By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Former Atlantan Parvati Shallow is one of the most successful "Survivor" players of all time. She's competed three times, winning $1 million in Micronesia in 2008. She continues to follow the show for Hollywood Reporter and Entertainment Tonight Canada.
I spoke with her about the final six competing for the "Survivor Cambodia" win on Wednesday night, December 16.
This is a tough one to call, but she agreed with me that the dream final three would be Spencer Bledsoe, Jeremy Collins and Kelly Wentworth.
UPDATE: The results are in and Parvati's pick won: Jeremy earned every penny. That tribal council where there were two ties and some bizarro rules that almost led to Keith getting cut will go down as the nuttiest one in history. And Jeremy won immunity at just the right time to ensure his alliance with Spencer and Tasha would go through. Although we didn't see all the votes, it's likely that he won a unanimous decision. He played with integrity and left the dirty work to the other two. Brilliant game play for a deserving man.
Overall, she agreed with me: this has been a one of the best seasons ever packed with great game play, delightfully fun personalities and mind-bending strategic moves. The fact the public voted all of them back for a second shot at $1 million seems to have made them even more tenacious. Heck, Tasha almost drowned and Joe fainted during competitions. "They really want this," Shallow said. "No one is quitting."
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Shallow visited Cambodia and met the cast at the start of the competition. She also noted how harsh the elements were, saying it can get insanely hot during the day and the rain could be relentless.
She is also amused by the creation of "voting blocks," a more pliable notion than "alliances," a standard practice on the show. This has meant players have been switching votes and blindsiding players with near abandon.
Here are her takes of the final six in order of likelihood of winning.
Kimmi Kappenberg: "She's just floating along. She's been in the right alliance. She's not a threat. She hooked up with Jeremy early and he's been a power player. I could see Jeremy taking Kimmi to the finale three. But I don't see her winning the game or getting anyone's vote. I haven't seen her consort with anyone on a deeper relationship level. Her effort at an all-female alliance amounted to nothing." CHANCE OF WINNING: ZIP
Keith Nale: "Strategically, he's like Kimmi. But he's also super strong in challenges. [He's won a couple.] I could see him winning a final challenge and being in a power position to take whoever he wants to the end. But I don't see Keith winning the game. He is charming. He is hilarious. I love Keith. He's a dear man as long as he doesn't spit on you." CHANCE OF WINNING: Near zero
Tasha Fox: "She made a close alliance with Savage [who got blindsided earlier] so I could see her getting his vote at the end. Cass [also on the jury] didn't have nice things to say about Tasha. She has rubbed some people the wrong way. She speaks her mind. Sometimes, it's not what people want to hear. She can put people off. She's not one to back off. She will fight tooth and nail to the end. Tasha had good luck hooking up with Jeremy. She is fully tied to him. We saw Kimmi approach her for an all-girls alliance and she went straight to Jeremy to tell him about it. You see where her loyalty lies. She appears to have played second fiddle to Jeremy. Does that make a compelling case? If it ends up being Tasha, Keith and Kimmi, Tasha will win." CHANCE OF WINNING: Long shot at best
Kelly Wentworth: "She does have some tight connections on the jury with Cass and Ciara and now Abi. Maybe even Joe. If she can make a compelling case at jury, she could win. She's played really well. She used her idol at the right time. She has another one. She's been able to survive being on the bottom and being a target. If people like you and respect you as a person and a game player, you can get votes. It depends on how the jury thinks." CHANCE OF WINNING: Dark horse
Spencer Bledsoe: "He's been a really phenomenal game player this season. He's also been a big threat. And people have targeted him and he's managed to escape being voted out. He's good in challenges and has won a couple of immunity challenges. Now will he be able to connect with people on the jury in an emotional level and a heart level? He has transformed from his first run. I can see him doing really well and making the final three. If it's him, against Tasha, Keith or Kimmi, he's the winner for sure." CHANCE OF WINNING: pretty good
Jeremy Collins: "He has the best chance of winning for many reasons. He's managed to keep the target off his back. Nobody has voted against him. I don't know how that is possible. He's clearly a threat. He still has an idol. He's created close relationships with people to the point people need him - even Spencer. Spencer has not gone after him. They must have some sort of final two deal. You saw him save Stephen and he told Spencer he would have done the same for him. He has become untouchable. He's a dangerous player. He's played flawlessly. He also has the best story. His wife is pregnant. He has two kids and he's a firefighter. Plus, he's a good guy. People will feel good voting for him." CHANCE OF WINNING: good
TV PREVIEW
"Survivor Cambodia: Second Chances," 8 p.m. Wednesday, December 16, 2015, season finale
About the Author
