Top 5 Survivor Contestants

In honor of the recently-ended 16th season of Survivor, I thought I’d rank my favorite players. And while we’ here, I can’t believe how this season played out. For second season in a row, Amanda totally botched the final few Tribal Councils by getting all weepy and trying to be everyone’s best friend. She is a fantastic player, but just falls apart at the end…the Chris Webber of Survivor.

5. Earl (Fiji)

I had a tough time with this 5th spot. Earl probably ended up here because his season was so recent. But he seemed like a nice guy and played a great game.

4. Stephenie (Palau and Guatemala)

A fearsome competitor. So good at swimming, so bad at puzzles. I think she and her tribes hold the all-time record for “most challenges blown at the end despite having a big lead”.

3. Yul (Cook Islands)

The leader of the most likable alliance in the show’s history: Yul, Ozzy, Beckie, and Sundra. They were outnumbered 8-4 and somehow managed to wipe out the other 8 consecutively. He was also able to use the hidden immunity idol to flip the whole game rather than save himself for one week. Fantastic.

2. Michelle (Fiji)

Outrageously screwed over by a tribal switch in which it was in both tribes’ best interests to lose the Immunity Challenge. She seemed to be having a great time and even provided a hilarious fall in the background of the action during a challenge.

1. Boston Rob (Marquesas and All-Stars)

Probably not the most likable, but delivered an immensely entertaining performance in the All-Stars season. Dominated challenges, dominated strategy, even dominated another tribe’s vote. Contrary to Amanda’s comment in the last episode, he (and others, like Tom Westman) is a better all-around player than Ozzy, who got voted out without playing his Immunity Idol and was basically just good (VERY GOOD) at challenges.

Top 5 Friday Night Lights Characters

I’m ranking these characters based on how much entertainment they provided over the first two seasons. Thankfully, there will be at least one more season to evaluate.

5. Tyra Collette - Despite her association with the ridiculous “stalker” storyline, Tyra earns a spot.

4. Matt Saracen – Mike Penney and I used to have a debate about who was the better character: Saracen or Riggins. During Season One I definitely favored Saracen, Season Two proved Mr. Penney correct.

3. Coach Taylor – His harried, overwhelmed attitude around this wife and daughter is absolutely priceless.

2. Mrs. Taylor – I had a tough time deciding which Taylor parent to put in front. Tami was better in Season One, Eric in Season Two. Since Season One was better, I went with the Mrs. Taylor. Don’t mess with Tami!

1. Tim Riggins – He pretty much carried Season Two on his back. That scene where he’s working at the Gymnastics Meet and is getting totally into it…that kills me everty time. Every single time.

 

Top 5 Movies I Like Way Too Much

Everyone has movies that they know are bad and/or cheesey, but always enjoy watching anyway. These are mine.

5. Rocky 4

Delightfully bad. Rocky’s battle to end the Cold War is half classic one-liners and half musical montage. What more could you want?

4. Overboard

Rich and obnoxious Goldie Hawn falls overboard (get it??) and loses her memory. So Kurt Russell basically kidnaps her and tricks into being his wife and the mother of his four boys. Hijinx ensue.

3. On Deadly Ground

I couldn’t put a list like this together without Steven Seagal, who was both the star and director of this epic. Two staples of any Seagal movie that were particularly enjoyable in this one:

• The first appearance of Stevie’s character is accompanied by the type of dramatic music usually reserved for religious miracles.
• The bad guys “find” his resume and despondently list off his military accomplishments. (“He’s an expert in weapons and tactics?!?!”, “He has 7 bronze stars!??”, “He conquered Portugal with a broken collarbone?!??”)

2. Feds

A random action-comedy from the late 80s, in which Rebecca DeMornay and Mary Gross play FBI trainees. I watched this all the time when I was a kid…yeah, I have no idea either.

1. Footloose

I love this movie.  I love the tractor game of chicken. I love the pure 80’s soundtrack. I love how Ren kicks the door of his car shut after politely opening it up for his date. I love when he goes to the empty barn and blows off steam with an elaborate combination of dancing and gymnastics. I love when Chuck Cranston screams, “I treated you decent!!” And I love how that kid at the prom has apparently been practicing the “robot” in secret for years, waiting until just this moment.