Posts Tagged ‘Positively TV’

On November 17, 2011, Gary Barlow of the British band “Take That” will bring together some of the world’s best entertainers for “BBC Children in Need Rocks Manchester”, a one night only event in Manchester, England! With the lineup that will be rocking the event, it’s no surprise the initial run of tickets sold out in only a few hours!

Children in Need is a charity run by BBC that provides grants to projects in the UK which focus on children and young people who are disadvantaged. A remarkable 100% of all donations goes directly into projects that will help those who are in need, as all running costs are covered by Gift Aid and investment income.

The charity was started all the way back in 1927, with it’s first donation request being in the form a five-minute radio broadcast on Christmas Day of that year. In the time since, over 600 million pounds (roughly 950 million US dollars) has been given to Children in Need, and has helped to provide for countless needy children and young adults, with over 40 million pounds (roughly 64 million US dollars) being used in 2010 alone.

This year promises to be quite the event, as Gary Barlow has assembled some of the best performers on Earth for a great concert. Headlining the concert will be arguably the greatest live performer of all time in Lady Gaga, who is sure to bring all her eclectic style to light up the night in Manchester and to keep her little monsters happy!

Hugh Laurie, who plays the titular character on Fox’s smash TV hit, House, will also be performing at the concert. Laurie, who many in America don’t realize is a far bigger star in the United Kingdom than here in the States, is also an extremely talented musician who regularly tours with a full band. Armed with a sharp wit and sharper talents on the guitar as well as the piano, Laurie will be sure to bring the laughs and more to the event.

Bands Coldplay and Snow Patrol are also scheduled to perform for Children in Need, and if you have seen either live you know that they bring an energy level that will get those both in attendance as well as watching remotely up and out of their seats!

Michael Buble, the Canadian multi-Grammy award winner, will join the hosts for the evening in Fearne Cotton, Chris Moyles and David Tennant as well as a secret roster of special celebrity guests and surprise collaborations to ensure that the Children in Need Rocks Manchester is one of the best events of 2011! Make sure to keep an eye out for available tickets if you are up for a trip across the pond, or simply set your DVR to BBC to catch the event live on your home television!

All of us here at Positively Celebrity can’t wait to see the event in Manchester on November 17, and we laud all the performers as well as the BBC and all those who donate to this amazing cause! To find out more about BBC’s Children in Need charity, please visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/aboutus/ or follow the organization on Twitter @BBCCiN.

As always, be sure to check back for all things celebrity from Richard Munassi right here at Positively Celebrity!

Lauren Graham is not only one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, but also one of the most talented. The star of NBC’s drama Parenthood has proven time and time again in her career that whether it be on the small screen, the big screen, or the theater, her acting chops are second to none.

Now we can add author to Graham’s long list of achievements, as the stunning actress has just signed a deal with Random House to be published!

Announced via Random House’s twitter, Graham, who has starred on the big screen in Bad Santa alongside Billy Bob Thornton as well as in one of our favorite movies, Evan Almighty alongside Steve Carell, has been signed on to be published with her first novel, entitled “You’ll Never Make It”. As described by the company, the novel “is semi-autobiographical about struggling actress in NYC in mid-90s who waits tables as she hopes for big break.” The book will be released both in digital and traditional format.

Graham, who rose to fame playing Lorelai on the long running television show Gilmore Girls, has been extremely busy as of late, with Parenthood completing it’s second season (with the season finale pulling major ratings), her charity work and a new movie in the works.

All of us here are incredibly impressed and can’t wait to read “You’ll Never Make It” when it’s released.

Be sure to check back for more of the latest celebrity news and features from Richard Munassi right here at Positively Celebrity!

Veteran television personality Katie Couric has been announced to launch a new syndicated talk show in 2012, as reported by The Associated Press.

Couric, a decorated journalist who is currently the anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News, a correspondent for 60 Minutes and also hosts a web series on CBSNews.com, has been in discussions for her own talk show for quite some time.

With Oprah Winfrey announcing her upcoming retirement, Couric is another of several high profile journalists to throw their hat into the talk show ring. CNN’s Anderson Cooper has a show starting soon, and Martin Bashir’s talk show debuted on MSNBC in March.

The 54-year-old Couric, a mother of two, will be leaving her position with the CBS Evening News after nearly five years in June when her current contract expires. Couric currently earns $15 million a year with CBS, where she was first sole female anchor of a network newscast in history.

One person who definitely does not want Couric to leave her post is David Letterman, who last month told her “There’s a period of adjustment to get accustomed to the trust and build up faith in the character of the person presenting the news. And then you can’t just pull the rug out from under the viewers.”

Unfortunately for Dave, a CBS executive speaking under the veil of anonymity has confirmed that Couric will be out as soon as her contract expires, ending her hosting duties for the show.

With the void that Oprah will leave upon her retirement, a perky, personable and eloquent talk show host should be able to thrive and draw strong ratings; known as “America’s Sweetheart,” Couric fits this profile perfectly. With her strong background that has seen her work for CNN, NBC and CBS, coupled with her great attitude, incredible work ethic and vibrant personality, Couric is a shoe-in for success.

All of us here at Positively Celebrity are proud of Katie Couric for not only her on screen success, but also her behind the scenes work she does for cancer awareness and prevention, and wish her nothing but the best in her last few months at CBS and in all her future endeavors! We will be watching Katie’s new talk show, and can’t wait to see her conquer another media hosting opportunity!

Be sure to check back for more of the latest celebrity news and features from Richard Munassi right here at Positively Celebrity!

Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) kicks off again on March 21, and the cast for the upcoming 12th season of the show has just been released. From the look of things, it is going to be quite an interesting season as the cast is eclectic to say the least. Check out the cast and the dancers (all of whom are DWTS veterans) that will be joining them below!

The always hilarious Kirstie Alley, 60, former model and star of the reality show Fat Actress, and the classic television show, Cheers. She is paired with dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who has danced previously alongside ESPN’s Erin Andrews, boxer Laila Ali, Willa Ford, Tia Carrere and Brandy, amongst others.

Michael Catherwood, aka Psycho Mike, 31, deejay for Los Angeles-based radio station KROQ and co-host of “Loveline” alongside one of Positively Celebrity’s favorite people, Dr. Drew. Catherwood’s dance partner is the gorgeous Lacey Schwimmer, who previously danced alongside Jackass star Steve-O, Lance Bass of ‘N Sync and Kyle Massey from the Disney Channel.

Super athlete Chris Jericho, 40, former WWE world champion wrestler will have two time Emmy nominated professional dancer Cheryl Burke beside him for the competition. Burke won back to back DWTS in previous seasons alongside Drew Lachey and former NFL great, Dallas Cowboy Emmitt Smith.

Olympic Gold Medalist and multiple world champion boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, 54, has Russian ballroom dancer Anna Trebunskaya for his partner. Trebunskaya, who has previously danced alongside Jerry Rice, UFC tough guy Chuck Liddell and not-so-tough-guy Steve Guttenberg, will be looking for her first title in DWTS, and I personally believe she and Sugar Ray can make a run for the championship.

The beautiful Chelsea Kane, 22, known for multiple roles on the Disney Channel will be dancing with Mark Ballas, who won DWTS titles in the sixth season with Kristi Yamaguchi, and the eighth with Shawn Johnson.

The original Karate Kid, Ralph Macchio, 49, who recently was part of the surprise television hit Ugly Betty, will have Karina Smirnoff, five-time U.S. National Champion, World Trophy Champion, and Asian Open Champion beside him for the season. Smirnoff is a seasoned veteran of DWTS, having been previously partnered with Mario Lopez, Billy Ray Cyrus, singer Mario and Mike “the Situation” Sorrentino.

Czech bombshell Petra Nemcova, 31, one of the world’s top supermodels and philanthropists will be paired up with Emmy Nominated choreographer Dmitry Chaplin, who will probably be shirtless for most of the competition. Chaplin has danced with Holly Madison, of E!’s Holly’s World and singer Mya in previous seasons.

Romeo Miller, 21, aka rapper Lil Romeo who is all grown up and recently completed playing college basketball for the Trojans of the University of Southern California is a surprise contestant. His father, rapper and former sports agent Master P, was a former competitor on DWTS. Romeo will be dancing with blonde bombshell (and American born and raised) Chelsie Hightower, who only lasted two weeks in her last round of DTWS, when she was partnered with Michael Bolton.

Hines Ward, 34, NFL Pro Bowler from the Super Bowl runner up Pittsburgh Steelers, is matched up with Australian Kym Johnson, who has danced in multiple seasons of DWTS alongside Joey Fatone, NFL legend Warren Sapp, comedian David Alan Grier, David Hasselhoff and Donny Osmond (with whom Johnson won the ninth season).

The hilarious Wendy Williams, 46, syndicated daytime television talk-show host and best selling author will be dancing with Tony Dovolani, who notoriously quit on Kate Gosselin in a previous season of DWTS, who has the titles of undefeated U.S. Professional Rhythm Champion and undefeated World Professional Rhythm Champion under his belt. According to the New York Post, “The Wendy Williams Show” will go on hiatus while she participates in DWTS.

Rounding out the cast is former Playboy Playmate and member of E!’s Girls Next Door, Kendra Wilkinson, 25, who is currently starring on her own reality television show simply entitled “Kendra” that details the life of her, her husband (NFL wide receiver Hank Baskett), and their family. Dutch-born Louis van Amstel will be returning to DWTS for his eighth season as Wilkinson’s partner, and has danced previously with Lisa Rinna, Priscilla Presley, Kelly Osbourne, Niecy Nash and Margaret Cho.

Veteran DWTS sancer Derek Hough (who has been in every season since 5) will unfortunately not be returning for season 12, as he will be busy at work on “Cobu,” a new dance movie that is being shot in 3D and co-starring Asian pop star BoA!

All of us here at Positively Celebrity can’t wait for the new season to start on March 21st at 8pm ET/PT (don’t forget to TiVo!), and hope that the new cast is ready to put on a show because we will all be watching!

Be sure to check back for more of the latest celebrity news and features from Richard Munassi right here at Positively Celebrity!

Joan Rivers is taking a stand for gay marriage in New York state. The 77-year-old entertainment star has filmed a short commercial video that urges equal marriage rites for same sex couples that is currently airing on taxi televisions throughout the city, and will be aired on local television in the weeks to come.

The ad can be seen here.

“All New Yorkers believe in fairness, that’s why we should support marriage equality,” said the comedian.

Rivers made the ad in conjunction with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization in the United States (it counts over 750,000 members and supporters nationwide). The HRC describes itself as an organization “dedicated to fighting for an America where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest, and safe at home, at work, and in the community.”

Though for a small period in 2004 New York did perform same sex marriages, the state (considered one of the most liberal states in the country) currently does not allow for same sex unions. New York does, however, recognize same sex marriages that take place outside of the state (giving full benefits to those couples) and allows for domestic partners to have certain fiscal privileges that are given to their heterosexual counterparts. In a recent 2009 vote, a bill that would have allowed same sex marriages to take place in New York state was defeated in the State Senate.

“The governor is committed to getting this done,” said Brian Ellner of the HRC. “I am very confident that we will win the right to marriage equality in New York and that it will happen quickly.”

With 68% of New Yorkers between the ages of 18-34 supporting marriage for same-sex couples, it is clear that the new generation is clamoring for change in the state. Said Pace University Gay Straight Alliance Stonewall Coalition member Allison Gimbert, “Given what happened , the same-sex marriage bill failing, it is clear a new strategy for promoting and successfully attaining, equal rights in New York is necessary. The HRC is reminding people that the United States has yet to achieve equal rights for all. These videos are a great vehicle to move gay rights issues to the forefront of voters’ minds. I think that high profile celebrities endorsing same-sex marriage is an effective way of evoking a positive response from numerous New York voters who may not have thought of the issue otherwise.”

Joining Rivers in ads promoting equality for all New Yorkers are a host of prominent fixtures, including former President George Bush Jr.’s daughter Barbara Bush, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Mayor Bloomberg, Whoopi Goldberg, Fran Drescher, music singer Moby, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, actors Kevin Bacon and wife Kyra Sedgwick, Julianne Moore, designer Kenneth Cole, Broadway star Daphne Rubin-Vega, David Chang, Tom Colicchio, Ethan and Ryan Hawke, and Christopher Meloni.

All of us here at Positively Celebrity are proud that Joan Rivers and friends are taking a stand for equality of all Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation (and we are also proud of her amazing GoDaddy.com commercial that aired during the Superbowl on FOX!). To find out more about the Human Rights Campaign please go to www.hrc.org.

Be sure to check back for more of the latest celebrity news and features from Richard Munassi right here at Positively Celebrity!

Dr. Drew Pinsky can do it all. The 52-year-old internist and addiction medicine specialist practices medicine, hosts the syndicated radio show Loveline nightly, and is on a variety of television shows, including Celebrity Rehab. Along with this plethora of duties, Dr. Drew (as he is known throughout the world), still finds time to be a husband and father of triplets. Soon, Dr. Drew will be somehow be doing more now than he currently is, as the board-certified physician has signed on to host not just one, but TWO new television shows.

“Dr. Drew’s Lifechangers” will air on the CW and is purported to be a daily, half hour daytime talk show airing at 3pm that will have the good doctor addressing issues that range from relationships and sexual health to self-help. Lisa Gregorisch-Dempsey, one of the creators and executive producers of the show, had the following to say about the upcoming program: “This is a more daytime focused show about personal transformation and real people stories. We feel Drew is the answer man and this is the answer show. It will be a search engine for your life.”

“Drew truly wants to help people with this show.” says Hilary Estey McLoughlin, President of Telepictures Productions, who will be producing the show. “It will have kind of a hybrid feel with a mix of tape and studio,” she says. “Drew has an amazing array of knowledge and experience working with real people as well as celebrities, so we feel it’s a great combination.”

The other show that Dr. Drew will be hosting is titled simply “Dr. Drew” and will air on CNN’s new Headline News Network (HLN). The show, premiering on March 28 at 9pm ET, will be a nightly program which will address the most pertinent news making issues of the day.

“We’ll start with honest discussions and direct questions, and we’ll hear from a wide range of people with diverse perspectives and experiences. We’ll dig deep to discover what is really going on behind the headlines to get at the real experiences happening to the people involved,” says Pinsky of the program.

“There will be resolution to the discussion, and what began as a distant headline will become relevant to the viewers. At the center of these stories are issues and behaviors worth examining closely, and worth talking about with depth, compassion and insight.”

It’s clear that Dr. Drew will have a very busy 2011, which kicked off on a bit of a sour note: vacationing with his wife on the incredibly beautiful tropical island of Dominica, the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine graduate was stricken with Leptospirosis, a serious medical infection that required him to be hospitalized. Describing the affliction as “just brutal,” Pinsky was given strong antibiotics and had to do a recent podcast with good friend (and former Loveline co-host) Adam Carolla from his own home instead of the studio.

All of us here at Positively Celebrity are blown away by all that Dr. Drew is juggling, and wish him nothing but success in 2011 and beyond! We will be listening to Loveline, catching up on Celebrity Rehab and can’t wait to see what is in store on HLN and the CW!

Be sure to check back for more of the latest celebrity news and features from Richard Munassi right here at Positively Celebrity!

Kim Kardashian has gone from Hollywood socialite to one of the most recognized and talked about celebrities throughout the world in a just a few short years. With her meteoric rise to fame, opportunities have come hard and fast — with Kim receiving countless public appearance requests, magazine exclusives and most notably, endorsement deals.

From Sephora to Bebe to GNC, the reality television star makes millions annually from her product backing ($3.2 million last year to be exact), but one particular endorsement stands out from the rest: Fusion Beauty.

Fusion Beauty is a cosmetics company that was started in 2005, and quickly established themselves as a major player in the field. With products that include a micro-injected collagen lip plump, Fusion Beauty was a near-instant success, becoming one of the top product lines at makeup chain Sephora.

When Fusion Beauty found themselves looking for the perfect spokesmodel for their line it was clear that Kim K was the perfect choice from the get-go.

“With her gorgeously flawless complexion and seriously sexy pout she was an easy choice and a natural fit,” the company stated. “As a confident, passionate and driven woman, who is beautiful both inside and out, Kim is a perfect embodiment of our brand vision and will be a source of inspiration and empowerment for all Fusion beauties!”

What makes the pairing of Fusion Beauty and Kim Kardashian different from other endorsements for the incredibly beautiful star is that the two didn’t just join forces to sell cosmetics; they also partnered up with the Seven Bar Foundation, a non-profit organization started in 2001 whose mission is “to sustainably finance underprivileged women to start businesses through microloans…business fueling business to bring women to self reliance.”

The Kiss Away Poverty campaign was established, and $1 from the sale of every Lipfusion by Fusion Beauty product is set aside for the Seven Bar Foundation’s microfinance program to help women in poverty start their own business and free themselves of their impoverished state.

Kim is not only doing print ads for Fusion Beauty to promote their product line, but also is making public appearances, tweeting and doing interviews with magazines and television shows to get the word out on all that the company has to offer in both cosmetics and philanthropy.

“They give back, and me being an entrepreneur and trying to give beauty and fashion tips all over the place, I feel like it’s an even greater thing to help women get on their feet and to help women get out of poverty and get good jobs and get their lives together. So I just think it’s the perfect fit,” Kardashian told a group in Santa Monica, CA this fall.

Results from the campaign have been a smashing success so far. “We’ve helped women start a yoga studio, a lingerie line. I’m all about empowering women,” the flawless starlet recently told the television show Extra.

All of us here at Positively Celebrity are inspired by Kim and proud of her and the actions she is taking to help low income women get out of poverty and back on their feet! You can learn more about Fusion Beauty and their products at http://www.fusionbeauty.com and you can read more about the Seven Bar Foundation at www.sevenbarfoundation.org.

Be sure to check back for more great inspirational celebrity stories from Richard Munassi right here at Positively Celebrity!

After years of hooking up everyone else and leading endless couples to the altar (some, whom no doubt are also headed for divorce), noted matchmaker and star of the Bravo TV show Millionaire Matchmaker, Patti Stanger is officially engaged to boyfriend-of-five-years, Andy Friedman.

Sources say the real estate broker, Friedman, presented Stanger with a four-carat ring, via a black swan, as the two vacationed in Maui, Hawaii recently. (Isn’t that romantic?) The nuptials will take place in 2010 but the couple has some negotiating to do: he wants a large wedding, while the Matchmaker would prefer to elope.

The countdown to the end of one of the most inventive TV shows has begun. “Lost” ended it’s second to last season this past Wednesday with a finale full of answers and new questions (which is how they like to do things over at “Lost”). For the 5th season, producers assured fans there would be more answers to some of the many mysteries of the show (sigh of relief)! Below are just some that the show revealed these past 17 episodes.

Item 1 – Season 5 introduced one of the biggest mysteries so far – HOW are the Oceanic 6 going to get BACK to the island?! Episode 6 “316” answered this Lost mystery by showing the survivors boarding Ajira Airways Flight 316 in order to recreate as much of the original Oceanic 815 flight as possible (including dead Locke as a stand in for both himself and Jack’s father, Hurley with a guitar at his side as a possible stand in for Charlie, and the pilot who was SUPPOSED to be flying the Oceanic flight). And their efforts work – there’s a bright light then back on the island!

Item 2 – An island that moves?! In the first episode of Season 5 “Because You Left” we see what really happens after Ben turns the donkey wheel. Juliet, Sawyer, Locke, Daniel, Miles, Charlotte and additional Losties and Freighter folk are consumed by a bright light that starts them bouncing around through history – literally.

Item 3 – What were the circumstances surrounding Locke’s death? In “The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham” the Season 4 cliff hanger – Locke in a coffin – is explained. After a full day of extremely bad news, Locke attempts to hang himself, only to be interrupted by Ben. Ben talks Locke down, they chat for a bit and just when Locke’s revealed enough information for Ben, he strangles him.

Item 4 – Who is Jacob? “Jacob” has been a name and authority referenced quite often and for quite some time now on “Lost.” It was hinted at that it might be Jacob who was using Christian Shephard’s body (Jack’s dead father) as a vessel to move and speak. In the season finale, we find out that, like Ben, the audience has never actually seen Jacob before, but, unbeknownst to the Oceanic 6 – they have.

Item 5 – How does Daniel Faraday’s mother, Eloise Hawking, know so much about traveling to and from the island? – The episode “Jughead” presents Ellie (a.k.a. Eloise Hawking). As of 1956, she’s an Other and she runs into future son Daniel and his friends Charlotte and Miles and brings them to a leaking hydrogen bomb.

In The End

The only complaint from this loyal fan is that in the finale, there wasn’t any way to already know what was going on because the key information was new and revealed for the first time at the beginning of the episode “The Incident” (Jacob on the beach talking with his rival). In the end though, the executives at “Lost” have really overcome some of the unhappiness from TV watchers of past seasons. But since making the decision to only have 6 seasons, the stories have had the chance to really develop so that loyal fans get the reward they deserve.

Night 21 at camp is a late, quiet night. After Joe’s medical leave, the Survivor’s are a bit down.  Coach brightens the mood with a warm and fuzzy campfire story.  He tells the cameras, “I just wanted to share a piece of my life with them. I wanted to show them that no matter how bad it gets…there’s always something that’s going to make it much worse.”  Coach’s story: “There are three people in the world that know this story.” (this turns out to be false per Jeff Probst’s blog) Coach tells the story about when he was kayaking in the Amazon and was captured by indigenous people, tortured, beaten, tied up, felt that death was coming, etc, etc finally escaping on his own and kayaking to safety.

The tribe’s mood is not lightened and by the look on everyone’s faces – no one is buying Coach’s fable, but no one can think of anything to say either. It’s quiet.  Brendan sums up this Coach moment, “Honestly, like, Coach is either the new coming of Jacques Cousteau or he’s ya know basically the biggest fraud that is in this game.”

In the a.m. Coach is in the water doing his Samurai poses.  This is the first time the former Jalapao sees Coach’s warrior moves.  Brendan asks Coach about the origins of the poses. Coach responds, “It’s called Chong Ran, and it’s an ancient Tibetan…if you do a Google search on it, you won’t find it. It’s only passed down verbally. You have to go there as a monastery to study it.”  Next Coach makes his first reference this show to being the “Dragon Slayer.”

Erinn and JT talk while fishing. Erinn confesses she likes JT’s tribe more than her own and realizes she has room to play with alliances and votes. She’s coming from a tribe where her only alliance mate was medevaced home into a group that’s low in numbers that could use an extra person on their side. 

The reward challenge has the Survivors split into teams of three and each team has eight ceramic tiles. One person from each team takes turns throwing metal balls at the opposing teams’ tiles. The last team to have all tiles broken wins a white water rafting trip, lunch, and the responsibility of choosing someone to go to Exile – alone.  The teams: Black Team – Debbie, Brendan and JT; The Red Team – Tyson, Taj and Coach; and the White Team – Sierra, Erinn and Stephen.  It’s a close game until Erinn knocks out the last tile for the Red team kicking them out of the game!  Only White or Black could win.  The game remains tight when both Brendan and Erinn chip only some of their targeted tiles. So the game is still neck and neck.  Brendan is up to throw again and finishes the job! The Black team wins. They choose Stephen to go to Exile.  As Stephen is leaving Coach whispers “Be the wizard. Be the wizard Stephen.” (I just roll my eyes).

On Exile – Stephen is given all the clues, but was already aware of where the Hidden Immunity Idol was. He was hoping there would be a third Idol thrown into the game, but there isn’t.  He struggles to make fire – a lot.  He knows that fire = food = survival, which is enough motivation for him to spark a flame! He compares it to having his first child – he’s so proud of himself.

On the reward – JT, Debbie and Brendan really enjoy the rafting adventure. At their picnic Brendan outlines some of his strategy ideas to JT. In the confessional camera Brendan admits that even if JT wins the million dollars, if Brendan is in the finals with JT he would feel like he won as well. (This concept doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense to me. Isn’t the point of being on Survivor to win the million?).

The next morning Brendan discusses with Sierra about not voting out JT but bringing him into their alliance.  Later Brendan and Taj discuss the same thing and Taj is on board.

The Individual Immunity Challenge is next.  Each Survivor is attached to a rope, which is threaded through an obstacle course. The first three Survivors to make it through the obstacles moves onto an larger obstacle course still attached to the rope of course. The game begins and there are clear front-runners and clear losers.  In the front – JT, Tyson, and Debbie.  In the back – Taj and Stephen.  The first three to complete the course and move on are: Brendan, Tyson and JT.  The final obstacle course is three stories tall with all men neck in neck once again.  But ultimately it is Tyson who wins the second individual immunity challenge in a row. 

Back at camp the team congratulates Stephen on his first fire while on Exile. The conversation quickly turns to the vote that night. Tyson advises they spilt their votes, four for Brendan and three for Sierra.  This alliance is Taj, Stephen, JT, Debbie and Taj.  Brendan evokes the Exile secret alliance with added member JT planning the votes for Coach (the two alliances have three over lapping members – Stephen, JT and Taj) – so tonight’s vote will be interesting to see which way those three Survivors go.  And in the final confessional before Tribal Council Coach refers to himself as the “chosen one” and in a quick reality check – refers to himself as “Coach Wade.”

Tribal Council – Jeff asks Taj who tells the best campfire stories and she brings up Coach’s captured in the Amazon story. He elaborates on the details he left out and mentions he’s been in about eight life and death situations so far.  This gets a sarcastic smile from the host and the whole tribe.  Next the hidden immunity idol is brought up. And Taj out right confesses that she does not have it. Next Jeff straight forwardly asks Erinn if she has it, she says no. Jeff asks Stephen, he says no. The Jeff asks Brendan who says yes, he does have an idol.  And now they vote. Once the votes are read Brendan is blindsided meaning that everyone went with how Coach wanted it to go. This scares me.

Until next time…