Survivor Micronesia: That’s Baked, Barbecued and Fried!
(S16E04) Holy eels, Batman! Er, wait. It’s the Hulk, Joel, not Batman. But some of the castaways on Survivor Micronesia: Fans vs. Favorites do seem a bit cartoon-like, don’t they? Or perhaps more along the lines of caricatures. At four episodes in, I’m still a bit iffy on some of the names of the fans tribe. But some of them seem larger than life. Joel, Mikey B., Chet, Krazy Kathy — they’re memorable. After tonight, I definitely have a firmer grasp on Tracy.
Of course, the favorites can be a bit caricature-esque, as well. Ozzy could be Superboy! Let’s see … Cirie could be Cat Woman. Eliza could be the Invisible Girl. Well, except that she’s not all that invisible as she’s become a sick layabout who is perhaps a bit too visible to folks like Jonathan.
On the favorites tribe we have a sick Eliza, a scheming Jonathan, a prissy Cirie and, for some bizarre reason, Ami the confessor. Why the heck did she tell Cirie that she voted for her? It was an odd vote to begin with, but my spider sense thinks it may have been best left a mystery. Am I missing something to her logic?
Both tribes have internal issues with separate tribes within the larger group. The favorites are now wondering why they didn’t eliminate the weakest player (the smart thing to do before it becomes an individual game) and some are kicking themselves for listening to Cirie last week. Will they learn their lesson? I don’t know. They all fell in line following her last week and she didn’t play quite as prominently this week.
Over at the fans tribe, it still seems to be Joel against Mikey B. and the majority against Chet, Kathy, and Tracy. It seems that they have one of the last three sit out during each challenge. This week Chet was their big target of the three. I can’t really say I fault them for that. He was lackadaisical, weak, and just plain out of it. If you go by getting rid of the weakest player, he’s the poster child for the cause.
The rewards challenge was definitely a typical Survivor kind of challenge. It had them diving, retrieving lettered “coconuts” and solving a puzzle. Now, here’s when I remembered what a tremendous competitor we have in Ozzy. He was the first one to dive in for the favorites and he can spend forever underwater. He moved most of his tribe’s coconuts forward in the holding cage so that those who followed him had a quick trip. Even though the fans saw what he was doing, no one took the time on their time and it was a win for the favorites. Woohoo, Ozzy!
Three egg-laying chickens, a rooster, and some feed were the reward — always a popular reward except for Kimmie that one year. Once again, the weaker Kathy was chosen to go to Exile Island, this time accompanied by Ozzy.
And, Ozzy was the star of tonight’s episode. Not only did he really win the challenge for the team, but he found the hidden immunity idol on Exile Island. He even took a cue for Yau-Man and fashioned his own fake idol to put back in the hiding place. I really wouldn’t mind if he won it all this time. The kid is amazing physically and he thinks ahead. You don’t see that happen with too many on the show.
The immunity challenge was a difficult one for those who didn’t get the hang of it early — the fans. It’s not exactly like any other challenge they’ve done in previous seasons. However, the maneuvering through the woods while stuck in a huge contraption isn’t an easy task and it was all new to the fans. But the fans dropped the ball even before they had to maneuver. They didn’t get into the harnesses as fast and had trouble with six locks and six keys. They doomed about two minutes in.
Then comes a woman twisting the vote to her liking once again. Like Cirie (but with less attitude), Tracy got Joel to listen to her to vote out Mikey B. — one of the two huge hulking strong guys on the tribe! (Mind you, I’m not saying that Yau-Man was a hulking strong guy.) She did make valid points. The others claimed how weak Kathy, Chet, and she were, but they always had one of them sit out for the challenges. She conned her way right through it all to Joel — it would be their best and maybe only opportunity to get Mikey out. All he needs is to get one vote besides himself and their three and they’ll live happily ever after.
He bought it. It seems he also sold it to Eric. Mikey B. was blindsided. A wise choice? Well, we know from the promo that the tribes mix up next week. So, ultimately, it’s a strong competitor gone when it’s all about to change. Chet is kind of a non-entity. He’s not strong enough to win anything and he’s not popular with others so he’s not really a threat at all.
But her game play and the way she thought it out and got him on her side tells me she’s one to watch as the season progresses.
Fiona Apple Biography
Apple is a member of a family rich with roots in entertainment. Born Fiona Apple McAfee Maggart in New York City, she is the daughter of singer Diane McAfee and actor Brandon Maggart. Her older sister, Amber Taleullah, sings cabaret under the stage name Maude Maggart. Her brother Spencer is a director and directed the video for her single “Parting Gift.” Her half brother Garett Maggart starred in the TV series The Sentinel. In addition, her maternal grandparents were Millicent Green, a dancer with the George White’s Scandals, a flapper-era group similar to the Ziegfeld Follies, and Johnny McAfee, a multireedist and vocalist of the big band era; her grandparents met while touring with Johnny Hamp and his Orchestra.
At the age of 12, Apple was raped upon returning home from school to her mother’s apartment. The rape is mentioned subtly in some of her work, but is not necessarily a major theme.
Examples:
“Fast as You Can”: I let the beast in too soon / I don’t know how to live without my hand on his throat / I fight him always and still
“Sullen Girl”: Is that why they call me a sullen girl - sullen girl / They don’t know I used to sail the deep and tranquil sea / But he washed me ashore and he took my pearl / And left an empty shell of me
While the media latched onto the story of her dark past experience, making her what Apple referred to as “the poster child for rape,” the singer says the only reason she even mentioned the rape to an interviewer was because she didn’t want it to seem like something of which she should be ashamed.
As a child, there was concern she had anti-social tendencies, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder. She underwent therapy as a child after telling a childhood friend that she was going to kill herself as well as her older sister Amber when she was 11 years old. This prompted several therapy sessions which ultimately led her to believe that there must actually be something wrong with her if she required therapy.
Her break into the music industry came when a friend, who babysat for a record executive, handed her employer a demo. Apple’s husky voice, nimble piano skills, and mature lyrics got the attention of Sony executive Andy Slater, who signed her to a record deal.
In 1996, Apple’s debut album Tidal was released by a subsidiary of Sony. The album went on to sell 3 million copies (certified triple platinum) domestically.
“Criminal,” the third single from Tidal, became Apple’s breakthrough hit. While the song garnered a great deal of attention, in part for its suggestive lyrics, it was mostly due to the Mark Romanek-directed music video. While manager Slater says he considered the clip a “tribute to [director Gregg] Araki and [photographer] Nan Goldin,” to most MTV viewers it was just a sex tease–a wide-eyed, scantily clad girl, in the debris of a wood-paneled basement party, looking guilty for who-knew-what illicit exploits. It was as if the video treatment was developed from the song’s first line–”I’ve been a bad, bad girl”–without listening to the predatory aggression and sexual ambivalence of the rest of the lyrics. It would prove to be Apple’s defining moment. Years later Apple would state that;
“The shit that got me popular was the stuff that I was not proud of,”. “It makes me feel really stupid. I wanted to be like every other girl you see in videos, and that’s why it’s embarrassing. But the way that I justified [the treatment] is that the song is about someone talking to God about a mistake they’ve been making. And so I actually did think for a while that the video made sense. But I think the thing that screwed it up is how fuckin’ horrified I look. I really look like I’m doing something wrong, instead of playing it with a little bit of a wink. I just couldn’t do it.”
However, years later, she said that the video fit with the song and that it was “beautiful.”
Other singles from Tidal included “Sleep to Dream,” “Shadowboxer,” “Never is a Promise,” and “The First Taste.” She also contributed a cover of The Beatles’ “Across the Universe,” to the soundtrack of Pleasantville.
After a series of fiery public appearances, Apple’s public image began to suffer in some circles. Most notoriously, while accepting an MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist Video of 1997 (”Sleep To Dream”), she proclaimed;
“This world is bullshit, and you shouldn’t model your life on what you think that we think is cool, and what we’re wearing and what we’re saying,” referring to the image-driven MTV/music industry. She closed quoting Maya Angelou: “Go with yourself.”
Though her comments were generally greeted with cheers and applause at the awards ceremony, the media backlash was immediate; host Chris Rock made a derisive comment about her speech, which only added to the backlash. Some considered her remarks hypocritical, seeing a contradiction between her appearance in a risqué music video in only her underwear, and her telling young women to ignore celebrity culture. She was unapologetic, however: “When I have something to say, I’ll fuckin’ well say it.”
Stand-up comedian Denis Leary included a satire of this speech on his album, Lock ‘N Load, titled “A Reading from the Book of Apple.” And the Television Show Celebrity Deathmatch featured her and her quote in it. Janeane Garofalo did a bit about Fiona’s emaciated looks. Fiona, who admitted she was a fan of Garofalo’s, was angry about this, mainly because Garofalo had talked about her struggles with her own weight and felt it was hypocritical of Janeane to make fun of Fiona’s weight. Garofalo reportedly replied “it’s comedy. Deal with it.
In 1999, Apple’s second album, When the Pawn… was released. Its full title is actually: When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts He Thinks Like a King/What He Knows Throws the Blows When He Goes to the Fight/And He’ll Win the Whole Thing ‘Fore He Enters the Ring/There’s No Body To Batter When Your Mind is Your Might/So When You Go Solo, You Hold Your Own Hand/And Remember That Depth is the Greatest of Heights/And If You Know Where You Stand, Then You Know Where to Land/And If You Fall It Won’t Matter, Cuz You’ll Know That You’re Right.
The album was cultivated during Apple’s relationship with film director Paul Thomas Anderson. It was well-received critically, especially by the New York Times and by Rolling Stone, but some music journalists immediately dismissed the album. The initial review in Spin Magazine simply quoted the title, and then underneath read “Whoops. Now we don’t have room for a review. One star.”
The album used more expressive lyrics, experimented more with drum loops, and heavily incorporated clavichord and organ. It did not fare as well commercially as her debut, though it was an RIAA-certified Platinum-selling release in the United States. Several singles were released (”Fast as You Can,” “Paper Bag” and “Limp”), but the videos (directed by then-boyfriend Anderson) received very little play. The album’s lyrics were also often difficult to decipher, due to the archaic and creative wording (”To Your Love”:My derring-do allows me to dance the rigadoon around you / But by the time I’m close to you, I lose my desideratum…
A third album, Extraordinary Machine, which was produced by Jon Brion, was submitted to Sony executives in May 2003. Sony was reportedly unenthusiastic about the finished product, and the project was shelved for over two years. In 2004 and 2005, tracks were leaked on the Internet in MP3 format and played on U.S. and international radio; subsequently, MP3s of the entire album, believed produced by Brion (although he later claimed the leaked tracks were “tweaked” beyond his own work), went online. Although a website distributing the album was quickly taken offline via the DMCA copyright law, they soon reached P2P networks and were downloaded by fans.
In August 2005, the album was given a release date for October. Production had been completed by Mike Elizondo (though known for his work with hip-hop artists such as Dr. Dre, he had previously played bass for Apple on Pawn) and co-produced by electronica experimentalist Brian Kehew. Spin later reported: “Fans erroneously thought that Apple’s record label, Epic, had rejected the first version of Extraordinary Machine… in reality, according to Elizondo, Apple was unhappy with the results, and it was her decision to redo the record, not her label’s”. Two of the eleven previous leaked tracks were relatively unchanged, nine were completely retooled, and one new song (”Parting Gift”) was also included. According to Elizondo, “Everything was done from scratch”. Upon its release, the album became the highest-charting album of Apple’s career (debuting at number seven), and before the end of 2005 had sold more than 300,000 copies in the US alone.
It was revealed in late 2005 that Sony was initially unhappy with the work, and Apple and Brion sought to rework the album. Sony made caveats on the process, to which Apple balked. After a long period of waiting, she began an attempt to rework the album with close friend Kehew (also a friend and former roommate of Jon Brion). Elizondo was brought back as co-producer to complete the tracks he had begun with Brion and Apple. Despite suggestions that the album had caused a rift between Brion and Apple, they regularly perform together at Largo, a club in Los Angeles, including a joint appearance with Elizondo on bass just before the news broke of an official release. Apple went on a live tour to support the album in late 2005, and from early 2006 supported Coldplay on their tour of North America. The album has yielded the singles: “Parting Gift”, “O’ Sailor”, “Get Him Back” and “Not About Love”.
Apple is also a vegan and supporter of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). In 1997, Apple recorded a message on PETA’s hotline expressing her concern for the plight of turkeys on Thanksgiving. In reference to a Butterball Turkey hotline people could call to get tips on cooking their turkeys, she claimed, “There’s no proper way to kill and cook these beautiful birds.” She continued, “Millions of people are learning that a vegetarian diet is the healthy choice for themselves, the Earth and the animals.”
Carol Alt Biography
She’s been named “The Most Beautiful Woman in the World” by Playboy and dubbed the “Next Million Dollar Face” by Life Magazine and graced up to 800 magazine covers, but Carol Alt’s most personal project to date is her life changing diet.
Alt is the poster child for the famous line - you are what you eat. You see, Carol is a raw foodist. And no, it’s not just eating salads or being a vegetarian, not in the slightest. She can eat anything, yes, even meat (raw) and as much as she wants and she’s never hungry…ever or rarely gets sick. She’s getting the benefits you wouldn’t believe because her food doesn’t lose the nutritional value (those all-important enzymes) that are lost through cooking that can make you look your best.
In the hopes of looking as good as Alt, we’ll forego cooked food any day.. and keep her new book Eating in the Raw: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Slimmer, Feeling Healthier, and Looking Younger the Raw-Food Way kitchen-side.
Carol Alt is the epitomy of defying age. She looks better in her 40’s than most 20 year olds. And, it has nothing to do with hours upon hours in a gym or plastic surgery….It’s all in what she eats and it shows. We’ve caught up with her to talk about her style and how raw food changed her life (her very own fountain of youth)
A leggy brunette supermodel, Carol Alt was also a “Cover Girl” makeup representative. Born in Queens and raised on Long Island, she began her modeling career at age 16 and has been seen on more than 600 magazine covers. Alt perhaps is best known for her 1982 Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover. Since the late 1980s, she has appeared in numerous Italian-made films and TV programs. In the USA, Alt is perhaps best-known for her starring role opposite Eric Roberts in the syndicated “Vendetta: Secrets of a Mafia Bride” (1991) and its 1993 sequel “Vendetta II: The New Mafia”. She also co-starred in the short-lived adventure series “Thunder in Paradise” (syndicated, 1994). More recently, Alt appeared in “Private Parts” (1997) as an airline passenger to whom Howard Stern recounts his life story and had the lead in the syndicated series “Peter Benchley’s Amazon” (1999-2000).
- Born:
on 12/01/60 in Flushing Point, New York - Job Titles:
Actor, Model, Singer, Bakery worker, Waitress
Family
- Brother: Anthony Alt. older; lives in New Zealand
- Father: Anthony Alt. was also in army reserves; born in 1930; died of cancer on Christmas day 1983
- Mother: Muriel Alt. before her marriage, had worked as a print and runway model
- Sister: Christine Alt. younger
- Sister: Karen Alt. older
Significant Others
- Husband: Ron Greschner. born c. 1955; met in 1982 when he was playing hockey for the New York Rangers; married on November 21, 1983; separated in 1996; divorced; retired from hockey in 1990
- Companion: Alexei Yashin. born in November 1973 in Sverdlosk, USSR; together from 1998; played hockey with the Ottawa Senators from 1993; did not play during the 1999-2000 season because of a contract dispute; signed 10-year, $87.5 million contract with the New York Islanders in September 2001
- Companion: Ayrton Senna da Silva. born in March 1960 in Brazil; although close, Alt maintains they were just friends; died in a racing accident on May 1, 1994
- Companion: Rex Smith. had relatioship in 1982
Education
- Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York
Milestones
- 1979 Began modeling career; handled by Elite; landed first cover on the Italian edition of Bazaar
- 1979 Signed to cosmetics contract by Lancome; appeared in print ads
- 1979 While waitressing, spotted by a photographer who suggested she try her hand at modeling
- 1981 Profiled in Life magazine
- 1982 Was on the cover of the swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated magazine
- 1985 Announced she was quitting modeling
- 1985 Appeared in the docudrama, “The Look/Portfolio”
- 1985 Made stage acting debut in L.A. production of “Sweet Charity”, staged by Bob Fosse and starring Debbie Allen; did not remain with show when it transferred to Broadway
- 1986 Film acting debut, “Monte Napoleone”
- 1991 Breakthrough role as a woman who marries the man who murdered her father in the syndicated TV-movie “Vendetta: Secrets of a Mafia Bride”
- 1993 Reprised her role in “Vendetta II: The New Mafia” (syndicated)
- 1994 Co-starred in the syndicated series “Thunder in Paradise”
- 1997 Had featured role in the film version of Howard Stern’s autobiography “Private Parts”
- 1998 Resumed modeling career
- 1999 Starred in the syndicated adventure series “Peter Benchley’s Amazon”
- 1999 Starred in “Thinking of Africa”, a series of 12 two-hour films made for Italian television
- Appeared in about a dozen European features
- Raised in College Point, New York and (from 1971) in East Williston on Long Island
- Signed to contract with Cover Girl cosmetics; featured in TV commericals and print advertisements
- Was featured on the covers of several fashion and women’s magazines including Vogue and Cosmopolitan
Miley Cyrus Is Disney’s New Princess
Miley Cyrus Is Disney’s New Princess
As Hilary Duff gracefully transitioned out of her slot as Disney’s poster child and into the businesses of fragrance, clothing and music, a void was created. And Miley Cyrus has stepped into her shoes as the newest Disney princess.
Miley is the daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, best known for his top 40 hit “Achy Breaky Heart, and both daughter and father have singing as well as acting skills. On Disney Channel’s hit show Hannah Montana (Miley plays the title character), both stars are able to draw on real life experiences as they portray a real life family with child superstars.
Hannah Montana premiered with 5.5 million viewers, and dominated the tweens category with 2.3 million viewers. The incredible launch of the show quickly allowed it to knock off the competition and become basic cable’s top series in the tween category in just seven weeks.
And as another validation of Miley’s rising fame, her recently released album, Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus, outsold American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson’s new album, which was released on the same date.
With a bright future ahead of her, Miss Cyrus is about to kick off a new concert tour titled The Best of Both Worlds, in which she performs as both herself, as well as her alter ego, Hannah Montana.
Look forward to seeing more of Miley. In the meantime,