Author: Parvati Shallow

September 10, 2015 7:00am PT by Parvati Shallow

The cast of ‘Survivor: Second Chance’  Monty Brinton/CBS

The season-16 winner interviewed each contestant from the CBS competition series’ upcoming season to determine which returnee has what it takes to go the distance.

All right, America — you voted them in for Survivor: Second Chance. Now, it’s my turn to pick some winners. 

After traveling to the Cambodian island of Koh Rong to interview our 20 returning players, I had a chance to see inside the minds of the contestants. The strategy talk was fiery, and many of the players already had big plans to vote off their perceived threats. 

Now that I have had plenty of time to form my very biased opinions, I will fill you in on my top picks to take it all the way.

By the way, I know that what I’m doing here is going to make some people mad at me. Relax, everyone. It’s only a game after all. Just ask Ozzy Lusth.

Read more Parvati Shallow Tests Out ‘Survivor: Second Chance’ Premiere Challenge, Reveals Season’s Big Change

1. Kelley Wentworth

Kelley was a non-player in Blood vs. Water II, her first season. She was the pretty farmer’s daughter who lost her life in the game because her dad Dale just didn’t get it. Now, she’s out here on her own, competing for herself. And, may I say, Kelley is one to watch. She blew me away in our interview, telling me about how she would play immunity idols and her fellow competitors. 

My take: Kelley is a powerhouse. She’s gorgeous and insanely strong. No one will see this woman coming until it’s too late. Kelley will win her tribe mates over with her bubbly, quirky sense of humor, but she won’t become too attached. She’s ready to cut anyone she needs to without a second thought. Kelley wants this win so badly, she will give everything she has for this game. In the finals, she’ll give an intelligent, composed speech highlighting all of her undeniably great moves — and the jury will reward her for it.

2. Ciera Eastin

This is the girl whose claim to fame is “voting her mom off.” Though, if you watched her first season, Blood vs. Water, her mom would have been voted off that night with or without Ciera’s vote. So Ciera’s willingness to write her mom’s name down just shows that she’s a mad gamer. When I spoke with her pre-game, she sounded like she’d had some time to learn from her previous season’s mistakes and was ready to hit the ground running this time. 

My take: This woman is razor sharp. She’s not afraid to play dirty, and despite her tiny frame, she’s surprisingly fit. I don’t see her being an early target, and when it comes to individual immunity challenges, I doubt people will perceive her as a threat. I think she’s going to be underestimated, and when she makes it to the final three, she’ll pull out the teen mom card and win it all. 

3. Jeff Varner

Hilarious and smart as a whip, Varner is coming in to the game as an old-timer. His latest Survivor experience was The Australian Outback, which filmed 15 years ago. Since then, Varner’s been working as a news anchor and getting soft from eating tons of peanut butter. Just kidding about that last part — apparently, the smell of peanut butter is enough to make the man gag. Fans of Survivor: Australia know why. 

My take: Varner is perceptive and self-aware — two keys to making top billing in this game. He knows when to put the pressure on and when to back off. His charming demeanor and cunning humor will endear him to other gamers, and he’s going to be underestimated because he’s not the fittest guy in the pack. Varner’s a sniper. He’ll pick off his threats one by one, until he’s sitting pretty in the final three. 

Honorable mentions:

Terry Dietz

Dietz is superhuman. He is the perfect person you would want to spend 39 days with while trapped on an island. For one, he’s really nice. He’s so nice that you just want to hang out with him and talk for hours about nothing. He’s the handsome father figure and the perfect counterpart to all the lying, deceptive, crafty new-school gamers that are populating this season. Dietz is just an all-around, great guy. If his fellow castmates are dumb enough to allow him to get to the end, Dietz has got this win locked up. 

Jeremy Collins

Collins is a fighter — a firefighter, that is. When I talked to Collins, he sounded like he was prepared to go to war. Like Wentworth, the last time Collins played, he had his family member to consider. Now, he’s his own man and can work all angles without having to think of protecting anyone else. Jeremy is undeniably strong and may be seen as a threat early on, but if his colleagues let him slip through, Jeremy will win this game. He’s incredibly likable. He’s a family man, and he’s a firefighter. Enough said. 

Survivor: Second Chance premieres Sept. 23 at 8 p.m. on CBS. Let us know your pick for Sole Survivor in the comments.

Parvati Shallow

THRnews@thr.com

September 01, 2015 8:51pm PT by Parvati Shallow

Parvati Shallow and Jeff Probst on the set of ‘Survivor: Second Chance’  

The season-16 winner headed to Cambodia to meet the returning contestants and discover where the idols will be found.

All aboard the Survivor: Second Chance express. Our destination: Koh Rong, Cambodia. Population: an estimated 1,100 people. None of our castaways will have a chance to meet any of these locals, however, as they compete for a second time in hopes of doing what they failed to do the first time — win. 

For me, thankfully, the pressure’s off. I’m not competing this time; I’m part of the press. I’ve signed up for nearly 20 hours of flying, four hours of driving in a sweltering van on a bumpy dirt road, followed by a two-hour boat ride to this season’s Survivor location. 

That’s how much I love this game and these people. I can hardly contain my excitement. 

After two days of travel, my crew and I arrive at what will be our island home for the next week and a half. We’re working to produce the preview specials for Survivor: Second Chance.

I’m completely jet-lagged as I drag my travel-weary body out of bed to make our 4:30 a.m. call time to greet the contestants at Ponderosa. Today is interview day. We’re going to talk strategy and get the scoop on what everyone’s really thinking. I know many of these people, and I’m beyond curious to find out who wants to align with who, and how these guys are going to change up their gameplay this time. 

My adrenaline kicks in, waking me up as we hit the beach and get started. 

As we cruise through the interviews, we are in a constant battle with the weather. It’s rainy season in Cambodia, and that means the day vacillates from sweltering, unbearable heat to torrential downpours. We take many long breaks to keep the equipment safe and the contestants dry. 

‘Survivor: Second Chance’ contestants arrive.

By the time the sun is setting, we’ve only spoken to about half of the cast. This means we’ll have to return tomorrow for the rest of the interviews and cast photos. I’m exhausted, but I know that my fatigue doesn’t remotely compare to what our contestants must be feeling. They’ve been through an emotional whirlwind — from competing for America’s vote, to being chosen on live TV, to immediately boarding a bus and traveling to Cambodia, to doing all of the pre-game interviews with producers and press. And, all the while, they aren’t able to speak to one another or any of their loved ones at home.

It’s clear to me after our first round of interviews that they are all bursting out of their skin to get this game started!

I crash under my mosquito net, praying that the gigantic spider who’s taken up residence in my bathroom stays put. I barely sleep a wink. 

The morning light struggles to break through the thick cloud covering around 5 a.m. as we head back to Ponderosa to wrap up interviews. Today, the weather cooperates much better. It’s less rainy, but it’s hot. It’s so hot, we have to take regular breaks to find shade. I guzzle water in an attempt to keep up with the amount of sweat that’s pouring from my body. This season, the elements are going to be grueling. I say a silent prayer for my friends going out there to compete. 

Shallow (at top) assists a teammate during the challenge.

Later that afternoon, we say goodbye to the contestants and board a large motor boat to take us to challenge beach. At Jeff Probst’s request, all the members of the press are going to test out the first challenge of the season. It’s an awesome throwback to the first season of Survivor with a few twists. I love it, and I believe [season one’s] Kelly Wigglesworth will appreciate this one as well. 

While my team doesn’t win the challenge, I do manage to score a hidden immunity idol. One of the twists this season is that idols are hidden at challenges. This complicates things in a big way. As a player, are you brave enough to go for the idol in plain sight? Or do you play it safe and let the opportunity go? 

It’s been a big day of talking strategy with contestants and competing in challenges. Time for a quick night swim in the gorgeous Gulf of Thailand. The water is perfect. It’s just me, the millions of stars and the flying fish enjoying the night. A big fat smile spreads across my face. I feel so connected to this land. 

The next few days are a swirly, colorful composite of interviewing, checking out the art department, playing in more challenges, ocean swimming and mingling with old friends from the production crew. I’m loving my time in this beautiful country, and at the same time, I’m thinking about my friends at Ponderosa. They must be so anxious to get started. I’d be going absolutely nuts with all this downtime. 

Shallow (in white hat) cheers on her teammate during the challenge.

Finally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for arrives. The press crew excitedly jumps in a boat and speeds off toward the grand show opening, lovingly dubbed “the marooning” by production. 

We arrive to a massive scene set in the middle of the ocean. The water is clear as crystal and separates itself into layers of turquoise and deep sapphire. There isn’t a cloud in the sky as Jeff Probst steps out onto the deck of a large pirate ship stocked with supplies — pots, cooking utensils, coconuts, bananas, chickens — for our castaways. After being divided into two tribes, they will have mere moments to grab as much as they can from the boat before racing toward another boat that houses a huge bag of rice. 

This is going to be fun!

As Jeff stands at the helm, our contestants slowly pull up toward the pirate ship. The moment is thick. Everyone is silent, and as I take it all in, it seems that time comes to a complete stop. 

The heavy silence is broken when Jeff begins to speak. He tosses out buffs, and this game is on! 

I don’t think any of the contestants notice me standing quietly in the safety of the floating barge that holds the press and a few intently focused cameramen. The thought crosses my mind that these cameramen may be feeling the pressure just as much as the contestants. In Survivor, there aren’t any retakes — for anyone. 

As any Survivor fan knows, the game rewards those who make bold choices and seize opportunity as it arises. This game will be no different. With the new twists and a cast of returnees, the game will demand every ounce of mental, physical and spiritual energy these players and producers have. 

After my time watching it all get going, I’m even more amped up for the show to begin. 

Parvati Shallow

THRnews@thr.com

September 01, 2015 8:51pm PT by Parvati Shallow

Parvati Shallow and Jeff Probst on the set of ‘Survivor: Second Chance’  

The season-16 winner headed to Cambodia to meet the returning contestants and discover where the idols will be found.

All aboard the Survivor: Second Chance express. Our destination: Koh Rong, Cambodia. Population: an estimated 1,100 people. None of our castaways will have a chance to meet any of these locals, however, as they compete for a second time in hopes of doing what they failed to do the first time — win. 

For me, thankfully, the pressure’s off. I’m not competing this time; I’m part of the press. I’ve signed up for nearly 20 hours of flying, four hours of driving in a sweltering van on a bumpy dirt road, followed by a two-hour boat ride to this season’s Survivor location. 

That’s how much I love this game and these people. I can hardly contain my excitement. 

After two days of travel, my crew and I arrive at what will be our island home for the next week and a half. We’re working to produce the preview specials for Survivor: Second Chance.

I’m completely jet-lagged as I drag my travel-weary body out of bed to make our 4:30 a.m. call time to greet the contestants at Ponderosa. Today is interview day. We’re going to talk strategy and get the scoop on what everyone’s really thinking. I know many of these people, and I’m beyond curious to find out who wants to align with who, and how these guys are going to change up their gameplay this time. 

My adrenaline kicks in, waking me up as we hit the beach and get started. 

As we cruise through the interviews, we are in a constant battle with the weather. It’s rainy season in Cambodia, and that means the day vacillates from sweltering, unbearable heat to torrential downpours. We take many long breaks to keep the equipment safe and the contestants dry. 

‘Survivor: Second Chance’ contestants arrive.

By the time the sun is setting, we’ve only spoken to about half of the cast. This means we’ll have to return tomorrow for the rest of the interviews and cast photos. I’m exhausted, but I know that my fatigue doesn’t remotely compare to what our contestants must be feeling. They’ve been through an emotional whirlwind — from competing for America’s vote, to being chosen on live TV, to immediately boarding a bus and traveling to Cambodia, to doing all of the pre-game interviews with producers and press. And, all the while, they aren’t able to speak to one another or any of their loved ones at home.

It’s clear to me after our first round of interviews that they are all bursting out of their skin to get this game started!

I crash under my mosquito net, praying that the gigantic spider who’s taken up residence in my bathroom stays put. I barely sleep a wink. 

The morning light struggles to break through the thick cloud covering around 5 a.m. as we head back to Ponderosa to wrap up interviews. Today, the weather cooperates much better. It’s less rainy, but it’s hot. It’s so hot, we have to take regular breaks to find shade. I guzzle water in an attempt to keep up with the amount of sweat that’s pouring from my body. This season, the elements are going to be grueling. I say a silent prayer for my friends going out there to compete. 

Shallow (at top) assists a teammate during the challenge.

Later that afternoon, we say goodbye to the contestants and board a large motor boat to take us to challenge beach. At Jeff Probst’s request, all the members of the press are going to test out the first challenge of the season. It’s an awesome throwback to the first season of Survivor with a few twists. I love it, and I believe [season one’s] Kelly Wigglesworth will appreciate this one as well. 

While my team doesn’t win the challenge, I do manage to score a hidden immunity idol. One of the twists this season is that idols are hidden at challenges. This complicates things in a big way. As a player, are you brave enough to go for the idol in plain sight? Or do you play it safe and let the opportunity go? 

It’s been a big day of talking strategy with contestants and competing in challenges. Time for a quick night swim in the gorgeous Gulf of Thailand. The water is perfect. It’s just me, the millions of stars and the flying fish enjoying the night. A big fat smile spreads across my face. I feel so connected to this land. 

The next few days are a swirly, colorful composite of interviewing, checking out the art department, playing in more challenges, ocean swimming and mingling with old friends from the production crew. I’m loving my time in this beautiful country, and at the same time, I’m thinking about my friends at Ponderosa. They must be so anxious to get started. I’d be going absolutely nuts with all this downtime. 

Shallow (in white hat) cheers on her teammate during the challenge.

Finally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for arrives. The press crew excitedly jumps in a boat and speeds off toward the grand show opening, lovingly dubbed “the marooning” by production. 

We arrive to a massive scene set in the middle of the ocean. The water is clear as crystal and separates itself into layers of turquoise and deep sapphire. There isn’t a cloud in the sky as Jeff Probst steps out onto the deck of a large pirate ship stocked with supplies — pots, cooking utensils, coconuts, bananas, chickens — for our castaways. After being divided into two tribes, they will have mere moments to grab as much as they can from the boat before racing toward another boat that houses a huge bag of rice. 

This is going to be fun!

As Jeff stands at the helm, our contestants slowly pull up toward the pirate ship. The moment is thick. Everyone is silent, and as I take it all in, it seems that time comes to a complete stop. 

The heavy silence is broken when Jeff begins to speak. He tosses out buffs, and this game is on! 

I don’t think any of the contestants notice me standing quietly in the safety of the floating barge that holds the press and a few intently focused cameramen. The thought crosses my mind that these cameramen may be feeling the pressure just as much as the contestants. In Survivor, there aren’t any retakes — for anyone. 

As any Survivor fan knows, the game rewards those who make bold choices and seize opportunity as it arises. This game will be no different. With the new twists and a cast of returnees, the game will demand every ounce of mental, physical and spiritual energy these players and producers have. 

After my time watching it all get going, I’m even more amped up for the show to begin. 

Parvati Shallow

THRnews@thr.com