Sandra is Survivor’s first two-time winner; Parvati sets a record; Russell loses again + reality blurred

Sandra Diaz-Twine did exactly what she promised and won Survivor Heroes vs. Villains, becoming the show’s first-ever two-time winner by using a strategy very similar to the one that worked for her in the Pearl Islands. The most surprising part of a surprising finale was how unsurprised the final three seemed during the live vote reveal; it’s almost as if they knew the outcome in advance.

Parvati Shallow would have been a great winner, but had to settle for second place—and the distinction of the person who’s played the game longer than anyone else, 114 days. Her three individual immunity challenge wins also tie her for second, though Colby Donaldson retains that title, despite his lackluster performance this season (he attributed that during the reunion to a lack of excitement about being back for a third time).

And Russell Hantz got zero votes, though he did win $100,000 thanks to dumb viewers. If, after watching the live reunion, Russell’s fans are still convinced that Russell deserves to win, they are as delusional as he is. Rob Mariano explained it perfectly: “the problem with Russell is that he doesn’t play the game to win … he plays a good game to get to the end.” I completely agree: Russell has some incredible game, and over 28 episodes, made some great moves. But he’s also so pig-headed and arrogant and stubborn that he refuses to understand how the game works.

Jeff Probst, thankfully, really questioned Russell during the reunion about whether or not he ever considers jury votes while making moves and behaving like an ass. “I don’t care about that,” Russell said, and continued to say the same thing he’s been saying since he lost in Samoa. Probst didn’t let up—“you haven’t answered what I’ve asked”—and Sandra, hilariously, said, “he doesn’t understand.” He doesn’t.

Read the entire article at:
http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/survivor_heroes_vs_villains/2010_May_17_sandra_wins

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Survivor Heroes vs Villains Episode 14 Photos

Survivor Heroes vs Villains Episode 14 Photos

Survivor Heroes vs Villains Episode 14 Photos

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‘Survivor: Heroes vs Villains’: Why Sandra Deserves The Win (And Why Russell Missed Out Again)

I’m glad Sandra won. I wasn’t rooting for her because she’s an underdog, nor because of her story about her husband serving in Afghanistan. I still think she played the smartest game this season, despite the fact that she didn’t win that many challenges, and she always came up short when implementing her strategies. It takes a lot to hold on despite being on the outs with virtually everyone–from the beginning, when Rob’s gang got voted off one by one, and later, after the merge, when the Heroes were unable to understand what she was planning. She’s literally a survivor.

And you’re saying she didn’t do anything this season? It’s a matter of having the heat off you, the same way Colby lasted this long in the season despite being far from his peak in Australia. With him, it was disappointing watching him flounder in tasks and in morale, since it’s a far cry from the guy we saw kick ass down under. In Sandra’s case, that’s the way she’s always played.

Considering the competition–let’s forget what actually happened before, okay?–Russell never really stood a chance at winning this season. It wasn’t a vindictive jury: it was a jury that knew what the game is about. In Tom’s words, it’s one-thirds strategy, one-thirds physical, and one-thirds luck. Russell perfected one aspect but Sandra perfected others, and the jury put a bigger premium on that. Now, that’s respect for the game.

Read the entire article at:
http://www.buddytv.com/articles/survivor/survivor-heroes-vs-villains-wh-36604.aspx

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Sandra Diaz Twine- Her game plan gets revealed and exposed! | Entertainment and Showbiz!

While Shallow is quick, swift and has perfected the art of flirting, Hantz is extremely sharp with his moves and will not hesitate from using unconventional methods to secure his win.

Sandra, however, took away the winner’s title and has revealed her game plan to win this show.

Sandra commented that she studied the previous seasons intently to know the moves of the winners. She also added that she took the game step by step and did not lose her strong determination even for once.

Well, we appreciate the strength of this woman of steel who certainly does not believe in the maxim that once is enough.

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http://www.entertainmentandshowbiz.com/sandra-diaz-twine-her-game-plan-gets-revealed-and-exposed-2010051753118

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Top Ten Moments that Made ‘Survivor: Heroes Vs. Villains’ the Greatest Season Yet – Associated Content – associatedcontent.com

Now that Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains has come to an end, I can now say that this is the greatest Survivor I’ve ever seen. What made this the greatest? It was ten top

 moments of drama and chaos. Let’s take a journey through the season to see what made this such a great season. They are in no particular order.

-First day injuries

A dislocated shoulder and broken toes plagued the Heroes on day one. The curse began from that point. Adding to this was Sandra’s first “evil” move as she unlatched Sugar’s bra to try and gain the Villains an edge in the challenge.

-Tyson’s vote for Parvati

This was the first crazy tribal council. The vote not only shocked me but Russell’s bold play in giving Parvati the idol (and the fact that it worked like it was planned) astonished me.

Read the entire article at:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/3009508/top_ten_moments_that_made_survivor.html?cat=9

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‘Survivor: Heroes vs Villains’ Finale Recap: Let Me Tell You About Hard Work

Scary possibilities: With Russell winning immunity, Parvati seriously feels in danger. “That scares me,” she said. Sandra still thinks she’s in trouble, though, so she pretty much strikes a deal with Russell to bring her to the final three. “I’ll take the $100,000,” she said, assuring him that she won’t get a jury vote.

But Russell’s thinking ahead again. Now he’s thinking of jury votes, and he’s having second thoughts with his plan to toss Parvati. At least, he figured, if he sends Jerri home he can be guaranteed of one vote from the jury. He’s not so sure Parvati will vote for him in the final Tribal Council.

The pre-vote chat featured this little tussle between Russell and Parvati. Or was it flirtatious angling? She thinks he’ll still watch out for her in the end, like they watched out for each other in the past month or so. Russell thinks he’s doing all the watching. Still, sir, go on with your delusions.

In the end, Jerri was unanimously voted out. “Crap!” she only answered. “I thought I had this in the bag!”

Read the entire article at:
http://www.buddytv.com/articles/home-page-blog/more/survivor-heroes-vs-villains-fi-36593.aspx

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Reality Check: ‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains’: the reunion – A reality TV blog by The Baltimore Sun’s Sarah Kelber – baltimoresun.com

Now that the winner’s been announced, we’re back for the reunion.

Sandra Diaz-Twine is now the first two-time Survivor winner. Jeff Probst asks her if that means she is the best player ever. Russell looks angry. Parvati says she has to challenge that since she’s played more days. Jeff asks Russell is Sandra is the best player. He says she’s not the best social player because “she’s lippy and she knows it.” He says she’s the worst physical player, possibly ever. She says that is a strategy. And he says she is a terrible strategic player since her main strategy is to get him out and she failed.

Russell thinks that there is a flaw in the game and he thinks America should have a percentage of the vote. Sandra says he still would have lost. 

Jeff says this is not a game in which America gets a vote.

Sandra says she was a fan first, player later and she learned from everyone’s moves in previous season. 

Tom says the game is a third physical, a third social and a third luck. He says whoever wins a season deserves to win that season. Russell says he didn’t play twice, he played once … for a long time. He says he’s good because he can make a winner “look like the dumbest player in history, I’m good.” He has a laminated copy of JT’s letter to him. JT grabs it and pretends (?) to throw it in the fire. It’s all very fraught, and Jeff says this is how it was on this season every single day.

Read the entire article at:
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/realitycheck/blog/2010/05/survivor_heroes_vs_villains_the_reunion.html

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Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains – “Anything Could Happen” Review – TV Review at IGN

Of course Sandra was being completely petty when she burned Russell’s hat in the fire – but again, that was kind of a perfect moment, as far as Russell’s two-season long story arc. Russell Hantz, who came into this game last season burning a fellow contestant’s socks, and gets off on spilling out people’s water and hiding the machete for his own twisted reasons, has his precious hat thrown into a fire, thanks to his odious personality. And it’s by the very same person who is about to kick his ass in jury votes!

Meanwhile, Parvati can leave her third go around with her head held high. She came back her second time in Micronesia and had clearly realized she needed to change her game, turning into a formidable player who won that season by playing a great game. This time around, she once again kicked ass both strategically and physically, dominating much of the game and coming in second. And I loved her saying how she kept Russell as her “pet,” because sorry Russell, it’s more true than you’ll ever admit. It was clear he was under Parvati’s spell several times this season, as he kept working to keep her in the game, even when it was clear she was a genuine threat to get votes – even to someone as certain of his own victory as Russell.

As for Russell, he utterly failed to learn anything from either time he played, and I find myself having done a complete 180 on the guy – who I was actually rooting for during most of Samoa. You can’t play Survivor twice and be that blind to the social politics (even while screaming you played a great social game) without it coming off as rather sad.

That being said… he’s pretty damn amazing casting, isn’t he? I’m glad you lost Russell, but the season just wouldn’t have been the same without you.

Read the entire article at:
http://tv.ign.com/articles/109/1090108p1.html

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News Tribune – Lifestyle – Hollywood

The jury was pretty brutal to the final 3. But in the end I think they decided Sandra was the least deceptive of them all and all the Heroes wished they had listened to her. But I still think she was riding coattails.

The reunion show was probably one of the best ever. Russell was voted the most deserving by online voters and won $100,000. The winner of the dumbest move ever was J.T. for giving his hidden immunity idol to a villain before the merge.

Rob and Amber had their baby, a girl. Candice was married May 1 after postponing her wedding to be on the show and Amanda was still being the good girl.”

Read the entire article at:
http://www.newstrib.com/articles/lifestyle/hollywood/default.asp?Article=20959&aname=Cindy’s+Scoop+on+’Survivor’+finale

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‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains’ finale: Parvati Shallow should have won – It Happened Last Night – Zap2it

The problem with Russell is that he’s uber-clever and sneaky, but at the same time his anal-retentive, control-freak nature coupled with his Napoleon complex makes him kind of a lunatic when things don’t go his way. I bet as a child he laid down and pounded his fists on the ground a lot when he didn’t get his way.

No sooner have I typed that does Parvati compare him to a two-year-old who stomps his feet when his toy gets taken away. Hee!

Crab. Lizard. Dramatic music.

The next morning, they get puzzle pieces with tree mail that talks about steady hands and losing control and dishes. Parvati remembers it from “Survivor: China.” Russell talking-heads that if Colby wins, the best move is to get rid of Parvati. He’s convinced that he’ll win if it’s him, Sandra and Jerri at the top. That’s a sound argument because neither of them played as hard as Russell or Parvati, but it will prove to be false logic on Russell’s part.

Read the entire article at:
http://blog.zap2it.com/ithappenedlastnight/2010/05/survivor-heroes-vs-villains-finale-parvati-shallow-should-have-won.html

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The Associated Press: Bank teller Sandra Diaz-Twine wins ‘Survivor’

The numbers were in Sandra Diaz-Twine’s favor again on “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.”

The brazen 34-year-old bank teller from Fayetteville, N.C., overcame fellow villains, sneaky 27-year-old former boxer Parvati Shallow and sinister 37-year-old oil company owner Russell Hantz, to win the CBS reality competition’s $1 million grand prize Sunday. Diaz-Twine also claimed the ultimate bragging right: She’s the first person to win “Survivor” twice.

“It makes me the queen,” Diaz-Twine said of her two-time win.
The 20th season stranded 20 veteran contestants, divided into tribes of good guys and baddies, in Samoa. Diaz-Twine (“Pearl Islands”), who never won a physical challenge, maneuvered into the final three after her catty alliance on the villains tribe had been previously dismantled by partners Shallow (“Cook Islands,” “Micronesia”) and Hantz (“Samoa”).

“If she can win the game twice, there is a flaw in the game,” a disgruntled Hantz said.

Read the entire article at:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jn1sX_Mpn6ymvx01p7pk1ssjm70AD9FOCB2G0

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‘Survivor: Palau’s’ Jenn Lyon gets tribute during ‘Heroes vs. Villains’ finale – From Inside the Box – Zap2it

Jennifer Lyon, fourth-place finisher on “Survivor: Palau,” passed away of breast cancer at the age of 37 in January 2010. She was given a lovely video montage during the “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” live finale show.

Lyon’s diagnosis of stage three breast cancer came in 2005. She endured a double mastectomy at the time and then started her chemotherapy.

Austin Carty, a “Survivor: Panama” contestant who dated Lyon in 2007, told US back in January when she passed away that Jenn “was a genuinely selfless, sweet-natured person. She always had a smile. She cared about every person. This has really rocked the ‘Survivor’ community.”

Read the entire article at:
http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2010/05/survivor-palaus-jenn-lyon-gets-tribute-during-heroes-vs-villains-finale.html

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Winner of ‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains’ is … – Survivor

Sandra Diaz-Twine became the first ever two-time “Survivor” champion by winning $1 million on “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” as she defeated Parvati Shallow and Russell Hantz, who lost his second season in a row. Russell was baffled yet again as to why he lost the game, even though the jury explained that he played a bad game by creating a jury of people who loathed him. At least he gets the $100,000 consolation prize based on viewer votes.

Parvati did even better than Russell: She placed second, and after 114 days of playing the game over three seasons, she has played it more than anyone else. As host Jeff Probst revealed during the live reunion, she’s also tied for second for most individual challenge wins. Colby Donaldson still has the record, although he didn’t do much to add to it this season. He was also the first voted out during the finale.

Although we saw a montage of Colby’s awful challenge play, he outlasted all of the final five except Parvati in the first immunity challenge of the night — and then dropped the stack of plates he was balancing, giving Parvati her second individual immunity win in a row and third of the game. Back at camp, Colby pretended to give up (“I’m not going to hustle today, I’m not going to scramble,” he told everyone), but that was a ruse so he could go to Russell and try to get him to vote off Sandra.

Read the entire article at:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37184383/ns/today-entertainment/

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Survivor 20: Sandra Diaz-Twine Wins Again | Survivor Fandom

Sandra Diaz-Twine is the only two time winner of Survivor.  Her philosophy of “as long as it’s not me” brought her all the way to the final tribal council where she had the chance to plead her case to the jury.  In a 6-3 vote the jury members awarded Sandra the title of Sole Survivor and the prize money of a million dollars for the second time.

At the final tribal council the jury members questioned all three finalists and it was pretty obvious that no one liked Russell and no one respects his game.  Colby tells him that he is delusional if he thinks he made it to the end without luck.  Coach tells Russ he can be a very little man in stature and word while praising Parvati as a warrior.  But, Danielle put the nail in the coffin when she asked if he would do anything differently and when he says no and sticks by all his moves, she tells him he has a lack of skill with the jury and won’t receive any votes.  It turns out she was correct.  What do you think?  Did we have two bitter juries or is there a lot we don’t see of Russ and his evil ways that are lost in the editing room? 

Read the entire article at:
http://survivorfandom.com/survivor-20-sandra-diaz-twine-wins-again-31623/

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‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains’ finale: Russell Hantz defeats Rupert Boneham for Sprint prize – From Inside the Box – Zap2it

The Sprint fan prize for the Player of the Season went to Russell Hantz of “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.” Jeff Probst says in another example of Good vs. Evil, the vote came down to a race between Russell and fan favorite Hero Rupert Boneham. The winner of the season’s million dollar prize was Sandra Diaz-Twine. 

All throughout the live finale show, Russell was ranting and raving about being the best “Survivor” payer and apparently America agrees, even if the other Survivors didn’t. He comments, “What needs to happen is America needs to have a percentage of the votes … America, they make the decisions. They should.”

Read the entire article at:
http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2010/05/survivor-heroes-vs-villains-finale-russell-hantz-defeats-rupert-boneham-for-sprint-prize.html

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‘Survivor’: Who won? – The TV Guy – Orlando Sentinel

Russell, considered by many the best player, received no votes at the end.

Russell called Sandra “a lippy player” and one of the worst physical players in the show’s history.

Sandra said that was part of her strategy.

The reunion show was even more entertaining than the finale. Russell faulted the way the show works.  And Russell was the lippy one in the finale. He again lost out, and he was a sore loser.

Read the entire article at:
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2010/05/survivor-who-won.html

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Television – News – ‘Survivor: Heroes Vs. Villains’ winner named – Digital Spy

At the first Tribal Council, Colby said that nobody wanted to sit next to Parvati in the final, they would prefer to sit next to Sandra. In the end, Sandra received one vote and Colby received three votes meaning that he was voted out of the Tribe and became the eighth member of the Jury.

Parvati later admitted that it was an “eye opener” when Colby said it would be easier to get rid of her, while Russell and Jerri said that they had to win the next Immunity Challenge so that they both get a shot at the prize.

The final four then received a map leading them to a ceremonial beach where they paid tribute to the eliminated contestants before taking on the last Immunity Challenge which involved collecting necklaces while blindfolded in a maze. After a close race to the finish line, Russell managed to win over Jerri and Parvati.

Russell later said that he wanted to keep Sandra figuring that she would only receive one Jury vote and win him the prize, leading Jerri to refer to herself, Russell and Sandra as “the final three”. However, Russell also told Parvati that he would rather put Jerri on the Jury than Sandra to get her vote.

Read the entire article at:
http://www.digitalspy.com/ustv/s76/survivor/news/a220159/survivor-heroes-vs-villains-winner-named.html#article_continue

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Survivor Heroes vs Villains Recap For May 16, 2010

Tonight is the final episode of Survivor Redemption, Heroes vs Villains, and it began when ten of the greatest heroes and ten of the most atrocious villains met each other in an attempt to win a million dollars as Sole Survivor. The Heroes are quickly whittled down to five before the Villains begin turning on themselves. Alliances are shattered, idols are played in ingenious situations, and we are left with one Hero, Colby, and four Villains, Russell, Jerri, Sandra, and Parvati.

After twenty seasons we are promised the most exciting final Tribal Council yet. Russell confronts Sandra over hiding her idol, and she counters with the fact that she didn’t know about his idol. Privately Sandra says that Russell wants to micro-manage everyone and she is not someone who can be micro-managed. Parvati comes under fire next when he says that Parvati knew, and when she says she did not know he accuses of her a lie. Parvati resents him saying she did know. Colby sits back and is glad to have the magnifying glass on someone else rather than him.  

Tree mail arrives and includes a clue telling them that steady hands and China will protect them. Russell feels that if Colby loses he is gone, but if he wins, the best move is to get rid of Parvati. The challenge is for individual immunity. They must balance ceramic dishes on a long wobbly rod, a horizontal balance rather than a vertical one, adding dishes periodically. Sandra goes out at nine dishes high and is the first out. Jerri is the next to go at fourteen dishes. Russell is third out and the immunity is between Parvati and Colby as a big gust of wind comes up. Colby wobbles a bit but gets it back. They add another saucer and are up to seventeen dishes in the stack when Colby’s plates crash. Parvati wins individual immunity and is safe tonight at Tribal Council.

Read the entire article at:
http://www.tvgrapevine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6510:survivor-heroes-vs-villains-recap-for-may-16-2010&catid=156:survivor-heroes-vs-villains&Itemid=59

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Survivor Finale: Blow By Blow of Survivor Heroes vs. Villains Season Finale on CBS | CMR

Colby tells Russell he’s delusional if he thinks he can win Survivor without luck. He quizzes Parvati about her strategy and she brings up how she had to give the two Idols to Jerri and Sandra.

Coach points out that Sandra was fairly useless in challenges and wishes he could be in her spot now. He says that the day he finally trusted Parvati was the day she turned on him. He promises he has no preconceived ideas on who he will vote for. He doesn’t ask any questions.

Amanda wants to know how Sandra’s strategy was better than Russell and Parvati. Sandra says she spent nights trying to figure out how to get Russell out of the game, and could never get heroes on her side.

Courtney congratulates her two buddy villainesses. She gets Sandra to talk about how loyal Sandra was to her, and shows how that is a strength that others did not know about. Courtney and Sandra love each other.

J.T. is up next, starts with Russell. Russell tells him that the people on the jury will respect the way he played the game, in answer to J.T. asking how the jury will view him. J.T. says he’s not out for vengeance, but Russell says everyone is looking at him like he’s the devil.

Danielle says it’s clear there’s a lack of skill in Russell’s jury management, but Russell says he wouldn’t have changed anything and doesn’t regret anything.

Read the entire article at:
http://www.current-movie-reviews.com/tv/2010/05/16/survivor-finale-blow-by-blow-of-survivor-heroes-vs-villains-season-finale-on-cbs/

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‘Survivor: Heroes vs Villains’: And the winner is… | EW.com

Much like in Samoa, Russell thought the jury would respect his aggressive play. He thought wrong. Ultimately, they awarded the million dollars to Sandra. (Rupert even personally thanked her “for all the Heroes,” whatever that means.) My full recap will be up soon, but sound off right here right now about the finale. Did the best person win? Was Parvati — who was a major target from day one yet still made it all the way — robbed? (For me, Sandra is a satisfying winner, but Parvati deserved it more for mastering all three phases of the game: social, strategic, and physical.

Read the entire article at:
http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/05/16/survivor-heroes-vs-villains-and-the-winner-is/

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