News

Can’t resist the Instagram-worthy appeal of Starbucks’ new Unicorn Frappuccino?

If you’re going to order the colorful mango, sour and vanilla concoction, keep in mind that the drink contains a whopping 500 calories and 76 grams of sugar.

“You can work out every day, but it’s important to be reminded that exercise doesn’t take the place of a bad diet,” Reebok trainer Pete O’Donnel tells People. “Even as a trainer, I still have my guilty pleasure foods. And that’s okay, we all deserve to indulge every once in a while. But nutrition and fitness go hand-in-hand...

The studios often save the dog days of August for their weakest performers and sure enough, this weekend proved the rule. (In the past, “The Butler” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Straight Outta Compton” did strong business in August.) Yes, “Suicide Squad” grossed over $20 million, as it became the first non-animated film to have a three-peat at number one since “Dead Pool.” But three weak new releases— “Ben-Hur” (Paramount), “War Dogs” (Warner Bros.) and “Kubo and the Two Strings” (Focus) —opened to less than $15-million.

Making it even more challenging for this trio of weak domestic performers to make their money back: None are scheduled to open in China, which is increasingly the second and sometimes biggest single territory for theatrical grosses. That’s a big deal in a studio world increasingly shifting its focus on a sure thing.

The Top Ten

1. Suicide Squad (Warner Bros.) Week 3 – Last weekend...

Is it just me, or did Scream Queens‘ “Thanksgiving” episode feel a hell of a lot more like another hour of Halloween?

Then again, I suppose a severed head showing up on the dinner table — R.I.P., Gigi! — could happen on any day in Kappa Kappa Tau, holiday or not. But let’s back up for a minute, because there was a lot (of nonsense) to digest this week.

VideosExclusive Scream Queens Clip: Chad Michael Murray Gives Thanks for… Himself? (Video)

In typical this-makes-no-sense-but-hey-why-not fashion, Wes deduced that Grace is the killer, at which point everyone else in the house — who,...

Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach.

"I'm paying attention to everything that's going around me. I'm like on surveillance. I'm just sitting there, and I'm listening. Because then I know what moves to make." –Pete Yurkowski, Survivor: Philippines

Gorgeous Joe is just too perfect for Survivor.

He out-charmed Vince for Jenn's affections. He wins every challenge, whether it's holding on to a pole, finishing a puzzle or determining who has the most luxurious hair. And he's managed to build a solid...

Bill Hader on “SNL” newbie Pete Davidson: "I told Lorne Michaels about him” Davidson, the breakout star of "SNL's" season premiere, has a small part in Hader and Amy Schumer’s movie “Trainwreck” from director Judd Apatow. "I told Lorne Michaels about him, said he was really funny,” says Hader. "And then they auditioned him for a piece, and Lorne called me to say Pete got the show. I was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s wonderful!’” Then, Hader says Michaels surprised him with a question: “And then he said, “Uh, also, do you want to host?’ It was a total afterthought!” Plus: See Davidson, Hader and Schumer together on the set of "Trainwreck." “The Simpsons” paid a brief tribute to Joan Rivers Rivers was a last-minute addition to the season premiere, appearing in a mythical “Jewish Heaven.” Says exec producer Al Jean: "About a week after she passed away,...

News

NBC has ordered four more scripts of Sean Saves the World. That indicates the network may end up ordering more episodes. I don’t know if I’m cheering for that to happen or not.

Alexis Denisof has joined the MTV drama pilot Finding Carter, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The series focuses on a teen girl who learns she was abducted as a child and suddenly finds herself adjusting to live with the family she never knew. Denisof will play her father, a novelist whose only success was a true crime novel based on how he dealt with his daughter being kidnapped. In the meantime, we’re waiting for him to reunite with Angel producer David Greenwalt on Grimm.

Wesley Windham-Prycce, still missed.

Lifetime is looking at adapting The Trip to Bountiful into a movie. This version would star Cicely Tyson and Vanessa Williams, much like the recent Broadway revival of the play.

On TV this Wednesday: Big Brother names the last housemate standing, America’s Got Talent honors the top act, Patrick Dempsey races to the finish and Key & Peele start Season 3 with a song. Here are 10 programs to keep on your radar.

8 pm Survivor: Blood Vs. Water (CBS) | Season 27 premiere: In the 90-minute opener, former players (including Rupert!) and their loved ones compete in hopes of keeping their torches lit until the bitter end. (Get scoop on this season’s players and big twists.)

Photos | Fall TV Spoiler Spectacular: Exclusive Scoop on Criminal Minds and 44 Other Returning Faves

9 pm America’s...

On TV this weekend: Kristen Wiig comes home to Saturday Night Live, a former cylon develops Dangerous Intuition and HBO starts to grow its Family Tree. Meanwhile, Once Upon a Time, Revenge, Survivor, Bob’s Burgers and American Dad! finish their seasons. Here are 15 programs to keep on your radar.

Saturday, May 11

8 pm Dangerous Intuition (Lifetime) | Battlestar Galactica hottie Tricia Helfer stars in this made-for-tv psychological thriller about a career woman who has premonitions that her husband’s new squeeze is out to hurt their daughter. David Cubitt (Medium) and Dylan Neal (Dawson’s Creek) also star.

8 pm Smash (NBC...

Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People.com since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach. "There's no reason to give people a reason to get rid of me." - Malcolm Freberg, Survivor: PhilippinesGoodbye, bro. After 25 straight episodes of Survivor, we finally say farewell to Malcolm Freberg, one of the season's most dynamic characters. Malcolm proved you don't have to be crazy to make the show fun. He was strategic without being robotic; physical without being muscle-brained; charming without being smarmy. He was the complete Survivor package. So why's he going out in ninth place?...

Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People.com since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach.

"There's no reason to give people a reason to get rid of me."

– Malcolm Freberg, Survivor: Philippines

Goodbye, bro. After 25 straight episodes of Survivor, we finally say farewell to Malcolm Freberg, one of the season's most dynamic characters. Malcolm proved you don't have to be crazy to make the show fun. He was strategic without being robotic; physical without being muscle-brained; charming without being smarmy.

He was the complete Survivor package. So why's he going out in ninth place?...

It is almost impossible to believe that "Survivor" just concluded its 25th season. Even more improbably, "Survivor: Philippines" was epic, destined to top all-time fan favorites lists for its engaging cast, roller-coaster twists and insane Tribal Councils.

"Dead Man Walking," the eighth episode, was the standout of an incredible season. The title refers to impossibly charismatic returning player Jonathan Penner's certain execution -- and the thrilling Immunity Challenge victory that spared his life in the game. Leading up to one of "Survivor's" most lively and astounding Tribal Councils, "Facts of Life" child star Lisa Whelchel transformed from America's Sweetheart to aggressive gamer. She betrays Malcolm first by revealing to Skupin and Pete that he found a Hidden Immunity Idol -- and then campaigning to blindside him next.

Party-boy Pete hilariously believes Malcolm's denials -- and boy is he in for a surprise at Tribal Council, where everyone is oversharing,...

Survivor: Philippines Review, Season 25, Episode 14

“Million Dollar Question”

Airs Wednesdays at 8pm (Et) on CBS

Approaching Survivor’s 25th season finale, evidence pointed to a final two that might benefit Lisa and Skupin if the chips fell correctly. The problem was that they were planning for a final three and setting themselves up to lose. Malcolm and Denise are the clear favorites at the start of this episode, and the last hurdle is making the Final Tribal Council. Once Jeff Probst clarifies that it is a final three, the “million dollar question” is who gets the chance to thump Lisa and Skupin. Both could make a convincing argument, but grabbing enough votes from a bitter jury is another matter. Malcolm is set up by the editing as the favorite, which makes his ultimate demise more predictable. The opening reward challenge offers a big advantage to the winner in the final battle.

Malcolm Freberg didn't win "Survivor: Philippines" or even Player of the Season (although it was close), but he earned a spot as one of the game's most popular players.

Of course, he'd rather be remembered as the winner -- or at least known for his razor-sharp wit, as he told Zap2it after reliving his defeat on Sunday's finale.

Were you flattered to be compared to Ozzy?

I know he's a popular guy, so that's cool, but I always thought of myself as a much more strategic player than Ozzy. I want to be known as the strategic guy. The comparison is great -- but really?

Who has better hair?

Me. That's not even a question.

Are you happy with your good-guy edit?

There's no way I can be upset about the way I've been portrayed on TV, but I actually am upset, because I said so many snarky things,...

He excelled both socially, strategically, and physically — which is exactly why his tribemates voted him out just prior to the Survivor: Philippines final Tribal Council. And for Malcolm Freberg, that was the harshest reality of all. We spoke with Malcolm the day after the finale, where he shared his frustrations over being so close, yet so far from the million dollars.

Entertainment Weekly: What’s worse psychologically — getting voted out early or making it that close to the end and coming up short in that last challenge?

Malcolm Freberg: Oh, it’s absolutely worse going that far and having...

Four finalists remained going into tonight's (Dec. 16) finale of "Survivor: Philippines": (Lisa Whelchel, returning player Michael Skupin, Malcolm Freberg and Denise Stapley.

And after 39 days and sitting in every single Tribal Council, Denise won the million-dollar prize and the title of Sole Survivor.

Before announcing the vote, however, Jeff Probst called for a moment of silence to honor the victims of the Newton tragedy -- offering a sober perspective on what it really means to "survive."

So "Survivor" is just a game, but Denise outwitted, outplayed and outlasted her way from the bottom to win.

Here's how she got there ...

Post-Tribal

Skupin compares voting Abi out to having a tumor removed. Malcolm complains that he was thrown under the bus, "with compliments," again when Abi pointed out how dangerous he was. Unlike Abi and Lisa, Skupin believes he has a "better story" than Malcolm and can beat him in the final three.

Abi-Maria Gomes began Survivor: Philippines with good intentions, but soon became one of the show's most memorable villains. Although her tribesmates considered bringing her to the end, they voted her off simply because she was so hard to handle. In a surprising interview, the 32-year-old business student owns up to all her misdeeds. You have become one of Survivor's most notorious villains!Ugh! Don't remind me! You didn't know that people would react to you like this?I came into the game with the greatest of intentions. I wanted to play a beautiful, strategic game. In my real life,...

Abi-Maria Gomes began Survivor: Philippines with good intentions, but soon became one of the show's most memorable villains. Although her tribesmates considered bringing her to the end, they voted her off simply because she was so hard to handle. In a surprising interview, the 32-year-old business student owns up to all her misdeeds.

You have become one of Survivor's most notorious villains!

Ugh! Don't remind me!

You didn't know that people would react to you like this?

I came into the game with the greatest of intentions. I wanted to play a beautiful, strategic game. In my real life,...

Abi-Maria Gomes was the breakout villain of "Survivor: Philippines" because of her irascible temper, petulance and bullying, but it turns out she had a secret reason to be cranky: She badly injured her knee early in the game.

"I was trying to play it off while I was on the island because I didn't want them to think of me as the weak link," Abi -- voted out at the last Tribal Council -- tells Zap2it. "But when I got back to reality I actually had to go through surgery. That's the reason I was performing so poorly at challenges."

The "Survivor" medical team told Abi that to treat her injury, she'd have to be pulled from the game. "I didn't want that to happen. They told me, 'We understand you're in pain, but if you want a knee brace you basically have to be medevac'd.' I said out of question,...

Five finalists remain on "Survivor: Philippines" -- the Fab Four (Lisa, Michael Skupin, Malcolm and Denise) and .. Abi.

Going into tonight's (Dec. 12) final regular episode, the bigmouth Brazilian had two shots to stay in the game: winning immunity, or persuading two of the four to drag her along as a sacrificial goat.

Post-Tribal

The five finalists celebrate making it to Day 34, with Abi, oblivious as usual, profusely thanking the others for keeping her around. Maybe in her "culture" goats deserve respect?

In their confessionals, Lisa reiterates that she'll bring someone she can beat, no matter how "yucky" it feels to keep Abi around, while Malcolm calls Lisa's strategy an eye opener.

Skupin laughs at Abi's "ironic" reversal of fortune, saying: "I think you thought you were going to be here [in the final five], just with different people."

He also giggles about Abi's announcement "with trumpets" that she's going into the woods to get water,...

Carter Williams, the latest contestant voted out of "Survivor: Philippines," is happy he survived the game -- and obnoxious castmate Abi.

"You'd think after all this time, I'd be over it," he told Zap2it this morning (Dec. 6). "But no. What a crazy game -- if you can call it a game."

We also learned something about Carter: He's kind of hilarious.

"I don't anyone's over that game. I think even Zane [voted out first] is wondering how he could've been in the final. I think he had his final speech all ready to go."

"I can't imagine what Abi's going through," he says about Season 25's breakout villain. "That little monster. She's kind of like a puppy dog with sharp teeth: She looks cute, and you think you want to be friends with her -- but she doesn't realize that she's got sharp teeth and she can hurt you."

"It's unfortunate,...

Survivor: Philippines Review, Season 25, Episode 11

“Hell Hath Frozen Over”

Airs Wednesdays at 8pm (Et) on CBS

It’s been interesting this season to watch how each returning player has approached Survivor differently using his past knowledge. Russell Swan looked at his first appearance and decided to change his style. The problem was that he actually did well the first time as the leader before his exit. Mike Skupin competed during a different era where strategy took a back seat to physical survival. He seemed like a prime contender to leave early, but he’s maneuvered well heading towards the end. The surprise has been Jonathan Penner, who entered with a reputation as a strategist. He clearly understands the show and has studied how things work in the game. Unfortunately, his play hasn’t always reflected that intelligence. After surviving a few close calls after the merge, he got complacent and...

I wasn't around to recap last Wednesday night's eventful episode of "Survivor: Philippines," but due to the Thanksgiving holiday, I was still able to have my weekly exit interview and chat with Pete Yurkowski about his torch-snuffing.   In one of those reversals of fortune that happen three or four times every "Survivor" season, Pete went from atop a seemingly powerful majority alliance to out-of-the-game over a two-episode span. First he helped minimize the Tandang domination by voting against long-time rival Rc, then he lost a tenuous ally when Mike Skupin flipped on Artis. And finally Pete was forced to beg...

There are several Survivor touchstones that truly let the castaways know they've made it far in the game: the merge, letters from home and the auction all signify major milestones. Tonight, we're treated to the most enjoyable of the three as each remaining player is given $500 and Jeff Probst puts various items up on the bidding block!

Related - Survivor Artis: 'Abi Was Abusive"

In the past, some have used this auction as an opportunity to curry favor with the group and that might be a good idea for Abi considering her shaky status amongst the tribe.

After back-to-back Tribal Council votes that have cut her alliance at one, Abi's Idol is gone and her head is on the chopping block. Although according to her recently snuffed comrade, Pete, she stands no chance of winning and was the biggest factor in his ousting.

Related - Survivor Jeff: Lisa Burned Too Many Bridges

"Even...

And then there were seven. Peter "Pete" Yurkowski became the latest castaway voted out of Survivor: Philippines in last week's episode. While the 24-year-old engineering graduate from Holmdel, N.J., did some major late-minute scrambling with his alliance mate, the polarizing Abi-Maria Gomes, the two were unable to get anyone to flip their vote. Photos: Jeff Probst's 'Survivor' Picture Diary During his time on the show, Pete was part of the initially dominant Tandang tribe, whose members never went to tribal council until the merge, after which the tribe began to fall apart. His biggest strategic

read more...

Pete Yurkowski, the latest Castaway voted out of Survivor: Philippines, found himself in a losing alliance, in more ways than one.

From the game's outset, Pete partnered with Abi, who's emerged as the season's most obnoxious player, if not the villain (a term usually reserved for more cunning strategists).

Considering Pete fanned the flames of her paranoia early on by planting the clue to the Hidden Immunity Idol in Tandang tribemate in R.C.'s bag, does Pete feel at all responsible for her behavior?

"Did I think it would've been such an explosion?" he asked Zap2it. "No. Did that seal the deal? Probably. Would it've changed anything? I don't think so."

"She's not like this in real life," he insists about the blond Brazilian. "But she was extremely volatile out there. Everything got under her skin, and then she would go crazy and start telling everybody everything. Like,...

After 27 days of scheming and plotting, Pete Yurkowski, the self-proclaimed mastermind of Survivor: Philippines, was sent packing by his tribesmates. The 24-year-old engineering graduate tells People what went wrong – and why there are no hard feelings.

You have a degree in engineering management. Did that help you on Survivor?

Engineering helps with puzzles and stuff, but it doesn't help with interpersonal relationships and Survivor is a social game.

You had trouble making fire.

We were eating our rice raw, but it was like eating sand. We called them Yum-Yum-Yummy-o's. It was a joke, like a cereal you'd never serve your kids.

Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People.com since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach.

"This is like a chess game ... You can't just think about tomorrow. You have to put yourself in a position that you can be there in 30 days. You have to think about that now. Because otherwise you won't be there."

– Jonathan Penner, Cook Islands

Pete Yurkowski was the dominant player in the dominant alliance in Survivor's most dominant tribe ever. He could just taste that oversized million-dollar novelty check. But on Thursday, instead of eating novelty check,...

God, I love people who call out reprehensible social behavior. They're my catnip. At the end of Wednesday night's Survivor, my girl Denise officially ascended to sainthood when she read the increasingly ridiculous Abi-Maria like The Well-Tempered Clavier and called out her nonsense, note for note. It was heaven -- which I feel sort of bad about, because although Abi-Maria is one of the great earsores in Survivor history, she's also so helpless that her idiocy should be lamented more than lambasted. Still, Denise is the Mother Cabrini of Kickassitude, and to her I say, "All hail."

And here are five other issues that mattered from last night's episode, which should really be titled, "Sobby Abi is So Sawwy."

1. Abi's version of "conversation" is always a treat.

I can't say I'm a true converted fan of Lisa Whelchel's because she ends too many of her confessionals with, "You know,...

Last week on "Survivor: Philippines," Skupin flipped on his original tribe, pushing them from the top of the pecking order to the bottom. This week, he convinced Lisa to join him in a new alliance of six, leaving Abi and Pete alone on the other side. Abi, who was described this episode as having the social graces of a mack truck, didn't take it too well.

After winning a reward challenge, she gloated to excess, and then declared that she was done cooking. Oh, and she would not stop talking. She interrupted everyone, though this is nothing new. So the alliance of six decided target her and Pete. In hopes of flushing out her Immunity Idol, they split their vote.

Pete talked with Skupin about trying to flip back and vote Malcolm -- who also had an Immunity Idol -- out and Skupin considered it. In the end, he stayed loyal,...

Survivor: Philippines Review, Season 25, Episode 10

“Whiners are Weiners”

Airs Wednesdays at 8pm (Et) on CBS

There have been plenty of cases on Survivor where interesting characters were lost in the shuffle. If the editors decide they aren’t pivotal to the story, they may provide a limited perspective on them. Artis is a good example of this trend; exit interviews revealed an energetic guy who enjoyed his time on the island. That differs from the grumpy player shown for most of this season. On the other hand, there are nasty individuals who clearly aren’t just victims of the editors. Colton was a good example of this situation last time, and Abi-Maria plays a similar role in the Philippines. She nastily attacks other players and gets personal, which creates an uncomfortable environment. Rc was naïve enough to think she could work with Abi, but there’s little room to work with such a volatile person.

Last week on "Survivor: Philippines," Skupin flipped on his original tribe, pushing them from the top of the pecking order to the bottom. This week, he convinced Lisa to join him in a new alliance of six, leaving Abi and Pete alone on the other side. Abi, who was described this episode as having the social graces of a mack truck, didn't take it too well.

After winning a reward challenge, she gloated to excess, and then declared that she was done cooking. Oh, and she would not stop talking. She interrupted everyone, though this is nothing new. So the alliance of six decided target her and Pete. In hopes of flushing out her Immunity Idol, they split their vote.

Pete talked with Skupin about trying to flip back and vote Malcolm -- who also had an Immunity Idol -- out and Skupin considered it. In the end, he stayed loyal,...

Ok, what Abi channel is "Survivor: Philippines" host Jeff Probst tuned in to? While the host with the most seems determined to attribute the paranoid bully's clash with her fellow Castaways to a "cultural misunderstanding," on the show we're watching, Abi is an envoy of Mean Girl Nation.

So how did the Brazilian babe charm her tribemates this week? Was the queen of the jungle finally dethroned?

Game On

While Skupin is reveling in his new power position after flipping on his tribe, Lisa kisses up to Abi. "I have never been good at breakups," says the former child star (who, incidentally, divorced her husband just days before filming started on "Survivor: Philippines"). "Clearly you're already aligned with them," snaps the sourpuss -- to the woman who has been loyal to her since day one.

Reward Challenge

The tribes are divided into two teams competing for the reward: a spa...

Each week, host Jeff Probst answers a few questions about the most recent episode of Survivor: Philippines.

Entertainment Weekly: You have two types of “villains” on Survivor — those that know they are villains and almost embrace it in a way, and those that have no clue whatsoever. Abi-Maria would seem to clearly fall into that latter category. As a producer, how are they different in terms of what they bring to the show?

Jeff Probst: Another interesting question…. I guess it would come down to behavior. Russell Hantz enjoys being a villain, likes creating chaos and on some level...

Survivor 25,Philippines eliminated Pete Yurkowski in episode 10 tonight. Tonight's episode kicked off with more conversation footage. Abbie made an awful attempt at trying to reel Lisa back into their Tandang alliance after Lisa turned on them at the last tribal counsel meeting. Abbie's attempts unsurprisingly didn't work as Lisa didn't like Abbie's awful attitude and just outright rudeness,coupled with extreme paranoia. Next, they headed to rewards challenge. In it,they were split into two teams,where they had to flip over weird drums. It was the strangest comp I'd ever seen. Anyways, the red team of Carter, Abbie,Malcolm,and Pete, won. For rewards, they got to enjoy a delicious chicken dinner plus a very relaxing massage outing. After a break, they showed the rewards footage. Abbie started heavily getting on everyone's nerves by bragging about how great her rewards trip was,and she would just never shut up.

Chris Colfer at a book signing in New Jersey.

Birthday shoutouts go to Marlo Thomas who is 75, and Goldie Hawn is 67.Just a reminder to please join me on Sunday night at 9 Pm Et, when I Liveblog the Lifetime original movie Liz and Dick.Programming Note: Because of the holiday, Ae will have a very limited schedule tomorrow and Friday, but we will have a Meme and Briefs both days, as well as a Puzzler, and recaps of Survivor and Glee. In ratings news, it was a bad night for Happy Endings and The New Normal, which both hit series lows.Discovery has canceled Dirty Jobs and American Chopper. 10 Queer Things About Thanksgiving.Straight Men Respond to: "Gay Men Will Marry Your Girlfriends".

Joanna Lumley and Leonardo DiCaprio make out filming a scene for The Wolf Of Wall Street.

Dan Savage takes down Porno Pete

Finally, Your Holiday Mom, now through New Year's Day.

Whether or not they win the million-dollar prize "Survivor" contestants come away from the game with a new appreciation for everything they missed during the game.

Braving the elements for up to 39 days, Castaways are deprived of food, shelter, sleep and basic amenities -- all while battling to outwit, outplay and outlast their fellow competitors.

This Thanksgiving, we checked in with the cast of "Survivor: Philippines" to find out what they appreciate most now that they are back at home.

Carter Williams: I'm thankful for Keanu Reeves movies and breakfast burritos.

Jonathan Penner: I'm thankful for my friends and loved ones and my health. And I'm thankful to live in the greatest country in history during the greatest period of history. But mostly I'm thankful for my two beautiful kids and my disarmingly fantastic wife. As Robert Palmer said, "Simply irresistible!"

Lisa Whelchel: I am thankful for my...

In the background of every episode of Survivor, there was Artis Silvester – growling, frowning, pacing. But the 53-year-old computer engineer tells People he was having the time of his life, although he still carries a grudge against one player.

You tried out for Survivor several times. Why did it take so long?

I started trying out at season 2. Then I got cancer. They pulled a big mass out of my neck and I lost about 60 lbs. during chemo and radiation. But I kept trying, and I was thrilled to be cast.

Watching the show, you always looked angry. Didn't you enjoy your Survivor experience?...

Survivor: Philippines Review, Season 25, Episode 9

“Little Miss Perfect”

Airs Wednesdays at 8pm (Et) on CBS

After two crazy episodes, Survivor pulls back this week and delivers a more slow-paced affair. The final outcome is surprising, but it lacks the dramatic chaos of past weeks. This episode is all about Lisa Whelchel and her moral dilemma about back-stabbing her tribe. She clearly has a stronger bond with Penner but worries about being disloyal. This is a common theme on this show, but it’s rarely been diagnosed to this degree. Penner gives several long monologues to Lisa that show his understanding for her character. The first is a pretty detailed (and slightly uncomfortable) psychoanalysis of the reasons why she’s struggling. He’s clearly on the hot seat, so it’s wise play by Penner to gain her trust. It’s also fascinating television that shows how much this experience brings down players’ barriers.

Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People.com since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach. "I'm trying to choose my battles carefully. I'm trying to stay one step ahead of the competition." - Jonathan Penner, Survivor: Cook IslandsI hate to say it, but I was bored. After two explosive episodes of backstabs and blindsides, Wednesday's Survivor hit a wall. We spent 44 minutes watching Lisa Whelchel - who now has West Nile virus - wring her hands and moan about loyalty and trust. Hey CBS, Lifetime called. They want their original movie back!

Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People.com since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach.

"I'm trying to choose my battles carefully. I'm trying to stay one step ahead of the competition."

– Jonathan Penner, Survivor: Cook Islands

I hate to say it, but I was bored. After two explosive episodes of backstabs and blindsides, Wednesday's Survivor hit a wall. We spent 44 minutes watching Lisa Whelchel – who now has West Nile virus – wring her hands and moan about loyalty and trust. Hey CBS, Lifetime called. They want their original movie back!

Artis Silvester, the 10th person voted out of "Survivor: Philippines," is not a fan of Michael Skupin.

"Mike was just a waste of time," he told Zap2it today (Nov. 15) about the returning player, who was medically evacuated in Season 2 after faceplanting in a fire.

"The one thing he has going for him is everybody seems to love him," Artis offers. "Why, I have no idea. Let's just say from a personal standpoint he and I will never see eye to eye."

His Tandang tribemate didn't contribute much at camp, either, says Artis. "I don't know what world he came from where he said he was this athlete. As a returning player he was horrible. I would've switched him for anybody else in a heartbeat."

As for his other tribemates, Artis says Pete is "just a frat boy doing frat boy stuff."

"Abi, on the other hand ... Man. I sure...

He may have aligned with the wrong people in Abi and Pete, but Artis Silvester was all class in his final words after being voted off of Survivor: Philippines. However, as we found on on the InsideTV Podcast, that does not mean he doesn’t hold a grudge. And that grudge is aimed squarely at Michael Skupin. Artis is not upset about Skupin flipping at last night’s Tribal Council. He just doesn’t like the dude — at all. “He’s not a nice person,” Artis said when he called in to talk to Jessica Shaw and me about his experience on the island.

I suppose it's only natural that because last week's Survivor was utter chaos, this week would be devoted to sanity and reorientation. Lisa stopped spilling her schemes, Penner stopped philosophizing about his inevitable demise, immunity idols stayed safely tucked away, Denise and Malcolm remained confidently awesome, and Abi-Maria's obvious insanity stayed obviously insane, but not as loud. Good! Good. We needed all that.

And oh yeah, homophobic baseball emperor Jeff is still eliminated. Good riddance again, creep!

Let's retrace and figure out exactly what ruled about this episode -- including the bizarre but interesting conclusion, which is ultimately better for me (and probably you, too) in the long run.

Lisa comes to Jesus. Again.

Now, I said Lisa stopped spilling her various schemes like she did during tribal council last week, but that doesn't mean her emotional outpouring was complete. Unfortunately, we saw a return of the overwhelmed, second-guessing Lisa this week,...

After last week's mind-blowing Tribal Council on "Survivor: Philippines", it's no wonder Lisa Whelchel was a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown afterward at camp.

But instead of thanking her for scrambling to save them, her Tandang tribemates basically ignored her -- while she was instead consoled by the casualties of her scheming. Malcolm immediately told her he had no hard feelings, and she thanked him for his "grace and mercy."

But Penner, playing Dr. Lucy in a Peanuts-style psychiatry booth, counseled Lisa that her need to please people derives from the "toll and cost" of her "extraordinary youth" as a child actor.

Reward Challenge

The nine remaining Castaways divided into two teams, mirroring their alliances because they picked their members. The last one picked, Abi, had to sit out and wasn't eligible for the reward: a feast by local villagers. (You're welcome, villagers!)

The challenge called for...

Jeff Kent, the retired major league baseball Mvp, made it 22 days on Survivor: Philippines before the tribe voted him out in a move spearheaded by The Facts of Life star Lisa Whelchel. Still unhappy about his premature evacuation, Kent talks to People about his Survivor game - and what he really thinks about his tribe mates (and it's not always pretty). You kept your identity a secret. Was it weird to be around people who didn't recognize you? I absolutely cherished it. It was great to go somewhere and not be put on a pedestal. I was happy to negotiate and be told no,...

Jeff Kent, the retired major league baseball Mvp, made it 22 days on Survivor: Philippines before the tribe voted him out in a move spearheaded by The Facts of Life star Lisa Whelchel.

Still unhappy about his premature evacuation, Kent talks to People about his Survivor game – and what he really thinks about his tribe mates (and it's not always pretty).

You kept your identity a secret. Was it weird to be around people who didn't recognize you?

I absolutely cherished it. It was great to go somewhere and not be put on a pedestal. I was happy to negotiate and be told no,...

Survivor: Philippines Review, Season 25, Episode 8

“Dead Man Walking”

Airs Wednesdays at 8pm (Et) on CBS

That was awesome. After last week’s remarkable Tribal Council, it did not seem possible that the follow-up could be even better. The chaotic build-up to the vote is stunning and ranks among the most unpredictable finishes in Survivor history. This is easily the season’s best episode and the strongest one going back to Heroes vs. Villains, if not farther. There are so many possibilities once Penner wins immunity. It’s his first individual win ever, and he beams with pride while everyone else scrambles. The logical next choice is Skupin since he’s a returning player with few allies. Thankfully, Lisa decides to play and gets the ball rolling towards all-out mayhem. When she tells Pete about Malcolm’s immunity idol, it starts a chain reaction that incites mass confusion. It’s the perfect time to blindside Malcolm,...

"It's about winning the war. It's not about winning the battles.” – Peih-Gee Law, Survivor: China

Was that one of the best Survivor episodes ever?!

Penner wins immunity! A scramble at camp! Two idols exposed! I had zero idea who was going home until Jeff Probst read the last vote. Even now, after I've scooped my jaw up off the floor, I'm still not sure what happened.

So many people are playing to win. But who's playing smart, and who's just playing hard? Let’s step back and examine each player's plan.

“Pete”

Episode Quote: “Playing the mastermind role is definitely...

Secret baseball millionaire Jeff Kent got voted off Survivor: Philippines Wednesday night in one of the most last-minute, strategically all-over-the-map episodes in Survivor history. Et catches up with the baseball star, who managed to keep his professional sports identity a secret in the game, to get his take on his chaotic ouster. He also comments on Penner's random vote, Lisa's big move and Abi's confession.

ETonline: So that was one of the craziest episodes ever in the history of Survivor. I wanted to ask you about all the scrambling before tribal council. Skupin, Malcolm, Carter and Pete's names were all discussed. But why do you think it ended up being you?

Jeff: I still don't know why it was me. The only thing I can think of is I was just a casualty that nobody was thinking about, nobody had ever talked about. Maybe Pete though that he could manipulate Carter, because [link=nm...

"Survivor: Philippines" saw one of the reality show's most shocking and spirited Tribal Councils Wednesday (Nov. 7), concluding with an angry (and sort of hilarious) rant by eliminee Jeff Kent.

And the retired pro baseball star is still fuming, as Zap2it discovered when he chatted with him this morning.

How are you feeling now?

It turns you into a bitter person for a few days. I'm still reeling from this -- even though I knew it happened because I lived it. I'm still pissed off watching it.

How worried were you going into Tribal Council?

I was worried. We [were still strategizing] 15 minutes before we had to leave for Tribal Council.... We were just gonna go with the flow, and the flow was Skupin. Lisa started to play the game a little bit, and we were all shocked. What in the heck? While everyone was emptying their dirty laundry, we were all still...