Okay, I'll admit it -- I was a huge addict of the first Survivor. But this new installment, the Australian Outback just didn't have the same zest as the original ... until now.
So, with us now being just past the halfway mark on Australian Outback, I thought I'd take this chance to rate the odds of the final eight contestants. From least likely to most unlikely winner:
1.) Tina: I've got my money on her. She's smart, easy-going and physically strong. She's laid low so far and seems to have made friends with people from both teams.
Plus, she's from Tennessee -- how can she lose? (Then again, look at Al Gore.)
2.) Colby: Unfortunate as it may be, Colby has set himself up in a pretty good position. If Tina doesn't pull off the win, this smug Texan very likely will.
He's a tough competitor, and he has successfully played both sides of the fence, pretending to join both the Tina/Keith and Amber/Jerri alliances. So far, no one's caught on to his treachery and if his luck holds, he just might outwit the rest of the competition.
3.) Keith: The crafty chef from Michigan has outplayed everyone, winning all the individual immunity challenges since the merger. He's starting to come out as a favorite to go all the way, which is precisely why he won't. My gut says he's going to go soon.
4.) Elisabeth: I'm predicting someone from Ogakor will walk away with the victory. But if a Kucha tribe member manages to get it, it's going to be Elisabeth. And, if you ask me, that would be a pretty grand outcome.
I normally don't like the sweet "characters," but she just seems so genuine (though naïve), and she hasn't made any enemies.
5.) Amber: It's tough to know too much about Amber, considering the lack of screen time she's given. Which is fine by me -- from what we have seen she's a bit of a prima donna. Nonetheless, she has laid low, which could only work in her favor. Unlike teammate Jerri (who has amassed many enemies), Amber has managed to keep herself out of the line of fire.
6.) Nick: This charming Harvard law student definitely has the brains it would take to win. Unfortunately, though, unless he wins immunity, he's probably going to be voted out in the very near future. I'm keeping my fingers crossed he'll hang around a bit longer, since he's one of my favorites.
7.) Rodger: This kind Kentucky native is definitely the nicest Survivor of the bunch. Unfortunately, nice guys usually finish last.
8.) Jerri: Boy would it suck if she won the million.
But she's so widely hated, I can't see how her winning is possible. Even if she makes it to the final two, who on the "jury" is going to vote for her? Then again, that's what I thought about Richard Hatch.
So, I'm putting Jerri last on the list -- but it wouldn't surprise me if she pulled it off.
