I also wanted Amanda to win, but I think it was Parvati's answers to the jury's questions and her overall presence during the final tribal counsel that put her over the top. If Amanda were more polished in her "speech", she would have won.

oops, typo. Make that HER sexual relationships in real life.

I was glad to see more substance shown about Parvati than editing would have us believe.It made me feel much better about her winning since I was a Cerie fan. Just glad it wasn't Amanda.

Had Amanda won I think we would have a new "Romber" couple to have to watch for the next 3 years. I guess they'd be tagged the "Ozmands". LOL

Did anyone notice how pretty she looked at the reunion show? Amanda always appeared to be the pretty one on the beach but wow Parv really over-shadowed the beauty queen when she cleaned up.

"Poverty" -- as DH and I call her -- is a total sleeeeeeze. The only thing that made my night was Ozzie confessing his feelings for Amanda. I thought that was just too cute.

:-)

Ugh I did not want Parvati to win! Amanda was my 1st choice, then Cerie. Just glad that Natalie didn't make it to the end, she is just plain weird. And I thought Amanda looked better on the beach without all the makeup.

Amanda looked better with no makeup and straight hair on the island than she did all done up for TV, IMO. I thought both of them were pretty unrecognizable last night at the reunion show. In fact, most of the women overdid their makeup and hair and jewelry. The guys all looked good, though. lol

I was disappointed that Parvati won, but thrilled that Natalie didn't. She is just a weird person, and when she and Parvati were flirting and patting each others' butts on the show earlier, I knew something more was going on there. Natalie is so completely stuck on herself, I don't know how she ever finds time to think about anything or anyone else. (SHE would have killed the chicken. For fun. Ick.)

Did Jeff look odd to you last night? His hair was too black, and his ears looked pointy, like an elf's. BAD haircut, Jeff, really bad.

When Amanda talked about trust issues, it really made it clear- this game will mess your head up if you let it. And maybe permanently. I wonder how many contestants were changed forever because of it?

And yay for James and the $100K. I liked that a lot. I hope he and his Dad keep working together and having lots of fun. I think both of them are pretty cool.

I was really disappointed that Amanda didn't win, but she won the consolation prize, and James got something again, so that's all good.
How funny is it that Parvati's last name is Shallow....
I split a gut over that one!
Suzan J

Well, you can't say it wasn't an exciting season. I can't believe some of the moves they pulled off. I think Parvati got way too much credit for "master minding" the women's alliance. I think it was more due to Cirie's planning that they went all the way to the top. Cirie should have won or at least Amanda. Can't stand Parvarti but better her than Natalie. That girl is scary.

I was thrilled that James won the money and I loved Ozzy saying he was falling in love with Amanda.

Can't wait for Gabon. Hope it's better than the last one in Africa but it looks like they will be near water this time. The natives don't look too friendly though.

Linda

Flamingo, I noticed the same thing about Jeff's hair. I thought it needed to be washed, to me it looked greasy. Joe said it looked dyed. And I just about died too when I realized Parvati's last name was Shallow!! Talk about a fitting name.

The "Shallow" one's bio is much more impressive than many others. She put herself through school from age 17 and graduated with a degree in Journalism and minored in French and Italian. She was active in her sorority.

Through boxing she was a key player in developing an out-reach program for under-privilaged girls, fund raising, giving them boxing lessons and scholarships.

Now Amanda on the other hand left school at 16 to model and "beauty queen". Other than the BQ public service stuff she has done little else with her life.

Now who do you think will put the money to better use? I think Alexis was spot on at tribal council.

It's funny how editing gives us impressions that have nothing to do with the real person. I couldn't stand Parvati early on but now as I learn more, I'm glad she won.

I watched half of it....realized that I wasn't going to win the million dollars and went to bed!

The finles always seem anti-climatic. The reunions don't have as much substance as the first ones. Everything got pretty boring after Cirie left. James cracked me up with his grave side shirt story. Most everything else was pretty blah.

I really wanted Amanda to win also. She was so quiet and cute through the whole voting last night and every time Parvati received a vote she would giggle and blow kiss or wink. She flirted her way through the entire show.

I too thought it was so cute when Ozzie told everyone how he felt about her.

I really wanted Amanda to win because i liked her and I didn't like Parv because she was so ruthless but then...that's what the game is all about...You have to admit that Parvati was the ringleader and she is the one that instigated the major plays...It comes right down to the fact that she was the best player..

Ozzy's declarations was sweet..

speaking of couples... is Jeff still with that one survivor? Just curious

I shudder to think that any young girl would see "Poverty" as a role model -- she spoke volumes about her moral character last night (flirting with and using people to get what she wants in life). How sad that anyone thinks that is admirable. (I'm sure she did "put herself through school..." LOL!)

"It's funny how editing gives us impressions that have nothing to do with the real person."

Well, you've sort of edited their biographies to give the edge to Parvati. Of course, I'm going by the bios that are posted on the CBS/Survivor web site... Nowhere does it say that Amanda "left school at 16 to model and 'beauty queen'" -- it says that "She began modeling in Chicago at the age of 16 where she lived on her own for one year." Do you also assume that child actors don't get an education because they're on the set every day?

And, plenty of people "put themselves through school." It's called working to earn the money to pay your own tuition and buy your own books, pay your rent, etc., etc. My husband put himself through college AND law school (and passed the most difficult Bar exam in the US -- the California Bar exam -- the first and only time he took it).

Here are their official biographies from the CBS/Survivor web site. (And I see plenty in Amanda's bio that isn't exactly fluff...)

Amanda Kimmel
Amanda Kimmel has lived all over the state of Montana. She most recently worked as a hiking tour guide and continues to hone her skills as an artist while learning about the fashion industry. She began modeling in Chicago at the age of 16 where she lived on her own for one year. She previously worked as a make-up artist, retail sales representative and waitress. Her goal is to develop a business within the fashion industry.

Kimmel has competed in many beauty pageants and was crowned Miss Montana USA in 2005 and placed in the Top 8 for Miss Earth in 2006. She's been on the cover of Montana Living Magazine and Pageantry Magazine. Kimmel has been to China twice before to compete in the Miss Kite of the World Pageant in Weifang. She placed as a semi-finalist and was given a key to the city and was heavily promoted on billboards and in news articles. While promoting tourism via these pageants, she did volunteer work at orphanages and other organizations and was also permitted to fly kites off the Great Wall in five inch heels.

Kimmel's hobbies include hiking, designing, drawing and painting. She enjoys rock climbing, snowshoeing, kickboxing and volleyball. Kimmel describes herself as motivated, competitive and determined. She has camped every weekend in Montana since she was three years old. She tries never to leave home without her cowboy boots.

Kimmel just moved from Kalispell, Montana to Los Angeles and is living with her sister, Katrina. Her family has one dog, Sassy, two cats, Cleo and Lynus, and one horse, Frisco. Her birth date is August 3, 1984.

Parvati Shallow
Parvati Shallow grew up the eldest of three siblings on a commune in Vero Beach, Florida. She and her family moved to Atlanta when she was 11 years old. Shallow put herself through college, attending the University of Georgia where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism with minors in French and Italian. While in college, she was an active member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and is a huge Bulldog fan!

A nature lover at heart, Shallow has spent extensive amounts of time camping and hiking through North America's state parks including the Tetons and Yellowstone. While in college, she organized a two-month backpacking trip through Europe where she and two friends visited 13 countries, sleeping in youth hostels, train stations, on beaches and park benches. Shallow's favorites include good sushi, wearing oversized jerseys, karaoke and cheering on "The Dawgs." She is also training for triathlons with her mom, Gale.

Shallow has found her niche with the Los Angeles boxing community and began competing in 2004. She and some fellow boxers have parlayed her passion for the sport into the creation of a non-profit organization titled "Knockouts for Girls," a charity that provides scholarships and boxing lessons for underprivileged girls. The organization recently held their first fundraising event that included boxing matches and a fashion show. Having been a huge success, she will be boxing at a second fundraiser in February, 2008.

Shallow currently resides in Los Angeles, California. Her birth date is September 21, 1982.

Having just read all of the cast biographies on the CBS/Survivor web site, I would have to say that, in my opinion, Parvati's is the least impressive. And, again in my opinion, the most impressive is:

~*~*~*~*~

Eliza Orlins was born in New York City to parents Susan and Steve. She grew up splitting her time between NYC and China. When she was four years old, she and her parents went to Beijing where they adopted her sister, Sabrina. Sixteen months later, her youngest sister, Emily, was born. Her father's career moved them to Hong Kong where she spent two years attending Hong Kong International School. Her family then moved back to New York until 1995 when they moved to Washington, D.C. In 2001, Orlins graduated from the Sidwell Friends School where she ran varsity track and cross country. She also completed the Marine Corps Marathon with the AIDS Marathon Training Program her junior year. At Sidwell, she also wrote and edited for the school newspaper and was the assistant director of the spring musical "Damn Yankees."

In 2005, Orlins graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Syracuse University in international relations and political science and a minor in Chinese. At Syracuse, she was a Dean's Scholar and made Dean's List every semester. Orlins also received Phi Beta Kappa honors upon her graduation. As a member of Alpha Phi Sorority, she was the vice president of New Member Recruitment, for which her chapter won the award for best overall recruitment at their national convention.

Orlins is currently a third-year student at Fordham University School of Law and will graduate with her J.D. in December of 2008. At Fordham, Orlins participates in many school activities. She describes herself as insanely over-committed, but happy. She is the Co-Intraschool Editor of the Brendan Moore Trial Advocates (Fordham's Mock Trial Team), the Co-Symposium Editor for the Urban Law Journal and the President of the Fordham Law Democrats. For the Moores, Orlins has competed in multiple trial advocacy competitions, bringing home an individual award for Best Opening Statement at the National Trial Advocacy Competition held at Michigan State University in Fall 2006. For the Urban Law Journal, Orlins and her co-editor are currently planning a symposium on the constitutionality of lethal injection.

Orlins has worked for the Legal Aid Society, criminal defense division, Onondaga County District Attorney's Office, a large New York law firm, and interned for a New York Supreme Court Judge.

Orlins describes herself as an intense, vivacious, driven and politically-active woman who loves reality television, sports, especially New York and Syracuse teams, and her puppy Oscar. She says she brings her competitive nature, athleticism and enthusiasm to SURVIVOR.

Orlins currently lives in Manhattan with her boyfriend Justin and her Yorkshire Terrier, Oscar. Her birth date is December 25, 1982.

I have to agree Lindsey that Eliza is has a very impressive scholastic record.

But she was not part of the final two or even three or four.

The discussion was started about the key players of Survivor and primarily those in last nights show. Between Parvati's bio and Amanda's which is what we have to go on Parvati wins hands down on her achievements. If Amanda did have any scholastic or personal achievements I am pretty sure it would have been included.

At least Parvati is who she is admitting openly to being a flirt. Amanda does the same thing as Parv except she pretends innocence and sweetness and makes all kinds of excuses for whatever she does instead of owning her words and her deeds.. ICK

Thank you, Lindsey, for posting the unedited versions. ;-)

Admitting to something does not make it "acceptable." If OJ admitted to being a slasher, that doesn't make what he did any less disgusting. Ditto for Bill Clinton if he had admitted to oral sex in the White House. Seems to me Amanda's flirtations with Ozzie were based on genuine feelings.

Regardless, it was a great season for viewers! They'll have a hard time topping this one!

CBS would make my TV-watching interesting if they created an "over 40" version of Survivor (and Big Brother, while they are at it).

Why don't they design reality shows for seasoned veterans? ;-)

LOL, Dee! I've thought that same thing! "Senior Survivor" or something. :-)

okwriter, I just sent a message to someone as CBS requesting it! Wouldn't you just love to see how older folks deal with the concepts of these shows? No one under 40 would be allowed...too much whining and entitlement issues!
LOL!

Senior Survivor ---great idea! Seeing as how the older people are voted off fairly soon. This way, they'd be around longer and be more fun to watch, than flirty, bikini clad, young things. LOL

Personally, I'd like to see Survivor USA set in the backwoods of the south. Our ancestors survived it. I'd like to see how some of these kids do.

Came across this interview. It's pretty interesting. Parvati said she found the idol.

Here is a link that might be useful: Interview