# 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:** 5
**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 19, 2019, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/81 "2019-10-19T08:30:17Z")
Erik wasn’t crazy, just foolish. ---
**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 19, 2019, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/82 "2019-10-19T08:41:37Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Erik wasn’t crazy, just foolish. Stupid is entertaining, you have to have a mix of crazy and stupid on Goat Island. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2019, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/83 "2019-10-19T15:21:47Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Yeah, Noura, Coach, Philip and Reem from last season. Then there was Russel Hanz’ nephew who creeped everyone out so much they voted him off without going to tribal. It would probably only be interesting for a couple of episodes, then you’d feel bad for watching. I’d love to see Goat Island and all those crazies but I’ve had enough of coach to last me a lifetime. ---
**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 19, 2019, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/84 "2019-10-19T15:37:29Z")
Yeah, I’m kind of done with Coach, too. There are all kinds of crazies that we forget about, more than enough for a season. Remember Shambo? It takes obliviousness and confidence to really be a Survivor nut. ---
**Author:** ![magnusblitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@magnusblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magnusblitz)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/85 "2019-10-24T05:20:01Z")
Only way I can understand the Tom vote is that the ex-Vokai (purple) were worried he was too connected to his old Lairo (orange). Janet did say as much… but I don’t see it making much sense. Tom isn’t that much better than Karishma, but I’d still rather get rid of her and have a chance at some challenges instead of taking the Ls and just hoping I’ll make the merge (since there’s still probably 3-4 votes left before the merge). Or maybe I’m just mad because I totally had Tom pegged as “old guy who everyone likes but never wins a challenge and gets voted out with 5 or 6 remaining.” Noura’s out-of-nowhere cackling at TC was hilarious. Almost no Rob and Sandra this week with the merge. Also, Applebee’s fucking sucks (and this is coming from someone who eats at way too many chain restaurants). I already didn’t care for Karishma but she managed to dig herself an even deeper hole if it’s really her favorite sit-down restaurant. I mean, I know that after being on the island for awhile anything will taste like manna from heaven, but c’mon. “Applebee’s… after being on an island eating rice for three weeks, you’ll eat anything!” ---
**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 24, 2019, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/86 "2019-10-24T17:35:58Z")
Not only were Rob and Sandra pre-empted by the Applebee’s ad, there didn’t appear to be a clue or an advantage hidden on the reward trip. Karishma lives in Houston, Applebee’s may be the best in that town. If they insist on showing female wrestling, does it really need to be Elaine? ---
**Author:** ![flaming\_yawn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/cab0a1/32.png) [@flaming\_yawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flaming_yawn)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/87 "2019-10-24T19:07:57Z")
Elaine is adorable! ( we share a body type ) lol Dean and Kelly have mutual friend?!? his old girlfriend of 6 yrs what!!! ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/88 "2019-10-25T00:13:00Z")
Noura’s laugh reminds of one of Jerry Seinfeld’s girlfriends. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/PJv4p8voUwo/hqdefault.jpg "Seinfeld Clip - Jerry And The Girl With The Funny Laugh") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJv4p8voUwo) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/89 "2019-10-25T05:39:03Z")
> [@magnusblitz](#): > > … > > Also, Applebee’s fucking sucks (and this is coming from someone who eats at way too many chain restaurants). I already didn’t care for Karishma but she managed to dig herself an even deeper hole if it’s really her favorite sit-down restaurant. I mean, I know that after being on the island for awhile anything will taste like manna from heaven, but c’mon. “Applebee’s… after being on an island eating rice for three weeks, you’ll eat anything!” Yeah, and if she is a lawyer, and Applebees is her fave, something’s wrong. Applebees is only the fave of people who want better than Denny’s and cant afford Outback. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/90 "2019-10-25T12:40:13Z")
I usually am sympathetic with players who are clearly on the outs, but in Karishma’s case, it’s so deserved. I mean, Cochran sucked at physical challenges, but he could do puzzles. And he was witty and self-deprecating, which helped redeem his shortcomings. Karishma sucks at ALL the challenges, she is lazy around camp, AND she does nothing but whine about how she’s an outcast. Please let her go home. And I don’t understand why team after team continues to vote off strong players ahead of people who suck in challenges. The goal now should be to bond with players and win challenges so that your team has the advantage post-merge. I think the Sandra/BostonRob mentor thing is pretty much a bust. I guess that somebody thought it’d be a good idea to have these two around to provide commentary, but I cannot believe that they are paying them to provide such gems as, “I love Noura.” and “Way to go, Dean.” ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/91 "2019-10-25T13:33:10Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > I think the Sandra/BostonRob mentor thing is pretty much a bust. I guess that somebody thought it’d be a good idea to have these two around to provide commentary, but I cannot believe that they are paying them to provide such gems as, “I love Noura.” and “Way to go, Dean.” Absolutely. It’s obvious the goal was “bring back Rob & Sandra…without them actually playing” and they worked backwards from there. This is the best they came up with, and it’s really weak. ---
**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 25, 2019, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/92 "2019-10-25T13:45:50Z")
Anyone else wondering how things went at the Karishma household Wednesday night after her admission that she’s in a loveless marriage and wants to change? ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/93 "2019-10-25T15:19:48Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Anyone else wondering how things went at the Karishma household Wednesday night after her admission that she’s in a loveless marriage and wants to change? Me and my wife wondered that aloud. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/94 "2019-10-25T15:33:35Z")
> [@magnusblitz](#): > > Only way I can understand the Tom vote is that the ex-Vokai (purple) were worried he was too connected to his old Lairo (orange). Janet did say as much… but I don’t see it making much sense. Tom isn’t that much better than Karishma, but I’d still rather get rid of her and have a chance at some challenges instead of taking the Ls and just hoping I’ll make the merge (since there’s still probably 3-4 votes left before the merge). Or maybe I’m just mad because I totally had Tom pegged as “old guy who everyone likes but never wins a challenge and gets voted out with 5 or 6 remaining.” Tribal line wise, it had to be Tom, Dean or Karishma. Dean was on alert having been blindsided at last tribal. Karishma knowing her dire situation made it known she was flipping, “just let me know who to vote for”. Tom was a threat to return to his old tribe after the merge **and** he was confident so completely unaware he might be a target. Also any good survivor player knows you don’t take likeable people to the end - you take unlikeable ones (remember Phillip?). From a viewers perspective Tom might seem an odd choice but from Vokai’s it makes perfect 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:** [October 25, 2019, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/95 "2019-10-25T15:40:55Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > And then you hit the middle seasons where you can win some _Pizza Hut Pizza_ at the _Charmin Toilet Paper Lounge_ while calling your loved ones on a _Motorola Razr_, brought to you by _Cingular._ My time machine worked! > [@magnusblitz](#): > > Only way I can understand the Tom vote is that the ex-Vokai (purple) were worried he was too connected to his old Lairo (orange). Janet did say as much… but I don’t see it making much sense. Tom isn’t that much better than Karishma, but I’d still rather get rid of her and have a chance at some challenges instead of taking the Ls and just hoping I’ll make the merge (since there’s still probably 3-4 votes left before the merge). Honestly, losing out might not be the worst strategy. The other tribe is 4-4, and they don’t know what’s going on over there. If they win, the other tribe might end up knocking out a bunch of old Vokai. If they lose the next two, getting rid of the old Lairo, it would be a better post-merge situation. ---
**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 25, 2019, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/96 "2019-10-25T16:10:40Z")
That was Rob Cesternino’s take, and I agree. > [@muldoonthief](#): > > Anyone else wondering how things went at the Karishma household Wednesday night after her admission that she’s in a loveless marriage and wants to change? Yeah, Stephen Fishbach speculated that she assumed that conversation would not make it to air because it was not about strategy. But she can’t really complain, there’s a camera right there and she has to know anything she says could potentially be broadcast to millions of people on TV. ---
**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 25, 2019, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/97 "2019-10-25T16:33:18Z")
Oh, and fuck Applebees. I was once served raw in the middle chicken there, and the manager gave me a hard time about refunding the meal, because I had already eaten about a third of it before discovering the raw part. He seriously wanted to take the remaining portion back to the kitchen and let them finish cooking it. Before cell phones, so I couldn’t take a picture and email it to the Board of Health on the spot. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/98 "2019-10-25T16:34:38Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Honestly, losing out might not be the worst strategy. The other tribe is 4-4, and they don’t know what’s going on over there. If they win, the other tribe might end up knocking out a bunch of old Vokai. If they lose the next two, getting rid of the old Lairo, it would be a better post-merge situation. That was my thought exactly. It seems odd to deliberately weaken your tribe by keeping Karishma, but the downside of continuing to lose is severely reduced by having two “easy votes” in Dean and Karishma. Especially when you know there is a decent chance that winning a challenge actually costs your original tribe a member (depending on how the 4-4 split goes down). Really odd dynamic that put Tom in a very tough spot. Also the game has really moved to a “vote out anybody that is even remotely a threat as soon as you can” mentality. An unfortunate side effect being folks like Karishma and Noura (and to some extent Dean who hasn’t shown himself to be particularly astute) stick around far longer than they “should”. ---
**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:** [October 25, 2019, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/99 "2019-10-25T16:39:01Z")
It’s too bad someone with the “no vote” disadvantage didn’t end up on the 4-4 team. That would’ve been an interesting wrinkle. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437/100 "2019-10-25T17:54:56Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > It’s too bad someone with the “no vote” disadvantage didn’t end up on the 4-4 team. That would’ve been an interesting wrinkle. Sort of. I don’t believe anyone but her knew it though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-39-island-of-the-idols-debuts-9-25-19/840437.md?page=6)