Jen & Drew Talk Survivor

"This tribe is missing some grit!" - Season 43 - Episode 4

October 13, 2022 16:36 - 34 minutes - 48 MB

Drew is really sleepy and losing his train of thought in this raw analysis of Episode 4. We debate whether Cody is playing a solid strategic game, whether you should give up protein, and what level of paranoia is appropriate in this game. Oh and Drew makes up a new saying for "calling the shots" that is probably all the rage in Canada now.

"Your pee looks like bullion cubes" - Season 43 - Episodes 2 and 3

October 07, 2022 04:38 - 45 minutes - 63 MB

Travel and scheduling force Jen and Drew to pack two Survivor 43 episodes into this one podcast episode. We talk about Jesse in the middle and find two Survivor players surprising us while a favorite of ours is starting to struggle. Also Jen wishes that Survivor were occassionally a bit more like the Great British Baking Show as we wonder if there is anyone on this show that doesn't have a story of overcoming something really difficult.

"I want to be the king but look like the pawn" - Season 43 - Episode 1

September 22, 2022 03:52 - 37 minutes - 50.9 MB

Jen and Drew are back for their first true episode covering Season 43 of the best show on television. As always we discuss the winners and the strugglers. We reassess our preseason picks, and ponder at the baffling decisions of Gabler. We also chat about who surprised us, the cast as a whole, and lament that there is far too much harmony on all these tribes!

Season 43 Preview - Expectations and First Impressions

September 21, 2022 03:21 - 34 minutes - 47.2 MB

Jen and Drew go through all three tribes and make a bunch of assumptions based on first impressions about who will be the strongest and weakest players on each team. We use this same sound logic to pick our winners of the season as a whole. We had a lot of fun recording this one and hope you are excited about Season 43 too!

"I hear what you are saying, but you are saying it in an aggressive way" - Season 42 - Finale

May 28, 2022 01:30 - 1 hour - 114 MB

Season 42 has come to an end. We review the episode, talk favorites, best and worst players, and name heroes and villians. We also discuss whether Jonathan is a misogynist, where Omar and Maryanne stack up among Survivor greats, our feelings about the new reunion show format, who we would like to see again, and our overall thoughts on this season. Oh and we lament that the producers have chosen not to use themes and throw out some potential (mostly bad) season theme ideas of our own for good ...

"I am Survivor confident" - Season 42 - Episode 11

May 20, 2022 04:12 - 56 minutes - 77.8 MB

As the season is nearing its end, people are losing their minds, but one Survivor rises up to stand up for the cause of sensible, strategic gameplay. Jen and I discuss the rise and fall of Jonathan and the force that Maryanne has become in this game. We call out Mike for his hypocrisy. We commend Romeo for finally engaging in the game and wonder whether Linsdey could have or should have done something with her idol.

"That's Where Romeo Art Thou!" - Season 42 - Episode 10

May 12, 2022 03:15 - 59 minutes - 81.9 MB

Jen is under the weather, so Survivor Fantasy expert, Tyler Glodjo joins the podcast so I can tell him how much I hate do or die and how glad I am that it didn't ruin an otherwise great episode (he agrees). We talk about one of the happiest exits in Survivor history, the dominance of Omar, discuss why others aren't making big moves, and who would win if Omar isn't dethroned.

"Have I showed you my monkey run?" - Season 42 - Episode 9

May 06, 2022 02:42 - 51 minutes - 70.1 MB

While Jen loved this episode and equated it to a Hallmark movie, both Jen and Drew have beef with Survivvor and this season's contestants. We both wish challenges were a little harder, brainier, and more diverse. Jen takes issue with Omer's veterinary care and Drew's got beef with Jonathan's monkey run. And finally we name this season's fontrunners and runners up at this juncture in the game.

"I'm not going to let that happen to another one of us" - Season 42 - Episode 8

April 29, 2022 21:22 - 46 minutes - 64.4 MB

We discuss what was, by far, the most interesting, entertaining, fascinating, and powerful episode, not only of the season, but in a long time. Jen is now vying for the position of President of the Maryanne fan club. We both applaud Drea's stand. We also talk about Hai and Mike. We discuss how we finally saw the Jonathan we thought we would see. And finally Jennifer says Survivor contestants don't have it that hard and laments we haven't gotten any exotic animal stories from Omar.

"You better be wearing a seatbelt" - Season 42 - Episode 7

April 21, 2022 02:16 - 42 minutes - 58.2 MB

We discuss Drea's wealth of advantages, Tori's skills of observation, Jonathan's appetite, Omar's diplomacy, Mike's social game, and Chanelle's karma. It was a pretty normal episode but there was a lot going on between the lines. We also talk about who we wouldn't want to go to the end with at this point in the game.

"Sorry America, I look like crap" - Season 42 - Episode 6

April 15, 2022 03:28 - 54 minutes - 74.4 MB

Return to mergatory and this time the hourglass feels a little less awful. At least we we all emotionally prepared for it. We speculate how Drea figured out a change of the result was coming. We also chat about all the new relationships forming after the "merge." We debate whether Hai or Omar played this one better. We also talk about Romeo, Drea, Jonathan, Rocksroy, and, of course, Jen's favorite, Maryanne.

"Only punch people when you are boxing" - Season 42 - Episode 5

April 08, 2022 02:47 - 54 minutes - 75.1 MB

After the trainwreck that was last episode, Season 42 has returned to form with a thoroughly entertaining and strategy-filled episode. We debate whether Daniel is good at this game, why on earth Chanelle is still around, and what must have been going through her mind when she voted tonight. We also discuss whether Jonatahn will ever tell Maryanne what he realliy thinks about her and Drea's abundance of advantages.

"I feel like I just totally screwed everything up" - Season 42 - Episode 4

March 31, 2022 01:32 - 45 minutes - 62 MB

Wow so many shifting alliances and plans in this episode! We discuss the shifting alliances of Ika, how in the world Chanelle managed not to be public enemy number 1, and whether or not Jonathan is endearing. We also talk a bit about the shot in the dark, and as always name the winners and strugglers of the week.

"I feel like I just totally screwed everything up" - Season 42 - Episode 3

March 31, 2022 01:32 - 45 minutes - 62 MB

Wow so many shifting alliances and plans in this episode! We discuss the shifting alliances of Ika, how in the world Chanelle managed not to be public enemy number 1, and whether or not Jonathan is endearing. We also talk a bit about the shot in the dark, and as always name the winners and strugglers of the week.

"Fudge . . . Shiz" - Season 42 - Episode 3

March 24, 2022 03:23 - 1 hour - 96.7 MB

What a strange episode! Richard Clark joins the podcast to unpack one of the very strangest showings of Survivor strategy or lackthereof. We discuss Chanelle's attempt at a Jedi mind trick, Daniel's forgetfulness, Hai's rise from the bottom to the top. We also discuss whether Jonathan is too blantantly physically strong, who is on team Maryanne, and what we would wear if cast for Survivor.

"Together we make the perfect human" - Season 42 - Episode 2

March 17, 2022 15:26 - 45 minutes - 63.1 MB

Jen and I struggle not to make this entire episode about Maryanne. We also talk about the budding bromance between Omar and Jonathan, Mike's immunity idol woes, Drea's decision to confide in the women on her tribe, and immunity challenge strategy.

"We're about to find out Jeff" - Season 42 - Premiere

March 10, 2022 04:12 - 38 minutes - 52.2 MB

Season 42 has begun and Jen is re-evaluating this cast. As always we discuss the best and worst players and unpack the new advantages and mechancis of this so-called "new era." Survivor is back and we are happy!

Season 42 - Preview - Expectations and First Impressions

March 09, 2022 03:48 - 59 minutes - 81.3 MB

Jen thinks this cast looks boring, Drew tries to prove her wrong, and in the end we agree that we are stoked for more Survivor. We discuss our expectations for the season and name winners and strugglers from each tribe. We also each pick a Sole Survivor. We end the cast by interviewing one another as if we had recently been picked to be on the show.

Season 41 in Review - The Best and Worst Players and Moments

December 23, 2021 04:44 - 1 hour - 89.9 MB

Special guests Tyler Glodjo and Cathy Dixon (Drew's Mom) join the cast for one last discussion of Season 41. We name the best and worst players, best and worst moves, as well as our favorite moments and players. Oh and we give some suggestions for dumb phrases the producers could force players to say to unlock idols.

"Drop the 4, keep the 1" - Season 41 - FINALE!!!

December 16, 2021 18:03 - 51 minutes - 70.1 MB

The moment we've been waiting for is finally here, a winner of Season 41 has been crowned and this jury's choice is a hard to fathom for Jennifer. We examine Ericka, Xander, and Deshaun's game play and discuss whether the edit was deliberately misleading. Drew attempts to defend Ericka's game and both Drew and Jen wonder if this season marks a new era of how juries will operate at the end.

"At least I did something with some gumption!" - Season 41 - Episode 12

December 09, 2021 04:20 - 47 minutes - 64.7 MB

As we near the end, contestants start cashing in on relationships and making their case to the jury! This episode was really all about Deshawn--his vulnerable moment and his relationships with his tribe mates. We also weigh on his decision to throw Ericka under the bus as well as his tribe mates reaction to that.

"Put your name on it" - Season 41 - Episode 11

December 02, 2021 04:39 - 1 hour - 105 MB

Jen is sadly out this week, so Jared Bangs joins Drew to talk about what we both agreed was the worst twist the game has introduced up to this point. We also talk about this new four person alliance, whether Ericka made the right move, and who we think is going to win as this game gets nearer and nearer its conclusion.

"It's like giving a baby a machine gun" - Season 41 - Episode 10

November 25, 2021 04:15 - 45 minutes - 62.8 MB

This very complex strategic episode had Drew and Jen wondering if more players shouldn't wait until after the immunity challenge to launch their big plans. We also both lament and celebrate the downfall of this season's queen.

"Chaos helps the bottom people" - Season 41 - Episode 9

November 18, 2021 04:07 - 43 minutes - 60.1 MB

We lament the double immunity tribal counsel mix up because we would have loved to see things play out more naturally. However, we also name our top four players who have a chance to win and applaud a few players for standing up for themselves and making moves. It's actually getting down to the wire--it's time to start padding your resume before it's too late!

"It's got my betraydar up!" - Season 41 - Episode 8

November 11, 2021 17:54 - 47 minutes - 65.7 MB

Scramble, scramble, scramble! And yet no one is trying to flip the game. We talk all things episode 8, including whether Shan's doing too much and putting a big target on her back and also we wonder how many challenges Evvie has memorized. As always we name winners, strugglers, and a player of the week.

"I should have kept my vote" - Season 41 - Episode 7

November 04, 2021 01:33 - 48 minutes - 66.4 MB

Idols, Advantages, and new alliances all come into play in the most frantic episode yet! We talk about whether all these new advantages are making for a better game. Speculate about what changing history should really mean, and as always answer Fun Survivor Questions and pick the best and worst players of the week.

"Mergeatory" - Season 41 - Episode 6

October 28, 2021 03:48 - 1 hour - 85.6 MB

The merge is finally here (more or less) and seeds of a new alliance are sown. We also discuss the last two major advantages introduced into the game and whether or not they represent good game design. We also see some strong players stumble a bit and some more quiet players find their voice.

"Confused as Goat on Astro Turf" - Season 41 - Episode 5

October 21, 2021 03:11 - 54 minutes - 75.3 MB

Jen and I talk at length about this season's most dominant player and ask how long she can sustain her dominance. We also discovered someone who is playing worse than JD and Brad were, it is shocking really. And finally, we discuss the players we are rooting for the most. Not only was this an episode where Survivor justice was done, this was also an episode where some key player made their way into our cold, calculating strategy-minded hearts.

"They hate me cause they ain't me" - Season 41 - Episode 4

October 14, 2021 04:39 - 1 hour - 99.7 MB

Game designer and reality TV junkie, Amy Green, joins the show this week to talk about how Jesus would play Survivor, why you should never throw a challenge, and whether Shan is playing too hard. We also talk about all the crying that's happening this season as well as the sea turtles and Naseer activating beast mode.

"I'm a ballsy player!" - Season 41 - Episode 3

October 07, 2021 04:03 - 1 hour - 93 MB

Richard Clark joins the podcast to discuss a truly hilarious episode of Survivor. Thanks to Rich, we finally discuss what irked us about the "Guys" discussion from episode 1. This episode is also brimming with brilliant "Fun Survivor Questions," high level strategy, and plenty of talk about this episode's Winners and Strugglers.

"Butterflies are dead relatives saying hi" - Season 41 Episode 2

September 30, 2021 02:53 - 37 minutes - 51.8 MB

We aren't quite ready to drop the 4 and keep the 1, but we are starting to dig this cast and the new game mechanics. We also answer some fun hypothetical questions weighing on the power of Jeff Probst yelling at you in an immunity challenge and potential themes for future Survivor Seasons. As always we name Winners and Strugglers and discuss how to navigate the tension between tribe strength and social bonds.

Season 41 Premiere - "I don't want to vote for anyone!"

September 23, 2021 04:15 - 48 minutes - 66.3 MB

It's been 16 months but a new season has finally begun! We discuss the new format and mechanics of this season's game. We also name winners and "strugglers" from all three tribes based on their performance in episode 1, and recite the many hilarious names of the teams in our Survivor Fantasy League. If the premiere is any indication, its going to be a fantastic season!

Season 41 - Preview - Expectations and First Impressions

September 21, 2021 05:15 - 1 hour - 91.6 MB

It is finally here, the moment we've all been waiting for—the greatest game on television is finally back and promising a new, faster paced, more brutal competition. We discuss the fresh approach to the game Jeff Probst has been promising for the new season. We also pick players from each tribe for the following awards based on first impressions from Instagram videos and preseason interviews: 1. Most Likely to Win 2. Most Exciting to Watch 3. Dark Horse (players who might surprise us). O...

Winners at War Full Season Review Spectacular with Richard Clark

May 18, 2020 04:02 - 1 hour - 139 MB

Richard Clark joins the cast to discuss the best, worst, most surprising, and entertaining players and moments from what we think might just be the best season in Survivor history. We discuss the merits and drawbacks of Edge of Extinction and also whether Survivor currently has an endgame balance problem. We also speculate on what's next for the show and suggest a ton of really great new themes that Probst should totally steal.

The Rise of Spynest - Finale Recap and Discussion

May 14, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 98.2 MB

With nearly three hours of Survivor content to discuss, we do our best to hit all the high points. We discuss Natalie's reentry into the game, the discussion on gender bias Sarah brought up, Tony's paranoia, Sarah's claim that Natalie doesn't have an idol, Tony's Spy Shack, Ben's decision, Tony's lack of sleep, and an epic fire challenge. There was so much to discuss in the final episode of arguably the best season of the greatest game on television. We are super proud we've made it an entir...

"It's a fake-out right?" - Episode 13 discussion

May 07, 2020 04:39 - 59 minutes - 81.2 MB

The end is near! Given that there are so few days left in this game, we wonder if the contestants are missing the forest for the trees. We also talk about who we'd like to see come back into the game from Extinction and whether anyone who comes back could have a strong enough resume to win. We also discuss Michelle's valiant effort to trigger a move that we feel should be on everyone's mind. And finally we talk about the combination of Fire Tokens and Edge of Extinction and their impact on t...

"Do you have peanut butter breath? - Episode 12 discussion

April 30, 2020 02:42 - 53 minutes - 73.8 MB

After one of the most interesting episodes of the season, this one was perhaps the most "no chill" episode yet. We discuss Kim and Nick's choice to eat peanut butter, Ben's inability to keep a secret and take out threats, and wonder how Jeremy is still in this game. We also discuss our feelings about Edge of Extinction this season and whether we think anyone from the Edge has a shot of winning the game when one of them gets a shot to get back into the game.

"That move says I'm the best" - Episode 11 discussion

April 23, 2020 03:30 - 1 hour - 89.7 MB

This is the kind of Survivor episode we've been waiting for: an "advantage" was played, players got up early to hunt for idols, Parvati was involved in a ruthless decision, and a good old fashioned blindside was pulled off successfully. We didn't want the person who went to extinction to get voted out, but we can't help but tip our hats to the new front runner in Survivor: Winners at War. This was one of the most dominant single episodes of play for one player in Survivor history.

"I am made of fast and sloppy!" - Episode 10 Discussion with special guests

April 16, 2020 03:21 - 1 hour - 83.9 MB

Tears were shed by Drew and even a few by Jennifer in this heart-warming episode of Survivor: Winners at War where we witnessed the largest "loved ones" visit in Survivor history. While very little gameplay happened for over half of this episode, the last twenty minutes were full of furious gameplay. We discuss the Tony's decision to play with Sarah and Sophie, Jeremy's "safety without numbers," and Kim's determination to play her idol. We speculate on whether Nick and Ben are Sophie and Sar...

"I want to play that. Can I play that?" - Episode 9 discussion with Jared Bangs

April 09, 2020 03:46 - 1 hour - 113 MB

So. Much. Whispering! Jared Bangs joins Jen & Drew to talk about the most chaotic episode of Winners at War yet. We discuss Tony's lions over hyenas strategy, Jeremy and Denise's subtle power alliance, Parv and Danny's Extinction faux pas, and the many wonderful quotes of Adam Klein. And we end the episode with the most substantial update to our Winner Watch to date.

"I'm so scared!" - Episode 8 discussion

April 02, 2020 03:11 - 59 minutes - 81.7 MB

THE MERGE IS HERE! We discuss the power of Tyson's peanut butter, Jeremy and Wendell's bromance, and Tony's meat shield strategy. We also discuss Sophie's strategy and discuss who might really be calling the shots. And finally we wonder if Adam and Be could ever work together. COVID-19 can't silence our deep affection for Survivor and we hope the same is true for you!

"If I am wrong I'll feel like a real idiot" - Episode 7 discussion with Richard Clark

March 26, 2020 05:01 - 1 hour - 113 MB

There is a new god in Survivor that's controlling everything: fire tokens. Special Guest Richard Clark, of The Useful Group and the No Chill Enneagram Podcast, joins the podcast to debate whether Michelle and Wendell have are playing a long con on us all and how much the new currency is impacting the game. We also debate Sandra's graceful (or disgraceful) exit from the game, whether Nick was a loser this week, and discuss if the old school game is dead.

"Welcome to the Club" - Episode 6 discussion with Mary Wiley

March 19, 2020 03:36 - 55 minutes - 76.9 MB

Peanut butter is purchased, the spy shack returns, and a new threat emerges. Mary Wiley joins the cast to discuss what will surely go down as one of the most memorable episodes in Survivor history. In this double tribal council episode, we chat about Wendell's brash play and his weird relationship with Michelle. We also the epic move at Tribal Council and debate whether Denise made one too many moves.

"Drop Your Buffs" - Episode 5 Discussion

March 12, 2020 04:43 - 48 minutes - 66.1 MB

We changed tribes and Rob definitely got the short end of the stick. We also talk about the heaviness of this week and this episode and talk about who is best situated now that there are 3 tribes. We debate whether anything could have been done to impact the results of Tribal Council. And finally we pick who we'd like to be sitting with at Final Tribal at this point in the game.

"I pooped my pants" - Episode 4 discussion

March 05, 2020 06:53 - 1 hour - 91.6 MB

It's episode 4 and Adam is launching his apology tour, Michelle is confiding in Rob, Tyson is trying to launch a new alliance, Yul is having fun and is also surprised that Tony isn't an A-hole. Sandra still isn't competing in challenges and still doesn't care who goes home as long as it isn't her, no one on Sele can jump, Rob redeems himself with clutch puzzle solving, and Tony actually does seem pretty cool, calm, and collected. This week we also have a special guest to join us in our Sur...

"Targeting the big dogs" - Episode 3 discussion

February 28, 2020 06:05 - 57 minutes - 78.4 MB

It's episode three and Adam is gunning for the big dogs while also telling everyone everything possible. Drew's pick Natalie is dominating on Edge of Extinction, and Tony has a showdown with a shark. We talk winners and losers on Episode 3, update our Winner Watch, and try but fail to figure out why Sele is trying to weaken #BostonParv rather than target them.

"Dump your bags!" - Episode 2 discussion

February 20, 2020 04:12 - 1 hour - 86 MB

We are two but really more like three episodes into Season 40: Winners at War and having oh so much fun! This episode we welcome Drew's Mom to the show who shares about her love of the game and her pick to win it all. We also discuss who we are rooting for and against. We talk about Tony's ladder, BostonParv's continued dominance despite all the bag dumping, and who shared idols with who. The war is on and it's just about everything we hoped for!

Premiere - Robarti or Boston Pav?

February 13, 2020 04:44 - 35 minutes - 48.9 MB

The battle has begun, lines have been drawn in the sand and then erased and redrawn. Sandra feels betrayed. Yule finds his game. Jen's pick to win, Tyson decides he hates poker. Drew's pick, Natalie is in serious trouble. Rob and Parvati are working together. Adam and Denise are getting lost. Tony is playing it cool. Survivor: Winners at War is finally here and moving fast and we LOVE IT! Oh and Drew suggests some celebrity couple names for the Rob/Parvati alliance.

Winners at War Preview

February 06, 2020 04:21 - 1 hour - 84.4 MB

On their very first episode, Drew and Jennifer talk about how they fell in love with Survivor, make their picks of who they think will be the winner, and discuss each of the former champion's chance to be crowned Sole Survivor again.