# Survivor 39 (Island of the Idols) debuts 9/25/19! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 18, 2019, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437 "2019-09-18T15:26:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![magnusblitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@magnusblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magnusblitz)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/41 "2019-10-10T04:56:24Z")
Another surprise… I really thought Vince was gonna be around for the long haul since his screentime had been pretty positive, especially getting in Sandra and Boston Rob’s comments about liking him last TC. They didn’t touch at all on Vince being asked about IotI. He was the first one in a position to blow up someone else’s game with the info. Kinda suspect… Really cool challenge too with the tribe-wide balance beam. Of course they tacked a puzzle onto the end of it and it always seems to come down to that. Karishma deserved to go home just for that. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/42 "2019-10-10T05:43:24Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I like that there are all new players competing. Yes. Altho I\* really\* dont like Sandra and am not a fan of Boston Rob, the actual cast has a wide variety and some interesting members. Good choices there. And other than having to listen to those two blowhards and egoists, the Idol island hasnt been terrible. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/43 "2019-10-10T13:38:16Z")
We’re seeing a lot of variations of “retrieve thing - navigate obstacle course - assemble puzzle”…but the teeter-totter was a really cool addition. When you get right down to it, Island of the Idols is really just a slight twist from previous gimmicks – somebody goes off-island and has an opportunity to gain an advantage. They just added the cult of personality, in the form of Rob and Sandra. (I do wonder how they built the giant wooden likenesses, though.) ---
**Author:** ![Chicken\_Fingers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Chicken\_Fingers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicken_Fingers)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/44 "2019-10-11T14:53:48Z")
I hate the way they edit Survivor these days. They shouldn’t have left out what Vince and Elizabeth did and said when he came back from Rob-n-Sandra Island. I doze through the competitions and the forced story lines about peoples’ “journeys.” They could cut those shorter. And every tribal council doesn’t need to be a blindside for the audience. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/45 "2019-10-11T15:27:21Z")
> [@magnusblitz](#): > > …They didn’t touch at all on Vince being asked about IotI. He was the first one in a position to blow up someone else’s game with the info. Kinda suspect… It seems like they tell people coming back from the island not to ruin the surprise of Rob and Sandra. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/46 "2019-10-11T19:56:28Z")
They claim this is completely up to the players themselves. > [@Chicken\_Fingers](#): > > I hate the way they edit Survivor these days. They shouldn’t have left out what Vince and Elizabeth did and said when he came back from Rob-n-Sandra Island. I doze through the competitions and the forced story lines about peoples’ “journeys.” They could cut those shorter. And every tribal council doesn’t need to be a blindside for the audience. Cosigned. BTW, are you a Minnesota Vikings fan, or is your name just a coincidence? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/47 "2019-10-11T21:36:27Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > They claim this is completely up to the players themselves. I will bet they suggest it. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/48 "2019-10-11T21:41:41Z")
Could be. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/49 "2019-10-11T23:28:54Z")
Heard Vince’s exit interview with RHAP, and Rob Cesternino asked about whether he was allowed to tell the tribe about BostonRob and Sandra. Vince wasn’t sure if he could answer the question so he didn’t answer. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/50 "2019-10-11T23:46:33Z")
The fire-stealing challenge was… interesting. Some of the tribe definitely heard Vince sneaking around their camp. But they are probably used to that since there are always camera people walking around. If there had actually been a fire, and he had to make his getaway carrying a flaming torch, the task would have been exponetially more difficult. Still, that wasn’t his fault, and I was kind of glad they gave him credit for the ashes. BUT. When you have an idol that is good for only two Tribal Councils, and you _know_ people suspect you have an idol, and you \*know \*your name has been brought up… Just how dumb do you have to be to go home with the idol in your pocket??? I kind of liked Vince, but I can’t really feel sorry for him. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/51 "2019-10-12T00:52:17Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > … > BUT. When you have an idol that is good for only two Tribal Councils, and you _know_ people suspect you have an idol, and you \*know \*your name has been brought up… Just how dumb do you have to be to go home with the idol in your pocket??? I kind of liked Vince, but I can’t really feel sorry for him. Yeah. Why NOT play it? ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/52 "2019-10-12T02:41:21Z")
Yeah, there’s no way I don’t play it. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/53 "2019-10-12T06:53:12Z")
Right. If you can save it as long as you want, I can see the temptation to wait until you are closer to endgame. But in this scenario, the only possible justification is if you have a strong reason to believe you will be more vulnerable next time than you are this time. It’s not even clear, by the way, if it is valid for the next two times he goes to Tribal Council, or just the next two times Tribal Councils are held. If the latter, it’s even dumber not to play it but it’s plenty dumb already. Did he give any reason in his exit interview? ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/54 "2019-10-12T15:13:00Z")
Boston Rob said the HII was “good for your next two Tribal Councils” Vince left the IotI in total daylight (and no, but didn’t get to the other tribe in “pitch black”. Long Boat Ride? ---
**Author:** ![J-P\_L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/j-p_l/32/3156_2.png) [@J-P\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J-P_L)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/55 "2019-10-12T17:14:27Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > I was kind of glad they gave him credit for the ashes. It is very likely that the filming crew confirmed that there was no fire. Vince bringing back the ashes showed creativity under stress, which is really what the test was about. ---
**Author:** ![Chicken\_Fingers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Chicken\_Fingers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicken_Fingers)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/56 "2019-10-13T16:43:44Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > BTW, are you a Minnesota Vikings fan, or is your name just a coincidence? Nah, I just loved [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hBH8Gy9kFE)in Arrested Development. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/57 "2019-10-16T04:20:48Z")
Ah, okay. I asked because the Star Tribune’s Vikings podcast most weeks features a “Chicken Fingers statement of the week” from a Vikings fan who tends to tweet memorable zingers. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/58 "2019-10-17T17:46:38Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Yeah, there’s no way I don’t play it. I’m starting to sense a theme for this season. The booting of Noura from the competition was a wonderful treat. A wonderful treat with a stone cold delivery. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/59 "2019-10-17T18:47:05Z")
Noura’s cover story was so idiotic, she would’ve been better off just saying “Hey guys, can I be the caller? Just because…” ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/60 "2019-10-17T19:02:38Z")
Nobody said it out loud, but I’m wondering if Noura’s tribe thought that there was an immunity idol hidden somewhere at the challenge, and Noura wanted to be the caller so she could get it. So they booted her from the challenge completely so she would have no opportunity to find it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437.md?page=4)