Survivor

Yes, Super Bowl winning coach Jimmy Johnson really is coming on board Survivor this season.

The former Dallas Cowboys employee will be part of the Espada tribe, as Survivor: Nicaragua breaks up its contestants into old versus young. Will Johnson be voted out early, due to his status? Or kept around... due to his status?

"He's wealthy - or you certainly think he is," Jeff Probst said to E! News about Johnson's status on the show. "He's incredibly successful, so he has fame... He'll tell you, 'If I win, I'm giving it to charity.' He really wants adventure."

Probst also shared a few details about the upcoming season, which premieres on Wednesday, September 15. Due to the discrepancy in tribe ages, there won't be any "big physical challenges." But there will be a new twist: the Medallion of Power.

If the tribe that possesses this item chooses to use it, that team will receive an advantage in the challenge at hand.

As for who will actually comprise these tribes? The individuals are pictured above and described below:

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Talk about random casting news.

ESPN.com is quoting sources that say former Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson will be a contestant on Survivor: Nicaragua, the 21st edition of this reality competition that premieres in the fall.

The two-time Super Bowl winning coach is an analyst for Fox and actually wouldn't be the first ex-Cowboys employee to appear on the show. Former quarterback Gary Hogeboom was a contestant on Survivor: Guatemala and finished in seventh place.

But Hogeboom was barely recognizable to other players. He also didn't make a lot of money back when he played. Johnson, conversely, is a very familiar face to any football fan and is a multi-millionaire.

It's an unusual casting decision, one we'd have to imagine is a ratings ploy by Survivor. We expect better from you, Jeff Probst.

Sandra once again shocked the Survivor establishment with her second victory on last night's season finale and our Survivor Round Table writers are excited to discussion the ramifications. 

Did Russell make the right decision to send Jerri to the jury?  Was his and Parvati's fate sealed anyway?  Should Sandra be called the best to ever play Survivor?  TV Fanatic's final three discuss these questions and more.

As always, our writers want to hear from the readers.

Who should Russell have taken with him to the final three?

Kakdaddy: My thoughts during the show were that he should have sent Parvati packing.  I still don't think he would have won because he comes off as so arrogant and abrasive that nobody was going to vote for him.

Lady Gaga: He would have been better off taking Jerri, that at least would have gotten him a few votes. However, since it is the three person format he was doomed when he had to take either Sandra or Parvati. He couldn't get a handle on the social game and just expected the jury to roll over for him. Not the case.

Mr. Probst: After receiving zero votes, there might not be anything he could have done.  However, I think the story of Russell telling Parvati that he voted Jerri out because he was sure she'd vote for him really hurt his chances.  If he boots Parvati instead of Jerri, he might get votes from Coach, Danielle and Parvati at least. 

Could Russell or Parvati have said anything different to change their fate?

Kakdaddy: Probably not as it turns out the jury was too set on bitterness and hate to ever vote for the "best".  That isn't to say that Sandra wasn't deserving.  I thought she played one hell of a game and deserved everything she earned.  That final three was a true murder's row of talent.  Each dominated the game in different ways and deserved their seats.  Its just too bad that people so rarely vote for talent over the "I liked you" factor.  For once I'd love for someone on the jury to stand up and say to someone "You stabbed me in the back and blindsided me and for that you've earned my vote."  Too bad that will never happen.

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Way back in the tenth episode of the season, Sandra said about Russell “I hope I get my revenge because it’s gonna be good.”  Chances are she didn’t realize how long it would take to get her revenge and how sweet it would be when it came.

On last night’s finale of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, Sandra once again defied the skeptics, most notably Russell, by earning six of the nine jury votes to win the title of Sole Survivor for the second time in two runs on the show.  Using a mix of humor, charm and solid reasoning, Sandra was able to win the hearts of the Heroes-heavy jury.

Only Parvati seemed concerned about Sandra’s chances of getting votes and I got the sense that she only said that out of desperation to get Russell off of her own back.  Certainly Russell was not concerned.  He told Sandra a few short moments after winning individual immunity that he was definitely going to take her to the finals and had to decide between Jerri and Parvati who the other finalist would be.  Russell felt he could easily beat Sandra and believed that she wouldn’t get a vote.

That last statement hints at Russell’s major flaw this past season - he underestimates his competition.  In his previous season, Survivor: Samoa, Russell’s scorched earth game plan should have won him the million dollars.  He finished second on the wrath of an emotional jury, but beyond anger, there was little rationale to vote Natalie the winner.

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A battle of the sexes almost broke out on last night's episode of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, but Parvati winning individual immunity may have saved her season and the season's of her female brethren.  With just one episode left this season, our Survivor Round Table writers got together to talk about how the final tribal councils will shake out.

Was Parvati really saved by winning immunity?  How unworthy is Colby for the Final Five?  Who are we rooting for?

As always, reader responses are encouraged.

Would Parvati have really gone home if she didn't win immunity?

Kakdaddy: Despite all evidence to the contrary from footage shown I'm not so sure.  At this point I find it impossible to predict anything that Russell does.  It seems like he had one of his moments of clarity after Parvati won where he must have realized that there was no hope of winning against the Heroes with the jury.  No telling if he has that moment if Parvati doesn't win, but I think he does. 

Random aside - why was Rupert so pissed after losing?  Sandra played an idol and only 4 votes had been shown.  He had zero chance of surviving that.  It (for once) wasn't Russell's fault.

Lady Gaga: Not necessarily, it would have been a tie because confused Jerri wouldn't have voted for her. What is the tie procedure these days?

Mr. Probst: Clearly Russell has brainwashed Jerri and she'll now do whatever he says.  Russell, Jerri, Colby and Rupert - four votes against whomever Parvati and Sandra voted for.  However, Sandra's tricky and I could see her giving Parvati the immunity idol with the two of them voting for Russell.

Are you with Russell or against him?

Kakdaddy: While I'd really like to hear his incredibly angry and offensive jury question if he got voted out, I mostly hate when that happens and consumes the entire jury so for the remainder of the show I'm for him.  Plus he's insanely interesting to watch and I don't think the show is as good without him.  I'd also much rather see him lose a jury vote again and spend the entire reunion show pissed off.  He didn't deserve to lose last time, but he's made his bed this time.

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No one cut down the nets and the name – Final Five – doesn’t work quite as well as college basketball’s Final Four, but with Rupert’s elimination last night there are just five players left who could win the one million dollar final prize.

Rupert will not be joining Sandra, Colby, Parvati, Russell and Jerri in the final five because he forgot the number one rule or Survivor: As long as it’s not me.  Made famous by Sandra and Cirie, Rupert’s attempt to stir the pot between Russell and Sandra backfired. 

After Parvati won individual immunity, Rupert had to realize that Russell was not going to vote against Jerri and the girls were not going to vote against Sandra.  Rupert’s only play, as he mentioned, was to go back with the girls because he could not risk a 3-3 tie.

But, that’s Rupert.  Sandra had multiple plays and one of them could have involved Rupert, giving him options.  She even came to him with a way out: let’s get rid of Russell.  What Rupert should have said was “sure, what do you need me to do.”  What Rupert did say was “uh huh” and ran to daddy, Russell, to tattle on big sis Sandra. 

I can understand Rupert’s thought process with that move.  Get Sandra and Russell fighting against each other so that Russell goes after Sandra.  The problem with that plan was that Sandra couldn’t go after Russell without Rupert’s help and he just completely blew any trust in him.  Even though Sandra’s mouth doesn’t sound like she’s making up with Russell, clearly they were able to work out their difference.

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On last week's exciting installment of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villans, Russell regained control. This meant one thing for Danielle DiLorenzo: elimination.

The heretofore powerful player was voted out at a very emotional tribal council, which was one of the topics Danielle touched on in an exit interview with TV Guide. Excerpts from it follow...

On tribal council developments: I knew Russell was trying to get me voted off at one point and so Parvati and I convinced him otherwise. At that point, he had already told Rupert and Colby to write my name down so I definitely didn't see what happened. I just never thought that I was going to go that night... Going into tribal council, I was a little worried but I never thought Jerri would turn on me like she did.

On Russell: I just think he saw how I started playing the game and he was threatened. He knew that Parvati and I had the power in our hands and after we planned to get Rupert off that night, I think he knew that he was next on the chopping block. I think by him breaking up Parvati and I gave him control of the game still.

On her botched plan: The plan was [Russell] was going next. I had had conversations with Sandra and Parvati, the three of us aligned, and we were going to get rid of him next.

After a surprise double tribal council episode last night which saw both Candice and Danielle were sent home, our Survivor Round Table writers eager to convene and discuss the ramifications of the Villains alliance breaking down.

Has Russell regained control of the game or will his bullying of the female castaways come back to haunt him?  Where do Colby and Rupert, suddenly in a position of influence, go from here?  Who are we rooting for to win?

As always, reader responses are encouraged!

Russell Hantz thinks he's back in control of the game.  Do you agree?

Kakdaddy: I thought he was losing it.  The only thing keeping him safe was his immunity challenge victory.  I just figured that Jerri wouldn't buy into his insanity, but then something magical happened at the tribal council where Danielle announced how strong her loyalty was to Parvati and that seemed to be the final push that brought Jerri over.  If Russell can keep the remaining two Heroes with him he has a solid shot of keeping his momentum.  Jerri will once again be that important swing vote.  Keep in mind though that Sandra has that idol and she is solidly in Parvati's camp after this.

Lady Gaga: He did control Jerri, however he is not giving Parvati nearly enough credit. She is going to be furious with him after he voted Danielle out of the tribe. I think Sandra and Parvati will find a way to get rid of him. He has to win individual immunity to continue to control Jerri, Colby and Rupert.

Mr. Probst: After the display he put on last night, how could you not?  Even when all logic dictates that he should not be in control last night, he still manages to abuse one castaway to convince another to vote her off.  Incredible!  It may not seem like things are working in Russell's favor, but he's a master manipulator and always in control.

What should Colby and Rupert's strategy be next week?

Kakdadddy: They have the best "numbers" shot of getting with Russell for a final three.  If they go with the girls and vote out Russell they will be at a 3/2 disadvantage and likely in a less secure position.  Russell can't be trusted, but after what he did with Parvati he's made his bed and the only option for him is the Heroes.  I think that's what they should do.

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If someone had told me before last night’s episode that both Rupert and Colby would survive not one, but two tribal councils with immunity, I would have bet anything against it. 

In the words of ESPN’s Chris Berman, that’s why they play the game.

Russell foreshadowed the chaos of last night’s dual tribal councils when he said at the first one “unless you’re gonna give all the Villains a million dollars, something has to break” when referring to the former Villains alliance plus Candice.  However, I’m certain even Russell did not realize how imminent that scenario was when he said it.  And he would be the one to implement the drastic changes!

This season has been Parvati-centric as far as who’s really dictating the pace of the game, but Russell reminded everyone last night that he’s “Russell Hantz!” and reasserted control over the game with some good old fashioned bullying. 

Give the little man credit; he knows when to pick his spots.  There was no indication in the previous weeks that he had any desire to break up Danielle and Parvati, but the moment he had individual immunity, he went at the former pair like a lion.  While I do not think that Russell realizes the women he is playing with now will not be pushed around like the ones he played with on Samoa, trying to break up Danielle and Parvati while he can’t be touched is a good idea.

Let’s face it, for as nasty as Russell was last night, he was right.  If he had let Danielle and Parvati continue to run unchecked, they likely would have put him down at some point.  Once the Villains get down to their final five, who’s going to be the first one to go home?  Russell.  Would Parvati, Sandra, Jerri or Danielle side with Russell, even if it made sense for them?  No.  Even if any of them actually did have a shred of trust left in him, Danielle and Parvati easily would have convinced Sandra or Jerri to vote with them and eliminate Russell.

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Amanda Kimmel had a sudden battle with her conscience and it cost her the game.  After effectively (and fairly) stealing the clue to the hidden immunity idol from Danielle, the two duked it out in the most famous cat fight in Survivor history last night.  But, Amanda felt bad for her thievery, gave the clue back to Danielle and wound up getting voted off.

In an exit interview with Entertainment Weekly Amanda talks about her frustrations with Colby, a bizarre plan with Candice that never materialized and how she feels about the comparison to Boston Rob.

Why didn't she receive any help from Colby with the hidden immunity idol clue? [Colby] was checked out the entire time. We went through the [reward] and I told Colby, ‘We have to look for [the clue] and get it before Danielle.' Even thought I made it very clear what we had to do, he didn’t look for it once.  With the clue even, I didn’t really know the rules to the clue and Colby made me think, ‘Oh my gosh, maybe whoever finds it, it’s their clue.'  I don’t know what he was talking about, he needed it just as much as I did.

What was Candice's grand plan? [She] had a plan that we were going to act like I was going to go home. Candice wanted her and I to stage a fight that we were against each other. She was doing it to throw Russell off, I guess. She was excited because it was her idea and she thought it was brilliant. We were going to do it but I didn’t think it was necessary. I think that’s why she went with the Villains last minute, because we didn’t follow through with her plan.

What does she think of Russell comparing her to Boston Rob? I don’t really understand that. I think Russell was trying to get airtime on that one.