Lost Contact | Where Is Survivor Heroes vs Villainson Hot Topics -- Survivor Heroes vs Villainson," launching tonight on CBS, could turn out to be a real blockbuster, but right now they have some nits to pick.
For instance, how can an edition touted as a 10-year celebration of the reality series not include a single castaway from its groundbreaking first season? Moreover, why didn't producers attempt to spread the wealth — in lieu of giving nine players their third crack at the game?
Turns out that Yau-Man Chan of Martinez was, indeed, approached by producers, but reluctantly turned down the invite. The popular UC Berkeley computer whiz, who charmed millions in the Fiji edition & returned to play in Micronesia, was flat out of holiday time.
& from a more provincial view, why does the East Bay, which has produced a plethora of "Survivor" players, including five winners (Vecepia Towery & Yul Kwon), have no representative in Samoa?
At first, Chan, 57, was disappointed over missing another chance to compete. But after studying the male half of this season's roster, which includes the likes of Rupert Boneham, James Clement & "Boston" Rob Mariano, he is fine with watching from the comfort of his couch.
"I look at that cast & it is loaded with real power players — a lot of type-A personalities," they says. "I don't think I'd have any chance out there with those guys. I am more of a subtle player, who relies on playing an intellectual game. I would not fit in with this group."
Despite the presence of all those macho men, Chan has a hunch that the season will be ruled by women.
"If I had to put my money on someone, it would be the lovely flirty ones who know how to manipulate people — players like Parvati (Shallow), Candice (Woodcock), Amanda (Kimmel) & Sandra (Diaz-Twine)," they says. "I think the Alpha males will turn on each other & do themselves in."
"I'd love to see her win," they says. "She's such a lovely player. & they changed my prejudice against beauty queens. I always thought they are harebrained dingalings. But he is a thoughtful person with a lovely head on her shoulders."
Chan has a soft spot, in particular, for Amanda, the former pageant queen who has come oh-so-close to the prize two times — finishing as the second runner-up in China & the runner-up in Micronesia.
Chan & several former "Survivor" castaways are inviting fans to join them tonight at Ricky's Sports Bar in San Leandro to watch the season premiere episode & help raise money for doctors conducting relief work in Haiti.
Expected to attend are, among others, Chad Crittenden (Vanuatu), Mary Sartain (Micronesia), Sonja Christopher (Borneo) & Towery (Marquesas). Also expected are "Amazing Race" contestants Godwin & Erwin Cho.
GETTING HIS GAME FACE ON: Bob Costas won't be the only TV personality grabbing screen time during the Winter Olympics. You'll also be seeing a lot of KNTV (NBC11) sports director Raj Mathai.
Mathai, who began a 28-day stint in Vancouver last week, is scheduled to file live reports for KNTV's 5, 6 & 11 p.m. newscasts throughout the games. He'll also be crafting a series of feature stories on Northern New york Olympians.
In addition to his work for KNTV, Mathai has been selected by the NBC station group to file nightly reports for affiliates in New York, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles & Dallas. Mathai has covered three previous Olympics, but this is his first as a multitasker for other stations.
"In 28 days, the Bay Area will get sick of me," they says.
"I'm going to use a dry erase board (for live-remote sequences) so I don't get mixed up saying the wrong station letters," they says.
To bolster his reporting, Mathai designs to rely on a few local Olympic heroes. Figure skaters Kristi Yamaguchi & Brian Boitano & skier Jonny Moseley will offer analysis while their sports are in session.
NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday with the opening ceremony.
For instance, how can an edition touted as a 10-year celebration of the reality series not include a single castaway from its groundbreaking first season? Moreover, why didn't producers attempt to spread the wealth — in lieu of giving nine players their third crack at the game?
Turns out that Yau-Man Chan of Martinez was, indeed, approached by producers, but reluctantly turned down the invite. The popular UC Berkeley computer whiz, who charmed millions in the Fiji edition & returned to play in Micronesia, was flat out of holiday time.
& from a more provincial view, why does the East Bay, which has produced a plethora of "Survivor" players, including five winners (Vecepia Towery & Yul Kwon), have no representative in Samoa?
At first, Chan, 57, was disappointed over missing another chance to compete. But after studying the male half of this season's roster, which includes the likes of Rupert Boneham, James Clement & "Boston" Rob Mariano, he is fine with watching from the comfort of his couch.
"I look at that cast & it is loaded with real power players — a lot of type-A personalities," they says. "I don't think I'd have any chance out there with those guys. I am more of a subtle player, who relies on playing an intellectual game. I would not fit in with this group."
Despite the presence of all those macho men, Chan has a hunch that the season will be ruled by women.
"If I had to put my money on someone, it would be the lovely flirty ones who know how to manipulate people — players like Parvati (Shallow), Candice (Woodcock), Amanda (Kimmel) & Sandra (Diaz-Twine)," they says. "I think the Alpha males will turn on each other & do themselves in."
"I'd love to see her win," they says. "She's such a lovely player. & they changed my prejudice against beauty queens. I always thought they are harebrained dingalings. But he is a thoughtful person with a lovely head on her shoulders."
Chan has a soft spot, in particular, for Amanda, the former pageant queen who has come oh-so-close to the prize two times — finishing as the second runner-up in China & the runner-up in Micronesia.
Chan & several former "Survivor" castaways are inviting fans to join them tonight at Ricky's Sports Bar in San Leandro to watch the season premiere episode & help raise money for doctors conducting relief work in Haiti.
Expected to attend are, among others, Chad Crittenden (Vanuatu), Mary Sartain (Micronesia), Sonja Christopher (Borneo) & Towery (Marquesas). Also expected are "Amazing Race" contestants Godwin & Erwin Cho.
GETTING HIS GAME FACE ON: Bob Costas won't be the only TV personality grabbing screen time during the Winter Olympics. You'll also be seeing a lot of KNTV (NBC11) sports director Raj Mathai.
Mathai, who began a 28-day stint in Vancouver last week, is scheduled to file live reports for KNTV's 5, 6 & 11 p.m. newscasts throughout the games. He'll also be crafting a series of feature stories on Northern New york Olympians.
In addition to his work for KNTV, Mathai has been selected by the NBC station group to file nightly reports for affiliates in New York, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles & Dallas. Mathai has covered three previous Olympics, but this is his first as a multitasker for other stations.
"In 28 days, the Bay Area will get sick of me," they says.
"I'm going to use a dry erase board (for live-remote sequences) so I don't get mixed up saying the wrong station letters," they says.
To bolster his reporting, Mathai designs to rely on a few local Olympic heroes. Figure skaters Kristi Yamaguchi & Brian Boitano & skier Jonny Moseley will offer analysis while their sports are in session.
NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday with the opening ceremony.
