Before I get into last night’s awesome episode of Survivor: Gabon, I just want to give a short shout-out. I was perusing the list of Golden Globe nominations last night and LOL when I realized that up for Best Supporting Actor in a Film, along with the late Heath Ledger, are Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Cruise for their hilarious turns in Tropic Thunder!

Yes, that's Robert
Downey Jr.!
While I will be shocked if either wins over Ledger, it’s nice to see both recognized for taking what would normally be considered slapstick comedy characters into award-winning territory!
Downey Jr. famously plays an Australian actor who undergoes a controversial skin pigmentation process to play an African American sergeant. And Cruise (heavily made up in skull cap and fat suit) plays a firey studio boss very reminiscent of Harvey Weinstein.

And yes, that's
Tom Cruise between takes


If you haven’t seen Tropic Thunder yet, do yourself a favor and rent it this weekend. I highly recommend it.



OK, on to Survivor: As stated above, what an awesome episode it was!! The one I’ve been waiting for all season, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself. If you haven’t watched it yet, stop reading and go watch it here http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor/

We start out on Night 33 with Matty confronting Kenny, demanding to know why Kenny wrote his name on the ballot to be voted out. Kenny tries to defend himself saying that Bob lied to him, and it was all strategic. Matty’s not buying it. Ken and Crystal decide that Matty’s next to go.
Ken confronts Bob demanding to know why Corinne didn’t play the immunity idol at Tribal Council (the idol is fake, remember?), saying he put his neck on the line. Bob tells him the idol was fake, to which Ken replies that Bob played him. Bob feels bad and tells Ken that if he wins the Immunity necklace, he will give it to Ken (WTH is he thinking?).

Bob
The Reward Challenge offers the opportunity for the winner to take a helicopter ride to a gorilla sanctuary for food, drinks and a shower … oh and a chance to see gorillas up close. The first to get 3 balls in the basket wins, and also gets to send someone to Exile Island.
Despite Matty’s lead and best efforts, Bob wins again! Of course, we know they won’t make him go alone, and Jeff tells him to pick two people to go along. Bob strategically picks Ken and Crystal, and opts to send Susie to Exile.

Susie, knowing Sugar has the immunity idol, chooses to stay in the Sugar Shack and load up on fruit.

At the sanctuary, Bob, Ken and Crystal enjoy lunch and drinks, and the scheming duo tell Bob that Matty’s next. Then they all take a shower (separately folks, this is prime time afterall), don dashikis, meet with the gorilla rangers and go see gorillas. Crystal is grateful for the "African experience."

Sugar
Back at camp, Matty tries to get Sugar to vote off Kenny. She’s not buying it. Matty realizes he’s on his own and if he doesn’t win immunity, he’s gone.
When everyone gets back, Matty argues with Ken over their fallen alliance. Crystal chimes in, verbally attacking Matty over his friendship with Susie. Crystal tells the camera in a side monologue, "Matty, Karma’s a bitch!"
Sugar, watching what’s going on, has a change of heart. She doesn’t like the fact that Ken and Crystal are hassling Matty when they’ve already decided that he’s next. Essentially, she sees them as kicking Matty when he’s down and starts believing what Matty told her about Ken’s scheming (remember Ken convinced Sugar to vote out her bud Ace) and Crystal’s bullying.
Sugar gets Matty along and tells him she believes him. She also says he’s not going to go home – the tide is turning … finally!
Sugar tells Matty that Crystal is going next, and she’ll tell Bob to vote for her! (Yes, I’ve wanted Crystal gone for a looooong time. She so has it coming!)

Susie
The Immunity Challenge had contestants crawling through a maze to put together pieces of a mask – blindfolded! Crysal goes completely off course, and Susie gets lost, wandering away from the maze. Matty decides to get all three bags with the puzzle pieces first, while the others work one bag at a time.
Bob wins again! That’s four challenges in a row for the 57-year-old. Go Bob!

Before Tribal Council, Sugar confesses to Bob she wants to be with the "good guys" and suggests taking out Crystal. She also tells Bob she has a really big place in her heart for him. Bob hopes she’s being truthful.
Sugar then goes back to camp and lies to everyone else, saying she thinks Bob might be willing to give the necklace to Ken. Ken’s somewhat relieved.

This is gonna be great!!

Tribal Council: When the jury entered, one thing went thru my mind – WTH happened to Randy’s hair – Dude got a mohawk!! He’s certifiable … I’m counting on crazy Randy making the finale’s jury question session worthy of the build-up (who remember’s Sue Hawk’s famous verbal thrashing of Kelly Wigglesworth in season one? … oh the humanity!)

Anyway, at Tribal Ken takes the opportunity to out Bob over their pact. Bob refuses to give Ken the necklace, saying he doesn’t believe Ken’s in danger. Ken’s sweating …

Ken
Sugar is blatantly wearing the hidden Immunity Idol, and Jeff says that it is the last opportunity for it to be put into play, if indeed it is the real idol. To which Bob replies, "I didn’t make that one!" and gets a nasty glare from Randy (who, if you remember, played Bob’s fake idol and was humiliated).

After the vote, it’s make or break time for the hidden idol. Jeff calls for anyone who has the idol that it is time to play it before the votes are read and ….. wait for it ……

Sugar takes off the idol and says, "Matty take the cursed thing away from me!" giving the idol’s protection to Matty and cancelling any votes for him. Ken’s really sweating now!

Matty

First vote, Matty, doesn’t count.

Second vote, Matty, doesn’t count.

Third vote, Crystal.

Fourth vote Crystal – she looks at Ken, he looks at her, raising eyebrows in a "tough sh-t"
kinda way.

Fifth vote, "and the 13th person voted out of Survivor Gabon is" --- CRYSTAL!!!

Crystal

The tribe has spoken – and the jury nods in agreement. You were right Crystal – Karma’s a bitch!

And then there were five:
Bob, the physics professor whose the biggest threat.
Susie, whose flown under the radar.
Sugar, the sweetheart of the game.
Ken, the professional gamer, who wickedly schemed his way to the final.
And Matty, the physical threat – just don’t make him cry.

So here we go --- Sunday night at 8 p.m. on CBS it all ends on the Survivor: Gabon Finale, followed by the Reunion Show at 10 p.m. Don’t miss it, if it’s anything like the last couple of episodes, it should be pretty exciting!
For info visit http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor/