When your only alliance is with the chickens, and they're about to lose their heads (literally), your chances of surviving on the CBS show are slim. Or none.
That was the case this week when Kimmi, the 28-year-old who was criticized for her incessant talking, her tearful defense of her vegetarianism, even her infrequent bathing, was booted. In Kimmi's defense, the water near her Kucha camp isn't the clear, inviting turquoise of the first "Survivor."
LOOK WHO'S TALKING: Teammate Mike criticized Kimmi for her grand gestures. "It's too theatrical, it's too much," he said of Kimmi's decision to flee before a chicken was slaughtered. Isn't this the guy whose luxury item was war paint?
LORD OF THE FLIES: Jeff declared he didn't mean to sound evil, but it was all about kicking somebody's butt and chopping off their heads and poking their eyeballs out. Imagine if he had meant to sound evil.
OUR VOTE FOR OUSTER: Kimmi might have been annoying, but Alicia's mean.
AMBER'S AGONY AND ECTASY: Amber Brkich, the 22-year-old Beaver County woman on the show, finally is emerging as her own person. Editing on past episodes portrayed her as one of Jerri's minions. This week, Amber was seen crying after Ogakor lost yet another reward challenge; this one would have brought players toothpaste, shampoo, spices and soup mix. But it was Amber who delivered a pep talk to her teammates, encouraging them to let their minds and hearts get them through the immunity challenge. It worked.
CONSOLATION PRIZE? It's not a $1 million prize, but Rodger Bingham will have an overpass named in his honor. "Kentucky Joe" was honored Tuesday by Gov. Paul Patton and the state Legislature for his participation in the game. "I don't know much about the show," Patton told Bingham, "but I know you can't tell me if you survived." We somehow doubt it.
BLIND DATES: Look for Dirk from the first "Survivor" and Jerri from the second on a special edition of "Blind Date" on WNPA at 5 a.m. Thursday. Poor Dirk, who has moved from Wisconsin to L.A., spends the entire date talking about "Survivor" with a grad student. She doesn't care a whit about "Survivor" -- or Dirk. Jerri hooks up with a bartender. Instead of arriving with flowers, he brings broccoli. Jerri, who confesses to not having any close friends, takes a liking to Kirk.
