Glad that we got that out of the way.

In following up to the post I wrote on Thursday about the preview of Survivor Micronesia: Fans vs. Favorites, the season will be filled with uber fans of the show battling it out with “favs” that were on other seasons but didn’t win the $1 million dollar booty.

And, alas, we got to see the biggest villain in Survivor history return in one Jonny Fairplay who really has made a career of trying his best to get attention and make a living in reality television.

For fans of the show, we were introduced to the loudmouth in the opening moments that was recognizable to viewers. It was the Fairplay we knew. Snarking with host Jeff Probst, scheming with two sets of already divided favorites, this was the Fairplay that we have seen quite a bit of over the last four years.

But in an event that you could see play out in his eyes, we saw him shift and try to prove his worth as a kindler, gentler Fairplay. And it happened as he was gathering wood with Amanda. You could see in his eyes that he didn’t want to be gathering water, scavenging for food, hauling water and playing the game of Survivor.

You could see it cooking like a bad batch of meth in a 1973 Winnebago.

So the weeping starts and the “throwing” one for the team with Fairplay sadly bringing up that he couldn’t get his girlfriend and his unborn daughter, Piper, “screwing with this head.” He was impassioned about that he needed to be with them, that he was a more mature man. That he was, in fact, a good guy.

And he was “voted” out but in reality he quit, smiling as the votes came in and even giving his nemesis Probst a goodbye hug.

Guys, he didn’t go home. According to Dalton Ross at Entertainment Weekly, Fairplay went to what is affectionately known as Loser’s Lounge and waited around until the merge before he got to jet set around the world. I wish that his teammates or Probst had called him out on this, but they didn’t.

The reality is that Fairplay didn’t want to do what had to be done to outwit, outlast and outplay. Let’s take a look at Fairplay for a moment. He brawled with other reality television actor Danny Bonaduce less than a year ago, he defecated on a bed in Kill Reality and was tossed from that show, he was tossed for disrupting another reality show called “Inked” by disrupting the show’s filming …

Should I go on?

It’s not a big issue other than the fact that what is edited for reality television doesn’t always show the entire picture. And that Z-lister Fairplay did something he’s known for:

He scammed the viewers again.

I wonder if his grandmother that he said had died on Survivor: Cook Islands was watching this latest Fairplayism. I’m guessing she did.

Not exactly a Celebrity All-Star thing, but better.
The thing about Survivor is everytime I think it’s dead in the water, it comes back with something new. Last season was obviously interesting as it was shot in China which was unique in its on right, but this year.

Yeah, Jonny Fairplay is back. I know. I know.

Survivor does reinvent itself. It is the show that put reality television on the map as a viable marketing monster that could make networks money.

And it has. And it could also be said that Survivor works a gimmick. The favorites are memorable cast members but not winners. (Remember Rupert, the fans loved him but he was booted twice.)

The favorites, including Fairplay are James Clement (China); Ami Cusack (Vanuatu); Cirie Fields (Panama); Amanda Kimmel (China); Ozzy Lusth (Cook Islands); Eliza Orlins (Vanuatu); Jonathan Penner (Cook Islands); and Parvati Shallow (Cook Islands.)

But, it’s a gimmick, as I said. And Survivor survives on gimmicks that viewers are vocal enough to tell them if they love or hate it.

This season is set in Micronesia. It includes a new exile island where two contestants are sent instead of one, Jeff Probst said that James the gravedigger will be outdone on the stupidest move ever and Mark Burnett continues to deposit large amounts of money into his bank account.

Survivor begins it’s 16th season tonight at 7 CST.

Jeff Probst, the host of Survivor, revealed to reporters some of the twists for this season’s Survivor: Micronesia - Fans vs. Favorites. With that said, here’s the spoiler warning: Stop reading now if you don’t want to know what this season’s Survivor has in store for its viewers. If you don’t mind knowing, then sit back, get comfortable and continue reading as I uncover some of those secrets.

Survivor: Micronesia - Fans vs. Favorites May Set a Record for Blindsides

Remember James Clement from last season’s Survivor: China? He’s the one who held on to two Immunity Idols, but was voted off because he trusted his alliances and opted not to use either of the hidden Immunity Idols he held during Tribal Council.

“James currently holds the title for the biggest blunder in Survivor history. Luckily for him, he only holds it for one season. Because we have someone this season that makes an even bigger blunder. A major blunder,” Jeff Probst told the reporters.

Exile Island Returns on Survivor: Micronesia - Fans vs. Favorites

In an attempt to stop alliances before the merge, Jeff Probst told reporters two Survivor contestants from each fan vs. favorites tribe would be sent to Exile Island with only one clue as to where the hidden Immunity Idol could be.

More Love Affairs With Steamier Footage

This season we’ll be entertained as we watch the steamiest footage between more than one couple on this season’s Survivor: Micronesia - Fans vs. Favorites!

“It was brilliant how we got it. We out-thought them and got some great footage. There’s two love affairs that play a big part in this season — all the way to the end,” Jeff Probst explained to reporters.

Survivor: Micronesia - Fans vs. Favorites Contestants Struggle With Weather Conditions More Than in Past Seasons of Survivor

When asked about the weather conditions in Micronesia, Jeff Probst said they always deal with conditions that have taken a “physical toll” on the crew and they end up having to send them to the hospital. “This time the cast suffered. I don’t want to give too much away, but you will see that the Survivors took a physical beating like we’ve never had before. Nothing compares to how tough it was for them this time. You will see that play out on the show.” Jeff continued to explain.

One Challenge Becomes Survivor’s Most Physical Ever

We’ve seen the former Survivor contestants really battle it out in past challenges, but Jeff said on this season of Survivor we would see one of the most physical challenges they’ve ever aired. “It became a battle more quickly,” Jeff added.

And there you have it… some of the upcoming twists for Survivor: Micronesia - Fans vs. Favorites. I don’t know about it, but these twists sound exciting, and I can’t wait to watch them play out! Will you be watching Survivor: Micronesia - Fans vs. Favorites?

Sources: Reality Blurred and Survivor Fever