. Yeah, they really need to bring back the “knock other people out” one back. Really helps goad the people who aren’t paying attention (like Edna and Rick) into thinking about where they are in the hierarchy. I also think a good twist would be to allow someone who wins immunity to give immunity to another person, as a one-off twist. For example: Albert wins - who does he give it to? Coach, to suck up to him? Sophie, possibly giving away his alliance? Cochran, because he wants to force a vote for someone else? ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703/56 "2011-12-03T23:09:56Z")
> [@magnusblitz](#): > > I also think a good twist would be to allow someone who wins immunity to give immunity to another person, as a one-off twist. For example: Albert wins - who does he give it to? Coach, to suck up to him? Sophie, possibly giving away his alliance? Cochran, because he wants to force a vote for someone else? You mean give someone else immunity while keeping your own? That would be interesting. Definitely just as a one off, rather than a every challenge kind of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703/57 "2011-12-03T23:12:30Z")
> [@magnusblitz](#): > > I also think a good twist would be to allow someone who wins immunity to give immunity to another person, as a one-off twist. For example: Albert wins - who does he give it to? Coach, to suck up to him? Sophie, possibly giving away his alliance? Cochran, because he wants to force a vote for someone else? Wait…haven’t they always been able to do this? Jeff always mentions they can give their immunity to another during tribal counsel… > [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > You mean give someone else immunity while keeping your own? That would be interesting. Definitely just as a one off, rather than a every challenge kind of thing. This interpretation would make more sense. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703/58 "2011-12-04T00:51:03Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > Wait…haven’t they always been able to do this? Jeff always mentions they can give their immunity to another during tribal counsel… > > . Speaking of this, has that ever been used to any decent effect? The only time I can even remember it happening was one that one guy gave up his idol and immediately got voted out. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703/59 "2011-12-04T02:18:16Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > Wait…haven’t they always been able to do this? Jeff always mentions they can give their immunity to another during tribal counsel… > . Yes, they can give away their immunity. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703/60 "2011-12-04T12:59:04Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Speaking of this, has that ever been used to any decent effect? The only time I can even remember it happening was one that one guy gave up his idol and immediately got voted out. Parvati used her idols to great effect in the All Star round. Of course, it didn’t hurt that she had 3 immunity idols (1 challenge immunity and 2 HIIs). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-11-30-11/604703.md?page=4)